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Nonprofits Forge Partnership to Advocate for Special Education Awareness, Improved Initiatives for Military-Connected Families

Thursday, December 31st, 2020

HARKER HEIGHTS, Texas — The Military Child Education Coalition® announced today a partnership with fellow nonprofit Partners in PROMISE to collaborate on an issue paper to address improvements and standardization practices for military-connected families with a child with special needs.

“We are thrilled to be working alongside Partners in PROMISE to offer recommendations for enhanced awareness and streamlined support that we feel will have an immediate, lasting impact for all military-connected children with special needs,” said MCEC President and CEO Dr. Becky Porter.

This just released issue paper highlights expected changes to be put into action as spelled out in the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act. In addition to the provisions expected in the 2021 NDAA, MCEC and Partners in PROMISE make the following recommendations for inclusion in future policy, practice and legislation:

• Ensure remote school enrollment for all military families.

• Allow families to maintain IEPs at a new the duty station after a PCS for up to six months.

• Require parental consent to all IEP changes before changes can be implemented.

• Instruct State Education Agencies and the U.S. Department of Education to gather and provide data on special education disputes involving military children, utilizing the existing Military Student Identifier.

“Partners in PROMISE has already become such a strong champion for raising awareness to Protect the Rights Of Military children In Special Education,” added Dr. Porter. “MCEC shares their passion, commitment, and advocacy, and we are proud to work with them to make a positive difference in the lives of all military-connected children with special needs.”

MCEC® used data obtained from its 2020 Military Kids NOW Education Survey, as part of the issue paper, which reflected responses from across all 50 states, two U.S. territories, and 21 countries, to help bolster recommendations for changes to mitigate the stressors for military children with special needs.

Learn more about the role MCEC plays globally at MilitaryChild.org.

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INVISIO Acquires Racal Acoustics, a World-Leading UK-based Supplier of Communication and Hearing Protection Solutions

Thursday, December 31st, 2020

INVISIO has signed an agreement to acquire all the shares in Racal Acoustics, a UK-based supplier of communication and hearing protection systems for high noise environments, with annual sales of approximately SEK 130 million.

Racal Acoustics Ltd, a subsidiary of TransDigm Group Inc. prior to INVISIO’s acquisition, is a world-leading brand with a history of more than 100 years in the design, development and manufacture of communication and hearing protection systems, focused on audio ancillary equipment for the military, first responder and aviation sectors. The London-based business has 55 highly skilled employees and a global footprint.

The acquisition is aligned with INVISIO’s growth strategy and the ambition to further strengthen its global market-leading position within communication and hearing protection systems.

The acquisition means that INVISIO will broaden its offer with a complementary new product category, consisting of advanced and rugged hearing protection and communications headsets for environments with constant high noise, often found in larger military vehicles and around aircraft.

The acquisition will provide INVISIO with access to customers and prospects in the attractive market niche for communication and hearing protection in vehicles, which is a highly relevant area for the new INVISIO Intercom System.

The purchase price to be paid by INVISIO is approximately SEK 170 million and is expected to be cash and debt-financed. Racal Acoustics has recently completed a successful restructuring. The acquisition is expected to contribute to INVISIO’s revenue for 2021 with more than SEK 130 million and with a positive result. No material integration costs are anticipated.

Under the terms of the acquisition, INVISIO will also acquire Racal Acoustics Inc, a US based sales company through which Racal Acoustics markets and sells its products to the US market. The acquisition, which is expected to close during the first quarter of 2021, is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

“We are very excited to welcome Racal Acoustics into the INVISIO-family. The deal is a perfect fit as the two companies are largely complementary. Over many years Racal Acoustics has built a strong position for communication and hearing protection in high noise environments such as military vehicles, while INVISIO has built a strong position for users in the field. Our combined product offerings and market footprints will strengthen our world leading position as the communication and hearing protection expert for users within military, first responder and aviation markets, whether in the field or in a vehicle,” says Lars Højgård Hansen, CEO of INVISIO.

“Joining INVISIO is the perfect next step to fully explore the potential in Racal Acoustics. As the companies to a large extent share the same business-DNA but target different market segments and sales channels, we have all the elements for a strong growth story and future together,” says James Ewing, Managing Director at Racal Acoustics.

