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Allen-Vanguard Develops Life-Saving ECM Capability for the UAE

February 17th, 2023

Allen-Vanguard, a global leader in providing customized solutions for defeating Radio Frequency (RF) based terrorist and extremist threats, continues to supply and develop life-saving ECM equipment and capability to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) via their partner TRUST International Group LLC (TIG). Allen-Vanguard will be available at IDEX 23, in the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre ADNEC (Booth #C3-006) from 20-24 February 2023.

Trust International’s main business is focused on military and defense products and has been working to meet the needs of the UAE Armed Forces and other government agencies since 2004, with specialization in sourcing suitable products, services, spare parts and integrated solutions. TRUST International has supported the supply of Allen-Vanguard’s world renowned ANCILE counter unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) / counter drone system and SCORPION portable EOD ECM to uplift and improve UAE’s defence capabilities in electronic countermeasures.

The use of drones for nefarious means is proliferating. In particular, there is an increase in use for close target reconnaissance and as a weapon delivery system, both in conventional and asymmetric operations; as being witnessed in current conflicts. Allen-Vanguard developed ANCILE to deliver outstanding RF inhibition to combat the wide variety of commercial drones that are available. The system can be remotely updated with optimized inhibition waveforms designed and developed using global threat intelligence gathered by our Threat Management Team (TMT). When optimized, ANCILE ensures a robust and effective 360 degree no-fly zone that can be applied to convoy protection, operational bases and static facilities alike.

Working with partners, the Allen-Vanguard’s Field Service Representatives (FSR) supported the customer to create a fully integrated vehicle mounted ANCILE capability that can be quickly transitioned (5mins) to a ground-based system to provide a simple and robust protective zone. This system has been previously successfully deployed at the G7 and other similar major events in the region. In addition, Allen-Vanguard have also provided their SCORPION portable ECM system, which is in-service with the most prominent Bomb Disposal Squads in Europe, the Middle East and the Southern Hemisphere; a first for the UAE.

Allen-Vanguard is committed to creating an indigenous capability that is locally owned and operated, so that sovereign nations have operational autonomy to detect, protect and deter terrorist threats, all backed by a first-class technical training and support infrastructure provided by Allen-Vanguard and their partners. This initial capability and support for the UAE is the first step in this process. The aim is to grow the necessary connections to local defence partners and academia, thus allowing regional initiatives to support all aspects of ECM capability from manufacture and assembly through to the most crucial aspects of threat management and advanced mitigation techniques.

Allen-Vanguard’s Business Director for Africa, Stuart Wilson, said “This is an excellent example of how we seek to create local capability to help defeat terrorist threats in the Middle East and North African region. I am very proud of the excellent systems that Allen-Vanguard designs and produces, but equally I relish working with the customer to help create and develop a fully integrated and supported local capability that will evolve and endure as the threat changes. For more information on what Allen-Vanguard can do to support your ECM capability please come and find us at IDEX 23.”

Posted in CIED, International, Press Release | Comments Off on Allen-Vanguard Develops Life-Saving ECM Capability for the UAE

GA-ASI Partners with Divergent Technologies, Inc

February 17th, 2023

UAS Leader Integrates DAPS Digital Manufacturing Process

SAN DIEGO – 15 February 2023 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), the world’s leading manufacturer of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), radars, electro-optic and related mission systems, is partnering with Divergent Technologies, Inc. (Divergent) to support its Additive Manufacturing applications development efforts and implement a full digital manufacturing process for GA-ASI’s products. Divergent has developed a data-driven approach to design, fabricate and assemble vehicle structures called the Divergent Adaptive Production System (DAPS). GA-ASI is working with Divergent to apply this capability to manufacturing its line of UAS.

“Throughout our 30 years of designing and developing advanced UAS, GA-ASI has been focused on implementing new capabilities into our manufacturing process,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. “We’re working with Divergent to integrate their technology as part of our Additive Design and Manufacturing Center of Excellence strategy, with the goal of optimizing our design and manufacturing processes and providing next generation UAS at the lowest cost.”

In 2022, GA-ASI began a joint development program with Divergent, which led to a stronger strategic partnership on multiple platforms. GA-ASI’s Additive Manufacturing (AM), aircraft integrity, material and design engineering teams are working with Divergent to adapt, apply and qualify its automobile industry-qualified technology to GA-ASI’s aircraft production. Divergent has grown within the automobile sector as a Digital Manufacturing process innovator, producing some of the fastest cars on the market with several recent car OEM adoption announcements.

