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L3Harris and NIOA Announce Guided Weapons Collaboration in Australia

Monday, November 6th, 2023

SYDNEY, Nov. 7, 2023 – Aerojet Rocketdyne, an L3Harris Technologies [NYSE:LHX] company, and Australian-owned defence prime NIOA have announced a strategic agreement to explore the manufacturing of critical guided weapons components in Australia.

The agreement anticipates the future assembly and manufacture of rocket motors, boosters and warheads for munitions within the Aerojet Rocketdyne portfolio. This portfolio covers the wide range of weapons within Australia’s sovereign Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise.

“As part of a world-leading technology company, Aerojet Rocketdyne is pleased to embark on this project to bring rocket motor and warhead manufacturing to Australia,” said Ross Niebergall, President, Aerojet Rocketdyne. “Our company is uniquely positioned to provide the intellectual property for a wide range of propulsion systems used by the Commonwealth. Growing our capability in Australia will provide opportunities for Australian companies to contribute to the global supply chain for guided weapons.”

Speaking on the eve of the INDO PACIFIC 2023 international defence exhibition in Sydney, NIOA Group CEO Robert Nioa said, “As a 100% Australian-owned company, NIOA is excited to be entering this strategic agreement with Aerojet Rocketdyne to address critical munitions priorities for Australia.

“Ultimately we aim to create a multi-user rocket motor facility that will not only support our portfolio of offerings but will also have capacity and flexibility to support future strategic partners to meet the guided weapon demands as identified by the Australian Defence Force as well as adjacent industry sectors like space.

“This logical grouping of the main elements of the rocket motor, warhead and booster supply chains can deliver economies of scale that will maintain the production volumes needed to sustain critical skillsets. Forward deployed logistics and co-production initiatives in the Indo-Pacific region with Australia’s close allies are central to our model. This facility will also boost regional employment and will provide substantial opportunities for local companies to get involved in the supply chain.”

The Australian Government’s Defence Strategic Review released earlier this year emphasized the rapid establishment of a domestic GWEO manufacturing capability. The government responded by committing $2.5 billion to accelerate a sovereign industry to improve the Australian Defence Force’s self-reliance and the nation’s export capacity.

Posted in Industry, International, Munitions, Press Release | Comments Off on L3Harris and NIOA Announce Guided Weapons Collaboration in Australia

A New Canadian Gunboat?

Monday, November 6th, 2023

The Canadian Army Trials and Evaluation Unit (CATEU) trialed mounting a C9 machine gun to an assault boat.

This capability would provide assault boat occupants force protection during combat operations.

Posted in International, Maritime | 9 Comments »

UF PRO Unveils the New Striker X Gen.2 Combat Pants – a Fusion of Adaptability & Performance

Friday, November 3rd, 2023

KOMENDA, SLOVENIA (2. November 2023) — Renowned tactical clothing manufacturer, UF PRO, unveils the next generation of combat pants— the Striker X Gen.2 Combat Pants. This unveiling marks a pivotal moment in UF PRO’s journey of providing world-class gear tailored for military special operations personnel, who demand the highest level of performance from their equipment.

The spotlight feature of the Striker X Gen.2 Combat Pants is the groundbreaking Detachable Waist/Flex Belt. This newly engineered system epitomizes adaptability, providing unparalleled comfort and ease of movement. It’s a remarkable stride in tactical wear design, setting a new benchmark in adaptability for the most demanding operational scenarios.

Adding to the adaptability and comfort is the innovative Negative Curve Belt/Buckle design. Unlike traditional belts, this new design sports a negative curve, ensuring a snug fit and enhanced comfort, making quick adjustments under pressure a breeze.

The Striker X Gen.2 also pioneers detachable knee-width regulation alongside knee-height regulation, offering a personalized knee protection experience. These features ensure optimal fit and protection, underscoring UF PRO’s commitment to providing tactical gear that adapts to the diverse needs and demands of military operatives.

