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Rheinmetall Showcases Military Digital Capability at Land Forces 2024

Wednesday, September 11th, 2024

Rheinmetall, the largest supplier of military vehicles to the Australian Defence Force is exhibiting the company’s portfolio of strength and capability for future land forces with combat, combat logistics and dismounted combat on display at Land Forces 2024, this week at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre.

Nathan Poyner, Managing Director, Rheinmetall Defence Australia, said this year’s display was a digital capability showcase that included Rheinmetall Defence Australia’s Combat Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Subsystem (CISRS) software. 

“CISRS implements the digital backbone of the Boxer CRV fleet and follows a modular and open systems design pattern. CISRS currently hosts richly integrated software sourced from across Defence industry, other Land programs.”

“Rheinmetall’s Land Forces Display establishes our knowledge as a digitisation systems integrator through the dismounted and mounted Battle Management System (BMS) software to both Integrated Soldier Systems and the complex vehicle system of the Boxer CRV.” 

“This provides the user a seamless common operating picture through mounted and dismounted forces with the Crew Terminal graphical user interface, a Software Development Kit adaptable for any vehicle platform.”

“Communicating with the Boxer CRV via a simulated Tactical Communications Network is an Integrated Soldier System End User Device (Tactical Smart Phone) hosting the Android Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK) BMS.” 

“Our experience in developing both Soldier Systems and Complex Vehicle Systems architectures enables Rheinmetall to be the digitisation provider of choice for the German Army and Hungarian Defence Force.”

“Under the L400-2 program the CISRS software continues to be developed to expand its C4 capabilities to support a range of additional functions,” he added.

Mr Poyner said the display included:
The Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle:
Currently in service with the Australian Army, and on order from Australia for the German Defence Force, the CRV is equipped with a reconnaissance mission module including the two-person digital LANCE Turret; the first crewed medium-calibre turret to be put into service on the Boxer platform.  The highly protected vehicle includes stabilised digital optics with integrated laser rangefinder and fire control unit for commander and gunner. 

The vehicle protects against antitank weapons, medium-calibre ammunition, and artillery shrapnel.

A HX45 10×10 wheeled transporter track with crane 
•    High mobility and superior off-road performance
•    Purpose-designed tactical chassis with military cabin (interchangeability of protected and unprotected versions) 
•    Designed and tested for a life cycle of 20+ years
•    Battle proven military design with successful combat history
•    Sophisticated winch system to perform the most complex scenarios while maintaining the highest safety standards available on the market

Trailblazer
Trailblazer improves driver and crew effectiveness by extending the field of view beyond the daylight spectrum, even in adverse weather, obscured or low-light conditions. Featuring very low-latency front and rear video camera units, it aids the driver in terrain negotiation, obstacle avoidance and route selection. Independent wide-angle situational awareness channel outputs give crew and commander a powerful surveillance and threat detection capability. GVA compliant, native digital and analogue variants make Trailblazer easy to integrate.
•       Enhances operations in degraded visual environments 
•       Dual-band: high performance sensors and optics 
•       RFEL Video fusion technology maximizes DRI 
•       Conventional and/or networked video connectivity 
•       Driver and local situational awareness channels 
•       Extra-wide angle options 

1:1 models of the Oerlikon Revolver Gun and Oerlikon Skyranger 30
•    The Oerlikon Skyranger 30 is part of Rheinmetall’s family of Skyranger Air Defence system which offers mobile defence against all current and future battlefield air threats. The Skyranger combines superior firepower, active and passive sensors and the dynamics needed to engage the most demanding targets performing loiter, pop-up or dive attacks. 
•    The Oerlikon Revolver Gun Mk 3 is a principal component of the Oerlikon Skynex Short Range Air Defence System. With its open and modular architecture, the Skynex Air Defence System sets new standards in terms of flexibility and expandability. The Oerlikon Skymaster® Battle Management System is the control node and centrepiece of the system.

