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Archive for the ‘International’ Category

Gilat Received Over $4 Million Order from the US Department of Defense

Tuesday, October 29th, 2024

Gilat to provide DKET 3421 terminals for easy-to-deploy transportable satcom network hubs

Petah Tikva, Israel, October 28, 2024 — Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. (Nasdaq: GILT, TASE: GILT), a worldwide leader in satellite networking technology, solutions and services, announced today that the US Department of Defense awarded another contract for more than $4 million to Gilat’s  US-based subsidiary, DataPath, for DKET 3421 terminals, portable satcom hubs that provide the flexibility, capacity, connectivity, and control needed to ensure mission success anywhere in the world. The orders are expected to be delivered during the first half of 2025.

The DKET 3421 is an innovative solution to customers’ needs for a high-quality, reliable terminal for mission-critical communications. The field-proven DKET 3421 terminal supports multi-carrier operations with a scalable modem architecture (up to 32 modems). Weighing under 5000 lbs. with a reduced footprint, the DKET 3421 can be easily moved by a forklift. Deploying in less than three hours, the DKET 3421 provides a satellite network hub in the form of a single-skid with the flexibility to leverage available satellite assets.

“We’re excited to receive another order for our innovative DKET 3421 from our valued military customer. This order highlights the strong trust in our company and our proven ability to deliver mission-critical solutions that meet demanding requirements,” said Nicole Robinson, President of DataPath. “It also demonstrates once again our ability to provide reliable, highly portable, and high-performance network hubs to address our customers’ evolving needs.”

Around 200 Combat Vehicles for Ukraine: Rheinmetall is Supplying 20 Additional Marder Infantry Fighting Vehicles

Monday, October 28th, 2024

Rheinmetall has handed over 20 additional Marder infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) to the Ukrainian armed forces for their defence against the Russian aggressor. The delivery was completed at the end of the third quarter of 2024. This brings the total number of combat vehicles delivered directly to Ukraine or in the context of so-called ring exchanges (Ring¬tausch) to around 200. 

A three-digit number of these systems are Marder 1A3 infantry fighting vehicles. 

In addition, Rheinmetall has provided Marder infantry fighting vehicles and Leopard main battle tanks in double digits through a ring exchange process. The latest order for the delivery of 20 Marder, financed by the German government, is worth a mid double-digit million euro amount. The order intake has already been booked in March 2024.

The Marder 1A3 version being delivered by Rheinmetall to the Ukraine features additional laser rangefinders for efficient and precise target engagement. The first delivery of 20 combat vehicles of this type was arranged by Rheinmetall on behalf of the German government in March 2023; further deliveries followed, each in the double digits.

As early as in the spring of 2022, Rheinmetall began taking over and refurbishing Marder 1A3 IFVs from Bundeswehr stocks – initially at its own expense. Since then, the combat vehicles have been repaired for their immediate deployment. The work is carried out at the corporation’s sites in Unterlüß and Kassel.

The Marder is one of the most proven weapon systems of its kind worldwide. It was developed for the Bundeswehr, and is still in service there to some extent. Over the years, it has been modernised several times and its combat performance enhanced. In the meantime, the Puma has been introduced into the Bundeswehr, where it is gradually replacing the Marder in the army. Over 300 of the cutting-edge IFVs are now in use by the German armed forces.

HENSOLDT to Host the Autumn Symposium of the “Förderkreis Heer” in Heidenheim

Thursday, October 24th, 2024

Presentations, technology demonstrations and a site visit are the focus of the two-day event.

Heidenheim (Germany), 23 October 2020 – Sensor solutions provider HENSOLDT, together with the Förderkreis Deutsches Heer (FKH) is hosting this year’s FKH Autumn Symposium, which will take place in Heidenheim on 23 and 24 October. The two-day event brings together representatives from politics, industry, research and the military to exchange views on current trends and technologies in defence technology.

The symposium includes a variety of technical presentations in which experts provide insights into various aspects of modern defence systems. Among other things, the future of network-enabled warfare, the further development of sensor and reconnaissance technologies, and innovative approaches to improving the protection and defence systems used in the land domain will be discussed. The presentations will provide an opportunity for detailed analysis and a professional exchange of ideas on current challenges and solutions. At the autumn symposium, HENSOLDT will also be presenting the latest generation of optronics systems and thermal imagers for the Leopard 2, PUMA and Boxer RCT30 tanks. 