UF PRO’s Spokesperson shared, “The Striker X Gen.2 Combat Pants are a testimony to UF PRO’s relentless innovation. The debut of the Detachable Waist/Flex Belt, the Negative Curve Belt/Buckle design and the detachable knee-width regulation sets a new standard in adaptability, empowering our military professionals with gear that seamlessly moulds to their operational demands, ensuring enhanced comfort and tactical efficiency.”

Get more intel on the new Striker X Gen.2 Combat Pants.

For more information about UF PRO and its product offerings, please visit ufpro.com.

Posted in Advertiser, Clothing, International | Comments Off on UF PRO Unveils the New Striker X Gen.2 Combat Pants – a Fusion of Adaptability & Performance

Fischer Connectors’ Versatile and Miniature UHD Audio/Video Connectivity Solutions Allow for 18 Gbit/s Data Transfer Speed

Thursday, November 2nd, 2023

Saint-Prex, Switzerland | November 2, 2023 – Fischer Connectors has released new high-speed connectors and cable assemblies for Ultra High Definition (UHD) audio/video data transfer at 18 Gbit/s in demanding environments, matching the performance speed of HDMI 2.0.

“The speed of our audio/video connectivity solutions, 18 Gbit/s, is equivalent to the HDMI 2.0 standard widely used in 4K cinema projectors and Ultra High Definition home TVs,” explains Stéphane Antonetti, Product Data Expert at Fischer Connectors. “Because Fischer Connectors’ circular connectors are rugged by design, they combine the best of both worlds, providing design engineers with a versatile portfolio of high-speed, high-performance connectivity solutions for a wide range of harsh-environment applications.”

Fischer Connectors’ new UHD solutions are available in the flagship Fischer MiniMax™ and Fischer Core product lines with 10’000 mating cycles, 360° EMI protection, different sealing performances from IP68 to hermeticity and sterilization capacities, as well as three locking mechanisms (push-pull, screw, quick-release).

Fischer MiniMax™ UHD connectors available in ‘size 08’ (12.9 mm diameter plug) have a miniature, lightweight, compact, high-density layout with 19 contacts, ensuring high-quality data transmission for digital signals in demanding applications such as aerial imaging, especially in military operations for drones equipped with high-resolution cameras.

UHD audio/video connectivity is also needed in scientific, industrial, instrumentation, test and measurement and medical applications with 4K camera devices, where Fischer Core connectors are widely used, e.g., in size 104 with 20 contacts.

A dedicated, custom cable has been developed for both Fischer Core and Fischer MiniMax™ UHD audio/video connectors, which are also available pre-cabled as plug-and-play solutions.

Posted in Comms, International, Press Release | Comments Off on Fischer Connectors’ Versatile and Miniature UHD Audio/Video Connectivity Solutions Allow for 18 Gbit/s Data Transfer Speed

NFM GARM Ballistic Underwear: Where Protection Meets Comfort

Thursday, November 2nd, 2023

NFM is looking forward to revealing the GARM™ Ballistic Underwear on the global stage at Milipol 2024 in Paris. This product sets a new standard by offering soldiers dual benefits: unparalleled protection against serious blast injuries and long-lasting comfort for extended wear.

The NFM GARM™ Ballistic Underwear has already proven invaluable in protecting against high-speed secondary fragments up to 200 m/s. Developed by our subsidiary, Hexonia, this technological innovation is the result of a three-year R&D process led by Product Developer Eva Goral.

“This isn’t just another piece of tactical clothing. It’s designed to save lives without compromising comfort. What makes it truly unique is that you wouldn’t know it’s lifesaving ballistic underwear just by feeling it— it’s that comfortable,” says Goral.

Unmatched Comfort and High-Strength Material Blend

Our ballistic underwear not only defends against secondary injuries from blasts, but also such as those caused by IEDs, and integrates materials that maximize wearer comfort. High-performance fibres like silk, polyamide, and elastane are combined to provide both ballistic protection and a snug and comfortable fit.

“The silk has a particularly high strength and feels pleasantly cool on the skin. Thanks to its hydrophilic properties, it absorbs moisture and passes it on to the overlying layers of clothing. As a result, it dries quickly and has a climate-regulating effect,” says Goral.

