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Battle Steel Introduces Groundbreaking TACLite Line of Ballistic Shields

Saturday, February 17th, 2024

Battle Steel, a renowned innovator in the field of personal and tactical defense equipment, is proud to announce the launch of its latest advancement in protective gear: the TACLite line of ballistic shields. This new line of shields represents a significant leap forward in safety technology, featuring a revolutionary lighter polyethylene material that dramatically reduces the weight of the shields without compromising their protective capabilities.

The TACLite shields are engineered to address a critical issue that has long burdened law enforcement and military personnel: user fatigue. By significantly lowering the weight of the shields, Battle Steel enhances operational efficiency and mobility, enabling users to maintain higher levels of performance and endurance in the field.

One of the most impressive aspects of the TACLite line is its capability to achieve up to a Level III+ rating, providing unparalleled protection against special threat rounds, including the M855 and M80 7.62mm rounds. This advanced protection level is a testament to Battle Steel’s commitment to offering state-of-the-art defense solutions that meet the evolving threats faced by those on the front lines.

The TACLite series is available in various sizes to accommodate the diverse needs and scenarios encountered by law enforcement, military, and security personnel. The line includes shields rated at Levels IIIA, III, and III+, ensuring that users can select the optimal level of protection for their specific requirements.

With this new line, Battle Steel continues to set the standard for tactical defense equipment, offering solutions that meet the demands of modern threats while prioritizing the safety and performance of the individuals who protect our communities and nations.

For more information about the TACLite line of ballistic shields and other Battle Steel products, please visit BattleSteel.com.

Posted in Armor, Press Release | Comments Off on Battle Steel Introduces Groundbreaking TACLite Line of Ballistic Shields

Bush School Team Awarded Project to Study Effectiveness of Lie-Detection System That Tracks Eye Behavior

Saturday, February 17th, 2024

Department of Defense Research Project Awarded to Joint International Affairs and Public Service and Administration Research Team – Ocular Methods in Credibility Assessment (IP# 75648)

BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Feb. 13, 2024 — A team of researchers from Texas A&M University’s Bush School of Government and Public Service has been selected to study the effectiveness of an ocular deception detection device.

The study, led by Associate Professor Michael Howell will assess Converus Inc.’s EyeDetect system’s ability to assess the credibility of deceptive and non-deceptive individuals. A companion study just concluded at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Both studies evaluate EyeDetect’s performance in potential federal government contexts, such as law enforcement, immigration, and intelligence.

Howell was selected for the role based on his prior work with the High Value Detainee Interrogation Group (HIG). The two-year study, which started in July, will be conducted along the Texas-Mexico border.

Co-principal investigators for the project are Dr. Danny Davis, Dan Debree, Dr. Trey Marchbanks, and Dr. Jim Nelson.

The contract for the study is through the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA). Texas A&M University is a partner of the ARLIS consortium of universities in the Intelligence and Security University Research Enterprise (INSURE) Academic Consortium, which connects member institutions to government missions in need of applied research resources. ARLIS is sponsored by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense of Intelligence and Security and is the only university-affiliated research center focused on the intersection of human behavior and technology.

Texas A&M University, a partner of the ARLIS consortium of universities in the Intelligence and Security University Research Enterprise (INSURE) Academic Consortium, has been awarded a contract by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) for the study of an ocular deception detection device produced by Converus Inc.

INSURE is a consortium connecting member institutions to government missions in need of applied research resources. ARLIS is sponsored by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense of Intelligence and Security and the only university-affiliated research center focused on the intersection of human behavior and technology.

This study will be led by Associate Professor of the Practice Michael Howell. Professor Howell, who was first contacted by DCSA regarding this proposed study that will be conducted along the Texas-Mexican border, was selected to fulfill this role based on his prior work with the High Value Detainee Interrogation Group (HIG).

