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Five Questions for Spectra Group CEO Simon Davies

Wednesday, November 6th, 2024

We had a chance to ask five questions of Simon Davies, the CEO of the UK-based communications company Spectra Group.

Q – Perhaps you could begin by giving the readers a sense of what Spectra does and how it applies to war fighting.

A – Spectra Group is a specialist provider of secure voice, data and satellite communications systems. Established over 20 years ago, Spectra Group is a veteran-led organisation that prides itself on designing and manufacturing specialist high-quality communications equipment and systems that have been operationally proven to meet the needs of the modern warfighter, in the most demanding operational conditions.

For example, SlingShotTM was conceived and designed to meet Special Forces requirements and, now with over 7000 units sold worldwide, has been operationally proven with both specialist and regular forces globally. SlingShot is a unique, low-size, weight and power (SWaP) system that enables existing UHF and VHF tactical radios to extend their reach into the realm of strategic communications, providing true Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) and Communications on the Move (COTM), without purchasing new radios. All Spectra Group products are designed with the soldier in mind and are therefore easy to use, secure and have a low probability of intercept or detection.

Tropo

The Troposcatter Family of Systems (FoS) is designed to provide high-bandwidth battlefield data links between key headquarters down to Company level in a modular and easy-to-transport system. With low latency and high bandwidth, the systems are simple, intuitive and easy to set up. Also, due to its architecture, Troposcatter works in a GPS/GNSS denied environment, so can operate at the poles, and is equally difficult to detect or intercept.

Q – What is your latest product?

A – Spectra Group launched our new radio concept GENSS, in January 2024, and it is now in the final stages of prototype testing. GENSS builds on the foundations of our award-winning SlingShot system, embodying Spectra Group’s vision of producing ultimate radio systems that capitalise on technological advances, adapt to the evolving demands of military operations and simplify the user experience. It has been designed and developed through a collaborative effort of tactical communication experts, seasoned military specialists and top-tier U.K. scientists and engineers.

GENSS is a significant advancement in the field of tactical radio communications, due to its modular core framework and software-defined flexibility, heralding a new era in communication technology. It is a modular, agnostic hardware radio system designed to be agile and provide the ultimate interoperability through straightforward software reprogramming to adapt quickly and easily to meet the diverse needs of its users. Capable of operating across HF, VHF, UHF, and satellite bands, GENSS is engineered to conquer Beyond Line-of-Sight (BLOS) barriers and support Communications on the Move (COTM), delivering a robust and agile solution for voice and high-bandwidth data transmission across all domains — land, sea, and air.

Q – What lessons is Spectra learning from the conflict in Ukraine, and how are you applying them to your systems?

A – Modern-day conflict against a determined and advanced adversary is having many effects on communications equipment, its bearers but also the operators who use it. Spectra are conscious of the need to keep radio systems and their representative IT solutions as simple as possible for the operator whilst when needed being able to work in contested spectrum environments.

The GENSS product has been designed to be able to operate within the noise floor if needed to avoid detection. It also has an automatic adaptive coding and modulation capability that removes the need for constant ‘link engineering’ by the operator allowing the radio to adapt to tactical conditions and guarantee message delivery. The burden on the soldier is ever increasing not only the amount of technology that one must carry, and the power needed, but also the cognitive burden of becoming an expert on all systems. GENSS has been designed to provide simplicity at the point of use, whilst the unit manages internal processing and power management effectively and efficiently using the best software initiatives available.

Q – To follow up, based on what we are seeing in Ukraine, do you see NATO and in particular, the Five Eyes alliance, cooperating more now on communications systems and standards.

A – Data interoperability and open standards have always beencrucial in the NATO alliance to allow tactical data links to interact effectively with one another. However, with the rapid development of more advanced and complex communications systems and increasingly sophisticated digital and cyber threats to such systems, close cooperation between allies is increasingly important. Spectra Group have worked together with 2iC, a specialist UK battlefield software integration company, to fully integrate the GENSS product with their Lean Service Architecture specification. This is an open schema-based software solution to provide a services-orientated communications integration architecture designedfor mobile, low-powered Internet of Things (IoT) on the battlefield. UK MOD, US SOCOM and many other NATO partners have published under the Open Government license that they are adopting this open architecture.

