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Archive for the ‘Press Release’ Category

Avon Protection Recognise Partnership with NSPA at DSEI

Wednesday, September 15th, 2021

Paul Hammond, Chief of Staff at NSPA met Avon Protection at DSEI following their first successful year of delivery against the 10-year contract to supply a complete CBRN personal respirator system.

Understanding the operational flexibility required by NATO forces, Avon Protection were awarded a 10-year contract to provide a unique modular respirator system to protect NATO troops. The FM50 respirator and a suite of filters are at the core of the personal respirator system selected by NSPA.

The FM50 is designed to protect troops in the most demanding of environments. Developed in conjunction with the United States Department of Defense to counter the multiple CBRN threats met in modern war fighting, anti-terrorist and peace-keeping operations, the FM50 provides the operational flexibility and interoperability required by NATO Allies and Partner forces.

The FM50 is the most operationally proven and widely deployed battlefield respirator in the world. Many NATO Nations and Partners including Belgium, Denmark, Finland, The Netherlands, Norway and more recently Lithuania have already utilised the framework contract to equip their military personnel with the FM50.

Commenting on the visit, Steve Elwell, Vice President – Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia, Avon Protection said, “Today we celebrate the successful ongoing partnership between NSPA and Avon Protection. NSPA is a strategically important customer to us, and we look forward to continuing to work together to provide NATO with world leading military capabilities.”

The Wing Group Announces the Largest Contract Award in its 47-year History

Wednesday, September 15th, 2021

Arcata, Ca/Lafayette Ca. September 14, 2021

For Immediate Release

The Wing Group of companies have built deep, trusted relationships with elite users and consumers over a collective span of nearly 75-years.  Built on a rich and authentic heritage of delivering confidence to people in the harshest operating environments in the world, the company brands have earned loyalty and recognition for designing and manufacturing innovative and high-quality product solutions.  

The Company is thrilled to announce that the Department of Defense, on behalf of the United States Marine Corps, has awarded Wing Inflatables, Inc. the single largest contract in our company’s history.

“Wing Inflatables Inc., Arcata, California, is awarded a $31,921,100 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the purchase of up to a maximum of 904 Enhanced – Combat Rubber Reconnaissance Craft. Work will be performed in Arcata, California, and is expected to be complete by August 2026. “as quoted from the United States Department of Defense.

Wing inflatables has been working on an evolutionary new design based on next generation fabric for over five years.  The new craft reduces operational stress by over 52% and significantly enlarges the potential mission profiles.

With this award, Wing Inflatables will need to add roughly 45 new positions in its current Arcata location.

Commenting on the award, Andrew Branagh, CEO of the Wing Group, “I don’t believe that there is a more focused center of excellence anywhere in the world for inflatable small combat rubber raiding boat design and manufacturing than has been created in Arcata California.  This is a stunning achievement. With this evolutionary design, the team has changed the definition of an inflatable high-performance craft.  This is an exciting time, and we are opening our doors for additional people to join the build team.”

The contract award required the first 10 boats to be delivered for first article testing in the 4th quarter of 2021.

BCB Exhibiting New Patrol Ration Cooking System at DSEi

Wednesday, September 15th, 2021

BCB International will be exhibiting at DSEI London 2021, where they will launch the newest product in the FireDragon range.

BCB International has been innovating and creating lifesaving products since 1854, when Dr Brown developed a cough medicine that was distributed to the British troops in the Crimean War, suffering in the trenches.

BCB International is a family-owned business and in 1949 Dr Browns Cough Bottle, or BCB Ltd was bought by Deryck Howell. In 1979, Andrew Howell developed the company further and set up BCB International which focused on designing and manufacturing survival equipment.

The company’s driving force, CANEI: Continuous and Never-Ending Innovation, sparked an array of unique survival products including shark repellent, first aid kits, ballistic protective underwear, dubbed ‘Blast Boxers’, camouflage cream and floating body armour.

FireDragon was created in 2015 by Andrew Howell to replace the toxic Hexamine blocks after two soldiers passed away from the fumes. FireDragon is a toxin free, eco-friendly, gel fuel which was taken on by the UK MOD in 2016 and is now used as their primary fuel source in the field.

The newest product in the range, the Patrol Ration Cooking system is an ultralight weight (20grams) cooker which will use varying sizes of the FireDragon, that are now available from 9 gram to 14 to the 28-gram fuel blocks.

The new cooking system is bespoke to the individuals requirements as needed by the user. Each set can include all non-food items such as water purification tablets, spork, waste bag, cooking handle, and toothpicks etc.

Due to the non-toxicity of FireDragon, the fuel can be packed within the ration kit, alongside food with no harmful effects.

As well as being eco-friendly and toxin free, FireDragon burns cleanly and can light even when wet to ensure it can be used in even the most extreme of conditions.