Co-principal investigators for the project include Dr. Danny Davis, Professor Dan Debree, Dr. Trey Marchbanks, and Dr. Jim Nelson. The Texas A&M University team will conduct a thorough investigation of the Converus EyeDetect system’s ability to assess the credibility of deceptive and non-deceptive individuals. A companion study just concluded at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Both studies evaluate EyeDetect’s performance in potential federal government contexts, such as law enforcement, immigration, and intelligence. The project start date was July 31, 2023. The initial project will run for two years.

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Crye Precision Announces R-SERIES Officially Available

Friday, February 16th, 2024

Brooklyn, NY – February 16, 2024– Crye Precision®, one of the leading suppliers of uniforms and personal equipment to the military, law enforcement and public safety markets, has announced the new R-SERIES™, a highly configurable, modular, and scalable system is now available for purchase through the company’s website.

The R-SERIES™, the next evolution of the JPC 2.0™, is a highly tuned suite of load carriage innovations that strikes the nearly impossible balance between weight, durability, integration, modularity, versatility, and refinement. It was developed in collaboration with Special Operations Forces to address their unique and diverse requirements.

With the JPC R-SERIES™ at its core, the R-SERIES™ addresses the warfighter’s need to tailor the system to a constantly shifting mission profile. The design considers current cable routing requirements, various plate sizes and types, increase load carriage and additional extensive collaborations with end-user feedback.

A full suite of 18 components allow you to build four different configurations (ASSAULT, JUMP, RECCE, and PACK). ASSAULT configuration is a mission-ready plate carrier with the JPC R-SERIES™ as the foundation. The R-SERIES™ M4 JUMP FLAP can be removed, connected to the R-SERIES™ HARNESS ADAPTER and HARNESS to make a jumpable chest rig that can carry up to six, 30-round M4 mags. Add the R-SERIES™ ZIP-ON PACK and ADAPTER and you now have a lightweight plate carrier. Remove the front flap to align the PACK configuration.

These versatile arrangements can all be outfitted with an array of R-SERIES™ accessories that increase comfort and can accommodate new comms units, like the PRC-163 radio. These accessories can be mounted beside or below the front and back panels, furthering adding to the modularity of the series, and ensuring the load is more streamlined.

In addition to the accommodation of heavier loads and plate sizes, the new integrated cable management is designed to channel throughout the system to help keep everything streamlined.

“The R-SERIES™ started with asking our end users what they wanted changed from the JPC 2.0 and what they told us needed very little alteration,” stated Crye Precision Director of Marketing, Ernesto Rodriguez. “They had new load carriage and cable management requirements that needed to be addressed, along with the modularity created for the AVS™ system. The R-SERIES™ truly defines mission specific scalability.”

Available now through www.cryeprecision.com, the new R-Series comes in MULTICAM®, Ranger Green, Coyote, and Black.

Posted in Advertiser, Armor, Load Carrying, Press Release | 1 Comment »

Shoring Up National Security Preparedness: Rheinmetall to Build New Ammunition Plant

Friday, February 16th, 2024

German Chancellor and Prime Minister of Denmark Take Part in Ground-breaking CeremonyRheinmetall is taking an important strategic step to bolster Germany’s national security preparedness. The Düsseldorf-based tech enterprise is building a new factory at its Unterlüß site in the Lüneburg Heath in Lower Saxony, further enhancing the country’s self-reliance in ammunition production. Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen, and German defence minister Boris Pistorius joined Rheinmetall AG executive board chairman Armin Papperger for the official ground-breaking ceremony of “Werk Niedersachsen”, the Group’s new ammunition factory. Numerous other prominent personalities from the world of politics, administration, the armed forces and industry were present as well.

In future, Werk Niedersachsen will produce artillery ammunition, explosives and rocket artillery components. The factory will eventually manufacture some 200,000 artillery shells a year, along with up to 1,900 tonnes of RDX explosive and, optionally, other components for producing ammunition charges. In addition, production of rocket engines and possibly warheads could take place here, which will be necessary for the planned German rocket artillery project, for example.