Integrated Soldier Systems
•    Integrated Soldier System (ISS) capability delivers continued effectiveness and superior capabilities for the soldier on the ground. 
•    Rheinmetall provides the technological edge over adversaries with the supply of a world leading ISS. 
•    Rheinmetall assures global capability and decades of experience in delivering world-class Integrated Soldier Systems to design, support and sustain the Commonwealth’s Australian Integrated Soldier System Solution, 
•    Rheinmetall has delivered end-to-end ISS support to global customers since 2006, including managing the introduction of new technology through the German Bundeswehr Future Solider (IdZ-ES) program. 

Registered visitors to LAND FORCES 2024 can visit the Rheinmetall Defence Australia stand at E163.

Israel Aerospace Industries to Showcase Advanced Systems at the Land Forces 2024 International Land Defence Exposition

Tuesday, September 10th, 2024

IAI systems using cutting-edge technologies will be among the innovative solutions shown at the Expo, which begins on 11th September

TEL AVIV – Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) will unveil a series of cutting-edge systems at Australia’s upcoming Land Forces 2024 International Land Defence Exposition. As one of the world’s most influential land defence exhibitions, Land Forces 2024 provides IAI with an opportunity to display its state-of-the-art technologies, while broadening new and existing partnerships with Australian and other global partners. IAI’s products on display will present advanced capabilities for the Australian Army, focusing on rapid system-deployment and advanced defence solutions tailored to the Army’s operational concepts. Among the products to be displayed at the exhibition are intelligence systems, unmanned aerial systems (UASs), advanced sensors and electronic warfare systems. The annual show will take place from September 11th to 13th at the Melbourne Convention Centre.

Chairman of Israel Aerospace Industries, Amir Peretz, former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense: “This exhibition represents a unique opportunity to showcase the achievements and capabilities of Israel Aerospace Industries and to strengthen the security and economic ties between our countries. We continue to invest in opening and strengthening new markets across the globe. Alongside the uncompromising commitment of Israel Aerospace Industries to the Israeli defense system, the past ten months have proven that we do not abandon our allies, partners, and customers worldwide and continue to provide them with the best solutions available.”

Boaz Levy, IAI’s President and CEO: “IAI looks forward to participating in this important event. The Australia Land Forces Exposition is a unique opportunity to display our advanced technologies, which are specifically relevant for littoral warfare land forces, alongside partners from around the world. IAI leads the development of holistic solutions for the global market. Australia and the Pacific region are a key growth segment for us and we look forward to building new partnerships and expanding existing ones. IAI is committed to promoting security on a global scale, supporting defence forces both during times of conflict and when conducting routine security operations, as we continue to innovate and develop advanced, technological solutions.”

IAI will demonstrate the capabilities of the Scorpius G – the most advanced electronic warfare system, which offers unparalleled defence against a variety of aerial threats; ADA – a top-notch Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) system for airborne platforms that hardens military platforms against jamming to ensure GNSS availability and functional GNSS-based systems; ThunderBullet – a high-performance gunfire detection system, comprising short-wave infrared electrooptical and acoustic sensors. The system can be installed on all ground vehicles and is also available as a manpack version for special forces.

In addition, IAI will demonstrate Tactical POPSTAR – an automatic target-detection system covering 360 degrees, representing a breakthrough in technology, developed for real-time threat detection, automatic target recognition classification, handling, and tracking. The system allows for passive terrain and aerial dominance, effectively acting as an electrooptical radar.

Mehler Protection Showcases Advanced Maritime Solutions at SMM and Personal Protection Solutions at MSPO 2024

Tuesday, September 10th, 2024

FULDA, GERMANY (10.09.2024)

Mehler Protection, a leader in cutting-edge protectionsystems, successfully exhibited its advanced maritimeand ballistic protection solutions at two major tradeshows in early September: SMM in Germany and MSPO in Poland.

At SMM 2024, held in Hamburg, Mehler Protectionintroduced its latest maritime defence innovations. Among the highlights was the PROTEC3D line, a revolutionary ballistic protection system utilizing advanced 3D printing technology. The exhibit featured a 3D-printed armoured sensor case, demonstrating theprecision engineering behind the PROTEC3D line and its ability to enhance protection while reducing production time, costs, and weight. Mehler Protection also showcased its M-RACC protection system, designed to address the specific challenges of maritime operations. The system provides enhanced protection for weapon mounts and ship bridges, reinforcing the company’s commitment to robust maritime security solutions.

