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InterRoC Research Project – Rheinmetall HX trucks Demonstrate Automated Driving Capabilities

Thursday, November 10th, 2022


On behalf of Germany’s Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw), Rheinmetall is currently conducting the InterRoC research and technology project. The abbreviation stands for Interoperable Robotic Convoy. In the last weeks, the impressive capabilities of this high-tech approach to autonomous driving were on display at two remarkable events.

The InterRoC project encompasses two HX2 military trucks from Rheinmetall, each equipped with an autonomy kit, and which alternate in accordance with the leader-follower principle. With this principle, the first vehicle is always driven manually, while the pursuit truck (or trucks) drives autonomously in its path. These are manned only by a backup driver, who can intervene in case of a malfunction. Here, it is not just the so-called primary functions, such as steering and accelerating, that are controllable; secondary functions like starting the engine, the lights, differential locks, etc., are as well. The current project uses an autonomy kit (A-Kit) furnished by the German authorities, and originally provided by the US government under a project agreement. Rheinmetall’s role in the programme includes modifying the basic vehicles and integrating the autonomy function, together with commissioning and testing.

Proven interoperability: a US-German convoy
As part of its Autonomous Ground Resupply (AGR) project, the US Army uses the same A-kits in its Oshkosh trucks that Rheinmetall uses for InterRoC. This makes mixed US-German convoys possible. This was tested in an operational demonstration (OPDEMO) from 26 September to 7 October at the US Army’s Grafenwöhr Training Area in Bavaria.

The intensive preparations paid off, with the first two-vehicle convoy already on the move the second day. During these two weeks, a convoy consisting of five vehicles tested every conceivable operating mode of the system in multiple variants. In the process, 1,051 km were driven autonomously. It is worth noting that the entire convoy overcame a gradient of 40 percent, with the A-Kit operating the differential locks.

Furthermore, the vehicles were able to operate continuously for over 75 minutes without manual intervention. The maximum convoy length was 1,100 metres.

Dynamic reconfiguration of the convoy proved possible with minimal idle time.
All in all, the tests turned out to be a complete success for everyone involved, resulting in numerous valuable findings.

Success at ELROB 2022
In early summer 2022, in the presence of German government officials, InterRoC vehicles had already taken part in the international European Land Robot Trial (ELROB) event.

ELROB is Europe’s toughest field test for unmanned systems. It is an open, multinational competition in the realm of robotics, sensors and autonomy, drawing participants from universities as well as civilian industry and the defence sector. It takes place every two years at a military installation. This year’s event was held at an exercise area near Vienna, 30 May to 3 June.

Participants have to contend with various scenarios and overcome multiple challenges, conceived in close cooperation with military users. Completion of the tasks is evaluated by a team of experts.

Participating for the first time with the InterRoC research and technology project in the event’s Convoying category, Rheinmetall’s small team took second place, finishing behind the University of the Bundeswehr in Munich.

This year’s challenges strained the specified capabilities of the vehicles and A-Kit alike, but the creative Rheinmetall team, reinforced by colleagues from RMMV Austria, largely succeeded in overcoming these.

In addition to the evaluated scenarios, Rheinmetall also carried out an autonomous driving presentation for a throng of interested visitors at the test site. The vehicles clearly captured the crowd’s imagination and proved highly popular.

AirBoss Defense Group Receives $40.6 Million in Orders for Husky 2G Vehicles

Tuesday, November 8th, 2022

New Contracts Will Support User Survivability, Route Clearance and Threat Detection

JESSUP, Md., Nov. 07, 2022 — AirBoss Defense Group (“ADG”), a subsidiary of AirBoss of America Corp. (“AirBoss”) today announced that it continues to build business momentum with a $35 million order for ten (10) Husky 2G counter-improvised explosive device (“C-IED”) vehicles. The vehicles will be equipped with a full complement of detection systems and periphery subsystems including ground penetrating radar (“GPR”), M20 Interrogation Arms, Rollover Detection Systems, thermal cameras and RPG-defeat netting. ADG is also responsible for providing comprehensive operator and maintainer training as well as spare parts and sustainment supplies to the customer. Delivery of the vehicles will take place over the next 16 months.