“To secure Germany’s strategic sovereignty in the large-calibre ammunition domain, we’re creating a national production facility that sets new standards and will primarily meet the needs of the German Bundeswehr”, declares Armin Papperger, going on to note that “with Werk Niedersachsen, we’re establishing another European centre for producing artillery ammunition and other effectors at our historic Unterlüß site. The move reflects our sense of responsibility and resolve to contribute materially to the ability of our country and our NATO partners to defend itself.”

This company-financed project represents investment volume in the €300 million range. Rheinmetall is therefore shouldering the entire cost of constructing the factory, with no government involvement. The factory will also mean around 500 new jobs in Unterlüß.

Rheinmetall’s new factory will make it possible to meet the Bundeswehr’s own needs through domestic production and – especially in a crisis – to assure unrestricted transfers to partner nations. Previous dependency on export permits issued by other countries will thus be eliminated, giving Germany full sovereignty in this national security-relevant domain. In the process, Rheinmetall will create a complete value-added chain for artillery ammunition in Unterlüß, enabling it to offer the ‘full shot’ from a single source, including the shell, fuse, explosive charge and propelling charge.

Werk Niedersachsen will operate largely autonomously, with all the work steps necessary for producing artillery shells carried out on location. In building this plant, Rheinmetall is pursuing a modular, scalable concept for assuring a secure supply of ammunition, one with the potential for additional growth.

The top priority for the new factory is the earliest possible start of production. Following a construction period of around twelve months – proceeding from the date of the contract – annual capacity will be 50,000 shells a year. Germany’s initial share of value added will come to 50 percent, gradually increasing in the second year of production to 80 percent and to 100 percent in the third. By this point, Germany will have a fully autarkic supply of artillery ammunition, with value added generated entirely at home.

In terms of volume, annual capacity will reach 100,000 shells in the second year of production, later rising to 200,000 a year.

Background:
Artillery is a vital capability of land warfare. The war in Ukraine shows how immense the need for ammunition is. The Bundeswehr’s depots are empty; replenishing its stocks will cost an estimated €40 billion. Enormous consumption of ammunition in Ukraine is exacerbating current shortages. The western world’s available production capacity is not structured to meet demand on this scale. Like other countries, Germany therefore plans to procure large amounts of ammunition over an extended period.

Rheinmetall is a leading defence contractor and one of the world’s largest producers of ammunition. In recent months, the Group has already been investing substantially in its production network. By 2025, Rheinmetall aims to produce up to 700,000 rounds of artillery ammunition at its plants in Germany, Spain, South Africa, Australia and Hungary, as well as 10,000 tonnes of powder.

Posted in Ammo, Industry, International, Press Release | 4 Comments »

Saab Receives Order for RBS 70 NG from Canada

Friday, February 16th, 2024

Saab has received an order from the Government of Canada for the short-range air defence system RBS 70 NG. The order value is approximately CAD 227 million (SEK 1.8 billion) with deliveries starting during 2024.

The order includes all necessary equipment to operate the RBS 70 NG, including firing units, missiles, transport vehicles, training and support. Following a competitive procurement process, Saab’s offer was chosen to meet the urgent operational requirement for Canada’s Soldier Portable Air Defence System Program. Through this programme, Saab will provide long term air defence support to the Canadian Armed Forces, with a specific focus on their Enhanced Forward Presence in Latvia. As part of its offer, Saab has committed to creating Canadian content through its local office and Canada-based partners and suppliers.

“We are pleased to deliver our proven and efficient air defence solution RBS 70 NG, which is a critical capability for nations in the current environment”, says Saab’s President and CEO Micael Johansson.

RBS 70 NG is a short-range air defence system manufactured by Saab. It is characterised by its unjammable laser-beam guidance and auto-tracking technology. Saab has RBS 70 NG customers globally, including Brazil, the Czech Republic and Latvia.

