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DroneShield Launches DroneSentry-C2 Command-and-Control System in Partnership with Location Intelligence Provider Nearmap

April 8th, 2022

DroneShield, an Australian/US global leader in Artificial Intelligence based platforms for protection against advanced threats such as drones and autonomous systems, has today announced an enhanced version of its DroneSentry-C2 Command-and-Control software, in partnership with location intelligence firm, Nearmap. Nearmap provides city-scale 3D content, artificial intelligence data sets, geospatial tools, and high-resolution aerial imagery in Australia, New Zealand, and North America.

DroneSentry-C2 provides an intuitive and feature-rich software platform, providing counter-UAS awareness and reporting capability. It integrates both DroneShield and third-party C-UAS sensors and effectors. Those include multiple AI-enabled sensing and tracking products, such as RfOne long-range direction-finding sensors for UAS detection and tracking, and camera-agnostic DroneOptID optical/thermal camera AI software.

DroneSentry-C2 will come with a standard mapping solution for cost-sensitive customers, and an optional Nearmap mapping upgrade for best-in-class mapping data for high-performance environments, such as Government, intelligence, Homeland Security and defence markets, when precision and quality are critical.

The system receives regular secure software updates, capitalising on years of DroneShield’s extensive experience in the C-UAS arena.

DroneSentry-C2 with Nearmap location data

The software comes as an on-prem, air-gapped solution which focuses on intelligence, Homeland Security and defence users, or secure cloud for enterprise customers. The on-prem solution also includes a high-grade physical server. Both options come with regular mapping updates, including ability for the user to load own maps, for sensitive locations.

Oleg Vornik, DroneShield CEO, commented, “One of DroneShield’s differentiators is that we are both a sensor manufacturer and an integrator. Providing a streamlined and standardised hard/software bundle that gives our user community an easy to deploy and run command-and-control software, will be critical, as more fixed and pop-up site users seek to deploy counter-UAS products. Importantly, the offering is already validated by deployments such as US Air Force and Australian Army, amongst number of other tier 1 end users globally.”

Dr Rob Newman, Nearmap CEO and Managing Director, said, “Our customers tell us they prefer Nearmap because of the quality, city-scale coverage, and currency of our location intelligence offering. Combine this market-leading geo-spatial capability with DroneShield’s innovative software, and the ability to defend against the threat of autonomous aerial vehicles, including drones, is even more powerful.

“Nearmap continues to drive innovation in the use of geo-spatial data and tools. This includes harnessing location intelligence to help organisations plan smart cities of the future, support the growth of greener spaces, and assist recovery efforts after major natural disasters.”

INVISIO Receives Order from an Armed Force in a European Country Worth SEK 91 million

April 8th, 2022

INVISIO has received a first initial order under the five-year framework agreement that the company announced in January 2022. The contract is with the system integrator of the end-customer’s vehicle modernization program. The order concerns the Racal Acoustics branded new product RA4000 Magna™ headset with accessories. The order value is SEK 91 million. Shipments are related to vehicle deliveries and ongoing until 2026.

The order, as well as the five-year framework agreement, are part of the end-customer’s ongoing modernization program of systems that enable effective communication in heavy and noisy vehicles.

The order and contract, represents a significant strategic success for the new and advanced digital RA4000 Magna™ headset.

The five-year framework agreement has an estimated total value of approximately SEK 275 million.

The agreement is not the first success for the headset. In 2021 a 7-year framework agreement with the Danish army was signed, where the value of the first order under the agreement was almost SEK 44 million.

“There is no doubt that the new RA4000 Magna™ headset is a market leading solution for noisy vehicle environments. We are very pleased with the success and vast potential this headset has. The level of ease and adaptability, where it can be tailored to each vehicle’s specific noise patterns through its digital architecture, makes it ideal to replace both incumbent legacy headset solutions as well as addressing ongoing and future modernization programs,” says Lars Højgård Hansen, CEO of INVISIO.

It is worth noting that deliveries of Racal Acoustics branded products in general may lie further in the future than for products under the INVISIO brand. It is not unusual for some customers to request a first part-delivery within six months whereas the next delivery may not take place until 12-36 months later.

About the RA4000 Magna™ digital headset

The RA4000 Magna™ digital headset is Racal Acoustics’ most recently developed product. It offers market-leading hearing protection, communication capability and situational awareness. The RA4000 Magna™ has modular, customizable, and upgradeable features and accessories, which makes it possible to meet a range of specific customer requirements, while at the same time prolonging the usability and life of the product.

