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Archive for the ‘Press Release’ Category

Teaming with Mercedes-Benz and ACS: Rheinmetall Presenting Caracal Airborne Vehicle Family

Wednesday, June 15th, 2022

The Eurosatory 2022 trade fair will see the premiere of the Caracal airborne vehicle family. In partnership with Mercedes-Benz and ACS Armoured Car Systems, Rheinmetall has tailored the new versatile and highly mobile 4×4 vehicle family to the requirements of platforms for airborne or special operations units. Now the new vehicle system, designed to the highest Original Equipment Manufacturer standards, will be presented for the first time to a wider circle of professionals.

The new family of airborne Caracal vehicles is based on the latest G-class chassis for rescue and special operations. The Caracal features maximum mobility, a lightweight design and optionally mountable protection elements for countering ballistic and landmine threats. Its 249 horsepower, six-cylinder Euro III diesel engine gives the 4,900 kg vehicle a top speed of 140 km/h.

The Caracal’s compact design makes it possible to airlift up to two vehicles in the cargo hold of a CH-53K King Stallion or CH-47F Chinook transport helicopter, which can also carry it as underslung cargo.

Thanks to its unique modular design and two available wheelbases, the Caracal can be employed in a variety of roles during airborne operations – as a basic troop carrier or medical support vehicle, for example, or as supply vehicle – all on one automotive platform.

The Caracal will be ready for full-scale production starting in 2023. Rheinmetall offers full lifecycle support for a period exceeding twenty years.

Eurosatory 2022 takes place in Paris 13 to 17 June. Under the motto “Move – Sense – Strike”, Rheinmetall is showcasing part of its comprehensive range of products and activities there. Occupying an exhibition area of around 3,000 square metres, Rheinmetall’s presence this year will be its biggest ever at Eurosatory. The emphasis is on reconnaissance capabilities, networkability, mobility, survivability and lethality on the battlefields of the future. We look forward to welcoming you at Stand F241-240 in the outdoor area behind Hall 6!

HENSOLDT Optronics and THEON SENSORS Establish New Company

Wednesday, June 15th, 2022

Paris/Taufkirchen/Athens, 14 June 2022 – HENSOLDT Optronics GmbH and THEON SENSORS SA are establishing a joint company called HENSOLDT THEON NightVision GmbH. The company is headquartered in Wetzlar, Germany. HENSOLDT with THEON SENSORS will appoint the managers.

Both companies are already successfully cooperating within the framework of a bidding consortium for a contract to manufacture and supply 9.550 pairs of night vision goggles, (5.000 for the German and 4.550 for the Belgian armed forces) on behalf of the armament agency OCCAR. Now both partners are complementing their capabilities in the field of thermal imaging and night vision systems. Specifically, new products are to be created on the technological basis of THEON’s night vision goggles and HENSOLDT Optronics’ weapon-adapted night vision attachments.

At the signing of the contract with THEON SENSORS CEO Christian Hadjiminas at EUROSATORY 2022 in Paris, Andreas Hülle, Head of the Optronics & Land Solutions Division and Managing Director of Optronics GmbH, said: “The merger with THEON SENSORS to form HENSOLDT THEON NightVision GmbH is directly related to HENSOLDT’s growth strategy. The current conflict situation in Ukraine shows how important high-performance sensor technology and optical systems are for equipping our armed forces in line with the times.”

Christian Hadjiminas, CEO of THEON SENSORS and President of EFA GROUP, added: “The global geo-political challenges are creating a new focus on the performance and accountability of night vision and thermal imaging systems world-wide. This new joint company HENSOLDT THEON NightVision GmbH will drive new insights and solutions as leading companies, HENSOLDT and THEON SENSORS, with complementary capabilities work together to meet the common goal of establishment of strong inter-European defence links.”

By combining capabilities from both parent companies, future product requirements can be developed even faster and in a more targeted manner and made available in a user-oriented manner. Existing products from both parent companies will serve as an innovative basis for further and new development.