Posted in Contracts, International, Munitions, Press Release | 3 Comments »

NFM France, Cooneen Protection Ltd and Partners Awarded Major Contract by French MOI

Friday, February 16th, 2024

NFM Group and Cooneen Protection Ltd are proud to announce a landmark con-tract awarded by the French Ministry of Interior (MOI). The consortium, with NFM France SAS acting as the representative, alongside Cooneen Protection Ltd and NFM Production Sp. z o.o. has been selected to supply Individual Bulletproof Vests 2022 (GPB-I) and tactical vest for various French security forces.

NFM Group and Cooneen Protection Ltd take immense pride in being entrusted with the responsibility of providing state-of-the-art protective gear to France’s protectors. This achievement underscores our joint commitment to protecting those who safeguard French communities, and we are proud to contribute to their safety with our products.

The objective of the tender was to provide advanced protective gear for the Police Nationale, Gendarmerie Nationale, Gendarmerie Maritime, French Customs, Security and Defense Cooperation Directorate, and Penitentiary Administration.

“The solution is a combination of protection and modularity thanks to the combination of products including the tactical vest: it is scalable which leads to being fully compliant with the users need to accomplish all aspects of their daily missions,” says Johann Le Cunff Managing Director NFM France.

The contract includes two lots:

• Lot 1: Supply of a substantial quantity of Individual Bulletproof Vests and Tactical Vests, specifically designed for female operators.

• Lot 2: Supply of a significant number of Individual Bulletproof Vests and Tactical Vests, tailored for male operators.

The contract entails the delivery of up to 511,350 concealment vests and 415,596 tactical vests, catering to both male and female operators, over a period of four years.

The French Ministry of Interior (MOI) is at the forefront of a pioneering initiative within the protective gear sector, as demonstrated by their latest requirements set out in two distinct lots. It is particularly noteworthy that the French MOI has acknowledged and catered to the specific needs for female operators’ protective gear.

“In Lot 1, they have established an industry-leading approach by requesting a comprehensive range of body armour, distinctly designed for the unique requirements of female personnel. This progressive move reflects a profound understanding of the importance of comfort, fit, and protection in crafting gear for female end-users,” says Neville McIlwrath, Business Support Director at Cooneen Protection Ltd.

Lot 2, with its focus on male operators, ensures all personnel are equally outfitted with the highest standards of protection. Collectively, these lots underscore our dedication to fulfilling the diverse requirements of the French MOI, while showcasing our ability to innovate and adapt in a rapidly evolving industry.

“NFM and Cooneen are honoured to be part of this visionary development initiated by the French MOI. Our contribution to supplying these bespoke products not only meets a critical need but also marks our participation in a significant shift towards inclusivity and innovation in protective gear,” says Johann Le Cunff.

COMMITMENT TO QUALITY AND COLLABORATION

NFM France and Cooneen Protection Ltd. came together in a unique collaboration to provide an innovative and leading solution to the requirements of the French MOI. Both companies who are leaders in their respective markets worked closely together to develop and submit a winning solution to both female and male body armour requirements established by the French MOI.

“We were excited by the prospect of working with NFM in this unique arrangement. Our collaboration highlights the value of combining specialized skills and industry-leading expertise, and we look forward to the successful delivery of the contract,” says Neville McIlwrath.

NFM France’s commitment to local expertise is also clearly demonstrated through our strong engagement with leading French raw material suppliers.

“The contract highlights our strong collaboration with leading French raw material partners and underscores NFM’s commitment to incorporating first-choice French materials in our product composition, showcasing our pride working with top-tier local suppliers,” says Johann Le Cunff.

This contract with the French MOI marks a significant milestone for both NFM Group and Cooneen Protection.

“This partnership not only reinforces our commitment to supporting those who protect us but also strengthens NFM’s position as a major player in France,” says Johann Le Cunff.

“Cooneen are pleased to have been selected to continue to supply vital body armour products to the French MOI and look forward to further developing our position in the French market,” says Neville McIlwrath.

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AARDVARK Tactical’s PROJECT7 Launches P7 Saves Initiative, Celebrates First Save

Friday, February 16th, 2024

La Verne, CA – PROJECT7 Armor is proud to announce the launch of its new P7 Saves Initiative. This project celebrates the resilience of law enforcement and military personnel who survive critical incidents in the field while wearing PROJECT7 products. The program will highlight the inspiring survival stories of the men and women PROJECT7 was founded to protect.