The unique blend of materials and knitting technology provides;

•High ballistic performance: Tailored to protect against high-speed fragments up to 200m/s

•Fragment and blast protection: Designed to prevent micro-penetrations that risk infection and soft tissue damage

•Enhanced thermal comfort: Low insulation values for better thermal regulation, particularly important for prolonged wear across climates.

Hexonia utilizes cutting-edge circular knitting machines to produce almost seamless torsos, minimizing skin irritation and increasing protective integrity.

“The absence of seams significantly enhances explosion protection, as seams are often the weakest points in a protective system,” says Goral.

Get Hands-On Experience at Milipol 2023

NFM GARM™ Ballistic Underwear will be showcased for the first time at Milipol 2023 in Paris, at the NFM booth 5D 083 between November 14th-17th.

The NFM GARM™ Ballistic Underwear will be integrated into NFM GARM™ Combat Clothing standard line and consists of a shirt and pants available with both short and long sleeves and trouser legs, fitting the unique requirements of individual operators. Available in the NFM colours Rapture Green and Raven Black.

For more information about NFM and our industry-leading products, please visit www.nfm.no.

Posted in Armor, Clothing, International, Milipol, Press Release | 1 Comment »

Carcajou Tactical Introduces Belt Kit

Wednesday, November 1st, 2023

It seems we are in full back to the future mode as more and more companies are releasing belt orders.

My friends at Canada’s Carcajou Tactical are joining the fight, with a complete line of belt mounted pouches, padded belt, and harnesses, all made from laser cut laminate.

Offered in Coyote, Ranger, Green, MultiCam, and M81 Woodland, there are options for a MOLLE yoke, padded MOLLE yoke, and more traditional H-style harness. You can order individual pieces or go for full sets of various configurations.

While I haven’t seen this particular line of products in person, Carcajou makes great stuff, in Canada I might add, and is owned by a retired Paratrooper. Looking forward to checking it out next Spring when I visit again. Maybe I can get them to make a set in Tigerstripe.

The website is simple to use and the prices seem reasonable.

carcajoutactical.com/collections/lbe

Posted in International, Load Carrying | 11 Comments »

Milrem Robotics Presents a New Combat UGV

Wednesday, November 1st, 2023

Milrem Robotics, Europe’s leading robotics and autonomous systems developer, presents a new combat UGV. The new system is the combination of Milrem Robotics’ intelligent THeMIS Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) and HITROLE® Light Remote Weapon Station (RWS), one of the land turrets developed by Leonardo, a leading global Aerospace, Defence and Security company.

THeMIS Combat UGV’s provide direct fire support for manoeuvre units and act as a force multiplier. With the HITROLE® Light RWS which can be fitted with a 7,62 mm or a 12,7 mm Machine Gun or a 40 mm Automatic Grenade Launcher and is assisted by AI functions for target acquisition, recognition prioritization and tracking, they provide the capability to perform multi-role tasks like surveillance, patrolling, border security, counter-sniper and asymmetric missions. Engagement of the target is always done by a human operator.

THeMIS Combat UGVs enhance force protection and increase stand-off distance by allowing the operator to utilize the weapon system and observe, day and night from a protected position.

The HITROLE® Light RWS is a multi-role ultra-lightweight turret of which more than 300 units are in service worldwide.

“The THeMIS has proven to be the most popular and suitable robotic mobility platform for RWS integrations. Our cooperation with Leonardo and the integration of HITROLE® represent the next crucial steps in this journey. Together with Leonardo, we can offer a highly capable robotic combat system to the Italian Army and customers worldwide. This will significantly enhance warfighting capabilities and, even more importantly, contribute to troop safety,” said Kuldar Väärsi, CEO of Milrem Robotics.

The THeMIS UGV is a multi-role unmanned system that is part of robotics programs in various configurations in 16 countries around the world, including 8 members of NATO.

Milrem Robotics is the leading European robotics and autonomous systems developer and systems integrator, with offices in Estonia, Finland, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the US. The company is known for their THeMIS and Multiscope UGVs, the Type-X Robotic Combat Vehicle and MIFIK.

