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Rheinmetall at the Xponential Europe Trade Fair: Robotics, Drones and Teleoperated Driving in Focus

Sunday, February 23rd, 2025

From 18 to 20 February 2025, the Xponential Europe trade fair, which focuses on robotics and unmanned systems, will take place for the first time in Düsseldorf. Rheinmetall is the largest exhibitor, underlining its claim to leadership in this field. Under the motto ‘Leadership in unmanned digital ecosystem and robotics’, the Dax-listed technology company and its subsidiaries MIRA GmbH and Yardstick Robotics are presenting their latest developments in the fields of robotics, drones, unmanned systems and teleoperated driving.

Rheinmetall is showing a wide range of its unmanned systems for military and law enforcement applications, including:

– the LUNA NG VTOL (Vertical Take-off and Landing), a tactical fixed-wing Unmanned Aerial System with vertical take-off and landing capability, reconnaissance equipment (ISR, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) and optional effectors

– the Fixed Wing Vehicle FV-002, a fixed-wing drone primarily for close-range reconnaissance

– the Rotary Wing Vehicle RV-002, a rotary wing drone for close-range reconnaissance with a payload capacity of 750 grams

– the target drone Fixed Wing Vehicle FV-015

– the walking robot Robotics L.

MIRA GmbH, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rheinmetall AG, is paving the way for automated mobility with teleoperation. MIRA uses teleoperation to decouple the driver from the vehicle. This makes it possible to control the vehicle remotely from a control panel located anywhere.

Teleoperation of vehicles on public roads requires powerful IT systems. In the ‘POQUASIA – Post-quantum secure generic IoT application’ project, the Rheinmetall Technology Center, with the support of MIRA GmbH, is developing a scalable, real-time-capable and generic Internet of Things (IoT) platform within a cloud environment.

The aim of the project is to demonstrate the potential of cloud-based applications using the example of teleoperation and to test the use of post-quantum cryptography to protect against future cyber threats. This will provide digital innovations that meet the highest security, latency and availability requirements. The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection and supports the European IPCEI-CIS initiative to realise a unique multi-provider cloud-edge continuum.

During the trade fair, MIRA GmbH and the POQUASIA project are offering visitors to Xponential Europe the opportunity to take a ride in one of their teleoperated shuttle vehicles on public roads. In addition, MIRA GmbH will be providing first-hand information about its innovative technology and its diverse applications in logistics and passenger transport.

Rheinmetall subsidiary YardStick Robotics is a manufacturer of AI-enabled robotic solutions for extreme, unstructured and unpredictable environments. The specialised collaborative cobot ‘YARO Cobot’ is developed for the toughest of missions – in other words, robots for ‘dull, dirty & dangerous’ activities. YardStick Robotics is currently working on solutions for a range of applications from the deep sea to extraterrestrial missions in the future. In keeping with the motto ‘Robots for the World’s Toughest Jobs’, the focus is also on the safe automation of industries that have not previously had access to such robotic solutions.

At Xponential Europe, Yardstick Robotics will be showcasing

· the outdoor cobot: ‘YARO Cobot’ – a specially developed collaborative robot for reliable use in rough, unstructured outdoor environments

· an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) study – an autonomous underwater platform for precise inspection and monitoring tasks in marine and inland waters

· MagnetCrawler – an intelligent system for inspecting and monitoring metallic surfaces, e.g. for industrial applications

Xponential Europe is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.from 18 to 20 February 2025. We look forward to welcoming you to our booth 1C25.

For more information about Xponential Europe, visit: www.xponential-europe.de

Posted in International, Press Release, Robotics, UAS | No Comments »

Savage Arms 110 Carbon Tactical Honored at The 2025 British Shooting Show

Saturday, February 22nd, 2025

WESTFIELD, Massachusetts – February 20, 2025 – Savage Arms® is proud to announce that its 110 Carbon Tactical was awarded the 2025 Rifle of the Year at the 2025 British Shooting Show. This event is the UK’s largest retail shooting show and was held from February 14-16, 2025.

The British Shooting Show offers attendees everything from airguns to shotguns and optics and night vision. Firearms were available for purchase by the thousands and included both new and used options in calibers from 22 LR to 50 BMG. Those who were at the show were also able to learn more about the gunmaking heritage and gamekeeping as well. The show included The Winchester Collection, Night Vision Tunnels and a tactical training area.

