Mountain Horse Solutions exhibited in the Global Ordnance booth. They are also affiliated with the UK’s Brigantes and bring several European Soldier Systems technologies to the US.
They displayed quite a few items for mountain and arctic warfare including Acapulka Pulk sleds, Arktis Overwhites, Helix climbing gear, Montane Tactical clothing, and Black Crows Militari Orb Skis.
GM Defense had three versions of the US Army’s Infantry Squad Vehicle on hand which is based on the commercial Chevrolet Colorado ZR2. The ISV-5 version shown above is an new assault model.
The ISV-9 (above) is the model selected by the Army, configured to carry the squad. It incorporates a GM Duramax 2.8L turbo Diesel engine paired with a Hydro-Matic 6-speed transmission.
The final version is an electric drive variant of the ISV-5 with a hydrogen fuel cell leveraging GM’s experience of 3.2 million miles with the technology.
The CAKE anti-poaching system, including the specifically engineered Kalk AP off-road bikes and “mobile solar panels-in the field charging power stations”, are now on duty in Africa.
CAKE, the Swedish electric motorbike manufacturer, has successfully delivered the first batch of electric anti-poaching bush bikes to Africa. The quiet and high performance Kalk AP motorbikes were delivered to rangers at the Southern African Wildlife College (SAWC) who are now beginning to use the bikes in their quest to increase the efficiency, to combat poaching.
Background
Poaching has had devastating consequences for wildlife in Africa and is one of the primary reasons that some species face the risk of extinction. Anti-poaching teams have used gas-powered dirt bikes for patrolling because they are considered the fastest and most agile vehicles in the bush. However, these bikes are loud and alert poachers from miles away with the sound of their engines. The next big issue is that fuel is being brought to the field by helicopters or trucks with severe consequences, in terms of pollution.
CAKE Presents a Solution
In collaboration with the Southern African Wildlife College, the team at CAKE developed a bike built for the unique challenges of driving in the African bush and the harsh environments it would encounter. The Kalk AP combines the proven off-road performance ability of the Kalk OR with a lightweight frame, sealed drivetrain, and more robust suspension. And since it’s almost silent it’s easier to move around without alerting poachers.
A mobile solar charging station designed and produced by Goal Zero allows rangers to take the bikes deep into bush and operate far from the confines of both the electrical grid as well as traditional fuel supply lines.“It’s great to see that the first batch of Kalk APs has made it to Africa, ready to change the game when it comes to fighting poaching in the most threatened wildlife areas. With fast, quiet and solar-powered driven bikes, we increase our chances of countering poaching and can truly make an impact in the region. This is only the beginning, we will continue to ship bikes to the SAWC to strengthen their anti-poaching work”, says CAKE’s founder and CEO Stefan Ytterborn.
Progress
It´s a dynamic progress with the rangers of the Southern African Wildlife College using the bikes, sharing the pros and cons for constant design improvements and engine tuning until the bikes are optimized for the specific use.
Even in these early stages as they get acquainted with the new machines, the rangers are lavishly praising the Kalk AP for its substantial advantages to the petrol-driven predecessors.
“The petrol bikes we’ve used previously have all been loud, heavy and expensive to keep running in these areas. The CAKE bikes are quiet, which makes it easier for us to approach poachers undetected. We hope this collaboration will result in more effective anti-poaching in our region and we are really excited to start using the bikes in the wild.” says Mfana Xaba, Anti-poaching Team Leader at the Southern African Wildlife College.
More bikes are on their way. Thanks to CAKE’s buy-one-give-one Limited-Edition Charity Bundle, more bikes will be donated to SAWC to help to save more animals from poaching.
Donation program
To further strengthen the anti-poaching work, CAKE has set up a Limited-Edition Charity Bundle, offering the first 50 customers the option to buy one Kalk AP at a charity price, while donating another Kalk AP to the Southern African Wildlife College. Included in the donation is the solar-powered charging station and solar cells from Goal Zero.
Kalk AP owners will be able to track their bike with continuous updates from the conservation areas, getting updates on the location of the donated bike as well as its performance. CAKE will also receive those notifications and share the ongoing achievements of the Kalk AP testing on regular basis in the newsfeed on the CAKE website. Additionally, CAKE and Goal Zero will donate their profit margins from the sales of the Kalk AP directly to the Southern African Wildlife College, adding financial firepower to the fight against poaching in conservation areas.
