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SIG SAUER Expands Operations in United Kingdom

Saturday, January 20th, 2024

NEWINGTON, N.H., (January 19, 2024) – SIG SAUER, Inc. is pleased to announce an alliance with Accuracy International Limited (AI) to expand the business operations of SIG SAUER in support of the British Armed Forces and law enforcement customers within the United Kingdom.

“As part of our global strategic growth plan, SIG SAUER is solidifying several key partnerships to meet the increased demand for our products in Europe and other NATO countries,” began Ron Cohen, President, SIG SAUER, Inc. “The alliance with Accuracy International affords SIG an expanded presence, greater customer engagement, and new collaboration in the UK to meet the diverse, immediate and future needs of the British military, law enforcement, and other security and defense organizations.”

Accuracy International is a British firearms manufacturer based in Portsmouth, England with products fielded with military units and law enforcement globally.

“The benefits of the partnership with SIG SAUER are clear; our brand reputations are strong, the product lines and customer bases are complementary, and our company cultures are closely aligned,” stated Tom Irwin, AI Director; “SIG will benefit from AI’s extensive UK market expertise and manufacturing and logistical infrastructure to assist in the transition toward a fully independent SIG SAUER UK entity.”

“This strategic partnership signifies our commitment and laser focus on the US-UK defence security relationship and our investment brings new opportunity to the British economy,” Cohen concluded.

Posted in Advertiser, Industry, International, Press Release | Comments Off on SIG SAUER Expands Operations in United Kingdom

Bundeswehr Procuring Medium-Calibre Ammunition for Puma Infantry Fighting Vehicle; Order Worth a Triple-Digit Million-Euro Figure

Saturday, January 20th, 2024

The German Bundeswehr has contracted with Rheinmetall to produce and supply medium-calibre ammunition for the Puma infantry fighting vehicle. A call-off from an existing framework agreement, the order encompasses several hundred thousand rounds of 30mm x 173 DM21 service ammunition. The order is worth over €350 million, including value added tax. Once perfect functionality has been demonstrated, delivery will begin this year and continue through to 2027.

On 30 November 2022 the budget committee of the German Parliament approved a bill for the large-scale procurement of 30mm medium-calibre ammunition. Awarded back in December 2022, the framework contract for the supply of medium-calibre ammunition for the Puma infantry fighting vehicle worth up to €576 million. Follow-up call-offs are therefore expected. A first call-off of DM21 automatic cannon ammunition under the existing framework contract was already issued in late 2022. Furthermore, a call-off for 2023 followed in mid-2023.

The Puma infantry fighting vehicle is armed with a Rheinmetall MK30-2/ABM, specifically designed to fire airburst ammunition. Combining a high rate of fire with cutting-edge ammunition technology, the MK30-2/ABM is an uncompromisingly excellent, extremely reliable weapon system, perfect for engaging ground, air and maritime targets.

Rheinmetall is a vital supplier of ammunition for the Bundeswehr’s Puma infantry fighting vehicles. The Group produces and supplies two main types of 30mm x 173 service ammunition: the KETF DM21 (airburst) and the KE DM33 (armour-piercing) as well as the DM58 practice round. Developed and qualified in line with the latest standards, they are unrivalled worldwide in terms of reliability, lethality, penetrating power and precision.

Extremely reliable programming of the KETF DM21 – the abbreviation stands for Kinetic Energy Time Fuse – enables the Puma to engage larger soft targets and semi-hard area targets. The KE DM33 belongs to the new generation of subcalibre Armour Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot – Tracer (APFSDS-T) ammunition. Its penetrator punches through modern armour even at remarkably small angles of impact and at long engagement ranges. Thanks to these two types of service ammunition, the Puma can successfully take on a wide spectrum of armoured, semi-hard, soft point and area targets.

Posted in Ammo, Contracts, International, Press Release | Comments Off on Bundeswehr Procuring Medium-Calibre Ammunition for Puma Infantry Fighting Vehicle; Order Worth a Triple-Digit Million-Euro Figure

ArtArmor: London’s First Public Art Exhibition That Saves Lives in Ukraine

Friday, January 19th, 2024

19th to 31st January 2024 (11am to 5:45pm, Monday to Saturday)

*Open Call for U.K. Artists To Turn Armour into Art*

Pictured left to right: Invite to exhibition showing painted armour plate, orthodox style ‘spiritual icon’ painted plate, soldiers wearing NP Aerospace body armour in Ukraine, President Zelenskyy signing one of the plates.

