JB sends from the DR.
Archive for the ‘International’ Category
Attn Brandon Whorley…The Jeep
Sunday, June 2nd, 2019CANSEC 19 – Millbrook Tactical To Introduce Two New Winter Boots From Lowa
Friday, May 31st, 2019Millbrook Tactical is Lowa Footwear’s number one Retailer in Canada and for good reason. Millbrook works with Lowa to provide special versions of their boots, specifically for the needs of Canada’s uniformed professionals.
This year, they are introducing two new Lowa Task Force models. Both are cold weather boots.
The first is the Elite Patrol GTX Thermo TF. This mountaineering-style boot features a full grain leather upper with a 4-layer Gore-Tex performance comfort liner and 400 gr Primaloft insulation. The sole is Single injection DURA PU monowrap (support frame) combined with the grippy-on-ice Vibram Arctic Grip sole.
The boots seen are prototypes, but the brown final boots will feature a brown rubber rand, rather than the black seen here. The final production boot will also incorporate closed hook lacing. I fully expect demand for these in the UK.
The second boot is the R-8 GTX Thermo TF. This is more of a duty boot with a full grain leather polishable toe.
Like the Elite Patrol, the R-8 features a 4-layer Gore-Tex performance comfort liner and 400 gr Primaloft insulation as well as the Vibram Mottarone Arctic Grip sole. The final boot will feature closed lacing hooks.
Lowa Task Force boots are available in Canada from Millbrook Tactical.
Rheinmetall and FRAEN Corporation Announce Joint Venture to Serve US Defense Market
Thursday, May 30th, 2019
By setting up a joint venture in the military fuze sector, the Rheinmetall Group continues to expand its presence in the growing US defense technology market.
Rheinmetall and the FRAEN Corporation have joined forces to establish a joint venture in the United States called Rheinmetall Fraen Fuzes LLC (RFF) which, headed by Rheinmetall, will develop and produce military fuzes. The Düsseldorf, Germany-based technology group will hold a 51 percent share in the new company, with the remaining 49 percent held by FRAEN Corporation. The joint venture will be collocated with FRAEN Corporation headquarters in Reading, Massachusetts.
The combined capabilities of the Rheinmetall Fraen Fuzes joint venture lay the groundwork for establishing a new benchmark in the world of military fuze technology, with intensive research and development poised to create new technical and tactical capabilities.
Rheinmetall brings to the joint venture state-of-the-art technology, innovative drive, unsurpassed quality, and nearly 130 years of experience in developing and producing defense technology systems and products, especially weapon systems, ammunition, and related components. FRAEN Corporation is synonymous with precision fabrication of mechanical and electrical elements, automated production sequences with integrated quality control, and comprehensive production expertise.
In particular, America stands to benefit from the synergy effects arising from the new joint venture, coupled with access to cutting-edge fuze technology – a key component in the production of ammunition – together with an assured source of supply and excellent quality. Based on advanced Rheinmetall technologies and know-how, the creation of research and development capacity in America will be a boon for the US defense industry.
The new company constitutes a key element in the ongoing expansion of Rheinmetall’s Weapon and Ammunition division in the United States, and is an integral part of its strategy of securing existing and future US procurement orders in the weapon and ammunition domain.
As Werner Kraemer, managing director of Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH, put it, “We’re very upbeat about the potential the new company opens up for our customers as well for ourselves. The combined capabilities of FRAEN Corporation and Rheinmetall mean that we’ll be able to offer our American customers the latest fuze technology and highly innovative products: Made in USA.”
“Our goal is to tap into the market for ammunition and grow the company to meet the needs of our customers in the best way possible”, states Nic Scarfo, CEO of FRAEN Corporation. “Combining our capabilities with technologies from Rheinmetall in the United States takes our business to a whole new level. We’ll be able to offer technologies and products that help our armed forces perform their important tasks. We look forward to working together with Rheinmetall!”
Darren Klein, who will lead the joint venture as CEO, stresses that “Rheinmetall Fraen Fuzes is fortunate to be able to build on the robust capabilities, experience, and product portfolios of its parent companies. Thanks to this joint endeavor, we’ll be able to offer our customers the kind of innovative and effective high-quality products they need to carry out their vital mission.”
Rheinmetall Defence is a leading maker of military vehicles and systems. In the USA, the Group is represented by American Rheinmetall Munition and American Rheinmetall Systems. Both subsidiaries are experienced suppliers of the US Department of Defense.
FRAEN Corporation is an innovative, large-volume producer of high-quality, precision metal components and assemblies, specializing in injection casting, punching, and turning.
Netherlands Fractal Pattern Update
Thursday, May 30th, 2019
The Dutch military has committed to fielding their new Netherlands Fractal Pattern camouflage.
Through extensive testing, they are planning on these colorways for uniforms:
NFP-Green for wooded and urban areas in Western and Eastern Europe;
NFP-Tan for arid areas such as desert, steppes and savannas;
NFP-Navy for shipboard personnel is still under development.
NFP Arctic is still being considered for winter (mountain) conditions.
However, they’ve also developed NFP-Multitone with fewer colors and slightly more contrast which contains colors from NFP-Green and NFP-Tan, making it suitable for use in both green and dry areas. This variant will be used for PPE and other field equipment.
We are told that gear is starting to roll off the line in NFP-Multi, such as tarps (seen here) and the Berghaus packs we showcased during Enforce Tac.