“At Mehler Protection, we focus on developing practical solutions to address the challenges of maritime security. The PROTEC3D line and M-RACC system reflect ourcommitment to offering reliable protection for critical assets in demanding environments,” stated Denis Weber, Business Development Director at MehlerProtection | Platform Armour.

At the same time, Mehler Protection participated at MSPO 2024, one of Europe’s largest defence tradeshows, held in Kielce, Poland. Here, the company focused on its comprehensive range of personal ballistic protection solutions. Among the featured products wasthe M.U.S.T. system, a highly adaptable body armour system offering multiple configuration options. The MOBAST protective system, developed for the German Federal Armed Forces, was also presented, delivering both soft- and hard-ballistic protection with stab resistance. Visitors to the booth had the opportunity to explore an array of hard- and soft-ballistic panels, vests, carriers, and helmets, underscoring Mehler Protection’s expertise in personal protection.

For more information on upcoming events, please visit Mehler Systems’ event website.

Barrett Secures Major Contract with Norwegian Defense Materiel Agency for M107A1 Rifles

Tuesday, September 10th, 2024

Murfreesboro, TN – Barrett Firearms Manufacturing, Inc. is proud to announce a significant new contract with NATO-allied Norwegian Defense Materiel Agency (NDMA). The agreement enables the Norwegian Armed Forces to upgrade their existing Barrett Model 82A1 rifles, in service since 1999, to the more advanced model M107A1.


Representatives from NDMA, NIOA Group, Barrett and Magne Landrø at a recent European trade show.

Barret CEO Bryan James said: “We are honored to continue our partnership with the Norwegian Armed Forces by providing the M107A1, a rifle that embodies our dedication to precision, reliability, and innovation. This move ensures that the Norwegian forces are equipped with the latest advancements in long-range firepower.”

This is an important step for NDMA and Barrett. The M107A1 rifle, chambered in .50 BMG (Browning Machine Gun), is a substantial upgrade from the Model 82A1, offering reduced weight, improved performance, greater durability and modern features tailored to meet the evolving demands of modern warfare. The M107A1 is also suppressor capable, adding a critical feature for reducing the rifle’s signature in various operational environments.

This contract highlights the NDMA’s confidence in Barrett’s ability to deliver cutting-edge solutions that meet the rigorous standards of military use. The M107A1 will significantly enhance the Norwegian Armed Forces’ capabilities to engage targets at extreme ranges, destroy valuable enemy assets, and secure tactical advantages on the battlefield.

Mr James said: “Barrett is proud to partner with allied nations across the world. We all share the same dedication to excellence and continued improvement. Barrett has a long history in this field and we will continue to grow our relationships with our partners.

MOHOC Delivers Custom MOHOC ADF Camera to the Australian Defence Force

Monday, September 9th, 2024

MOHOC, Inc., creator of the world’s preeminent tactical helmet cameras, today announced the completed design, development, and delivery of the initial units of the MOHOC® ADF Camera to the Australian Defence Force (ADF). The news coincides with this week’s Land Forces Exposition in Melbourne, Australia, where the new camera will be on display.

The product was built to support the ADF initiative to deploy body worn cameras as a tool for training, evidence collection, and after-action review. In less than a year, the MOHOC® ADF was designed from the ground up as a custom camera to meet strict specifications outlined by the Dismounted Combat Program at Army Headquarters.

Made in the USA, the MOHOC® ADF incorporates the best recording features of the original MOHOC® Camera with the improved form factor, weight, and low-light sensitivity of the newer streaming cameras, MOHOC® 2. The company further reports that the ADF custom model is built on the foundation of MOHOC’s next generation camera, expected to launch worldwide in 2025.

Dan Fuhrman, MOHOC Vice President of Product Development, said of the program, “We were honored to support the ADF on an aggressive timeline and provide Australian soldiers our newest technology in a custom camera that aligns with our vision for upcoming MOHOC products.”

Both the development contract and subsequent order were facilitated by MOHOC dealer Spearpoint Solutions & Technology Pty Ltd, whose CEO, Andrew Jiear, added, “The project is a prime example of how Spearpoint’s extensive network of leading international partners can be leveraged to generate tailored solutions for our clients.”