“Divergent has invented the first industrial digital manufacturing system. Leveraging innovations in artificial intelligence, 3D printing, and automation, DAPS can be used to build the underlying structure for virtually any vehicle – whether land, sea, air, or space – better, faster and more cost efficiently than traditional manufacturing,” said Kevin Czinger, Founder, Lead Inventor & CEO of Divergent.

GA-ASI and Divergent have already completed two projects leading to a fully integrated small (< 500 lbs.) UAS aerostructure, leveraging model-based, Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven, and topology optimized designs. The integrated metal structure was 3D printed, which led to the reduction of the part count integration by over 95% while meeting weight targets.

The DAPS process inspected each printed components by creating a full digital twin of the small UAS (SUAS) that was then applied to a fully automated, tool-less robotic assembly process that took less than 20 minutes to complete. This process enabled the team to go from a print-ready SUAS design to a fully assembled deliverable airframe in less than two days. GA-ASI anticipates this capability will enable near-theater ramp capacity in the future to support the warfighter.

This innovative approach to design and manufacturing leads to highly integrated weight and performance-optimized designs that are naturally, but not exclusively, leveraging AM technologies at a substantially lower airframe recurring cost, while providing a rapid tool-less iterative design approach for multiple platform variants.

Posted in Press Release, UAS | Comments Off on GA-ASI Partners with Divergent Technologies, Inc

Mine Extraction Kit Tipped To Be a Hit at IDEX 2023

February 17th, 2023

At this year’s IDEX show in Abu Dhabi (20-24 February 2023), a compact and lightweight personal mine extraction kit (PMEK) developed by survival equipment experts, BCB International Ltd (Stand 03-C46) is tipped to be a hit with visitors.

The detection of mines and IEDs presents a real challenge for dismounted military personnel. Having close to hand the means to detect these buried devices to safely navigate your way through an area laced with mines and IEDs is vital.

Weighing in at just 400 grams, the BCB Personal (IED and) Mine Extraction Kit (PMEK) is a compact, lightweight kit which fits neatly onto a MOLLE (Modular Lightweight Load Carrying Equipment) system. It is designed for dismounted soldiers as well as armoured vehicle crews to always carry when patrolling in an area of country where mines or IEDs could be hidden.

BCB International Ltd’s Managing Director, Andrew Howell, said: “The PMEK can be deployed and assembled in seconds. It contains all the key components troops needed to help extract themselves out of a mined area, day or night. It can be quickly opened and easily accessed while still attached to a soldier’s waist belt or Body Armour.

Many thousands of our PMEKs have already been supplied to the Ukrainian forces. We invite visitors to this year’s IDEX show to stop by our stand (03-C46) and take a closer look at this indispensable survival item for operations in areas where IEDs and other buried unexploded ordnance could be lurking.”

www.bcbin.com

Posted in CIED, International, Press Release, Tradeshow | 3 Comments »

TacJobs – Primary Arms Seeks Social Media Specialist

February 17th, 2023

Looking for an exciting and rewarding career? Primary Arms is searching for a Social Media Specialist to join our team! For more information and how to apply, go here.

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Helo Lanyard by Amarok Technical Gear

February 17th, 2023

During last month’s WEPTAC industry night I ran into an old friend from my Air Force days. Rod Alne is a retired PJ who owns and operates The Peak, a training facility located in Montana. The Peak offers a wide range of courses.

They also provide specialized equipment like the Helo Lanyard from Canadian firm Amarok Technical Gear which is an Operator Retention System.

It offers 18-20 inches of one-handed adjustment at the body and is designed for use with light to heavy-gloved hands. It offers a rated system strength of 15kN / 3,400 lbf for 30 seconds.

Manufactured from 8mm high tech camo rope using Technora sheath, it is available standard with a 2-stage Kong Tango or optional 3-stage ISC snaphook.

Posted in Load Carrying | 7 Comments »

FirstSpear Friday Focus: Beanie Leather Patch

February 17th, 2023

FirstSpear’s New American Made Beanie Leather Patch is live!

This incredibly soft beanie will keep your dome warm while wicking away moisture. It features a double-stitched edging with a premium laser engraved leather FS logo patch that is stylishly offset. The beanie is constructed from FirstSpear’s ACM 600 Merino Wool, proudly sourced in the USA. It’s perfect for a cold day at the range or bustling around town. It’s carefully constructed to strategically taper slightly longer at the neck to reduce cold drafts and to prevent it from riding up out of place when you’re on the move.

This beanie is available now, while supplies last.

The ACM-Warm 600 is FirstSpear’s warmest wool layer.

