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Archive for the ‘International’ Category

SPARTANAT Presents: “On Tour: FROG.PRO workshop visit”

Sunday, April 23rd, 2023

SPARTANAT’s ON TOUR: FROG.PRO workshop visit was organized finally posted to their site at www.spartanat.com/2023/02/on-tour-werkstattbesuch-frog-pro in their native German language. This is a translation of that article. They’ve been gracious enough to share it with our readers.

ON TOUR: FROG.PRO workshop visit

We, too, have undertaken an Italian journey. No, not like Goethe, who traveled south of the Alpine ridge from 1786 to 1788. We were only there for two days and only got as far as Parma. And there not because of the famous culinary – although we can’t complain there – but because of the good gear. FROG.PRO, the Armani among Italian gear manufacturers, is at home there, we were with them in the workshop.

How Gear is created? Gear is created from material. Also at FROG.PRO, ten minutes from downtown Parma and yet outside the city, the raw material is important and the stocked warehouse is the basis that gear can be produced in different materials and colors.

But the sum of the parts is then more than the parts for themselves. FROG.PRO relied on laser cutting early on, and that shows in the workshop equipment. When you see the parts, you know where you stand.

This is what a panel looks like on the computer that controls the laser cutter. Here, the viewer can already recognize FROG.PRO’s characteristic design language: MOLLE with point openings.

And this is what it looks like when the suction stops working and the lid of the large laser computer opens. You can never have enough MOLLE …

The Italians produce on a daily basis. And in addition to the laser cut parts, all the other ingredients are added. They all add up to a whole: this will be Orthos Med Pouches.

Other color fancy? No, this is still not fashion, but MOLLE for IFAK bags for rescue forces, which are in hi-vis eye-catching colors.

Only who must come and everything exactly and exkat assemble. At the industrial machines sit seamstresses who build from the individual parts, the gear that you all know. Here again is a civilian IFAK in the works.

Work that requires a lot of patience and accuracy, because equipment consists of many parts and is constructed step by step. Until the FROG.PRO product is ready.

Also still there: classic MOLLE straps that provide mounting options on equipment.

And not to forget: lots of plastic parts with special functions.

These are some jobs that FROG.PRO has created. All Gear is produced locally by local workers.

At the end comes the shipping. What is ready is packed. Before that, the quality control department takes a close look at everything and makes sure that everything is as good as you expect from FROG.PRO.

At the same time, the Italian equipment manufacturer has a wide range that wants to get to the man: here is the very special Sniper CORE Chest Rig. It has been designed with special forces, we will soon present it to you separately.

Other items are more mundane, belts for example. Below the inner belt, above the equipment belt and above the padding that can be velcroed into the belt, which prevents the War Belt from slipping when worn over the jacket.

And, of course, plenty of different pouches for all the purposes you need to use.

“The Italian has a deeper feeling for the high dignity of art than other nations,” Goethe wrote in his famous Italian travelogue. Sounds pompous today, but it has a kernel of truth that can be found not only in the many fashion companies in the area and Milan and Parma. Fabio Casa, the founder and the soul of FROG.PRO, brings functionality and style together and both together result in his designs best equipment from Italy: FROG.PRO just.

FROG.PRO im Internet

SPARTANAT: www.spartanat.com

DefTex Fanny Pack V2

Friday, April 21st, 2023

Germany’s DefTex has released a revised version of their popular Fanny Pack “Combo” incorporating customer feedback.

It can be configured as a waist pack via the removable strap or as a dangler, attached to an armor vest, plate carrier, or chest rig.

In addition to a separate from zippered pocket, the main compartment can be opened completely thanks to a three side zipper. Additionally, there is laser cut PALS channels at the bottom to attach a tourniquet.

deftex.info

Aeronautics Will Supply the Greek Ministry of Defense with Dozens of Advanced Orbiter 3 Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems as Part of the Spike Missile Deal

Thursday, April 20th, 2023

The agreement is part of the significant G2G contract between the Israeli and Greek Ministries of Defense for the procurement of Rafael’s Spike missiles

17 April 2023, Aeronautics Ltd. – a world leader in designing, developing and manufacturing Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) for global defense and HLS markets – announces a contract to supply dozens of its Orbiter 3 systems to the Greek Ministry of Defense. The agreement is part of the large contract between the Israeli and Greek Ministry of Defense, worth approximately 370 million euros, for the procurement of Rafael’s Spike missiles.

