Press Release | Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

Archive for the ‘Press Release’ Category

Capacity Expansion: Rheinmetall Builds First Lynx Infantry Fighting Vehicle for Hungary in Hungary

Friday, December 22nd, 2023

Rheinmetall continues to expand Europe’s armoured vehicle production capacity. Following the opening of the Group’s production, development and test facility for armoured fighting vehicles in Zalaegerszeg, the first Lynx infantry fighting vehicle to be built in-country in Hungary has now rolled off the assembly line. It is currently undergoing commissioning.

In mid 2024, following comprehensive function, performance and quality inspections in Zalaegerszeg, the first Hungarian-built Lynx will be transferred to the Hungarian armed forces.
“Rheinmetall is steadily expanding its production capacity in Europe in order to meet growing demand from our customers and to support European security”, states Rheinmetall executive board chairman Armin Papperger. “Opened in August of this year, our new plant in Hungary is the most advanced production and testing facilities for armoured vehicles anywhere in the world,” notes Papperger, going on to point out that it will further strengthen the Group’s global production network.

“We’re proud of our team in Zalaegerszeg and of our colleagues in Germany, who reached this milestone in record time”, declares Paul Walf, managing director of Rheinmetall Hungary.
The Hungarian ministry of defence awarded Rheinmetall a contract in September 2020 worth over €2 billion to supply Hungary with Lynx infantry fighting vehicles and related products and services. In the first production phase, Hungary is taking delivery of 46 Lynx IFVs made in Germany. The first vehicle was already transferred to the Hungarian military in October 2022. Starting at the end of 2023, the remaining vehicles will be produced in Hungary by Rheinmetall Hungary Zrt., a joint venture company co-owned by Rheinmetall (51%) and the Hungarian state (49%).

Opened in August 2023, Rheinmetall’s ultramodern facility in Zalaegerszeg will enable the development and production of state-of-the-art wheeled and tracked armoured fighting vehicles for the Hungarian armed forces. These include the Lynx KF41 family as well as the Evo version of the Panther KF51 main battle tank.
The contract originally envisaged seven variants of the Lynx KF41 for the Hungarian military: the standard infantry fighting vehicle; a command post vehicle; a reconnaissance vehicle; a forward artillery observer vehicle; a mortar track; a field ambulance; and a driver education vehicle. As a further variant, Rheinmetall will develop a Lynx mobile air defence vehicle with a Skyranger 30 turret. The contract for the conceptual development of this variant was signed in December 2023.

Posted in International, Press Release | Comments Off on Capacity Expansion: Rheinmetall Builds First Lynx Infantry Fighting Vehicle for Hungary in Hungary

Meet the “Jake” Victory First Signature Series | Raven Concealment + Matt Jaques Collaboration

Friday, December 22nd, 2023

North Ridgeville, OH – December 22nd, 2023 | For Immediate Release

Raven Concealment Systems has announced the launch of their new Signature Series holster, the “Jake.” This series is born out of a 12+ year-long advisory relationship with Matt “Jake” Jacques of Victory First.

The “Jake” is the culmination of all the knowledge RCS gained since their first AIWB holster in 2008. RCS took every lesson learned from their preceding holsters in this category (the ACR, VanGuard 2, and Eidolon), and combined that with the expert input of Matt Jaques, one of the firearms industry’s preeminent concealed-carry gurus.

Matt Jaques, the mind behind Victory First, brought an invaluable perspective to this design. A retired law enforcement officer (with a background in both SWAT and undercover work) who later worked for the Diplomatic Security Service Firearms Training Unit, Jacques ensured that this holster’s design answered the real-world needs of individuals concealing firearms in high-risk environments.

The “Jake” incorporates all the innovative designs that Raven Concealment has pioneered over the last 15 years, such as a user-selectable wedge near the muzzle to keep the rear of the slide from tipping away from the beltline, a new, low-profile claw to tuck the butt of the grip of the pistol into the body, and multiple attachment points for belt hardware like overhooks or soft-loops.