Q – Artificial intelligence has become all the rage. Just looking around the show floor and AUSA, you see AI enabled systems in every corner. Is Spectra integrating artificial intelligence, and perhaps even machine learning, into its systems, and if so, how?

A – The GENSS radio platform is delivered with an Open API architecture which can be adapted to use AI applications as required. Whilst Spectra Group does not create AI software applications directly, the GENSS platform can be utilised to allow soldier-based software and AI solutions can be easily adopted to maximise capabilities and features available utilising GENSS.

SSD would like to thank Mr Davies for his time and insight into a rapidly evolving field.

For more information, visit spectra-group.co.uk.

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Chemring Awarded Contracts Worth £278m

Tuesday, November 5th, 2024

Chemring is pleased to announce that its Norwegian subsidiary, Chemring Nobel, has signed a twelve-year framework agreement with Diehl Defence GmbH & Co. KG (“Diehl Defence”) for the supply of MCX energetic material. Under this framework agreement Chemring Nobel also signed an initial purchase order valued at €231m; deliveries under this contract will be over a five-year period commencing in late 2026. In 2023, Diehl Defence and Nammo AS created an industrial working group to supply the German Government with 155mm munitions for the German Armed Forces and their allies and in July 2024 they received their initial delivery order. Under this order, production of 155mm munitions will use Nammo’s munitions technology for which Chemring Nobel is the only qualified supplier of MCX material.

Chemring is also pleased to announce that its US subsidiary, Chemring Energetic Devices (“CED”), has received an order valued at $106m for the delivery of critical components for use in an undisclosed US missile programme. Deliveries under this contract will be over a five-year period commencing in 2026.

Further to the announcement on 17 October 2024, Group adjusted operating profit for the year ended 31 October 2024 is expected to be in-line with consensus expectations of £70.9m.

Michael Ord, Chief Executive of Chemring, commented:

“These significant contract wins illustrate the deep long-term relationships that we have built with our customers. It is further evidence of the sustained and growing demand for our products and supports our investment decisions to increase the capacity of our three energetics businesses, and reinforces Chemring’s position as a key supplier to NATO.”

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D3O and Craig International Ballistics Partner to Enhance Military Body Armor with Next-Generation Ballistic Foam

Monday, November 4th, 2024

Blacksburg, Virginia 11/04/24 — D3O, the global leader in advanced protection solutions, is proud to announce a collaboration with Craig International Ballistics (CIB), a prominent manufacturer of ballistic protection based in Queensland, Australia. This partnership will include CIB’s use of D3O’s latest generation Ballistic™ foams to reduce back face signature trauma in body armor systems for a significant military contract, enhancing the protection and comfort of personnel across the APAC region.

CIB, has over 25 years of experience in high-performance protection solutions, and serves military and law enforcement customers with a range of products, including body armor, hard armor plates, tactical shields, and platform armor. CIB began testing D3O’s advanced ballistic foam in early 2024 at its cutting-edge onsite ballistic testing facility, where rigorous evaluations validated the foam’s ability to reduce back face signature (BFS) and weight in armor systems.

Simon McNair, D3O SVP of Sales, emphasized the significance of this partnership, saying, “At D3O, we are committed to creating advanced material solutions that meet the highest standards of protection in the defense sector. Our partnership with Craig International Ballistics is an example of how two industry leaders can collaborate to deliver life-saving technologies to military personnel. The integration of our ballistic foam with CIB’s body armor systems is a big step forward in reducing back face signature injuries in armed conflicts.”

James Craig, CIB’s Executive Director said “Having our own onsite ballistic testing laboratory was a significant resource and pivotal in the initial validation process of these new products. The capability demonstrates to our customers our ability to quickly test and adopt the latest raw material innovations from partners such as D3O but provide ongoing quality assurance of internal batch testing during production”.

Earlier this month, CIB delivered nearly 10,000 units to a military client, integrating D3O’s ballistic foam into hard armor systems that achieved proven BFS reduction and optimized weight for enhanced wearer mobility and protection.

