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Archive for the ‘weapons’ Category

Saab Starts Construction of New Carl-Gustaf Factory in India

Sunday, March 10th, 2024

Saab has today marked the start of the construction of its new Carl-Gustaf® manufacturing facility in India with a ground breaking ceremony. The factory will be located in the state of Haryana.

After receiving approval of 100% foreign direct investment, Saab has established a new company, Saab FFVO India Pvt Ltd, which will fully own the new manufacturing facility and produce the Carl-Gustaf M4 weapon.

“I am proud to start constructing our first facility outside Sweden for Carl-Gustaf, a product that has a long history with the Indian Armed Forces. We look forward to starting production of our excellent product, now engineered and made in India”, says Görgen Johansson, Senior Vice President and Head of Saab’s business area Dynamics.

“Today is an important milestone for Sweden and India. Saab’s factory will be the first foreign fully-owned defence production facility in India. It is a testament to the strong bilateral relationship between our countries,” says Håkan Jevrell, State Secretary for Foreign Trade, Sweden. 

The facility is being built in the state of Haryana at the MET City at Jhajjar. The state has a strong industrial base of good potential partners and skilled employees.

Saab will partner with Indian suppliers and will fully meet the requirements of “Make in India” for the systems manufactured in the facility. At the new factory, Saab will deploy complex technologies including the latest sighting technology and advanced carbon fibre winding to manufacture Carl-Gustaf M4 for the Indian armed forces, and components which may be included in other users’ systems. 

The Carl-Gustaf system has been in service with the Indian Army since 1976 and is established as the main shoulder launched weapon in the Indian Armed Forces.

Saab Signs Major Contract for Carl-Gustaf with Poland

Friday, March 8th, 2024

Saab has today signed a contract with the Polish Ministry of Defence’s procurement authority for delivery of the Carl-Gustaf® M4 weapon, ammunition and training equipment. The order value corresponds to SEK 12.9 billion and the contract period is 2024-2027. The order is expected to be booked by Saab before the end of Q2 2024.

“I am proud of our close relationship with the Polish Armed Forces and that Saab can continue to strengthen Poland’s ground combat capability and national defence with our world-leading Carl-Gustaf system,” says Saab’s CEO and President Micael Johansson. 

The contract is expected to be effective by the end of Q2 2024, subject to the fulfilment of certain external conditions.

Saab’s Carl-Gustaf is a man-portable, multi-role weapon system with a wide range of ammunition types, making it suitable for a variety of tasks.
Read more: www.saab.com/products/carl-gustaf.

BAE Systems Has Delivered a First-In-Its-Kind Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV) Turreted Mortar Prototype to the US Army

Friday, March 8th, 2024

The prototype showcases a newly designed top plate system—the External Mission Equipment Package (ExMEP)—that allows for the easy installation of a variety of turrets. This vehicle prototype is also outfitted with the Patria NEMO remote-controlled 120mm turreted mortar system.

The result of a rapid collaborative technology investment effort involving the U.S. Army, BAE Systems, and KONGSBERG/Patria, the prototype demonstrates potential variant growth for the highly adaptable AMPV family of vehicles. By using a fielded and fully-qualified asset like the AMPV chassis, it gives the Army options to field combat capabilities—such as the Patria NEMO—to Soldiers who need them at a much faster pace and reduced cost.

“Handing this remarkable capability over to the Army for evaluation is an important step in creating broader multi-purpose options for Soldiers to maintain combat overmatch on the battlefield,” said Bill Sheehy, BAE Systems AMPV program director. “The AMPV Turreted Mortar prototype was born from a capability discussion we had with the Army in 2022—the same year ExMEP was conceptualized with industry partners, and we look forward to its evaluation. The collaborative, future-driven approach to develop it will benefit the warfighter, and that is what the AMPV program is all about.”

The AMPV Turreted Mortar prototype that leverages BAE Systems’ ExMEP to rapidly integrate the NEMO 120mm mortar system is an indirect and direct fire support platform that can be used in multi-mission scenarios. The system enables Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact fire missions where up to five mortar rounds can hit targets simultaneously in less than four seconds while the vehicle is stationary or on the move.

