Yesterday’s online and paper editions of the Austrian newspaper ‘Heute’ (Today) featured an article and photo gallery of the Austrian Interior Ministry’s anti-terrorist / special operations unit ‘Einsatzkommando COBRA’.
The photo spread included this shot of a two-man sniper team in their standard-issue GreenZone camouflage smocks and trousers from SABRE in Germany. COBRA has been using a range of GreenZone camouflage clothing and equipment made by SABRE since 2012. Einsatzkommando Cobra isn’t GI Joe’s arch-nemesis but rather an Austrian Counter Terrorism team with a very good reputation. Organized under the Ministry of the Interior, Cobra was founded in 1978 and is made up of about 450 personnel.
Iraqi Ministry of Defense Purchases the Husky 2G from Critical Solutions International as its IED Detection & Interrogation System
Charleston, South Carolina (February 19, 2015) – Critical Solutions International (CSI) announced today that the Iraqi Ministry of Defense has purchased the Husky 2G as its Improvised Explosive Device (IED) & mine clearing vehicle. This procurement represents a critical enhancement to Iraq’s route clearance mission and its ability to maintain freedom of maneuver and oppose ISIS and other forces within Iraq.
Enhanced Capabilities That Saves Lives.
Known worldwide for its survivability and capability, the Husky 2G is equipped with the FASCAN interrogation arm used to interrogate suspected mines and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). The up-graded Husky 2G is built with additional power and capability to accept future integration of additional sensors and enhancements such as the NIITEK Ground Penetrating Radar.
This contract was awarded to CSI and its partner DCD Protected Mobility, a division of DCD Group (Pty) Ltd, the OEM of the Husky. Over the past decade, the Husky family of vehicles has saved countless lives around the globe. In addition to the FASCAN International interrogation arm, the Husky 2G is also equipped with the TORC Robotics 360 Situational Awareness camera system and QinetiQ North Americas QNET, which provides the vehicle with lightweight protection from rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs). This program is valued at more than $73.5 million and will support the Iraqi military in protecting both soldiers and civilians in and around Iraq.
Two operators. Longer missions. Sophisticated sensors.
Responding to the need for longer mission duration and enhanced detection capability, the Husky 2G two-operator variant was originally developed and delivered to the U.S. Army. The addition of a second operator allows the Husky driver to focus on vehicle control and situational awareness, while the second operator monitors and analyzes the advanced sensor systems and the operational environment. The U.S. Army recognized this life-saving vehicle design with an Innovation of the Year Award for 2010.
“The Iraqi government has determined that the Husky 2G is essential to defeating their IED and mine threats and represents a significant investment in saving lives and enhancing the capability of the Iraqi military,” said Patrick Callahan, CEO of CSI. “We are honored to have been awarded this contract and are looking forward to working with the Iraqi Ministry of Defense to fully support this program and any future requirements.”
CSI is the world’s leading provider and service supporter of blast protected vehicles with land mine, improvised explosive device and unexploded ordinance detection capability. An essential supplier of the U.S. countermine and humanitarian demining community, CSI’s products lead the way in the safe detection and identification of hidden threats. For more information please visit www.c-s-i.com.
Several countries (including the US) have worked on future weapon systems that combine an air burst subcomponent and a personal defense weapon subcomponent. Soldier Integrated Precision Effects Systems is Canada’s effort. Working with Colt Canada, they are going all out, incorporating telescoping cased ammunition as well as a powered rail system.
The SIPES demonstrator you see here isn’t the actual weapon that will be fielded but more of a tech development effort. In fact, you’ll notice in the photo above that this particular example is meant for firing from a test fixture. SIPES is latest effort of the Small Arms Replacement Project II which began in 2007 and overall, Canada expects to spend about $1 Billion to upgrade its small arms capability. As you can see, small arms is an import system in the Canadian Soldier ‘System of Systems’.
Below is the Defence Research and Development Canada press release.
More firepower, improved accuracy and smart integrated accessories that connect to command and control networks are the headline features of the new integrated assault rifle concept that Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) and Colt Canada have developed for the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).
The prototype, in development since 2009 through the Soldier Integrated Precision Effects Systems (SIPES) project, includes a firing mechanism to shoot lightweight cased telescoped ammunition, a secondary effects module for increased firepower and a NATO standard power and data rail to integrate accessories like electro-optical sights and position sensors.
In order to support the multi-role nature of the weapon, the prototype’s secondary effects module features the ability to install either a three round 40 mm grenade launcher, or a 12-gauge shotgun. When optimized, the integrated weapon prototype could weigh less than a C7 equipped with a M203 grenade launcher, reducing the burden on soldiers.
“In the medium term, this weapon concept represents a lethal, flexible general-purpose platform,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Serge Lapointe, from the Soldier Systems group in Director Land Requirements – Soldier Systems (DLR 5) of the Canadian Army. “It will be able to operate in all theatres of operations in the most complex terrain including urban areas, mountains, jungles, deserts and the Arctic.”
The development of the weapon prototype posed a considerable challenge. DRDC scientists analyzed advanced material technologies that could replace the metal used in heavy components. The lightweight case telescoped ammunition was tested extensively with the support of the Munitions Experimental Test Centre in Valcartier, Quebec to assess its long-term aging behaviour.
Scientists also studied how to increase the rifle’s accuracy using technology that can automatically detect targets and assist with engaging them. Questions related to the sensors needed to accurately geo-locate targets for target data sharing were also investigated.