“Our focus at CIB, is to deliver our customers world-leading solutions, providing the lightest weight protective products for our service personnel.” Said Ed Clark, CIB’s Chief Technology Officer, “A big part of that is embracing new raw material innovations as well as enhanced processing methods”.

Through this new partnership, D3O and Craig International Ballistics are raising the standards of protective equipment for military and law enforcement personnel worldwide.

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NFM Group Meets with the Norwegian Minister of Defence

Thursday, October 31st, 2024

THE NORWEGIAN MINISTER OF DEFENCE AT NFM

FOCUS ON EQUIPMENT FOR NORWEGIAN SOLDIERS AND SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE

30 OCT – The Norwegian Minister of Defence Bjørn Arild Gram visited NFM Group’s headquarters in Norway on Friday 25th of October. The purpose of the visit was to give the Minister and the leadership of the Ministry of Defense an insight of NFM’s position, capacities and activities in the Norwegian defense industry.

This was the first time Gram visited NFM Group, which is Norway’s third largest company in the defense industry. The delegation included political adviser in the Ministry of Defense, Ingrid Nikoline Sand and adviser Håkon Jahr, as well as expedition manager in the investment department, Anders Melheim, and senior communications adviser, Asgeir Spange Brekke.

Walter Øverland, CEO and one of the founders of NFM, presented the company’s history which began in 1996, when he and three other active members of the Norwegian defense wanted to improve their issued equipment. They began by redesigning combat vests, and shortly after the four partners received their first order from the Norwegian Armed Forces.

To meet the increasing demands, the first factory was opened in Poland. Today, NFM has over 1,000 employees spread over seven production and sales locations in Europe and the USA, with an annual result of around NOK 3 billion.

The history and strong growth of the NFM is impressive, noted the Minister of Defense. It is incredible how NFM has gone from 0 to 100 in so few years.

THE COMBAT VEST PROGRAM AND PRODUCTS

NFM has recently completed the first delivery of 22,000 new and complete combat vest systems to the Norwegian Armed Forces, which will give Norwegian soldiers access to one of the world’s most modern and modular systems. This has been developed through good cooperation between NFM, the Norwegian Defense Research Institute, Norwegian Defense Material Agency and the Norwegian Armed Forces.

The combat vest M22 is a significant upgrade of the load bearing system for Norwegian soldiers. It is scalable and can easily be adapted to different roles and missions. The vest is made of a laser-cut, innovative material that withstands absorbing water. Weighing only 1500 grams, the vest is one of the lightest on the market. The combat vest is an example of how research and development can increase soldiers’ operational ability with lighter, better and more comfortable equipment, Øverland explains.

Defense Minister Gram pointed out the need for more equipment in line with the Defense’s growth:

We plan to increase the number of conscripts by 50 percent, which entails a great need for equipment to maintain readiness. It has been very interesting to learn more about NFM and explore the possibilities for long-term cooperation locally, he said.

With the recent delivery of combat vests to the Norwegian Armed Forces as a testament of a successful cooperation, NFM sees great opportunities in the expanded cooperation across the Nordics.

With Sweden and Finland as members of NATO, the situation is now very good for more Nordic cooperation in the procurement of material. We experienced a shared positive agreement in the meeting room that the opportunities are particularly good in equipment for personal equipment and protection,said Øverland.

SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE

During the meeting, Ukraine also became an important topic, a country with an urgent need for personal protective equipment for soldiers on the front line. The Norwegian Armed Forces have already donated significant amounts of material to Ukraine. Immediately after the full-scale invasion, the Norwegian Armed Forces donated some vests from their own stock. These vests were originally manufactured by NFM.

Through social media, NFM has received feedback from Ukrainian soldiers where they express gratitude that the NFM equipment has saved their lives after surviving attacks. A direct result of the Armed Forces’ donations.

Ukraine needs significant mobilization, and we have many Norwegian soldiers who help train the Ukrainian forces. We also contribute to equipping them. With the war in Europe, it is crucial to ensure that the soldiers have the protection they need. Through direct dialogue, we want to give the industry predictability, so that they can support our common goals in the best possible way, said Gram about Norway’s efforts for Ukraine.

Øverland from NFM emphasized how important it is to have long-term plans for efficient production:

If we have a 12-month horizon, it is incredible what we can achieve. If we know what the needs are and the volumes that will come over time, we can streamline the production and make it more cost-effective for the Norwegian Ministry of Defense.