A key element of the event is the field demonstration of the Military Utility Vehicle (MUV). This demonstrates innovative reconnaissance capabilities through the integration of land-based networked sensors. During a field demonstration, the MUV can detect camouflaged combat vehicles using machine learning algorithms and transmit the information in real time to a networked command and control information system. Equipped with an AI-based reconnaissance assistant, the MUV also supports command and control by passing targets between the vehicle’s workstations. Networked sensors such as laser warners and optronics enable automatic threat detection, making the MUV a crucial component of modern combat operations.

Participants will also be able to experience HENSOLDT’s target optics in action at a specially designed firing range. These optics, which impress with their high precision and reliability, are part of the modern equipment that HENSOLDT already supplies for military and security applications, such as the ‘Infantryman of the Future’ system (german: Infanterist der Zukunft, short: IDZ) for the German Army.

In addition to the technical presentations, the participants of the autumn symposium will have the opportunity to visit the HENSOLDT site in Oberkochen. The modern site reflects the company’s continuous investment in research and development. The site is working on innovative solutions that will help shape the defence technology of the future.

“HENSOLDT sees itself as a driving force in the development of innovative technologies for defence and security. As a proven partner and supplier of the German Army, we attach particular importance to providing solutions that meet the growing demands of modern digitised warfare,” explained Christian Ladurner, CFO of HENSOLDT AG, in his opening speech. “Our position as a technology provider is underpinned not only by groundbreaking products, but also by our commitment to promoting cooperation between industry and the military.”

Brigantes Announces New Stock of Hilleberg Tactical Equipment Available for Immediate Order Fulfilment

Wednesday, October 23rd, 2024

Brigantes, a leading extreme cold weather supplier of tactical on-the-soldier equipment and apparel, has recently announced the procurement of a high volume of tactical stock from esteemed global tentmaker, Hilleberg. This move toward increased production capacity marks a significant chapter in Hilleberg’s story and an exciting development for Brigantes’ partners and clients.

Whilst a portion of the Hilleberg stock has been pre-allocated to orders from key military units, a large quantity is available for immediate order fulfilment. The range encompasses several of Hilleberg’s cutting-edge shelter solutions, including those with military specific adaptations, designed specifically for tactical end users. By expanding their inventory with Hilleberg stock, Brigantes are positioning themselves to be able to fulfil urgent operational requirements for cold weather deployments.

Matthew Williams, Brigantes CEO, commented:

“I can’t overstate how exciting it is to be in a position where we can hold such substantial volumes of Hilleberg tactical stock in our warehouse. Hilleberg is renowned as the unrivalled leader in the design and development of superior quality tents – they’re complete sticklers for quality and won’t accept anything less than the highest standards possible. With the rapid increase in cold weather deployments, this investment means that we can ensure units have immediate access to this vital product range.”

Widely respected as the leading tentmaker in the game, Hilleberg was established in 1971. Founded upon a keen passion and intrinsic understanding of everything outdoors, this family-run business is still going strong over 50 years later. Their range of military-specific tents have been designed for enhanced durability and superior performance in challenging tactical environments, making them an obvious choice for armed forces personnel.

For more information or to discuss placing an order, please contact Brigantes: brigantes.com/contact

Mehler Protection’s Key Showcases at SEECAT and Future Forces 2024

Tuesday, October 22nd, 2024

FULDA, GERMANY (21.10.2024)

As the 2024 trade show season concludes, Mehler Protection proudly showcased its comprehensive range of ballistic protection solutions at both SEECAT in Tokyo and Future Forces in Prague.

At SEECAT, Japan’s premier counter-terrorism event, Mehler Protection emphasised the importance of enhancing security measures in today’s global climate. The booth featured an extensive array of personal ballistic protection solutions, including ballistic panels, waistcoats, covert vests, helmets, and the adaptable M.U.S.T. system. Additionally, the innovative PROTEC3D line was highlighted, showcasing a 3D-printed armour sensor case that underscores the integration of advanced technology into protective solutions.

