OSHKOSH, Wis. — Oshkosh Defense, LLC, an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK) company, announced today that the Belgium Ministry of Defence has awarded Oshkosh Defense a contract for 322 Oshkosh Defense Command and Liaison Vehicles (CLV) for the Belgium Defence Forces.
The Belgian CLV is the proven Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) platform from Oshkosh equipped with Belgian communication systems. The JLTV is currently used by the U.S. military.
“Oshkosh Defense is honored that Belgium has chosen to equip its armed forces with the Oshkosh CLV”, said John Bryant, Executive Vice President, Oshkosh Corporation, and President, Oshkosh Defense.
“The Oshkosh CLV offers Belgian soldiers the world’s most advanced light military vehicle, delivering next-generation levels of protection, off-road mobility, speed, transportability, and seamless operational and logistical interoperability with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies,” Bryant continued.
“The Belgian Defence opted for a worldwide competition in which “money for value” was the only criterion,” said Director Land Systems Colonel Filip De Varé. “The CLV will be integrated in the CaMo program, an international partnership between the French and Belgian land forces.”
Traditionally procured via foreign military sales, the Belgian procurement marks Oshkosh Defense’s first large direct commercial sale of a JLTV-based vehicle. Belgium joins the United States, the United Kingdom, Lithuania, Slovenia, and Montenegro in choosing this vehicle.
As a globally recognized leader in the design and production of military vehicle systems, Oshkosh Defense has the capacity to support both domestic and international customer demand.
Yesterday, Wayne Prender, Textron Systems’ Senior Vice President of Applied Technology and Advanced Programs gave us an update on their Next Generation Squad Weapon candidate system which is currently vying against General Dynamics-OTS and SIG SAUER to outfit the US Army’s close combat forces (and possible the Marines as well) with a new family of weapons in an entirely new caliber, 6.8mm. But Textron isn’t going it alone. They’ve teamed with Heckler & Koch and Winchester, two other small arms powerhouses.
NGSW is an ambitious program in both scope and schedule which will replace the M4 Carbine and M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, both in 5.56mm. The issue with these two weapons is that the US Infantrymen remains overmatched by enemies who employ longer range small arms.
The new 6.8mm cartridge was developed specifically to increase not only range, but also the amount of energy delivered on target. It performs in a similar fashion to the commercial 270 Win Short Mag round and will provide our troops with overmatch of threat small arms. Additionally, the goal is to lighten the whole package, weapons and ammo, at 20% lower than current.
The secret sauce in Textron’s submission is their novel Case Telescoped ammunition. This construction, with the projectile encased within the cartridge and surrounded by propellant, allows it to be shorter than conception SL ammunition.
This ammunition is not only lightweight but also allows for an entirely new operating system with the rimless cartridge being pushed forward throughout the firing cycle.
This operating system is also designed so that the weapon carries the ballistic load of the ammunition during firing rather than the cartridge case. The polymer case also expands slightly during firing.
NGSW-Rifle
This is Textron System’s NSGW-Rifle. The program initially called it a Carbine but the performance parameters the Army is seeking really needs a more full-sized weapon. Hence, Rifle.
NGSW-Automatic Rifle
The belt-fed Automatic Rifle is designed to replace the current Squad Automatic Weapon. The CT ammunition is held together with polymer circumferential links.
How They Got Here
Development of the technology for Textron Systems began about 15 years ago, with subsidiary AAI working on the Lightweight Small Arms Technology. With a goal of lowering the weight of both weapon and ammunition, like the current NGSW effort, they initially created a 5.56mm version, then moved on to 7.62mm and finally a 6.5mm variant once research began to indicate that an intermediate cartridge was required.
So far, they’ve concentrated on milestone 1 which is a prototype test, delivering 30 weapons (15 of each type) and 185,000 rounds of ammunition to support testing.
The Future
The program office continues to forge ahead on this priority effort, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, with ongoing technical testing at Aberdeen Proving Ground and Soldier Touch Points. Textron’s Prender assures us they are ready to deliver on the current time line and are even poised to scale to the Army’s demands for initial fielding. In fact, they are so confident, they are already working on both blank CT rounds as well as blank firing adapters.
They’ve also embraced the Soldier Touch Points, taking feedback directly from the troops on ergonomics and the manual of arms for this weapon system. They’re integrating this feedback along with data from Aberdeen on their initial reliability and performance testing into their PT 2 build. PT 2 will require the delivery of 30 Rifles, 28 Automatic Rifles and 680,000 rounds of ammunition.
