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Archive for the ‘International’ Category

Barrett Secures Major Contract with Norwegian Defense Materiel Agency for M107A1 Rifles

Tuesday, September 10th, 2024

Murfreesboro, TN – Barrett Firearms Manufacturing, Inc. is proud to announce a significant new contract with NATO-allied Norwegian Defense Materiel Agency (NDMA). The agreement enables the Norwegian Armed Forces to upgrade their existing Barrett Model 82A1 rifles, in service since 1999, to the more advanced model M107A1.


Representatives from NDMA, NIOA Group, Barrett and Magne Landrø at a recent European trade show.

Barret CEO Bryan James said: “We are honored to continue our partnership with the Norwegian Armed Forces by providing the M107A1, a rifle that embodies our dedication to precision, reliability, and innovation. This move ensures that the Norwegian forces are equipped with the latest advancements in long-range firepower.”

This is an important step for NDMA and Barrett. The M107A1 rifle, chambered in .50 BMG (Browning Machine Gun), is a substantial upgrade from the Model 82A1, offering reduced weight, improved performance, greater durability and modern features tailored to meet the evolving demands of modern warfare. The M107A1 is also suppressor capable, adding a critical feature for reducing the rifle’s signature in various operational environments.

This contract highlights the NDMA’s confidence in Barrett’s ability to deliver cutting-edge solutions that meet the rigorous standards of military use. The M107A1 will significantly enhance the Norwegian Armed Forces’ capabilities to engage targets at extreme ranges, destroy valuable enemy assets, and secure tactical advantages on the battlefield.

Mr James said: “Barrett is proud to partner with allied nations across the world. We all share the same dedication to excellence and continued improvement. Barrett has a long history in this field and we will continue to grow our relationships with our partners.

MOHOC Delivers Custom MOHOC ADF Camera to the Australian Defence Force

Monday, September 9th, 2024

MOHOC, Inc., creator of the world’s preeminent tactical helmet cameras, today announced the completed design, development, and delivery of the initial units of the MOHOC® ADF Camera to the Australian Defence Force (ADF). The news coincides with this week’s Land Forces Exposition in Melbourne, Australia, where the new camera will be on display.

The product was built to support the ADF initiative to deploy body worn cameras as a tool for training, evidence collection, and after-action review. In less than a year, the MOHOC® ADF was designed from the ground up as a custom camera to meet strict specifications outlined by the Dismounted Combat Program at Army Headquarters.

Made in the USA, the MOHOC® ADF incorporates the best recording features of the original MOHOC® Camera with the improved form factor, weight, and low-light sensitivity of the newer streaming cameras, MOHOC® 2. The company further reports that the ADF custom model is built on the foundation of MOHOC’s next generation camera, expected to launch worldwide in 2025.

Dan Fuhrman, MOHOC Vice President of Product Development, said of the program, “We were honored to support the ADF on an aggressive timeline and provide Australian soldiers our newest technology in a custom camera that aligns with our vision for upcoming MOHOC products.”

Both the development contract and subsequent order were facilitated by MOHOC dealer Spearpoint Solutions & Technology Pty Ltd, whose CEO, Andrew Jiear, added, “The project is a prime example of how Spearpoint’s extensive network of leading international partners can be leveraged to generate tailored solutions for our clients.”

Spearpoint is displaying the MOHOC® ADF Camera this week at Land Forces, stand # A199.

Australian Defence Forces Order Polaris DAGOR Off-Road Vehicles

Monday, September 9th, 2024

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – Sept. 9, 2024 – The Commonwealth of Australia has awarded a vehicle contract to Polaris Australia for the DAGOR vehicle, an off-road and internally transportable tactical mobility platform from the company’s Government and Defense division. The contract is valued at AUD22 million (USD14.6M) and includes vehicles, mission accessories, technical manuals, spare parts and tool kits, driver and maintainer training and ongoing, in-country support.

Polaris will deliver the DAGOR vehicles to the Australian Defence Force in several variants in support of joint missions worldwide. The four-wheel, all-terrain vehicles will be configured in three different variants – a transport variant for enhanced tactical mobility and greater standoff; an expeditionary reconnaissance variant for continued agility and increased stealth in austere conditions; and a cargo variant with the rear seats replaced with a rear bed extension for increased combat load capacity. Polaris engineered standard mission configuration items, as well as locally engineered and manufactured content, will be integrated onto the vehicles at a Polaris facility in Melbourne.