How the soldier interacts with the weapon was also the subject of numerous human factor trials. Ergonomic and weapon prototype handling tests were performed by Human Systems Inc., under the supervision of DRDC scientists, with CAF soldiers from military bases in Petawawa and Edmonton. The testing was crucial to developing optimal design criteria to meet the CAF’s needs for the Small Arms Modernization project.
In addition, lessons learned by both DRDC personnel and the CAF during their deployment in Afghanistan revealed critical elements that informed the prototype weapon development process with respect to its design and functionality.
“The results of the first phase of the project have shown that DRDC expertise can be used to provide the Canadian Armed Forces with solid scientific data so they can make more informed decisions for their major acquisition projects,” said Dr. Guy Vézina, the Director General for S&T Army, DRDC.
The new weapon prototype is a promising development for the soldier of the future. The integration of electronic components will allow soldiers to generate or receive data from the command and control network. In the next phase of development, automated target detection and assisted target engagement will be the subject of an in-depth study in the Future Small Arms Research (FSAR) project.
Finally, the development of the integrated weapon prototype and the continuing analysis of promising technologies should facilitate the acquisition of the next generation of small arms by the CAF. The data collected and the analyses documented so far by DRDC scientists will be used in conjunction with the data and analyses that will be generated in the FSAR project to develop the technical criteria that will form part of the statement of operational requirement documentation for the CAF Small Arms Modernization project.
We’ve mentioned the Polaris Defense DAGOR in the past. It’s gained a lot of interest here domestically and now it’s making its international debut.
Polaris was the first ATV manufacturer to supply militarized off-road vehicles to the U.S. Special Operations Command and the U.S. Army over 20 years ago. The extensive success of those vehicles in theater led to the introduction of a complete line of military-specific vehicles, including several successful contracts throughout the Middle East. Polaris Defense continues to work closely with the United States and Allied forces, with products operational in over 70 countries.
Throughout EMEA, the Polaris Defense family of ultra-light vehicles is aligned with the region’s broad, emerging ultra-light mobility needs. To meet light mobility requirements, Polaris Defense provides a family of ultra-light vehicles: the MV850 all-terrain vehicle (ATV), the MRZR lightweight tactical all-terrain vehicle (LTATV), and the DAGOR ultra-light combat vehicle (ULCV), which is making its international debut at IDEX. These vehicles all provide off road mobility at full payload, and with ease of transportability using tactical air assets.
With the ability to carry a nine-man infantry squad, DAGOR is Polaris’ largest offering in size and payload. DAGOR was designed for light infantry and special operations forces to be easily transported by tactical air and to carry its full 3,250 lbs of payload in extreme off-road terrain to be mission effective. DAGOR also is supported with a COTS supply chain making it easy to use and easy to maintain anywhere in the world.
Polaris Defense has been a leader supplying a family of ultra-light, off-road vehicles that are widely adopted within the U.S. military, and have been sold to more than 20 countries worldwide, including here in the Middle East. U.S. Special Forces also recognized and thanked Polaris in 2014 for the company’s rapid delivery and support of the Lightweight Tactical All-Terrain Vehicle (LTATV) contract with their MRZR platform. The USSOCOM contract and MRZR contracts here in the Middle East, include support of user evaluation and government testing, delivery of vehicles with tactical accessories, and providing training and sustainment parts.
At IDEX 2015, Polaris Defense is showcasing the MV850 ATV, MRZR LTATV, and DAGOR ULCV. With a robust global network of dealers, distributors, and subsidiaries, Polaris Defense provides full life-cycle support of these vehicles throughout the world.
According the Bild am Sonntag, the German Bundeswehr’s clothing supplier, the LH Bundeswehr Bekleidungsgesellschaft mbH (LHBw). Have posted a $12,8 million Euro loss, LHBw can’t order additional stock placing the Army in a precarious position. A public-private partnership, LHBw has asked the Army (25.1% owner of the concern) for a 104 Million Euro cash infusion last month which was rejected. Instead, the Army is considering purchasing the company’s core business outright or in conjunction with other investors.
Rampart International has announced a partnership with CamelBak as the exclusive distributor of CamelBak Tactical gear in Canada. The full release can be read below:
Rampart International Corp. Announces Military Distribution of CamelBak® Tactical Gear
Rampart International Corp. is pleased to announce a partnership with CamelBak® Products LLC for the exclusive distribution of CamelBak® tactical gear in Canada.
The addition of CamelBak® to Rampart’s portfolio of world-renowned brands highlights Rampart’s ongoing commitment and investment within the tactical gear market.
Mike Klein, President of Rampart International Corp. had this to say about the new relationship:
“Rampart International Corp. is honoured to be the exclusive master distributor of CamelBak® products in Canada. This is an exciting opportunity to make the CamelBak® line of tactical packs, bottles, reservoirs and accessories more available than ever before to Canadian end users and operators. With extensive inventory in Ottawa supported by Rampart’s world class service our growing dealer network, online store customers and Mil/LE end users will have rapid access to the complete CamelBak® Tactical product line. We look forward to working closely with the CamelBak® team in Canada! “
“We are extremely enthused about our partnership with Rampart. We look forward to working together to build the CamelBak business in Canada”, remarked CamelBak® International Military Sales Manager Mark Crawford.
As a result of this partnership, Rampart will take over distribution of CamelBak® Tactical gear as of January 1, 2015.
Both Rampart and CamelBak® confirmed that the transition period would be seamless and that consistency and continuity of product supply and service will be of utmost importance.
Palladium boots started making boots in 1947, creating the original French Foreign Legion style. In fact, they’ve been worn by commandos world wide over the past half century. Now, they are introducing MultiCam models featuring the original pattern in addition to Arid, Tropical and Black. While these are the low tops, there will also be higher versions.