The “Jake” also bears a key feature that Matt Jacques feels is absolutely essential to a proper AIWB holster: A dual body shield. This configuration provides an inboard shield to protect the pistol from sweat, and an outboard shield which protects cover garments from excessive wear from rubbing against slide serrations. This outer shield also helps keep foreign objects from entering the mouth of the holster once the pistol is drawn.

The “Jake” is the natural evolution of Raven Concealment’s approach to AIWB carry, merging time-tested and proven design features with forward-thinking innovation. It’s an ideal choice for discerning shooters in their concealed carry choices. If you’re interested in reading more, or getting one yourself, head over to RCSGear.com.

Posted in Holsters, Press Release | 2 Comments »

Government of Canada Orders the MQ-9B SkyGuardian RPAS from GA-ASI

Thursday, December 21st, 2023

SAN DIEGO – 19 December 2023 – The Government of Canada has signed a contract to purchase a fleet of MQ-9B SkyGuardian® Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI). The order includes the associated Certified Ground Control Stations and support equipment from GA-ASI. The first delivery is expected in 2028.

The SkyGuardian RPAS is interoperable with Canada’s domestic missions and its continental defence missions through NORAD, as well as with Canada’s closest allies – including the Five Eyes Alliance (FVEY) and NATO – for seamless integration with current and future Canadian defence, civil air, and ground assets.

“Canada’s vast territory and complex terrains, including in the Arctic, require a cost-effective multi-mission RPAS solution that can endure long periods on station, fly in harsh weather environments, and safely operate in all airspaces,” said Linden Blue, CEO of GA-ASI. “MQ-9B SkyGuardian delivers those critical capabilities. GA-ASI and Team SkyGuardian Canada are honored by this opportunity to become a key partner to Canada for the very long term in delivering these no-fail defence and security outcomes.”

Team SkyGuardian Canada is a coalition of leading Canadian businesses – including CAE, MDA Ltd., and L3Harris Technologies – that are working with GA-ASI on MQ-9B development, delivery, and sustainment. Canada’s investments in the RPAS Project and Team SkyGuardian Canada are a direct reflection of Canada’s vested domestic interest in pursuing leading-edge RPAS technologies.

GA-ASI has had a long, successful, and proud history with Canadian industry that continues to grow. Nearly every system that GA-ASI has delivered throughout its more than 30-year history has contained some level of Canadian content, including sensors, propulsion equipment, and training/simulation systems and services. CAE, MDA Ltd., L3Harris, and GA-ASI are committed to delivering the world’s premier RPAS capability to Canada while creating domestic economic benefits and work opportunities.

MQ-9B is the next generation of RPAS, delivering exceptionally long endurance and range, with auto takeoff and landing under SATCOM-only control, and will be able to operate in unsegregated airspace using the GA-ASI developed Detect and Avoid system. First customer deliveries of MQ-9B began in 2022 to the U.K. Royal Air Force, and contracts have been signed with Belgium and the U.S. Air Force, in support of Special Operations Command. The Japan Coast Guard is currently operating the MQ-9B for maritime operations, which the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) also selected for its Medium-Altitude, Long-Endurance (MALE) RPAS Trial Operation Project. MQ-9B has additionally supported various U.S. Navy exercises this year, including Northern Edge, Integrated Battle Problem, and Group Sail.

“We look forward to working with our Team SkyGuardian Canada partners to deliver our industry leading RPAS for Canada’s dynamic mission requirements. GA-ASI is the world leader in reliable, cost-efficient, and sustainable remotely piloted aircraft systems. These aircraft perform advanced interoperable and systems-of-systems operations for our valued customers around the world – all at a fraction of the carbon footprint impact as traditional manned systems performing similar missions,” added Blue.