Furthermore, ADG, through its partner, DCD Protected (“DCD”), will be providing three (3) Husky 2G C-IED vehicles, peripheral detection and survivability systems to support a customer in West Africa, valued at up to $5.6 million. ADG and DCD will also be providing spare parts and sustainment supplies as well as comprehensive operator and maintainer training. This contract, with deliveries taking place over the next six months, will provide a critical, best-in-class route clearance and threat detection and interrogation capability that will aid in the ongoing war on terror and efforts to counter a growing extremist threat in the region.

Patrick Callahan, CEO of AirBoss Defense Group said, “AirBoss Defense Group is growing its worldwide leadership in survivability solutions, ranging from IED detection to high-risk environment personal protective equipment. The Husky 2G is a cornerstone product in our portfolio of survivability solutions and is the most survivable vehicle available on the battlefield, providing unparalleled route clearance capabilities to U.S allies around the world. ADG welcomes the opportunity to continue our long partnership with DCD to provide the proven and tested Husky 2G vehicle in support of global route clearance missions.”

These new orders build upon previous U.S. and foreign government procurement from ADG of Husky 2G C-IED vehicles, equipment, spare parts, and training to counter growing IED and landmine threats around the globe. ADG and DCD vehicles enable a rapid response to the growing international demand for proven route clearance and survivability solutions delivered by ADG. Built with a unique V-shaped hull and modular design, the Husky 2G C-IED protects operators from blast impacts, small arms fire, and challenging terrain while supporting sensor systems for threat detection, identification, and mitigation.

The two-operator Husky 2G clearance vehicle was developed to meet the operational requirement for longer, more complex, mounted clearance missions and the employment of more sophisticated vehicle payloads. Recognized by the U.S. Department of Defense as a U.S. Army Top Ten Invention, the 2G platform addresses evolving explosive threats while applying operationally proven survivability capabilities.

For more information, please visit www.adg.com.

Aimpoint Awarded Fire Control Systems Contract for Canada

Monday, November 7th, 2022

MALMÖ, Sweden – Aimpoint, the leading manufacturer and innovator of red dot sighting technology, has been awarded a contract for supply of the Aimpoint® FCS13-RE Fire Control System and TH-60 thermal sight systems to the Canadian military. The system will be used on deployed operations as the primary day and night Fire Control System (FCS) on Canada’s in-service M3 84mm Carl Gustaf produced by SAAB Dynamics. The contract was awarded through Twenty20 Insight Inc.

The FCS13-RE is a direct view, Dynamic Universal Reflex Sight, which utilizes an integrated laser range finder and ballistic computer to give the gunner an aiming point corrected for range, type of munition, terrain angle, and environmental conditions. The FCS13-RE provides a very high probability of first shot hit on both stationary and moving targets at extended ranges and utilizes a very intuitive user control interface. The system purchased by Canada MOD includes the TH-60 thermal imaging sight to allow full operational capability at night.

A proven system delivered to other NATO militaries, the Aimpoint FCS13-RE and TH-60 system was chosen for this program as it fully met or exceeded all of Canada’s strict technical performance requirements.

“The FCS13-RE with TH-60 provides Canada’s soldiers with huge increase in lethality. The FCS package being delivered will: more than double the effective range of the in-service M3 84mm Carl Gustaf; greatly increase first shot hit percentage; and make the weapon system fully day and night capable” said A.J. Lutes, Managing Director at Twenty20 Insight Inc.

Deliveries of the Aimpoint FCS13-RE and TH-60 are scheduled for 2023. The system will be fielded by the Canadian Army.

For more information, visit the company’s webpage: www.aimpoint.com.

German Armed Forces Conduct First Operational Tests of High-Energy Laser Weapon Against Drones

Thursday, November 3rd, 2022

It was a big step in the direction of fully operational laser weapons. For the time ever, the German Armed Forces fired a shipboard laser weapon. On August 30th 2022, the German frigate Sachsen successfully engaged drones at short and very short range in the Baltic Sea near Putlos Major Training Area. The laser weapon demonstrator was developed by the High-Energy Laser Naval Demonstrator working committee (“ARGE”), consisting of MBDA Deutschland GmbH and Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH.