This year, BCB International’s primary focus shifted to develop lifesaving equipment in the battle against the Coronavirus, including an anti-bacterial and anti-viral hand sanitiser, among other protective equipment. Dr Browne’s has come out of retirement and is now the leading product in their Anti-COVID range as 80% proof hand sanitiser. BCB has been working 24/7 since March 2020, working closely with the NHS, police and, with governments around the world, suppling them with their essential PPE needs as well as donating PPE supplies around the world.

Today, BCB International supplies to mainly government departments (including the MoD, police and MoJ) and blue-chip companies in the defence and marine markets in 52 countries worldwide, with 40% exports. BCB’s retail and humanitarian sectors also continue to grow, building relationships directly with consumers and countries who need to survive in the extremes and when affected by natural disasters.

BCB International will be exhibiting a range of their products at DSEI, including but not limited to; camouflage nets, Blast Boxers, Floating Armour Torso System (otherwise known as FATS) and the boat stopping system. FireDragon demonstrations and samples of our Hand Sanitiser can be found by visiting the BCB International stand H2-600.

HENSOLDT and L3Harris Join Forces for NATO Surveillance Programme

Wednesday, September 15th, 2021

Taufkirchen, Germany, 14 September 2021 – Sensor solutions provider HENSOLDT and L3Harris Technologies join forces to develop new capabilities for NATO’s Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (AFSC) programme. Both companies have signed a joint strategic cooperation agreement to combine their respective skills in the areas of platform-independent mission solutions.

In the frame of the cooperation, HENSOLDT, with its track record in developing and manufacturing sensors and mission systems, will contribute, among other things, capabilities in the areas of active and passive sensors, sensor data fusion and network management capabilities.

“Next-generation surveillance requires an intelligent approach to platform-independent, networked high-end sensors, AI-based date exploitation and dissemination” said Jürgen Halder, Head of Strategic Projects at HENSOLDT’s Spectrum Dominance division. “L3Harris and HENSOLDT with their respective strengths are ideally suited to offer NATO the optimum solution.”

“Our team will explore open systems, multi-function solutions and data-centric concepts to sustain the NATO Alliance’s military advantage from 2035 and beyond“,  said Dave Johnson, Vice President, Strategy, Integrated Mission Systems, L3Harris.

L3Harris and HENSOLDT are part of an international team that brings together NATO nations’ industrial expertise in surveillance and control. This team will analyse the risks and feasibility of technologies and components within its system-of-systems approach to enhance the NATO Alliance’s capabilities to 2035 and beyond.  L3Harris’ international teammates share a common vision: to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of future NATO military operations through the procurement and integration of a multi-domain (AFSC) capability centred around the data enterprise.

Saab’s Next Generation Combat Boat on the Thames

Tuesday, September 14th, 2021

Travelling for the first time outside of its native Sweden Saab’s Combat Boat 90 NG (CB90), a new generation of this fast assault craft, has toured the Thames visiting London landmarks.  The combat boat will be shown from 14-17 September at the DSEI exhibition taking place at ExCeL London.


Photo: Jamie Hunter

Building on the previous generation of more than 250 boats operating worldwide, the CB90 Next Generation (CB90 NG) features new capabilities. Designed to swiftly transport marines and other forces, CB90 NG is renowned for the ease by which troops can rapidly get on-shore and depart again, be it a beach or an awkward, elevated rocky shore. Depending on the mission, CB90 NG can take on different roles such as to search for threats, share intelligence, rapidly deploy troops and attack the enemy. CB90 NG includes a new combat management system and sensors for surveillance, ballistic protection, as well as further improved stealth, manoeuvrability and speed. By providing amphibious forces with multi-mission capabilities, CB90 NG is an even more potent means by which to project force from the sea.

“It’s great to have CB90 NG here in London on its first visit outside of Sweden.  We are proud of our combat boat and the capability it offers to our partners, and feel privileged to show it off to Londoners on the Thames today,” said Magnus Lewis-Olsson, Chairman of Saab UK.

CB90 NG has potential applications with specialist military units such as the Royal Marines Future Commando Force and the Littoral Strike Groups. The example of CB90 NG seen on the Thames and shown at DSEI this week was recently delivered to the Swedish Navy, with the designation Docksta CB 90HSM. It is representative of how CB90 Next Generation is customised to meet a customer’s requirement, and DSEI gives armed forces the chance to see and learn more about this adaptability in person.

The exceptionally fast and agile combat boat has a top speed well beyond 40 knots and can carry up to 21 amphibious troops with full equipment.  Additionally it can be armed with large calibre machine guns, a MK19 grenade launcher, naval mines and depth charges, as well as Saab’s own Trackfire (a remote weapons station that enable weapons to fire with superb accuracy whilst the boat is on the move).

CB90 Next Generation will put on displays twice-daily as part of DSEI’s waterborne demonstrations outside the main hall. Saab is welcoming visitors to DSEI to come along to where the craft will be docked on the Royal Docks to see CB90 NG for themselves.

For over 40 years Saab’s relationship with the UK has empowered defence and security personnel, shared technological developments and helped to keep Britain safe. As a pioneer of innovation, Saab is committed to developing leading-edge technologies and capabilities that drive interoperability and provide the UK with the upper-hand over challenges and adversaries. Saab UK’s collaboration seeks to bring together the best of British and Swedish engineering.

