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True Velocity, FN America Announce Global Manufacturing Partnership On Lightweight Medium Machine Gun

Saturday, June 22nd, 2024

FN AMERICA’S MACHINE GUN MANUFACTURING PROWESS BOLSTERS TRUE VELOCITY’S INNOVATIVE WEAPON SOLUTION TO BRIDGE BATTLEFIELD PERFORMANCE GAP

GARLAND, Texas, June 18, 2024 — Texas-based ammunition and weapon system manufacturer TV Ammo, Inc. (“True Velocity”) and FN America, LLC (“FN America”), a global leader in the development and manufacture of military small arms, have announced a strategic licensing and manufacturing partnership for the production of True Velocity’s .338 Norma Lightweight Medium Machine Gun for U.S. and Allied military units.

The partnership positions FN America as a primary manufacturer of True Velocity’s .338 Norma machine gun, a recoil-mitigated weapon system designed to provide warfighters with range and terminal performance similar to that of the century-old .50-caliber M2 machine gun in a lightweight, functional profile comparable to that of the ubiquitous M240 machine gun also manufactured by FN America.

“True Velocity’s .338 machine gun will change the battlefield for our warfighters. We are thrilled that FN will join with us so we can equip U.S. and Allied militaries with this combat advantage,” said True Velocity President and Chief Intellectual Property Officer Craig Etchegoyen. “It very quickly became clear that FN is a world-renowned, reliable, and respected manufacturer of innovative machine guns, and we’re excited for them to join our mission.”

A lightweight machine gun solution chambered for the .338 Norma cartridge has been a focal point of requirements emerging from the U.S. Department of Defense and Allied militaries in recent years. In March 2024, the United States Department of Defense selected True Velocity’s .338 Norma Lightweight Medium Machine Gun for continued evaluation in a military program aimed at fielding a weapon system that would bridge the performance gap between the .50-caliber M2 machine gun and the M240 machine gun chambered for 7.62x51mm NATO. The combination of True Velocity’s recoil-mitigated .338 Norma Lightweight Medium Machine Gun and its advanced, lightweight composite-cased ammunition provides a turn-key combat solution capable of enhanced controllability, maximized maneuverability, and extreme precision at extended range.

“FN America is extremely excited to partner with True Velocity on this effort to deliver the next medium machine gun to the U.S. military,” said Mark Cherpes, President and CEO for FN America, LLC. “Both companies share that drive and desire to innovate and deliver game-changing technology to the warfighter. This has produced a really great team environment on this effort.”

Incorporating proprietary “impulse-averaging recoil mitigation” technology, True Velocity’s .338 Norma machine gun delivers a 300-grain projectile with enhanced range and precision, while optimizing controllability and maintaining a profile similar to that of the M240 belt-fed machine gun, which is chambered for the smaller, less energetic 7.62x51mm cartridge.

“True Velocity’s lightweight medium machine gun submission is the product of more than a decade of continued innovation and rigorous evaluation,” said True Velocity Senior Executive Vice President of Sales Kevin Sims. “This weapon system delivers unprecedented tactical and operational capabilities to our American warfighters. The sooner we bring it to the battlefield, the better.”

Schiebel Opens Facility in France

Friday, June 21st, 2024

Vienna, 20 June 2024 – The Schiebel Group is strengthening its European footprint by establishing Schiebel Aéronaval SAS in Toulon, France.

The CAMCOPTER® S-100 has been in service with the French Ministry of Armed Forces since 2012. In order to more closely support this successful partnership and meet the operational requirements of the Armed Forces in case of major engagements, Schiebel has established a company in France, situated close to its customer, in Toulon. The new Schiebel entity will provide localised support for the French Navy’s fleet of S-100 within the framework of a 5-year contract DMAé (Direction de la Maintenance Aéronautique) awarded to Schiebel at the end of 2023.

Schiebel Aéronaval SAS will house a production and repair facility to conduct the assembly and maintenance of the S-100 systems for the French Navy and other customers. The new Schiebel company will also have a training department to train operators and maintenance technicians.

Furthermore and significantly, the entity is intended to become the main European production and payload integration site for the evolving CAMCOPTER® S-300.

Schiebel Aéronaval SAS embeds itself into the French Aerospace industrial network, works closely with other local French companies and is expected to generate many employment opportunities in the Toulon area.

“We are extremely proud to count France, renowned for its emphasis on strategic autonomy, among the CAMCOPTER® S-100 users. Opening a facility in Toulon not only enables us to serve the French Navy better, but also to be closer to our French industrial partners and benefit from the advantages of the region, including direct access to the sea. We are more than excited about the new opportunities this important step will bring“, said Lubos Sramek, CEO of Schiebel Aéronaval SAS.

