This is Swedish brand Tac-Up Gear’s Thermal Cap (Nordic Conditions Water Resistant) in M90 camouflage.
It features a fleece liner and a seam aped membrane for weather resistance. The outer shell is ripstop fabric. The bill can be secured in the up
position via Velcro and there is a bungee adjustment at the rear to keep the cap from blowing off in high winds.
Available in XSmall, Small and XLarge.
tacupgear.com/all-products/thermal-cap-m90
Check out Sweden’s Snigel Design’s full catalog of products at their new website.
www.snigel.se/product-categories
The German Bundeswehr has awarded Rheinmetall a further order for modernizing the tried-and-tested Marder infantry fighting vehicle, or IFV. Under the contract, Rheinmetall Landsysteme will now be supplying the Bundeswehr with over 170 driver’s night observation devices for the Marder fleet. Worth around €24 million (including valued added tax), the order also encompasses logistical support, training and other services. Delivery begins at the end of 2021 and is to be complete by the end of 2022.
The new driver’s night observation device is the Spectus II. It fuses the image from a residual light amplifier camera with one produced by a thermal imaging device, improving the driver’s ability to see even in conditions of poor visibility.
In addition, the system features a rear-view camera. Cooperation partners taking part in the project include Rheinmetall Technical Publications and the Rheinmetall subsidiary benntec Systemtechnik GmbH. In response to an urgent operational requirement for the ISAF mission in Afghanistan, Rheinmetall previously integrated the Spectus I – the Spectus II’s forerunner – into the Marder 1 A5A1 fleet.
Now official, this order constitutes a continuation of successful efforts to extend the Marder’s service life. In December 2019 the German armed forces contracted with Rheinmetall to carry out a comprehensive modernization of part of the Marder fleet. Moreover, the current contract could result in further orders from customers both at home and abroad, thanks, for instance, to the budget committee of the Bundestag giving a green light on 7 October 2020 to procurement of a thermal imaging aiming device for the gunner and commander in Bundeswehr Marders. Besides Germany, the Marder IFV is in service with the armed forces of Chile, Indonesia and Jordan.
As the system’s original developer, Rheinmetall possesses comprehensive experience and expertise in all aspects of the Marder infantry fighting vehicle. The weapons system first rolled off the assembly lines of Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH’s predecessor organization in Kassel. Battle-tested and exceptionally reliable, the Marder will continue to serve German mechanized infantry units as a trusty workhorse for some time to come, even now that the number of new Puma IFVs in service with the German military will soon reach 350.
A few years ago, German armor company Mehler bought Lindnerhof-Taktik GmbH which introduced load carriage to their offerings and then UF PRO which specializes in clothing. These two brands joined Mehler Law Enforcement GmbH and Mehler Engineered Defence GmbH, forming Mehler Vario System GmbH. This made them a very effective, vertically integrated company to support military and law enforcement across Europe.
They just recently introduced Modular Universal Scalable Technology or M.U.S.T., an integrated solution which offers, armor, load carriage and clothing.
To kick things off, they’ve offered three examples of systems available under M.U.S.T. Here is the Ultra light setup, the RECCE.
The minimalist version (RECCE) is based on the ultra lightweight plate carrier. Together with a 2-row waist belt and ultra light VPAM 6 plates for the front and back, a plate carrier can be configured which can be easily worn, even for long periods under a STRIKER STEALTH SMOG or MONSOON rain jacket. The system is complemented by a tactical climbing harness and a sleeve for attaching MOLLE equipment and holsters.
One of the things you have to remember as an American reader is that they are a European company and use European standards for armor. In particular, you will note the VPAM (Association of Test Centres for Attack-Resistant Materials and Designs) testing standard, which is applicable in many countries, including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Holland, Belgium and Norway.
Check out their website for information on additional M.U.S.T. solutions.
SMASH HOPPER is a remote weapons olatfoem which can be used to precisely engaging ground targets. based on the SMART-SHOOTER technology, it offers one shot one hit accuracy, while the operator controls the system from a safe distance.
SMASH HOPPER can be mounted on a standalone deployable tripod, a stationary fixed mast or a light-weight vehicle.
