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Edgar Brothers Awarded Contract to Supply Alternative Individual Weapon System to UK MOD

Thursday, September 7th, 2023

Edgar Brothers is delighted to announce that we have been awarded a Contract to supply the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) with the Alternative Individual Weapon (AIW) System, following a highly competitive trial process.

The AIW will consist of three elements:

– Rifle System: Rifle and Signature Reduction System
– Optic System: Low Power Variable Optic (LPVO), Mini Red Dot (RDS) and Emergency Back Up Sight (EBS)
– Training System: Safe Blank Firing System (SBFS) and Marker Round Training System (MRTS)

As the Prime Contractor and UK Distributors, Edgar Brothers will be utilising a range of battle-proven products from suppliers from around the world to deliver the chosen solution.

These include:

– Knight’s Armament Company (KAC) and their KS-1 Rifle, PRT suppressors, and Safe Blank Firing System (SBFS)
– Vortex Optics and their 1-10x LPVO
– Aimpoint and their ACRO P-2 MRD
– Reptilia and their AUS Mount, ROF 90 Mount, Dot Mount & various other accessories
– Magpul and their PMAG, MBUS PRO EBS and other accessories
– Simunition and their line of FX Conversion Kits and PPE to work with the in-service MRTS ammunition

As part of the initial requirements, the Contract will also include several firm requirements Edgar Brothers must undertake to improve Social Value in the UK, these will cover the five key themes stipulated in The Social Value Model.

Mike Newman, Director of Edgar Brothers, commented, “Project Hunter is an extremely complex programme that pushed the limits of innovation for the modern personal weapon system, yet remained practical for industry to implement. As a testimony to Knights Armament and Edgar Brothers’ dedication, plus our industry partners Vortex, Reptilia, Aimpoint, and Magpul, the KS-1 rifle system was born and has earned recognition after undergoing rigorous testing. The base weapon, combined with market-leading Surveillance Target Acquisition (STA) and ancillaries has now set a new standard.”

Newman continued, “As with every programme we undertake, Edgar Brothers’ main goal is to enhance the soldiers’ capabilities to effectively perform their mission. We are now looking forward to working alongside the Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) team to bring the system into service. This Contract win strengthens our growth trajectory and provides us with the opportunity to expand our team by hiring exceptional talent from our local community. We are privileged to supply what we believe to be the finest personal weapon system in the world to the UK MOD.”

Col Paul Cummings, DE&S Dismounted Close Combat Portfolio Leader, said: “Project Hunter has been a fabulous example of close collaboration between the user community, Defence Equipment and Support, and industry to deliver game-changing capability at pace. This will deliver improved lethality into the hands of the Army Special Operations Brigade and is the latest in a range of improved capabilities being operated by the new Ranger Battalions. We look forward to continuing to work closely with Edgar Brothers as we move into the production phase.”

To download poster as PDF, click here.

For more information about Edgar Brothers and our products, please visit:

www.edgarbrothers.com

Edgar Brothers will the full system on display at DSEI, booth H2-588.

Posted in Advertiser, Contracts, International, Press Release, weapons | 11 Comments »

£90 Million Contract Equips Armed Forces with Advanced New Rifle

Wednesday, September 6th, 2023

British troops will soon be more lethal on the battlefield, as a new £90 million contract delivers modern, high precision rifles.

From:

Ministry of Defence and James Cartlidge MP

Published

7 September 2023

The new advanced rifle.

• New rifle provides UK troops with an improved lethal capability on the battlefield.

• Rifle more discreet through sight and hearing signature reduction.

• Up to 10,000 weapons could be procured over the next 10 years.

British troops will soon be more lethal on the battlefield, as a new £90 million contract delivers modern, high precision rifles.

The Alternative Individual Weapon (AIW) system – known as the L403A1 and procured by Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) under Project HUNTER – is made up of a new assault rifle fitted with a muzzle signature reduction system and an improved optical sighting system.