Interestingly, Prender related that Winchester manufactured the CT ammunition in house, using standard ammunition manufacturing machinery. This means that although their program partner Winchester is now operating the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant, it won’t require a huge investment in new technology should they win.
I’m sure Textron Systems has even more in store and can’t wait to see what they show us next time.
To learn more, download Textron’s brochure on their NGSW system, click here.
For some more background on how the Army ended up with NGSW, read this. Admittedly, I was quite skeptical at first, particularly after the Army had just a failed to select a replacement for the M4 just a few years before with the Individual Carbine program and then the start-stop fiasco of the 7.62mm Carbine effort. But, after watching industry rise to the challenge, I quickly went through the stages of grief to acceptance and am now quite optimistic that the Army will field a new capability.
Pro Shooter Claims First Win for New Bushnell RXS-250 Reflex Sight
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – October 8, 2020 – Bushnell®, an industry leader in performance optics, congratulates KC Eusebio on his record-setting performance at the World Speed Shooting Championship held September 23-27 in Talladega, Alabama. Eusebio also became the first competitive shooter to win a championship with Bushnell’s new RXS-250 red dot.
During the competition, Eusebio set multiple world records and became the first competitor to shoot under 60 seconds with a rimfire pistol. Eusebio used the Bushnell First Strike 2.0 red dot to win first place Overall and to take the Open Title as well as first place in the .22 Rimfire Pistol division. He then used the new RXS-250 to earn the Carry Optics title.
“The World Speed Shooting Championship has always been important to me,” Eusebio said. “I started competing in the match at the age of nine and fell in love. I was able to take home my seventh World Speed Shooting title in Open and it’s one of the best feelings to achieve such a coveted title. In addition to the Overall win, I had the honor to take first place in Carry Optics and .22 Rimfire Pistol. The RXS-250 worked perfectly as a slide ride on my Carry Optics pistol. As we know, the slide-mounted optic takes the harshest force of all optic platforms but the RXS-250 held up to its name. Over the thousands of rounds I trained for this competition, I didn’t have one issue. In fact, the RXS-250 is now one of my favorite optics made by Bushnell. Big thank you to Bushnell for stepping their red dot game up!”
The RXS-250 is designed to deliver top-shelf performance and exceptional durability. It represents a new class of high-performing reflex sights with its impact-resistant design, clear 4-MOA dot, user-adjustable brightness settings and True Tone coatings that deliver a vivid, clear view free of distortion. The new red dot is standard with a top-loading CR2032 battery compartment and is compatible with the DeltaPoint® Pro footprint for direct mounting to optics-ready pistols.
Eusebio, who is no stranger to standing atop the leader board with his Bushnell First Strike 2.0, noted that the reflex sight also gave him a competitive advantage. “Shooting a red dot optic changes the playing field in your favor,” he explained. “You’re faster, more accurate and more confident in your marksmanship. The First Strike 2.0 has been my choice of optic for the past two years and I absolutely love it.”
Featuring a massive objective lens, the First Strike 2.0 is extremely versatile and lets users quickly find their target. It includes a weaver-style mount and is at home on both shotguns and flat-top MSRs. It can also be fitted to customized Open Class pistols. It features an industry-leading battery life that lasts up to 50,000 hours and a bright 3-MOA dot.
The World Speed Shooting Championship is hosted by the United States Practical Shooting Association and Steel Challenge Shooting Association.
Eusebio is a professional pistol shooter with multiple world and national championships. For more information on his competitive record and other accomplishments, visit www.kceusebio.net.
Posted in Optics, Press Release, Shooting Sports | Comments Off on Eusebio Racks Up Titles, Sets Records with Bushnell Red Dots at World Speed Shooting Championship
Top Pro Earns Victories at World Speed Shooting, Georgia USPSA Championships
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – October 8, 2020 – Bushnell® and Hoppe’s® congratulate Jessie Harrison on a winning weekend of competitive shooting at the Steel Challenge World Speed Shooting Championship and the Georgia State USPSA Championship. Harrison shot her way to top honors with multiple Bushnell red dots including her trusted First Strike 2.0 and the recently released RXS-250.
At the World Speed Shooting Championship on September 23-25 in Talladega, Alabama, Harrison claimed her 12th Ladies Open title and placed second in Overall Single Stack shooting the First Strike 2.0. She also used the First Strike 2.0 to win High Lady Overall competing in the Open division at the Georgia event on September 26.
