I spent a few days this week at SIG SAUER during a Defense Products Group media event. We were invited into CEO Ron Cohen’s office and I spied a plaque with models of their machine gun variants and the words, “Suck Less,” a mantra that many of us heard in the military on how to be better. It was cool to see it being used by SIG’s team.
The biennial defence and security event, DSEI, will proceed as planned in September 2021 with a new digital offering running alongside the much-anticipated live exhibition.
Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) has confirmed it will take place as originally scheduled from 14-17 September at ExCeL London. The decision to proceed follows close consultation and discussion with the UK Government and industry stakeholders.
After a lengthy global shutdown of the exhibition sector during the COVID-19 pandemic, feedback from across the defence and security industry has shown a strong appetite to come back together in person at DSEI – an event that provides a critical and unmissable forum for many thousands of companies. A range of new online opportunities to complement the live event will be introduced. ‘DSEI Connect’ is a digital platform that will bring participants from around the world together with those attending the event in London to create a flexible and accessible “hybrid” format.
The new digital offering gives registered participants a secure and regulated platform to build relationships, share knowledge and develop business. DSEI’s connection portal, MeetMe, enables users to view recommended contacts through its supply chain listings, identify networking opportunities and arrange secure online or in-person meetings at the event.
DSEI Connect will feature an exclusive series of live and on-demand presentations from eminent international guests, including keynote speeches from military figureheads outlining pressing equipment requirements and opportunities, in addition to podcasts and exclusive interviews with senior government officials discussing key policies and strategies.
DSEI Event Director, Grant Burgham explains:
“The DSEI team has been in constant communication with our customers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and the decision to run a live event reflects their feedback. We’ve taken into account the increasing confidence in the improving public health situation and we’ll continue to work closely with our partners to ensure we deliver a safe and valuable event for our customers.”
“DSEI has been shown to accelerate the trajectory of businesses that attend. The last year has encouraged us to think more imaginatively about our long-term offering to the defence and security sector and analyse what makes DSEI so important for the industry. As such DSEI will now provide a wider range of opportunities for those who don’t normally – or this time cannot – attend in-person, and we are pleased to take this opportunity to introduce DSEI Connect to the market”.
More details about DSEI Connect will follow throughout the weeks leading up to the event. DSEI visitor registration will open on 7 June.
SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii – Soldiers with the 25th Infantry Division conducted Exercise Lightning Forge 21 here from May 10 to 14 as part of a larger ongoing Army effort to modernize, test, and evaluate its Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF).
These efforts focus entirely on defeating a competitor’s Anti-Access and Area Denial capabilities.
As part of these efforts, the 25th Inf. Div. conducted Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) targeting exercises, which allowed Soldiers to test systems and further develop concepts and methods for training and integrating Electronic Warfare and Signals Intelligence equipment as part of tactical operation.
Lightning Edge 21, in simultaneous conjunction with Exercise Northern Edge 21 in Alaska, validated over-the-horizon targeting integration between the 25th Inf. Div. and its higher headquarters, as well as the MDTF’s All Domain Operations Center (ADOC).
“The 25th Inf. Div. continues to play a significant role in the integration of these capabilities that support the MDTF,” said Maj. Peter Hwang, an officer assigned to the 25th Inf. Div. Intelligence section. “We understand that this integration of capabilities provides deterrence options for combatant commanders, which is why we train to achieve target refinement, handover, prosecution, and integration of MDO capabilities.”
Beyond the initial set-up and training that took place, the 25th Inf. Div. remotely connected to the MDTF through the ADOC at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), Washington in order to enable a shared Common Operating Picture (COP), exchange over-the-horizon data, and to take action against simulated targets on Oahu.
“As America’s Pacific Division, we must train and be prepared to fight in a joint environment,” said Lt. Col. Michael Kotich, the 25th Inf. Div. chief intelligence officer. “This requires synchronization, being embedded with other services, and, most importantly, integrating our own systems to allow us to see the COP in order to explore ways to deter competitors.”
“These are the sort of processes that we can only become experts at through multiple iterations of training exercises like Lightning Edge,” Kotich added.
The first MDTF originally had a field artillery brigade at its core that merged with an Intelligence, Information, Cyber, Electronic Warfare and Space, or I2CEWS, at JBLM.
A second MDTF is being planned for activation in Europe later this year.
These total force capabilities take into consideration the requirements that future battlefields may have.
“It is critical that we train accordingly and to do our best to integrate multi-disciplinary capabilities to achieve dominance across all domains,” said Hwang.
By MAJ Tania Donovan
The Estonian Defence Forces Artillery Battalion used Milrem Robotics’ THeMIS UGVs in a live-fire exercise to provide advanced situational awareness, conduct casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) and to support units manoeuvre while providing direct fire support from various positions.
During the exercise held in April, two THeMIS UGVs were used by the Artillery Battalion: the THeMIS Combat Support integrated with FN Herstal’s deFNder® Light Remote Weapon System (RWS) with a 7,62 mm machine gun and the THeMIS Observe with Acecore’s tethered drone.
The THeMIS Combat was tasked with supporting an advance force that consisted of an antitank weapons team and a forward observer’s team. The main task of the UGV was to provide covering fire and support the retreat of the two teams to main positions as well as transporting their anti-tank weapons. At the main battle position the UGV was used for casualty evacuation.
The THeMIS Observe provided overwatch and enhanced the battalion’s situational awareness. The use of a tethered attachment to the THeMIS UGV provides tactical units with 24 hours of constant observation of the operational area that is essential in the situational awareness prospective as well as peace time live-fire safety perspective.
“Taking part in the live-fire exercise of the Artillery Battalion was a great opportunity for us to validate our new infantry support UGV with end users in an actual combat scenario,” said Jüri Pajuste, Director of Defence Research at Milrem Robotics. “The THeMIS Combat Support as well as other unmanned ground systems will enhance various combat capabilities and help reduce loss of life during combat operations,” Pajuste added.
“We found several benefits in including UGVs into our battle scenario,” said Lt Mari-Li Kapp, Commander of operations and training section (S3) in the Artillery Battalion. “Having UGVs as a part of the reconnaissance force that prepares the arrival of the main unit, the UGVs could secure the indirect fire and anti-tank teams by providing direct fire support during an engagement and whilst some units are withdrawing. UGVs could also act as front guards all by themselves since they can provide situational awareness and act as forward observers for indirect fire,” she added.
Miami, FL – Home of the world’s most comfortable premium leather holsters, 1791 Gunleather is excited to announce the launch of a new feature rich website. Experience the premium look and feel of 1791 Gunleather holsters with the new website loaded with great features. Now including an enhanced holster search tool, users can select a particular brand and firearm model and filter through a complete lineup of holsters to find the perfect holster for your favorite firearm.
Like their high-end holsters, the new 1791Gunleather.com website is loaded with premium features. See reviews from verified owners, sort through options by style or gun model, and see high resolution images showing every detail of the premium holsters. Whether it’s the new Ultra Custom, the premium Fair Chase whitetail leather holster, a premium leather gun belt or a rifle sling, the new 1791 Gunleather website has just what you need to safely and effectively carry your firearms.
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Millcreek, UT – May 26, 2021. For Immediate Release
OSS Suppressors today announced that its Board of Managers has appointed Richard (Rick) Elder as President and Chief Executive Officer.
“We are fortunate to have someone of Rick Elder’s caliber and experience step in to lead the OSS team,” said Board Chairman Scott Walker. “Rick is a proven leader with outstanding marketing skills, business vision and the ability to bring people together. His vision for how our technology will be used and experienced by warfighters, LEOs and customers around the world is exactly what OSS needs as the company enters its next phase of expanded product innovation and growth,” said Walker.
Elder said, “I am honored and excited to lead OSS. I believe in OSS’s patented Flow-Through® technology – there is no other suppressor offering a balance of user safety and terminal performance.”
Rick Elder was formerly the President of Beyond Clothing and the Vice President of Special Operations Forces Equipment for 5.11 Tactical. In this capacity, Rick has managed the re-platform and expansion of Beyond, leading strategic growth and taking it from a small government contract fulfillment house to one of the most innovative technical clothing companies in the United States.
Previously, Rick was the Executive Director of Smith Sport Optics Elite Division (Elite). In this capacity, he took the Division from a start-up to one of the most respected protective eyewear programs in the world.
Rick completed almost eighteen years of combined active-duty military and federal government service. As an Assistant Program Manager in charge of U.S. Special Operations Command’s primary individual equipment program, he has led efforts to develop, produce, and train critical training packages for special operations forces, federal law enforcement and various other federal, state, and local organizations. These programs span eleven distinct industries, ranging from combat and outdoor clothing to body armor, communications and night vision interfaces.
LYON, FRANCE (May 25, 2021) – Bollé is launching the most technologically advanced high contrast lens in the marketplace with the introduction of Volt +, Bollé’s first lens ever developed using Artificial Intelligence (AI). The Volt + lens is the latest innovation to come out of EPIC, Bollé’s new state-of-the-art design and technology innovation lab based in Lyon, France. The lens technology will be included throughout Bollé’s line of sport and lifestyle sunglasses for the current Spring/Summer 2021 season.
“We’ve set high standards to be the innovation and technology leader in the development and creation of sports performance eyewear and helmets,” said Tove Fritzell, Bollé Director of Product & Innovation. “Our EPIC design center located at the foot of the Alps continues to deliver amazing results to harness the most advanced technology with the collaboration of our athletes who have an opportunity to sample and provide feedback at the foot of the world’s biggest playground.”
Bollé worked with HUE.AI to evaluate 20 million different lens formula combinations to settle on an incomparable color experience that sets a new standard against which all other lenses will be measured. The goal was to create a lens that was high contrast, enhanced all colors, and improved depth perception without compromising white balance. In the past, high contrast lenses have only enhanced one color while diminishing others but the Volt + enhances all colors, offering a complete high contrast lens that dramatically improves depth perception.
To support the Volt + launch, Bollé is introducing a new global digital advertising campaign, called Rediscover Earth that lets users rediscover the earth as they’ve never seen it before. The campaign highlights the new high contrast Volt + technology, which allows consumers to see their world differently. “That sense of discovery will inspire a wide variety of colorful experiences,” said Chris Abbruzzese, vice president, trade marketing for Bollé Brands North America.
Partnering with M7 Innovations and QReal for the third time, Bollé is further supporting the launch with multiple Augmented Reality (AR) ‘try-on’ and ‘try out’ campaigns, which allows users to experience the Volt + lens’ vibrant new colors across 15 different Bollé styles. The marquee AR experience via Instagram lets users witness a ‘Big Bang’ of color that leads them to an exclusive try-out experience using Volt + lens technology so they can fully Experience the Power of Color.
“Bollé has truly established itself as an innovative, dynamic brand by using advanced tech like AI and AR,” said Matt Maher, Founder of M7 Innovations. “While many brands took an unfortunate hit due to the pandemic, Bollé saw an opportunity to pivot and stay connected through fun, engaging AR campaigns that saw almost an 18 second dwell time, which is impressive. And now with AI, they have created a superior lens technology that users can experience through the company’s third AR campaign, demonstrating the value, success, and power of using these innovative technologies.
Will Dewilde, retired Command Master Chief U.S. Navy SEAL joins SENTRY Products to lead expanding the Special Operations Division focused on military and law enforcement customers.
Virginia Beach, Va. (May 2021) – SENTRY Products Group™, a leading manufacturer and distributor of products focused on protection, storage, and transportation of outdoor, military, and law enforcement equipment, is proud to announce the expansion of its Special Operations Division and the hiring of retired Navy SEAL Command Master Chief, Will Dewilde.
The Special Operations Divisions (SOD) focuses on building relationships and supporting the development and distribution of SENTRY products across the military and law enforcement channels. “I had worked directly with Will both as a US Navy SEAL and after he had joined the private sector, it was clear that his exceptional leadership skills along with his ability to forge relationships throughout the SOF community made him a logical choice to lead the expanding SOD team” Mike Noell, Founder and CEO of SENTRY Products Group, explained. “We are excited to have him on board as this role is critical to translating the needs of the end user to our product development and production teams. Our endpoint vision is to simple; to create and supply the best, to the best.”
Command Master Chief Dewilde retired from the United States Navy in 2017 after serving more than 30 years in various operational and strategic leadership roles across USSOCOM. He has completed 17 overseas deployments and has planned and led numerous sensitive national combat and crisis response missions worldwide. His operational assignments and executive level leadership tours include the Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGROUP), SEAL Team Two, Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM), Naval Special Warfare Center and Naval Special Warfare Group Two. He has been awarded the Silver Star and four Bronze Stars for Valor along with many other medals and various unit and campaign awards. Prior to joining SENTRY, he served as Vice President of Operations for The Honor Foundation (THF), a nationwide educational institution assisting U.S. Special Operations service members in their career transitions.
Dewilde added, “It’s a privilege to be able to continue to serve the military and law enforcement communities as part of a team that is dedicated to designing, manufacturing, and distributing the very best and most innovative products in the industry. I really embrace SENTRY’s vision of ‘Live to Protect’ it represents the passion of our people, the products we create and sums up what we bring to the customer through the SOD Division.”
Over the next 18 months SENTRY will scale the SOD division with representatives in locations across the US and International. If you are interested in acquiring SENTRY products, or becoming a dealer we can be reached at info@sentryltp.com.