The AIW is a modern rifle using the latest in design technology and manufacturing methods, to produce an exceptionally reliable and accurate weapon. The magnified optic means the user is able to engage threats from greater distances; whilst the signature reduction system works to mask the AIW from detection from sight and hearing.

Supplementing the current in-service L85A3, the AIW system has been secured under a £90 million contract with Macclesfield-based company Edgar Brothers, supporting the Prime Minister’s priority to grow the economy by helping sustain approximately 50 jobs at the family-owned company.

Minister for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge said:

This is another example of how we are committed to investing in the most advanced battlefield equipment to back our troops on the battlefield. This advanced rifle’s ability to help soldiers maintain the stealth edge not only protects them but delivers war-fighting advantage over our adversaries.

An initial £15 million order of 1,620 AIW systems has been placed, with options to procure up to 10,000 systems – totalling £90 million – under the contract over the next decade. The systems will initially be fielded to the Army Special Operations Brigade (ASOB) who operate in complex, high threat environments.

DE&S Dismounted Close Combat Portfolio Leader, Colonel Paul Cummings, said:

Project Hunter has been a fabulous example of close collaboration with the user community and strong engagement with industry to deliver game-changing capability at pace. This is another example of the enormous commitment of the men and women in DCC to deliver battle-winning capability into the hands of the user and I’m enormously proud of what they have achieved. We look forward to continuing to work closely with Edgar Brothers as we move into the production phase.

The L403A1 is a high performing modern development of the ArmaLite Rifle (AR), which pushes the boundaries of modern performance. As an AR system, it shares much in common with the rifle systems used by many of the UK’s allies. Given their specialist role, and the critical task of working with and alongside many of the UK’s allies, the platform will enable ASOB to share skills and drills in an efficient manner.

Lt Col Gareth Davies, SO1 SoldierWorks, Military Capability Delivery, Army Headquarters, said:

Project HUNTER has successfully delivered a new weapon option for UK Defence. At the current time this is being procured for the Army Special Operations Brigade (ASOB). It offers a marked increase in lethality, and the system includes one of most capable day sights currently available. Importantly the weapon system will be further enhanced by our newest generation of night optics, with which the ASOB are already equipped.

As a key component of the ASOB, the Ranger Regiment will receive the AIW later this year. Made up of four battalions, the Rangers deployed to over 60 countries in their first 12 months of operation, following their formation as part Future Soldier under the Defence Command Paper 2021.

Posted in Contracts, Guest Post, International, weapons | 12 Comments »

The Australian Combat Assault Rifle by Lithgow Arms

Wednesday, September 6th, 2023

Australian small arms manufacturer Lithgow Arms has formally launched their Australian Combat Assault Rifle line with two current models, the ACAR 5.56/300BLK and the ACAR 7.62. Both feature Direct Impingement operating systems. However, Lithgow Arms continues to develop the line and we should see a piston gun next year.

Designed and manufactured in a collaboration between Thales’s Lithgow Arms and Australian small arms specialist Wedgetail Industries, the ACAR series delivers high quality and mission flexibility for defence and law enforcement customers.

This video gives a quick overview of the ACAR.

We offered a sneak peek during last year’s Land Forces conference and will check these latest versions out during next week’s DSEI in London.

To learn more, visit www.lithgowarms.com/defence-law-enforcement

Posted in DSEi, International, weapons | 2 Comments »

US Army Precision Grenadier System Update

Wednesday, August 30th, 2023

The US Army’s Precision Grenadier System effort we told you about last September is underway to handle counter defilade and counter UAS at the squad level.

The PGS shall be a Soldier portable, flat trajectory, semi-automatic, magazine fed, integrated armament system that enables precision engagements to destroy personnel targets in defilade and in the open with increased lethality and precision compared to legacy grenade launchers. The PGS is anticipated to be deployed as a Soldier’s primary weapon system and provide organic close-quarters combat and counter-defilade capabilities through a family of ammunition, providing overmatch to comparable threat grenade launchers in near-peer formations in future operating environments to include urban, woodland, subterranean, and desert, in day, night, or obscured conditions.