A unique art exhibition showing armour that has saved the lives of Ukrainians is heading to London for the first time to the High Commission of Canada Gallery on Trafalgar Square from 19th to 31st January 2024.

The ArtArmor exhibition in the U.K. is a charity initiative organised in partnership with Ukraine For Heroes, NP Aerospace, the High Commission of Canada and the Embassy of Ukraine in the U.K. to highlight the vital importance of ongoing support to Ukraine from countries around the world1.

ArtArmor is a collection of 50 body armour plates, from manufacturers including NP Aerospace, that have been worn by Ukrainians and saved their lives by stopping bullets. Each plate returned from the frontline has been transformed into iconic pieces of art by talented Ukrainian artists or children to tell their story of war. The exhibition has so far toured Poland, Germany and Sweden and is heading to the U.K. just one month before the second anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine.

The exhibition is the brainchild of Ukrainian Member of Parliament Oleksandr Kovalchuk, Founder of ArtArmor and the charity ‘Ukraine for Heroes’2. Kovalchuk noted that “ArtArmor gets to the heart of what is going on in our country and expresses the thoughts of our brave and creative people. The terrifying marks from bullets and shrapnel that these plates stopped in battle tells the story of the ongoing war in Ukraine better than words. Countries like the U.K., Canada and the U.S. have done a huge amount to support the frontline with lifesaving kit and we extend our gratitude.”

Following the exhibition, the ArtArmor team will hold an art auction aimed at raising funds to purchase additional protective equipment for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Thereby, their mission of art saving lives will be realised. They are also looking for U.K. artists to get on board with the initiative by turning further armour plates into pieces of art.

His Excellency The Honourable Ralph E. Goodale, PC, High Commissioner for Canada in the United Kingdom, said: “The High Commission of Canada in the U.K. is proud to present this unique exhibition in its Canada Gallery, a dedicated gallery space in the heart of London. I can think of no better place to showcase body armour plates turned into iconic pieces of art that saved the lives of Ukrainian soldiers – literally. Canada deeply admires the bravery and courage of Ukrainians who are fighting to defend their independence and freedom, and we will continue to work closely with our Allies and partners to help Ukraine defend its sovereignty and security. I look forward to welcoming many visitors to this exquisite exhibition in support of Ukraine.”

James Kempston, CEO of NP Aerospace, said: “As a key supporter to Ukraine3, collaborating with ArtArmor, the High Commission of Canada and the Ukraine Embassy to the U.K. is an absolute honour. It enables us to highlight the amazing job that companies from around the world are doing to support the frontline but also helps ArtArmor to bring the plates to auction, in order to give them a second chance to save lives.”

1. Since February 2022, Canada has committed over $2.4 billion in military assistance donations to Ukraine. The UK is also a significant donor having committed £4.6bn in military assistance to Ukraine so far, including £2.3bn in 2022 and a commitment to match that funding in 2023

2. Charity Foundation ‘Ukraine for Heroes’ has delivered humanitarian support to de-occupied territories during the conflict equating to approximately 10 million USD

3. NP Aerospace is a key supporter to Ukraine, having supplied 150,000 body armour plates and other lifesaving kit such as ballistic helmets since the war started.

Posted in Armor, International, Press Release | 13 Comments »

Shaping the Future: Introducing the ExoM Up-Armoured Exoskeleton from Mehler Protection

Thursday, January 18th, 2024

FULDA, GERMANY (18 January 2024)

Mehler Protection, an innovative brand under the Mehler Systems banner, proudly announces the launch of the ExoM Up-Armoured Exoskeleton.

Crafted through a collaborative effort with Mawashi Science & Technology, this revolutionary product sets new standards in weight management and ballistic protection for military and law enforcement sectors.

Transformative Load-Bearing Solution

The ExoM Exoskeleton revolutionises the experience for military and law enforcement personnel facing extended wear of heavy equipment and demanding high-level ballistic protection. By redistributing up to 70% of the load from the shoulders to the ground, this technology alleviates physical strain, and mitigates injuries, allowing operators to focus on their duties.

High-Level Full-Body Armour

Boasting exceptional load-bearing capabilities, the ExoM Exoskeleton enhances survivability by providing high-level ballistic protection.

“We’ve harnessed our expertise to engineer a product that not only redistributes load effectively but also enhances survivability with top-tier ballistic protection, offering full-body coverage up to VPAM 8,” stated Daniel von Chamier, Group Director of Sales at Mehler Systems.

Exceptional Ergonomics and Mobility

Equipped with a flexible spine, sliding waist belt, and articulated hip, knee, and ankle joints, the ExoM Exoskeleton ensures operators maintain up to 99% ease and range of motion. This flexibility proves vital for navigating challenging terrains and confined spaces.