The AMPV Mortar Carrier variant, which is one of the five variants currently in production with the Army, is comprised of the legacy 120mm mortar system. This new AMPV Turreted Mortar prototype offers a significant enhancement that would not only allow for increased capabilities and force protection, but also keep Soldiers completely under the armor protection provided by the vehicle.

Over the next several months, the Army will run the AMPV Turreted Mortar prototype through rigorous field evaluations to mark its capabilities against what Soldiers would require in the battlefield.

This is the second turreted AMPV prototype in the last three months that BAE Systems has showcased, the other being a Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) capability, that utilizes the ExMEP top plate. As the future of battle evolves, the purpose-built framework of the AMPV platform exemplifies endless opportunities for seamless capability integration for the Army’s Armored Brigade Combat Team.

Heckler & Koch – MR308 A6

Wednesday, March 6th, 2024

Debuting at last week’s Enforce Tac in Germany, the HK MR308 A6 is the latest iteration of their 417 platform.

Offered in .308, it offers a two stage match trigger and a 16.75″ barrel. The rifle also features H&K’s latest color craze, Sniper Grey which featured heavy on the offerings in the booth. The handguard has MLOK at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock and there’s a full-length Picatinny Rail along the top of the receiver which also runs the length of the handguard and has 20 MOA inclination.

As you can see, the MR308 A6 features a very short, 45 deg throw from safe to the semi-auto, fire position. You’ll also note HK’s polymer magazine which was first seen during Enforce Tac in 2019. This .308 version of the magazine is offered in 10 or 20 round capacity and is DPMS pattern. The collapsible stock is adjustable comb as well as length of pull and the pistol grip has three, swappable, palm swells.

Unfortunately, the only example out front in their booth was under glass so the images aren’t as crisp as I’d like. Consequently, I’ve scanned the sales sheet and included the images.

The SIG SAUER 1911-XSERIES: Classic Design Meets Modern Innovation

Wednesday, March 6th, 2024

NEWINGTON, N.H., (March 6, 2024) – While the wait seems like a day short of forever, it’s definitely worth it. SIG SAUER is pleased to announce the introduction of the 1911-XSERIES; the long-awaited pistols that blend the beloved features of the 1911 that made the platform iconic, with the modern necessities the enthusiast desires.

“America has a love affair with the 1911; the platform has a rich history that has withstood the test of time,” said Tom Taylor, Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President, Commercial Sales, SIG SAUER, Inc.  “The 1911-XSERIES honors the standard and delivers XSERIES innovation and ingenuity to the platform.  The pistols are available in carry and full-size, come optic-ready, have a smooth flat trigger, and are loaded with feature-rich upgrades straight from the factory.”

The SIG SAUER 1911 X-SERIES are stainless steel, 45 ACP hammer-fired pistols with an optics-ready XSERIES slide, X-RAY3 Day/Night sights, a serrated flat trigger, custom engraved and checkered G10 grips, extended slide release and ambidextrous safety levers, and each ships with (2) 8-round steel magazines.  The pistols are available in the 1911-XCARRY and 1911-XFULL sizes in either black or coyote tan; both sizes offer the option of a factory installed ROMEO-X red dot optic.  The 1911-XFULL is now shipping to dealers, with Carry models expected to start shipping summer 2024.

1911-XFULL:

Caliber: 45 ACP
Capacity: 8 rounds
Overall length: 8.7 inches
Overall height: 5.6 inches
Overall width:  1.4 inches
Barrel length: 5.0 inches
Sight Radius: 6.5 inches
Weight (w/magazine): 42.1 ounces

1911-XCARRY:

Caliber: 45 ACP
Capacity: 8 rounds
Overall length: 8 inches
Overall height: 5.5 inches
Overall width:  1.3 inches
Barrel length: 4.2 inches
Sight Radius: 5.75 inches
Weight (w/magazine): 39.1 ounces