Spearpoint is displaying the MOHOC® ADF Camera this week at Land Forces, stand # A199.

Australian Defence Forces Order Polaris DAGOR Off-Road Vehicles

Monday, September 9th, 2024

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – Sept. 9, 2024 – The Commonwealth of Australia has awarded a vehicle contract to Polaris Australia for the DAGOR vehicle, an off-road and internally transportable tactical mobility platform from the company’s Government and Defense division. The contract is valued at AUD22 million (USD14.6M) and includes vehicles, mission accessories, technical manuals, spare parts and tool kits, driver and maintainer training and ongoing, in-country support.

Polaris will deliver the DAGOR vehicles to the Australian Defence Force in several variants in support of joint missions worldwide. The four-wheel, all-terrain vehicles will be configured in three different variants – a transport variant for enhanced tactical mobility and greater standoff; an expeditionary reconnaissance variant for continued agility and increased stealth in austere conditions; and a cargo variant with the rear seats replaced with a rear bed extension for increased combat load capacity. Polaris engineered standard mission configuration items, as well as locally engineered and manufactured content, will be integrated onto the vehicles at a Polaris facility in Melbourne.

“We are proud to provide this capability for Australian personnel. The DAGOR all-terrain vehicle will allow teams to move faster, carry more and significantly reduce combat fatigue by navigating complex terrain otherwise covered on foot,” said Michael Cannell, Government and Defense sales and operation manager, Polaris Australia. “Polaris Australia will also provide in-country sustainment, leveraging the global presence of Polaris as these vehicles deploy globally.”

DAGOR comprises an optimal balance of rapid air transportability, payload capacity and advanced mobility and is the most capable military platform in its class for off-road, rugged terrain. The chassis and suspension are engineered for off-road operation at full payload of 1,814 kilograms (4,000 pounds), which also contributes to the vehicle’s overall reliability and durability. DAGOR uses a readily available commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) driveline, controls and components like a diesel/JP8 engine selected for its ideal combination of power, weight and size. DAGOR can produce up to 4.4 kW of exportable power and is heavy-weapons capable. Its weight and size allow it to be internally transportable on a variety of in-service aircraft, including CH-47, C-17 and C-130 and is also airdrop and sling-load certified.

“Collaboration within the global defence community is critical to mission success and equipment commonality helps enable interoperability among joint forces,” said Nick Francis, vice president, Polaris Government and Defense. “Polaris military vehicles have become force multipliers for expeditionary forces by extending mission range while mitigating operator fatigue and increasing mission readiness and capability.

DAGOR’s unique design and use of commercial components allows for ease of operation, maintenance and sustainment in support of combat operations. Allied forces that also have the DAGOR platform include U.S. forces, Canadian forces, and multiple European countries. DAGOR vehicle production is underway, and deliveries will take place over the next two years. These vehicles will augment existing Australian vehicle fleets, which include two other Polaris products: the MV850 and Sportsman 6×6 Big Boss ATVs.

Polaris designs and manufactures the most capable light tactical and all-terrain military vehicles available today with technology development and insertion for the battlefield of tomorrow. No one knows light off-road mobility like Polaris, whose light tactical vehicles – the MV850, MRZR turbo diesel, MRZR Alpha and DAGOR – support more than 50 military forces worldwide which is a testament to the capability gap these vehicles fulfill. These platforms provide unmatched off-road capability while also being intuitive to operate, simple to maintain, highly transportable and easy to globally support.

CAMCOPTER S-100 Obtains First Ever EASA Design Verification Report For Rotary Wing UAS

Friday, September 6th, 2024

Vienna, 5 September 2024 – The CAMCOPTER® S-100 received the first ever Design Verification Report (DVR) by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for a Rotary Wing Unmanned Air System (RWUAS).

The Design Verification Report (DVR) for the specific category of UAS operations was issued after a rigorous evaluation process, including 300 EASA observed flight hours proving airworthiness, safety and enhanced containment, as well as successfully demonstrating laser safety, cyber security features and HIRF (High Intensity Radiated Fields) resistance.

This EASA report enables the French Navy to issue a “Military Operational Type Authorisation” and facilitates the approval processes for S-100 flight operations in all EASA member states.