Wilkie Announces Strategic Partnership with Ocean State Innovations (OSI)

Friday, June 21st, 2024

Lowell, MA – Wilkie Technical Textiles, a global leader in advanced technical textile solutions, is delighted to announce a significant strategic partnership with Ocean State Innovations (OSI). OSI, renowned worldwide for its exceptional textile solutions, quality, and service, will now serve as the primary liaison for a variety of Wilkie America products manufactured in Lowell, MA. Wilkie America has unique capabilities for applying a broad range of polymer coatings onto textile substates for military, medical, workwear, automotive, and heat protection fabrics. Wilkie America draws on the expertise of the wider Wilkie group for spinning, weaving, and finishing of base fabrics.

This collaboration marks a pivotal step in our journey towards growth and progress, leveraging the combined strengths of Wilkie and OSI to enhance our service offerings and deliver superior textile solutions to our valued customers.  

Key Benefits of the Partnership:

Enhanced Service and Quality: OSI’s commitment to outstanding quality and service aligns perfectly with Wilkie’s mission to provide locally manufactured advanced textile solutions. This partnership will ensure that our customers continue to receive the highest standards of products and services.

Innovation and Product Development: Wilkie and OSI are mutually dedicated to product innovation and improvement. Drawing on our global knowledge pool and development resources, we look forward to working with existing and new customers to develop the next era of advanced technical textiles.

Primary Liaison for Wilkie America Products: Moving forward, Ocean State Innovations will be the main point of contact for a variety of Wilkie products manufactured in Lowell, MA. This streamlined communication channel is expected to improve efficiency and customer satisfaction.

This partnership exemplifies our shared commitment to pioneering cutting-edge solutions and delivering unparalleled service in the textile industry.

We look forward to a prosperous future together and appreciate your continued support as we embark on this exciting new chapter.

A representative from the OSI team will reach out to you shortly to discuss how this partnership can benefit you. In the interim, should you have any queries or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact Bryan Boulis directly at OSI via email at Bryan.Boulis@1947llc.com or by phone at 508-801-3685. Jim Lauer will stay on as President of the Lowell facility and can be contacted at jim.lauer@wilkieamerica.com or by phone at 847-257-2337.

Blue Force Gear to Attend 2024 NSSF Range-Retailer Business Expo: Celebrating 20 Years of Innovation in Load Carriage

Friday, June 21st, 2024

West Palm Beach, FL – 7/9/2024 – Blue Force Gear (“BFG”), a leading manufacturer of tactical gear for military, law enforcement, and civilian markets, announces its participation in the 2024 NSSF Range-Retailer Business Expo (“RRBE”), taking place July 10th -11th, in West Palm Beach, Florida.

This year marks a significant milestone for BFG – 20 years of dedication to developing and delivering the industry’s most trusted load carriage systems. From the very beginning, BFG has set the standard for performance and durability, earning the respect and loyalty of countless military and law enforcement professionals around the world.

“For two decades, Blue Force Gear has been driven by a relentless pursuit of innovation,” says Ashley Burnsed, CEO. “We take immense pride in serving those who put their lives on the line every day, and we remain committed to providing them with the gear they need to operate at peak efficiency.”

BFG’s commitment extends beyond the battlefield. The company recognizes the importance of supporting the needs of commercial and civilian customers who share a passion for preparedness and functionality. At the expo, BFG will showcase its extensive line of products, including:

Products:

• Slings and Hardware

• Plate Carriers and Split-Front Chest Rigs

• TKN Medical Line and Load Carriage Pouches

Visit BFG at Booth #505 to:

• Meet the BFG team!

• Learn about their latest product offerings

• Discuss solutions for your specific needs

• Celebrate 20 years of excellence in load carriage

Rheinmetall and Anduril Industries Join Forces to Develop the Most Sophisticated Military C-sUAS System

Thursday, June 20th, 2024

Paris, 19 June 2024 – The Düsseldorf-based technology group Rheinmetall and the US company Anduril Industries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during Eurosatory in Paris, one of the world’s leading trade shows for defence and security. Under this collaboration, Rheinmetall and Anduril will work together to design, develop, and produce new layered Counter small Unmanned Aerial System (C-sUAS) air defense systems. The scope of this collaboration is primarily to address European markets first.

These C-sUAS systems will combine Rheinmetall’s command and control system, Skymaster, and high-power guns with Lattice and open, modular and scalable hardware components including Anduril’s Sentry Tower, Wisp sensors and Anvil, its autonomous interceptor. By combining the unique capabilities of both companies, an unmatched layered solution for C-sUAS will be offered. Overall, the MoU aims to bring together the complementary skills of these two leading companies.

Oliver Dürr, CEO of Rheinmetall Air Defence AG: “This cooperation will showcase the most innovative C-sUAS system – combining the strength of Rheinmetall military capabilities and the edge cutting development speed of Anduril. I am absolutely confident that this combination will address the future needs of our clients and that we shall bring the right solution at the right time on the market.”

Greg Kausner, Anduril’s SVP of Global Defence states: “The pace of warfare is accelerating at the speed of technology development. Global defence forces must face a rapidly evolving set of threats from both emerging unmanned systems and legacy manned platforms. Air defence systems require a layered approach that is flexible, adaptable and rapidly deployable. Anduril’s partnership with Rheinmetall will bring an innovative, software-defined and hardware enabled C-sUAS system to our customers to ensure they stay one step ahead of the drone threat.” For more than a century, Rheinmetall has delivered high-power air defence guns and systems globally, providing unmatched firepower. Anduril, a global defense technology company, has developed a growing family of low-cost autonomous weapons systems all powered by its AI-enabled, interoperable Lattice software platform. 

This cooperation will enable both companies to fulfill the strategic ambition to jointly develop and implement a systematic approach covering a wide sensor and effector mix. Ranging from diverse hard kill effectors to non-lethal effectors to gun missiles and state of the art active and passive detection sensors. The system will increase the survivability dramatically and allow new strategic and operational advantages.

National Matches Registration Now Open

Thursday, June 20th, 2024

Register for this summer’s 2024 NRA National Matches at Camp Atterbury, Indiana!

See the calendar and register at competitions.nra.org/competitions/nra-national-matches.

• NRA Precision Pistol Championships:July 21 – July 25

• NRA Smallbore Championships: July 27 – August 4

• NRA High Power Championships:August 5 – August 19

If you’re interested in being part of the NRA National Match Staff for 2024, register at competitions.nra.org/competition-resources/national-championships-staffing and we’ll be in touch.

KGM Suppressors to Exhibit at ADS Warrior East Expo

Thursday, June 20th, 2024

KGM Suppressors, a leading provider of innovative firearm suppressors, proudly announces its participation as an exhibitor at the 2024 Warrior East Expo. This year’s event is June 25-26,2024, at the Virginia Beach Convention Center in Virginia Beach, VA. Attendees will find representatives and sample products from KGM Suppressors on-site at booth 738.

“ADS Warrior East is one of my favorite government/military events, and we are excited to attend,” said Bill Bracken, Director of Government Business Development at KGM Suppressors. “Our suite of suppressed weapon solutions, from carbine and precision rifle suppressors to dedicated machine gun options,enhances the performance of today’s warfighters and government professionals. We encourage attendees to visit our booth to see the features and benefits of KGM suppressors.”

KGM Suppressors takes pride in delivering state-of-the-art solutions designed to enhance operational effectiveness and ensure operator safety. With a commitment to innovation and quality craftsmanship, KGM Suppressors continues to set the standard for excellence in the industry.

For more information about KGM Suppressors and its comprehensive range of suppressors, please visit www.kgm-tech.com.

HENSOLDT Supplies German Armed Forces with Spotter 42 Observation Optics

Thursday, June 20th, 2024

Wetzlar (Germany)/Paris (France), 19 June 2024 – Following the delivery of the first batch last year, solution specialist HENSOLDT is now equipping the German Armed Forces with 90 additional Spotter 42. The enhanced Spotter complements HENSOLDT’s Spotter 60, which are already in use in the troops, and replaces a predecessor model.

Compared to the Spotter 60, the magnification range of the Spotter 42 starts at six times instead of twenty times. The Spotter 42 is therefore optimised for use with night vision and thermal imaging attachments (NSV and IRV). The result is a significant improvement in observation capability in restricted visibility conditions.

“The optical performance of the Spotter 42 is outstanding. It represents a milestone in the compact observation optics device category with its large field of view, high edge-to-edge sharpness and brilliant image quality across the entire magnification range of 6-42x,” explained the responsible Sales Manager Josef Reif.

The observation optics have become more compact thanks to a modified optical concept. The result is a high magnification range with low initial magnification while simultaneously reducing the weight. The Spotter 42 complies with Bundeswehr specifications and features steplessly adjustable reticle illumination as well as an integrated laser filter that compensates for the magnification-related increase in radiance of harmful laser radiation without noticeably impairing the visual transmission values.

The accessories include a long mounting rail with a Picatinny profile on both sides, allowing attachments of different heights to be used. Additional mounting rails on the device enable the attachment of various additional devices such as target pointers or rangefinders. “The initial feedback from users has been more than positive,” added Josef Reif. The Spotter 42 enhances the night combat capability of snipers by increasing their ability to observe in restricted visibility, thus making an important contribution to increasing the combat readiness of the German armed forces. The Spotter 42 was very well received by users and procurers from the military authorities of European nations at EnforceTac 2024 in Nuremberg and will be offered as a series device. In a further expansion stage, it will receive additional functional additions in the future that will expand its area of use.