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Archive for the ‘International’ Category

INVISIO Communications Is Now Just Called INVISIO

Thursday, May 21st, 2020

Name change registered with the Swedish Companies Registration Office

The Annual General Meeting of INVISIO Communications held on May 5, 2020 resolved to change the company’s name to INVISIO AB (publ). The resolution was registered with the Swedish Companies Registration Office on May 15, 2020.

INVISIO Communications AB (publ) will change its name to INVISIO AB (publ) from today’s date. As a direct consequence, the company’s registered name at Nasdaq Stockholm will be changed to INVISIO AB (publ). The ticker symbol for the share – IVSO – will remain unchanged.

“Within the company our constant objective is to simplify and streamline processes and be clear in our communication. It is therefore natural and fully in line with this ambition to change our name to INVISIO AB. We are a global market leader in our niche and this change increases focus on the INVISIO brand,” says CEO Lars Højgård Hansen.

CDH Tac’s Cigar Pouch

Tuesday, May 19th, 2020

Finland’s CDH Tactical came up with a pouch to hold all of his essential cigar paraphernalia neatly in one place.

It holds a lighter, cigar stand, straight cutter, v-cutter and of course, a bottle opener.

Oh, and skull beads for zipper pulls, of course.

Contact CDH Tac via Instagram.

A Quantum Leap in Force Protection – Rheinmetall Supplying Bundeswehr with Fuchs/Fox Armoured Transport Vehicles Configured for EOD Role

Friday, May 15th, 2020

Unexploded ordnance, mines and improvised explosive devices pose a grave threat to troops deployed in harm’s way. The German Bundeswehr is currently taking delivery of a newly developed high-performance system for countering these threats. Specially configured for an EOD role, this new variant of the Fuchs/Fox 1A8 armoured transport vehicle – known as the KAI – represents a quantum leap in the German military’s ability to detect and identify unexploded ordnance and similar battlefield hazards. Thanks to its high-performance electronics and a precise, multi-jointed, versatile manipulator arm featuring state-of-the-art sensors, Bundeswehr bomb disposal experts will now be able to reconnoitre, mark, expose and identify suspicious objects from a safe distance. Delivery of these serially produced systems is already underway, and slated to be complete in 2020. The order is worth a figure in the mid-double-digit million-euro range.

The Fuchs/Fox KAI reinforces the Bundeswehr’s array of heavy-duty EOD vehicles, and is designed to investigate vulnerable points which the Route Clearance System – partially supplied by Rheinmetall as well – cannot reach. Furthermore, the KAI is intended to serve as a stand-alone system capable of operating without the Route Clearance System in a convoy support role.

The carrier vehicle for the KAI is the latest iteration of the 1A8 version of this tried-and-tested armoured transport vehicle. Extremely well protected from mine and IED blasts, it is equipped with advanced force protection elements and mine-resistant seats that the keep the crew’s feet safely off the floor of the hull. The most prominent feature of the Fuchs/Fox KAI is the aforementioned multi-jointed, high-precision manipulator arm, with a maximum operating reach of over ten metres and a load-carrying capacity of 400 kg. This enables EOD personnel operating in the Fuchs/Fox fighting compartment to investigate suspicious locations and to examine and identify ordnance and booby traps with great precision from a safe standoff.

Besides the basic tool, the manipulator can accommodate two other tools. One of these is a dual sensor, the 80-centimetre variant employed by the Route Clearance System. It can be used for investigating suspicious spots and determining whether ordnance has been buried there. In addition, there is also a tool camera. Mounted on a tilt-and-pan head, this device can optically examine hard-to-view places such as drainage pipes, the sides and undersides of bridges or locations behind walls in order for example to detect the presence of an explosive device. To enable visual reconnaissance, the system features high-performance optronic technology. An optronic wiping-and-washing system makes it possible to quickly clean the reconnaissance camera during an ongoing operation. This significantly boosts the system’s tactical flexibility.

Other core elements of the KAI are its water-air spade system, with a maximum operating pressure of 400 bar, and a ripper chisel. This enables the EOD crew to uncover suspicious objects which cannot be clearly identified. Marking can be done digitally either in the system by means of exact GPS coordinates, or with an optical marking device for the dismounted bomb disposal engineer.

Moreover, the manipulator arm can be mounted with a recovery system for removing persons from a danger zone.