“We are thrilled to receive this award and with our growth as a brand in the UK,” said Robert Gates, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Savage Arms. “Our team in Europe has done an amazing job of getting Savage to the forefront, and this recognition of the 110 Carbon Tactical shows where we stand as a brand, and our ability to innovate for specific markets.”

The 110 Carbon Tactical offers uncompromised balance by pairing an exclusive PROOF Research® stainless steel, carbon fiber wrapped barrel with the rigid AccuFit Stock with AccuStock. This setup secures the action three-dimensionally along its entire length. The user-adjustable AccuTrigger, threaded barrel, 1-piece 20 MOA rail, 3 sling swivel studs and beavertail forend round out the added performance features of this model.

In the UK and internationally, the 110 Carbon Tactical is available in Gray and Flat Dark Earth and chambered in 308 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor and 6.5 PRC. All models feature a 22” barrel, and the 6.5 PRC option has a 24” barrel.

To learn more about the new era of Savage, visit savagearms.com.

Posted in Firearms, International, Press Release | No Comments »

Spectra Group Announces the Award of a Contract to Supply Troposcatter COMET to the Irish Defence Force

Friday, February 21st, 2025

Spectra Group (UK) Ltd, the specialist provider of secure voice, data and satellite communications systems, has announced a contract award to supply the Irish Defence Force with Comtech’s Troposcatter Compact Over-the Horizon Mobile Expeditionary Terminals (COMET). Spectra Group acquired the global distribution rights to supply Comtech’s Troposcatter Family of Systems (FoS) in February 2024 (less USA, Canada and Mexico which Comtech retains). This procurement is the next in a series of overseas sales under this agreement. The Irish Defence Force has procured a number of COMET systems, with more systems and the associated training and support package in the pipeline, including aspirations to deploy the new Troposcatter on the Move (TOTM) enhancement; more news on this exciting new capability coming soon. Spectra Group is attending EnForce Tac in Booth 7-360 showcasing their specific communication capabilities, including GENSS. Troposcatter COMET will also be on display at the JK Defence booth (10-521).

Tropospheric scatter is a communications capability that uses the Troposphere (up to about 13km altitude) to provide high bandwidth communications. It is satellite independent and works in a GPS/GNSS denied environment, so is suitable for use in a Peer-on-Peer conflict/Multi Domain Integration. Troposcatter inherently has very low latency and can provide huge bandwidth, enabling analysis and manipulation of large data, which combined with its low operating cost makes it suitable for strategic and tactical headquarters. In the past, Troposcatter technology required large power-hungry equipment unsuitable for expeditionary or manoeuvre warfare. However, modern technology and significant development by Comtech has revolutionised the size, weight and power of the Troposcatter Family of Systems, of which, COMET is the smallest and most lightweight.

COMET is specifically designed for rapid deployments and mobile operations, delivering high bandwidth (5-60Mbps) and long-range connectivity (70km+) while operating efficiently with just 10 Watts of power—currently the only low-power Troposcatter system available. The COMET system uses a single 1-metre dish and the COMTECH CS67Plus Modem capable of up to 210Mbps, which takes the IP stream and directly converts to two RF outputs in the range 4.4-5Ghz to provide two frequencies, amplified by Dual 10W GaN amps (Dual LNA on the receive path). This allows for dual frequency/polarisation diversity that compensates for any fading/multi-path effects and ensures low latency (typically 9-20mS). In suitable conditions, the bandwidth, range and data transfer speeds can be much greater than specified. The COMET system is simple, intuitive, and easy to set up and does not require the use of vulnerable and expensive satellites. It has been developed to be man-portable and the whole system can be established and operational within 15 minutes. The COMET system comes packed in two small cases (25kg each) that can be transported on civilian aircraft if required.

Michael Davies, Business Development Manager at Spectra Group said: “This is a continuation of what we hope to be many procurements under our Troposcatter global distribution agreement with Comtech. We have been working closely with the Irish Defence Force for some time to find suitable solutions to their strategic communications challenges and help meet their national defence commitments. With many NATO countries already operating Troposcatter systems, COMET is the perfect solution for its reliability, capacity, deployability and interoperability both on the land and for maritime vessels.”

spectra-group.co.uk

Posted in Comms, Contracts, Enforce Tac, International, Press Release | No Comments »

Rheinmetall Celebrates the Completion of the LAND 121 Program – Over 3,500 HX Trucks Delivered

Friday, February 21st, 2025

On 20 February 2025, Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles Australia (RMMVA) celebrated the successful conclusion of the LAND 121 Phase 3B/5B program together with the Australian Department of Defence. The Final Acceptance ceremony took place at Rheinmetall’s Military Vehicles Center of Excellence (MILVEHCOE) in Queensland. The Australian Defence Force procured its fleet of logistics vehicles based on the proven HX truck as part of the LAND 121 project. Over 3500 vehicles were delivered on time and within budget. RMMVA is the largest supplier of military logistics vehicles for the Australian Army.