Self-Sufficiency in Remote Areas

Functioning as a passive Exoskeleton, it operates without the need for external power sources. This feature makes it perfect for extended missions or remote locations, eliminating the necessity for heavy batteries and charging equipment.

“Collaborating with Mehler Protection on the ExoM Up-Armoured Exoskeleton has been an exciting journey for Mawashi Science & Technology. Our focus on engineering the framework and structural innovation of the Exoskeleton has seamlessly merged with Mehler Protection’s expertise in ballistic protection, resulting in a groundbreaking product that sets new benchmarks in weight management and ballistic protection,” said Etienne Lamoureux, General Manager of Mawashi Science & Technology.

Mehler Protection remains at the forefront of innovation in ballistic protection.

“The ExoM stands as a testament to our collaborative dedication to advancing technology, delivering a revolutionary solution for military and law enforcement professionals through the integrated expertise,” said von Chamier.

mehler-systems.com

Posted in International, Press Release, Robotics | 1 Comment »

HMNB Portsmouth Use Smarter Technologies’ Orion IoT Data Network to Drive Port Operational Efficiency

Thursday, January 18th, 2024

Smarter Technologies, the leading British provider of Internet-of-Things (IoT) solutions, has been supporting the digital innovations team at His Majesty’s Naval Base (HMNB) Portsmouth, with their proprietary Orion IoT Data Network, to maximise the efficiency of port operations.

HMNB Portsmouth is home to the majority of the Royal Navy’s surface fleet, including the flagship aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, the formidable Type 45 destroyers, Type 23 frigates and mine countermeasures squadrons. The harbour at Portsmouth is one of the busiest in the United Kingdom, with around 130,000 significant movements annually, and it is also the home for ship repair and maintenance. HMNB Portsmouth, like many defence establishments, is a large and complex estate that presents significant infrastructure management challenges and requires significant focus and innovative thinking to run efficiently, maximise operational capability and minimise costs. This is especially true where the estate is historic in nature and is not designed or constructed to meet modern operational needs.

The Infrastructure Asset Management team at HMNB Portsmouth, keen to adopt digital innovations, approached Smarter Technologies to assist with the provision of real-time data from multiple sensor platforms across a large geographic footprint, in order to inform critical operational decision-making.

Following an earlier demonstration of their smart sensor technology and Orion real-time IoT data network, Portsmouth invited Smarter Technologies to install depth sensors in each of the dockyard’s key operational and historic basins (No 3 Basin alone, holds over 300 million gallons of water) and transit locks to monitor water levels. Via an intuitive and customer-configurable dashboard, the sensors provided the Asset Management and Waterfront teams with the empirical evidence they needed to adjust how and when the locks and pumps were used to optimise water levels, assets to target for remediation to minimise unintended water flows and maintain effective waterfront operations. As a result, unnecessary pumping operations were avoided, both long- and short-term targeted mitigation measures were implemented and material operational efficiencies were realised, almost immediately delivering a return on investment.

Simon Kierstan, the Navy’s Strategic Infrastructure lead at Portsmouth, said, “The management insight that Smarter Technologies have brought to the waterfront operation has been incredibly helpful, and it’s been amazing just how quickly it gave us the evidence-base we needed to do things differently and do things better. This is just one part of a much broader digital innovation programme at Portsmouth Naval Base, which is gathering momentum and delivering significant step-changes in capability with each enhancement”.

Mark Read, CEO of Smarter Technologies, said, “We’re just delighted to be working with Simon and the management team at Portsmouth and to deliver value for them. We pride ourselves in delivering the end-to-end solutions that our customers need. It’s our knowledge and expertise, working in partnership with our clients, that enables such digital transformation programmes to succeed and enable end users to improve their critical operational decision making using real time data.”

Posted in International, Maritime, Press Release | Comments Off on HMNB Portsmouth Use Smarter Technologies’ Orion IoT Data Network to Drive Port Operational Efficiency

Elistair and Rheinmetall Canada Partner on Unmanned ISR Solution for Military Users

Wednesday, January 17th, 2024

Partnership follows successful demonstration of KHRONOS tethered drone and Mission Master SP unmanned ground vehicle for military officials at Rheinmetall Canada’s facility

PARIS—January 16, 2024—Elistair, a leader in long-endurance, tethered unmanned aircraft systems, announced that it has partnered with Rheinmetall Canada Inc. to provide military customers with an on-the-move ISR solution that combines Elistair’s fully automated KHRONOS tethered drone with the Mission Master family of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs).