Future high-energy laser (HEL) weapon systems for the Navy will be especially useful in defending against drones and drone swarms as well as engaging attacking speed boats at close and very close range. But the system can also be designed for greater output, enabling it to destroy guided missiles and mortar rounds.

The joint integration and test phase of the naval demonstrator started in November 2021, which the ARGE integration team concluded with a successful factory acceptance test at Rheinmetall’s Unterlüß proving ground. The demonstrator was then installed onboard the frigate Sachsen in Kiel. In July 2022 the first test campaign took place in Eckernförde Bay near the Bundeswehr’s Technical Centre for Ships and Naval Weapons, Marine Technology and Research, WTD 71, in Surendorf. During the trials, the capabilities of various sensors, including the electro-optical sensor suite from the ARGE and the radar, were verified. In addition, the interplay between all the components and procedures in the entire operational sequence from target acquisition to engagement was put to the test. The trials included multiple highly realistic engagement scenarios. The test planning and the provision of various types of targets on land, at sea or from the air were carried out and organised by the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw). The test management was carried out by WTD 71.

Daniel Gruber, naval demonstrator project manager at MBDA Deutschland, and Dr. Markus Jung, in charge of laser weapon development at Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH, were on hand to observe the test campaign with the frigate. Looking back on the integration and test phase, they drew a positive conclusion.

For everyone involved, the historic live fire test from a German Navy warship was a special moment. The team succeeded in proving the demonstrator’s capabilities in full. “Solid teamwork between the two ARGE partners played a key role in helping us integrate a fully functional, high-performance demonstrator onboard the frigate”, reports Gruber. “Close cooperation with the command team of the Sachsen enabled direct communication with the future user. This way, ideas from the Navy could be directly incorporated or implemented during subsequent development.”

Dr Thomas Baumgärtel, project manager for the naval demonstrator at Rheinmetall Waffe und Munition GmbH, was also satisfied with the outcome: “The principal components of the demonstrator are truly high tech. This is the result of long years of research at both the participating companies. Many of the demonstrator’s system components were developed specially for the project and combined in this form for the first time. Moreover, given the extremely short integration phase for a system of this complexity, we’re very proud of the results achieved thus far and of how well the trials went. The impressive performance of the HEL effectors in protecting surface combatants from short- and very-short range threats can be credited to the joint efforts of everyone involved in the project – defence industry experts, government officials, and of course the men and women of the frigate Sachsen.”

Both Doris Laarmann, head of laser activities at MBDA Deutschland, and Alexander Graf, in charge of programme management for laser weapons at Rheinmetall Waffe und Munition GmbH, emphasized how the current trials have now set the basic stage for introducing laser weapon systems and capabilities into the Bundeswehr – capabilities whose relevance is by no means restricted to the Navy. The defence industry is pressing ahead with laser systems that will help to protect troops deployed in harm’s way in multiple applications.

Testing of the high-energy laser weapon will continue until mid-2023. In subsequent test campaigns, new scenarios will challenge the demonstrator’s capabilities. Not least, the results will determine what still needs to be done on the path to a fully functional, operational laser weapon.

Effector-related tasks in the ARGE are basically evenly divided. MBDA Deutschland is taking care of target detection and target tracking, the operator console and linking the laser weapon demonstrator to the command-and-control system. Rheinmetall is responsible for the slewing system, the beam guidance, the demonstrator container as well as mechanical and electrical integration of the demonstrator onto the deck of the Sachsen, and finally for the high-energy laser source, including its periphery.

Toyota Brings Overlanding From Down Under to Its SEMA Display

Thursday, November 3rd, 2022

Three Exotic Toyota Builds from Australia’s Patriot Campers Give Show Attendees a Glimpse into Aussie Off-Roading and Overlanding Fun

LAS VEGAS (Nov. 1, 2022) – When Justin Montesalvo – director of Patriot Campers, based in the gorgeous Gold Coast, Queensland, area of Australia – visited the SEMA Show, he came away inspired by the scale of the builds he saw at North America’s premier automotive aftermarket exhibition.