Posted in International, Robotics | Comments Off on Milrem Robotics Presents a New Combat UGV

Milipol Paris 2023: Brace for Impact as MKU Teases a ‘Must-Have’ Defence Product

Monday, October 30th, 2023

MKU is set to unveil a groundbreaking innovation under their acclaimed Kavro Soldier Protection line at Milipol Paris 2023

Paris, 16th October 2023 – In the rapidly evolving landscape of global security threats, the nature of modern warfare has shifted dramatically. Unconventional tactics, rising terrorism, and advancements in enemy arsenals pose unprecedented challenges to those tasked with safeguarding our communities. The necessity for uncompromised ballistic protection has never been more pronounced. Thoughtful innovation in defence can be the critical difference-maker.

More a decade ago, MKU Limited, a premier global defence manufacturing company, revolutionized the industry with the launch of ‘Instavest’. This product showcased their patented ‘quick release’ technology, fundamentally altering the safety standards for soldiers worldwide forever. Fast forward to 2023, MKU is on the brink of revealing another groundbreaking innovation on its 10th participation anniversary at Milipol, promising a product that will redefine the benchmark for “uncompromised protection”. This announcement is a significant milestone for the defence sector, pointing towards a new era of safety and resilience.

A source from within the company has revealed, “This is something the world has been eagerly anticipating. Previously, the technologies and materials needed to develop such a solution simply did not exist. We’ve invested over 5 years of relentless R&D efforts to perfect it, and frankly, we believe no soldier would want to be without it once they are aware of it!”

This highly anticipated innovation is scheduled to be unveiled globally at Milipol Paris on the 15th of November 2023, at MKU’s booth H025, Hall 5, precisely at 10:30 AM UTC. Mr. Neeraj Gupta, Managing Director of MKU, expressed, “At MKU, pushing boundaries is in our DNA. We listen to our heroes and embrace challenges head-on for them. Why? It’s simple. Just as they dedicate their lives to protect us, we have dedicated ourselves to empowering them.”

Mr. Neeraj Gupta – MKU Managing Director

MKU, a key player in global defence and homeland security for over three decades, boasts a rich history of impactful contributions. Their portfolio of innovations includes the Kavro Body Armour System, a modular, mission-configurable combination of components that seamlessly integrate onto a body armour platform. Additionally, the Netro NB-3100 Aviation Night Vision Goggles, designed to enable aircraft and helicopter pilots to navigate effectively in low-altitude, high-threat environments, showcase their commitment to cutting-edge solutions. Furthermore, MKU’s Netro MW-5000, a smart sighting and aiming system for Grenade Launchers and Large-Calibre Weapons, significantly enhances operational efficiency and target acquisition for operators of crew-served weapons.

The company has consistently proven its mettle as a leading defence equipment manufacturer, significantly contributing to various armies and defence agencies globally. Notably, its past contributions include safeguarding German Army containers from severe firing by terrorists and providing critical ballistic shields to the police forces of Norway and Sweden, supplying ballistic armour plates to the Spain border police to delivering over body armours to the Estonian police force. MKU’s reach encompasses nations such as Brazil, Egypt, Philippines, and Chile, underlining the global demand for their cutting-edge solutions. Just 2 months ago, the company was chosen to supply ballistic helmets for Lithuania’s border security enhancement. MKU has also collaborated with several technology giants like Thales and Dassault Aviation over the years to explore innovation in defence for soldiers, police and platforms.

The anticipation for Milipol Paris 2023 is palpable, and MKU is at the heart of this excitement. While specific details about this innovation remain undisclosed, team MKU has invited significant stalwarts from the industry, including soldiers, police, professionals, academia, and enthusiasts, to witness this historic launch at Milipol Paris 2023 on the 15th of November 2023, preceding an exclusive preview on the evening of 14th November 2023 for their closed partner network.

To know more, and keep track, follow MKU’s:

• Website: https://www.mku.com/

• Facebook: @MKU.LTD

• Twitter: @MKUofficial

• Instagram: @mku_official

• YouTube: MKU Official

• LinkedIn: MKU

Posted in International, Milipol, Press Release | Comments Off on Milipol Paris 2023: Brace for Impact as MKU Teases a ‘Must-Have’ Defence Product