AMERICAN | kinetix (AX) Celebrates 20 Years

April 8th, 2022

AMERICAN | kinetix (AX), an industry innovator in security, training and intelligence support services has reached an exciting milestone as the company celebrates 20 years of delivering exceptional, cost-effective support to the defense, law enforcement and intelligence industry.

Through AX’s offerings, US defense, security, and law enforcement organizations, as well as those of friendly foreign nations have improved their operations and enhanced efficiency while realizing significant value at competitive costs.

In celebration of this milestone, AX is now a distributor of a select line of rugged, tested operator-proven equipment at exceptionally low prices from trusted brands.

From night vision, to Ops-Core products, to Black Hills Ammunition, AMERICAN | kinetix has carefully selected, tested and vetted each product listed at the online GEAR LOCKER for durability, practicality and quality.

Here’s a short example of the fine selection being offered:

OPS-CORE FAST SF SUPER HIGH CUT HELMET (BALLISTIC)

L3HARRIS BNVD (AN/PVS-31A) 2376+ FOM

NEXT GENERATION AIMING LASER – NGAL, NGL-000-A1

HoneyBadger™ — Black Hills new line of ammunition that does not have hollow points…because HoneyBadger™ doesn’t need hollow points and does not depend on them for performance. HoneyBadgers™ work every time, and like their namesake, HoneyBadgers™

Innovative training courses

PRO-Series Concealment Holster

SKALLYWAG D2 TOOL STEEL DAGGER

Adam Hevey Joins HLC Industries as Vice President of Sales & Business Development

April 8th, 2022

HLC Industries, a 106 year old military and commercial textile provider, announced today the hiring of Mr. Adam Hevey of Acushnet, MA as Vice President of Sales & Business Development.  

Hevey joins HLC with an extensive background in the textile industry. Most recently, Adam worked directly under the CEO of Brittany Global Technologies. In this role, he was responsible for many aspects of the day-to-day operations and brings a wealth of experience in product quality, business development, and customer support.

“We are very excited to have Adam join our team. Adam’s overall knowledge of the textile industry as well as US government contracting experience will be a great asset to HLC Industries.” said Vincent Salatino, CEO of HLC.

RAMPART Announces Acquisition of XION Protective Gear’s PPE Division

April 8th, 2022

OTTAWA – April 8th, 2022 – RAMPART International Corp, a leading supplier of operational equipment to Law Enforcement and Military end users, is proud to announce the completed acquisition of the Xion Protective Gear PPE line from Xion Protective Gear.

Xion Protective Gear PPE was established in 2006. Their PPE line of protective base layers can be worn comfortably underneath any uniform or workwear and will protect the user from blunt trauma impact through impact protection technology from D3O®.

From Mike Klein, the founder and President of RAMPART; “The acquisition of the Xion PPE line will allow us to focus on growing the global market for the unique PPE offering, develop generational improvements using new materials and identify new applications for the products”.

RAMPART will be employing its considerable experience and industry presence to offer the product line to customers globally.

While the acquisition is a new change, Rampart and Xion Protective Gear PPE have had a long-standing relationship. “We have been working with RAMPART for many years and are convinced they are the right partner to entrust the future of the Xion PPE branch to in its road to maturity.” wrote Simon Van Lammeren, Managing Director of Xion Protective Gear.

Xion PPE is RAMPART’s first acquisition, Klein commented “Understanding the real-world needs of our customers has been a large part of what has driven Rampart’s success. It will be an exciting opportunity to bring that knowledge directly into the manufacturing process.”

The companies started the process of merging operations and client support logistics in Q1 2022. Going forward Xion Protective Gear PPE will operate singularly under the Rampart company.

FirstSpear Friday Focus: Hooded Field Shirt

April 8th, 2022

Spring is here and FirstSpear is giving us a look at an extremely popular garment from their all American merino wool apparel line up, the Hooded Field Shirt. This garment is generously cut with an oversized hood with absolutely no hardware making for an incredibly comfortable and highly functional base layer or perfect stand-alone top when temperatures are fluctuating. Perfect for layering under jackets when the temperatures are cool and moisture-wicking properties of wool will help keep you cool in the heat.

• American Merino Wool

• Generously cut for long-term comfort

• Oversized hood

• Low profile cuffs with thumb holes

• Made in the USA

In stock and now shipping in black, commando, sand and heather grey. These are 100% made in the USA with USA materials.

For more information, check out www.first-spear.com/technical-apparel/american-merino-wool/field-hoodie.

