TYR Tactical

Archive for the ‘International’ Category

NP Aerospace Wins £71 million UK MoD Wheeled Vehicle Support Contract – CVSSP

Friday, September 20th, 2024

NP Aerospace, the global vehicle integrator and armour manufacturer, has today announced the award of a £71 million wheeled vehicle support contract called the Conventional Vehicle Systems Spares and Post Design Services (CVSSP) contract. The contract, let by the UK MoD Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), was competitively tendered with bids submitted by major players across the UK defence industry. The contract duration is four years with two options to extend beyond that, of a further one year each.

Collage of the vehicles and equipment covered in the CCVSSP contract.

This is a joint announcement together with UK MoD that coincides with the DVD exhibition taking place at Millbrook, 18-19 September 2024. At DVD NP Aerospace are exhibiting on stand OR13 at the offroad area.

The UK MoD CVSSP contract will see NP Aerospace deliver Post Design Services (PDS), Design Authority (DA) and Spares Procurement Services to a fleet of over 15,000 UK MoD core vehicles including: the entire Land Rover fleet; Pinzgauer fleet; protected Land Rover; RWMIK and the Lightweight Trailer fleet. The CVSSP contract consolidates and amalgamates former individual MoD PDS contracts providing a new single point of contact. Obsolescence management is a key challenge with some of the MoD’s ageing fleets and the CVSSP contract will ensure that vehicle fleet availability is maintained at the required levels to meet the operational and training needs.

In 2019 NP Aerospace won a similar vehicle support contract known as Protected Mobility Engineering & Technical Support (PMETS) that has since been successfully supporting the MoD’s fleet of over 2000 Protected Mobility Vehicles. The vehicles covered under the PMETS contract include Mastiff, Wolfhound, Ridgback, Buffalo, Choker, RODET, Foxhound, Jackal, Coyote and Husky. Having been successfully delivering PMETS for five years, NP Aerospace is now perfectly placed to align the newly awarded CVSSP contract alongside PMETS using tried and tested procedures that have already gained the confidence of the UK MoD.

This contract award will create and sustain jobs at NP Aerospace’s Coventry facility. The company’s facilities will also be expanded in due course to enable, integrate and deliver this new contract.

The UK Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Rt Hon Maria Eagle MP, said: “We will deliver a state-of-the-art combat vehicle fleet, ensuring our soldiers are equipped with cutting-edge firepower, protection, and mobility”. She added: “This new contract will help to secure the future of these crucial capabilities, streamlining the processes involved in repairs and upgrades, while boosting UK economic growth at the same time.”

Brigadier Matt Wilkinson from the Vehicle Support Team at Defence, Equipment and Support, said: “We have a long-standing relationship with NP Aerospace and I’m delighted that we are able to continue this partnership. Not only does it provide the best possible service to the Armed Forces, but it also aligns with the MOD’s future Land Industrial Strategy initiatives, including an evolution to Land Integrated Operating Services.”

James Kempston, CEO at NP Aerospace, commented: “This announcement is huge news for the team at NP Aerospace and we’re all delighted to have won this major contract against strong competition. It shows the high regard in which our services are held by the UK MoD, and that we deliver best value for our customer. He added:

“The CVSSP contract aligns well with NP Aerospace’s abilities to support the MOD’s future LIOS initiative and the Land Mobility, and Land Industrial Strategy. The CVSSP award together with our current PMETS contract provides NP Aerospace with the post design support contracts covering the vast majority of the UK MoD’s lightweight wheeled utility, and protected mobility vehicle fleets.”

Rheinmetall Defence UK Signs the Armed Forces Covenant, Demonstrating Ongoing Commitment to the Armed Forces Community

Wednesday, September 18th, 2024

Rheinmetall Defence UK is proud to announce its formal commitment to supporting the UK Armed Forces by signing the Armed Forces Covenant. This important step highlights Rheinmetall Defence UK’s dedication to recognising and honouring those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, as well as their families, in the workplace and beyond.


