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8 Rounds, 2 Minutes: See the GMP Scorpion Mortar System at AUSA

Monday, October 10th, 2022

ALCON: Global Military Products, Inc., a subsidiary of Global Ordnance, LLC, will be showcasing the SCORPION 81mm/120mm Mortar System at the Association of the 2022 United States Army Conference.

This year’s AUSA Conference will be 10-12 October in Washington, D.C.

Global Military Products will be at Booth 2243.

So, what is the Scorpion Mortar System designed for?

Take a watch, then read on.

SPEED, MOBILITY and FIREPOWER

It’s an essential battlefield combination that equates to survivability, all in one package revolutionizing the art of mortar tactics.

The Scorpion features:

Featuring fastest ”SHOOT & SCOOT” in the world – 8 rounds in 2 minutes – from stop to go
81mm OR 120mm (interchangeable)
Eliminates recoil effect on a vehicle
Fully Digital Fire Control System (FCS) knows its location as well as assigned targets, executes ballistic calculation automatically for multiple munition types – “just wait for the green light”
Touch Screen (iPad) FCS can be operated from inside the cab and/or from outside the vehicle
Lightweight – can be deployed by helicopter or other aircraft
Revolutionary “Non-Seating Base Plate” designed to NOT dig into ground
Pre-program up to 1,000 targets before you leave HQ

Specifications

• Vehicle: Toyota Landcruiser (although platform agnostic; 2+ ton vehicles)

• Length 18’ 4”

• Width 6’ 8”

• Height: 6’ 9”

• Vehicle weight: 4,500 lbs or 2,050kg

• Scorpion weight: 2,600 lbs or 1,200kg

• Total weight: 7,100 lbs or 3,250kg (not including barrel &ammo)

• Magazine: 40/72 round capacity (120mm/81mm)

Fully Digital Fire Control:

• Electro-mechanical aiming/re-aiming in 3-5 seconds

• Zonal firing/multiple round + simultaneous impact

Performance

Rate of Fire: 12 rds in 1st min, then 4 rds/min

Range: 6,500m (81mm) or 8,000m (120mm)

Accuracy: < 2 mils

Learn more at global-ordnance.com.

Find Global Ordnance this weekend at Triggrcon 2022 from Rainier Arms and UN12.

Global Ordnance, LLC and it’s subsidiary Global Military Products, Inc., specializes in systems integration, engineering, and program management for DoD weapons and ammunition programs, and the sourcing, logistics and delivery of standard and non-standard weapon systems, ammunition, and energetics to the U.S. Government and our allies.

Posted in AUSA, Guest Post, weapons | 3 Comments »

AUSA 22 – Evolution of SIG P365

Monday, October 10th, 2022

SIG SAUER showed me a behind-the-scenes look at continued development of the P365 family of pistols.

Posted in Advertiser, AUSA, weapons | Comments Off on AUSA 22 – Evolution of SIG P365

UVision Announces the Opening of Its New Production and Training center in Virginia, USA

Friday, October 7th, 2022

The opening of the facility signifies the company’s increased commitment to the US market

Virginia, US, October 6, 2022 – UVision Air Ltd. – a global leader in aerial loitering munition systems of all sizes, for a variety of missions – has announced that the opening of its new facility in Virginia for the production of HERO systems has been brought forward, due to the high volume of orders already received. The official ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on October 6, at the new facility located at 600 Corporate Drive, Stafford VA, in the presence of Stafford County leadership, Industrial Partners, and various customers.

UVision USA Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of UVision Air Ltd., is playing an integral role in UVision’s ongoing global expansion of operations. Signifying the company’s increased commitment to the US market, this initiative will create jobs in Virginia, making an important contribution to the American labor market. The opening of the 25,000 square-foot facility located at the Quantico Corporate Center will enable UVision to increase its local production capability, further improve its high-level, rapid response to US customers, and increase supply to international customers – either directly or through government-to-government initiatives.

Tinesha Allen, Stafford County Griffis-Widewater District Supervisor said, “Welcome UVision USA to Stafford County. We congratulate UVision Air Ltd on the expansion and opening of their US Headquarters, and new product and training facility located in Stafford County. We are proud to have this small, specialized business serving our US military combat operations. UVision is an asset to our growing, diverse technical economy. Thank you for your investment in Stafford.”