As part of the contract, Rafael will provide an advanced solution enabling significant operational advantage to the modern battlefield; While the Orbiter 3 systems detect, recognize and identify (DRI) the target, the Spike missiles, launched from the air, sea, or land can rapidly close the sensor-to-shooter loop, using the “Fire Weaver” C4I system. The rapid Sensor to Shooter process implementing advanced technologies, enables  mission success.

The Orbiter 3 is a small tactical unmanned aerial system and considered to be one of the leading systems in its class worldwide providing superior performance for both defense and HLS applications. Highlights of the Orbiter 3 operational performance includes advanced ISTAR capabilities, runway-independent, long endurance, the capability of carrying various types of payloads, advanced image processing, a small logistical footprint, navigation including in a GPS-denied environment and the ability to withstand harsh weather conditions.

Dan Slasky, CEO of Aeronautics Group: “We are proud to be a part of this significant cooperation with Rafael in the G2G agreement with the Greek MOD. This collaboration demonstrates the technological synergy, and the close business integration between the two companies. We also thank the Israeli Ministry of Defense, which has invested significant efforts to facilitate the agreement, and to the Greek Ministry of Defense for expressing it’s confidence in the Aeronautics’ solution.”

aeronautics-sys.com

Bundeswehr Orders Upgrade of 143 Puma Infantry Fighting Vehicles

Wednesday, April 19th, 2023

Germany’s Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) has awarded Projekt System & Management GmbH (PSM), a joint venture of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and Rheinmetall, an order to retrofit a further 143 Puma infantry fighting vehicles. In doing so, the German government is exercising two options contained in the contract for retrofitting original Puma infantry fighting vehicles to the new S1 design status. This contract was signed in June 2021. 

The order volume is in the region of €770 million. By 2029, the key capabilities of firepower and command and control of all 143 Puma systems will be brought up to date. Exercising these options assures that every Puma in the Bundeswehr inventory will conform to the uniform S1 design status. Among other things, the retrofit includes integration of high-resolution day- and night-capable camera systems, the MELLS multirole-capable lightweight guided missile system, and digital radio equipment.

Norway Orders State-of-the-art Leopard 2 A7 Tanks: Rheinmetall Supplying Main Armament, Fire Control Technology and Sensors

Sunday, April 16th, 2023

Rheinmetall AG has won an important order in connection with a significant NATO main battle tank project. On 17 February 2023 the Norwegian procurement agency NDMA contracted with Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) to supply the Norwegian armed forces with 54 of the latest version of Leopard 2 main battle tank, the A7 NOR. An option exists for a further 18 tanks. 
In its capacity as subcontractor to KMW, the Düsseldorf-based tech enterprise Rheinmetall has been tasked with supplying key components. Among other things, these include the tank’s 120mm L55A1main armament, fire control technology and parts of the sensor suite. 


For Rheinmetall, the total value of the order comes to €129 million. If Norway exercises the option to procure additional Leopard 2 tanks, the order will be worth an additional €44 million. 
The tank guns, fire control technology and sensors for the Leopard 2 will be delivered to KMW during a period of approximately four years. 

After completion and commissioning of the tanks at KMW, the vehicles will be transferred to the Norwegian procurement agency NDMA.  
The order underscores Rheinmetall’s unsurpassed expertise in the development and production of key components for fighting vehicles. As a subcontractor of KMW, Rheinmetall has already taken part in the delivery of Leopard 2 A5, A6 und A7 main battle tanks prior to the Norwegian 2 NOR programme.

Smarter Technologies Highlight the Unique Capabilities of Their Orion IoT Data Network to Defence in Helping to Defeat Organised Crime

Thursday, April 13th, 2023

Smarter Technologies, the leading British provider of Internet-of-Things (IoT) solutions, recently concluded a successful capability assessment trial of their asset tracking systems with the MOD at HMNB Devonport, with follow-on demonstrations now also planned for HMNB Portsmouth and other military establishments. Their unique Orion IoT Data Network, and its associated tracking tags and sensors, is a persuasive capability, with a proven track record in other sectors: over the last 15 years, it has helped recover over £40 million of stolen assets (including cash), working directly with security firms and supporting regional police Serious Organised Crime Units.