“Receiving the DVR is a significant milestone for Schiebel and a major step towards fully certifying the CAMCOPTER® S-100 UAS”, said Hans Georg Schiebel, Chairman of the Schiebel Group.

The DVR process was set in place by EASA at the end of 2021 and aims at ensuring safe drone operations in Europe.

SitaWare’s Mobile Applications Updated for Improved User Experience

Thursday, September 5th, 2024

When units are operating at reach, connectivity, accuracy and speed of secure data transmission is vital. With brand new improvements to SitaWare’s mobile C4ISR products, the user experience is now greatly improved for mounted and dismounted operations.

“Version 3.7 of SitaWare Frontline and SitaWare Edge brings significant enhancements aimed at improving deployment efficiency,” explains Jesper Annexgaard, Product Manager. “We know that in the current climate networks and connectivity are crucial enablers to dynamic, flexible operations which is why we have paid particular attention to this aspect in our latest updates.”

SitaWare is the world’s leading C4ISR software and is the battle management system of choice for more than 50 nations across the globe. Earlier this year it was chosen in a competitive tender by NATO as its Future Land C2 system and, in 2023, the Australian Defence Force confirmed its intention to down-select elements of the SitaWare suite of battle management software (BMS) to support the first Tranche of LAND 200 Phase 3 project.

These elements are SitaWare Headquarters and SitaWareFrontline which will support command-and-control (C2) functions for the Australian Army across a limited number of critical fixed, static, and mobile locations for deployment at battlegroup and above.

SitaWare Headquarters is the core product that supports joint, fixed and deployable headquarters, while SitaWare Frontline delivers situational awareness for the mounted commander within a vehicle.

It is SitaWare Frontline, along with SitaWare Edge for the dismounted units, that have received significant improvements with the latest version.

The Top Five:

1. Enhanced Deployment and Networking

One of the key updates in SitaWare Edge 3.7 is the introduction of a simplified app installation process that leverages ad-hoc networking, enabling faster and more flexible deployment in the field.

This enhancement ensures that soldiers can quickly and securely deploy necessary applications with minimal setup, even in dynamic environments.

“This saves a lot of time and effort, and is a much easier way to deploy units into the field,” explains Jesper. “The ad-hoc nature of the network also ensures less of a burden on the administrator as the app can be pre-installed onto the mobile devices and then users can define their callsign prior to use.”

2. Optimised for Mounted and Dismounted Use

The new version also introduces the ability for mobile Edge devices to automatically plug into vehicles, directly connecting the soldier to the vehicle’s SitaWare Tactical Communication (STC) network. Once ported, the soldier is automatically shown as mounted and the device synchronises – exchanging the latest situational awareness data and chat messages via STC.

This feature allows seamless communication as soldiers move between mounted and dismounted operations, ensuring continuous and reliable connectivity.

3. Advanced Data Logistics and Export Capabilities

Version 3.7 improves data logistics by enabling the collection and export of critical operational data to SitaWare Insight and archiving systems. Users can now export holding reports, operational status histories, as well as Friendly Force Tracking (FFT) and Tactical Situation (TacSit) data, ensuring better post-mission analysis and archival processes.

4. Network Management and Communication Enhancements

The update includes significant advancements in network management. Operators, who have the responsibility of monitoring the status of network connections, can now do so directly on the map interface, providing real-time insights into connectivity across various networks. Users can also view the direction of communication links so that administrators can instantly spot issues with connectivity.

Additionally, the ability to clear chatrooms across networks has been introduced, improving communication efficiency.

5. Improved Chat Functionality

SitaWare Edge & SitaWare Frontline 3.7 also enhances the chat feature, allowing users to sort conversations by send or receive time, pin important chat threads, and select specific chat rooms as recipients. This feature allows recipients to see when the latest message was sent rather than miss information due to a delay in timing/connectivity.

“The pinning of important conversations and chat threads make sit much easier for users to quickly locate information, rather than searching through the hundreds of chats that might be happening,” explains Jesper. “It is a small change but really improves the user experience – everything is about speed and efficiency and this ensures exactly that.”

www.systematic.com/defence