“We are proud to provide this capability for Australian personnel. The DAGOR all-terrain vehicle will allow teams to move faster, carry more and significantly reduce combat fatigue by navigating complex terrain otherwise covered on foot,” said Michael Cannell, Government and Defense sales and operation manager, Polaris Australia. “Polaris Australia will also provide in-country sustainment, leveraging the global presence of Polaris as these vehicles deploy globally.”

DAGOR comprises an optimal balance of rapid air transportability, payload capacity and advanced mobility and is the most capable military platform in its class for off-road, rugged terrain. The chassis and suspension are engineered for off-road operation at full payload of 1,814 kilograms (4,000 pounds), which also contributes to the vehicle’s overall reliability and durability. DAGOR uses a readily available commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) driveline, controls and components like a diesel/JP8 engine selected for its ideal combination of power, weight and size. DAGOR can produce up to 4.4 kW of exportable power and is heavy-weapons capable. Its weight and size allow it to be internally transportable on a variety of in-service aircraft, including CH-47, C-17 and C-130 and is also airdrop and sling-load certified.

“Collaboration within the global defence community is critical to mission success and equipment commonality helps enable interoperability among joint forces,” said Nick Francis, vice president, Polaris Government and Defense. “Polaris military vehicles have become force multipliers for expeditionary forces by extending mission range while mitigating operator fatigue and increasing mission readiness and capability.

DAGOR’s unique design and use of commercial components allows for ease of operation, maintenance and sustainment in support of combat operations. Allied forces that also have the DAGOR platform include U.S. forces, Canadian forces, and multiple European countries. DAGOR vehicle production is underway, and deliveries will take place over the next two years. These vehicles will augment existing Australian vehicle fleets, which include two other Polaris products: the MV850 and Sportsman 6×6 Big Boss ATVs.

Polaris designs and manufactures the most capable light tactical and all-terrain military vehicles available today with technology development and insertion for the battlefield of tomorrow. No one knows light off-road mobility like Polaris, whose light tactical vehicles – the MV850, MRZR turbo diesel, MRZR Alpha and DAGOR – support more than 50 military forces worldwide which is a testament to the capability gap these vehicles fulfill. These platforms provide unmatched off-road capability while also being intuitive to operate, simple to maintain, highly transportable and easy to globally support.

CAMCOPTER S-100 Obtains First Ever EASA Design Verification Report For Rotary Wing UAS

Friday, September 6th, 2024

Vienna, 5 September 2024 – The CAMCOPTER® S-100 received the first ever Design Verification Report (DVR) by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for a Rotary Wing Unmanned Air System (RWUAS).

The Design Verification Report (DVR) for the specific category of UAS operations was issued after a rigorous evaluation process, including 300 EASA observed flight hours proving airworthiness, safety and enhanced containment, as well as successfully demonstrating laser safety, cyber security features and HIRF (High Intensity Radiated Fields) resistance.

This EASA report enables the French Navy to issue a “Military Operational Type Authorisation” and facilitates the approval processes for S-100 flight operations in all EASA member states.

“Receiving the DVR is a significant milestone for Schiebel and a major step towards fully certifying the CAMCOPTER® S-100 UAS”, said Hans Georg Schiebel, Chairman of the Schiebel Group.

The DVR process was set in place by EASA at the end of 2021 and aims at ensuring safe drone operations in Europe.

SitaWare’s Mobile Applications Updated for Improved User Experience

Thursday, September 5th, 2024

When units are operating at reach, connectivity, accuracy and speed of secure data transmission is vital. With brand new improvements to SitaWare’s mobile C4ISR products, the user experience is now greatly improved for mounted and dismounted operations.

“Version 3.7 of SitaWare Frontline and SitaWare Edge brings significant enhancements aimed at improving deployment efficiency,” explains Jesper Annexgaard, Product Manager. “We know that in the current climate networks and connectivity are crucial enablers to dynamic, flexible operations which is why we have paid particular attention to this aspect in our latest updates.”