Smarter Technologies’ high-value asset tracking capability has been honed with the expert advice and support of Mark Roche (Head of Global Risk at Smarter Technologies). Mark has over 20 years of direct experience and expertise in the organised crime world, both as a Covert Police Officer in Serious Crime Units, and from his dedicated high-value asset recovery role at Smarter Technologies. Using the Orion Network and specialist tracking devices, Smarter Technologies has a 95% recovery rate for high-value assets that have been suitably protected by their system, and the capability is in permanent use with many of the world’s leading security companies. Mark’s phenomenal national recovery rate, using Smarter Technologies’ Orion system, has been recognised with over 15 commendations from various regional Serious Organised Crime Units. His efforts have not only recovered the stolen goods, but the technology has also provided the necessary evidence to ensure arrests and convictions.

Smarter Technologies’ high-value asset tracking capability is multi-functional and uses the unique Orion IoT data network technology, which has far greater range, penetration, sample rate, power efficiency and security than rival systems. The Orion IoT data network is a low power, ultra-narrow band 433 MHz UHF radio system that can penetrate concrete ammunition bunkers, large fuel installations and even underground facilities, without affecting munitions, radio systems or sensitive equipment, so is highly suitable for use at naval dockyards, air bases and other military establishments. Its unique properties help to defeat organised crime, but they also make the Orion network enormously versatile for a range of other tasks such as routine asset tracking, smart metering or remote monitoring across large military estates and dispersed building complexes. The signal is all-but guaranteed and it is rarely affected by dead-spots or range limitations that cause other systems to fail. Its specifications and technical operation are consistent across all regions of the world and it is unaffected by the European channel availability constraints that limit the performance of rival technologies. It is simple, scalable, easily configured and can be deployed rapidly and globally, making it particularly suitable for use in Defence.

Matt Walker, Product Manager for Orion at Smarter Technologies, said, “This incredible track record of stolen asset-recovery showcases the asset-tracking effectiveness of our unique Orion IoT Data Network. We recently reported on the success of the MOD Devonport trial, which applied Orion’s impressive capabilities to meet the requirements of the Future Maritime Support Programme, and we will shortly announce further demonstrations at other MOD establishments.” He added, “Many thanks to Mark and the team for all their hard work and superior skill in helping to defeat organised crime.”

Platatac TA Mountain Troops Cap

Monday, April 10th, 2023

Platatac is offering their TA Mountain Troops Cap in four patterns: MultiCam, ATACS iX, ATACS AU and Tigerstripe.

Made from the ripstop fabric Platatac uses for their combat uniforms, these M43-style caps are often worn for OPFOR duties, if you’re me. Then, they are worn all of the time.

Get yours at platatac.com/catalog/product/view/id/12004/s/platatac-ta-mountain-troops-cap-limited-edition.

DroneShield Selected to Feature in the 2023 Australian Defence Sales Catalogue

Sunday, April 9th, 2023

DroneShield is pleased to advise that it has been included in the 2023 Australian Defence Sales Catalogue, released this week. 
 
Australian Military Sales (AMS) office will distribute copies of the Catalogue to foreign Embassies and Australian Defence Attachés around the world to promote Australian defence industry in the global arena. This is anticipated to commence in late April 2023.
 
Pat Conroy, Minister for Defence Industry, has commented, “The Albanese Government is committed to growing Australia’s defence exports, as well as supporting home-grown innovation, both of which are key to industry success.”
 
Oleg Vornik, DroneShield CEO, has added, “DroneShield is an Australian export success story, actively engaged in dozens of countries around the world, with the U.S. as our largest market, reflecting the close alignment between Australia and the United States. We are pleased to continue strengthening our work with the Australian Government as we continue to grow as a high technology defence exporter.”

Image: DroneShield DroneGun
Additional information about the Catalogue is available at www.adeoportal.defence.gov.au/dashboard.