At Future Forces, a critical platform for international defence and security networking, Mehler Protection displayed advanced ballistic solutions tailored for military and law enforcement. Key offerings included hard- and soft-ballistic panels, riot gear, and modular systems like MOBAST and M.U.S.T., designed for adaptability and agility.

Looking ahead to 2025, Mehler Systems, alongside its sub-brands—Mehler Protection, Lindnerhof, and UF PRO—will actively participate in various defence and tactical events, continuing to showcase their commitment to innovative advancements in ballistic protection, tactical gear, and tactical apparel.

For more information on upcoming exhibitions and engagements, please visit the Mehler Systems event page.

AUSA 24 – InfraHex Multispectral Camouflage by 4D Tactical

Monday, October 21st, 2024

I ran across InfraHex Multispectral Camouflage in the Colt CZ Group booth. It’s offered by 4D Tactical which is based in the Czech Republic and part of CZ Group.

This is another one of those technologies which has become critical due to the ISR threat demonstrated in the conflict in Ukraine. The ability to hide even the individual Soldier from visual (day and night) as well as various wavelengths of thermal sensors is a challenge as they can be fielded cheaply.

InfraHex is a 9-layer, nanotech fabric which reduces infrared signatures by as much as 96%. It’s also breathable and has a fluorocarbon coating to reduce water buildup.

www.infrahex.com

PROTEC3D: New Possibilities in Design and Functional Integration of Complex Components with Ballistic Protection

Friday, October 18th, 2024

KÖNIGSLUTTER, GERMANY (17.10.2024)

3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is revolutionising the production of ballistic protection solutions. In particular, 3D printing of armour steel opens up new possibilities in terms of design freedom, weight reduction and the manufacture of complex components, as well as the integration of additional functions.

Focus on innovation and technology

Mehler Protection offers a unique portfolio in Europe, providing protection solutions for all threats and protection levels according to STANAG 4569, including complete welded subsystems. The M-RACC (Multirole Armour Composite Components) product family includes modular, purely passive solutions against ballistic projectiles, shaped charges/anti-tank weapons, IEDs, mines and roof protection solutions. These are used in military and civilian vehicles, ships, helicopters and for critical infrastructure protection.

Patented 3D printing technology for armour steel is opening up new possibilities in the design of protective components. Layer-by-layer manufacturing allows precise control of material properties, resulting in consistent resistance to ballistic threats. By refining the printing technology and post-processing, mechanical properties can be further optimised.

Design freedom and advanced manufacturing processes

A key advantage of PROTEC3D is the virtually unlimited design freedom it offers. While conventional methods are often limited by geometric constraints, 3D printing enables the realisation of complex structures and shapes that were previously unimaginable.

Mehler Protection uses an Selective Laser Melting (SLM) process to manufacture the components. By welding the 3D printed components with the same alloy, large components can be produced. This enables the development of customised protection solutions that are precisely tailored to specific requirements and operating conditions. Subsequent heat treatment achieves hardnesses of 400-620 HB. The result is a homogeneous product with no weaknesses in welds, heat affected zones or hardness transitions.

In addition, PROTEC3D offers the option of cathodic dip coating (CDC). This process is not possible with conventional armour steel, as it reduces the hardness and thus the ballistic performance of the material. In addition, the process does not affect the alloy used, making it suitable for the corrosion protection of complex structures.

Efficiency through functional integration

3D printing makes it possible to produce highly complex components in a single manufacturing step. Traditionally, such components must be assembled from multiple parts, introducing additional weaknesses and adding weight. With additive manufacturing, complex geometries and internal structures, such as cavities or reinforcements, can be integrated directly into the part. This improves both structural integrity and manufacturing efficiency while reducing overall weight.

PROTEC3D also allows additional functions to be integrated directly into the component. For example, sensors cases can be equipped with cooling channels to decrease the thermal signature, or mounting points for other components can be seamlessly embedded into the structure. This reduces the need for subsequent assembly steps and increases the reliability and lifespan of protection solutions. This minimises the need for reassembly and increases the reliability and durability of protection solutions.

