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Australia’s Albanese Government Invests in Domestic Rocket Motor Program

Wednesday, September 18th, 2024

The Albanese Government is investing in a sovereign rocket motor program to help keep Australians safe, and generate well-paid, high-skilled jobs.

The Government is seeking options from industry to establish a manufacturing complex that will enable production of rocket motors for some of the world’s most advanced missiles in Australia.

This is backed by an initial investment of $22 million over the next three years, which will help grow Australia’s advanced high-tech manufacturing sector and boost long?range strike capabilities for the Australian Defence Force (ADF), making the nation safer.

It is underpinned by the Albanese Government’s Future Made in Australia agenda, which will improve the resilience of supply chains, provide for greater strategic sovereignty, enhance export opportunities, and deliver broad economic and employment benefits, particularly in regional Australia.

Rocket motors are a critical component of missiles and required for most guided weapons, including Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS) missiles, which under the Albanese Government will be made in Australia from next year. It’s expected the rocket motor complex will begin production by the end of the decade.

The rocket motor program is part of the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise which is backed by up to $21 billion over the decade through the 2024 Integrated Investment Program.

The Albanese Government also announced today it will invest up to $60 million over the next five years to develop the next generation of guided weapon sub-systems and components, such as hypersonic and long-range strike. This will enable partnerships between industry and Defence and allow the next generation of guided weapon technologies to enter the supply chain of GWEO Strategic Partners.

This investment will also deliver industry-manufactured prototypes of the critical seeker, fuse and warhead sub-systems and aligns with the work being done as part of the Advanced Rocket Motor Technology Demonstrator program, which has leveraged collaboration from Five Eyes science and technology partners.

The rocket motor program and Advanced Rocket Motor Technology Demonstrator program are key to enhancing Australia’s national security. They are part of the Albanese Government’s ongoing commitment to delivering on the 2024 National Defence Strategy’s recommendation to invest in and uplift Australia’s domestic manufacturing capability.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, Pat Conroy:

“Today’s announcement represents a leap forward for the Australian defence industry and continues to deliver on the Albanese Government’s commitment to providing the ADF with the capabilities it needs to make Australians safer and safeguard our national interests.

“This is another investment in a future made in Australia and the more than 100,000 Australians, including in regional Australia, that are benefiting from the Government’s commitment to grow our sovereign defence industry and sovereign industrial base.

“This program is an endorsement of Australian ingenuity. Making solid rocket motors in Australia will build on Australia’s proud history as a manufacturing nation and contribute to a future made in Australia.”

Australian Defence Media Release on behalf of:

The Hon Pat Conroy MP

Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery

Minister for International Development and the Pacific

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

Thales Group’s Lithgow Arms Unveils New Designs at Land Forces 2024

Tuesday, September 17th, 2024

During last week’s Land Forces conference in Melbourne, Australia, Thales subsidiary Lithgow Arms unveiled some new calibers for their Australian Combat Assault Rifle launched in 2022, as well as a new bolt action rifle chambered in .308.

For the ACAR, new calibers for 2024 include 6mm ARC, 458 SOCOM, and 6.5 Grendel which join 300 BLK, 5.56 NATO, and 6.8 FURY (sic).

The LA111 is bolt action rifle in .308, equipped with a modern chassis system.

They also featured their new carbon wrap technology for their cold hammer forged barrels.

The full display included:

• 300 BLK 9″ ACAR carbine
• 5.56 NATO 11.5″ ACAR assault
• 5.56 NATO 16″ ACAR precision assault rifle
• 6.5 Grendel 12.5″ ACAR rifle
• 458 SOCOM 11.5″ ACAR carbine
• 6mm ARC 14.5” ACAR rifle
• 7.62 NATO 13.5” ACAR DMR
• 6.8 FURY 16″ ACAR upper variant
• .308 Win 24” LA111 sniper rifle
• 7.62 NATO MAG58 GPMG Tactical

Posted in International, Land Forces, weapons | 10 Comments »

Hanwha Defence Australia Chooses Safran to Integrate the PASEO Joint Fires on Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle

Tuesday, September 17th, 2024

Hanwha Defence Australia (HDA) has chosen Safran Electronics and Defense Australasia to supply the PASEO Joint Fires advanced day and night panoramic sight for integration on the Hanwha Defence Australia’s Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) under LAND 400 Phase 3.

The PASEO Joint Fires solution provides the long-range Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, & Reconnaissance sensor for the Redback IFV supplied by Hanwha to the Australian Defence Forces (ADF) under the LAND 400 Phase 3 project. The contract calls for the production and delivery of PASEO Joint Fires sensors and associated ancillaries.

