Available now for pre-order from Endeavour Tactical, the Level Peaks Lightweight Smock is a long-awaited follow up to their highly technical smock released back in 2011.
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Level Peaks Lightweight Smock Pre- Order
Wednesday, March 29th, 2023Aeronautics is Expanding its Operations in the Asia Pacific Region: The Company has Signed a Collaboration agreement with RV Connex for the Production of Orbiter 4 in Thailand
Thursday, March 23rd, 2023The establishment of the new production line will enable both companies to meet the needs of their customers in the region.
March 22nd, 2023. Aeronautics Group – a world leader in designing, developing and manufacturing comprehensive defense solutions focused on Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), for the global defense & HLS markets, has signed a collaboration agreement with one of the leading defense companies in Thailand, RV Connex, for in-country production of the innovative tactical UAV, Orbiter 4.
Local production will serve the interests of customers of both companies in the APAC region. Aeronautics will transfer knowledge for production of the system – including the air vehicle, its sub-systems and its ground support system – which the company offers its customers worldwide. In addition, local flight crews will be trained to perform various flight operations and lead training programs for local clients.
“The collaboration agreement with RV Connex, a company with an excellent reputation in the Asian market, is another pillar in the significant growth of Aeronautics in the past three years,” says Gilad Landsberg, Vice President and Head of the Tactical & MALE UAS Division at Aeronautics. “RV Connex provides a precise answer to the needs of the Asian defense market. Together with Aeronautics’ advanced and proven solutions, this is a partnership that will enable a leap forward in Aeronautics’ business activities in the Asia Pacific region.”
“I am happy about the deepening of the alliance between the two companies,” says Peeraphon Trakulchang, Vice President at RV Connex. “This collaboration is a landmark event for both of us – a significant step forward in our long-standing relationship, and in particular, our continued commitment and dedication towards effectively developing our local capabilities to serve Aeronautics’ end users, not only in Thailand, but also in the neighboring regions.”
National Guard, Canada Conduct Tactical Arctic Insertion
Wednesday, March 22nd, 2023
NUNAVUT, Canada — Thirty-seven U.S. and Canadian soldiers were tactically inserted by way of an LC-130 Hercules on Arctic Ocean ice just east of Little Cornwallis Island in Nunavut, Canada, during exercise Guerrier Nordique 23 on March 15, 2023. The multi-country and joint effort is the first ever platoon movement of its kind.
The New York Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing is the only ski equipped tactical C-130 with flying missions focusing on snow and ice landings, which is made possible by multi-capable Airmen trained to build and groom those runways. The LC-130H is equipped with 4-by-20-foot feet skis that make landing possible on specially built skiways and ski landing areas.
“We’ve been flying missions in Greenland and Antarctica for over 30 years, and this is the first time we’ve ever conducted a tactical insertion with Canadian reserve soldiers,” said Lt. Col. Matthew Sala, officer-in-charge of the 109th Airlift Wing’s Polar Camp Skiway Team and Ski Landing Area Control Officers. “This is just the starting point for us to build from. We hope to expand our capacity and have more training missions like we had here with Guerrier Nordique. This exercise demonstrated the LC-130s full capability to infill and exfil tactical forces providing Arctic agile combat employment while also incorporating valuable training to our multi-capable airmen,” said Sala.
Soldiers and Airman loaded the LC-130 at the Canadian Armed Forces Arctic Training Center in Resolute Bay. They were flown northwest to a location just east of Little Cornwallis Island. Airmen from the 109th had groomed a ski landing area on the Arctic ice, which is where the aircraft landed. The location was previously secured by a small section of U.S. Soldiers, Canadian Rangers, and a Canadian Pathfinder.
After landing, soldiers disembarked and set a security perimeter 100 meters from the landing zone. Dressed in overwhite camouflage, soldiers established their security positions. Soldiers were equipped with individual weapons, machine guns and everything they needed to sustain themselves for up to three days in the Arctic.
“This is only the beginning,” said Canadian Army Lt. Col. Andre Morin, land component commander for Guerrier Nordique. “The partnership between the Canadians and Americans is invaluable. I would like to see this exercise grow from here and make it bigger and better. We have now confirmed that we have the ability to deliver Soldiers in a very difficult environment. Eventually, in the future, I hope to have a Canadian battalion and a company from the United States.”
Guerrier Nordique is a cold-weather training exercise for the Canadian Army that takes place in a different location each year. Resolute Bay is one of the few places that is located above the 60th parallel or the Arctic Circle. The Vermont National Guard has participated each year since 2012 and hopes to continue well into the future.