Posted in Contracts, Press Release, UAS | Comments Off on Government of Canada Orders the MQ-9B SkyGuardian RPAS from GA-ASI

Rheinmetall Wins Follow-Up Order from Vienna: Austrian Army Procuring More Trucks – Potential Additional Sales of Over €300 Million

Thursday, December 21st, 2023

Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles (RMMV) has just scored another significant sales success in Austria, winning a request for tenders for a further lot of logistic vehicles for the Austrian Army. A corresponding enlargement of the existing framework agreement with Bundesbeschaffung GmbH (BGG) of Vienna, the Austrian procurement organization, envisages delivery of up to 300 trucks, primarily from the HX family of vehicles. The expanded contract for the newly won lot runs for 48 months and offers the possibility of flexible call-offs of vehicles with an aggregate value of over €300 million.
In spring 2023, Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles won all six military lots in a request for tenders for a total of 23 lots of trucks. The resulting framework contract runs for seven years and envisages delivery of up to 1,375 vehicles from RMMV’s HX, TGS and TGM series. Order volume could be as high as €525 million. For Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles, the award of an additional lot brings the framework contract volume to over €825 million.

The expansion of the framework agreement concluded just last spring forms part of a comprehensive modernization of the Austrian Army, whose “Build-up Plan 2023” calls for substantial investment in the country’s military capabilities. Improving the mobility of forces in the field is a key element of the plan, reflected in the now well-endowed BBG framework agreement.

Austrian defence minister Klaudia Tanner recently visited the RMMV plant in Vienna’s Liesing district, where she praised the work of the Viennese staff: “I’m impressed by the professionalism of the work being done here. And I’m very glad that the Austrian armed forces have such a reliable partner as RMMV at their side.”

“The expansion of the framework agreement with Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles GmbH is another strong sign that the Austrian Army is modernizing, but this applies all the more so to the Austrian economy”, declares Michael Wittlinger, managing director of RMMV. We’re proud not only of our Vienna plant’s contribution to Austrian value added, but also of being able to enhance the resilience, autarky and sustainment of the Austrian Army.”

The Austrian Army has been a very good customer of RMMV for many years, with vehicles from the company’s TGM, TGS und HX lines successfully in service. Under the new framework agreement, the first half of 2023 witnessed an order of 850 TGM trucks with a double cabin and swap body build-on system as well 15 HX81 armoured recovery vehicles, including an 8-axle trailer. Furthermore, HX trucks with a three-sided tipper build-on and rear crane are slated for delivery in the next few years, as are TGS 8×8 vehicles with a Palfinger hook system. At the end of 2021, moreover, the Austrian Army placed an order with RMMV for exchangeable integrated armoured cabins. These can be mounted on existing HX vehicles in very short order in line with operational requirements.

RMMV is a joint venture company in which Rheinmetall AG holds a 51% stake, with the remaining 49% held by MAN Truck & Bus SE.

Posted in Contracts, International, Mobility, Press Release | Comments Off on Rheinmetall Wins Follow-Up Order from Vienna: Austrian Army Procuring More Trucks – Potential Additional Sales of Over €300 Million

Wiley X Donates More Than 300 Pairs of Eyewear for Boot Campaign’s Santa Boots Program

Thursday, December 21st, 2023

Eyewear to be distributed as gifts to Veteran and active-duty military families nationwide

FRISCO, Texas (Dec. 12, 2023) — Wiley X, a global leader and pioneer in premium protective eyewear, recently donated 328 pairs of its best-in-glass eyewear to Boot Campaign for the organization’s 2023 Santa Boots Program.

Boot Campaign, a non-profit with a mission to unite Americans in honoring and restoring the lives of Veterans and military families through individualized, life-improving programs, will distribute the eyewear as gifts to Veteran and active-duty military families nationwide as part of its Santa Boots Program.

“Wiley X is known throughout the military community for incredible eyewear for our service members and we are honored they partnered with Boot Campaign to support military families across the country this holiday season,” said Lindsey Lott, VP of Partnerships & Communications for Boot Campaign. “Thank you, Wiley X, for providing sunglasses to each of our family members and bringing joy to those who are serving and those who have served.”

Boot Campaign’s Santa Boots Program was created to unite Americans in showing gratitude to service members during the holiday season by delivering specially curated gifts to veteran and military families.

“Our Veterans, active service members and their families are always deserving of our support and gratitude, and that is especially true around the holidays,” said Dan Freeman, CEO and Co-Owner of Wiley X.

“We’re proud to partner with Boot Campaign and to support the Santa Boots program in bringing joy to so many families across the country.”

To learn more about Wiley X, its product and its efforts to support military families, visit www.wileyx.com. To learn more about Boot Campaign and its non-profit mission, visit www.bootcampaing.org.