The Final Acceptance Ceremony marks the successful completion of a just over ten-year procurement program on time and on budget. A total of 3,580 medium and heavy military logistics trucks and 3,165 modules and protected cabs have been delivered. The Australian HX fleet includes recovery vehicle, transporter, self-loading hook-lift, fuel truck, tractor and tipper configurations. Testing and verification was carried out at the Australian Automotive Research Centre (AARC) near Anglesea, Victoria.

Michael Wittlinger, Chief of Staff of Rheinmetall AG and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles Australia Pty Ltd.: “The HX truck is the workhorse of the Australian Army and provides the Australian Defence Force with outstanding capabilities. The entire workforce of Rheinmetall Defence Australia and Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles Australia is grateful to have successfully completed the project together with the Commonwealth of Australia.”

“The first HX trucks procured under the LAND 121 Phase 3B/5B program entered service more than ten years ago. Since then, the HX truck has proven to be a mainstay for the Australian supply force.”

“These vehicles are the logistical backbone of the Australian Army, transporting troops, food, water and other equipment throughout Australia,” said Wittlinger.

“The HX trucks are built in the Austrian capital of Vienna by Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles. Final assembly of the Australian fleet was undertaken at Rheinmetall Defence Australia in south-east Queensland, and supported by our team members in Victoria and Queensland.”

With the procurement process complete, Rheinmetall is transitioning to support and sustain the HX fleet, utilising a national network of partners and suppliers.

“Our team of Field Service Representatives follow the members of the Australian Army with the HX trucks to all corners of Australia to ensure the reliability and serviceability of the vehicle fleet,” Mr Wittlinger said.

More than 20,000 RMMV HX trucks are in service with various NATO member and partner nations, providing crucial logistical capabilities and mobility for complex missions. Australia is part of an international HX user family that includes New Zealand, Germany, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Singapore and Canada.

The extremely robust HX trucks are military-off-the-shelf systems. They are powered by a six-cylinder in-line diesel engine. The maximum weight can be up to 41,000 kilograms. The vehicles can operate in temperatures ranging from -32° Celsius to +49° Celsius and can traverse water depths of more than 1.5 metres. Possible variants include: integrated and automated load handling system, swap body, crane, container carrier, recovery vehicle, tractor, tanker, tipper, system carrier and artillery system.

Posted in Contracts, International, Mobility, Press Release | No Comments »

Quantum Systems Establishes New Leadership to Drive Global Growth and Product Excellence

Friday, February 21st, 2025

Gilching, February 19th, 2025 – Quantum Systems, Europe’s leading innovator in drone technology providing aerial intelligence for both government and commercial clients, announces a new executive leadership structure designed to elevate its growth ambition and technological excellence.

Effective January, company Co-Founder and CEO Florian Seibel transitioned to a Co-CEO role alongside Sven Kruck, who has served as Chief Revenue Officer and Managing Director since joining the company in December 2022. This change underscores Quantum Systems’ strategic focus on aligning visionary product development with robust operational leadership. Florian Seibel will focus on products, technology and strategy, while Sven Kruck will focus on operations, sales and finance.

As part of this transition, Frank Thieser, Chief Financial Officer since 2020, resigns from active management and takes on the role of Senior Advisor to Florian Seibel. Jonas Jarosch, who joined the company in autumn 2024 as Director of Finance, will succeed Frank Thieser as CFO, bringing expertise in financial strategy and operational excellence.

At the same time, Quantum Systems also announces the appointment of Martin Karkour as the new Chief Sales Officer (CSO) at Quantum Systems. He succeeds Sven Kruck, effective February 15th, 2025.

Since founding Quantum Systems a decade ago, Florian Seibel has led its transformation from a startup to a global enterprise with over 400 employees across five countries. Seibel commented:

“I want to dedicate more time to what I do best: Tech, Product & Strategy, and building outstanding teams. That is my real superpower and by the way the foundation of every successful tech startup. You can’t build a company without a product. It’s all about the product. I feel truly fortunate to share the helm with Sven as my Co-CEO.”

