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Smith & Wesson – M&P 9 Shield EZ

Thursday, December 12th, 2019

Smith & Wesson just announced a 9mm variant of the Shield EZ, a carry/defensive pistol introduced in 2018. Originally available only in a .380 chambering, the EZ was designed for ease-of-use, with an easy to rack slide and easy to load magazines, and was principally marketed to inexperienced shooters and those with weaker grip strength that made racking a traditional pistol slide difficult.

This trend continues with the 9mm variant, which shares virtually all the same features, from its single stack midsized frame to the eight round capacity easy-load magazines, as its predecessor. The frame itself has an 18° grip angle, 1911-esque grip safety, M2.0 style texturing, reversible magazine catch, and a picatinny rail dust cover for the attachment of a light or laser.

The slide features front and rear charging serrations, a tactile loaded chamber indicator, windage adjustable rear sight, and S&W’s Armornite corrosion-resistant finish.

The Smith & Wesson M&P 9 Shield EZ is now available through Smith & Wesson dealers, in four variants:

With ambidextrous manual thumb safety

Without ambidextrous manual thumb safety

Crimson Trace frame with manual safety

Crimson Trace frame without manual safety

www.smith-wesson.com/9ez

Tags: Smith & Wesson
Posted in weapons | 3 Comments »

Rheinmetall to modernize international client’s air defence systems in multimillion-euro project

Wednesday, December 11th, 2019

An international client has awarded Rheinmetall a contract to modernize its air defence systems. The total value of the order, now official, comes to around €120 million. Delivery is scheduled to commence in the third quarter of 2020.

The modernization measures will enhance the combat effectiveness of existing Skyguard air defence systems. Among other things, the upgraded systems will have an improved capability against drones. The order also encompasses spare parts, technical documentation, training and instruction support as well as state-of-the-art ammunition.

A world leader in the field of ground-based air defence technology, Rheinmetall networks the full array of sensors, effectors, platforms and command&control assets into overarching, scalable system. This results in a highly effective, modularly designed, flexibly deployable ground-based air defence capability – a system of systems covering the entire operational spectrum.

Posted in Aviation, Contracts, International, Press Release, weapons | 2 Comments »

2nd SFS Switches to M18

Wednesday, December 4th, 2019

More than 30 years ago, the M9 Beretta entered service into the military, but on November 30, the 2nd Security Forces Squadron will arm up with the M9 for the final time.

Instead, they will begin carrying the M18 Modular Handgun System, a shorter, more compact weapon. The change is expected to enable defenders to complete their jobs more efficiently and effectively, according to the 2nd SFS Combat Arms team.

“It is an easier system to operate,” said Staff Sgt. Daniel Johnson, 2nd SFS Combat Arms assistant non-commissioned officer in charge. “This is because it is a striker-fired weapon which means the trigger squeeze is the same each time.”

“The M9 requires a stronger trigger squeeze at first and then gets lighter as it shoots. The M18 uses a consistent amount of pressure, taking away the anticipation and added strength needed from the M9, allowing the shooter to not have to think about the trigger squeeze every time, granting more accuracy,” Johnson added.

Among other aspects like customizable pistol grips, the M18 is known for its durability and simplified operating system.

“Four of us instructors attended the Sig Armorer course at the Sig Sauer Academy to learn more about the breakdown and maintenance portion of the weapon as well as some of the new ways they build the system,” said Senior Airman Matthew Lazo, 2nd SFS Combat Arms instructor. “There are fewer pieces that we are going to have to fix as often and the system also comes to where you are just changing out one whole part versus having to change a million different ones.”

The deadline for the switch was set for July of 2020, a year from when the team received the weapon systems on base. The team made a goal to break that deadline by seven months. Together they had to find a way to get more than 280 personnel qualified on top of their 300 personnel monthly firing schedule.

“It took us about a week, but we laid it out by figuring out how long it takes us to run everyone through the course, and we came out with the plan,” Lazo explained. “Not only getting everyone in once but two or three separate times.”

The qualifications aren’t as simple as members showing up to fire. There is a specific 90-round handgun course of fire qualification process that includes not only a hands-on portion but also a classroom instruction.

Before the qualification process began, the firing range on base was shut down for updates to the safety features, causing the team to have to find another range to train.

“At the range on base, we have 21 points, which means we can have 21 people fire at a time,” Johnson explained. “At the off-base range, there were time restrictions, and we could have as many as 16 points at once to as little as eight depending on the time.”

The Combat Arms team didn’t let that set them back as they continued to adapt and overcome all the hurdles thrown their way. They are still going to be able to meet their early deadline.

Dec. 1, 2019, will mark the beginning of a new era of weapon systems within the 2nd SFS as the black M9 is replaced by the coyote-tan M18.

Story by Senior Airman Tessa Corrick, 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, weapons | 9 Comments »

SIG SAUER P320-M18 Now Available

Tuesday, December 3rd, 2019

READY FOR DUTY

SIG SAUER is proud to introduce the long-awaited P320-M18, the civilian version of the US Military’s M18, the official sidearm of the U.S. Marine Corps. The M18 delivers the same accuracy, durability and unmatched reliability as the M17, in a compact size.

SIG SAUER Product Manager Phil Strader discusses the features and benefits of the new P320-M18.

M18 Magazines

Stock up on extra magazines for your P320-M18, Select from 17 or 21-round mags with coyote baseplates.

Ammunition

The revolutionary V-Crown family of centerfire ammunition now available in a +P military grade round. For the M17 and M18 pistols.

Posted in Advertiser, Press Release, weapons | 9 Comments »

Rheinmetall Sets Three New Distance Records For Indirect Fire In South Africa

Saturday, November 30th, 2019

At a test fire event on 6 November at the Alkantpan Test Range in South Africa, Rheinmetall demonstrated its extensive expertise in the world of indirect fire. In the presence of international partners and customers, the Düsseldorf, Germany-based defence contractor proved how new technologies can be used to boost the performance of systems that are already in extensive use around the world – those which meet the NATO standards set out in the Joint Ballistics Memorandum of Understanding (JBMoU) as well as non-JBMoU systems. During the event, three new maximum effective range records were set using various guns. A G6 howitzer with a 52-calibre gun achieved the longest range ever attained with a conventional 155mm artillery round: 76 kilometres, while the 52-calibre gun of PzH2000 self-propelled howitzer lobbed a shell 67 kilometres. Finally, a field howitzer with a 39-calibre gun attained a range of 54 kilometres.

The following table shows the ranges achieved with various projectiles and charges.

Rheinmetall Waffe and Munition, Rheinmetall’s centre of excellence for cannon technology, showcased the self propelled howitzer PzH 2000’s main armament in action. Over the past decade, this 155mm weapons system has proven to be one of the world’s most effective conventional artillery systems, capable of attaining the high rates of fire specified in the JBMoU. Developed and manufactured by Denel Land Systems, the G6 used at the live fire event was a new version designed to attain greater ranges in line with non-JBMoU standards.

Using the celebrated Assegai V-LAP shell is an example, modular upgrades of the artillery ammunition were on show at the event. The delegations could see for themselves the marked improvement in its performance with respect both to propulsion and range when fired from 39- and 52-calibre guns. Coupled with technologies from Rheinmetall Waffe Munition and Nitrochemie, Rheinmetall Denel Munition artillery shells exceed previous maximum effective ranges when fired from any conventional 155mm artillery system currently in use.

The maximum range of over 76 km was achieved with a non-JBMoU-compliant gun. This gun served as evidence of the feasibility of a new howitzer with a range of 83 km. Working in close cooperation with the German procurement authorities, Rheinmetall plans to develop and manufacture a new 155mm gun of this type, which will feature a significantly larger chamber and a longer, 60-calibre barrel. The gun should be able to fire existing JBMoU-compliant rounds as well as new ammunition families. On the one hand, these new ammunition types will be optimized with respect to stresses occurring in the new gun, but will also be able to be fired from legacy JBMoU-compliant guns. Here, 83 kilometres serves as the benchmark, since the course correction fuse necessary for precision at these ranges reduces the attainable range by approximately ten percent. This means that the maximum effective range of 75 kilometres specified by the German procurement authorities is attainable.

Rheinmetall Norway’s 120mm Ragnarok motor system and ammunition from RDM round out the Group’s indirect fire profile. This combination lends itself especially well to multipurpose vehicle applications with a rapid-fire capability. It also enables friendly forces to quickly evade counterbattery fire.

The event’s host, the German-South African joint venture Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM), welcomed participants from several NATO nations to the event in Northern Cape province on 6 November. As RDM managing director Jan-Patrick Helmsen explains, “Our goal is to be a true partner to the military. That’s why transparent cooperation and trust are so important to us. Tube artillery can provide defensive and offensive fire support. It’s cheaper and faster than rockets or air support, can operate around the clock, and engage targets with great precision using indirect fire anywhere within its range. Of course, range has proved to be a limiting factor in recent years, giving rise to the need for increased operational reach.” During the event, Jan-Patrick Helmsen noted that RDM has already been working to extend the range of artillery shells for some time now. “We’re known for the Assegai family and our V-LAP round, the longest-range conventional artillery projectile. The combination of South African technology and German expertise has already resulted in enhanced range, effectiveness and precision. When it comes to artillery, Rheinmetall takes a totally holistic approach”, declares Helmsen.

Posted in Ammo, International, Press Release, weapons | 6 Comments »

MELLS Guided Missile for the German Infantry: Bundeswehr Awards Rheinmetall Multi-Million-Euro Contract

Tuesday, November 26th, 2019

Rheinmetall and its joint venture partners Diehl Defence and Rafael have won an order to supply the Bundeswehr with the advanced MELLS antitank guided missile. Rheinmetall is tasked with supplying key components to Eurospike, the company that manufactures the MELLS multirole lightweight guided missile system. For Rheinmetall, this represents an order intake of over €30 million without valued added tax.

Delivery begins in 2020 and continues through to 2023. A framework agreement contains an option for the fabrication and delivery of around 100 additional weapon systems and a five-figure number of component sets for the MELLS guided missile during the 2024-2031 timeframe. This would mean incoming orders for Rheinmetall in the three-digit million-euro range.

The MELLS missiles now ordered by the Bundeswehr are intended for infantry operations. Rheinmetall will be supplying over a hundred integrated command and launch units, including transport and storage containers, as well as 1,500 sets with components for the long-range Spike LR missile produced by Rafael.

Produced by Eurospike – a joint venture of Rheinmetall, Diehl Defence and Rafael – the MELLS is a state-of-the-art effector capable of engaging armoured targets at ranges of up to 4,000 metres.

Rheinmetall can point to abundant expertise and experience with the MELLS. The Düsseldorf, Germany-based company has already integrated this advanced missile system into the Marder infantry fighting vehicle, and is doing so again in the Puma IFV. In addition, another contractor is currently integrating the system into Rheinmetall’s air-portable Wiesel/Wiesel weapons carrier.

Looking ahead, more extensive networking of the command and launch units and guided missiles with Rheinmetall-made soldier systems like the Future Soldier – Expanded System (IdZ-ES) and the TacNet battle management system offers significant future potential, which will further optimize the sensor-to-shooter sequence.

www.rheinmetall.com

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SIG SAUER Delivers Milestone 100,000th M17 / M18 Handgun to U.S. Military

Monday, November 25th, 2019

NEWINGTON, N.H., (November 19, 2019) – SIG SAUER, Inc. is proud to announce the delivery of the 100,000th M17 and M18 for the Modular Handgun System program to the U.S. Military, ahead of schedule, and surpassing the performance standards and requirements since the official contract award in January 2017.

“In the month of October SIG SAUER exceeded our manufacturing requirements by thirty percent and delivered a record-setting 12,100 handguns to the U.S. Military to achieve this historic milestone for SIG SAUER and the MHS program,” began Ron Cohen, President & CEO, SIG SAUER, Inc. “With the strict accuracy and acceptance specifications that the M17 and M18 are continuously exceeding, it’s clear that the success of this program can be directly attributed to the reliability, durability, and accuracy of the handgun, which has resulted in the high demand for both the M17 and M18 from every branch of the U.S. Military.”

The M17 and M18 handguns are a 9mm, striker-fired, P320-based handgun platform, featuring coyote-tan PVD coated stainless steel slides with black controls and utilize both 17-round and 21-round magazines. The handguns are equipped with SIGLITE front night sights, removable night sight rear plates, and manual safeties. To date SIG SAUER has delivered M17 and M18 handguns to all branches of the U.S. Military and the U.S. Coast Guard.

“From the very beginning the MHS program has been a true partnership between SIG SAUER and the U.S. Army which has resulted in the overwhelming success of the program, and ensuring that the M17 and M18 handguns are entering service, and in the field with our military,” concluded Cohen.