TOUR OF PRODUCTION AND THE TEST LABORATORY

The Minister of Defense and his entourage were also given a tour of NFM’s head office in Ski in Norway, where they, among other things, could experience how the company produces ballistic plates and helmets.

NFM has developed an advanced press technology that enables pressing with controlled temperature and pressure, operating with 2-3 times higher pressure than the competitors. This provides a better consolidation of the fibers and results in higher performance in the products, explained Øverland.

At NFM headquarters we have our own test lab on site, where ballistic products are tested according to international standards. This gives access to immediate test results, before they are sent for verification at independent laboratories, ensuring a very time-efficient development process.

The Norwegian Defence overviewed a demonstration from Principal Ballistic Engineer, Susanne Thomesen. Thomesen had just before the presentation, shot some ballistic plates in the test laboratory, as part of a development project together with another western country.

STRENGTHENING COLLABORATIONS

We take pride to host this important visit, having the opportunities to share our insights, achievements, and visions for the future. NFM Group will continue the strengthening our collaboration with Norwegian authorities and contribute to the ongoing efforts for the Norwegian defence.

nfm.no

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Rheinmetall and Croatian Unmanned Ground System Manufacturer DOK-ING Set to Build Remote-Controlled UGSs Together in Future

Wednesday, October 30th, 2024

• The planned joint venture is foreseen to become the market leader in the segment of unmanned and remote-controlled combat and combat support vehicles.

• The first goal of the partnership is to jointly develop an unmanned system for mine scattering and counter-mobility operations. A corresponding system demonstrator is to be presented in 2025.

In the presence of the Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of the Republic of Croatia Ivan Anuši? the Croatian UGS manufacturer DOK-ING and the Düsseldorf-based technology group Rheinmetall signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 28 October 2024 to establish a joint venture. A special feature of this partnership is the entirely European origin and value creation, which should result in various unmanned ground systems (UGS).

The agreement provides for joint development and subsequent marketing of the new DOK-ING Komodo platform. Rheinmetall AG is contributing various capability modules/upgrade kits (e.g. for direct and indirect fire, mine-laying, reconnaissance sensors, logistics, etc.), as well as its international market access and industrial capacities.

The implementation of the MoU is subject to the prior approval of the relevant regulatory authorities, including the European Commission and the respective national competition authorities.

As Dr Björn Bernhard, head of the Vehicle Systems Europe division, explains: “DOK-ING and Rheinmetall represent two leading European suppliers in their field, joining forces to carry out challenging projects. Together, we aim to set new standards and pave the way for the series production and application of UGSs. We are addressing the European market as well as other partner nations.”

Vjekoslav Majeti, founder and President of the supervisory board of DOK-ING: “The technological and industrial synergies between DOK-ING and Rheinmetall represent a unique opportunity to develop state-of-the-art unmanned combat and armoured breaching systems in Europe. We see this agreement as a fundamental contribution to creating a common future.”

Within the framework of the future cooperation, numerous combat and combat support solutions will be developed, including a joint project for an unmanned armed support vehicle (known as a Wingman) for battle tanks and infantry fighting vehicles for reconnaissance and fire support is also to be developed. These shall be used in combination with already known classic Rheinmetall products, such as the KF51 Panther, the Büffel-3 armoured recovery vehicle and the Kodiak-3 armoured engineer vehicle.

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DroneShield Expands European Presence to Meet Surging Demand for Counterdrone Solutions

Wednesday, October 30th, 2024

Sydney, Australia – DroneShield (ASX:DRO), a world-leading innovator in counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS), is proud to announce the expansion of its European footprint. This is in response to the escalating need for advanced counterdrone technologies across Europe. To enhance its regional capabilities, DroneShield has strategically appointed a team of elite experts, establishing a strong presence in both Denmark and Germany, alongside its network of experienced in-country sales channel partners throughout Europe.

The seasoned senior European team includes Hans Høyer, Asger Hviid, Oleksiy Prymin, and Red McClintock, each with deep expertise in counter-UAS technologies. This multilingual team, proficient in English, German, Ukrainian, French, and Scandinavian languages, is poised to provide localised support, offering tailored solutions to defence, security, and commercial sectors across the continent.