Rheinmetall is the German military’s partner of choice for combat engineering equipment. Other products in this segment include a share in the already mentioned Route Clearance System, the Dachs/Badger Armoured Engineering Vehicle 2, the Keiler armoured mine-clearing vehicle, and multiple variants of the Fuchs/Fox armoured transport vehicle.

CZ Group Acquires Minority Stake in Swedish Spuhr

Thursday, May 14th, 2020

Prague, May 11, 2020 – CZG – ?eská zbrojovka Group SE, one of the leading European producers of firearms, announces the acquisition of a minority stake in Spuhr i Dalby AB, a Swedish manufacturer of optical mounting solutions for weapons.

CZG’s acquisition of Spuhr creates mutual synergies in terms of products, customers and geographical presence. Spuhr’s product portfolio consists of optical mounts, accessories and upgrade kits for weapons, making it highly complementary to CZ’s core business.

“We are very pleased to join forces with Spuhr through this strategic investment. Håkan Spuhr and Ulf Nilsson have built a company which is the world leading manufacturer of optical mounting solutions. We believe that the connection of the CZ and Spuhr brands will further strengthen our position on the market and lead to continuous innovation for the benefit of our customers,” stated Lubomír Kova?ík, President of CZG.

“The cooperation with CZ is a strategic milestone for Spuhr. It will give us access to new markets, high-end testing technology and research. We will continue to be flexible and lead the development of new products for our important high-end customers. The partnership with CZ will take us to the next level,” stated Ulf Nilsson, CEO of Spuhr.

The Spuhr mounts and accessories are used by many military and law enforcement units around the world, including the Swedish, Dutch and Danish Army, German Police and Portuguese Navy. Spuhr also offers a popular hunting series of products.

Milrem Robotics’ THeMIS UGV Completes First Deployment in Mali Proving Its Effectiveness and Reliability

Saturday, May 9th, 2020

Milrem Robotics, the provider of robotic solutions for challenging environments, successfully completed its first deployment period of its unmanned ground vehicle, THeMIS, in operation Barkhane in Mali.

The THeMIS was initially deployed to Mali with the Estonian Defence Forces (EDF) during a French lead counter-terrorism operation in April 2019.

Up until April 2020, the vehicle was regularly used during patrols by Estonian soldiers and for transporting supplies within their base. Altogether three Estonian platoons utilized the vehicle during their deployments.

„Partitioned urban areas can be challenging, and one cannot always depend on APC support. The opportunity to bring along a half-ton of ammunition and water to places unreachable with an APC added great value to patrols and enhanced combat capability,” said Lt Col Sten Allik, Senior Staff Officer of the Estonian Defence Forces.

“The THeMIS surprised us with its ability to withstand the tough environment. The heat and harsh terrain put the vehicle to the test; however, it passed with ease,” Allik added.

During the deployment, the THeMIS traversed 1200 km in one of the world’s harshest terrains of lava rock soil and climates climbing to 50 degrees Celsius in the shade. The UGV was operational for over 330 hours.

“We collected a lot of valuable data and feedback during the deployment and although EDF’s experience with the THeMIS was positive, there is always room for improvement,” said Kuldar Väärsi, CEO of Milrem Robotics. “However, after this experience in Mali, we are confident that the THeMIS is more than capable of supporting operations in extremely hot climates,” Väärsi added.

In the future the EDF would like to utilize the THeMIS together with additional ISR, communication support, jamming, and remote weapon system capabilities. “The possibility to detect and neutralize the enemy or an explosive device from a distance is a crucial capability. It is easier to risk the vehicle than a human life. If we can reduce the risk to life in combat situations, we can increase operational speed,” Allik said.

Milrem Robotics will continue to support the EDF in mission areas in the future and is currently preparing for possible future deployments as early as the end of 2020.

The Estonian Defence Forces have also detailed their experience in their Yearbook 2019.

Clawgear AUG A3 Toprail

Friday, May 8th, 2020

The new Clawgear AUG A3 Toprail provides extended rail space to the front and rear in comparison to the original AUG rail.