“This is my sixth time participating in Guerrier Nordique and it’s gotten bigger and better each year,” said U.S. Army Maj. Matt Hefner, officer-in-charge for the U.S. Soldiers during Guerrier Nordique. “This year the 105th and 109th Airlift Wings took part in the exercise and we certainly hope they continue in this multi-national and now joint training. The sky is truly the limit.”
Most of the U.S. Soldiers delivered came from the National Guard; Vermont, Connecticut, New Hampshire and Utah were all represented. The 11th Airborne Division out of Fairbanks, Alaska, also sent two Soldiers. Canadian Soldiers taking part in the exercise are also mostly reservists from the 35th Canadian Brigade Group based in Eastern Quebec. Canada also sent Soldiers from the 34th Canadian Brigade Group, 4th Health Services Group and from the Canadian Rangers. In total, 235 soldiers and airmen participated in Guerrier Nordique.
“Almost every single soldier and airman here are from the National Guard or a reservist in the Canadian Army,” said Hefner. “Organizing and executing this task has been a challenge, but seeing the Air National Guard, Army National Guard and Canadian Army Reserve work together to execute this exercise has been an awesome experience. The Hercules landing and those Soldiers coming out in close to 50 below was awesome.”
By CPT Mikel Arcovitch
Rheinmetall Strikes the Arc on Australian Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles
Tuesday, March 21st, 2023Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk today visited Rheinmetall as the company striked the arc on the first weld of materials for the first Australian Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle entering production at Rheinmetall’s Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence (MILVEHCOE) in Ipswich, Queensland. This vehicle will be the first to enter the production line together with initial vehicles from Germany currently being assembled at the site.
Joined by Deputy Premier Dr Steven Miles, Australian Industry Partners including Bisalloy, Marand, Intellidesign and Rheinmetall’s 600 strong Queensland workforce, the start of production realises Rheinmetall’s goal to support Australia’s Defence Force and its allies with an industrial base in the region.
“This is a very proud day for Queensland’s defence manufacturing capabilities, as our association with Rheinmetall on the $5.2 billion LAND 400 Phase 2 project delivers locally built Boxer CRVs.
“Through the delivery of LAND 400 Phase 2 and its other projects, our partnership has already created 600 jobs at the Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence, which will be contributing more than $1 billion to the Queensland’s economy in its first 10 years of operation.
“The facility is now the most advanced military vehicle manufacturing facility in Australia.
“Our partnership’s continuing success provides long-term certainty to the current workforce, and greater opportunities through the entire supply chain which impacts many SMEs right across Queensland”, said Premier Palaszczuk
Rheinmetall has commenced production of the second batch of Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles for the Australian Defence Force.
In recognising the milestone, Nathan Poyner, Managing Director of Rheinmetall Defence Australia commented “Rheinmetall has delivered a first batch of 25 Boxer CRVs to Australia. These initial Boxers were built in Germany, and finalised at MILVEHCOE, joining the more than 2900 HX Trucks that were finalised and are today sustained from the facility.
“This striking of the arc event represents the first of 186 Boxer CRVs that will be built at MILVEHCOE, providing jobs, training and new opportunities for Australians working at Rheinmetall and in the more than 200 Australian Industry Partners across the nation.
“Rheinmetall has taken a long-term partnership approach to working in Australia, and we’re proud to be the largest provider of Military vehicles to the Australian Defence Force. We have an operational facility, the staff in place, our partnerships in place and as part of the capability to build a complete modern armoured vehicle, we have established real sovereign capabilities including armour production and electronics manufacturing for the Australian Defence Force; all of which happens right here in Queensland” said Mr Poyner.
The Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle is an advanced, armoured 8×8 vehicle in service with nations including Australia, the United Kingdom and Germany. The Boxer offers enhanced safety, security and protection of Australian troops with high levels of protection, firepower and mobility for sustained operations across peacekeeping and close combat activities.
Mehler Vario System Group to Showcase Latest Innovations at SOFINS Trade Show
Tuesday, March 21st, 2023
FULDA, GERMANY (17 March 2023)—Mehler Vario System Group, a cutting-edge team of companies offering integrated solutions for professional users, today announced it will exhibit at the Special Operations Forces Innovation Network Seminar (SOFINS) trade show later this month.
SOFINS will be held 28-30 March at the Camp de Souge military base near Bordeaux, France.
Mehler Vario System GmbH—the group’s parent company—said it plans to showcase there its latest products and solutions, including innovations from its subsidiary companies UF PRO, Lindnerhof-Taktik, and Mehler Engineered Defence.
The group will exhibit at stand D1E2 and will have experts present to provide detailed information about the innovations as well as to answer visitors’ questions and assist them in test-driving the products and services on display.
