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Spectra Group Successfully Delivers Live SlingShot Demonstrations to US DOD and Deepens its US Engagement

Friday, May 5th, 2023

Spectra Group, a specialist provider of secure voice, data and satellite communications systems, in partnership with Inmarsat, has this spring successfully demonstrated cross-country, multi-site tactical communications of Inmarsat’s L-TAC service to the US Department of Defence (USDOD) using their award-winning SlingShot system, which follows on from previous successful Battlelab and end-user experiments outside USSOCOM.

SlingShot has been widely adopted and is operationally proven by USSOCOM with over 4000 units deployed. Over the last year, Spectra Group has been broadening and deepening its engagement with the US military, demonstrating the wide range and utility of the SlingShot system when combined with existing in-service radios and the Inmarsat L-Tac service. Spectra Group participated in the US Army’s Fires Center of Excellence Battle Laboratory “MFIX 2022” in late 2022. This experiment utilized the currently fielded SINGARS VHF radios, AFATADS digital transmission devices and paired with Spectra’s SlingShot system using the Inmarsat L-TAC service. The LRPF Battle Lab conducted hundreds of digital “Calls for Fire” in 2 days over vast ranges. The experiments proved that Forward Observer teams over 600miles away could still rapidly deliver precision fires over existing VHF radios, with SlingShot fitted, delivering lethal effect within 90-120 seconds. The addition of the operationally proven SlingShot’s system as a bolt on capability enhancement, allows traditional manoeuvre formations to engage threats at vast ranges previously unimagined without replacing its communications infrastructure.

The recent USDOD multi-site demonstration was conducted from Reston, Virginia, as well as locations in Colorado Springs, Colorado and Fort Liberty, North Carolina. The L-TAC service combined with SlingShot delivers global, satellite-based beyond line of sight (BLOS) communications at fixed sites and on the move (COTM) for Ultra High Frequency (UHF) and Very High Frequency (VHF) radio users. A key component of the demonstration was to prove the ability of SlingShot, fitted to existing radios and using L-TAC, to augment existing DOD UHF SATCOM capabilities globally by scaling to many users over a vast coverage area. This included the ability to extend all L-TAC nets to dislocated, major headquarters locations that could be anywhere in the world utilizing digital, RF-Over-IP technology.

The enthusiasm to trial the SlingShot system extended to 1st Marine Division based in California, when they wished to exercise the vast ranges associated with their Indopacific area of operations, by combining the exercise with one of their new littoral regiments based in Japan. Again, this experiment proved the ability of SlingShot fitted to existing in-service radios to allow Commander’s to communicate securely while on the move and well beyond line of sight of others. Additionally, the employment of SlingShot provided un-paralleled interoperability of tactical UHF and VHF frequency radios with a minimum training burden.

Simon Davies, CEO of Spectra Group said: “We are very proud of Slingshot’s operational pedigree and how successful it has been in solving the communications challenges faced by both specialist and regular forces when deployed globally in austere locations. These experiments continue to prove the true ease and utility of SlingShot combined with the Inmarsat L-TAC service to deliver secure voice, data and text at scale on any legacy system for the USDOD anywhere in the world.”

Posted in Comms, Press Release | 1 Comment »

Terrain 365 STS-ATB

Friday, May 5th, 2023

Upscale Variant of the Rustproof STS Featuring Integrated Bolster Construction

New for May 2023, Terrain 365™ releases their STS-ATB. An upscale variant of the popular, STS-AT series, featuring their proprietary, corrosion-proof, edge-holding, Terravantium™ super alloy. This precision made framelock features an integrated bolster construction with hand fitted carbon fiber, G10 or canvas micarta scales. Signature design details include a Loveless inspired clip point blade, handle and blade fullers, dive watch-grade glow in the dark cabochons in the dual thumbstuds, fine jimping throughout, and a purpose driven, classic chute knife aesthetic. As with all their “AT” designated knives, these are 100% non-ferrous, non-magnetic, and a completely rustproof build for all terrains.

The STS-ATB is available with Terravantium™ blades and integrated titanium bolsters with carbon fiber, G10 or canvas micarta scales.