Visit FirstSpear to find America’s premier tactical gear and equipment.

Posted in Advertiser, Clothing, FS Friday Focus, Guest Post | Comments Off on FirstSpear Friday Focus: Beanie Leather Patch

European Theater CSELs Participate in Nordic Regional Engagement

February 17th, 2023

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (AFNS) —

Command senior enlisted leaders from U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa, NATO Allied Air Command, the Royal Danish, Royal Norwegian, Finnish, and Swedish air forces recently participated in a Nordic regional engagement to Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland.

The two-week engagement provided a platform for the CSELs to discuss Agile Combat Employment across the Nordic nations, explore multinational, professional military education exchange opportunities and discuss the operational environment in the High North.

“The Nordic visit is a significant engagement,” said Royal Air Force Warrant Officer Simon Waldock, command senior enlisted leader for NATO Allied Air Command. “The visit will provide an important steppingstone in developing and strengthening relationships and partnerships in the region.

Waldock also said this trip is paramount to the success of NATO.

“NATO’s fundamental goal is to safeguard the [allies] freedom and security by both political and military means,” Waldock expressed. “The expertise and knowledge the High North partners have is fundamental. The part they play in countering the threat from any adversary is critical, and their support to assist nullifying the effectiveness of any hostile air actions is fundamental in the success of NATO in the Nordic region.”

In conjunction with visiting NATO countries Denmark and Norway, the tour also visited Sweden and Finland, both of which have applied for NATO membership within the last year.

“Although not officially NATO members yet, both Sweden and Finland are critical to the NATO mission,” Waldock said. “Both geographically and strategically, the Nordic region is an area of significant importance to the NATO alliance. Both countries are near the High North and Arctic regions. These areas are key to the success of the NATO mission and will continue to be going forward.”

In addition to discussing strategic importance of the NATO region, the engagement focused heavily on the development of the enlisted corps, specifically the non-commissioned officers in the four nations, as well as professional military education exchanges across the allied nations and partners.

“Developing our NCOs is critical to the success of our air forces,” said U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Benjamin Hedden, USAFE-AFAFRICA command chief. “We’ve seen in recent history that a military without a strong NCO presence will fail. For that reason, it’s critical that we learn from each other, discuss ways to improve and work on ways to develop our enlisted force across the alliance.”

He continued by saying, “This trip gives us a unique opportunity to work face-to-face in developing the groundwork necessary to solve issues facing our enlisted forces. By learning more about the NCO corps of each nation, we find areas of common grounds and challenges that we can collectively work together to solve.”

Waldock summed up the two-week trip by saying in the end it’s all about the partnership events like the Nordic regional CSEL engagement build that are so important.

“It’s about enhancing CSEL relationships and friendships within the Nordic region,” he said. “Solidify already strong, current relationships with Norway and Denmark CSELs and develop new relationships with future NATO CSELs from both Sweden and Finland. The High North and Arctic region are a key area now and will continue to be a key region heading into the future.”

By MSgt Michael Battles, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, International, Profession of Arms | Comments Off on European Theater CSELs Participate in Nordic Regional Engagement

Federal Sponsored Shooters Derrick Mein and Vincent Hancock Win 2023 World Cup Selections

February 16th, 2023

ANOKA, Minnesota – February 15, 2023 – Federal Ammunition congratulates sponsored shooters and USA Shooting athletes Derrick Mein and Vincent Hancock for winning 2023 World Cup selections. The accomplishments occurred at the Shotgun Spring Selection Match that took place February 3-8 in Tuscon, Arizona.

“The weather conditions made it a tough battle,” said Mein. “Several members of the national team pushed me pretty hard, making it a tight race. Multiple spots on the team were decided by a shoot-off after the final. It was a thrilling event.”

With the wins, both Mein and Hancock earned the right to represent the USA at the World Cup in Doha, Qatar in March; the World Cup in Larnaca, Cyprus in late March; and the French Grand Prix in Paris, France in late April. Hancock will lead the Men’s Skeet National Team and Mein will lead the Men’s Trap National Team at those three Spring World Cup events.

“My Federal High Over All 24-gram shotshells helped pull me through a couple tough days of wind,” explained Mein. “Knowing I was using the best ammunition allowed me to focus on breaking targets and not worrying about the environment.”

Federal ammunition can be found at dealers nationwide. For more on Federal ammunition or to shop online, visit www.federalpremium.com.

Posted in Press Release, Shooting Sports | Comments Off on Federal Sponsored Shooters Derrick Mein and Vincent Hancock Win 2023 World Cup Selections