The Army is seeking a multi-shot grande launcher which integrates a sophisticated Fire Control System capable of programming rounds along with a family of programmable ammunition.

Family of Ammunition:

a. Counter Defilade Round: Round to precisely and quickly defeat personnel targets in defilade positions.

b. Training Round: Non-pyrotechnic round ballistically similar to the counter defilade round to train the PGS capability.

c. Close Quarters Battle Round: Round to precisely and quickly defeat personnel targets at ranges less than 35 meters.

d. Expanded Capabilities: Ability to expand capabilities is desired with different types of ammo such as:

i. Counter Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Round

ii. Armor-Piercing Round

Naturally, this will also require a power supply.

Additionally, PGS must be lethal from distances of 35m to 500M or longer against unprotected soldiers in both the open and in cover and with a time of flight no greater than 3 seconds out to 500 meters.

It is important to note that the Army has not specified caliber, but rather effect, and has left it open to the various vendors to create the complete system.

Program Executive Office (PEO) Soldier partnered with the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology) (ASA(ALT)), to use the xTechSoldier Lethality competition as a platform to interact with industry.

The xTechSoldier Lethality competition consists of three-rounds:

1 Call for concept white papers;

2 Technology Pitch; and

3 Final Proof-of-Concept Demonstration

So far, we’ve seen round 1 which selected five companies based upon their white paper submissions. Each of these small businesses will receive a cash prize of $15,000 and an invitation to advance to Part 2: Technology Pitches where the teams will showcase their innovative concepts for a Precision Grenadier System (PGS):

• American Rheinmetall Munitions, “Squad Support Weapon Achieving Precision Grenadier System Objectives”

• FN America, LLC, “PGS-001”

• Knight Technical Solutions, LLC, “Multipurpose Intelligent Grenade System ‘MIGS’”

• MARS, Inc., “MARS, Inc. 30mm Support Rifle System (SRS)”

• Plumb Precision Products, LLC, “P3 M110 Precision Grenade Launcher”

Up to three companies will be selected from the virtual technology pitch round (round 2) and receive an additional $300,000 each in cash prizes and the opportunity to come back in 6 to 18 months to conduct a final proof-of-concept demonstration (round 3).

Those technology pitches are set to begin today, Aug 29, 2023 and last until Sep 1st.

One final winner may be selected and awarded up to $2M in a follow-on contract or agreement. The target for this phase is Mar 1, 2024 – Mar 31, 2025.

SSD readers may be familiar with the Rheinmetall and Plumb Precision Products system which we have covered in the past.

Posted in Army, weapons | 8 Comments »

Smith & Wesson Introduces FDE to the M&P 5.7 Series

Tuesday, August 15th, 2023

SPRINGFIELD, MA., (8/15/2023) – Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ Global Select: SWBI), a leader in firearm manufacturing and design, today announced the release of the new two-tone, FDE M&P5.7 pistol.

Combining features of the tested M&P series with a new gas-operated, locked-breech, Tempo™ Barrel System, Smith & Wesson unveiled the M&P5.7 pistol aimed at offering a more reliable, accurate, and consistent shooting experience in a handgun platform for the increasingly popular 5.7x28mm caliber. Designed to harness the speed of the round, its 5-inch barrel allows for a quicker extraction once the bullet passes the gas port, creating a more secured fireform effect.

In its debut, the series included two models, both with a black polymer frame and black Armornite® slide finish, available with or without a manual thumb safety. Now joining the M&P5.7 lineup is a sharp two-tone setup of a classic Armornite finished slide and black controls, paired with a tactical Flat Dark Earth toned polymer frame.

The two-tone FDE M&P5.7 is optics ready, has a Picatinny-style rail for added accessories, and includes a 1/2×28 threaded muzzle with a thread protector to allow for suppressed shooting capabilities. Its single-action flat-face trigger maintains a crisp break and is designed to allow for consistent finger placement that translates to more accurate and repeatable shooting. This pistol has an impressive 22-round capacity, ships with two magazines, and is proudly made in the U.S.A. Pick up the Tempo™ with accurate and consistent results from the new-look M&P5.7.