Creative Director and Co-Founder Patrick Ma of Terrain 365 states,

“The STS-ATB is an upscale homage to a lifelong love affair with the classic Loveless Chute Knife. This is a superbly made edged tool for the field, made for explorers and adventurers. The original chute knife concept was intended to operate in harsh and unconventional wilderness field conditions, this intention certainly holds true and is mirrored in my design of the STS series of folders.”

The STS-ATB is available for $375-$390 on their website.

Posted in Knives, Press Release | Comments Off on Terrain 365 STS-ATB

U.S. Army Awards TRX Systems $402 Million Production Contract for DAPS GEN II

Thursday, May 4th, 2023

The DAPS GEN II systems developed and delivered by TRX will provide Assured PNT to warfighters, enabling seamless dismounted operations in GPS-denied environments.

GREENBELT, MD. MAY 04, 2023

TRX Systems has been awarded a $402 Million, seven-year, Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract by the U.S. Army for the procurement of Dismounted Assured Positioning, Navigation, and Timing System Generation II systems and services (DAPS GEN II). The award to TRX is a Program of Record contract from the U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors (PEO IEW&S) for delivery of systems that provide Assured PNT to Soldiers operating in GPS denied or contested environments.

The TRX Systems solution to be provided under the contract, known as TRX DAPS II, enables dismounted maneuver operations with speed, surprise, and agility, even where GPS is compromised or denied. TRX DAPS II provides Assured Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) to dismounted users by disseminating assured position and time to dependent devices in GPS challenged environments. Reliable PNT is essential to the positioning of forces, navigation, communication networks, situational awareness applications, and systems related to protection, surveillance, and targeting; it is critical for Army Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) in contested areas and for the Brigade Combat Team (BCT) and their supporting units.

Designed to replace the Defense Advanced GPS Receiver (DAGR) for Dismounted Soldiers with Nett Warrior (NW), TRX DAPS II fuses inputs from M-code GPS, inertial sensors, and complementary PNT sources to determine the integrity of positioning, navigation, and timing sources and deliver assured PNT. It is a small, lightweight PNT device that supports both standalone operation and integration with the NW ensemble, and it can distribute PNT information to a customized tactical watch. The TRX DAPS II solution employs a modular architecture and adheres to Army PNT interface standards, facilitating the addition of new PNT sensors as threats evolve.

In 2021, TRX was selected by the U.S. Army to deliver a DAPS GEN 1.2 solution via a Quick Reaction Capability (QRC) and began shipping devices in volume in 2022 – less than 8 months after the award. Building on the success of the QRC program, after thousands of hours of field testing and incorporation of hundreds of additional Project Manager, Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PM PNT) requirements, the next generation of dismounted Soldier navigational tools, TRX DAPS II, will be in production for the Army later this year.

“Warfighters can be subjected to enemy electronic attacks that degrade their access to reliable position and time, putting their operation and safety at risk,” said Carol Politi, President of TRX Systems. “The Assured PNT information provided by TRX DAPS II will secure dismounted Army forces’ ability to shoot, move, and communicate in GPS challenged environments.”

Posted in Army, Comms, Contracts, Press Release | 2 Comments »

Freedom Atlantic Awarded Contract for Radio Cables

Thursday, May 4th, 2023

Austin, TX – Freedom Atlantic, Inc. a Defense Communications company, announced today that it has been awarded a $1.2M contract for its specialty cable which connects a Program of Record Tactical Radio directly to the End User Device (Samsung Galaxy S20 Tactical Edition). After thorough evaluation and testing, Freedom Atlantic’s approach was selected to solve the end user requirement of ensuring robust connectivity between these two mission-critical devices. Freedom Atlantic’s products are engineered to provide the highest level of reliability for end users’ communication equipment in harsh and demanding environments where they serve and protect our freedom.

“In today’s changing landscape, it is imperative that we continue to move quickly in developing seamless solutions that plug in and just work.” said David Martschinske, Freedom Atlantic’s VP of Product Development. “We are singularly focused on delivering reliable and cost-effective solutions to ensure that the end user maintains their situational awareness and dominance at the tactical edge.”

