Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

KMW, Nexter and Rheinmetall Get the Go-ahead for Initial MGCS Architecture Study

May 23rd, 2020

Munich / Versailles / Düsseldorf, 20 May 2020 – Standing for Main Ground Combat System, MGCS is a joint Franco-German defence project. The programme, to be implemented under German political leadership, is tasked with developing a main combat system to succeed the Bundeswehr’s Leopard 2 and the French Army’s Leclerc starting in 2035.

Making the start of the MGCS procurement programme Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW), Nexter Systems and Rheinmetall AG established an ARGE in December 2019. Now, the partners and the German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw), acting in the name of Germany and France, have signed a contract for the “System Architecture Definition Study – Part 1” (SADS Part 1). This contract sounds the industrial starting gun for a MGCS Demonstration Phase.

At the Franco-German Ministerial Council meeting in Toulouse on 16 October 2019, the defence ministers of both nations, Florence Parly and Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, emphasized their commitment to developing the MGCS.

The ARGE is a German acronym standing for Arbeitsgemeinschaft, or “working group”. Under German law, the ARGE serves as the contractual partner of the procurement authority (BAAINBw) during the first phase of the programme. Officials of the three companies represent the ARGE vis-à-vis third parties.

The aim of the study is to harmonize the final MGCS concepts of the previous phase, to analyse further details, and to propose a common multi-platform architecture. The three contractual partners will assess various aspects of different concepts: technical feasibility in the projected timeframe allotted for the programme; ability to fulfil the operational needs of both armies; efficiency and compatibility with national “systems of systems” (SCORPION for France and Digitization of Land-Based Operations (D-LBO) for Germany). Workshares in the SADS Part 1 are to be distributed equally between France and Germany on a fifty-fifty basis. The first phase of architecture work is expected to last 18 months.

Posted in Industry, International, Press Release | 2 Comments »

DroneShield Chosen by the European Union Police

May 22nd, 2020

DroneShield Ltd (ASX:DRO or DRO.AU) (“DroneShield” or the “Company”) is pleased to advise that, following a competitive tender, its DroneGun TacticalTM product was selected as the preferred solution by the European Union police forces. The process was run by Belgium Police, with an EU-wide framework. Sales, training and local support will be managed by DroneShield’s Benelux region partner ForcePro BV.

DroneShield’s DroneGun Tactical deployed by the French Army

Under the framework agreement, DroneGun TacticalTM is expected to be rolled out across a range of police units across European Union. While the agreement does not specify minimum purchase quantities, DroneShield expects this agreement to produce material periodic sales over an extended period of time, with orders commencing this quarter. Further, the Company expects this framework to be a platform for sales of its other products, such as RfPatrolTM and its vehicle and fixed site products, to EU police departments.

Oleg Vornik, DroneShield’s CEO, commented, “This is an exciting win in a number of ways. This is the first framework rollout of counterdrone equipment by any Government customer, anywhere in the world. In addition to the substantial nature of this contract, we expect for this to set a standard for DroneGun TacticalTM procurement by other Government customers in the EU and globally, helping fasttrack additional acquisitions. This selection by a highly demanding customer, following on the UK Government CPNI certification last year, reinforces the world leading position of our products in the industry. Importantly, this win of the competitive tender by DroneShield illustrates that security is at the forefront of governments globally as well as the fact that, after a brief interruption caused by the COVID crisis, global procurement processes have resumed.”

Posted in International, LE, Press Release, UAS | Comments Off on DroneShield Chosen by the European Union Police

Strapworks

May 22nd, 2020

Strapworks offers a variety of straps, including those featuring side release and cam buckles in various lengths and widths.

It’s quite a resource, with lots of options. The best thing to do is dive in and look around.

www.strapworks.com

Posted in Load Carrying | 1 Comment »

Magpul Offers H&K MP5 Accessories

May 22nd, 2020

Magpul’s accessories for the H&K MP5 family are now available. You’ll find the 5-inch SL Hand Guard – SP89/MP5K, 8-inch SL Hand Guard – HK94/MP5, and the Magpul ESK (Enhanced Selector Kit). The SL Grip Module will be shipping soon.

SL Hand Guard

Offered in a 5-inch and 8-inch variant, both of the Magpul SL Hand Guards include the same innovative features found on Magpul’s other hand guards, including anti-slip texturing and M-LOK compatible slots for accessory mounting.

ESK

The ESK gives you multiple ambidextrous selector levers for HK Polymer Trigger Housings, and the soon-to-be-released Magpul SL Grip Module will provide you with better ergonomics and dependable firing-hand activation and deactivation of the safety.

www.magpul.com

Posted in Advertiser, Weapon Accessories | 3 Comments »

AeroVironment Unveils Quantix Recon, Fully-Automated Hybrid Vertical Takeoff and Landing Unmanned Aircraft System for Defense Applications

May 22nd, 2020

• Quantix Recon delivers on-demand, georeferenced aerial imagery, providing quick visibility for on-site mission planning and verification

• Fully-Automated, hybrid vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) design and radio frequency silent mode enable aircraft to conduct missions undetected

• Powerful onboard processing delivers high-resolution imagery immediately on the included operating tablet upon landing – no other devices, internet or software required

AeroVironment’s new Quantix™ Recon, a fully-automated reconnaissance unmanned aircraft system.