The new partnership follows closely on the heels of a successful demonstration of the KHRONOS and the Mission Master SP, an electric-powered UGV designed for resupply missions, overwatch, and payload carriage, before undisclosed European military officials at Rheinmetall Canada’s test track in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Québec.

“We are very excited to be collaborating with a major defense contractor like Rheinmetall Canada,” said Guilhem de Marliave, CEO of Elistair. “By combining their Mission Master family of UGVs with our push-button, long-endurance, automated KHRONOS drone, Rheinmetall Canada can provide customers with an advanced solution for unmanned reconnaissance and convoy escort.”

Elistair first unveiled KHRONOS last November. The tethered drone deploys from a transportable dronebox in under two minutes and can stay aloft, even when operating from a moving platform, for up to 24 hours at a stretch, providing continuous day/night coverage of an area 10 kilometers in radius.

The 66-pound KHRONOS can also fly in poor weather and in GPS/GNSS-Denied and RF-denied environments.

“And thanks to its advanced automated features, it is easy to control, saving customers the heavy investment in training drone operators,” de Marliave said.

“The Mission Master family of UGVs can carry a variety of ISR payloads,” said Alain Tremblay, VP of Business Development and Innovation at Rheinmetall Canada. “But KHRONOS definitely has its advantages, and we see international interest given its innovative capacity to adapt to current and future complex theatres of operation.”

First deliveries of the KHRONOS dronebox are set for March.

Posted in International, ISR, Press Release, UAS | Comments Off on Elistair and Rheinmetall Canada Partner on Unmanned ISR Solution for Military Users

Dark Systems K9 Products Receive NATO Stock Numbers

Wednesday, January 17th, 2024

Several Dark Systems products have been assigned NATO Stock Numbers (NSNs). Dark Systems is world-leader in K9 helmets. The DarkFighter K9 helmet protects K9s in +40 countries and is used by hundreds of units and agencies. This K9 helmet is a modular system available with more than 20 accessories and modules (hearing protections, muzzles, mounts, strobe light, cameras) and offers advanced two-way audio communication in collaboration with the most famous tactical headsets manufacturers: OpsCore, Falcom, Invisio, 3M, Walkers, etc.

The products to receive NSNs are the DarkFighter K9 Helmet, accessories and payloads.

An NSN is a 13-digit numeric code, identifying all the “standardized material items of supply” as they have been recognized by all NATO countries including United States Department of Defense, and allows for any of the 31 NATO militaries to purchase the items on a “military catalogue” basis, significantly simplifying the procurement process.

The assignment of an NSN is also relevant to non-NATO customers in that it is considered to signify that the product has achieved a certain level of acceptance by the world’s most discerning military customers, the members of NATO and NATO’s allies.

Dark Systems expects that the receipt of these additional NSNs will assist its sales efforts in both NATO and non-NATO countries.

www.darksystems.com

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Birdie for the Bundeswehr: Rheinmetall Awarded €50 Million Order for Infrared Decoys

Tuesday, January 16th, 2024

The Bundeswehr has awarded Rheinmetall a substantial order for decoy flares for protecting aircraft. The German military can now procure over 470,000 decoys from Rheinmetall’s tried-and-tested Birdie product line. Covering the period December 2023 to December 2029, the contract is worth nearly €50 million.

Birdie is an acronym standing for “Bispectral Infrared Decoy Improved Efficiency”. Marketed by Rheinmetall Waffe & Munition GmbH of Fronau, these infrared decoys, or ‘flares’, are ejected from helicopters, transport planes and jets to distract oncoming infrared-homing guided missiles. The flares simulate the heat signature of exhaust gases emitted by the aircraft engine.
The current contract specifies delivery of two different Birdie products: IR-Birdie 118 BS and IR-Birdie 218 BS. Both are already in service with the Bundeswehr, which refers to them as “Decoy, Aircraft, DM189A1, PT” and “Decoy, Aircraft, DM169A1, PT”, respectively.

Owing to the current security situation, aircraft self-defence has come sharply back into focus again. Decoys are one way of accomplishing this. Among other things, these include pyrotechnic flares, i.e., products designed to distract infrared search head-equipped surface-to-air missiles (SAM) and air-to-air missiles (AAM). Other techniques include chaff for thwarting enemy radar, and smoke-obscurant munitions such as Rheinmetall’s fast-acting ROSY smoke screen.

Posted in Aviation, Contracts, International, Press Release | Comments Off on Birdie for the Bundeswehr: Rheinmetall Awarded €50 Million Order for Infrared Decoys