“Following the signing of our latest contract with a Latin American country and the growing demand for roving armament systems around the world, we decided to bring forward the opening of our new production plant in Virginia, USA,” says Major General (Ret.) Avi Mizrachi, CEO of UVision. “The opening of the factory will enable local production of the company’s systems, strengthening UVision’s overall commitment to the US Armed Services and the US economy, and creating new jobs for local residents. In addition, UVision USA will increase and strengthen our collaborations with academic institutions and local businesses, further supporting the plant’s activities.”

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Canada Selects SIG for New Pistol

Friday, October 7th, 2022

In what might be a new record, two different countries have awarded the same company a contract for their new service issue sidearm within a week of one another. That company is SIG SAUER and those countries are Canada and Australia.

The Canadian Department of National Defence has awarded a contract for the 9mm NATO C22 full frame modular pistol valued at $3.2 million (USD) and to M.D. Charlton Co. Ltd. of Victoria, B.C.

This contract is for an initial 7,000 SIG P320s and holsters to replace the aging Browning Hi-Powers currently in service. According to DND, additional options for up to 9,500 pistols will be available under the contract to cover the remaining requirements for the Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Canadian Navy and Military Police. Pistol delivery is anticipated to begin in mid-2023.

“The Government of Canada is committed to providing the Canadian Armed Forces with the equipment they need when they need it. Replacing the Browning 9mm with the C22 full frame modular pistol (Sig Sauer P320) will help ensure the continued operational readiness and effectiveness of all our members. We look forward to the delivery of these new pistols and holster systems in the coming year.”

-The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence

This brings a conclusion to a very long process to identify a new pistol for the Canadian Armed Forces which goes back over a decade. More recently, after identifying a requirement for a modular pistol, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal upheld a dispute filed by Rampart International on behalf of Glock which slowed the process. Apparently, any issues have been overcome, clearing the way for the competition to proceed.

“As a result of an open, fair and competitive procurement process, we are pleased to award this contract to M.D. Charlton Co. Ltd., a Canadian distributor of tactical equipment. This contract will provide our troops with modern, reliable pistols and holsters to carry out their work, while supporting economic opportunities for the Canadian defence industry.”

-The Honourable Helena Jaczek, Minister of Public Services and Procurement Canada

Canada joins the Australia, Denmark and the US in adopting the SIG SAUER P320 as their standard issue sidearm.

Posted in Advertiser, Contracts, International, weapons | 13 Comments »

Land Forces 22 – More Weapons from Thales

Thursday, October 6th, 2022

In addition to the 6.8×51 prototypes we showcased the other day, Thales Australia the manufacturer of the currently issued EF88 are displaying a couple of other rifles under the Lithgow Arms mark. Lithgow Small Arms Factory has provided Australian built weapons to the ADF for over a century.

First is the F90 PDW variant with suppressor under the handguard.

Next up is a Stoner pattern carbine in 5.56mm and .300 BLK designed in the event the ADF decides at some point to adopt this type of rifle, or alternatively for export.

Here is a look at Serial Number 001.

Posted in International, Tradeshow, weapons | 2 Comments »

Land Forces 22 – Squad Support Weapon 40

Wednesday, October 5th, 2022

The Squad Support Weapon SSW40 from Rheinmetall is on display in the NIOA booth along with their full line of 40mm ammunition.

Under development, the SSW40 is a magazine-fed, semi-automatic 40mm launcher Designed to engage targets out to 800m. Weighing under 4.0kg, the SSW40 has a 10 round capacity.

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Thunder From Down Under – Land 159 Increases Lethality of the Australian Digger

Wednesday, October 5th, 2022

Australia’s Lethality Program, Land 159, is causing quite the buzz internationally this week and for good reason. This is the largest small arms replacement program in Australian Defense history.

We’re going to share a ‘story within the story’ of this week’s Land 159 Tranche 1 announcement.

That story is the game-changing, domination of the outcome of Land159.T1 by Australian company Aquaterro, and their representation of, and partnership with, SIG SAUER.

These two companies have been working together for over five years to create a foothold in the Australian Small Arms defense and LE market and it has paid off.

Aquaterro has, by our estimates, won over 80% of this entire project, in terms of both dollars and quantities. Everything mentioned here is supplied by Aquaterro to the ADF.