Posted in Advertiser, Contracts, Press Release, weapons | 5 Comments »

Rheinmetall at MILIPOL 2019 – a Strong Partner of the Security Services

Tuesday, November 19th, 2019

When it comes to equipping the men and women who protect our liberty and security, only the best will do. From 19 to 22 November 2019, Rheinmetall will be on hand at the MILIPOL international security show in Paris at Stand 5 K 026, displaying a selection of its extensive portfolio of products for law enforcement agencies and security forces.

The Survivor R protected special operations vehicle

The Survivor R epitomizes Rheinmetall’s commitment to the twin imperatives of security and mobility. It is extremely well suited for police special operations. In Germany, state-level police forces in Berlin, North Rhine Westphalia and Saxony have already opted to equip their SWAT teams with the Survivor R. The Survivor R is now in the running to become the standard special operations vehicle for Germany’s federal and state police agencies.

Developed in cooperation with special vehicle maker Achleitner and based on a high-performance 4×4 MAN truck chassis, the Survivor R is fitted with a steel armour cab. Capable of reaching speeds of over 100 km/h, the vehicle combines tried-and-tested automotive technology from major production runs with the latest force protection concepts from Rheinmetall.

Systematic use of off-the-shelf civilian parts and serially produced military components make the vehicle an affordable option, while users can rely on Rheinmetall MAN’s global service network for maintenance and repairs. This makes the Survivor R a cost-effective, easy-to-maintain vehicle platform with low lifecycle costs and a high level of operational readiness.

An armoured monocoque cab with add-on protection elements can be individually and discreetly modified to meet evolving threat situations, while a ventilation system for filtering out nuclear, biological and chemical agents is standard equipment in every Survivor R vehicle. Well-lit and ergonomically designed, the interior is spacious enough to seat up to eleven personnel with their personal equipment as well as extensive C4I and communications equipment. This versatile vehicle can also be equipped with remotely operated weapon stations. At MILPOL 2019, Rheinmetall is showcasing a Survivor R fitted with a Fieldranger weapon station. This variant is designed for protecting airports, for instance, as well as for operations against terrorists employing military tactics and equipment.

Special effects technology

Rheinmetall offers a comprehensive array of pyrotechnic products. When it comes to SWAT team-type operations, the Group’s portfolio of multi-bang grenades and improved-performance flash-bang grenades with bottom-top venting (BTV) technology offers the perfect solution. They are extremely safe to handle, highly precise and very reliable.

Rheinmetall has developed a wide assortment of flares for signalling and for illuminating the area of operations at night. These include the handheld Mithras, with ranges of 300, 600 and 1,000 metres, with versions available for the visible and infrared sector.

Rheinmetall’s new 60mm mortar for infantry and special forces

Rheinmetall has developed a new 60mm mortar for infantry and special forces. The RSG60 features innovative design and engineering characteristics which make this indirect fire system very light and easy to handle. A few quick manual adjustments turn the 15.8 kg standard infantry version into a commando mortar weighing just 6.8 kg, with no need for tools. This makes the RSG60 a two-in-one solution. Depending on the ammunition and charges, the standard version can attain ranges of up 3,200 metres. Equipped with a thirty centimetre-longer barrel, the range increases by around 500 metres. The commando variant of the RSG60 has a range of around 2,000 metres.

40mm system family

As a leading maker of munitions, Rheinmetall’s extensive portfolio of 40mm products covers multiple operational scenarios. These range from distraction rounds and marking charges as well as non-lethal impulse ammunition and highly effective special solutions for methods of entry, or MOE, including airburst technology.

Moreover, as a top maker of military systems and equipment, Rheinmetall offers a wide variety of relevant weapon concepts. These include the Magazine-Fed Grenade Launcher, or MFGL, which features integrated hydraulic shock absorption. The Group’s fire control and aiming devices – including the Vingmate family – make Rheinmetall a one-stop shop for 40mm system technology.

Laser light modules

Rheinmetall has recently added further modular components to its “VarioRay” family of laser light modules. The new Variable Tactical Aiming Laser (VTAL) laser is extremely robust and compact. The system is specially designed for today’s shorter assault rifles. VTAL is compatible with all standard night observation devices. Furthermore, the system can be coupled with other tactical weapon lights such as Rheinmetall’s modular Lumenator weapon light and operated using a combined two-button cable switch. The new products are key components for boosting the operational effectiveness of modern small arms. Moreover, visitors to the Rheinmetall stand at MILIPOL 2019 can learn about other members of the VarioRay family as well as the Group’s TAC-Ray Ballistic sniper build-on module with integrated ballistic computer.

www.rheinmetall.com

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