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Rheinmetall Presents the World’s First Unmanned Ground Vehicle Equipped with Micro Combat Unmanned Air Vehicle at MSPO 2019

Tuesday, September 3rd, 2019

One of the most innovative systems on display at this year’s MSPO exhibition is the latest version of the Mission Master UGV from Rheinmetall, armed with the WARMATE Loitering Munition System. Rheinmetall has partnered with WB GROUP, Poland’s foremost defence contractor in the field of advanced technologies, to provide dismounted troops with high-precision strike capabilities.

As with other versions of Rheinmetall’s flagship autonomous vehicle, this new Mission Master – Protection is based on an 8×8 all-terrain platform capable of performing dangerous missions in hostile weather conditions, with the specific purpose of enhancing combat effectiveness. The integrated WARMATE micro combat unmanned air vehicle (UAV) opens up a range of new offensive and observation capabilities. It is capable of scanning the battlefield, detecting and determining exact enemy positions and, when the decision is made, engaging them. When an attack is aborted, the WARMATE can be recalled, can continue loitering, or be directed at another target.

Even more exciting, the new Mission Master – Protection features the first ever tube-launched system equipped with several WARMATE UAVs for performing surgical swarm attacks. This dramatically increases the unit’s combat power, while simultaneously augmenting the safety of dismounted troops in close combat operations as the whole system can operate out of the line-of-sight. “The use of micro combat UAVs on our Mission Master UGVs is an incredible opportunity for ground commanders” says Alain Tremblay, Rheinmetall Canada’s vice-president for business development. “Being able to observe hidden targets and conduct precise identification before initiating a surgical strike with minimal collateral damage is a real tactical advantage on today’s battlefield. And since both the Mission Master and the WARMATE are able to conduct certain autonomous operations, it reduces the number of military personal required and lets troops focus on mission success”, explains Tremblay.

Operators can command both the UGV and UAV from a mobile ground control station; a modern soldier system such as Rheinmetall Argus; or with Rheinmetall Command and Control Software installed in any user’s battle management system.

Visitors to MSPO 2019 won’t want to miss this opportunity to see for themselves the brand-new version of the Rheinmetall Mission Master – the future of unmanned ground vehicles, on display today.

Posted in International, Press Release, UAS | 2 Comments »

INVISIO Has Received Contract Award Decisions from the Swedish Police

Friday, August 30th, 2019

The Swedish police have announced in two contract award decisions that they intend to sign two framework agreements with INVISIO regarding communication equipment. The contract award decisions are not to be regarded as signed agreements.

The agreements include communication equipment with active hearing protection and are framework agreements valid for two years with the possibility to extend for another two years. No volume is guaranteed during the contract periods; call-offs will be made when the need arises.

The tendering process may be subject to review within ten days of the award decision.

INVISIO intends to provide additional information when the company has such and when the agreements are signed.

Posted in Advertiser, Comms, Contracts, International, LE, Press Release | Comments Off on INVISIO Has Received Contract Award Decisions from the Swedish Police

Supacat Launches Latest HMT Extenda Variant at DSEi

Thursday, August 29th, 2019

29 August 2019, Supacat, the UK headquartered Special Forces vehicle developer, is showing the most advanced version of its world leading special forces vehicle, the HMT Extenda Mk2, for the first time at DSEi 2019. This latest variant offers a step change in capability and payload capacity with an enhanced suspension system enabling gross vehicle weight to increase to 12,000kg from 10,500kg, and increase crew seating to six from four.

The Extenda is a variant of Supacat’s successful HMT (High Mobility Transporter) platform, which is operated by Special Forces around the world. The Norwegian Armed Forces are the first customer for the upgraded HMT Extenda Mk2.

Supacat has undertaken a rigorous and extensive programme of trials to Verify and Validate the performance of the system. As well as reliability and durability trialling at the Supacat test facility, the vehicle has successfully completed a 12,500km tour of Australia in order to confirm reliability and performance over long distances.