Posted in Advertiser, Comms, Industry, International, Press Release | Comments Off on INVISIO Acquires Racal Acoustics, a World-Leading UK-based Supplier of Communication and Hearing Protection Solutions

Riton Optics Announces Eric Hickman as Brand Manager

Tuesday, December 29th, 2020

Tucson, AZ (29 December 2020)- Riton Optics is pleased to announce Eric Hickman as the new Brand Manager for Riton Optics. Within this position, Hickman is focusing on marketing programs, such as the ProStaff, brand ambassador and influencer programs, as well as the industry relations.

Hickman commented, “I am truly blessed to have this opportunity to work in an industry that I am really passionate about. To be able to do so with Riton Optics is just icing on the cake. The commitment to customer service and delivery of a quality product that is value driven was immediately evident. Furthermore, to do so right in my hometown of Tucson is a perfect fit for me!”

Hickman came to Riton Optics with 21 years of law enforcement experience having just retired as a Sergeant from the Tucson Police Department. In that time, he served in a variety of assignments to include S.W.A.T. and grenadier with Mobile Field Force bringing skills that translate into the optics industry. He also grew up hunting and shooting with his father from a very young age. He is a Tucson native and received a degree in Accounting and Finance from the University of Arizona.

According to Calley Carpenter, Director of Marketing for Riton Optics, “Beyond Eric’s passion and experience with shooting and optics, he has a great ability to connect with people and effectively manage relationships.”

With the addition of staff and a recent expansion, Riton Optics is continuing to push the market.

www.ritonoptics.com

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DroneShield C-sUAS Technology Supports US Army Exercise

Sunday, December 27th, 2020

DroneShield, a global leader in Counter-UAS (C-UAS) solutions, supported the recent U.S. Army Defense in Depth Exercise (DiDEX 20) with several of its C-UAS solutions for dismounted, mounted, and fixed-site drone detection.

During DiDEX, DroneShield successfully demonstrated its DroneSentryTM, DroneSentry-XTM, RfPatrolTM, and DroneGunTM solutions to support multiple operational scenarios within a densely populated urban environment. DroneGunTM and RfPatrolTM were used to support dismounted operations, providing situational awareness and an inituitive response capability at the tactical edge by an individual operator. DroneSentry-XTM, while mounted to a commercial vehicle, provided real-time alerts, stationary and on-the-move through the city, proving a highly effective, portable, and flexible C-UAS solution for mobile operations.

DroneSentry demonstrated its extended range Radio Frequency (RF) detection and triangulation throughout the urban airspace with its RfOne sensors. In addition to long-range detections, DroneSentry demonstrated interoperability with the U.S. Army’s Forward Area Air Defense Command and Control (FAAD C2) software. FAAD C2 was selected and approved by the Department of Defense Joint Counter Small-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Office (JCO) earlier this year. This is a key step towards a more seamless integration between the DroneSentry multi-sensor system and FAAD C2.

“The dynamic threat drones can pose dictates that a successful Counter-UAS strategy cannot take a one-size-fits-all approach. It takes a family of adaptable and interoperable solutions to effectively detect and mitigate the threat, and protect the Warfighter,” commented Oleg Vornik, DroneShield’s Chief Executive Officer. “We’re honored to work closely with the U.S. Army, its soldiers, and partner agencies at forward thinking events like DiDEX to stay ahead of emerging and fast moving threats.”

DroneShield’s broad portfolio of solutions enables individuals and units to effectively address their C-UAS requirements, leverage existing mission components, and reduce overall cognitive burden. DroneSentry and DroneSentry-C2’s open architecture allows for interoperability of DroneShield solutions across the ecosystem of JCO approved C-UAS systems and solutions including FAAD C2 and others.

DiDEX is facilitated by the U.S. Army’s C5ISR Center Unique Mission Cell (UMC), part of the Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC). Following DroneShield’s participation in DiDEX last month, the company announced MIL-STD-2525 compliance of its DroneSentry-C2TM, further demonstrating its commitment to and support of U.S. DoD end users.

DroneShield’s fixed-site DroneSentryTM system being installed in support of Defense in Depth Exercise (DiDEX) and DroneShield’s vehicle mounted DroneSentry-XTM operating near the Superdome in New Orleans, LA

For inquiries, please contact info@droneshield.com.