Sven Kruck has played a pivotal role in driving the company’s revenue growth and operational efficiency. Reflecting on his journey, Kruck noted:

“I was fortunate to have been at the forefront of Quantum Systems’ revenue and operational growth in my role as Managing Director and CRO. Our focus on manufacturing process improvement and fostering international collaboration has created a dynamic environment driven by innovation and excellence. I am honored to partner with Florian as Co-CEO to shape the future of UAV technology and look forward to dedicating my energy to develop Quantum Systems into a global champion.”

These changes position Quantum Systems to further solidify its position as a global innovator in UAV technology, with a strong commitment to advancing cutting-edge solutions for its clients worldwide.

quantum-systems.com

Posted in Industry, International, Press Release, UAS | No Comments »

Gilat Launches Gilat Defense Division – A New Division to Meet Growing Global Demand for Mission-Critical SATCOM Solutions

Wednesday, February 19th, 2025

Gilat Defense integrates technologies from Gilat, Gilat DataPath, Gilat Wavestream & Gilat Stellar Blu to deliver mission-critical defense solutions and services

Petah Tikva, Israel, February 18, 2025 — Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. (NASDAQ: GILT, TASE: GILT), a worldwide leader in satellite networking technology, solutions and services, today announced the formation of its new Defense Division, a strategic move designed to target the increasing demand for government and defense SATCOM solutions. Gilad Landsberg has been appointed President of Gilat’s Defense Division, bringing over 20 years of experience in the defense industry.

Gilat Defense provides secure, rapid-deployment SATCOM solutions tailored for military and HLS organizations, government agencies, and defense integrators, with a strong focus on supporting the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and allied forces worldwide. By unifying, under one umbrella, the expertise and technologies of Gilat, and the wholly-owned subsidiaries Gilat DataPath and Gilat Wavestream, the division delivers end-to-end solutions with multiple layers of communication redundancy, ensuring maximum operational availability. With a focus on innovation, the division leverages advanced technologies and flexible business models, to adapt to evolving defense requirements. Trusted by the U.S. DoD, NATO and global defense forces, Gilat Defense’s field-proven solutions offer secure, high-performance connectivity, delivering reliable, battle-tested performance in the toughest environments to meet the critical SATCOM needs of modern defense communications.

Gilat Defense will be showcasing its solutions at the upcoming Satellite 2025 show in Washington, D.C., next to the Gilat Booth #2511. Visitors to the booth will have the opportunity to see a range of cutting-edge defense SATCOM solutions, including the newly launched GLT 1500 terminal, DataPath 2.6m antenna solution for tactical terminals and the US made Aquarius DS Family of products including Aquarius Pro DS and Aquarius E DS which are both compliant with FAR 889 and future DFAR 5949 regulations.

“With the launch of Gilat’s Defense Division, we are strengthening and enhancing our commitment to providing advanced SATCOM solutions that meet the evolving needs of modern defense operations,” said Gilad Landsberg, President of the Defense Division at Gilat Satellite Networks. “By combining technological innovation with a deep understanding of defense requirements, we are ensuring that military and government organizations have access to secure, resilient, and high-performance connectivity for mission success.”

For more information about Gilat Defense and its innovative SATCOM solutions, visit www.gilat.com/solutions/gilat-defense or stop by our Booth #2511 at Satellite 2025 in Washington, D.C..

Posted in Comms, Industry, International, Press Release | No Comments »

BlueBird Revolutionizes Tactical VTOL UAVs with Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Technology

Monday, February 17th, 2025

[Emek Hefer, Israel, February 17, 2025] – BlueBird Aero Systems proudly unveils its latest breakthrough: A field-proven operational Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) UAV, powered by a new PEM Fuel-Cell technology developed over the past several years by H3 Dynamics in the USA. This cutting-edge innovation redefines operational capabilities by delivering an electric VTOL UAV with unprecedented flight endurance of over 6 hours, unmatched reliability and a sustainable energy solution.

The WanderB-VTOL is an electric VTOL Mini-UAS, designed for rapid deployment and operation in any environment. Combat-proven, it can effectively function in GPS-denied and spoofed conditions. The WanderB-VTOL is a mature and proven products, in service with over 25 global customers, with more than 350 platforms delivered to date.

The hydrogen fuel-cell powered WanderB-VTOL has accumulated a considerable number of flight-hours that validated the system’s exceptional performance, including continuous operation for over six hours. BlueBird Aero Systems’ rigorous testing has demonstrated reliability and mission readiness. The fuel-cell enables up to 1000 operational hours (until maintenance round) and requires easy maintenance.

Bluebird Customer’s will be able to enjoy this extended endurance by upgrading their WanderB-VTOL systems with the new Fuel-Cell power source.