Posted in Charity, Eyepro, Press Release, Veterans | Comments Off on Wiley X Donates More Than 300 Pairs of Eyewear for Boot Campaign’s Santa Boots Program

FBI Selects Aimpoint Duty RDS and Aimpoint CompM4s for Rifle Red Dot Sights and Mounts Program

Thursday, December 21st, 2023

Manassas, Virginia – Aimpoint, the leading manufacturer and innovator of red dot sighting technology, has been chosen by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to supply Aimpoint® Duty RDS and Aimpoint® CompM4s optics for their Red Dot Sights and Mounts Program.

Following extensive testing of a broad selection of competitive optics, Aimpoint was awarded a five-year contract with a maximum award amount of $7 million for the compact Duty RDS™ sight, and an additional $4 million award for the larger format CompM4s sight. Deliveries of both sights to the FBI began at the end of 2023.

Designed to meet the demands facing today’s law enforcement officers, the Aimpoint Duty RDS is a high-performance reflex optic in a compact package. The all-new design offers a pressure-forged aluminum alloy housing, flush mounted windage and elevation adjustments with tactile clicks, and digital intensity adjustments for ease of operation under any conditions or while wearing gloves.

The Duty RDS features a one-piece torsion nut mount that attaches to all MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rails and provides an absolute co-witness sight picture with standard height iron sights. The Duty RDS provides 30,000 hours (3 years) of constant-on use using a single CR2032 battery powering a 2 MOA red dot and has 10 operating brightness settings. Compatible with all generations of night vision devices, this sight is also submersible up to 80 feet (25 meters).

The Aimpoint CompM4s is currently used and trusted by top-tier professional end users globally and has been type classified as the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force M68CCO (Close Combat Optic) for over two decades. Offering a 2 MOA red dot, the CompM4s is powered by a single AA battery for over 80,000 hours (8 years) of continuous use and over 500,000 hours in the night vision settings.

For more information on Aimpoint products, visit the company’s webpage: www.aimpoint.us

Posted in Advertiser, Optics, Press Release | 5 Comments »

U.S. Air Force Selects Somewear Labs to Maximize Interoperability and Ensure Critical Situational Awareness

Tuesday, December 19th, 2023

Somewear Labs provides a secure, agile network that can be used for communication, location tracking, and other tactical applications across multi-domain operations

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Today, Somewear Labs, the technology company enabling critical communications for defense, public safety, and commercial frontline teams, announced it has received a $1.8 million contract from the U.S. Air Force. This award builds on the company’s AFWERX SBIR Phase II contract through the Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) program. This initiative integrates Somewear’s existing commercial capabilities across USAF mounted and dismounted communications and networking systems, enhancing the full spectrum of Special Tactics (ST), Personnel Recovery (PR), and Terminal Attack Control (TAC) operations. The award comes in collaboration with the Special Warfare community across the National Guard and active duty units.

New missions and threats will require units to deploy faster, identify threats quicker, and survey areas further. Incorporating Somewear’s advanced technologies into the Department of Defense (DOD) will improve required operational capabilities and enhance integration with coalition forces and foreign partners.

Supporting customers across every branch of the DOD, Somewear Labs is accelerating military modernization through unified, secure communication solutions, guaranteeing resilient and reliable communications when traditional networks are lost. Through this contract with the U.S. Air Force, Somewear Labs will deliver enhanced capabilities to further integrate into the TAK ecosystem and other government systems providing critical interoperability between dismounted personnel and Air Support Operations Centers.

Somewear’s critical communication platform, Somewear Grid, and accompanying network enabling hardware, enhance operators’ capabilities by increasing network resiliency and situational awareness across multiple domains, even in denied, degraded, intermittent, and limited-bandwidth (DDIL) environments:

• The company’s existing commercial technology enables beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) satellite communication through the Somewear Global Hotspot and Somewear suite of apps across Android, iOS, Web, and ATAK, ensuring strategic interoperability.

• Earlier this year, Somewear introduced Node, a pocket-sized multi-network device that features novel automation to route data via the efficiency of mesh radio technology or the resilience of satellite connectivity, empowering teams to maintain agile, resilient communication regardless of mission needs or operating environment.