MSRP is $719.00

Check out the two-tone FDE M&P5.7 at www.smith-wesson.com.

Posted in Press Release, weapons | Comments Off on Smith & Wesson Introduces FDE to the M&P 5.7 Series

B&T USA Announces Commercial Release of its APC9K SD2 US Army Submission

Monday, August 14th, 2023

Tampa, FL (August 14th, 2023) – B&T USA is excited to announce that due to continual requests by those familiar with the project, we have been persuaded to produce a limited number of integrally suppressed APC9K SD2 models complete with its scalable suppressor system. This variant was submitted for consideration during the United States Army Sub Compact Weapon (SCW) trials, with said branch ultimately selecting B&T USA’s APC9K and awarding it the SCW Contract.

“To win a US Government contract, you must submit a product that as closely meets their defined specifications as possible — not necessarily what you think the end user needs or even a product that is scalable to best suit its future needs — as was the case with the SD2; the advanced platform was not what the Army required in 2019, but one we anticipate it may in the future” said Chris Mudgett, Vice President of Marketing, B&T USA.

“At less than 15-inches in overall length, the APC9K SD2 is the shortest integrally suppressed submachine gun currently available. It is optimized for low visibility carriage and discreet deployment; while delivering unsurpassed accuracy, controllability, and ergonomics. With its advanced scalable suppressor system, the SD2 is a solution for your future mission.”

For more information on B&T USA, visit: www.bt-usa.com.

Posted in Army, Press Release, Suppressors, weapons | 4 Comments »

FN Extends Line of Big Bore Pistols with New MRD Models

Tuesday, August 8th, 2023

The Optics-Ready FN 510 and 545 MRD Offer Pinpoint Control and Accuracy(McLean, VA – August 08, 2023) FN America, LLC is pleased to announce the release of the striker-fired FN 510 MRD and 545 MRD optics-ready big bore pistols. With dimensions just slightly larger than an FN 509, these two big bore pistols are ideal for users who want to carry with a lot more stopping power. The pistols feature 15+1 rounds of 10mm or .45ACP at the ready, a target-grade 6-pound trigger pull with crisp break, and the company’s patented optics mount that enables enhanced accuracy, making them the perfect tool for personal and home defense. Harness the stopping power of these big bore calibers and be ready to face any situation that may come.

“Following the overwhelmingly positive response to the FN 510 and 545 Tactical, which released in January, we received customer feedback requesting models in these calibers with flush-fit barrels, day sights and magazines that were more carry-friendly, as well as accessible in states that restrict threaded barrels or capacity,” said Chris Cole, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for FN America, LLC. “These MRD models, following the successful formula of the FN 509 MRD models, feature our patented optics mounting technology in a 15-round grip frame optimized for accuracy and shootability.”

The FN 510 and 545 MRD feature a flush-fit, 4.1-inch barrel housed within a machined steel slide with front and rear cocking serrations for ease of manipulation. The barrels are cold hammer-forged with a recessed target crown to extend accuracy and a polished feed ramp to ensure reliable feeding of the majority of commercially available loads in both 10mm and .45ACP.

The MRD slide is equipped with FN’s patented Low-Profile Optics-Mounting System that accepts all major optics footprints and enables consumers to direct-mount nearly any optic in minutes with the included hardware while a set of fully adjustable blacked-out iron sights co-witness with most optics and are to provide a clear sight picture, allowing the user the focus on the red dot of the optic.

The impressive ergonomics and contouring of the 15-round grip frame deliver the perfect balance to the slide. The included backstraps can be installed to adjust the fit in the user’s hand to deliver a natural point of aim and dampen felt recoil, especially in 10mm. Coupled with the three distinct grip textures that all play a role in anchoring the pistol to the hand, the FN 510 and 545 MRD are extremely controllable and shootable big bore pistols.