The signing took place on 12 September at Rheinmetall House in Bristol, where Director Land Equipment (DLE) Major General Lizzie Faithful-Davies joined Rebecca Richards, Managing Director of Rheinmetall Defence UK, to officially sign the Covenant. This partnership underscores Rheinmetall Defence UK’s ongoing dedication to supporting the Armed Forces community through meaningful actions and initiatives.
By signing the covenant, Rheinmetall Defence UK pledges to uphold the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, ensuring that no member of the Armed Forces community faces disadvantage in society, and that all are treated with respect and fairness. This commitment includes providing paid leave for employees who are Reservists or Cadet Force Adult Volunteers, allowing them to attend essential training exercises, and continuing to support Armed Forces charities through donations and fundraising efforts.
Rheinmetall Defence UK is also committed to fostering an inclusive recruitment process that actively supports the employment of veterans, service spouses, and partners, recognising the unique skills and experiences that they bring to the company. By offering flexible working arrangements for Reservists and providing opportunities for Cadets through insight days and other engagement activities, Rheinmetall Defence UK is reinforcing its long-term support for the Armed Forces community.
Rebecca Richards, Deputy CEO at Rheinmetall Vehicle Systems International, expressed her enthusiasm for the company’s commitment, stating: “We are delighted to have signed the Armed Forces Covenant, recognising our commitment to supporting those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, as well as their families. Our commitment includes allowing paid leave for employees who are Reservists or Cadet Force Adult Volunteers to attend training exercises, continuing to support Armed Forces charities, and ensuring our recruitment process supports the employment of veterans, service spouses, and partners. Signing this covenant reinforces our gratitude for the service and sacrifices of the Armed Forces community and demonstrates Rheinmetall Defence UK’s unwavering support for their welfare, both within our organisation and in society.”

By signing the Armed Forces Covenant, Rheinmetall Defence UK is joining thousands of organisations across the UK in publicly committing to support those who protect our nation. The company looks forward to continuing its partnership with the Armed Forces, supporting veterans, Reservists, and their families, and upholding the principles of the Covenant in all its operations.

Australia’s Albanese Government Invests in Domestic Rocket Motor Program

Wednesday, September 18th, 2024

The Albanese Government is investing in a sovereign rocket motor program to help keep Australians safe, and generate well-paid, high-skilled jobs. 

The Government is seeking options from industry to establish a manufacturing complex that will enable production of rocket motors for some of the world’s most advanced missiles in Australia.

This is backed by an initial investment of $22 million over the next three years, which will help grow Australia’s advanced high-tech manufacturing sector and boost long?range strike capabilities for the Australian Defence Force (ADF), making the nation safer. 

It is underpinned by the Albanese Government’s Future Made in Australia agenda, which will improve the resilience of supply chains, provide for greater strategic sovereignty, enhance export opportunities, and deliver broad economic and employment benefits, particularly in regional Australia.

Rocket motors are a critical component of missiles and required for most guided weapons, including Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS) missiles, which under the Albanese Government will be made in Australia from next year. It’s expected the rocket motor complex will begin production by the end of the decade.

The rocket motor program is part of the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise which is backed by up to $21 billion over the decade through the 2024 Integrated Investment Program.

The Albanese Government also announced today it will invest up to $60 million over the next five years to develop the next generation of guided weapon sub-systems and components, such as hypersonic and long-range strike. This will enable partnerships between industry and Defence and allow the next generation of guided weapon technologies to enter the supply chain of GWEO Strategic Partners. 

This investment will also deliver industry-manufactured prototypes of the critical seeker, fuse and warhead sub-systems and aligns with the work being done as part of the Advanced Rocket Motor Technology Demonstrator program, which has leveraged collaboration from Five Eyes science and technology partners.

