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HENSOLDT and Nano Dimension Achieve Breakthrough in Electronics 3D Printing

May 23rd, 2020

New multi-layer PCB boosts electronics rapid prototyping

Munich, Germany/Nano Dimension’s USA HQ, South Florida (Nasdaq, TASE: NNDM), May 19, 2020 – Sensor solutions provider HENSOLDT together with the leading Additively Manufactured Electronics (AME)/Printed Electronics (PE) provider, Nano Dimension, has achieved a major breakthrough on its way to utilizing 3D printing in the development process of high-performance electronics components. Utilizing a newly developed dielectric polymer ink and conductive ink from Nano Dimension, HENSOLDT succeeded in assembling the world-wide first 10-layer printed circuit board (PCB) which carries high-performance electronic structures soldered to both outer sides. Until now, 3D printed boards could not bear the soldering process necessary for two sided population of components.

“Military sensor solutions require performance and reliability levels far above those of commercial components.” says HENSOLDT CEO, Thomas Müller. “To have high-density components quickly available with reduced effort by means of 3D printing gives us a competitive edge in the development process of such high-end electronic systems.”

“Nano Dimension’s relationship with HENSOLDT is the type of partnership with customers we are striving for,” commented Yoav Stern, Nano Dimension President & CEO. “Working together and learning from HENSOLDT led us to reach a first-of-its-kind in-depth knowledge of polymer materials applications. Additionally, it guided us in the development of Hi-PEDs (High Performance Electronic Device) that create competitive edges by enabling unique implementations with shortest time to market.”

AMEs are useful to verify a new design and functionality of specialized electronic components before production. AME is a highly agile and individual engineering methodology to prototype a new electronic circuitry. This leads to significant reduction of time and cost in the development process. Furthermore AME allows for a verified and approved design before production starts, leading to higher quality of the final product.

HENSOLDT started working with Nano Dimension’s DragonFly 3D printing system in 2016, in order to examine the possibilities of 3D printing electronics. Last year, HENSOLDT successfully implemented the DragonFly Lights-Out Digital Manufacturing (LDM) printing technology, the industry’s only additive manufacturing platform for round-the-clock 3D printing of electronic circuitry.

Posted in Design, Disruptive Tech, International, Press Release | Comments Off on HENSOLDT and Nano Dimension Achieve Breakthrough in Electronics 3D Printing

Casca – A Blast From The Past

May 23rd, 2020

We first mentioned the Casca series in 2013 and we like to bring the Casca books up every once in awhile because they were such a big part of growing up in the early 80s.

Casca is a legendary eternal mercenary who was charged by Christ on Golgotha to fight until the second coming, from conflict up conflict. Exciting stuff, and as a kid, I couldn’t put it down.

Did you devour this book like I did? If so, did you know that the Casca images by artist Darrel Millsap on the cover of every title were based on this photo of author Barry Sadler?

And, did you know that same Special Forces Veteran Barry Sadler also wrote and performed the song “The Ballad of the Green Berets” which hit Number 1 on the charts in the Spring of 1966? If you’ve ever served at Ft Bragg, you’ve heard that diddy a time or two.

Although Sadler passed away in 1989 of complications following a gun shot wound, the Casca-series of books carried on and still boast a website dedicated to the series.

Posted in Stuff I Like | 5 Comments »

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 »