SitaWare is the world’s leading C4ISR software and is the battle management system of choice for more than 50 nations across the globe. Earlier this year it was chosen in a competitive tender by NATO as its Future Land C2 system and, in 2023, the Australian Defence Force confirmed its intention to down-select elements of the SitaWare suite of battle management software (BMS) to support the first Tranche of LAND 200 Phase 3 project.

These elements are SitaWare Headquarters and SitaWareFrontline which will support command-and-control (C2) functions for the Australian Army across a limited number of critical fixed, static, and mobile locations for deployment at battlegroup and above.

SitaWare Headquarters is the core product that supports joint, fixed and deployable headquarters, while SitaWare Frontline delivers situational awareness for the mounted commander within a vehicle.

It is SitaWare Frontline, along with SitaWare Edge for the dismounted units, that have received significant improvements with the latest version.

The Top Five:

1. Enhanced Deployment and Networking

One of the key updates in SitaWare Edge 3.7 is the introduction of a simplified app installation process that leverages ad-hoc networking, enabling faster and more flexible deployment in the field.

This enhancement ensures that soldiers can quickly and securely deploy necessary applications with minimal setup, even in dynamic environments.

“This saves a lot of time and effort, and is a much easier way to deploy units into the field,” explains Jesper. “The ad-hoc nature of the network also ensures less of a burden on the administrator as the app can be pre-installed onto the mobile devices and then users can define their callsign prior to use.”

2. Optimised for Mounted and Dismounted Use

The new version also introduces the ability for mobile Edge devices to automatically plug into vehicles, directly connecting the soldier to the vehicle’s SitaWare Tactical Communication (STC) network. Once ported, the soldier is automatically shown as mounted and the device synchronises – exchanging the latest situational awareness data and chat messages via STC.

This feature allows seamless communication as soldiers move between mounted and dismounted operations, ensuring continuous and reliable connectivity.

3. Advanced Data Logistics and Export Capabilities

Version 3.7 improves data logistics by enabling the collection and export of critical operational data to SitaWare Insight and archiving systems. Users can now export holding reports, operational status histories, as well as Friendly Force Tracking (FFT) and Tactical Situation (TacSit) data, ensuring better post-mission analysis and archival processes.

4. Network Management and Communication Enhancements

The update includes significant advancements in network management. Operators, who have the responsibility of monitoring the status of network connections, can now do so directly on the map interface, providing real-time insights into connectivity across various networks. Users can also view the direction of communication links so that administrators can instantly spot issues with connectivity.

Additionally, the ability to clear chatrooms across networks has been introduced, improving communication efficiency.

5. Improved Chat Functionality

SitaWare Edge & SitaWare Frontline 3.7 also enhances the chat feature, allowing users to sort conversations by send or receive time, pin important chat threads, and select specific chat rooms as recipients. This feature allows recipients to see when the latest message was sent rather than miss information due to a delay in timing/connectivity.

“The pinning of important conversations and chat threads make sit much easier for users to quickly locate information, rather than searching through the hundreds of chats that might be happening,” explains Jesper. “It is a small change but really improves the user experience – everything is about speed and efficiency and this ensures exactly that.”

www.systematic.com/defence

German Armed Forces Call Off Another 30,000 Intercom Sets with Hearing Protection Function from Rheinmetall

Wednesday, September 4th, 2024

The German Bundeswehr has commissioned Rheinmetall to supply a second batch of the intercom with hearing protection function – SMG (Sprechsatz mit Gehörschutzfunktion) for short. The troops are to receive a further 30,000 sets, divided into 8,000 command SMGs and 22,000 soldier SMGs. Delivery is scheduled to begin in mid-2025 and be completed by the end of 2025. The order is worth around €55 million net. An initial call-off for the delivery of 30,000 sets was already issued in April 2024. Both delivery batches will be financed from the special fund.

In April 2024 Rheinmetall has been been commissioned by the Bundeswehr to supply up to 191,000 sets of the “intercom with hearing protection function”. The framework contract has a seven-year term and a potential order volume of up to €400 million net. The SMG is a key project for tactical communications which is of cross-sectional importance for the entire force.