The expansion comes at a pivotal time, as Europe faces increasing threats from rogue drone activities in military, critical infrastructure, and government sectors. DroneShield’s battle-proven solutions are globally deployed to combat these evolving threats, and the company’s European team will provide immediate, on-the-ground support for customers and partners in the region.

Hans Høyer, DroneShield’s newly appointed Sales Director, stated, “We understand the importance of proximity of support for our customers, and are committed to providing bespoke solutions that address their unique challenges. Whether it’s for special forces, fixed installations, or mobile solutions, we’re committed to providing unrivalled expertise and service.”

MSPO, Kielce in September 2024

Driving Innovation and Speed in European Defence

Throughout 2024, DroneShield’s European team has been actively engaging with the continent’s defence and security sectors, attending high-profile industry events to showcase rapidly deployable C-UAS detection and defeat solutions. DroneShield’s difference lies in the speed and precision of its deployments. With an unmatched track record for swiftly delivering solutions to the field, the team’s presence reinforces the company’s commitment to providing battle-proven, scalable technologies that meet the pressing challenges of modern drone threats.

“Our attendance at these key events isn’t just about showcasing products, it’s about highlighting the speed at which we can provide actionable, real-world solutions,” said Høyer. “We’re bringing a new level of readiness to the table, ensuring our customers can count on DroneShield for the rapid, effective deployment of tailored C-UAS solutions.”

Eurosatory, Paris in June 2024

Strengthening European Defence with Local Expertise

The team’s launch makes a significant step in DroneShield’s rapid global expansion, reinforcing the company’s position as a leader in the defence technology space. By providing on-the-ground guidance, demonstrations, installations, and continued service support, the European team will ensure clients benefit from DroneShield’s market-leading innovations in counterdrone technology.

Backed by the innovation and resources of DroneShield’s global headquarters in Sydney, Australia, as well as DroneShield’s United States headquarters in Warrenton, Virginia, the European team’s local presence offers customers rapid response times and personalised service. From product demonstrations to installations and ongoing support, the team ensures customers receive comprehensive, real-time assistance to tackle drone threats with unparalleled effectiveness.

Farnborough International Airshow in July 2024

DroneShield’s CEO, Oleg?Vornik, commented, “With our expanded European presence, we are in a stronger position to meet the growing demands for counterdrone solutions in the region. Our team is not only bringing cutting-edge technology but also providing hands-on support to ensure each customer receives the best possible solution.”

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Saab Receives British Army Order to Support Live Training in Oman

Tuesday, October 29th, 2024

Saab has signed a £20M amendment to the Instrumented Live Training (ILT-D) contract signed in April 2024 with the UK Ministry of Defence. The amendment will deliver equipment and training support services for British Army training in Oman. Deliveries will take place 2024-2025.

The order includes Saab’s latest training and simulation equipment including a high-fidelity system which realistically and accurately replicates training engagements and ensures the activity is measurable and can be used to review and enhance training outcomes. The solution will operate as part of the MOD’s existing Tactical Engagement Simulation (TES) capability.

Saab will also provide training services to ensure optimal availability and performance at all stages. In addition to this, Saab will manage the Exercise Control (ExCon) environment including the captured data to support objective measurement of the training.

Andy Fraser, Group Managing Director, Saab UK said:
“We are pleased to continue our long-standing support to the British Army’s training systems in the UK as well as internationally. Interoperability is at the heart of Saab training and simulation solutions, and this contract will enable seamless cooperation with the Royal Army of Oman and other key international allies and partners.”

Simon Pearce, Training and Simulation Systems Portfolio Leader for Defence Equipment & Support, the contracting authority said:
“This significant contract amendment further solidifies the strong partnership between the British Army, the Royal Army of Oman, and Saab. It demonstrates our commitment to providing first-rate training for our forces, aligning with the evolving nature of warfare and the Collective Training Transformation Programme.”

The British Army’s system can be deployed globally, offering the flexibility to support training outside of Oman. Saab’s live simulation equipment integrates with other systems that use the applicable NATO standards.

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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.”

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