Features:

-Made of high strength aluminium with Mil-Spec Type III hard coat anodized finish
-20% lighter with no compromise in stability and ruggedness
-Features a non-glare coating to reduce reflections
-Makes the A3 rifle compatible with the Clawgear AUG Handguard
-Features a 30 slot picatinny rail (NATO STANAG 4694)
-Anti-rotational QD attachment point at the front

www.clawgear.com/en/AUG-A3-Top-Rail-27016en1555

Agilite’s New Search Engine – The Only Search Engine Not Run By Liberals

Friday, May 8th, 2020

Agilite has launched it’s new “Tactical Helmet Finder” search engine which it describes as “The only search engine not run by liberals”

As the world leader in tactical helmet covers & accessories they wanted to make it much easier for you to know what cover will fit your helmet well.

With thousands of helmet manufacturer/model types out there it used to be tricky but their search engine uses their years of experience to make it simple and easy.

Try it out to find a cover or accessory for your helmet here: agilitegear.com/pages/tactical-helmet-cover-finder

Mustang Survival Scales Up to Produce 150 Thousand Reusable Medical Gowns for Canadian Health Professionals

Thursday, April 23rd, 2020

Burnaby, BC – Mustang Survival®, the Canadian brand known for innovative solutions for the most demanding marine environments, has been saving the lives of water professionals for over 50 years. Now they are turning their attention to saving lives on land as they proudly announce their intention to produce more than 150 thousand Level 3 Medical isolation gowns for The National Public Health Authority of Canada.

The federal contract was awarded to Mustang Survival after they pivoted from manufacturing life vests, survival suits and dry suits for Military, public safety professionals and marine recreational users, to solving the issues in supply chain and production of PPE facing the Canadian healthcare sector.

Initially collaborating alongside innovative and cutting-edge British Columbia manufacturers and apparel companies—Boardroom Clothing, KenDor Textiles and Arc’teryx—they developed and tested the original prototype for the Level 3 waterproof gown at the beginning of April.
And, were subsequently contracted to manufacture 90,000 gowns for the Vancouver Health Authority (to be produced between all three companies). Mustang Survival then continued to work with the Canadian Federal Government to fulfill the overwhelming demand for PPE across Canada and was officially awarded the new larger contract this week.

“We are incredibly proud to live our purpose in a new field, delivering confidence to frontline health care workers”, says President Jason Leggatt. “Our team has been working around the clock to design, test and create this reusable, waterproof medical gown to meet the stringent health authority requirements. Now the job pivots to scaling up our production and working with local subcontractors to fulfill this new order”.

While priority of current production will still be focused on the local BC health care sector, Mustang Survival will be investing in machinery and staff as well as increasing shifts at their Burnaby Factory to help fulfil the larger federal contract. They are also overseeing the subcontracting of work with other small local manufacturing facilities who have existing sewing capabilities, supporting the continued employment of many local skilled workers during these unusual times.

Likewise, Mustang Survival is working with its sister company The Patten Company in Florida to produce 1,500 gowns for the West Virginia National Guard.

As part of The Wing Group, the companies are looking to secure a contract with FEMA which will enable them to create a rapid growth pipeline to manufacture this same high-quality reusable healthcare PPE in the US and around the world. Mustang Survival is confident the collective capacity to produce these gowns can make a significant contribution to those putting their lives at risk every day to fight the virus.

Timeline of Gown Development:
Early March VCH reached out to BC Apparel & Gear Association looking to get ahead of supply chain issues in PPE for Vancouver Health Care workers

Mid-March
Mustang Survival began collaboration on new gown design with BC companies, The Boardroom, KenDor textiles and Arc’teryx.

Diving into prototyping to rapid testing, Mustang Survival flipped their innovation lab—the Waterlife Studio—in Burnaby, BC into a rapid-response facility dedicated to finding a solution for this public safety crisis. Backed with the support of local health care officials to reach safety-certified status.

April 1
Initial order for VCH – first 500 delivered in first week
Contract for 90,000 Gowns for VCH was confirmed in this week.

April 19
Contract Awarded to Mustang Survival for 150,000 Level 3 isolation gowns

May
Mustang Survival scales up its own production at Burnaby Facility, adding sewers, seam sealers, machinery, and extra shifts.
They will also oversee the production of the gowns between smaller companies in the lower mainland – cutting & bundling gown packages to be sewn at various locations.
All Quality Control, testing and standards being overseen by the Mustang Survival team.

With large scale production needing to get underway as soon as possible there is a need for local sewers to come forward to help.