For HENSOLDT THEON NightVision GmbH, the production site in Wetzlar is of central importance. In addition to the long-standing cooperation with the German Armed Forces and armed forces of associated nations, HENSOLDT also offers an excellent basis for logistical support. By combining technology, production and logistical services, the added value for customers is significantly increased and new jobs are created at the location. In the medium term, solid growth is planned for the new company due to the demand for state-of-the-art thermal imaging and night vision systems. 

S.O.Tech 3 Day Assault Pack: Brushstroke

Tuesday, June 14th, 2022

The Three Day Assault Pack is nothing new to the American Warrior – the size of the load dates back to the American Revolution. It came of age for our generation with Eagle’s AIII pack and every unit has requested a derivative design ever since. Our Three Day Assault Pack was designed for Special Operations personnel who wanted a lower profile to blend into civilian operational environments.  Our pack carries the 3 day load, but the external box pockets have been shifted inside and the profile was morphed from the kid’s school bag shape to a sport bullet shape.

Go Bags go live on sotechtactical.com main page on 6/17 at 12pm PST. $180. Limit 1 per customer.

AeroVironment Awarded $6.2 Million Puma 3 AE Unmanned Aircraft Systems Contract by United States Marine Corps

Tuesday, June 14th, 2022

• Puma 3 AE unmanned aircraft system delivers immediate tactical reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition in day or night maritime and land-based operations

• AeroVironment’s small unmanned aircraft systems comprise the majority of all unmanned aircraft in the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) inventory; deployed by more than 50 allied governments

The Puma 3 All Environment (AE) unmanned aircraft system is rapidly deployable via hand-launch and can land in salt water, fresh water or on land. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Gabino Perez) Disclaimer: The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.

ARLINGTON, Va., June 14, 2022 –AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global leader in intelligent, multi-domain robotic systems, today announced receipt of a $6,166,952 firm-fixed-price contract award for Puma™ 3 AE small unmanned aircraft systems (SUAS) and spares on May 3, 2022, for the U.S. Marine Corps. Delivery is anticipated to be completed in July 2022.

“Puma 3 AE has proven itself as the ideal solution for low-altitude intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions in any operational environment and continues to serve as the backbone of the U.S. Marine Corps Medium Range/Medium Endurance Forces,” said Trace Stevenson, AeroVironment vice president and product line general manager for SUAS.

AeroVironment’s Puma 3 AE delivers mission critical capabilities in all environments. Puma 3 AE has a wingspan of 9.2 feet (2.8 meters), weighs 15 pounds (6.8 kilograms) and can operate up to 37.2 miles (60 kilometers) with AeroVironment’s Long-Range Tracking Antenna (LRTA). Multi-mission capable, operators can easily swap Puma 3 AE’s payloads quickly, selecting between the Mantis™ i45 and the enhanced night variant, Mantis i45 N. Puma 3 AE is launchable by hand, bungee, rail, or vehicle, and is recoverable by deep-stall landing, providing class-leading capabilities in challenging environments around the world.

AeroVironment’s SUAS comprise the majority of all unmanned aircraft in the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) inventory, and its rapidly growing international customer base numbers more than 50 allied governments, including the Ukraine. To learn more, visit www.avinc.com.

ZEV Technologies Announces Their Official Launch Of The Christian Craighead OZ9

Tuesday, June 14th, 2022

ZEV Technologies announces their official launch of the Christian Craighead OZ9. The launch is happening on Wednesday (6/15) at 5 pm EDT. ZEV collaborated with the famed SAS veteran to design a signature OZ9 with features consisting of a special coating called “Jackal Brown™”, aggressive slide serrations cut at 22 degrees, and a custom Craighead logo on the port side, and a modified Blackbeard logo on the other side.

“Team ZEV is more than happy to have collaborated on the Craighead OZ9. You’ll find it’s a unique handgun that not only shoots flat but, is also incredibly accurate and just aesthetically checks all the boxes.”