SIMI VALLEY, Calif., April 23, 2020 – AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), today announced the availability of Quantix™ Recon, a lightweight, rapidly deployable, fully-automated reconnaissance solution that delivers high resolution, georeferenced terrain, vegetation and infrastructure imagery, providing ground forces with on-demand actionable intelligence.

With its unique hybrid VTOL design, Quantix Recon combines the vertical takeoff and landing advantages of a multirotor drone with the range, speed and efficiency of a fixed-wing unmanned aircraft. Featuring fully-automated flight operation, Quantix Recon surveys up to 1.6 square kilometers (0.6 square miles), or 20 linear kilometers (12.4 miles) per 45-minute single battery flight. Multiple automated reconnaissance mode options allow users to choose between line (route), area and waypoint targeted data capture. Collected aerial imagery data is compatible with a wide range of available geographic information system (GIS) analytical tools to facilitate further analysis.

“AeroVironment’s Quantix Recon is a low-cost reconnaissance solution that can be in the air within minutes, capturing high-resolution georeferenced imagery of hard to access areas or dynamically changing environments.” said Rick Pedigo, vice president of sales and business development for AeroVironment. “Because it does not rely on radio signals during flight, Quantix Recon offers greater stealth for concealed operations and is unaffected by radio frequency jammers, providing greater protection for frontline troops while reducing cognitive load.”

Powerfully simple to use, Quantix Recon is fully-automated and hands-free with five optional flight altitudes, ranging from 150 feet to 800 feet. Simple, automated operation makes Quantix Recon easy for users to vary the coverage area and image resolution to suit their aerial reconnaissance needs.

Quantix Recon is equipped with dual 18-megapixel cameras that can capture both high resolution true color and multispectral georeferenced imagery. Powerful, on-board processing allows users to immediately view the high-resolution geospatial imagery on the included operating tablet as soon as the aircraft lands, requiring no other devices, internet or software. And, through the operating tablet’s Quick-Lookä HD app feature, users can pinch and zoom navigation down to centimeter-level ground sampling distance, enabling them to pinpoint and react to critical issues with precision and speed.

To learn more, visit www.avinc.com/Quantix-Recon, or view the recorded Quantix Recon Press Briefing at event.webcasts.com, using the password “QuantixRecon.”

Posted in Aviation, Press Release, UAS | 3 Comments »

Unity Tactical Platform Adapter

May 22nd, 2020

The innovative AMP™ Helmet Arms attach to the rear rails and cantilever the headset forward over the operator’s ears rather than the traditional top-down attachment. This frees up the top rails for other mission critical gear like lights and cameras. However, the factory OEM configuration will only interface with genuine Ops-Core® ARC™ rail; until now. Platform Adapter retrofit installation can be done in minutes and brings the same strength and performance to some other popular tactical helmets. There is no loss in functionality.

Now, you can run the industry-leading modular tactical communications headset, the Ops-Core® AMP™, on your already owned or issued Team Wendy®, MTEK®, or HHV® helmet. Platform Adapters are molded in the United States from the same reinforced polymer used by Ops-Core for their OEM part.

Weight: EXFIL: 4g, MLOK: 2g
Compatible with: EXFIL Rail (Team Wendy), MLOK Rail (MTEK, HHV)
Material: Reinforced Polymer
Breakaway: 8 ft lbs.
Country of Origin: U.S.A.

Available at www.unitytactical.com.

Posted in Advertiser, Helmets, Press Release | 3 Comments »

FirstSpear Friday Focus – Vision Augmentation System Soft Harness

May 22nd, 2020

Today we are getting a closer look at an impressive night vision system capability from FirstSpear. Based off the popular FS Helmet Cover the Vision Augmentation System Soft Harness was designed to function as an extremely low profile and discreet method of wearing night vision goggle systems without the use of a traditional ballistic helmet or bump lid.

Fully Adjustable 4 point adjustment matched with the Boa® Fit System, the end user can find a perfect fit based off the equipment weight and profile they are using. Loop fields can be used to attach counter balance or batteries as well as strobes or FS Cell Tags. Available in Black, Coyote, and Multicam. 100% Made in the USA. Shroud included.

Features:
• Attaches to single or multi-tube systems
• Fully adjustable soft harness with shroud
• Comfortable fit
• Adjustable chin strap with positive lock hardware
• Boa® Fit System
• Easy cable management
• Attachment fields for IFF and the FirstSpear Battery Pack

www.first-spear.com/vas-vision-augmentation-system-soft-harness

Posted in Advertiser, FS Friday Focus, Guest Post, Optics | 3 Comments »

FHF Gear – Rino Radio/GPS Pouch

May 22nd, 2020

FHF Gear offers a pouch for the popular RINO GPS / Radio (models 120-750).

Retention is via an adjustable bungee like on many magazine pouches, it also features a drainage grommet and two dummy cord points. This PALS compatible pouch will also accommodate the Garmin GPSMAP series as well as the inReach Explorer, and the Alpha 100.

*This pouch will not accommodate the larger AA battery packs on the 500 RINO models with a joystick.

fhfgear.com/products/rino-radio-gps-pouch

Posted in Load Carrying | Comments Off on FHF Gear – Rino Radio/GPS Pouch