Posted in Comms, Contracts, Press Release | 1 Comment »

FN Announces $18 Million Expansion Project at Columbia, South Carolina Production Facility

Thursday, May 4th, 2023

(McLean, VA – May 03, 2023) Following the announcement of the company’s plans to construct a second facility in Liberty, South Carolina, FN America, LLC, U.S. subsidiary of FN Herstal, S.A., a global firearms manufacturer, is pleased to share that an $18 million expansion of its Columbia, South Carolina facility will occur later this year with an expected completion in the first half of 2024.

This plan will add more than 40,000-square-feet of manufacturing capacity and office space as well as create a Design Center of Excellence geared toward enhancing the company’s research and development for new products. The expansion will add 102 new positions to the company’s existing workforce and will allow the company to meet the ever-increasing demand for FN products.

“The record growth that our company has had these last several years has enabled us to invest in our South Carolina manufacturing footprint with our soon-to-be new facility in Liberty and now the expansion of our Columbia facility,” said Mark Cherpes, President and CEO for FN America, LLC. “We were established in Richland County more than 40 years ago to manufacture small arms for the U.S. Army, and we are proud to expand our capacity to support that sector of our business.”

For more than 40 years, FN’s production facility has been located in Richland County, South Carolina and has produced more than 1 million small arms under contract to the U.S. Department of Defense. The company was originally established in the United States in 1979 and opened its doors in 1981 to produce the M240 medium machine gun, a variant of the FN MAG-58, under contract to the U.S. Army.

Currently, FN America employs more than 600 individuals to produce firearms, accessories and other adjacent products for the U.S. military, law enforcement agencies as well as consumers. The company has produced the M4A1, M16A4, M249 light machine gun, M240 medium machine gun and FN SCAR under contract for the U.S. military as well as the FN 509 striker-fired pistol line used by U.S. law enforcement agencies like the Los Angeles Police Department and individual officers nationwide.

To learn more about FN America and its products, please visit www.fnamerica.com. To view or apply to any open positions, please visit FN America’s careers site at careers.fnamerica.com.

Posted in Industry, Press Release | Comments Off on FN Announces $18 Million Expansion Project at Columbia, South Carolina Production Facility

Mission First Tactical Unveils Star Wars Beskar Extreme Duty Magazine

Thursday, May 4th, 2023

Horsham, PA – (May 4th, 2023) – Mission First Tactical (MFT) manufacturers of state-of-the-art, USA made rifle/carbine accessories and holsters, is pleased to offer the Star Wars Beskar Extreme Duty (EXD) polymer magazine “CLICK HERE”. May the fourth be with you!

The special edition Beskar EXD Magazine is manufactured with long glass fiber technology for a more robust design that exceeds the strength and durability of other polymer magazine bodies offered today. Utilizing a 50% stronger and 3x more impact resistant design compared to traditional glass filled nylon, the Beskar EXD meets the demands of military and law enforcement. MFT added a flared floor plate and kept the slim bottom design, allowing excellent draw protection and ease of handling, all while allowing for fit in double and triple magazine pouches. Well defined front and rear ribbed finger impressions creates easy handing, even with gloves on. Toolless disassembly and double safety releases prevent accidental ammo dumps and makes cleaning a snap. “CLICK HERE” for product in use video.

The MFT Extreme Duty Magazine was designed for the AR15/M4 but allows for use with a wide range of non-AR15/M4 platforms including HK 416 variants, British SA-80, FN-Scar16 and more.