– Dan Groce, Director of Brand Engagement

www.zevtechnologies.com

U.S. Army Selects SIG SAUER Advanced Sniper Rifle Ammunition

Monday, June 13th, 2022

NEWINGTON, N.H., (June 13, 2022) – Following the success of the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy MK248 300WM Precision Sniper Rifle Contract, SIG SAUER is pleased to announce another U.S. Army award to manufacture the follow-on Advanced Sniper Rifle (ASR) 300 Norma Mag (NM) and armor piercing 338 Norma Mag (NM) ammunition.  

“This selection by the U.S. Army to manufacture ASR ammunition reinforces SIG SAUER as the leading manufacturer of modern sniper ammunition for the U.S. Department of Defense, and demonstrates confidence in SIG’s ability to deliver the most precise ammunition in the world,” began Ron Cohen, President and CEO SIG SAUER, Inc.

The U.S. Army ASR ammunition contract consists of two cartridges: M1163, a 300NM, 215 grain round, and M1162 an armor piercing 338NM, 300 grain round.  The $157MM maximum value contract includes 4.5MM rounds for the first delivery order.

“Sniper ammunition must be manufactured to the most precise standards.  This award, combined with our proven success in the MK248 300WM contract, further demonstrates our most important customer’s confidence in our ability to build and deliver the most precise ammunition,” concluded Cohen.  

All SIG SAUER Ammunition, including the Precision Sniper Rifle MK248, the Advanced Sniper Rifle M1162 and M1163, and the new Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW) 6.8mm Common Cartridge, is American made and manufactured at our state-of-the-art ammunition manufacturing facility in Jacksonville, Arkansas.

sigsauer.com

FN’s Five-Seven Pistol Receives Major Upgrade

Monday, June 13th, 2022

THE ULTIMATE PRECISION PISTOL IS
NOW OPTICS-READY
(McLean, VA – June 13, 2022) FN America, LLC is proud to introduce the all-new FN Five-seveN® MRD optics-ready pistol chambered in 5.7x28mm. After decades of trusted service with global militaries, law enforcement and civilian sport shooters, the FN Five-seveN receives a complete design update with a factory-milled slide to accept most micro red dot optics. Coupled with major upgrades to the frame and slide, the new FN Five-seveN MRD sets a new standard for optic-interoperability, control and accuracy.

“The FN Five-seveN pistol has been immensely popular since its introduction. Its original design capturing the performance of the FN-designed 5.7x28mm cartridge made it an instant success, and it’s positioned to do it yet again with the dramatic redesign of the FN Five-seveN MRD,” said Chris Cole, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for FN America, LLC. “With the addition of an integral optics mounting system on the slide, an already accurate pistol now redefines what handgun accuracy means. We’re truly excited to bring this new pistol to market with features our customers want in their favorite FN caliber.”

The FN Five-seveN MRD, like its predecessor, is a 5.7x28mm-chambered, delayed blowback-operated pistol. The internal, single-action-only hammer produces a clean and consistent trigger pull that breaks at approximately 6 pounds, with minimal take-up and a short reset. FN’s 4.8-inch cold hammer-forged barrel combined with the inherent benefits of the design and high velocity bottleneck cartridge produces a flat-shooting pistol with extremely low felt-recoil. Users can stay on target with accuracy and precision at extended ranges, unmatched by any other semi-auto handguns.

“When we embarked on this design update for the Five-seveN MRD, we focused on the core benefits our user base wants in a modern pistol,” said John Ryan, Director of Product Management for FN America, LLC. “The Five-seveN pistol was already extremely accurate and reliable, although there was untapped performance in the design and cartridge to bring forward. Milling the slide in the factory allows for immediate mounting of almost any MRD on the market, with improved ergonomics and controls, the Five-seveN MRD delivers more precision and versatility for the modern handgunner.”

Following FN’s optics-ready pistol tradition, the Five-seveN MRD’s optic mount consists of a series of plates that mate the optic to the slide. Just like FN’s 509 optics-ready pistols, users are able to mount a miniature red dot sight within minutes using the corresponding plates and screws provided with the pistol. The system is compatible with most common miniature red dot sights including the Leupold DeltaPoint Pro, Trijicon RMR, Vortex Optics, Burris FastFire series, Docter Optics and more. The three-dot photo luminescent sights glow in low light conditions, are adjustable for elevation and windage and co-witness with certain optics. 