The rocket motor program and Advanced Rocket Motor Technology Demonstrator program are key to enhancing Australia’s national security. They are part of the Albanese Government’s ongoing commitment to delivering on the 2024 National Defence Strategy’s recommendation to invest in and uplift Australia’s domestic manufacturing capability.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, Pat Conroy:

“Today’s announcement represents a leap forward for the Australian defence industry and continues to deliver on the Albanese Government’s commitment to providing the ADF with the capabilities it needs to make Australians safer and safeguard our national interests.

“This is another investment in a future made in Australia and the more than 100,000 Australians, including in regional Australia, that are benefiting from the Government’s commitment to grow our sovereign defence industry and sovereign industrial base. 

“This program is an endorsement of Australian ingenuity. Making solid rocket motors in Australia will build on Australia’s proud history as a manufacturing nation and contribute to a future made in Australia.”

Australian Defence Media Release on behalf of:

The Hon Pat Conroy MP

Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery

Minister for International Development and the Pacific

Thales Group’s Lithgow Arms Unveils New Designs at Land Forces 2024

Tuesday, September 17th, 2024

During last week’s Land Forces conference in Melbourne, Australia, Thales subsidiary Lithgow Arms unveiled some new calibers for their Australian Combat Assault Rifle launched in 2022, as well as a new bolt action rifle chambered in .308.

For the ACAR, new calibers for 2024 include 6mm ARC, 458 SOCOM, and 6.5 Grendel which join 300 BLK, 5.56 NATO, and 6.8 FURY (sic).



The LA111 is bolt action rifle in .308, equipped with a modern chassis system.

They also featured their new carbon wrap technology for their cold hammer forged barrels.

The full display included:

• 300 BLK 9″ ACAR carbine
• 5.56 NATO 11.5″ ACAR assault
• 5.56 NATO 16″ ACAR precision assault rifle
• 6.5 Grendel 12.5″ ACAR rifle
• 458 SOCOM 11.5″ ACAR carbine
• 6mm ARC 14.5” ACAR rifle
• 7.62 NATO 13.5” ACAR DMR
• 6.8 FURY 16″ ACAR upper variant
• .308 Win 24” LA111 sniper rifle
• 7.62 NATO MAG58 GPMG Tactical

Hanwha Defence Australia Chooses Safran to Integrate the PASEO Joint Fires on Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle

Tuesday, September 17th, 2024

Hanwha Defence Australia (HDA) has chosen Safran Electronics and Defense Australasia to supply the PASEO Joint Fires advanced day and night panoramic sight for integration on the Hanwha Defence Australia’s Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) under LAND 400 Phase 3.

The PASEO Joint Fires solution provides the long-range Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, & Reconnaissance sensor for the Redback IFV supplied by Hanwha to the Australian Defence Forces (ADF) under the LAND 400 Phase 3 project. The contract calls for the production and delivery of PASEO Joint Fires sensors and associated ancillaries.

This contract leverages the world leading position of the PASEO family which has sold more than 2,500 units for IFVs, Main Battle Tank and Joint Fires worldwide. It integrates high performances day and night all weather optronics sensors and offers 360° coverage with a high-rate sectorial scanning capability. The PASEO Joint Fires includes Safran’s Geonyx inertial navigation system, which provides precise and reliable positions, even if satellite navigation signals are unavailable or inaccessible (GNSS-Denied environment).

The project will continue Safran’s legacy of providing premium optronics sensor solutions for the Royal Australian Navy and the Australian Army. Safran Electronics and Defense Australasia already successfully delivered its portable optronic solutions under LAND 17 project aimed at enhancing Australian’s artillery capabilities and LAND 300 project to equip the Australian soldiers with next-generation surveillance and target acquisitions ancillaries.