Of particular note: this will mark the first time that Lindnerhof-Taktik and UF PRO have exhibited at SOFINS, which is now in its sixth edition. Lindnerhof-Taktik—a specialist in tactical equipment and accessories—said it is looking forward to exhibiting at SOFINS, especially since SOFINS is the well-recognised, focal-point gathering for high-tech industries that provide products and services to special forces and units.
Jakob Kolbeck, CEO of Lindnerhof-Taktik, said he is convinced that the workshop-style format of SOFINS is “almost tailor-made for an organisation like ours, one led by former German KSK Special Forces operators who to this day remain strongly influenced by their tours of duty with that elite military branch. By taking part in SOFINS, we gain the opportunity to be both a high-tech exhibitor and ‘one of the few.’”
Lindnerhof-Taktik also revealed that it will spotlight an array of customised pouches that have been specially developed for numerous European special-forces units and public-safety authorities.
On display will also be the M.U.S.T. System, a versatile, modular protection and carrying system developed collaboratively between Mehler Vario System GmbH and Lindnerhof-Taktik. Visitors will be able to try on M.U.S.T. and experience its many possible configuration options while also learning about the wide range of missions for which the system would have applicability.
Additionally, Mehler Vario System GmbH will introduce several new personal-protection and ballistic-protection products, among them lightweight helmets, plate carriers, and various ballistic vests.
Mehler Engineered Defence, a specialist in high-performance ballistic solutions for land, sea, and air applications, will highlight its range of personal ballistic protection shields.
Meanwhile, UF PRO—a tactical clothing brand for professional end-users—said it will display its latest product line, consisting in part of Striker XT Gen.3 Combat Shirt and Pants, Delta AcE Plus Gen.3 Tactical Jacket, and Delta OL 4.0 Winter Suit.
“We are excited to present at SOFINS our cutting-edge solutions for the special-operations community,” said Armin Wagner, UF PRO Head of Product Development. “SOFINS is a unique platform for us to participate in because it gives us the chance to engage with special-operations professionals and gain from those encounters many valuable insights into the evolving needs and challenges of operators,” said Wagner. “We look forward to exchanging ideas and feedback with our customers and partners, and to demonstrating how our solutions can help enhance their mission success and safety.”
For more information, visit www.m-v-s.de/en/company/mvs-group.
Female Veterans Made ‘Visible’ by new Transformational Programme Which Will Provide Ambitious Toolkit to Support Servicewomen from the Royal Navy, Army and RAF
Sunday, March 19th, 2023“When people hear ‘veteran’ they think of an elderly gentleman wearing medals. But what about our servicewomen? Women have been invisible for too long, and we now know the far-reaching impact this is having.”
Colonel (Retd) Alison Brown OBE, Chair of the Cobseo Female Veterans’ Cluster, and Life Vice President of the WRAC Association
[LONDON] The invisible cohort of female veterans will finally be brought into view, thanks to a new programme designed to deliver long-term, systemic change at veteran-facing organisations such as healthcare services, care homes and charities. The news follows research including a 2021 report by Cosbeo and NHS England showing that female veterans are significantly less likely to identify with the term ‘veteran’ than their male counterparts.
The Female Veterans Transformation Programme will be managed by the Women’s Royal Army Corps (WRAC) Association and Cobseo (The Confederation of Service Charities) to reduce barriers to women who have served, by working collaboratively across the Armed Forces charity sector. The project will be funded by a £300,000 grant from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.
DELIVERING NECESSARY CHANGE VIA A TRAINING TOOLKIT
The announcement follows extensive research into the experience of female veterans who have left the Armed Forces which shows an estimated 53% of female veterans feel their needs are not adequately met by current veteran services, as confirmed by Sarah Atherton MP in a 2021 report. The Female Veteran Transformation Programme plans to set foundations for future generations of female veterans across the Royal Navy, Army, and Royal Air Force by developing a toolkit to tackle key themes including: physical and mental healthcare, financial advice, care provisions, employment services and combating loneliness. In the words of Colonel (Retd) Alison Brown OBE, who is Chair of the Cobseo Female Veterans’ Cluster Group, and Life Vice President of the WRAC Association: “We will translate our strong understanding of the female veteran cohort to ensure that the particular needs of female veterans are firmly embedded in the design and delivery of support services, diluting and, in time, removing the many barriers to access now identified through published research.”
PREPARING GROUND FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS
£300,000 in funding from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust’s Transformational Grants programme will allow Cobseo’s Female Veterans’ Cluster Group to set foundations for future generations of servicewomen – by collaborating with veteran-facing organisations (such as health services, care providers and charities) to provide tailored guidance on how to support newly transitioned female veterans as well as their older counterparts. Nick Pope, Chair of Cobseo, voices his delight: “This funding is a very positive step forward in developing sustainable and targeted support for all female Veterans. The research commissioned by Cobseo’s Female Veterans Cluster, and undertaken by the Veterans and Families Institute for Military Social Research (VFI) at Anglia Ruskin University to examine women’s overall experiences in the UK Armed Forces in June 2021, made a range of recommendations on how to improve life for women during and after military service, and this funding enables us to work collaboratively across the Armed Forces Charity sector to take significant action towards making real lasting and change.”