The 1911-XSERIES ROMEO-X models feature a factory installed ROMEO-X red-dot sight from SIG SAUER Electro-Optics; the optics is crafted from 7075 aircraft-grade aluminum featuring machined anti-reflection grooves on shooter-facing surfaces with distortion-free aspheric glass and a patent-pending Beryllium Copper flexure-arm adjustment system. The ROMEO-X incorporates a high-efficiency point source red LED emitter with 2 MOA dot / 32 MOA circle reticle, side independent brightness adjustment buttons, 15 brightness settings including night vision settings, and a side-mounted CR1632 battery compartment with a threaded battery cap so the optic does not need to be removed from the pistol for battery changes. Additionally, the ROMEO-X offers a low deck height for standard-height iron sight co-witness, has a minimum continuous runtime of 20,000 hours at medium brightness setting and utilizes MOTAC™ (Motion Activated Illumination), MAGNETAC™ (Magnetic Activation), and D.A.R.C™ (Dark Adaptive Reticles & Coatings) technologies.

1911-XFULL ROMEO-X:

Caliber: 45 ACP
Capacity: 8 rounds
Overall length: 8.7 inches
Overall height: 6 inches
Overall width:  1.4 inches
Barrel length: 5.0 inches
Sight Radius: 6.5 inches
Weight (w/magazine): 42 ounces

1911-XCARRY ROMEO-X:

Caliber: 45 ACP
Capacity: 8 rounds
Overall length: 8 inches
Overall height: 6 inches
Overall width:  1.3 inches
Barrel length: 4.2 inches
Sight Radius: 5.75 inches
Weight (w/magazine): 39 ounces

ROMEO-X Compact Red Dot Sight:

Clear Aperture Diameter: 24mm
Reticle: 2MOA Dot / 32 MOA Circle
Lens Type: Aspheric
Illumination Settings: 15 ( 12 Day / 3NV)
Overall Length: 1.62 inches
Overall Width: .94 inches
Overall Height: 1.23 inch
Mounting Footprint: 365 and SHIELD™ RMSc
Weight (w/o battery): 1.0 ounce
Battery: CR1632

The 1911-XSERIES pistols are now shipping and available at retailers.  To learn more about the pistols, or watch the product video, visit sigsauer.com.

Rheinmetall Supplying European Customer with Further Skynex Air Defence Systems

Saturday, March 2nd, 2024

Rheinmetall has been awarded a further contract to supply Skynex air defence systems to a European customer. The systems will enhance the customer’s ability to defend itself against aerial threats. The order has a value in the lower three-digit million euro range. The deliveries will take place over the course of 2025 and, as with the initial contract, will also include the associated Rheinmetall made HX trucks.

Relying on automatic cannon-based air defence, Skynex lends itself especially well to very short-range contexts where guided missiles are ineffective. Moreover, the use of programmable 35mm Ahead ammunition, as developed by Rheinmetall for this purpose, is significantly less expensive than comparable guided missile-based systems. Equally important: 35mm ammunition cannot be influenced much less jammed by electronic countermeasures when fired.  The success of the self-propelled “Flakpanzer” Gepard antiaircraft system in Ukraine underscores the effectiveness of 35mm gun-based air defence against aerial targets, especially cruise missiles and drones.

The advanced Skynex air defence system is based on a concept that keeps airspace surveillance separate from the effectors. Owing to this modularity, and depending on the mission, the necessary assets can be linked to the command-and-control network. The system enables integration of radar equipment from various manufacturers. Skynex also offers great freedom with respect to effectors, enabling integration of many different advanced air defence weapons into the system.  Having its own tracking unit is the sole prerequisite. Besides individual sensors and effectors, existing air defence systems like the Skyshield and Skyguard families can be built into the new architecture as fire units. In a remotely located command and weapon engagement centre, the recognized air situation is depicted on a map together with the sensors and effectors positioned in the field, thus simplifying allocation of targets to air defence assets connected to the system.

HENSOLDT supplies all-round vision system for self-propelled wheeled howitzer from KNDS

Saturday, March 2nd, 2024

Oberkochen/Germany, 1. March 2024 – The sensor solution provider HENSOLDT has sold its all-round vision system SETAS (See Through Armour System) for the first time. The customer is KNDS in Germany. The order comprises a total of 54 units. The order value is in the double-digit million range. SETAS will be integrated into the customer’s RCH 155 self-propelled artillery gun.