This contract leverages the world leading position of the PASEO family which has sold more than 2,500 units for IFVs, Main Battle Tank and Joint Fires worldwide. It integrates high performances day and night all weather optronics sensors and offers 360° coverage with a high-rate sectorial scanning capability. The PASEO Joint Fires includes Safran’s Geonyx inertial navigation system, which provides precise and reliable positions, even if satellite navigation signals are unavailable or inaccessible (GNSS-Denied environment).

The project will continue Safran’s legacy of providing premium optronics sensor solutions for the Royal Australian Navy and the Australian Army. Safran Electronics and Defense Australasia already successfully delivered its portable optronic solutions under LAND 17 project aimed at enhancing Australian’s artillery capabilities and LAND 300 project to equip the Australian soldiers with next-generation surveillance and target acquisitions ancillaries.

As well as its onboard day and night sight MINEO integrated on the Hanwha Defence Australia’s Huntsman family of vehicles under the LAND 8116 Phase 1 project. Safran Electronics & Defense Australasia benefits from Safran’s international know-how and network to support its local customers. It will leverage its extensive sovereign optronic engineering and sustainment capability to allow Hanwha Defence Australia and the ADF to achieve their capability outcomes. Anthony Bianco, Safran Electronics and Defense Australasia, Head of Sales and Marketing

“We are delighted to continue to support Australian Defence and HDA with yet another trusted and battle proven optronic solution where we will be supporting the design, integration and sustainment in country. It will be critically important that this superior capability is delivered to Australian Defence as we have done for Army over the last five years.”

”We are proud to continue our relationship with Safran Electronics & Defense Australasia across both our Huntsman and Redback vehicles for our Australian customer,” Acting Managing Director Mr Dean Michie. “In today’s congested and contested battlespace, their technology is a key offering on our vehicles.”

Posted in Industry, International, Press Release | Comments Off on Hanwha Defence Australia Chooses Safran to Integrate the PASEO Joint Fires on Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle

Rheinmetall Expands Cooperation with ICEYE and Obtains Exclusive Rights to Distribute SAR Satellites to Germany and Hungary

Sunday, September 15th, 2024

Rheinmetall and ICEYE, the global leader in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite operations for Earth Observation, are expanding their cooperation. The two companies signed a teaming agreement to this effect.

As part of this agreement, Rheinmetall will integrate ICEYE capabilities into their next generation battlefield systems. In addition, Rheinmetall and ICEYE are pursuing joint opportunities in several markets globally, including Germany and Hungary, where Rheinmetall now has exclusive rights to distribute ICEYE SAR satellites to military and government end-users under this agreement.

Armin Papperger, CEO Rheinmetall AG: “The space domain is an integral part of a defence strategy and of great relevance to our military clients. We are convinced that our combined capabilities will enable us to develop innovative approaches to offer customized solutions for our military customers in the future.”

In June 2024, the Düsseldorf-based technology group had already announced its participation in the world’s largest fleet of radar reconnaissance satellites. In this way, Rheinmetall aims to make space-based reconnaissance data usable on the tactical battlefield.

SAR satellites offer the advantage over conventional satellites that they can generate high-resolution images regardless of weather conditions or time of day. These are very detailed and make even the smallest objects on the earth’s surface identifiable. This can bring decisive advantages for the armed forces in terms of surveillance, target acquisition, reconnaissance or their own positioning on the battlefield.

Posted in Industry, International, Press Release, Space | Comments Off on Rheinmetall Expands Cooperation with ICEYE and Obtains Exclusive Rights to Distribute SAR Satellites to Germany and Hungary

The New traser P68 Pathfinder Solar – Powered by the Force of Nature

Saturday, September 14th, 2024

The P68 Pathfinder family by traser has always stood for boundless freedom and complete independence. Now, the Swiss outdoor watch pioneer is seamlessly carrying forward this product philosophy while introducing something entirely new: the first traser watch powered by the inexhaustible energy of the sun – the P68 Pathfinder Solar. Thanks to efficient technologies and a functional design, the P68 Pathfinder Solar is a reliable companion at any time, in any place, and under any circumstances.

Explorers, adventurers, and outdoor enthusiasts recognize the sun as a reliable point of reference for navigation and as an inexhaustible source of energy. These are two principles applied in the new P68 Pathfinder Solar. Like all models in the Pathfinder product family, the watch features a compass ring that can be adjusted using a screwed-down crown positioned at 8 o’clock. Together with the position of the sun and the hour hand, this allows for accurate determination of the cardinal directions – and therefore the route – even in the most remote locations and without the need for cell phone or GPS reception.

2 Minutes of Sun – 24 Hours of Adventure

Now, traser combines the compass ring with a true innovation: The grey dial of the P68 features a solar cell that sustainably powers the precise and efficient Swiss movement. Thanks to a quick-start function, just one minute of sunlight is enough to get a fully discharged watch running. After an additional minute, it has gathered enough energy for a full day. Once fully charged, the P68 Pathfinder Solar boasts a power reserve of eight months in darkness.

It is also thanks to self-illuminating trigalight technology that one can fully rely on the P68 not only in sunlight, but also under difficult lighting conditions and deep into the night. When conventional luminous materials have long faded in the darkness, the hands, indices, and dial of the P68 continue to glow consistently, and remain readable without any external power source for years.

Equipped for Every Challenge

traser pairs the geographic and energy independence of the P68 Pathfinder Solar with great physical resilience. A scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, a stainless-steel case with PVD coating water resistant up to 10 bar, and screw-down crowns protect the innovative watch technology inside the P68. A choice of a grey-brown or black textile strap, as well as a dark rubber strap, securely and comfortably fastens the timepiece to the wearer’s wrist.

The new P68 Pathfinder Solar by traser guarantees limitless independence. With this timepiece, no place is too remote, no journey too far, and no night too dark. Wearer and watch follow their own path – both drawing their drive from the inexhaustible power of nature.

Posted in International, Press Release, Watches | Comments Off on The New traser P68 Pathfinder Solar – Powered by the Force of Nature

DMC Supports NP Aerospace in Delivering Additive Manufacturing Innovation to UK MOD

Friday, September 13th, 2024

Digital Manufacturing Centre (DMC), an industry leading production facility and additive manufacturing (AM) innovation hub, is working in partnership with NP Aerospace to deliver state-of-the-art metal engineering solutions. This collaboration is part of the UK MoD’s Project TAMPA.

Project TAMPA is a UK Strategic Command Defence Support sponsored project designed to enable the UK defence industry supply chain to investigate and exploit the key capabilities and benefits available to defence from the speed, quality and flexibility that additive manufacturing (3D printing) can bring. With expertise developed across multiple sectors such as space, aerospace, motorsport and medical, DMC are leading the way in this rapidly evolving engineering space. Many of the large defence prime contractors are engaged with Project TAMPA to deliver what their UK MoD customer needs.

NP Aerospace has a long heritage of supplying military vehicles and support solutions. Post-UOR period, in 2019, NP Aerospace was awarded the PMETS engineering support contract, for the UK’s core protected mobility fleet. More recently this has expanded, with NP being one of the companies selected on the Marine Systems Transformation (MaST) framework (total contract value £850m), so are deeply engaged in supporting capability and maintaining a secure UK supply chain.

Underpinned by an ethos of truly creative engineering and the pursuit of perfection, DMC applies a holistic approach to the additive manufacturing process and is pushing the boundaries of possibility while ensuring full quality assurance with AS9100 certification and PPAP (Part Production Approval Process) and NPI (New Product Introduction) practices. Together DMC and NP Aerospace are rapidly innovating, using the additive manufacturing process in both metal and polymer parts, to help UK defence resolve long standing challenges, meet operational demand, secure the supply chain and combat supply chain obsolescence. For example, DMC has produced parts for the rear step assembly and the door latch assembly on Mastiff and Ridgback platforms which can be rapidly produced. The future concept includes the ability to securely transfer the digital files to a forward deployed AM production facility to reduce the delivery time. These parts can be seen fitted to a new generation Ridgback Platform on NP Aerospace’s stand OR-13 at DVD taking place 18/19 September, at Millbrook.

David Wilson, Director of Engineering, NP Aerospace Vehicle Systems, Services and Spares said, “Project TAMPA has opened the door to allow us to fully explore the incredible benefits that can be achieved by utilizing the additive manufacturing processes. It has been very rewarding working with DMC, the experts in the field, who not only have the engineering acumen to solve complex problems alongside NP Aerospace engineers, but also have the necessary certification and accreditation to provide essential quality assurance, critical to defence.”

Kieron Salter, CEO of the DMC said, “We are very proud to be supporting NP Aerospace, and many others across the UK defence industry, by sharing our vast experience and expertise in the additive manufacturing process gained from the most demanding of sectors such as Formula 1, aerospace and space. We pride ourselves at DMC in being more than a traditional ‘build to print’ supplier, although production work is always our end goal. We also provide a holistic approach to additive manufacturing, being creative and innovative in our engineering that leads to the final production solution. Hence, DMC delivers truly pioneering solutions for businesses operating at the forefront of their industry.”

Posted in Additive Manufacturing, Industry, International, Press Release | Comments Off on DMC Supports NP Aerospace in Delivering Additive Manufacturing Innovation to UK MOD

NP Aerospace Receives Multiple UK MoD Related Contracts Following Jankel Acquisition

Friday, September 13th, 2024

NP Aerospace, the global vehicle integrator and armour manufacturer, has today announced the award of multiple UK MoD related contracts following the acquisition of the assets of Jankel Armouring Limited. The specifics of the contracts cannot be disclosed however, there are seven individual contracts in total and together, they involve the provision of products and services in the areas of tactical vehicles, civilian armoured vehicles (CAVs), armour protection systems, military seating and through-life support services. Contracting routes vary and range from direct to UK MoD (DE&S) and supply contracts to UK MoD through established tier one prime contractors. This announcement coincides with the DVD event taking place at Millbrook, 18-19 September 2024, where NP Aerospace are exhibiting on stand OR13 in the Off-Road Area.

NP Aerospace is already fully established as a trusted supplier to UK MoD with major contracts in place in the areas of vehicle supply, systems integration, through-life support, and armour protection systems. Integrating the former Jankel contracts into the existing operational model is an excellent fit as NP Aerospace already has the required facilities, skills, knowhow, supply chain and processes in place to deliver exactly what the customers require, with a proven and resilient track record fully established.

Since the announcement of the acquisition of the assets of Jankel Armouring Limited on 10 June 2024, NP Aerospace has been successful in securing talent from the original Jankel Armouring Limited staff including pivotal engineers and critical executives with the required knowledge of the acquired assets and legacy contracts, such as these. In addition, it is expected that these contracts, together with others, will help to create and/or sustain around 60-70 skilled jobs. This places NP Aerospace in the ideal position to successfully deliver on these UK MoD related contracts, plus several other former Jankel overseas contracts that are likely to be announced in the coming months.

James Kempston, NP Aerospace CEO, commented: “Following on from our recent announcement regarding the acquisition of Jankel Armouring Limited’s assets, we’re very pleased indeed to announce the award of these UK MoD related contracts, having been novated to us by the MoD and the MoD’s tier one suppliers.” He added: “we’re already in a strong position as a trusted and resilient supplier to UK MoD and we’re operating in very similar capability areas to the seven contracts we’ve now received. This is a very good fit and will suit all parties concerned but in particular, our customers, who previously relied on Jankel Armouring Limited for some key and critical specialist capabilities. Thank you to UK MoD and to the relevant prime contractors for placing their trust in us, once again, and we look forward to extending our already successful working relationships, effectively integrating these contracts into the NP Aerospace operating model.”

Posted in Armor, Contracts, International, Mobility, Press Release | Comments Off on NP Aerospace Receives Multiple UK MoD Related Contracts Following Jankel Acquisition

Allen-Vanguard Receives Significant Follow-on Order of SCORPION ECM Systems for a NATO Ally

Thursday, September 12th, 2024

Allen-Vanguard, a global leader in providing customized solutions for defeating Radio Frequency (RF) based terrorist and extremist threats, is pleased to report it has received a significant follow-on order for SCORPION Electronic Counter Measure (ECM) systems, accessories and spares from the NATO ally it supplied 68 systems to at the beginning of the year.

The follow-on order is for over 30% more of the hugely versatile SCORPION ECM manpack system, which is man portable, can be vehicle mounted or even protect static locations from both R-CIED and UAS threats, both of which have been prolific during recent campaigns in both Europe and the Middle East. With its flexible, modular architecture and wide range of power options, antenna configurations and carriage systems SCORPION is highly suitable for a myriad of protection tasks. It is a hybrid, full spectrum system with extensive threat band coverage giving it superior usability which, combined with advanced technologies, makes SCORPION a very powerful response to present and future RCIED & Drone threats.

As with the previous order, Allen-Vanguard will provide various support services including Train the Trainer packages to ensure that end users are fully equipped, trained and prepared to deploy this vital life-saving capability with full operational autonomy. In line with Allen-Vanguard’s philosophy of developing a full sovereign capability for their clients, the T3 package will ensure that the end user can train and evaluate their own personnel on the SCORPION hardware both now and into the future.

Allen-Vanguard’s Business Development Director, Stuart Wilson, said “I think it is testament to both SCORPION’s excellent capabilities and the support that we at Allen-Vanguard provide for our customers that we have received this significant follow-on order before we have even finished the full deployment of the original order. We will continue to work in partnership with the end users to ensure this invaluable protection capability is fully embedded and supported to deliver the best possible protection for their troops.”

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