Let’s lay it out. The new Sidearm Weapon System (SWS) consists of:

The SIG P320 XCarry Pro outfitted with the SIG ROMEO2 Red Dot Sight.

It’s also comes with the SIG FOXTROT2 weapon light and a Safariland 7TS, ALS,SLS,QLS Holster.

The Sidearm Weapon System will be purchased in the thousands, to tens of thousands over the life of this contract.

The new Personal Defence Weapon System (PDWS) consists of the SIG MCX complete with two upper receivers in .300 BLK, equipped with SIG ROMEO4T Optic and SIG JULIET4 Magnifier.

The PDW System is likely the largest acquisition in volume terms after the P320 for Land159.T1.

Public information varies widely around numbers for the PDW, but they seem to be anywhere from around 1,000 and up to 9,000 systems, at least for the roll out phase. But we all know, once something is selected for issue and under contract, it continues to be purchased for decades.

That being said, with the seemingly limitless versatility, adaptability, and widespread adoption of the SIG MCX across 5 Eyes, stay tuned to see where this foot-in-the-door leads for the ADF and the MCX family of weapons.

We has seen first hand, the in-house capability and commitment of Aquaterro and its Founder/CEO, Graeme Bulte, to becoming an integral part of the Supply Chain for its stable of OEMs, and a major force in the Australian Defense Industry.

The brand new, “Fort Knox”-like Aquaterro facilities, boast over 75,000 square feet in South East Melbourne and are some of the most extensive, impressive, and world class we have ever seen. Their infrastructure is equal to, or better than, many OEMs in some respects:

-They have an indoor, 2 Lane, .50cal rated 100m Action Target Test Range

-There are multiple, massive, drive-in firearm vaults to the highest security certification

-There is a well equipped Armory Workshop

-Armament and EO Engineering Dept, Refurbishment and Technical Inspection Workshops.

-Textile Design and Manufacturing facilities

-Industrial Design and Prototype Lab

-All Laser and CNC Engraving of Serial Numbering requirements and final assembly for the ADF SIG guns – will all be done at and by Aquaterro in Australia under a special agreement with SIG. This is a tangible win for Australian industry content and capability.

Finally, we’ve got to mention there will be significant SIG Spare Parts requirements for this program which is sure to last for decades, all to be supplied by Aquaterro.

Queensland Company NIOA has “broken the mould” by taking on the PMO-type duties and role for Land 159, known as the Managing Contractor. By all accounts, they have done a great job at project management, systems assessment and integration of this once-in-a-century small arms acquisition activity for the ADF. They have stepped into the role of a Prime with distinction. Seen here is Aquaterro CEO Graeme Bulte and NIOA CEO Rob NIOA signing the Land 159 comtract at Land Forces.

But make no mistake, the lion’s share of firearms systems for Land 159, is a massive win for SIG SAUER, thanks to SIG’s Australian partner, Aquaterro.

With Land 159 Tranche 2 on the horizon seeking new Combat Assault Rifles, Light Machine Guns and Medium Machine Guns, the SIG-Aquaterro combination is now truly a force to be reckoned with in the Australasian region. Especially on the heals of SIG’s selection for the US Army’s Next Generation Squad Weapons program.

In fact, the entire NGSW suite is on display at the Aquaterro booth here at Land Forces 2022 in Brisbane, Australia this week.

Posted in Advertiser, Contracts, weapons | 10 Comments »

Land Forces 22 – Thales 6.8 x 51mm Prototypes

Tuesday, October 4th, 2022

Thales provides the EF88 bullpup rifle in 5.56 NATO to the Australian Defence Force. In preparation for LAND 159 Tranche 2 which will look for a new rifle and machine gun capability, Thales has developed a new cartridge in 6.8x51mm along with weapon prototypes to perform similarly to the US Army’s Next Generation Squad Weapons program.

Although they didn’t have an example of the cartridge on hand, I’m told it’s a conventional case design, producing high chamber pressures in order to achieve similar terminal effects to NGSW’s goals.

They produced two different rifle designs, a Bullpup and a Stoner pattern weapon. It also appears that they’ve developed a common magazine between the two variants.

Posted in Ammo, Tradeshow, weapons | 5 Comments »