P7 Saves launches with the story of Jordan Robison, a San Bernardino, CA police officer who survived multiple gunshot wounds from a 10mm Glock during a vehicle takedown of an attempted murder suspect in August 2021. Robison was hit a total of seven times, with five rounds hitting outside the coverage of his PROJECT7 Scalable Entry Vest. Robison was struck once in each arm (fracturing both), once in the shoulder, once in the abdomen below his armor, and once in the leg resulting in a shattered femur. Two additional rounds were stopped by his armor with one deflecting off of his cummerbund creating a grazing wound to his side, and the second in the center of his rifle plate directly over his abdominal aorta.

After multiple surgeries and intensive physical and occupational therapy, Jordan was released from the hospital to continue his road to recovery. Today, Jordan is currently retired from law enforcement and working toward becoming a Physician’s Assistant. His goal is to work in the same hospital that treated him.

Jordan’s survival was due in large part to the heroic actions of his team members. This is especially true for Officer Chris Shipley, who treated Jordan with his own tourniquet despite also being shot in the leg, and Medic Spence Brumbaugh who kept Jordan alive during transport, giving the trauma team precious time to save Jordan once he arrived at the hospital.

Reflecting on the experience, Jordan said, “If I had to say one thing to the people who trained me, to all the people I’ve worked with over the years, to the people who made my armor, to the doctors who actually saved me– from the bottom of my heart, thank you.”

AARDVARK CEO and Founder of PROJECT7 Jon Becker summed up the experience by saying, “Jordan is the first save for PROJECT7. When we set out to build PROJECT7, we knew that eventually, someone’s life would depend upon our armor. That is why we chose the best possible ballistic partner in Safariland and it is what inspired us to build the best possible armor system. It is hard to express how grateful we are that Jordan is alive and healthy to experience the rest of his life.”

Jordan’s story is a real-world example of PROJECT7’s purpose. To celebrate this occasion PROJECT7 has released a short documentary of Jordan’s story which can be found at: aardvarktactical.com/p701

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Schiebel Camcopter S-100 Receives Operational Approval from Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA)

Thursday, February 15th, 2024

Australia, Perth, 13 February 2024 – Wedgetail Aerospace, supported by Schiebel Pacific, successfully obtained the approval from the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to operate the Schiebel CAMCOPTER® S-100 Unmanned Air System (UAS) in civil airspace. It is the first large (>150 kg) Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) UAS to attain this civil approval from the Australian authorities.

Wedgetail Aerospace, in close cooperation with Schiebel Pacific and the Australian authorities, completed the process to achieve their experimental approval with a series of flight demonstrations in Western Australia. This endorsement enables the S-100 to operate in Australian civil airspace. Possible applications now being pursued include fire and disaster monitoring, cargo delivery, as well as inspections and surveillance.

Additionally, Wedgetail Aerospace is a CASA approved training organisation and will offer an S-100 license for civil operations. Of note, the S-100 is regularly flying under a Defence Aviation Safety Agency (DASA) UAS permit, which the Royal Australian Navy obtained back in 2017 for their S-100 operations.

“This is a significant milestone for Schiebel Pacific and its Australian RPAS operations. The CASA approval enables us to offer the outstanding capabilities of the CAMCOPTER® S-100 system to the civil sector. With strong local partners, our wealth of experience in the operation of the S-100 and now with the approval of CASA, we are very well positioned for the Australian commercial market,” said Fabian Knechtl, Managing Director at Schiebel Pacific.

“Wedgetail Aerospace are delighted to have been able to work with Schiebel to achieve the first approval in Australia to operate a Large Category UAS and will now bring this transformational technology to the commercial market”, said Thomas Symes CEO of Wedgetail Aerospace.

Posted in Aviation, International, Press Release, UAS | Comments Off on Schiebel Camcopter S-100 Receives Operational Approval from Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA)