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AeroVironment Awarded $20.3 Million Switchblade 600 Tactical Missile Systems Hardware Contract by US Special Operations Command

Friday, November 5th, 2021

• Switchblade 600 tactical missile system features high-precision optics, more than 40 minutes of loitering endurance and an anti-armor warhead for engaging and prosecuting hardened static and moving light armored vehicles

• Lightweight, self-contained Switchblade 600 launch tube system allows for deployment flexibility from fixed and mobile platforms on land, in air or at sea

Switchblade 600 is an all-in-one, man-portable loitering missile that delivers unprecedented tactical reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition. (Photo: AeroVironment, Inc.)

ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 4, 2021 – AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global leader in intelligent, multi-domain robotic systems, today announced it was awarded a firm-fixed-price contract on Sept. 28, 2021 by the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) for $20,321,973 for the procurement of Switchblade® 600 tactical missile systems (TMS). Delivery is scheduled to be completed by January 2023.

“Switchblade 600 is an all-in-one, man-portable tactical missile that provides warfighters with the capability to fly, track and engage non-line-of-sight targets and light-armored vehicles with precision lethal effects,” said Brett Hush, vice president and product line general manager for TMS. “The tube-launched, Switchblade 600 can be easily transported for deployment from fixed and mobile platforms in any environment, providing operators with superior force overmatch and minimizing exposure to direct and indirect enemy fires.”

AeroVironment’s Switchblade 600 is an all-in-one, man portable solution equipped with a high-performance EO/IR gimbaled sensor suite, precision flight control and more than 40 minutes of flight time to deliver unprecedented tactical reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition (RSTA). Its anti-armor warhead enables engagement and prosecution of hardened static and moving light armored vehicles from multiple angles without external ISR or fires assets. Switchblade 600’s patented wave-off and recommit capability allows operators to abort the mission at any time and then re-engage either the same or other targets multiple times based on operator command, resulting in minimal to no collateral damage.

Posted in Contracts, Press Release, SOF, UAS, weapons | Comments Off on AeroVironment Awarded $20.3 Million Switchblade 600 Tactical Missile Systems Hardware Contract by US Special Operations Command

AeroVironment Demonstrates First-Ever Switchblade Loitering Missile Integration for Air Launched Effects from JUMP 20 Medium Unmanned Aircraft System

Friday, November 5th, 2021

• Initial proof-of-concept demonstration conducted in August 2021

• Leverages an AeroVironment end-to-end solution with combat-proven systems for increased mission autonomy and efficacy

ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 3, 2021 – AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global leader in intelligent, multi-domain robotic systems, today announced the successful demonstration of integrating Switchblade® 300 loitering missiles and JUMP® 20 medium unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for increased mission autonomy and efficacy. This Air Launched Effects (ALE) proof-of-concept demonstration took place in August 2021 with the goal of launching an inert Switchblade 300 from the JUMP 20 and successfully recovering both air vehicles.

The systems were integrated by fixing the inert Switchblade 300 tube-launch system to the existing JUMP 20 platform’s vertical lift boom with a custom-made bolt-on mount and firing solution. Switchblade 300 was remotely fired using the JUMP 20 ground control solution with in-flight control taken by a separate Switchblade ground element. Both vehicles were successfully recovered, proving the demonstration event to be the first-ever Switchblade 300 integration and air launch from a JUMP 20 Group 3 vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) platform.

“This end-to-end integrated solution enables customers with greater time on station than if they were to deploy a Switchblade on its own, resulting in the ability to conduct persistent real-time surveillance to increase the chance of identifying the correct target and minimizing collateral damage,” said Brett Hush, AeroVironment vice president and product line general manager of tactical missile systems. “It combines the combat-proven Switchblade loitering missile’s lethality, reach and precision strike capabilities with low collateral effects and the VTOL, fixed-wing JUMP 20’s advanced multi-sensor ISR services and 14-hour endurance.”

Posted in Press Release, UAS, weapons | 2 Comments »

Springfield Armory Launches Hi-Power Clone, The SA-35

Monday, October 25th, 2021

Earlier today, Springfield Armory announced their new SA-35, their version of the Browning P-35, popularly known as the Hi-Power.

But it’s not an exact clone. SA has reconfigured the hammer to help mitigate hammer bite, included an extended safety, modernized the sights, beveled the magwell and slipped in a factory tuned trigger.

Here are the stats:

At $699 MSRP, I’ll definitely be on the look for one, for nostalgia’s sake if nothing else. There’s something comforting about a pistol made of steel and wood.