Key Features
-Compact and light-weight
-Automatic scanning and target detection
-Accurate fire capability against ground targets and small UAVs (S-UAV)
-Target handoff capability from other deployed sensors (Sensor-to-Shooter)
-Dual-mode target engagement cycle: Automatic and Manual
-Day / Night capability
-Quick weapon installation
-Ruggedized remote control unit
Racal Acoustics, the UK-based global designer and manufacturer of audio communications and protection systems has today launched a brand new website (www.racalacoustics.com). To coincide with this, they have also signed a contract with PR and advertising agency, Chamois Consulting Ltd. Under this contract Chamois will provide an integrated marketing, communications and advertising service with a particular focus on brand communications and PR. They have a clear remit to raise the profile and awareness of the Racal Acoustics brand, globally.
This website launch is a key step in extending brand awareness for Racal Acoustics whose specialist audio communications and protection systems are regarded globally as the finest on offer. Racal’s range of headsets and supporting products and services have been used by global forces consistently since the 1950’s. Today, they still offer the very best technology to provide effective communication, hearing protection and situational awareness across the tri-service battlefield.
Alexandre Huart, Vice President – Sales and Marketing at Racal Acoustics said: “launching our new website is a proud moment for our entire team as we continue our journey of solidifying the Racal Acoustics name across the global marketplace”. He added: “having led the build of our new website over the last four months, we’re very pleased to extend our initial contract with Chamois to include their wider PR and advertising services. Together, we’ll be working hard to improve our brand awareness, our profile and our sales”.
Jamie Clarke, CEO at Chamois said: “signing this new contract is great news for the team here at Chamois. Adding Racal Acoustics to our already strong portfolio further underlines what we have to offer our clients here at Chamois and we’re very much looking forward to continuing our journey together with Racal Acoustics”. He added: “prior to signing the PR and advertising contract with Racal Acoustics, we worked together with one of our partner agencies to design and build the new website. We’re all very pleased with what’s now live and can be seen by everyone. Please do take a look around the new site”.
SMASH 2000 underwent intensive live fire testing by U.S. Army at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds (APG) to evaluate its Fire Control capabilities compared to standard rifle sights
[October 15, 2020]: Between the 14th and 24th of Sept, 2020, Product Manager Individual Weapons, under PM Soldier Lethality, supervised the live fire testing and evaluation of the SMASH 2000 fire control enabled rifle Sight. The testing at APG was funded by OSD (Office of the Secretary of Defense) under a Foreign Comparative Test program designed to determine if international mature technologies can fill U.S. military operation gaps.
Thousands of rounds were fired by soldiers at APG outdoor range for the purpose of recording data that compared the target hitting capability of the SMASH 2000 against standard U.S. Army issued optics. Targets ranged from 25 meters to 400 meters in a variety of fixed, pop-up, and moving target scenarios.
“Testing the SMASH 2000 is another example of how OSD continues to evaluate foreign technologies that could fulfil specific DoD operational needs,” said William Everett, U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, who is responsible for sponsoring many such comparative tests. “We also sponsored a VIP day to give U.S. uniformed officers and Foreign dignitaries the opportunity to fire the SMASH 2000. That opportunity was well received and the event went well,” he added.
Bob Phung, Project Officer, Product Manager Individual Weapons: “Our job in the PM office is to look for and evaluate promising technologies to support our warfighters. The SMASH 2000 is one of those promising systems that could significantly improve the soldier’s lethality, especially under duress. We will have to collect the data and determine next steps.”
SMASH is a combat-proven family of Fire Control Systems which are designed, developed, and manufactured by SMART SHOOTER to ensure each round finds its target, in both day and night conditions, as well as keeping friendly forces safe. SMART SHOOTER’s proprietary target acquisition and tracking algorithms are integrated with sophisticated image-processing software into a rugged hardware solution, providing an easy to use and cost-effective solution that creates the required overmatch. SMART SHOOTER’s fire control solutions are designed to give soldiers and law enforcement officers a decisive tactical edge in almost every operational scenario, maximizing force lethality and operational effectiveness throughout every engagement.
Michal Mor, Smart Shooter CEO, added: “It’s very exciting to know that the U.S. Army is interested in our SMASH products to meet their individual weapons needs. SMART SHOOTER’s solutions are already in operational use by the U.S. Army in various missions, and we look forward to continued cooperation”.
Made from a 4-way stretch Schoeller fabric containing ceramic particle technology for enhanced abrasion resistance, the ThruDark Force Tech T-Shirt is offered in both short and long sleeved.
It is moisture wicking, integrates a side stow pocket and features reflective insignia and trims.
Offered in sizes Small through XXLarge in Black.
thrudark.com/product/force-tech-t-shirt