To follow and further support the initiative, a line of garments is being introduced aside the bikes, where 5% of net sales will be reinvested to SAWC to accelerate the progress. ridecake.com/en/products/ebb-merch
The Kalk Anti-Poaching Bike
As one of the most powerful bikes in the CAKE catalogue, the Kalk AP is designed specifically for rangers who spend their weeks in the African bush patrolling for poachers and illegal traps. Special features include 18? custom-made off-road tires, a rear carrier to attach arms or medical equipment, and fenders made of natural fiber biocomposite material from Trifilon. The bikes are also outfitted with a powerful headlight from Silva for effective nighttime patrolling. Together with the luggage manufacturer DB, CAKE has developed a first aid kit to be transported on the Kalk AP and used in the field to treat injured animals.
For full specifications of the Kalk AP bike, click here.
To read the full story behind the project, visit: www.ridecake.com/en/antipoaching
Hendrick Motorsport is exhibiting with ADS, Inc and showing the latest version of the Silent Tactical Energy Enhanced Dismount (STEED) which features a ballistic shield mount with third wheel and Blackbridge Defense Shadow Mount for an M240/M249 machine gun.
STEED is is an all terrain, electric power cart. It has zero emissions and can carry up to 500 lbs over complex terrain including stairs and can be used in water.
Putco’s MOLLE Panels consists of three PALS compatible panels (Cab, Passenger and Driver) which CNC Cut from heavy gauge 1/10 inch thick 6000 series aluminum. They receive a Black mini-texture powder coat finish.l and are compatible with both sprayed bed liners are well as bed covers.
They are custom made for most popular trucks and can accept a maximum of 2,000 lbs load.
• Jankel and Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE) are collaborating to bring EV technologies and capabilities to the US defence market
• The partnership will combine complementary technologies and capabilities to help progress military hybrid and electrification projects
• The partnership will see Jankel and WAE working on joint projects to electrify legacy and new military fleets across the US DoD
Jankel, a world-leader in the design and manufacture of high-specification defence, security and NGO protection systems, are collaborating with Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE); born out of the UK Formula 1 Williams Racing Team, to provide services and technologies to prime contractors in the US defence market. The partnership will see Jankel and Williams Advanced Engineering working on joint projects to electrify legacy and new military vehicle fleets across the US DoD.
Jankel’s US South Carolina based company Jankel Tactical Systems takes the lead in the USA with extensive experience designing, manufacturing and delivering vehicle related technology and integration solutions in the US defence market. Williams Advanced Engineering are renowned for providing world class technical innovation, engineering and specialist electric vehicle solutions across multiple applications. Proven out in the Formula E and Extreme E arena , WAE is a pioneer in battery systems, battery management and EV drivetrain solutions across a wide range of sectors including motorsport, transport, mining and defence.
The partnership will combine complementary technologies and capabilities to help progress military hybrid and electrification projects no matter what the size, from a light tactical vehicle to a main battle tank. The experience, innovation and engineering expertise of both companies will be combined to leverage the integration, problem solving, and tailored approach required to solve the military problem set, essential to help meet the military engineering challenges of the 21st century – mobility, sustainability and efficiency.
Craig Wilson, CEO, Williams Advanced Engineering said: ”This partnership is well placed to support the integration and delivery of EV solutions and we look forward to working with the team at Jankel, combining our individual areas of expertise to deliver innovative and advanced solutions for the US defence market”
Andrew Jankel Chairman of the Jankel Group said “Jankel is historically known around the world for providing outstanding vehicle survivability conversions and complex systems integrations. However, in line with our new company strategy we are also expanding our expertise to incorporate advanced technologies including remote autonomous systems, cyber security and platform electrification”. He added: “We are delighted to announce this collaboration with Williams Advanced Engineering to capitalize on some world leading technologies and bring the very best to the US military by delivering potential EV solutions across its whole range of vehicles both old and new – driving mission success.”
Rheinmetall Canada and Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles (RMMV) are proud to welcome Navistar Defence Canada to their partnership, dubbed Team 45? North (45?N), in pursuit of Canada’s Logistics Vehicle Modernization (LVM) project – an initiative that will revitalize the Canadian Army’s light and heavy logistics vehicle capabilities. Drawing on more than 200 years of combined expertise in developing technical solutions in the realm of defence and vehicle programmes in Canada, Team 45?N brings together two premier military vehicle manufacturers and a world-class integrator to offer the Canadian Army battle-tested trucks that are purpose-built for military use.