I expect additional models in the future.

www.springfield-armory.com/sa-35-series-handguns/sa-35-handguns

Posted in weapons | 28 Comments »

FN 306 – A New Less Lethal System

Thursday, October 21st, 2021

FN HERSTAL DEVELOPS NEW LESS LETHAL CAPABILITIES FOR POLICE FORCES AND SECURITY AGENCIES

FN Herstal, a major international actor in the field of kinetic energy Less Lethal capabilities with almost 25,000 FN 303® systems in service, will present for the first time a completely new concept; the FN Smart ProtectoR™ at the MILIPOL Paris exhibition. Thanks to this totally innovative concept the Belgian manufacturer will be able to propose a credible alternative to systems such as rubber ball launchers and electroshock handguns for short and very short range engagements.

SAFE, ACCURATE AND EASY TO USE

The FN Smart ProtectoR™ is an integrated, wearable and compact solution, which can be used safely in a proportional manner to deal with threats from individuals who are not using a firearm at short and very short ranges.

The FN Smart ProtectoR™ presented at MILIPOL Paris is composed of three complementary elements:

1 the FN 306™ launcher

2 the FN VictoR®-SP image recognition system

3 a red dot sight

A LESS LETHAL SYSTEM WITH CONTROLLED EFFECT

Fitted with a 5-tube magazine, the FN 306™ launcher fires 12.55mm FN SP calibre cartridges featuring an elastomer projectile. This elastomer, specially designed for this level of force, has been made to drastically reduce the risk of bodily harm. Both the cartridge and the calibre are specific innovations from FN Herstal.

The incapacitation level of the FN 306™ and its ammunition is equivalent to the effect generally given by a strike from a baton (30 joules) with a clear advantage for law enforcement and security forces: being able to intervene from a distance of up to 10 meters, with extreme accuracy.

Unlike some Less Lethal systems on the market, there is no minimum safe distance for intervention with the FN 306™. Handling of the launcher, which is compact and similar to a pistol, requires drills and procedures already acquired and mastered by police and security personnel.

MAXIMUM SAFETY AND EFFECTIVENESS THANKS TO A REAL-TIME IMAGE RECOGNITION SYSTEM

Combined with the FN 306™, the FN VictoR®-SP is an innovative safety enhancing system that captures and analyses images in real-time to detect the shape of a human body, and categorize specific parts of the body as areas that are authorized or forbidden to engage. If an area that must not be engaged, such as the head, is recognized, the system warns the user or blocks firing.

RESPECTING THE PHYSICAL INTEGRITY OF THE INDIVIDUAL AT ALL TIMES

While working on this project, FN Herstal’s objective is to propose to police and security forces in the coming months an effective and safe solution that will allow them to respect the physical integrity of the individual, or group of individuals, to be engaged.

Patented by FN Herstal, the FN Smart ProtectoR™ concept is based on the FN 306™ at present. FN Herstal has not ruled out integrating it later with current or future Less Lethal systems in the product range.

Come and discover the brand-new FN Smart ProtectoR™ concept on the FN Herstal booth (Belgian pavilion, Hall 5, J042) during the MILIPOL Paris exhibition, to be held from 19 to 22 October 2021.

Additional photos taken at Milipol by TR Equipement

Posted in Milipol, Press Release, weapons | Comments Off on FN 306 – A New Less Lethal System

Maxim Defense Releases MD-1505

Friday, October 15th, 2021

Maxim Defense, the premiere manufacturer in PDW technologies and stock/brace design, is proud to announce the availability of the MD-1505 series. It’s a combination of the extraordinarily popular PDX design and a traditional AR-15 package. Though similar to the PDX in size and capability, the MD-1505 has MILSPEC forged receivers and different handguards. Additionally, some options include the SCW stock, SCW brace, or SCW pistol system, providing a platform that’s perfect for virtually any intended use.

The MD-1505 is Maxim Defense PDX ingenuity in a standard AR-15 package. It was engineered to bring our top-tier PDX package to an even more affordable price point.

Starting at the muzzle, each MD-1505 is equipped with the patented Maxim HATEBRAKE muzzle device. The HATEBRAKE reduces recoil, decreases flash signature, pushes gasses and concussion wave downrange away from the operator, and improves overall performance in short barrel pistols and rifles.

For increased comfort and versatility, every MD-1505 features our free-floating Slimline Handguard. These handguards provide a monolithic-like upper receiver platform and M-Slot compatibility on five sides. At the rear, the MD-1505S is equipped with our SCW Stock for the ultimate in compactness, comfort, and versatility.