Short procurement times and cost efficiency

Another key benefit of PROTEC3D is the drastic reduction in lead times and associated cost efficiencies. Traditional manufacturing processes often require long lead times for the production of moulds and tools, as well as complex production steps. 3D printing eliminates many of these steps, resulting in much faster production. Prototypes and small series can be produced in days rather than weeks or months. In addition, additive manufacturing allows for more efficient use of materials by using only the material that is needed. These benefits help to deliver ballistic protection solutions faster, more flexibly and more cost-effectively, which is particularly valuable in time-critical and resource-intensive scenarios.

Diverse applications and future potential

PROTEC3D is already being used successfully in the first series projects in the field of civil protection vehicles. For example, window frames with protection level VPAM 9 have been realised with significant weight savings.

At this year’s Eurosatory in Paris, the international defence and security exhibition, an application in the field of optronics was presented. The PROTEC3D sensor housing, which meets STANAG Level 3 requirements, demonstrates the wide range of possibilities offered by 3D printing for complex components. This sensor housing was not only equipped with brackets for sensor elements, but also with channels for compressed air for cleaning the lenses and cooling pipes to reduce heat signatures. In general, PROTEC3D offers many new application possibilities, such as eliminating vulnerabilities in military land vehicles with ballistic protected media disconnectors and cable feed-throughs.

Conclusion

PROTEC3D offers significant advantages in terms of design freedom, ballistic performance, production of complex components and weight optimisation. It also ensures faster procurement and cost efficiency. By improving both efficiency and effectiveness, PROTEC3D sets new standards for flexibility and adaptability in ballistic protection. The continuous development and application-specific customisation of PROTEC3D promises to transform the field of ballistic protection solutions and open up innovative approaches for the future.

For more information about Mehler Protection please visit: mehler-protection.com

Green Ammo Secures Contracts with U.S. Department of Defense to Deliver Nearly 1,300 E-Blanks Training Kits Amid Global Blank Ammunition Shortage

Thursday, October 17th, 2024

Warfighters will leverage 1,280 Green Ammo electronic blank kits for realistic training across individual and collective exercises

SKIEN, Norway, Oct. 16, 2024 — Green Ammo, AS, developers of the industry’s only drop-in electronic blanks system for live weapons offering 100 percent integration with tactical training programs, today announced that it has been awarded a total of $5.8 million in contracts with the Department of Defense.

Across two contracts, executed in August and September, Green Ammo will deliver nearly 1,300 units of its drop-in electronic blanks (E-Blanks) training kits to support realistic tactical training exercises. The military-grade, pressure-tested E-Blanks kits offer compatibility with M4, M249, and M240 weapon systems, enabling warfighters to train with the right weapons for the theater-specific threats they may face. The units are expected to electronically fire an approximate total of 325,000,000 rounds (~250,000/each) before any components need to be exchanged, replacing the same number of traditional blank rounds and saving millions of dollars in ammunition costs.

Green Ammo is a Norway-based defense technology company with operations in the United States, dedicated to developing, manufacturing and delivering electronic blank ammunition for tactical training applications. The company’s E-Blanks kit empowers warfighters to train with known weapons through a patented, 100-percent drop-in module that can install and deploy E-Blanks in under a minute for a realistic, safe, sustainable and cost-effective alternative to live or traditional blank ammunition. In preparation for the initial delivery of the E-Blanks kits, Green Ammo conducted an initial train-the-trainer event. Attended by senior trainers and officers, the event introduced the E-Blanks system to the training cadre and supported discussions on implementation and logistical considerations.

“We’ve worked hard to deliver a solution that serves as an alternative to traditional ammunition with the added benefits of time and cost savings, and we’re pleased that E-Blanks can help ensure servicemen can continue to train effectively, even with the impact of the global ammunition shortage,” said Rolf Inge Roth, CEO of Green Ammo. “By providing E-Blanks kits for individual and collective training, we can help the Department of Defense overcome these limitations to support successful pre-deployment training with the additional benefits of simplified logistics and increased safety.”

The delivery of 1000 M4, 170 M249 and 110 M240B drop-in kits will be completed by the first quarter of the 2025 fiscal year. To learn more about Green Ammo’s patented electronic blank technology and its applications, visit www.greenammo.com.