Marines with 1st Battalion, 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division Experiment with Twenty-First Century Foraging Concepts

April 8th, 2022

KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii —

U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division experimented Twenty-First Century Foraging concepts during Spartan Fury 22.1 at Pohakuloa Training Area, Hawaii, March 2022.

Twenty-First Century Foraging concepts enable commanders to extend and enhance operational rations for a period without needing outside logistics support. “It is imperative that the Marine Corps logistics functions continue to adapt to force design and the future warfighting concepts. That includes reducing our logistical footprint,” said Lt. Col. Richard Neikirk, commanding officer of 1st Battalion, 12th Marines.

During the exercise, individual Marines procured dry goods and fresh produce from local suppliers utilizing cash 1105 funds. The Marines were able to find and purchase eggs, sausage, bacon, chicken, rice, and canned vegetables. The food was brought back to the training area where the Marines experimented with various field cooking methods.

 “It is imperative that the Marine Corps logistics functions continue to adapt to force design and the future warfighting concepts. That includes reducing our logistical footprint”

 Lt. Col. Richard Neikirk, 1st Battalion, 12th Marines commanding officer

The Marines used lightweight, expeditionary, non-organic food service equipment such as individual cooking stoves, volcano grills, and the Expeditionary Food Service Trailer that is currently being developed by the Fort Lee Instructor staff. This equipment is designed to be sustainable for long durations in austere environments and will be employed by the lowest level of any unit and in any environment.

The food was able to feed the battery for three days with two cooked meals a day. The warm meals were a welcomed change from the self-contained, individual field rations that are typically consumed in the field. By cooking and procuring food, the battery proved that it could sustain itself without outside support for a duration of time. Limiting the need for outside logistics support enhances a unit’s ability to be adaptable, mobile, and lethal.

The experimentation allowed the Food Service Specialist accompanied by the Marines in the battery to exercise foraging concepts in a CONUS training environment. “This trial period allowed the Fort Lee Instructor staff to gain real life data and procedural analysis,” said Capt. Norman Bunch, operations officer at Marine Detachment Fort Lee.

The data collected during Spartan Fury 22.1 will be used to develop future training and readiness standards as well as the future periods of instruction for Entry Level, Non-Commissioned Officer, and Staff Non-Commissioned Officer Courses.

By Staff Sgt. Olivia Knapp

iTAK Now Available In Apple App Store

April 7th, 2022

Team Awareness Kit (Tactical Awareness Kit in DoD) is the core of a suite of georeferenced imagery and communications tools that allow for scaled operational planning, data sharing, visualized elevation data, and target management. It’s been used for years on the Android platform but now it’s come to the iPhone.

If you use it at work, you can use it at home as well. If you haven’t used it, you’re going to use and share information in an entirely new way.

Regardless of the flavor of End User Device you use, Tactical Awareness Kit is designed to be used in the field. Protect your EUD with a Juggernaut Case.

Download iTAK here.

Here’s a press release from the developer who brought it from the Gov to the Apple App Store.

Syzygy Integration Releases iTAK in the App Store, a Cutting-Edge Situational Awareness App

PHILADELPHIA, April 7, 2022 // — Syzygy Integration, a company focused on providing next-generation situational awareness to those that protect the homeland, announced today that it was the sole developer of iTAK (iOS Team Awareness Kit / Tactical Assault Kit) that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released to the Apple App Store for public use. iTAK helps to enable situational awareness across law enforcement, humanitarian and disaster response, counterterrorism, search and rescue and many other operational needs. This initial public release includes chat, routes, drawing, digital pointers, spotted map, offline maps, data sync, video, QR code onboarding, and more.


Syzygy Integration LLC iTAK 2.0 App Store Release

Syzygy Integration approached the design and development of the iTAK application to make situational awareness intuitive and robust, allowing users of the systems to be fully functional without training. Syzygy built iTAK from the ground up, under contract from DHS’  Science and Technology Directorate (S&T). Syzygy’s collaboration with S&T enabled close coordination with federal, state, and local law enforcement and first responders to truly refine the user experience to provide maximum capability across a suite of use cases.

“We are extremely proud of the innovative technology we are putting forward. We hope that this release will help first responders, law enforcement, and military operators with enhanced situational awareness when they need it most. Syzygy is rapidly expanding, and we expect to release additional groundbreaking apps soon,” said Syzygy’s President and Founder, Wesley Mitchell.

Syzygy has multiple roles open for career opportunities. Check out our website tinyurl.com/yt7yhfxm.

iTAK is available for download here on the App Store: apps.apple.com/us/app/itak/id1561656396