“The innovations to the HMT platform on the latest Extenda deliver increased capability and superior payload and performance. Our user feedback indicates that the vehicle has exceeded expectations, allowing them to do things they’d previously thought not possible”, said Phil Applegarth, Head of Supacat.

The chassis is now STANAG compliant for recovery purposes and a 6.7 litre Cummins diesel engine comes as standard. The blast and ballistic protection option can now be integrated at the factory build stage.

In line with Supacat’s modular design philosophy the latest Extenda provides for a range of configuration options from the factory in addition to the flexibility to re-role the base platform throughout the lifetime of the vehicle with a variety of mission modules and protection levels to meet changing demands. HMT Extenda has the unique capability of being operated as a 4×4 or 6×6 wheel drive vehicle thanks to a removable 3rd axle.

Posted in DSEi, International, Mobility, Press Release, SOF | 2 Comments »

DSEI 2019 Preview: SOURCE Integrated Ultralight Knee Pads

Thursday, August 29th, 2019

Source Tactical Gear are formally launching the Patent Pending Integrated Ultra Light IUL Knee Pads™ ahead of DSEI 2019. It is the first knee protection integrated in combat clothing that provides ballistic AND impact protection combined with the comfort and performance of an elite athlete’s gear.

The new product exploits Source’s experience in state of the art ballistic materials, to provide knee pads that meet and exceed the load distribution, impact and puncture resistance requirements as per BS EN 14404:2004 (as demanded by customers such as the UK MOD).

Rather than conventional rigid plastics we apply highly developed technical soft fabrics to achieve protection from impact on hard ground, rocks, or sharp and cutting objects – i.e. broken glass and barbed wire.

Ultra Light, Maximum Performance

We have created a product that surpasses all testing standards in terms of protection, yet weighs just 36gr – one third the weight of similar knee pads in the market. The new generation of knee pads excels on two fronts: Meeting (and exceeding) the protective requirements of the combat soldier, and matching the weight-focused goals of an elite athlete.

This rigorous weight saving design offers the soldier a protective solution without impeding their agility or comfort. The outcome… enhanced comfort when patrolling for extended periods yet superior protection when it matters most.

Patent Pending JoinT™

The innovative JoinT™ design protects the knee with virtually no restriction on movement and agility even during assault and aggressive combat maneuvering.

Ultra-Light with Genuine Ballistic Protection

With a sophisticated layout of high end ballistic materials, the IUL Knee Pad™ system also provides ballistic protection against the threat of IED’s low velocity fragments (V50 = 250 m/s).

Super Tough MultiDot Protective (MDP) Pocket

The MDP textile pocket uses MultiDots™ print technology on the external fabric to provide abrasion resistance far greater then Cordura®. The IUL Knee Pad™ insert is adjusted by inner pocket hook-and-loop fastener tabs. Vertical adjustment provides the user with a simple mechanism to adjust the fit to suit individual preference.

IUL Knee Pads™ & MDP Pocket are provided as a set and are now a standard feature in every SOURCE Combat Clothing System.

The IUL Knee Pads™ in combination with the MDP pocket are the ideal OEM upgrade to any combat clothing system.

To find out more visit www.sourcetacticalgear.net/contact-us and come and see for yourself at Booth No S9-130, DSEI 2019 in London.

Posted in Armor, DSEi, International, Press Release | 3 Comments »

Meprolight Obtains ISO 37001 Certification for its Anti-Bribery Management System

Wednesday, August 28th, 2019

Meprolight – a member of the SK Group and a leading manufacturer of electro-optical systems, thermal and night vision equipment, has been awarded this week by the Israel Standards Institute with the ISO 37001 certification for its anti-bribery management system. Meprolight is the first company in the defense sector in Israel to obtain certification under this standard and also one of the first nationwide.

ISO 37001, which was issued in October 2016 by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), advocates a series of measures to help organizations of all sizes, both private and public, to prevent, detect and tackle bribery through the implementation of an anti-bribery management system. Drafted by a committee of academic, government, and industry experts from 56 countries and seven liaison organizations, this standard is intended for application across all industries and geographies.