Anna Wright, Chief Executive of the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, shares her thoughts on the newly-awarded Transformation Grant: “We are excited by the potential for systemic change, addressing some very difficult challenges for the Armed Forces community. It is inspiring to see the level of in-depth knowledge, experience and expertise shown by those who’ve received funding. We look forward to seeing the impact that this funding will have and hope that it will prove to be truly transformational.”
ADDRESSING UNDER-REPRESENTATION
The Rt Hon Johnny Mercer MP, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs has recently highlighted the need for improved provisions for female veterans: “Making this country the best place in the world to be a veteran shouldn’t just be something we say, but something we do. In order to deliver this ambition, it’s vital that we listen to women veterans, celebrate their successes, and deliver the support they need.”
Paula Rogers, CEO of the WRAC Association, explains: “This AFCT funding allows the Women’s Royal Army Corps Association, in partnership with the Cobseo Female Veterans’ Cluster Group, to take forward this much-needed work to design and sustain the provision of support services for all female veterans. We are proud to be spearheading this work for female veterans across the Royal Navy, Army, and Royal Air Force and will work to deliver long term systematic change with benefits reaching our elderly war-service veterans through to those leaving their service career in years to come.”
Spectra Group Announces Supply of Troposcatter COMET Systems to ARRC for C2 Experimentation
Tuesday, March 14th, 2023Spectra Group (UK) Ltd, a specialist provider of secure voice, data and satellite communications systems, announces the supply of a number of Troposcatter Compact Over-the horizon Mobile Expeditionary Terminal (COMET) systems to the British Army’s Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC) 3-star Headquarters (HQ) as part of their Agile Command and Control (C2) experimentation programme. The initial award has a value of £1.2 million, with aspirations to upscale following results analysis and suitable funding being secured. The capability will help support HQ ARRC’s rapid deployment role, enabling the communication of large data in a tactical environment without relying on host nation infrastructure or satellites.
HQ ARRC stands at high readiness to deploy and lead NATO’s Response Force (NRF). The Army’s position as the pre-eminent European Land partner to the US, is achieved through leadership in NATO and reflected in the tenure of the Alliance’s deputy commander post. HQ ARRC provides UK Defence a 3-star HQ, capable of deploying around the world in a variety of configurations to command national or NATO missions. It provides a framework within which international partners can deploy forces and is capable of operating across the spectrum of conflict. As such, HQ ARRC has significant data communication demands that must be met in challenging and austere environments, with minimal infrastructure and when facing both an asymmetric and conventional enemy threat.
Troposcatter is a small, lightweight and high-bandwidth data link that uses the Troposphere to provide its communication network. It is independent of satellites and works in a GPS/GNSS denied environment, so is suitable for use in a Peer-on-Peer conflict and to support multi-domain integration, including pan-government and with allies. It has very low latency and can provide wide bandwidth, enabling analysis and manipulation of large data, which combined with its high mobility makes it suitable for large, deployed HQs (such as ARRC) and for more mobile battlegroups or even down to company headquarters. Unlike geostationary satellites, it is effective in polar regions and because it is directional, uses low power and has complex waveforms it is difficult to detect and is highly suitable for many of the challenges faced by UK Defence and NATO today.
Spectra Group delivered two COMET systems to HQ ARRC in January 2023 which will allow ARRC to train and deploy at speed with the latest Troposcatter technology and facilitate big data manipulation at the very edge of the tactical environment, while enhancing the HQs flexibility and agility to respond quickly in a crisis. The procurement route was equally as agile as the system itself, as reported in March 2022, Troposcatter COMET was added to the NATO Catalogue so any NATO country can purchase directly without going to tender.
Michael Davies, Business Development Executive at Spectra Group said: “The Troposcatter COMET is a lightweight and easily deployable system that is operationally proven and is also in-service with British high-readiness forces such as the Royal Marines. We are delighted that HQ ARRC has also adopted this system to support its communication and data needs.”
See Ocean State Innovations at LAAD Defence & Security Show
Tuesday, March 14th, 2023
OSI / Ocean State Innovations will be attending the LAAD Defence & Security Show in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil – April 11th – 14th, 2023, as an International Defense and Security Fair – it is the largest and most important defense and security trade show in Latin America. For additional information, please contact: peter@osinnovate.com