With newly enhanced slide serrations and extended cocking ridges at the rear of the slide, the Five-seveN MRD’s overall operability and user manipulations are vastly improved while the ergonomic changes to the frame’s backstrap allow for a more natural point of aim and better fit. A new stippled texturing on the grip frame along with more extensive front strap serrations improve grip consistency for complete control. The magazine release has also been enlarged and reshaped for intuitive control and rapid reloads. Carrying over from the original design are the 20-round standard magazine, safety selector located directly above the trigger, serrated trigger shoe and trigger guard.

The FN Five-seveN MRD is available in matte black or FN-signature flat dark earth (FDE) and ships in a zippered pistol case with two 20-round magazines and optics-mounting hardware required to mount an optic. To learn more about the FN Five-seveN MRD, please visit www.fnamerica.com.

Night Fision Tritium Optics Ready Sights

Sunday, June 12th, 2022

Night Fision’s Optics Ready Stealth Series (ORS) tritium sights are engineered to offer a lower 1/3 co-witness, but with the new blade heights, a wider array of optics, and handgun combinations will see what is regarded as the best position for backup irons on a handgun with a slide-mounted optic.

As an alternative to repurposing Suppressor Height sights, ORS sights are designed from the dovetail up to work as backup sights for optics yet obscuring less of the optic window while still allowing three-dot sight alignment if needed.

Night Fision Optics Ready Sights

Night Fision Stealth Pistol Optics Ready Sights

Night Fision is pleased to announce new blade height offerings for three manufacturers in their Optics Ready Stealth Series product line; Glock, SIG SAUER, and Heckler & Koch.

Stealth Glock Optics ReadySights

Designed to work with pistol optics, these Optics Ready Glock sights offer the perfect 1/3 co-witness tailored to the shooter’s preference. Additionally, they are serrated for low glare so you’ll never know they’re there until you need them.

 

Glock Optics Ready Sights

 Stealth SIG Sauer Optics Ready Sights

Designed to work with pistol optics, these Optics Ready SIG SAUER sights offer the perfect 1/3 co-witness tailored to the shooter’s preference. Additionally, they are serrated for low glare so you’ll never know they’re there until you need them.

Sig Sauer Optics Ready Sights

Stealth HK VP9 Optics Ready Sights

Designed to work with pistol optics, these Optics Ready HK VP9 sights offer the perfect 1/3 co-witness tailored to the shooter’s preference. Additionally, they are serrated for low glare so you’ll never know they’re there until you need them.

HK VP9 Optics Ready Sights

Stealth Series FEATURES

  • Green Tritium Vials in front and rear sights are housed in a ballistic-grade polymer
  • Thin ring size on front sight balances visibility without distraction
  • Perfect Dot front sights have a domed lens to focus glow for crisp sight picture and fluorescent rings guaranteed not to chip, crack, or break.
  • Rear sight available in blank or with black polymer ringed Tritium.
  • Serrated heavy-duty steel sight body complimented by a tough Nitride Coating
  • Blade heights allow for various co-witness possibilities with a variety of optic, plate, and milling-depth combinations.
  • Built in the USA with Swiss Tritium

These new sights are designed in a way that they are just high enough to clear the optic. In the past, many shooters have used suppressor height sights to co-witness with an optic. The problem with that is that clutters the optic sight window and can become distracting to the shooter. With many pistol optic manufacturers making larger sight windows, why would we want to impede that with tall irons?

The new Optics Ready Stealth tritium sights are designed to sit right at the bottom of the pistol optic sight window, allowing you to take full advantage of the sight picture, but still have co-witnessed irons as a backup.

These additions to our most popular product line affirm that they truly are designed with our customers in mind,” said Rachel Maloney, Marketing Director for Night Fision, “that we can help our customers create their perfect sight picture and remove any barriers to both having the brightest night sights on the market mounted on their gun, yet avoid crowding their optic window when they aren’t needed.”

For more information on these products or other Night Fision offerings, visit the Night Fision website.