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Archive for the ‘International’ Category

Four Additional Schiebel Camcopter

Friday, December 18th, 2020

Vienna, 14 December 2020 – Naval Group, on behalf of the French Navy, has accepted for operational use two further CAMCOPTER® S-100 Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) with a total of four Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs). They will be deployed on the Mistral-class amphibious helicopter carriers (Porte- Hélicoptères Amphibie – PHA) Tonnerre and Mistral.

The acquisition comes after the successful integration of the CAMCOPTER® S-100 on the French Navy Mistral-class vessel Dixmude, which was finalised in 2019. This was the first time in Europe, that a rotary wing UAS had been connected to the combat system of an amphibious helicopter carrier.

The acceptance tests of the two systems took place in the last week of October with representatives of Naval Group and the French Navy in attendance.

Over the next few months the newly acquired CAMCOPTER® S-100 UAS will be integrated on the French Navy’s vessels Tonnerre and Mistral, significantly enhancing the helicopter carrier’s Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.

The CAMCOPTER® S-100 VTOL UAS operates day and night and can carry multiple payloads up to a combined weight of 50 kg. Due to its minimal footprint, reliability and airworthiness pedigree, it is ideally suited for maritime operations around the globe.

Hans Georg Schiebel, Chairman of the Schiebel Group, said: “After the successful integration on the Dixmude, we are very proud of the confidence the French Navy has in the proven and reliable CAMCOPTER® S-100 and we are looking forward to the integration on the Tonnerre and Mistral and their operational deployment.”

LCDR Serge D., UAS program officer, French Navy: “The S-100 on Mistral-class will be the first operational tactical UAS for the French Navy and this is a major step towards the Mercator plan.”

Porte Hélicoptère Amphibie Maintenance Architect at Naval Group, Philippe V., said: “We participated in the successful factory acceptance test, which was an important milestone for this acquisition, prior to the global integration onboard conducted by Naval Group.”

Dutch Marine Corps Fields New Pulk Transport Sleds for Arctic

Thursday, December 17th, 2020

This release was provided by the Korps Mariniers or Dutch Marine Corps.

During the upcoming Joint Arctic Training on the Northflank in Norway, the first new Pulks will be deployed at the squadron level. Pulk is the English term for a short low-hanging small sleigh and is pronounced ?? pooluk” The Pulk offers good opportunities for Marines to take their equipment.

Arctic

Marine Corps units take in arctic conditions a lot of equipment such as (extra) clothing, fuel and tents. They need these items to survive at low temperatures. As a result, Marines are now carrying a heavy backpack while moving on skis in snowy areas. An additional disadvantage of a complete package on the man is that the function of the worn clothing is not fully utilized (breathing capacity).

Trials

After various tests, during previous winter training with Pulks, 4 different types have been chosen. The 120 cm General Purpose Machine Gun Pulk is directly suitable as a weapons platform. The 135 cm is the operator Pulk and suitable for every sierra operator, a 150 cm Pulk for every MAG helper and a 170 cm variant for general use of the various troops of a squadron.

Cooperation and guarantee

In collaboration with the Weapons System Management (WSM) section of the Group Commander Operational Units Marines (GC-OEM), the Clothing and Equipment (KL & OUT), and the Assortments Manager, have now been purchased for a squadron Pulks. Next year two more extraditions will follow, so that a fully Marine Combat Group will be equipped with new Pulks from then on.

Three NATO Nations and Partners Choose Avon Protection’s FM50 Mask System

Thursday, December 17th, 2020

Avon Protection has received an order to supply two NATO Nations and one Partner, Belgium, Finland and Norway with their market leading CBRN respiratory protection including FM50 mask systems, filters, spares and accessories.

The FM50 provides operational flexibility required by NATO Allies and Partners forces; designed to protect troops in the most demanding of environments. Developed in conjunction with the United States Department of Defense to counter the multiple CBRN threats met in modern war fighting, anti-terrorist and peace-keeping operations, the FM50 is the most operationally proven and widely deployed battlefield respirator in the world.  

Commenting, James Wilcox, President, Military at Avon Protection, said:

“This order demonstrates the continued confidence and reliance on Avon Protection to supply product of the highest quality and performance to protect militaries around the world. We look forward to continuing our relationship with these strategically important customers to deliver and support this world leading capability.”

