Our friend Bob B sends…
The island of Kos, Greece
Kos has been inhabited since the prehistoric times, with a rich ancient history. It was a member of the 7th century BC Dorian Hexapolis alliance and it was even mentioned in Homer’s Iliad as a participant in the Trojan War.
In case you missed it, here’s a close up.
Rheinmetall and the Dutch procurement agency Defence Materiel Organization (DMO) have renewed and expanded their longstanding framework agreement for the supply of various types of ammunition for a period of at least ten years. The framework agreement envisages annual call-offs of around €50 million, meaning that total volume could come to €500 million. The customer is already preparing for the first call-offs.
The framework agreement encompasses the supply of 35mm medium-calibre ammunition for infantry fighting vehicles, 40mm ROSY smoke/obscurant cartridges, and a family of state-of-the-art 155mm artillery ammunition.
Major General Ivo de Jong, Deputy Director of the DMO, and Roman Köhne, Managing Director of Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH, signed the contract on 30 July 2020. This is another good example of the fruitful, longstanding cooperation between the DMO and the Düsseldorf-based weapon and ammunition specialist. The framework agreement follows a partnership agreement signed by the two parties just over a year ago and further underscores the customer’s strong confidence in Rheinmetall’s ammunition expertise.
By means of this agreement, the DMO wants to source safe, state-of-the-art ammunition for the Dutch armed forces – both today and tomorrow.
Under the aforementioned partnership agreement, Rheinmetall has already assumed full responsibility for the complete 155mm portfolio, which extends from the Assegai ammunition family to modular charges and fuses.
WASHINGTON — U.S. Customs & Border Protection has signed a $13 million contract with Axon Enterprises Inc. to equip 3,800 U.S. Border Patrol agents with body cameras and connection to a cloud-based digital evidence platform.
This Incident-Driven Video Recording System (IDVRS) will enhance transparency and accountability with the public, while providing additional documentation during enforcement incidents. Beginning next spring, the IDVRS will be deployed in phases to the following USBP sectors: San Diego, Yuma, Tucson, El Paso, Big Bend, Del Rio, Rio Grande Valley, and Swanton sector on the northern border.
As part of CBP’s strategic focus, this effort will enhance transparency and accountability while strengthening the safety of our agents in the field. New and emerging technologies allow CBP to be more efficient and better serve the American public.
Policies guiding the use of the IDVRS are in their early stages, and specific details regarding the rollout of the system will be forthcoming in spring 2021.
By CBP
Just in time for hunting season, Eagle Industries introduces a new color for their Hand Warmer Sleeve, Orange. Keep your hands warm and toasty while you sit in your hide.
Made from stretchable Tweave 520E, it includes a waist strap with side release buckle for easy donning and doffing, a zippered pocket for chemical handwarmer or items you want to keep handy, and expandable bottom.
Also available in Black, MultiCam, Coyote Brown, and Gray.
eagleindustries.com/hand-warmer-sleeve
The L3HARRIS AN/PVS-31C is a Binocular Night Vision Device being procured by the US Air Force.
The Gen III Image Intensification Tubes (I2) integrate Auto-Gated Technology to prevent damage in high-light environments. What’s more, these white phosphor tubes offer varying shades of intensity between black and white (over legacy black and green), resulting in better contrast and depth perception.
Features:
-Manual system gain and focus adjustments for custom image quality optimization
-Lightweight ergonomic design reduces head-borne weight and decreases neck strain
-Optional diopter lenses optimize operator preference for visual acuity
-Rotating binocular design allows low profile against helmet when in stowed position and the option to use as a single monocular
-Works with currently fielded dovetail helmet mounts
-Auto OFF when stowed; resumes power when deployed
-LED indicators in left and right monocular alert the operator when the BNVD has no less than 10 minutes of battery life remaining
-Replaceable/upgradeable I2 tube assemblies
The L3HARRIS AN/PVS-31C BNVD is available for unit and agency purchases via National Stock Number 5855-01-663-5119 or through ADS Inc as P/N: BNG-001-A48AF.