“One of the most important aspects in shooting is being able to see and having an optic that gives me a precise dot with intensity, clarity through the lens and durability—a key component to continued success,” Harrison said. “The First Strike 2.0 fits the list of what I need in a red dot and I can confidently head into competition.”
Featuring a massive objective lens, the First Strike 2.0 is extremely versatile and allows users to quickly find their targets. It includes a weaver-style mount and is at home on both shotguns and flat-top MSRs. It can also be fitted to customized Open Class pistols. It features an industry-leading battery life that lasts up to 50,000 hours, with a bright 3-MOA dot.
In the Rimfire Pistol Optics division at the World Speed Shooting Championship, Harrison ran Bushnell’s RXS-250, a new red dot designed to deliver top-shelf performance and exceptional durability. The RXS-250 represents a new class of high-performing reflex sights with its impact-resistant design, user-adjustable brightness settings and True Tone coatings that deliver a vivid, clear view free of distortion. The new red dot is standard with a top-loading CR2032 battery compartment and is compatible with the DeltaPoint® Pro footprint for direct mounting to optics-ready pistols.
“I’m excited about this new addition to the Bushnell red dot line,” Harrison said. “The RXS-250 has a super-sturdy housing and a clear 4-MOA dot with 10 brightness settings. This red dot is a great option for competition, recreational shooting, self-defense and hunting. You’ll see me running it on multiple platforms!”
Hoppe’s also played a key role in Harrison’s winning performances. ““Hoppe’s Black is my go-to product line and paired with a BoreSnake Viper, it gave me that crisp, clean gun feel that I love right before the Steel Challenge World Championships,” she explained. “Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to clean guns in between Steel Challenge and the Georgia State match, so Hoppe’s Gun Medic pushed me through the match without having to worry about a dirty gun.”
Harrison noted that Hoppe’s Black cleaning spray, Hoppe’s Elite gun oil and Hoppe’s Lead-B-Gone wipes were also part of her cleaning arsenal at the World Speed Shooting Championships.
Harrison is the first female shooter to achieve Grand Master status with the United States Practical Shooting Association and boasts an impressive list of accolades across five shooting disciplines, including multiple World and National Champion shooting titles. For more information on Harrison, check out her Facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/jessielharrison.
To learn more about Hoppe’s, visit the website at www.hoppes.com. For more information on Bushnell red dot sights, visit www.bushnell.com/red-dots/pistol.
October 12th, 2020: Rosco Manufacturing, an American manufacturer of high-quality gun barrels & accessories, is proud to announce their newest OEM partnership with respected firearms manufacturer; Battle Arms Development. Within the last year Battle Arms and Rosco have been working together on implementing hard-use, accurate barrels into their exquisitely built rifle platforms.
Battle Arms was very transparent with their need for a barrel that would perform on demand and outlive others currently found in the industry. After strenuous testing by both brands, and their pro-shooters Don Edwards (Greenline Tactical) & Jon Dufresne (Kinetic Consulting) it was concluded that the results exceeded both companies’ initial expectations.
“Having the opportunity to add another great industry brand to our work portfolio is always a humbling moment for us. As manufacturers we strive to make a great product, but as shooters we are always star stuck to see the caliber of brands that trust us with their product lines. We hope to grow this relationship with Battle Arms Development and do some amazing things together!” – Gabriel Cabrera (Marketing/ Sales Director).
Rosco Mfg. & Battle Arms Development range day
Effective immediately, the following Battle Arms Development platforms will feature Rosco’s well-built barrels:
• After successfully engineering multiple in-demand products, Aspetto, Inc. has launched its 3D printing, innovation, and rapid prototyping division.
• This new division will help Aspetto amplify its focus on new product development and IP creation.
10/12/22 Fredericksburg, Virginia
Aspetto welcomes Vishnu Damacharla to head the new division. Vishnu received his undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering from Hyderabad, India and master’s in mechanical engineering from the University of Texas, Dallas, Texas.
He will be working closely with the company’s industry partners to design solutions for the brave men and women serving this great nation. This will also be paired with a social media campaign, targeted at gaining input from warfighters, who are ultimately the end users.
Abbas Haider, CEO of Aspetto, talked about the significance of launching this division, “Innovation is key if we want to stay in the lead.”