Features Include:

– 50% stronger
– 3x more impact resistant than traditional nylons
– Next generation long glass fiber polymer
– Enhanced strength & durability
– Ribbed front and rear gripping surface
– Long-life USGI-spec stainless steel spring
– Four-way anti-tilt self-lubricating follower
– Flared floor plate
– Oversized bolt catch
– Paint pen dot matrix
– Toolless disassembly with double floor plate safety release tabs
– Retail: $24.99

To learn more about the MFT Extreme Duty Magazine and complete product offerings from Mission First Tactical, please visit: www.missionfirsttactical.com

Posted in Press Release, Weapon Accessories | 1 Comment »

HENSOLDT modernizes COBRA artillery location radars

Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023

Test equipment enables optimum deployment and system performance

Taufkirchen/Germany, 2 May 2023 – Sensor specialist HENSOLDT has successfully concluded the modernization of core test systems of the artillery location radar COBRA which is in service with several NATO armies. Under a contract worth several million euros awarded by the Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’Armement, OCCAR) on behalf of Germany and France, HENSOLDT has replaced the Radar Target Generator (RTG) and the COBRA Radar Environment Simulator (CRES), key elements of the test environment of COBRA indispensable for determining optimum deployment and testing system performance.

The RTG is designed to generate primary radar returns and can be placed in the radar’s far field in order to simulate target trajectories. The new RTG takes into account changes of the user nations’ operational requirements such as long-term deployments in stationary locations, simultaneous operation of several systems and 24/7 surveillance missions.

The CRES is the key element to test and verify the COBRA radar performance in a laboratory environment with reproducible target trajectories. It generates artificial radar returns allowing to simulate all kinds of ballistic projectiles (missiles, mortar grenades, howitzer or gun projectiles) without the necessity of real transmissions.

COBRA is a mobile radar system for locating hostile artillery and missile positions and for calculating in advance the flight path of projectiles in order to give early warning and enable protective and, if required, defensive action. Its first configuration was developed by the Euro-Art International EWIV consortium comprising HENSOLDT, then Airbus Defence and Space, Thales and Lockheed Martin around the turn of the century for the German, French and British armed forces. Today, a total of more than 40 systems of various configurations have been deployed by NATO and other armed forces within and outside Europe.

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AeroVironment Awarded $10 Million Contract by NASA/JPL to Co-Design and Develop Two Helicopters for Mars Sample Return Mission

Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023

The success of Ingenuity Mars helicopter, co-designed and co-developed by AeroVironment and NASA/JPL, lays the foundation for the development of the Sample Recovery Helicopters

Early Concept for the Sample Recovery Helicopter Based on Ingenuity. (Credit: NASA/ESA/JPL-Caltech)

ARLINGTON, Va., May 2, 2023 – AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) has been awarded a $10 million contract by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to co-design and co-develop conceptual designs and engineering development units of Mars Sample Recovery Helicopter flight systems. Future efforts could include detailed design, build, and test of qualification and flight hardware. The helicopters build upon the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter design heritage and feature upgraded robotics to supplement aerial mobility.

AeroVironment engineers from the MacCready Works team previously worked with NASA JPL to co-design and develop the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter, which has completed 52 successful flights to date on Mars and survived 781 sols on the surface, far outperforming its design objectives.

“Accomplishing the impossible has been AeroVironment’s mission for more than 50 years and we are excited to be working with the NASA JPL team again to conquer the next challenge,” said Scott Newbern, AeroVironment’s vice president and chief technology officer. “Ingenuity’s flights on Mars are a giant leap for robotic technology. Now we’re advancing this science further by helping to build helicopters that not only will continue flight on Mars, but also will include apparatus to collect samples to bring back to Earth for this historic mission.”

The two planned Sample Recovery Helicopters would be a secondary method of sample retrieval for the NASA/ESA Mars Sample Return Campaign. NASA’s Perseverance rover, which has already been collecting a diverse set of scientifically selected samples for potential safe return to Earth, is currently planned as the primary method of delivering samples to the Sample Retrieval Lander.

The Sample Recovery Helicopters would expand on Ingenuity’s design, adding wheels and gripping capabilities, to provide a secondary method to pick up cached sample tubes left on the surface by Perseverance and transport them to the Sample Retrieval Lander. Once the sample cache is launched off the red planet, another spacecraft would capture it in Mars orbit, and then bring it back to Earth safely and securely in the early to mid-2030s. After the samples are on Earth, scientists around the world would examine them using sophisticated instruments too large and complex to send to Mars. The samples would remain available for future generations to study with increasingly advanced technologies. Scientists believe the samples could shed light on whether life has ever existed on Mars.

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