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Archive for the ‘International’ Category

The NFM Group Releases GARM Combat Uniform 2.0

Wednesday, August 30th, 2017

In Norse mythology, GARM is the goddess HEL’s hellhound, the trustworthy watchdog of HELHEIM’s gate (Norse Mythology’s name for Hell). GARM has enormous strength and will go to extremes to protect his master’s assets.

Ski, Norway, August 2017 – The NFM Group is announcing the launch of GARM Combat Uniform 2.0, comprising combat jacket and pants, which has been developed based on the Scandinavian heritage of multi-use clothing for harsh terrains and environment where mobility is key to preserve combat endurance. The GARM Combat Uniform 2.0, has been released first on the NFM Group’s European e-commerce site, NorseGear (www.norsegear.com) in Norwegian Woodland pattern.

GARM® is NFM Group’s combat clothing brand, which incorporates a complete line of combat garments, from underwear to outer wear. The end-users of GARM® are professionals who need to have complete confidence in the functionality and quality of the equipment they use.

“We are thrilled to release the new generation GARM Combat Uniform. We have been working on design, functionality and technology for over three years, and after extended field trials we feel confident to release the second-generation uniform for the professional users.”
Lasse Johansen, Norwegian GARM® Program Manager

The NFM Group have leapt one step ahead implementing new technologies and design to the various garments for comfort and functionality. Features like pre-bent knees, elbows and many other outdoor clothing functional fit features have been preserved to give the end-user optimal mobility. The NFM Group will release the new combat clothing in several standard colors; raptor green, hellhound grey and raven black. For volume program deliveries, NFM Group will be able to supply in colors and pattern of choice, as well as in various fabrics.

Following the GARM Combat Uniform 2.0, the GARM Combat Shirt 2.0 will be available for retail in 2017. Lasse Johansen states further, ” The next generation of GARM Combat Clothing based on Scandinavian heritage and craftmanship is just around the corner. Follow us on our website and through social media.”

www.nfm.no
www.equipnor.no
www.norsegear.com

Personnel Change at Heckler & Koch

Tuesday, August 29th, 2017

August 29, 2017. The supervisory board of H&K AG, the parent company of the Heckler & Koch Group (“Heckler & Koch”), has revoked the appointment of Mr. Norbert Scheuch as Chairman of the Executive Board and as Chief Executive Officer of H&K AG with immediate effect. The appointment of Mr. Norbert Scheuch as executive director of Heckler & Koch GmbH was also revoked with immediate effect.

Until the appointment of a successor in the near future, Mr. Wolfgang Hesse, the sole executive board member of H&K AG and the sole executive director of Heckler & Koch GmbH, will take over Mr. Scheuch’s duties, in close cooperation with the supervisory board.?

The already initiated strategic realignment of the Group, the operational transformation process and the product innovation initiative will be continued unchanged.

Survitec PCS Aims to Significantly Reduce Preventable Battlefield deaths

Monday, August 28th, 2017

Norwegian Defence Material Agency signs up to $18m framework contract

Safety solution provider Survitec has launched a pre-hospital care system (PCS) – delivered by the Survitec Med division – that when effectively deployed will dramatically reduce preventable battlefield deaths, by providing world-leading pre-hospital medical equipment packaged ready for field use.

In line with the Norwegian Defence requirement, the PCS adheres to Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC); a battlefield medical doctrine that optimises the interventions and equipment required to reduce preventable battlefield deaths to a minimum.

Around 90% of battlefield deaths occur before reaching definitive medical care1. By employing Survitec’s PCS solutions, combined with the implementation of TCCC guidelines, battlefield personnel can be equipped with the latest and most innovative pre-hospital solutions available today.

Survitec’s PCS equips the user with the tools and training they need to rapidly assess, treat and extract casualties at all stages of the TCCC process; including Care Under Fire, Tactical Field Care and Tactical Evacuation situations. It consists of four components to include high-quality equipment, tactical and emergency pre-hospital training, end-to-end expert support and a global servicing and restock network, ensuring all stages of global battlefield care are delivered seamlessly.