SETAS is a high-performance day and night observation system for armoured vehicles of all kinds. The high-resolution electro-optical vision system gives every crew member the opportunity to obtain full visual situational awareness 360 degrees around the vehicle from inside the vehicle. Threats within their radius of action can be reliably identified and classified at an early stage. The modular system comprises two high-performance sensor systems: high-resolution colour daylight cameras and uncooled thermal imaging cameras.

“With the initial integration, we are equipping our customer and the user with a revolutionary sensor solution in the field of all-round visibility,” says Tanya Altmann, Head of Optronics & Land Solutions at HENSOLDT. “The system will realise its full potential when it is connected to the vehicle network and the battle management system and provides crew members with the best possible information sovereignty using AI-supported sensor fusion. With this launching customer, HENSOLDT is therefore consistently continuing its growth path as a solution provider.”

In a further configuration step, the observation capabilities of SETAS can be enhanced with integrated automatic image processing functions such as Moving Target Indication (MTI), object tracking and other modes. This makes it easier for the crew to cope with the large amount of image data for personal 360-degree situational awareness. Thanks to its modularity and open interface architecture (NGVA-compliant), this observation system can be easily integrated into any new or existing vehicle.  The interface allows full integration or standalone operation by supporting any type of HMI (standard or smart display, smart glasses, tablet, etc.).

Using a helmet-mounted display as an HMI, a crew member inside the vehicle can practically see through the armour and thus achieve the same orientation as when observing “from above”. Intelligent software algorithms automatically warn the crew if a potentially threatening movement is detected in the vicinity of the vehicle. SETAS can be installed as a stand-alone system, providing crews of both legacy platforms and new systems with significantly increased situational awareness.

You can find out more about SETAS here.

Rheinmetall to Supply the Bundeswehr with Skyranger 30 on Boxer Platform – Order Worth Almost €600 Million

Thursday, February 29th, 2024

The Bundeswehr has tasked Rheinmetall with another important air defence project. The Düsseldorf-based Group will soon be supplying the German armed forces with the Skyranger 30 mobile air defence system. Worth €595 million (including value added tax), the contract encompasses delivery of a prototype and another 18 series production vehicles. In addition, an option exists for a further 30 systems. The prototype is to be delivered by the end of 2024.

Just last month, the Bundeswehr entrusted Rheinmetall and its partner contractors with developing a system for short- and very short-range air defence known as the NNbS, in which the Skyranger 30 will constitute a key component.

An essential part of the NNbS, the Skyranger 30 is embedded in the German government’s European Sky Shield Initiative, in which Germany, acting within a NATO context, has assumed the role of lead nation in ground-based air defence in Europe.

The Skyranger 30 bridges an acute existing capability gap in mobile air defence. The system constitutes an optimum combination of mobility, protection, flexibility and precision, making it a match for new challenges in the short- and very short-range threat spectrum. A hybrid solution, the system’s turret combines the highly effective 30mm x 173 KCE revolver gun, surface-to-air missiles and the necessary sensor suite, all on a single platform. The Skyranger 30 systems earmarked for Germany will be armed with Stinger missiles. Depending on customer requirements, the system can be fitted with various modern guided missiles such as the Mistral, Stinger or special C-UAS missiles.

A meticulously thought-out combination of different effectors, excellent mobility, a large elevation span and state-of-the-art sensors enable autonomous as well as networked operations. Thanks to Rheinmetall’s programmable airburst ammunition, the system is especially effective against drones. The compact turret is integrated into an 8×8 Boxer wheeled armoured vehicle.

The first customer is Austria, which recently ordered thirty-six Skyranger 30 systems. Other NATO and/or EU member states have also expressed an interest in the system or are already in the process of procuring it. In December 2023, Hungary tasked Rheinmetall with developing a concept for a Skyranger 30 turret for the future air defence variant of the Lynx KF41 tracked armoured vehicle. Lithuania is also studying the Boxer-mounted Skyranger 30, while Denmark plans to procure the Skyranger 30 solution in combination with another wheeled armoured vehicle.

As recently as December 2023, a functional demonstrator version of the Skyranger 30 underwent successful live fire field trials at the Group’s proving ground in Ochsenboden, Switzerland, proving itself in stationary mode and on the move. The functional demonstrator resulted in important new findings that will make fabrication and integration of the German verification model faster and less risk prone.