The WanderB-VTOL specifications:

Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW): 18 kg

Flight Endurance: Over 6 hours

Flight Ceiling: 16,000 feet

Payload Capacity: 1.5 kg

Operational Advantages of Fuel-Cells vs. Lithium Batteries

The fuel-cell provides much higher energy-density than Lithium Batteries, allowing the UAV to stay on target for significantly longer durations at the same weight, with significant operational advantages: reducing takeoffs and landings cycles to reduced strain and maintenance cost, longer and more efficient missions, less “dead” time on the way to the target’s area. For example, a mapping flight powered by a fuel-cell can cover a much larger area.

“This is a significant technological milestone for the tactical UAV industry” said Avi Elraz, VP R&D and Engineering.

A Smarter, Greener Energy Solution

At the core of this revolutionary system lies a hybrid solution, combining a hydrogen fuel- cell with a backup battery. The fuel-cell provides a continuous, clean power source, generating electricity through an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, with water as the only byproduct. The backup battery ensures additional energy when needed and acts as an emergency source of energy.

BlueBird’s solution redefines sustainability in UAV operations, ensuring that environmental responsibility meets high performance. This breakthrough not only offers a significant leap in energy efficiency and mission longevity but also sets a new standard in eco-friendly innovation.

“Bluebird is already leading the VTOL UAV market with battle-proven, reliable and capable UAVs, and now, with WanderB-VTOL powered by Fuel-Cell, even more capable with unmatched endurance for a more effective missions” said Ronen Nadir, Founder and CEO of BlueBird Aero Systems.

With its high performance, high availability and comprehensive customer-support, BlueBird’s fuel-cell powered WanderB-VTOL is tailored to meet the demands of both military and civilian markets.

For more information about the fuel-cell powered WanderB-VTOL and BlueBird’s range of UAS solutions, please visit www.bluebird-uav.com

Posted in International, Power, Press Release, UAS | No Comments »

Galvion Announces the Receipt of Middle Eastern Orders for 35,000 Helmets, at IDEX 2025

Monday, February 17th, 2025

Galvion, a world leader in the design and manufacture of innovative head systems, power and data management solutions, and integrated soldier systems, is excited to announce the receipt of several recent orders from the Middle Eastern region for a total of 35,000 Baltskin® helmet systems. This announcement coincides with the IDEX exhibition taking place in Abu Dhabi, UAE, 17-21 February 2025. At the event, Galvion will be exhibiting at booth 14-C31.

The 35,000 head systems ordered are split between two of Galvion’s Batlskin® helmet platforms: the Baltskin VIPER® and Baltskin PDxT™ variants. Galvion’s PDxT geometry was recently introduced to their commercial helmet portfolio under the name Batlskin Hellbender™. Galvion is unable to disclose specific details related to all orders received, however a trusted regional partner of Galvion’s is amongst the most recent customers that has placed orders for over 100,000 helmets in the last 10 years for use by Armed Forces and security services in the region.

Galvion’s Batlskin VIPER® A1 Special Edition is a high-cut ACH shaped aramid helmet. The Special Edition system was specifically developed for a regional customer in coyote brown, with a custom camo helmet cover and a bespoke helmet bag. Elsewhere in the region, further orders were received for Galvion’s Batlskin PDxT™ helmet. The PDxT platform is battle-proven, with multiple variants in service across international helmet programs. The unique geometry features an ACH- front with smooth ear transition and a ridged back, offering structural rigidity, increased rear ballistic protection and improved impact protection. Both helmet systems on order feature Galvion’s customizable, comfort-fit Modular Suspension System (MSS). The MSS retention system is designed to maximize comfort, stability, air circulation, and protection during long periods of wear.

Alex Hooper, Vice President Strategic Markets at Galvion, said: “Galvion has a long history of supporting our Middle East customers, and we have developed a series of trusted partnerships in the region over many years. These most recent orders are a testament to our successful relationships in the area, and further evidence of Galvion’s global position as the head system provider of choice.” Hooper added: “We’re excited to be able to make this announcement at IDEX, where we are exhibiting the full breadth of our capabilities. This includes our portfolio of head systems, as well as our expanded Nerv Centr® power and data management solutions, which are ideally suited to remote and austere environments with low power availability. We see a significant opportunity for military clients in the region to benefit from our advanced, integrated soldier systems, and we look forward to further supporting our allied Armed Forces across the Middle East.”

Posted in Contracts, Helmets, International, Press Release | No Comments »