“We are very proud to be among the first companies in Israel to receive this certification. It demonstrates our strong commitment to ethics and validates the considerable efforts made internally to increase communication and awareness of our ethical procedures and values. We have set ourselves a goal as a Group, to carry out the certification process for the other defense companies in SK Group as well, including IWI, Camero Tech, and Israel Shipyards” said Mr. Samy Katsav, Chairman of Meprolight and SK Group.

www.meprolight.com

Posted in Industry, International, Press Release | Comments Off on Meprolight Obtains ISO 37001 Certification for its Anti-Bribery Management System

GSCI Advanced Photonics – QUADRO-VS

Monday, August 26th, 2019

Toronto, Canada – GSCI Advanced Photonics,

Over 27 years ago, GSCI Advanced Photonis designed its first night vision device to aid professional users in their low light missions.

Since then, GSCI engineers have kept innovating. And today, GSCI Advanced Photonics’ night vision, thermal imaging, and fusion thermal devices are some of the most distinctive on the market, offering end users an expanded feature set and higher reliability than any other on the market.

Drawing attention to the latest development – QUADRO-VS, a system using GSCI’s renowned patented fusion technology, designed for professional end-users Worldwide, who need 100% detection and recognition capabilities at all times. The device consists of a cross-platform mobile fusion system for ground vehicles, unmanned aircraft, guard towers and other applications where safety is at stake and uncompromised detection is a must.

“GSCI has taken a few extra steps in the fusion technology development with the QUADRO-VS”, said Isaac B., M.Sc., one of GSCI’s Engineers “The device allows disengaging vehicle headlights, to avoid unwanted attention and to reduce the risk of exposure, yet maintaining the user’s ability to safely operate the said vehicle, with the QUADRO-VS’s ability to detect and recognize objects and/or people with real-time and delay-free transmission of the fused image”.

The unit is ruggedly built, light-weight at less than 350 grams, and offers easy installation and both vertical and horizontal positions, it is also equipped with several unparalleled features:

• Five Operation Modes: Thermal, Day, Night, Day-Fusion, and Night-Fusion for a variety of lighting and environmental conditions;

• Super wide Field of View offering excellent Situation Awareness;

• An Anti-Ambush Aid for Hostile Environments – helping users to neutralize possible threats in advance – with the wide Field Of View, only 7 QUADRO-VS systems installed around a perimeter create panoramic 360° view, allowing true, real time continuous perimeter observation and detection for tactical purposes.

• Remote In-Vehicle Operation; and

• A Fully-Passive Undetectable System – does not emit any light, heat, laser or any other type of radiation.

GSCI Advanced Photonics is an ITAR-free leading developer and manufacturer of high-end professional electro-optical systems, and its patented fusion technology is already considered a top-tier within the industry. As with all other systems, QUADRO-VS is backed by a 7 year warranty.

QUADRO-VS is available to be exported worldwide. For more details, contact gsci@gsci1.com, call +1 905-850-0990 or visit GSCI Advanced Photonics at DSEI, Booth N3-502.

Posted in DSEi, International, Optics, Press Release | 1 Comment »

Capt Mbaye Diagne Medal Awarded Posthumously to Peacekeeper’s Widow

Sunday, August 25th, 2019

Pvt. Chancy Chitete, a Malawian peacekeeper assigned to MONUSCO, was killed in action near Kididiwe during contact with the ADF (Allied Democratic Forces) last November. He has now been awarded the Captain Mbaye Diagne Medal for Exceptional Courage, the UN’s highest award for valor. MONUSCO is the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Pvt. Chancy Chitete of Malawi

Pvt. Chitete’s unit, a joint formation including Tanzanian and Malawian soldiers, came under heavy fire during an operation conducted to prevent disruption to local Ebola response efforts. While providing cover for evacuees, a Tanzanian NCO, Cpl. Ali Khamis Omary, was hit and unable to move to cover or escape approaching militia forces. Pvt. Chitete dragged Cpl. Omary clear and began administering aid but was himself struck by enemy fire. Both soldiers were evacuated, but Pvt. Chitete did not survive.