SPECIFICATIONS:
• CALIBERS 5.56 NATO, .300BLK, 7.62×39
• BARREL LENGTH 5.5” / 139.7mm
• MUZZLE VELOCITY 5.56 NATO, 62gr: 1965 FPS avg. .300 BLK, 115gr: 1850 FPS avg. 7.62×39, 124gr: 1675 FPS avg.
• OVERALL LENGTH 18.75” / 476.25mm

FEATURES:
• MOA accurate
• Free-floating Maxim Slimline handguard
• Military-grade materials
• SCW compact stock
• Increased reliability due to included HATEBRAKE
• Optimized for low flash signature
• Ambidextrous magazine release
• Ambidextrous selector

Models

• MD-1505S
• MD-1505SPB
• MD-1505SPS

The quality of the MD-1505 and its predecessors speaks for itself. This is why we say,

“Maxim Defense: Not built for safe queens.”

To learn more, please visit www.maximdefense.com.

Posted in Press Release, weapons | Comments Off on Maxim Defense Releases MD-1505

IWI Announces the Launch of a New Assault Rifle in the ACE Family – the ACE-N 52 – with an Improved Ergonomic Design, Suitable for Standard NATO Magazines

Wednesday, October 13th, 2021

Compatible with 7.62X51mm ammunition, the new weapon is designed to meet the challenges of the modern battlefield

Milipol Paris, Parc d’Exposition, 19-22 October, Stand no 5A D067

October 13, 2021, Ramat Hasharon, Israel. IWI – Israel Weapon Industries – a member of the SK Group (founded by Mr. Samy Katsav) a leader in producing combat-proven small arms for military forces, police units, law enforcement agencies and governmental entities around the world – is launching the new ACE-N 52 assault rifle. The latest model in the ACE family, the ACE-N 52 has an improved ergonomic design that is suitable for use with standard NATO (AR-10) magazines, including 7.62X51mm ammunition.

Based on the reliable and proven mechanism of the famous GALIL assault rifle – which was the main assault rifle of the IDF – the ACE-N 52 has been designed specifically to enable forces to meet the challenges of the modern battlefield.

“As a leader in the field of small arms, IWI constantly continues to develop the most advanced products, according to the changing needs of its customers,” says Ronen Hamudot, Executive VP Marketing and Sales at SK Group and IWI. “In this way, the ACE-N 52, with its enhanced ergonomic features, meets the needs of the modern battlefield. An additional configuration of the ACE-N 52 has been adapted to the needs of the civilian market.”

The ACE-N 52 meets the standards of MIL SDT 810, and is able to withstand harsh weather and environmental conditions. With a foldable AR butt and adjustable cheek rest, the new weapon enables flexible operation and enhances mission accuracy. This highly versatile weapon also features a Picatinny rail, to adapt a wide range of equipment.

Posted in Milipol, Press Release, weapons | 4 Comments »

AUSA 21 – B&T SPC9

Wednesday, October 13th, 2021

You might look at the new SPC9 and call it a frankengun from Brügger & Thomet because it combines features from the APC9 and the AR-family at the request of a European customer who wanted an AR-style charging handle and buffer tube to accept a variety of stocks. B&T took their contract-winning APC and went to work. They also added features found on the MP5: a 3-Lug suppressor mounting and an additional, folding, non-reciprocating, cocking handle located above the barrel. This cocking handle is also swappable from left to right.

Feeding is from a proprietary magazine, or it can be modified by the user to accept 9mm Glock double stack or SIG P320 magazines.

One interesting feature is the hydraulic buffer which offers a very low recoil impulse.

B&T delivers their guns ready to go out of the box, fitted with an Aimpoint T1.

www.bt-arms.com

Posted in AUSA, weapons | 6 Comments »

AUSA 21 – Ghost Robotics x SWORD Defense Systems

Wednesday, October 13th, 2021

Ghost Robotics showed off the capabilities of their quadrupedal unmanned ground vehicles.

While most of the payloads are ISR related, one really stood out. The Special Purpose Unmanned Rifle (SPUR) is a 6.5 CM rifle package from SWORD Defense Systems designed specifically for use with the Vision-60 quadruped.

Remotely operated, it incorporates a sight and features safe, chamber, clear, and fire capabilities that allows for safe and reliable deployment of the weapon system, the operator can load and safe the weapon at a distance. These features also provide the operator the ability to clear malfunctions, and safely unload the platform prior to recovery.

The suppressor is the CGS Group Hyperion K.

Posted in AUSA, Robotics, weapons | 10 Comments »