The intercom with hearing protection function includes modern active capsule ear protection that attenuates harmful impulse noise and amplifies quiet sounds. It also has a microphone and can be connected to various radio devices so that radio communication is possible. In addition to the combined headset, the scope of supply includes various push-to-talk (PTT) buttons and different cable sets for connecting to a range of radios and on-board communication systems. Rheinmetall has involved two leading manufacturers as subcontractors for the project: 3M Deutschland GmbH with the ComTac VIII headset and CeoTronics AG with CT-Multi PTT 1C and 3C. The SmG is compatible with the Rheinmetall-supplied new combat helmet as well as with other Bundeswehr helmet types. 

This order of the second batch underlines Rheinmetall’s leading role in the field of military equipment. The technology company is the prime contractor for the System Infantry Soldier of the Future – Expanded System to the Bundeswehr. Rheinmetall markets various configurations of its Gladius soldier system internationally. 

APEX Ammunition Partners with Canuck Guns for Canadian Distribution

Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024

Columbus, Miss. (September 3, 2024) – APEX Ammunition is pleased to announce its partnership with Canuck Guns for distribution of its award-winning shotshells throughout Canada. Canuck now has APEX Waterfowl Blends and S3 Steel loads in stock in 12- and 20-gauge.

“Canuck Guns is proud to partner with APEX Ammunition to bring the very best in custom loaded hunting shotshells to Canada,” said Phil O’Dell, President, Canuck Guns. “I personally used their ammunition for my Royal Slam offive different wild turkey subspecies in 2023. It took exactly five shells. This ammo simply works like no other. APEXhas long known Canadian hunters have wanted the best ammunition, and we are honored that they chose Canuck as their national distribution partner for Canada.” 

“As the APEX brand has grown, so has the demand for our product from our northern neighbors who are as passionate about hunting as we are,” said Jason Lonsberry, President and CEO, APEX Ammunition. “We are pleased to partner with the Canuck Guns team to ensure more Canadian hunters have access to our line of handcrafted ammunition through their local dealers and outfitters.”

APEX Waterfowl TSS-S3 Steel Blend shotshells arehandcrafted “duplex” loads that offer the best of both worlds, combining APEX’s premium, zinc-coated S3 Steel pellets with ultra-high density Tungsten Super Shot for a harder-hitting payload and improved terminal performance to reduce crippling.

APEX Waterfowl S3 Steel ammo features premium zinc-plated steel to ensure consistently round pellets with anti-corrosion properties and superior patterning performance. The zinc coating reduces friction, resulting in more consistent pellet drop when loading the shotshells and better movement of the pellets against each other in the firing process. The S3 Steel Waterfowl loads also use the same Tungsten-grade wad system found in APEX’s iconic Turkey TSS shotshells. The combination delivers lethal patterning, maximum barrel protection, and unmatched shot-to-shot consistency in a steel load.

Canadian Dealers and Outfitters who are interested in carrying APEX Ammunition shotshells may contact Canuck Guns at Dealer Inquiries.

JayJays Introduces Clothing

Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024

UK kit manufacturer JayJays has added clothing to their offerings. Designed by Veterans in the firm’s Brecon workshop, the line consists so far of BALATH long sleeve and short sleeve base layers, TEPOR mid layer and ZEPHYR windbreaker jacket.

BALATH

Considered the cornerstone of JayJay’s layering system, BALATH is offered in long and short sleeved variants. The proprietary base layer fabric is a blended knit with 4 way stretch. It has Honeycomb on the outside and a Birds Eye weave on the inner. The Honeycomb draws out the moisture whilst the Birds Eye prevents heat escaping when static and traps heated air inside. Look for flat locked seam construction as well as moisture wicking, antimicrobial properties, superb UV protection and very fast drying.

TEPOR

Offered as a replacement for the old Norwegian Army shirt, the TEPOR is made from a 4-way stretch, waffle knit fabric for comfort and insulation. It features an athletic cut with full length front zipper and thumbhole cuffs. The jacket also has 2 large front pockets with waffle lining to keep hands warm and 2 large inside pockets.

ZEPHYR

Offered in MultiCam, the ZEPHYR is a modern day take on the classic zoot suit. Made from a DWR treated 70D ripstop fabric, it is a great wind layer and can be stored in a mag pouch with some room to spare. This hooded jacket is cut in an anorak style with a large pocket with zippers on either end at the waist. Additionally, the underarms feature mesh for venting during high activity.