Watch video of the CB90 in action here.

Mission First Tactical (MFT) Announces the MFT Extreme Duty Polymer Mag 7.62 X 51 NATO

Tuesday, September 14th, 2021

Available in 10 rounds, the MFT Extreme Duty Polymer Magazine utilizes new material technology and manufacturing processes for enhanced strength, durability, and reliability.

Horsham, Pa. (September 2021) – Mission First Tactical, LLC (MFT™), a leader in USA-made rifle/carbine accessories, is proud to introduce the MFT Extreme Duty Polymer Mag 7.62 X 51 NATO, available in a 10 round option. Designed for the AR10A/SR25/M1110 pattern rifles, the MFT Extreme Duty Polymer Mag has been optimized for use with SAAMI-spec 7.62×51 and .308 Winchester ammunition.

Manufactured using the newest material technology and processes, the Extreme Duty Polymer Magazines with their next-generation, long glass-fiber polymer construction offers perfection in structural performance: strength, durability, and reliability to exceed demanding military performance specs. A long-life USGI-Spec stainless steel spring is corrosion resistant. The four-way, anti-tilt, self-lubricating follower keeps the rounds aligned and makes mag feeding consistent and reliable, while virtually eliminating jams.

The front and rear of the gripping surface is ribbed for a positive grip, even with gloves.  An oversized bolt-catch provides enhanced reliability of the bolt catch operation. The flared floor plate allows for an easier grip in handling and extraction and one-hand reloads. Wrapping up the multiple benefits to the Extreme Duty Polymer Mag 7.62 X 51 NATO is a paint dox matrix to allow for easy marking and identification of magazines and the tool-less disassembly with the double floor plate safety release tabs. Available in Black and Scorched Dark Earth with an MSRP of $22.99.

Mission First Tactical is proud to dedicate the new 7.62x51mm magazines to the memory of Frank DeSomma from Patriot Ordnance Factory. It was a privilege to work with him through the development process. He will be missed greatly!

Mission First Tactical products come with a Lifetime Warranty. For more information on Mission First Tactical, www.missionfirsttactical.com.

Energetics Technology Ltd Launch Door Breaching Grenade

Tuesday, September 14th, 2021

A new breaching grenade technology developed by the UK Government has been licensed to Energetics Technology Limited (ETL) in a deal that will improve Explosive Method of Entry (EMOE) operations and improve safety for operatives.

UK-based ETL has taken a licence for a 40mm stand-off breaching grenade technology developed by Dstl; brokered by Ploughshare Innovations in its role as the MOD’s Technology Transfer Office.

The Grenade is designed for use in scenarios where there is a need to breach locked doors to gain access to a building or room. It deforms a variety of door materials – including multi-lock steel doors.

The improved directional control of the explosive blast lowers the risk to the breaching team and reduces their stand-off distance. Fragmentation effects behind the door are minimised, reducing collateral damage and highly targeted, there is also a reduced amount of explosives used.

For further information, please visit: www.energetics-technology.com/products/ammunition-2

The Aardvark Group Unveils RANG-R at DSEI

Tuesday, September 14th, 2021

The RANG-R (Remote Autonomous Next Generation-Rover) is Aardvark’s next generation, class leading, multi-role, autonomous Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) developed through a collaboration with some of the leading minds in the fields of Autonomous vehicles, Artificial Intelligence, Sensor Technology, and the Human Machine Interface to extend critical missions whilst massively reducing the human burden.

Key capabilities:

• Can be deployed on logistics support, C-EO / C-IED, humanitarian and conservation

missions.

• Payload capacity of 3,850Kg (2 x NATO pallets).

• Autonomous load and off load capability.

• Maximum speed of 70 kph.

• Range of 100 km and 72 hr run time without resupply.

RANG-R will be deployed in Defence, Policing, Security and Search & Rescue environs with an advanced toolkit adaptable to match a vast scope of operational requirements and was borne out of our clients informing us that their operations were becoming more remote, more complex, harder to supply and in vastly more hazardous environments. These factors have resulted in the need to carry high levels of capability, equipment, and supplies to maintain the welfare of operators, potentially at the cost of task effectiveness and ultimately increasing the physical burden on the team.

By working with operators around the globe, Aardvark has created an advanced technological solution to these client needs by developing a UGV that can provide crucial support to the front line, reduce the logistical burden of resupply, whilst delivering security and supporting the sustainment of effort on the task. RANG-R can be fitted with a range of tools designed to mitigate a wide variety of threats whilst integrating with other advanced technologies to provide enhanced situational awareness.

The Aardvark Group’s CEO, David St John-Claire said:

“Our clients required a multi-role UGV solution that embodied the Aardvark ethos of reliability, survivability and affordability and I truly believe that the RANG-R delivers fully against that requirement.

“I am incredibly proud of the Aardvark family of colleagues and strategic partners who have worked tirelessly during the pandemic to deliver RANG-R to market.”

www.aardvark.group