Posted in Press Release, UAS | Comments Off on DroneShield C-sUAS Technology Supports US Army Exercise

Bundeswehr Orders a Further 48 Heavy Tractor Trailers from Rheinmetall – Contract Worth €41 million

Thursday, December 24th, 2020

The German Bundeswehr has contracted with Rheinmetall to supply it with additional heavy tractor trailers with a 70-tonne payload. Delivery of a further 24 unprotected heavy tractor trailers – dubbed the SaZgM 70t mil in German military parlance – is to take place in 2021, with a further 24 to follow in 2022. In total, the order is worth €41 million. The tractor trailers are primarily used for transporting heavy armoured vehicles such as the Leopard 2 main battle tank.

In 2018 the Bundeswehr concluded a framework contract with Rheinmetall for the delivery of 137 SaZgM 70t mil trucks. This contract runs for seven years, with a potential total value of €122 million with valued added tax. A total of 32 vehicles were delivered in 2019 and 2020.

The Rheinmetall HX81 SaZgM is powered by an eight-cylinder, 680 hp diesel engine. This enables the high-mobility all-wheel drive truck to attain a top speed of 89 km/h, and to handle inclines of 60 percent. Its permissible gross train weight comes to around 130 tonnes. The HX81 SaZgM features the same driver’s cab as the Rheinmetall UTF, the Bundeswehr’s family of unprotected trucks. If required, the cab can be exchanged for a protected version. The vehicle also comes with a two-winch system made by the Rotzler company, in which each winch has a tractive force of twenty tonnes.

The HX81 expands the German military’s family of heavy transport vehicles. Thus, the unprotected HX81 complements the protected heavy-duty Mammut (‘Mammoth’), which was also supplied by RMMV. Given Germany’s obligation to provide the rapid reaction NATO Very High Readiness Joint Task Force in 2023 (VJTF 2023), being able to transport heavy combat vehicles is a key capability.

Posted in Contracts, International, Mobility, Press Release | 1 Comment »

Toyota Unveils Ultimate Overlanding Rig: The TRD-Sport Trailer

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2020

When in Tow Behind Your Favorite Toyota Truck or SUV, This Concept Trailer Packs Just About Everything You’ll Ever Need

PLANO, Texas (December 21, 2020) – Toyota, a brand known for its deep off-roading roots and rugged reliability, today unveiled the TRD-Sport Trailer, a creative ‘basecamp’ solution concept vehicle allowing overlanding explorers to quickly set up camp and then continue on their remote adventure.

In a challenging 2020, Toyota opted for a two-wave strategy to celebrate pure performance, both on and off road, and the TRD-Sport Trailer helps anchor the company’s second wave of SEMA builds. Toyota previously unveiled four builds in its wave one presentation at SEMA360, held Nov. 2, 2020.

“Overlanding has been picking up steam for quite some time, but 2020 just put it over the top,” said Ed Laukes, group vice president – Toyota Division Marketing. “Given Toyota’s solid off-road credentials and reputation, we thought it would be really cool to create the ultimate overlanding companion to our pickup and SUV lineup.”

Overlanding is an extremely popular and growing trend, providing adventures in a year when many have faced challenges taking traditional vacations. The TRD-Sport Trailer’s inspiration began when Bob Kupina, Senior Program Manager, Toyota Motor North America Research and Development, saw a trailer made from a Toyota Tacoma at the Overland Expo WEST in Flagstaff, Arizona. Kupina and team got the ball rolling with a cool base concept, but then Toyota turned to Marty Schwerter and the team at Motorsports Garage to take the concept to the next level… and beyond.

Toyota really saw the Tacoma bed as a perfect overlanding platform. It’s well built and offers a lot of space, giving the ability to take things to the extreme. All the while, the plan was to make the best use of the available space, adding all the creature comforts while maintaining a low center of gravity and a great approach angle.

The TRD-Sport Trailer features a scissor-lift that raises an innovative rigid platform several feet out of the bed. There’s a Yakima four-person tent with an awning and fly fishing-pole holders, a custom-built toilet and trash can, a refrigerator, a hot water heater, a shower with curtain, a generator, an Optima Yellow Top battery, a 16-gallon fresh water reservoir tank, a 15-gallon grey water holding tank, and a slide-out sink and stove. And that’s just for starters!