The Norwegian Defence Material Agency (NDMA) has awarded the framework agreement to Sweden-based Promoteq AB, with Survitec as subcontractor, acting as the System Integrator. This is the first large-scale operation of its kind and is valued at $18m for three years – with an option to extend further – meaning the Norwegian Defence will be supported by the cutting edge of battlefield care into the next decade. Survitec’s partner Promoteq is a security and government contractor with more than 10 years of experience of providing Medical state of the art products and training to the Scandinavian market.

Survitec will be officially unveiling the system at DSEI at London’s ExCel, which runs between September 12th and 15th.

Rune Jensen, Chief of Project Department in the General Material Division, NDMA says: “So far the NDMA has a good experience with Promoteq as a System Integrator and Survitec as a subcontractor. We are looking forward to testing a System Integration of this scale and have very high expectations to further cooperation and their future deliveries.”

Survitec Med is staffed and managed by a team full of military experience, informed by years of real world combat deployments and by active, qualified civilian paramedics to provide the best solutions to all tactical field users.

Kevin Wheeler, Medical Director of Survitec, said: “This is a complete end-to-end solution and the only offering of its kind that combines modular designs, tactical medical training, expert support and servicing, anywhere in the world. In simple terms, it is a system that will significantly increase survivability – it will save lives. It not only equips military personnel with the tools they need to care for their comrades, but also provides the training they need to execute any support and care efficiently and quickly. We are proud to be supplying the system to the Norwegian Armed Forces and we hope that other militaries follow suit to ensure their troops are equipped with the latest and most innovative pre-hospital care medical solutions available today.”

Created by Survitec with support from Promoteq, the PCS is delivered with the close involvement of over 40 leading medical companies. Survitec supplies world leading equipment, with each component uniquely packed into a suite of modules optimised for the relevant phase of care, be it under fire, in-field or tactical evacuation.

Survitec’s mission is to provide innovative medical systems that deliver the right equipment to project forward the highest level of care in harsh environments.

The PCS supports extraction, field care, mobility, casualty sustainment and mass casualty events while meeting all required industry standards.

www.survitecgroup.com

Invictus Games 2017

Sunday, August 27th, 2017

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Click to view .pdf

The Invictus Games is an international Paralympic-style multi-sport event, where wounded and/or injured Armed Forces personnel and associated Veterans participate in sporting events. The event, inspired by the Warrior Games held here in the States, is taking place in Toronto, Canada this year. If you’re in the area, check out the schedule above for the full range of events taking place at this year’s Invictus Games.

invictusgamesfoundation.org

Additionally, there will also be a Multi-Faith Celebration being held at St. James Cathedral on September 19th. Tickets for which can be claimed at the link below:

www.eventbrite.ca/e/invictus-games-2017-multi-faith-celebration-tickets-36871303060

Canadian Forces Seeks Sniper Body Armour System

Thursday, August 24th, 2017

Public Works Canada has issued a tender for a Sniper Body Armour System. The details are below, but they only want 319 systems with an option for up to an additional 240 systems over the following 36 months. With numbers that low, it seems like a waste of resources to issue a tender. Just buy something off the shelf from a five eyes partner.  However, they are looking for Canadian content here, so if two or more Canadian companies bid, they won’t consider outside bids.

They explain thier requirement:
The sniper community currently has access to the in-service Fragmentation Protective Vest (FPV) that is worn by all Canadian Forces (CF) members. The in-service FPV is an all-in-one system, meaning the soft armour and in-service Bullet Resistant Plate (BRP) pockets are part of one garment. While the in-service FPV provides excellent ballistic protection, it hinders the snipers ability to operate effectively due to its bulk and restricted range of motion. Therefore it was determined that snipers require a less restrictive garment that allows flexibility of protection and movement based on operational needs.

The Sniper Body Armour System (SBAS) to be delivered under this contract is composed of three components. The first component is the SBAS External Carrier (SBAS EC) that will hold the SBAS Ballistic Panel (SBAS BP). The second component is the SBAS Plate Carrier (SBAS PC) that will hold the in-service BRP. The third component is the Bilingual User Instructions Card that provides important information related to sizing and wearing/caring for the SBAS.

The SBAS will provide ballistic protection to members of the sniper community with improved flexibility of movement and protection options. The sniper will wear individual components or both to maximize ballistic and fragmentation protection.

Quatities:
Item 01 – Sniper Body Armour System (inclusive of all related components) – quantity: 319 units

Options:
This requirement also includes options to purchase additional quantities as follows:
Item 02 – External Carrier Rear – estimated qty: 140 units
Item 03 – Ballistic Panel Rear – estimated qty: 140 units
Item 04 – External Carrier Front – estimated qty: 140 units
Item 05 – Ballistic Panel Front – estimated qty: 140 units
Item 06 – Plate Carrier Rear – estimated qty: 140 units
Item 07 – Plate Carrier Front – estimated qty: 140 units
Item 08a – Sniper Body Armour System (inclusive of all related components) – estimated qty: 240 units

One of the things I really appreciate about Public Works is that they are very specific about how they will evaluate a candidate’s bid proposal.  For example, go take a look at this Technical Evaluation Workbook.  If only the American acquisition community were so transparent.

Read the full details of the solicitation here.

CANSOF Seeks Advanced Special Operations Forces Combat Uniform

Wednesday, August 23rd, 2017

In a solicitation published to Public Works, the Department of National Defence (DND) has issued a requirement for Commercial-Off-The-shelf Advanced Special Operations Forces (SOF) Combat Uniforms (ASCU) to be supplied in accordance with DND specifications.

It is a two stage procurement:

Step I (Initial Contract): each Bidder deemed compliant will be awarded a contract for the supply of a quantity of twenty (20) Shirts and quantity twenty (20) Pants. These Combat Uniforms will be subjected to a User Acceptance performance Evaluation.

Step II (Main Contract): Following the User Acceptance Performance Evaluation result, one contract will be awarded for the Combat Uniforms. The Requisition on contract (ROC) will be for one (1) year with the option to extend for four (4) additional one (1) year period. The Bidder must supply and deliver the Combat uniforms as specified in Individual Requisition on Contract.

The candidate uniforms will be manufactured from No Melt No Drip fabric in the MultiCam print. The uniforms will be trialled by 10 wearers and their technical merit will be evaluated based in these factors:

Although they want samples in MultiCam print, they’ve included a place holder for other colors and patterns in the solicitation.

Have an exterior finish as follows:

a. Printed with the MULTICAM® camouflage pattern; and

b. Other finishes as available including white, black, tan and alternate camouflage patterns;

Another interesting requirement for potential bidders:

Expertise and Proven Design
The Bidder must be an experienced military uniform manufacturer by having been in the business of developing, manufacturing and/or selling military uniforms for a minimum of three (3) years and having sold a minimum of five hundred (500) uniforms to an American, British, Canadian or Australian (ABCA) military force in the last five (5) years.

It will be interesting to see if this solicitation gets CANSOF away from the Peerless manufactured uniforms they are currently using.

Australia’s Diggerworks Studies Exoskeletons

Tuesday, August 22nd, 2017

Diggerworks is undertaking a feasibility study to determine the potential utility of a passive exoskeleton for ADF dismounted close combatants. The intended purpose of the systems is to transfer the weight burden of the soldiers’ carried equipment directly to the ground, helping the dismounted soldier arrive at their destination less fatigued and ready for battle.

As part of the exoskeleton trial, participants were fitted with a surrogate suit made of 3D printed plastic. The surrogate suit was fitted to ensure measurements were correct prior to manufacturing titanium suits.

img_3593.jpg

This looks to be the Mawashi UPRISE Tactical Exoskeleton we recently covered.

© Commonwealth of Australia, Department of Defence, Photo: CAPT Brendan Gilbert

MAPA Camo Pattern Under Consideration For Polish Territorial Defence Forces

Tuesday, August 22nd, 2017

We’ve received a report that the MAPA camouflage pattern we shared back in 2012 is under consideration for adoption by Poland’s Territorial Defence Forces under project code name EICHENLAUB / “LI?? D?BU”. Developed by Mr. Maciej Dojlitko, MAPA (“map” in Polish), the pattern matches the terrain and vegetation of Poland.