A memorial conducted for Pvt. Chitete at a UN outpost in Beni, DRC.

Cpl. Ali Khamis Omary of Tanzania.

The eponymous Diagne Medal was created by the UN Security Council in 2014 in honor of Capt. Mbaye Diagne of Senegal. Capt. Diagne was a UN military observer credited with saving hundreds of lives in Rwanda during the 1994 genocide before being killed in action.

Capt. Mbaye Diagne of Senegal.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ presented the award posthumously to Pvt. Chitete’s widow, Mrs. Lachel Chitete Mwenechanya, at a ceremony in late May. It is the first time the Diagne Medal has been awarded since it was presented to the widow of Capt. Diagne in 2016. You can read the Secretary-General’s remarks online here.

Mrs. Lachel Chitete Mwenechanya at the UN Building, New York.

More on Pvt. Chitete’s actions during the mission can be found on the UN website.

Eight other peacekeepers serving in the DRC and Mali were also nominated by their respective missions, including SAAF helicopter pilot Lt. Col Stefan King, below. No armed CAS aircraft being available, Col. King and crew responded to a request for assistance for Guatemalan peacekeepers under attack nearby. Flying their unarmed Atlas Oryx helicopter by NVGs, King and crew sortied to assist. Upon arrival they began using flares to distract militia fighters pressing the Guatemalan soldiers.

Col. King later advised, “We did numerous runs and each time set off flares to deter enemy fire. Each run saw the helicopter come under fire and at least two RPGs (rocket-propelled grenades) passed close enough to make our NVGs useless for a while. After just over an hour of orbiting and flare runs our fuel situation reached the stage where we had to abort.”

Col. Stefan King in Africa. (He is wearing Hill People Gear.)

The Guatemalan unit was able to break contact and return to friendly lines.

At another ceremony, another award was presented. There the Dag Hammarskjold Medal was presented posthumously to the 119 United Nations military and police personnel, national staff, and other U.N. Volunteers killed last year. Those 119 people, from 38 countries, had served in 12 separate UN peace operations around the world. (AP News)

MONUSCO Mission Specs at Peacekeeping.org.

Imagery from the UN Mission to the DRC on Instagram with hashtag #monusco.

Pvt. Chancy Chitete, in pace requiescat.

By David Reeder

Connect with the author on IG, @ReederWrites.

Posted in Guest Post, International | 3 Comments »

Platatac Peacekeeper MK4 Chest Rig Back In Stock

Friday, August 23rd, 2019

Thanks to a government overrun, Platatac has a limited stock of their Peacekeeper MK4 Chest Rig (with Low Pro Straps – included). The Chicom LW H-Harness is also available as an upgrade.

Peacekeeper MK4 Chest Rig

Features:
– 4 x MOLLE Rows 2 x MOLLE Columns (x2)
– 2 x medium-sized zippered pouches with front zip pockets
– 3 x 5.56mm Double magazine pouches
– 1 x Horizontal zippered pocket with Cyalume loops (under magazine pouches)
– 3 x External mesh pockets on rear
– 1 x Internal Velcro pocket
– Sewn drainage holes
– Built from 500 Denier Multicam Cordura nylon fabric
– YKK Zips with Paracord pulls

Chicom LW H-Harness
(Peacekeeper MK4 not included)

Features:
– Compatible with Peacekeeper MK4
– 55mm Folded 500D Cordura nylon to support heavy loads
– Folded construction with soft edges for optimized comfort
– 25mm elastic to attach PTTs or route hydration tube/antenna/comms cable
– Low profile, lightweight without affecting durability
– Adjustable 25mm web tape straps – Velcro loop at rear to attach individual ID markers – All ITW Nexus Hardware
– 130 gms

Posted in Advertiser, International, Load Carrying | 4 Comments »