Schwerter worked closely with partners Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s to make sure the TRD-Sport Trailer was properly equipped with important outdoor gear like fishing poles, tackle and nets; waders and wading boots; coffee mugs, cookware, and other essentials. When fully deployed, the TRD-Sport Trailer creates a campsite with ample room, and to illuminate the surroundings the team added multiple RIGID A-Series Accessory LED Lights that pack a powerful punch while drawing an extremely low amount of power. When lower light is needed, say for star gazing, explorers can switch to lower-level lighting thanks to multiple Yakima SunBelt light strips.

The package rolls on TRD Pro wheels fitted with General Grabber X3 285/70/17 rubber. Cripwerx Engineering assisted with the build, and KC’s Paint Shop painted the creation using BASF paint mixed to match the Tacoma’s OEM Cement Gray color and added custom graphics provided by The Decal Source.

All the TRD-Sport Trailer’s conveniences allow explorers to extend their adventures in comfort. The end result is an overlanding multi-tool that pairs perfectly with Toyota’s pickup and SUV lineup.

Posted in Mobility, Off-Duty, Press Release | 7 Comments »

Introducing the WNDSN Night Ops Telemeter

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2020

BERLIN, 2020-12-21, DECEMBER SOLSTICE – The return of an old favorite to make sense of those dark times.

“Light thinks it travels faster than anything but it is wrong. No matter how fast light travels, it finds the darkness has always got there first, and is waiting for it.” –Terry Pratchett

WNDSN Applied Sciences lab is pleased to announce the Night Ops Telemeter, new in stock for those working or adventuring under low-light conditions or in the dark.

The WNDSN Night Ops Telemeter is a re-release of an old classic. It is a simple, one-sided Telemeter engraved on transparent acrylic, made with a special slot to accommodate a 2″ mini chemlight for lateral illumination of the scale marks for night-time or low-light observations. The Night Ops Telemeter features a maximized set of scales with 7.5° x 7.5 x 500 units and is the first WNDSN product to use the new single-line font for 2021.

With the transparent acrylic and a special engraving technique, the Night Ops Telemeter makes use of the refraction property of the material which allows reading the scales against a light background where they appear dark, as well as in the dark, where they appear light — thus providing good contrast in most conditions.

The WNDSN Night Ops Telemeter is laser-engraved on glossy, transparent, 1/8″ (3 mm) thick acrylic stock, in the size of a standard credit card. Included is all that is required to get started, including a pre-configured Dyneema string, and printed 32-page Telemeter pocketbook instructions (in English and German), as well as access to the digital 240-page full manual.

WNDSN’s bestselling Telemeter is a measurement, calculation, and exploration instrument with thousands of units in use by professionals such as emergency, security, and law enforcement personnel, also teachers and instructors, as well as private enthusiasts, urban explorers and adventurers.

WNDSN Telemeters are wallet-size distance and altitude nomographs developed in the WNDSN applied science lab: WNDSN Telemeters combine a thousand years of civil engineering, surveying, navigation, and astronomy in one durable, low tech, high utility instrument that can be brought anywhere, is self-containing, and independent of external, modern technologies.

In extreme conditions, or in cases where laser rangefinders do not work or cause errors, WNDSN Telemeters can be used as a primary tool or to get a “second opinion” to cross-check values obtained with different means, or in emergency situations when other methods fail or are unavailable.

WNDSN Telemeters continue to spark and promote interest in contemporary metrological science and ancient navigational history as well as educational astronomy.

Made in Germany.

Available from store.wndsn.com/products/wndsn-night-ops-telemeter

Posted in Gadgets, International, Press Release | Comments Off on Introducing the WNDSN Night Ops Telemeter

Petzl Launches Technical Partner Program and PTI Website

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2020

Petzl is excited to announce the launch of our Petzl Technical Partner Program and all-new Petzl Solutions Website.

The Petzl Technical Institute, located at our North American headquarters in Salt Lake City, serves as a center for knowledge, discussion, and creating solutions for those who work or play in the vertical world. Our goal is to share our technical expertise to help you reduce the risks involved with moving efficiently at height. For up to date course offerings, click here, or email info@petzlsolutions.com.

Petzl Technical Partners (PTPs) are recognized companies or individuals that provide exceptional, specialized training in vertical environments. You may locate a PTP near you and learn about how Petzl solutions are integrated into their systems and curricula on our website below. For more specific inquiries, contact our PTP Program Manager at ptp@petzl.com.

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