• Additionally, the Somewear Grid platform integrates with tactical systems like ATAK and provides a low SWaP (size, weight, and power) solution for the last tactical mile of Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2).

“Partnering with companies like Somewear Labs enables new innovative solutions to solve some of the hardest problems faced by the 147th ASOS, the U.S. Air Force, and beyond,” said Major Kris Bartels, 147th ASOS, Director of Operations. “Ensuring communications are survivable in bandwidth constrained environments is critical for the safety of our operators and the effectiveness of our operations. The interoperability of the Somewear platform, across civilian and military responders, and its ability to integrate into existing systems extends communication capabilities, providing a reliable, resilient network for teams on the move.”

During military operations, real-time communication and situational awareness is paramount to ensuring the warfighter can make strategic, informed decisions at the right time — in any environment. Mission advantage will go to military forces who can coordinate and act together across all domains, rapidly. This is especially important for missions that are conducted in cell-denied terrain and in contested environments. When traditional networks are lost, communication barriers and unreliable systems put the mission and operators at risk.

“It is a privilege to grow our partnership with the U.S. Air Force and adapt our platform to the evolving needs of the DOD as we look to the future,” said James Kubik, Co-Founder and CEO at Somewear Labs. “With this contract, we are able to build on our interoperable solutions to break down communication barriers, redefine interagency collaboration, and ensure operators always maintain situational awareness, communications, and operational effectiveness.”

The TACFI effort is the epitome of strong collaboration from small businesses and government in order to advance cutting-edge technology at the intersection of commercial and national security interests.

For more information, please visit somewearlabs.com.

Posted in Air Force, Comms, Contracts, Press Release | Comments Off on U.S. Air Force Selects Somewear Labs to Maximize Interoperability and Ensure Critical Situational Awareness

Further Call-off from Rheinmetall Framework Agreement: Ukraine Receives Artillery Ammunition – Order Value in the Triple-Digit Million Euro Range

Tuesday, December 19th, 2023

The German Bundeswehr has again called off 155 mm artillery ammunition from Rheinmetall under the framework agreement. Rheinmetall has been commissioned to supply a total of several tens of thousands shells of various types for the Ukrainian armed forces. The order is worth a three-digit million euro amount. Delivery is scheduled for the course of 2025.

The new call-off continues the series of artillery ammunition orders previously placed by the Bundeswehr for the Ukrainian and German armed forces. In July 2023, Rheinmetall concluded a new framework agreement with the Bundeswehr in the artillery sector. It covers the delivery of several hundred thousand shells, fuses and propelling charges. The new framework agreement runs until 2029 and has a potential gross order volume of around €1.2 billion (including VAT).

The need to replenish stores of ammunition caused by the war in Ukraine is resulting in major artillery ammunition contracts for Rheinmetall.

Rheinmetall’s family of artillery ammunition includes, among other ordnance, the high explosive DM121, the DM125 smoke/obscurant shell, the DM121 SMArt search-fused round (jointly developed with Diehl Defence), as well as the RH68 practice version and the range-optimized RH1901 and RH1902 smoke/obscurant shells. The Group’s product portfolio also encompasses the versatile Assegai family of 155mm artillery ammunition made by Rheinmetall Denel of South Africa. It includes insensitive munitions (IM), conventional high explosive (HE) rounds, as well as smoke/obscurant, illumination, infrared illumination, and other shells. With its boat tail (BT) and base bleed (BB) configurations, the Assegai family displays a ballistic equilibrium, ensuring that the entire ammunition spectrum can be used at its maximum effective range of approximately 40 kilometres. Under the framework contract, the Bundeswehr will be introducing the tried-and-tested Assegai ammunition family. Rheinmetall also offers the artillery family from Rheinmetall Expal Munitions, including the 155mm M107 and 155mm Extended Range.

Posted in Ammo, Contracts, International, Press Release | Comments Off on Further Call-off from Rheinmetall Framework Agreement: Ukraine Receives Artillery Ammunition – Order Value in the Triple-Digit Million Euro Range