Montesalvo, who posts entertaining “Patriot Games” videos on his YouTube channel and Patriotgames.tv website featuring his team’s builds, clearly has a wealth of creativity and building skills. Yet everyone can benefit from seeing in person the off-road and overlanding creativity of colleagues around the globe.

With his newfound inspiration, Montesalvo set about creating three outrageous Patriot Campers machines: The FJ49, the LC79 Supertourer – affectionately dubbed the “Black Truck” – and the LC79 6×6 Megatourer.

“The Patriot Campers rigs are absolutely stunning and have quite the presence,” said Lisa Materazzo, group vice president – Toyota Division Marketing. “The creativity and workmanship are a testament to Justin Montesalvo and his team’s abilities. And let’s not forget his sons, Ashton and Christian, who cut their upgrading teeth on their own build, the FJ49.”

All builds are on display in Toyota’s 2022 SEMA Show exhibit (Central Hall, Booth No. 22200) at the Las Vegas Convention Center, a new and expanded space befitting of Toyota’s growing commitment to on- and off-road performance, excitement and adventure.

The FJ49: First Vehicle Dreams Do Come True

Twin brothers Christian and Ashton Montesalvo worked at Patriot Campers during school holidays since their pre-teen years, learning under their father’s tutelage and alongside expert mentors. Last year, the twins began searching for their first cars, and Ashton purchased a 1977 FJ45 Land Cruiser. Soon after, he, Christian, and dad started conceptualizing an FJ45 with modern technologies and components.

With dad and the Patriot Campers mentors’ guidance, coupled with years of Ashton’s hard-earned work savings as his budget, the brothers got to work, looking forward to testing their amassed skills. Obtaining a donor Toyota Land Cruiser 79 Series former mining vehicle, they swapped the engine, transmission, air conditioning, differentials and springs, leveraging this platform’s proven performance and reliability.

They then added a custom coil spring suspension up front, a JMACX heavy duty differential upgrade for the 79 series Land Cruiser leaf spring suspension and a stainless-steel exhaust system. Next came exterior additions like custom flares, bars and a tow bar; Warn® winch; LED driving lights and two light bars; an exo-cage engineered and fabricated by Patriot Campers; and a custom vehicle management system from Redarc Electronics®. To match the FJ49’s patina-inspired scheme, inside the brothers kept the retro look, only adding new upholstery, an overhead console and a Nardi® steering wheel.

The result is a rig that is dependable, comfortable and off-road capable, with pure retro appeal and charisma, proving dreams do come true.

The LC79 Supertourer: This Rig and a Patriot Campers X3 Trailer Extend Any Outback Journey

When Justin Montesalvo and his team dreamed up and built the LC79 Supertourer – affectionately named the “Black Truck” – the goal was a rig that was both aggressively good looking and fully capable of off-the-grid journeys. They started with a Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series GLX and extended the frame 11.8 inches to accommodate the Patriot Campers-designed Supertourer body.

Engine, suspension, wheel and tire upgrades, an air snorkel, an LED light package and light bar and front and rear winches help ensure trail versatility. A full suite of overlanding enhancements such as ample storage, a kitchenette, slide-out refrigerator, pop-up tent and platform, mini canopy, air compressor, water tank and navigation and communications systems round out the package.

In order to go farther, stay longer and extend the fun, the team hitched on a Patriots Campers X3 Trailer. Built to be tough, the X3 Trailer comes with an all-weather cabin with diesel tent heating and hot water as standard features. Ample interior and exterior storage, a PCOR® awning, a large outside kitchen, a slide-out 75-liter dual zone refrigerator freezer, 130 liters of water capacity from twin water tanks pumping hot water to the kitchen sink, a 1500-watt inverter, two 150-amp hour AGM Battery® gel batteries and a semi-integrated 80-watt solar panel provide all the comforts for the long haul.