Source: magazines.defensie.nl/defensiekrant/2019/11/04_camouflage_10
Rampart Range Day 19 – Royal Marines Pyrad Rain Suit by Carinthia
Wednesday, May 29th, 2019Austria-based Carinthia makes some fantastic gear for some of Europe’s most elite military units. For instance, they developed this rain suit for the British Royal Marines.
Made from WL Gore’s Pyrad material, it is a waterproof/breathable Gore-Tex shell which is also FR. It is also printed in the British military’s Multi Terrain Pattern camouflage.
The suit is based on Carinthia’s PRG rain suit which incorporates large zippered chest pockets as well as zippered bicep pockets and zippered underarm ventilation.
Carinthia products are available in Canada from Rampart International.
Rampart Range Day 19 – Xion Protective Gear
Wednesday, May 29th, 2019While there were several great new products at Rampart Range Day, none surprised nor impressed me more than Xion (pronounced zion) Protective Gear. Their garments have been worn for years in sports and by stuntmen, protecting from blunt trauma injuries. But now, they’ve been discovered by LE for use as a low viz crowd control suit for use in scenarios where the appearance of full riot gear might increase tensions. Naturally, the gear can be worn in any scenario where blunt force trauma is a threat.
The suits can be worn under outer garments.
Some of the garments are also FR, adding another facet of personal protection.
The secret is in their use of D3O pads which works as a non-Newtonian fluid, absorbing high energy impact, yet remaining malleable when not under force. In fact, the founders of Xion came from the stunt industry and have been working with D3O for many years on pad designs.
Xion Protective Gear products are available in North America from Rampart International.
Millbrook Tactical Introduces Liberty Dynamic Flashbangs To Canadian Market
Wednesday, May 29th, 2019Ottawa, Canada – We are proud to announce that Millbrook will bring Liberty Dynamic technology to the Canadian market as the exclusive Canadian distributor. The Liberty Dynamic flashbang is a technological leap forward in the industry and will greatly enhance operator safety and effectiveness. Visit us at CANSEC 2019 booth 421 for more information or contact us at info@millbrookcanada.ca for a live demonstration.
Rheinmetall’s Autonomous Rescue and Surveillance Vehicles to be Showcased in Canada at CANSEC 2019
Wednesday, May 29th, 2019Rheinmetall is launching the Rescue model of its Mission Master at CANSEC 2019. The Mission Master is a modular unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) that facilitates recovery of injured troops without compromising the operators’ safety, along with many other dangerous, dirty, and dull (DDD) tasks.
The newly released rescue variant of Rheinmetall’s flagship autonomous vehicle allows for in-field medical intervention. This gives remotely situated soldiers the ability to evacuate casualties over long distances either autonomously or via remote control.
Rescue model: enhancing casualty care effectiveness
In the field, the right equipment can be the difference between life and death for wounded soldiers, since 90% of fatalities occur between the time of trauma and arrival at the combat zone medical facility.
Rheinmetall’s Rescue UGV has all the equipment necessary for a successful evacuation, including two basket stretchers with sliding provisions, head and foot immobilizers, oxygen masks and canisters, a monitor defibrillator, and a hot/cold box. All of these items would be impossible for a medic to carry on foot, but the Mission Master can handle the load with ease.
Operators can command the Mission Master from near or far using autonomous navigation, reducing the number of personnel needed on the ground. This feature leaves medics free to focus all of their attention on the injured soldier, as opposed to wasting precious time driving back to the extraction point. While transporting a wounded soldier using the UGV’s stretcher, for example, accompanying medics can use the vehicle as a workstation to administer emergency care.
Using the “follow me” function, the UGV can roll alongside other soldiers, who are busy making sure that the surrounding area is safe and secure. In both “follow me” and autonomous navigation modes, the Mission Master significantly relieves cognitive and physical stress, allowing troops to deal with the mission at hand.
Surveillance that saves lives
The Mission Master – Surveillance is designed to carry out observation and reconnaissance. Rheinmetall’s UGV is equipped with long-range EO/IR cameras, a 5-metre telescopic mast, radar, laser rangefinders (LRF), and GPS heading systems for 360-degree surveillance.
As an autonomous vehicle, the Mission Master – Surveillance can minimize the number of troops needed on the ground, while providing timely situational awareness for enhanced security and informed decision-making. Multiple sensors relay real-time data to the integrated Rheinmetall Command and Control Software (RC2S) and Argus soldier system, enabling rapid threat detection during operation in the field.
The UGV can transport much more specialized, high-performance equipment than soldiers can typically carry on their person. As a result, not only does the Mission Master help to significantly reduce the physical load carried by dismounted soldiers, it also enhances the likelihood of mission success.
The integration advantage
Each version of the Mission Master is networked to both the Argus soldier system and RC2S, the Group’s command and control software. This type of integration is a Rheinmetall specialty, and will be proudly on display at this year’s CANSEC tradeshow.
The rugged, ultra-portable Argus soldier system can control the UGV as well as receive data from its many sensors, delivering mission-critical information straight to soldiers’ tactical user interface. It can also send essential reconnaissance and updates to higher echelons of command via the RC2S.
Seeing is believing
Nothing compares to seeing our UGV in person. At this year’s CANSEC exhibition, Rheinmetall will be showcasing the Rescue model at its outdoor booth, and the Surveillance version in its indoor booth. Don’t miss your chance to speak with our experts about the Mission Master and its many advantages!