As well as its onboard day and night sight MINEO integrated on the Hanwha Defence Australia’s Huntsman family of vehicles under the LAND 8116 Phase 1 project. Safran Electronics & Defense Australasia benefits from Safran’s international know-how and network to support its local customers. It will leverage its extensive sovereign optronic engineering and sustainment capability to allow Hanwha Defence Australia and the ADF to achieve their capability outcomes. Anthony Bianco, Safran Electronics and Defense Australasia, Head of Sales and Marketing

“We are delighted to continue to support Australian Defence and HDA with yet another trusted and battle proven optronic solution where we will be supporting the design, integration and sustainment in country. It will be critically important that this superior capability is delivered to Australian Defence as we have done for Army over the last five years.”

”We are proud to continue our relationship with Safran Electronics & Defense Australasia across both our Huntsman and Redback vehicles for our Australian customer,” Acting Managing Director Mr Dean Michie. “In today’s congested and contested battlespace, their technology is a key offering on our vehicles.”

Rheinmetall Expands Cooperation with ICEYE and Obtains Exclusive Rights to Distribute SAR Satellites to Germany and Hungary

Sunday, September 15th, 2024

Rheinmetall and ICEYE, the global leader in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite operations for Earth Observation, are expanding their cooperation. The two companies signed a teaming agreement to this effect. 

As part of this agreement, Rheinmetall will integrate ICEYE capabilities into their next generation battlefield systems. In addition, Rheinmetall and ICEYE are pursuing joint opportunities in several markets globally, including Germany and Hungary, where Rheinmetall now has exclusive rights to distribute ICEYE SAR satellites to military and government end-users under this agreement.

Armin Papperger, CEO Rheinmetall AG: “The space domain is an integral part of a defence strategy and of great relevance to our military clients. We are convinced that our combined capabilities will enable us to develop innovative approaches to offer customized solutions for our military customers in the future.” 

In June 2024, the Düsseldorf-based technology group had already announced its participation in the world’s largest fleet of radar reconnaissance satellites. In this way, Rheinmetall aims to make space-based reconnaissance data usable on the tactical battlefield. 

SAR satellites offer the advantage over conventional satellites that they can generate high-resolution images regardless of weather conditions or time of day. These are very detailed and make even the smallest objects on the earth’s surface identifiable. This can bring decisive advantages for the armed forces in terms of surveillance, target acquisition, reconnaissance or their own positioning on the battlefield.

The New traser P68 Pathfinder Solar – Powered by the Force of Nature

Saturday, September 14th, 2024

The P68 Pathfinder family by traser has always stood for boundless freedom and complete independence. Now, the Swiss outdoor watch pioneer is seamlessly carrying forward this product philosophy while introducing something entirely new: the first traser watch powered by the inexhaustible energy of the sun – the P68 Pathfinder Solar. Thanks to efficient technologies and a functional design, the P68 Pathfinder Solar is a reliable companion at any time, in any place, and under any circumstances.

Explorers, adventurers, and outdoor enthusiasts recognize the sun as a reliable point of reference for navigation and as an inexhaustible source of energy. These are two principles applied in the new P68 Pathfinder Solar. Like all models in the Pathfinder product family, the watch features a compass ring that can be adjusted using a screwed-down crown positioned at 8 o’clock. Together with the position of the sun and the hour hand, this allows for accurate determination of the cardinal directions – and therefore the route – even in the most remote locations and without the need for cell phone or GPS reception.

2 Minutes of Sun – 24 Hours of Adventure

Now, traser combines the compass ring with a true innovation: The grey dial of the P68 features a solar cell that sustainably powers the precise and efficient Swiss movement. Thanks to a quick-start function, just one minute of sunlight is enough to get a fully discharged watch running. After an additional minute, it has gathered enough energy for a full day. Once fully charged, the P68 Pathfinder Solar boasts a power reserve of eight months in darkness.

It is also thanks to self-illuminating trigalight technology that one can fully rely on the P68 not only in sunlight, but also under difficult lighting conditions and deep into the night. When conventional luminous materials have long faded in the darkness, the hands, indices, and dial of the P68 continue to glow consistently, and remain readable without any external power source for years.

Equipped for Every Challenge

traser pairs the geographic and energy independence of the P68 Pathfinder Solar with great physical resilience. A scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, a stainless-steel case with PVD coating water resistant up to 10 bar, and screw-down crowns protect the innovative watch technology inside the P68. A choice of a grey-brown or black textile strap, as well as a dark rubber strap, securely and comfortably fastens the timepiece to the wearer’s wrist.

The new P68 Pathfinder Solar by traser guarantees limitless independence. With this timepiece, no place is too remote, no journey too far, and no night too dark. Wearer and watch follow their own path – both drawing their drive from the inexhaustible power of nature.

DMC Supports NP Aerospace in Delivering Additive Manufacturing Innovation to UK MOD

Friday, September 13th, 2024

Digital Manufacturing Centre (DMC), an industry leading production facility and additive manufacturing (AM) innovation hub, is working in partnership with NP Aerospace to deliver state-of-the-art metal engineering solutions. This collaboration is part of the UK MoD’s Project TAMPA.

Project TAMPA is a UK Strategic Command Defence Support sponsored project designed to enable the UK defence industry supply chain to investigate and exploit the key capabilities and benefits available to defence from the speed, quality and flexibility that additive manufacturing (3D printing) can bring. With expertise developed across multiple sectors such as space, aerospace, motorsport and medical, DMC are leading the way in this rapidly evolving engineering space. Many of the large defence prime contractors are engaged with Project TAMPA to deliver what their UK MoD customer needs.

NP Aerospace has a long heritage of supplying military vehicles and support solutions. Post-UOR period, in 2019, NP Aerospace was awarded the PMETS engineering support contract, for the UK’s core protected mobility fleet. More recently this has expanded, with NP being one of the companies selected on the Marine Systems Transformation (MaST) framework (total contract value £850m), so are deeply engaged in supporting capability and maintaining a secure UK supply chain.

Underpinned by an ethos of truly creative engineering and the pursuit of perfection, DMC applies a holistic approach to the additive manufacturing process and is pushing the boundaries of possibility while ensuring full quality assurance with AS9100 certification and PPAP (Part Production Approval Process) and NPI (New Product Introduction) practices. Together DMC and NP Aerospace are rapidly innovating, using the additive manufacturing process in both metal and polymer parts, to help UK defence resolve long standing challenges, meet operational demand, secure the supply chain and combat supply chain obsolescence. For example, DMC has produced parts for the rear step assembly and the door latch assembly on Mastiff and Ridgback platforms which can be rapidly produced. The future concept includes the ability to securely transfer the digital files to a forward deployed AM production facility to reduce the delivery time. These parts can be seen fitted to a new generation Ridgback Platform on NP Aerospace’s stand OR-13 at DVD taking place 18/19 September, at Millbrook.

David Wilson, Director of Engineering, NP Aerospace Vehicle Systems, Services and Spares said, “Project TAMPA has opened the door to allow us to fully explore the incredible benefits that can be achieved by utilizing the additive manufacturing processes. It has been very rewarding working with DMC, the experts in the field, who not only have the engineering acumen to solve complex problems alongside NP Aerospace engineers, but also have the necessary certification and accreditation to provide essential quality assurance, critical to defence.”

Kieron Salter, CEO of the DMC said, “We are very proud to be supporting NP Aerospace, and many others across the UK defence industry, by sharing our vast experience and expertise in the additive manufacturing process gained from the most demanding of sectors such as Formula 1, aerospace and space. We pride ourselves at DMC in being more than a traditional ‘build to print’ supplier, although production work is always our end goal. We also provide a holistic approach to additive manufacturing, being creative and innovative in our engineering that leads to the final production solution. Hence, DMC delivers truly pioneering solutions for businesses operating at the forefront of their industry.”