Haider went on to say, “Having the ability to design and prototype in-house will significantly reduce the time between concept and final production.”
The company’s obsession with innovation and constant research and development has resulted in many successful ventures within the industry. These include the Aspetto KWIQ Clip, and body armor designed specifically for female wearers.
Aspetto is America’s first bullet resistant clothing line. A certified 8(a) business, Aspetto provides tactical gear to Customs and Border Patrol, the US Air Force, and many other agencies across the country, and the world.
The Pro XD firefighting and rescue units provide a diesel engine and enhanced payload
Minneapolis – October 8, 2020 – Utility task vehicles (UTV) are a critical component to any department’s fleet, improving response time, reach and reducing the personnel requirements, without compromising mobility, budget or effectiveness. The new Pro XD firefighting and rescue units are turn-key vehicles from Polaris Government and Defense, a division of global powersports leader Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII), and the only utility vehicle manufacturer to directly offer complete and turn-key fire and rescue vehicle packages covered under manufacturer’s limited warranty.
The Polaris Pro XD is designed for the sole purpose of work, with an increased payload in the pallet-sized cargo box, greater durability and better serviceability. Pro XD has two and four-seat, gas and diesel models offering up to 2,075 pounds payload and 2,500 pounds towing capacities, heavy-duty driveline components and up to 200-hour maintenance intervals. The vehicles also feature puncture-resistant Kevlar®-backed vinyl seats, all-new tires for longer life on hard-packed surfaces, as well as multiple standard safety features like horn, reverse beeper and vehicle fault alarms which notify users of potential issues that could cause serious damage to the vehicle.
The Polaris Pro XD is a heavy-duty UTV-based apparatus designed to expand the reach of fire and rescue personnel and help improve response time in environments and conditions that traditional vehicles can’t access. The Pro XD’s larger cargo box and expanded payload allows for bigger skids, incorporating professional systems that are familiar, having been developed with years of firefighter input by industry expert RKO Enterprises®. The diesel model also benefits departments and organizations that have otherwise standardized on heavy-fuels. Three models include the firefighting UTV-based apparatus, rescue only, and a combination fire and rescue vehicle.
The Pro XD firefighting UTV has a 95-gallon water with 5-gallon integral foam copoly tank, foam fire suppression system, professional fire pump, hose and reel, and the ability to draft from an external water source. The Pro XD rescue skid incorporates a rear attendant seat and a stokes rescue basket. And a combination fire and rescue skid incorporates the fire tank and equipment as well as the stokes rescue basket. Any of the vehicles can also include professional emergency lighting, public address system and custom graphics to match the rest of a department’s fleet.
RKO Enterprises® develops the fire and rescue skids and integrates the equipment to provide the best, finished vehicle solutions for our customers. The fire and rescue equipment skids are also removable, retaining the vehicle’s modularity and allowing the Pro XD to be used for a variety of jobs, including fire prevention, search and rescue, public works applications, disaster relief and community events.
Polaris fire and rescue vehicles are also available for government discount pricing through GSA, Sourcewell® (formerly NJPA) or state or local contracts. Once purchased, the vehicles are professionally upfit and delivered directly to the customer’s location. The entire system comes fully set up for immediate use and is under full warranty from Polaris. Polaris also offers customers the capability to support and maintain their own fleet of vehicles through maintenance and operator training courses, authorized Pro XD dealers or Polaris can be contracted directly to provide the on-site service for the vehicles. Pro XD accessories also include an all-weather cab, heater and defrost, winch, and electric cargo box lift kit with in-dash switch.
Polaris has a history of helping organizations that serve our community and recognizes the important role grants play in funding. This commitment is strengthened through a grant assistant program geared toward state and local government, and educational customers. bit.ly/PolarisGrants.
Electronic forms of shopping, service and support have always been available, but even more so now with an increased emphasis toward expanding alternatives to in-person options. The Polaris.com/Gov website continues to be a resource for customers with online shopping tools and product specs for Pro XD. Customers can contact the Polaris Government and Defense team via phone at (866) 468-7783 or visit the online quote form for more information or to request a quote.
Polaris is a unique vehicle supplier that harnesses its more than 65-year legacy of mobility leadership, rich heritage of innovation, and vast commercial enterprise resources, along with a team of dedicated government, defense, and technology experts and operators to deliver the products that customers need to get their missions done. This winning combination of Polaris performance, procurement simplicity, premium service, training, support, and sustainment results in a best-value for government and defense customers.