Team 45?N: Joining forces to support our Forces
With its members’ extensive experience in various logistics vehicle solutions and in the execution of complex defence projects, Team 45?N offers a low-risk, high-quality solution for Canada’s LVM project.
For decades, Rheinmetall Canada has been a trusted partner of the Canadian Armed Forces in several programmes. The company is an internationally acknowledged system integrator in the defence and security industry and a dependable provider of in-service support to large Canadian vehicle projects. Rheinmetall Canada is also known for its collaborative approach in working with its customers throughout the full lifecycle of their programmes.
Bringing unique skills and deep knowledge to the team, RMMV has successfully developed, built, and serviced military vehicles around the globe for more than a century. To satisfy all of its customers’ needs and to support them in fulfilling their most demanding missions, the company offers a complete range of services, including project management, systems engineering and integration, through-life support, repair and maintenance, as well as spares management.
Navistar Defence Canada rounds out Team 45?N, offering significant experience in working with the Canadian government. Navistar Defence Canada delivered 1 300 militarized commercial-off-the-shelf (MilCOTS) vehicles to the Canadian Department of National Defence for the Medium Support Vehicle System (MSVS) project to support domestic and expeditionary missions. It continues to provide logistic support through its vast parts and service network across Canada. The company also supplied the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) with armoured personnel carriers to provide increased protection and rescue capabilities for RCMP officers and members of the public in high-risk situations.
Reliable capabilities, proven solutions
In collaboration with its partners, Team 45?N will offer a comprehensive LVM solution that fulfills the Canadian Army’s logistics mission profile, specifically designed to meet military requirements – durability, protection, payload capacity, mobility, and all-terrain capability.
RMMV’s HX series of tactical trucks already has a successful track record globally and has a well-established group of user nations, including Canada’s close allies (Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom) as well as other NATO nations (Germany, Norway, Denmark) and western countries (Austria, Sweden). These reliable military vehicles excel in all climates, are off road capable, and – most importantly – offer an unparalleled level of protection to soldiers. The combat-proven ready-to-use design can also be upgraded and modified according to specific customer needs. A true military off-the-shelf solution, the HX family of vehicles combines professional logistics with force mobility support and tactical special role applications, making it a reliable enabler for joint operations in complex environments.
Navistar Defence Canada provides unrivalled domestic and expeditionary logistic vehicle solutions. Its vehicles are among the most versatile in the world. The flexible platforms are easily tailored to meet specific mission requirements and configured in several variants such as water tankers; petroleum, oil and lubricant trucks; general troop transporters; wreckers; dump trucks; heavy equipment transport trucks; and more. They have been used in recent natural disaster relief missions in Canada and have been a key logistics force-multiplier on the front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Dedicated to supporting the Canadian Armed Forces while leveraging the Canadian industry
Team 45?N is committed to supporting the Canadian Armed Forces before, during, and after deliveries while creating pan-Canadian economic growth. The partnership draws on a coast-to-coast network of suppliers and will help bolster an in-country workforce and supply chain. Rheinmetall Canada and its partners’ excellent track record in fulfilling their Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) commitments are a testament to Team 45?N’s dedication to Canadian industry.
Thanks to the alliance’s exceptional product offering, extensive experience in working with the Canadian Armed Forces, and its commitment to Canadian economic growth, Team 45?N is the solution of choice for Canada’s LVM project, as well as all other future logistic vehicle initiatives.
More information about Team 45?N can be found here: www.rheinmetall.ca/LVMTeam45N
As I said in last week’s opener for the show, the UK military does a great job of supporting DSEi. Here are two of the systems they had on display, the Spiral 1 RPV and Watchkeeper UAV.
This Remote Patrol Vehicle is built by Marlborough Communications Limited and consists of their Mission Adaptable Platform System (MAPS) Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV). Spiral 1 is an experiment to determine future robotics requirements in these areas: resupplying platoon soldiers, reducing load burden on soldiers, casualty evacuation and power export for charging and supply of platoon level electronics.
Based on Elbit’s Hermes 450, the Watchkeeper UAV is fitted with an EO/IR sensor, has a cruising speed of 77 knots (143 km/h), can operate at an altitude of 16,000 feet, and can operate up to 150 km from the Ground Control Station, but multiple stations can be linked to extend the range.