The LC79 6×6 Megatourer: Extra Axle, Extra Wheels, All the Gear = Big Fun

Following the fanfare and praise of the Patriot Campers LC79 Supertourer, Montesalvo took his off-road and overlanding creativity to the next level. He began conceptualizing the possibilities and the challenges, leveraging the partner relationships that brought the Supertourer to life. With absolute confidence in his and his team’s expert capabilities, Montesalvo dreamed of a six-wheel off-pavement rig for overlanding journeys.

The result is the Megatourer. With a tough, purpose-built and aggressive look, Megatourer is real-world capable. It is the next generation of Supertourer styling with reworked rear toolboxes, angled sheet metal front and rear guards and on top of the Land Cruisers’ dual cab is an integrated Pioneer platform from Rhino for additional storage.

The team collaborated with JMACX Offroad Solutions to modify a Land Cruiser 79 Series chassis to accept an extra axle and wheels. The Custom 6×6 set up uses an Airbag Man adjustable custom air ride system with one-off TJM® shocks with adjustable height and damping, providing 8 inches of total lift. There are WP Pro Brakes with 14.2-inch discs and six-piston calipers behind ROH 18-inch wheels with Mickey Thompson® 37-inch mud tires.

Patriot Campers worked with GSL to rework the 4.2-liter inline 6-cylinder diesel engine, adding an upgraded turbocharger and lobster-back welded intake and turbocharger ducting. An air snorkel kit aids with the inevitable water-crossings.

Other accessories include X-Ray Vision dual row LED lightbars, a hoop-less slimline body-colored bull bar, twin angle-mounted spare tire carriers, front and rear TJM winches, two 240-liter Brown Davis replacement fuel tanks with auxiliary fuel distribution switch and pre-fuel filter kit, twin air-outlets to manage tire pressures, a 70L water tank and a lockable mini canopy with a 60-liter refrigerator.

A Nappa leather and suede-trim interior with an 8-inch Alpine screen and custom instrument consoles provide comfort and functionality. And behind the rear seat is a Redarc Electronics management system that powers two lithium and two AGM batteries, twin compressors, twin air tanks, solar panels and a full lighting system from X-Ray Vision.

With its full suite of trail versatility and its overlanding and base camp features, the Megatourer has everything needed for off-road adventure and exploration.

Toyota is displaying a variety of special concept vehicles showcasing off- and on-road performance and adventure as well as an array of production cars, trucks and SUVs in its exhibit at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Nov. 1-4, 2022.

Vehicles described are special project prototype vehicles, modified with parts and/or accessories not available from Toyota may void the vehicle’s warranty, may negatively impact vehicle performance and safety, and may not be street legal.

Allen-Vanguard Fit Vital ECM Equipment to 19 Vehicles Supporting a Peacekeeping Mission in Africa

Monday, October 31st, 2022

Allen-Vanguard, a global leader in providing customized solutions for defeating Radio Frequency (RF) based terrorist and extremist threats, has fitted vital life-saving ECM equipment to 19 vehicles for an African nation that is a major contributor to peacekeeping missions in Africa. The Allen-Vanguard Field Service Representative (FSR) team has been deployed in-theatre for over a month to supervise the equipment installation and to provide essential end-user and maintenance support training.

A key component of the protection provided by Allen-Vanguard ECM comes from the hard work of the Threat Management Team (TMT). This is a full-time cell of specialist RF engineers and ECM/EOD SMEs whose sole job is to remain abreast of the RCIED & Drone threats and to ensure Allen- Vanguard’s ECM capabilities deliver maximum protection. This team uses world-leading open-source data and operational feedback from deployed assets to monitor regional threat trends for RCIEDs and Drones. Threats are then analysed, characterized and exploited to identify their weaknesses that can be used in the development of waveforms to most effectively defeat that threat. The 19 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), which have a peacekeeping role, have been fitted with Allen- Vanguard’s highly versatile and fully programmable 3XXX ECM suite. This equipment operates Allen-Vanguards core ECM technology which has been operationally proven both in the African region and globally and is updated with the latest waveforms produced by the TMT.