This is the first order for Avon Protection under the NATO Support & Procurement Agency contract worth $33 million. The framework contract enables NATO countries and partners to purchase Avon Protection’s market leading respiratory protection system, based around FM50, full suite of filters, MP-PAPR, (Powered Air Purifying Respirator), ST53 (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus) and accessories.

www.avon-protection.com

Royal Canadian Navy Awards Tulmar Safety Systems Contract to Support ‘Hammerhead’ Tactical Life Preserver Units

Wednesday, December 16th, 2020

Tulmar Safety Systems is pleased to announce the award of contract W8482-218402/A by the Canadian Department of National Defence to support the Tulmar ‘Hammerhead’ Tactical Life Preserver Units (TLPU) in-service with the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN).  Tulmar’s ‘Hammerhead’ TLPU is used by the RCN’s Naval Tactical Operations Group (NTOG) whose teams on Canadian warships provide boarding parties for maritime interdiction operations.  During these operations, NTOG team members are exposed to significant risk of falling overboard and are able to rely on the proven performance of the Hammerhead TLPU.  When failure is not an option, Tulmar answers the call:  Engineered for Protection.

www.tulmar.com

Brigantes Presents – Montane Tactical Website Launch

Wednesday, December 16th, 2020

Montane, one of the UK’s leading outdoor clothing brands, launched the Montane Tactical Website.

The Montane Tactical Range has been developed using the latest advances in technology and textiles. The high-quality clothing offers maximum mobility, breathability, and durability.

Whether the operator is wading through swamps and marshland, scaling mountain ranges or working in desert conditions, Montane Tactical apparel will keep the wearer operationally ready and comfortable.

With continuous R&D this initial range has been focused for use on long range light role operations. The range is also available in “Dark Shadow” for Police/Security/CP personnel.

Brigantes have worked closely with military specialists to produce advanced operational clothing underpinned with the technical European outdoor fit, award-winning design features and prestige of Montane’s products.

The close working relationship these two companies have shared over the years, has greatly benefitted those units who have adopted Montane Tactical as their issue kit already.

The dedication of Brigantes to bring Montane Tactical to the military user has resulted in Brigantes becoming the Global Licensee of Montane Tactical, providing further opportunities for the growth and development of the Montane Tactical brand. An exciting time for Montane Tactical and for Brigantes.

For the website tactical.montane.com

For more information on procurement contact:

tribe@brigantes.com or

international@brigantes.com

New Digital Communication for the Dutch Military

Wednesday, December 16th, 2020

According to the Dutch Ministry of Defence, they have signed a contract with the Israeli firm Elbit for the PNR-1000 E-LynX Soldier Radio for use by combat arms Soldiers for Squad and Platoon communications. They also purchased the Raptor tablet for digital data sharing by commanders.

These purchases were made as part of the VOSS project (Improved Operational Soldier System). Director of Projects at the Defense Materiel Organization Commander Dick Kreiter commented that the Dutch armed forces will soon be among the front runners within NATO when it comes to communications.

Canada Fields C20 Sniper Rifle

Tuesday, December 15th, 2020

Manufactured by Colt Canada, the new C20 weapon is the Intermediate Sniper Weapon for CAF sniper teams.

It features Colt Canada’s Modular Railed Rifle (MRR-L) Integrated Upper Receiver.

The C20 achieved an average of .66 MOA over 144 five round groups, collected throughout endurance testing. All groups were shot first round cold with suppressor, using 175gr Federal Gold Medal Match ammunition.

Final deliveries are expected in early 2021.

New Cap Badge for UK Special Forces Communicators

Tuesday, December 15th, 2020

According to the latest issue of the Royal Signals magazine, “The Wire” the new SFC cap badge was endorsed on 18 Aug 20 and was marked by a small ceremony in the church on Stirling Lines by the Unit Padre, with the Master of Signals Lieutenant General Nick Pope KCB CBE and HQ 1 (UK) Signal Brigade Commander Brigadier John Collyer in attendance.

Male members of all the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, British Army and the Royal Air Force are eligible to become Special Forces Communicators. They, along with Royal Signals soldiers in trade, are assigned to Hereford based 18 (UKSF) Signal Regiment and provide close support to the SAS, the SBS and the SRR.

The Regiments consists of:

• SBS Signal Squadron

• 264 (SAS) Signal Squadron

• 267 (SRR) Signal Squadron

• 268 (UKSF) Signal Squadron

• 63 (UKSF) Signal Squadron

18 (UKSF) Signal Regiment fulfils several roles:

•Provides highly secure communications for UKSF operations

•Provides electronic warfare and signals intelligence for special forces operations

•Intercepts and monitors enemy communications at short range in difficult circumstances for strategic purposes

Assessment, Selection and Training is quite comprehensive. Candidates must successfully complete a five day Briefing Course. Next, is an optional SFC Preparation Course.

The Special Forces Communicator Course itself consists of six phases:

• Technical Trade Assessment (one week)

• General Support Comms (six weeks)

• Physical Aptitude (five weeks)

• Close Support Comms (five weeks)

• Conduct After Capture (two weeks)

• Military Training (three weeks)

• SF Parachute Training (three weeks)

Candidates must also complete SERE training.

Once qualified, SFCs are eligible for specialty pays.