Allen-Vanguard has over a decade of experience in providing African Union countries, and those other nations operating in the region, with superior ECM protection using the full range of their RF dominating products. A vital component to the successful deployment and use of this life-saving capability is the Allen-Vanguard FSR team. These are experts in their field who convert the risk profile and mission requirements of the customer into the required ECM capability to be fitted, and then ensure this configuration delivers maximum protection for the deployed troops. The FSRs not only design the protection portfolio and then supervise the installation but also provide the essential end-user training and support the maintenance capability to ensure the ECM is both up to date with the latest threat software but also deployed nations can correctly test and maintain their own equipment.

Allen-Vanguard’s Business Director for Africa, Stuart Wilson, said “I am very proud of the hard work and dedication of all our Allen-Vanguard specialists to ensure that the ECM systems we fit for our customers provide the very latest and best possible protection in the region. It is very rewarding to know that our systems help protect our customers from the very real threat of IEDs in the region.”

GA-ASI to Deliver MQ-9A Reapers to Poland

Monday, October 31st, 2022

World-Leading RPA Capabilities Will Fortify Poland’s National Defense and Security

SAN DIEGO – 31 October 2022 – As part of a lease agreement, Poland will take delivery of MQ-9A Reaper Remotely Piloted Aircraft from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI). The new agreement between GA-ASI and the Polish Ministry of Defence has a net value of $70.6 million.

“GA-ASI’s support for Poland and the NATO alliance is steadfast as they confront the ongoing war in the region,” said GA-ASI CEO Linden Blue. “We look forward to delivering our proven MQ-9A platform system to Poland to enhance the nation’s ability to conduct persistent airborne ISR and support its Defense Forces.”  

MQ-9A Reapers are operated by the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain. GA-ASI’s newer MQ-9B variant has been acquired by the UK and Belgium. The MQ-9B maritime surveillance configuration (SeaGuardian®) recently began operations in support of the Japan Coast Guard.

MQ-9A Reaper has endurance of over 27 hours, speeds of 240 KTAS and can operate up to 50,000 feet. It has a 3,850-pound (1,746-kilogram) payload capacity that includes 3,000 pounds (1,361 kilograms) of external stores. It provides a long-endurance, persistent surveillance capability with Full-Motion Video and Synthetic Aperture Radar/Moving Target Indicator/Maritime Radar. An extremely reliable aircraft, MQ-9A Block 5 is equipped with a fault-tolerant flight control system and triple redundant avionics system architecture. It is engineered to meet and exceed manned aircraft reliability standards.

Medical Equipment for Ukraine: Rheinmetall Subsidiary ZMS Supplying State-of-the-Art Field Hospital with Support from German Government

Sunday, October 30th, 2022

With backing from the German government, Rheinmetall will soon be supplying the Ukrainian armed forces with a turnkey modern field hospital. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence awarded the €9 million order to Rheinmetall subsidiary Zeppelin Mobile Systeme GmbH (ZMS) in September 2022. The package includes training on the system. Delivery is scheduled to take place in 2023.

The field hospital is a combined tent and container-based system, including high-quality medical equipment built into ZMS shelters. Rheinmetall is also supplying the tents and necessary infrastructure for autarkic operation.

Among other things, the system includes an emergency room, triage room, operating room, an intensive care unit, computer tomography, a sterilization facility and a pharmacy. It also features tents for administration, care provision, surgery prep, triage, a waiting area and staff accommodation. Moreover, there are support containers for sanitation, transport, potable and non-potable water, oxygen, power supply as well as a decontamination tent. The field hospital is Role 2 standard compliant.

Zeppelin Mobile Systeme GmbH is one of the world’s leading maker of customized individual shelter solutions – mobile functional spaces that create an environment that would otherwise only be possible in permanent structures. Its expertise in creating complete mobile medical care facilities and its ability to integrate the latest medical technology into existing infrastructure feature prominently in the company’s portfolio of innovative systems.

ZMS belongs to Rheinmetall’s new International Projects and Services component, which brings together the Group’s resources and capabilities for supporting military customers during deployed operations, as well as in depot logistics and munitions disposal. Rheinmetall aims to be a one-stop shop in the deployment support market. For example, it plans, erects and operates accommodation billets at forward operating bases. The portfolio also encompasses hardened shelters and sanitation facilities, plus base security surveillance, including state-of-the-art sensors and robotics.