Coming soon from Blackhawk is the T-series L2C Overt. Based on the L2C (Level 2 Compact) OWB holster, it’s a T-series holster which uses Blackhawk’s Master Grip Principle. As you grip the pistol in your draw stroke, your thumb depresses the holster release mechanism.
It’s also inherently optic friendly, thanks to the speed cut at the front of the holster. However, as you can see, there’s no shroud to protect the optic.
The L2C Overt is a great option if you don’t need level 3 retention and are looking for a low profile holster for training or daily use.
Naturally, just like there is a light bearing (TLR-7 and 8) version of the L2C, there will be a light bearing version of the overt.
Although the L2C Overt hasn’t been released yet, you can roll your own. You’ll just need to pick up the T-Series Jacket Slot Belt Loop and T-Series Jacket Slot Leg Strap Adapter. It’s a simple install.
Today we are taking a look at FirstSpear’s Weapons Retention Catch.
The Weapons Retention Catch is designed to help secure your weapon and is versatile enough to be worn on practically any platform. This essential item provides solid retention for carbines, sub guns, and shotguns. Its plastic closures are easy to adjust and they can be over-powered if required and reset to use again. This allows you to quickly access your weapon when needed.
Available now in a variety of colors and is 100% American Made.
www.first-spear.com/weapons-retention-catch
ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. – The U.S. Army and the Republic of Estonia’s Ministry of Defence signed an agreement today that will enable the two countries to conduct future collaborative science and technology efforts in cyber defense.
The Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) Center – a component of Army Futures Command’s Combat Capabilities Development Command – and the Estonian Ministry of Defence will establish a multi-domain operations, cyber domain working group to identify opportunities for interoperability experimentation and demonstrations.
The working group will provide a forum to exchange information on the research of defensive cyber capabilities for multi-domain operations and improved coalition interoperability. Specific collaborative activities identified by the working group may be carried out under future agreements involving projects, equipment and material, and information exchanges.
“This historic agreement provides the opportunity for two nations with substantial defensive cyber capabilities to leverage their respective cyber experience to drive new research and development to reduce cyber threats across the spectrum of conflict,” said Director of the C5ISR Center Patrick J. O’Neill.
The effort – which falls under a 2016 U.S. Department of Defense Research, Development, Test and Evaluation memorandum of understanding – is the first of its kind between the U.S. Army and the Estonian Ministry of Defence. It supports a “Vision for Security Cooperation” document between the countries to develop capabilities that will deter and defend against malicious cyber intrusions and attacks.
“The Estonian Ministry of Defence is very pleased to establish formal cooperation with the U.S. Army’s C5ISR Center, adding another partner with increased knowledge and capabilities. Our countries are close NATO allies who share fundamental values. Our collaboration in the cyber domain will advance our common security,” said Director of the Estonian Ministry of Defence’s Cyber Policy Department Andri Rebane.
“We hope that the knowledge generated from this bilateral relationship will not only be useful for the U.S. and Estonia but also our other allies. With that, I am pleased to sign the terms of reference to begin this important work,” said Rebane.
Prior to the event, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Defense Exports and Cooperation Elizabeth Wilson noted her office played an integral role in bringing together key personnel from U.S. Army headquarters, the C5ISR Center and counterparts at the Estonian Embassy to reach this milestone event.
“Exchanging information and optimizing our research and development efforts to modernize our militaries will help deter great power competitors and regional state adversaries. The U.S. Army is proud to partner with our Estonian counterparts in this unique opportunity,” said Wilson.
The complementary research will explore tactical and strategic challenges to enable standardization, rationalization and interoperability while improving the mutual defenses of both countries, said Robert Kimball, the C5ISR Center’s senior research scientist for cyber security.
“Estonia is a cyber country of excellence with a robust cyber defensive system in terms of technology and people. Given their deep expertise, I believe they will have substantial lessons to share, which will be enormously helpful in finding efficiencies in our science and technology efforts while understanding how best to defend against cyber warfare,” said Kimball, who noted Estonia is home to the NATO Cyber Defense Center and Cyber Range.
The agreement is slated to last until Sept. 30, 2023, at which point it may be extended.
“I am honored to have signed this agreement with Mr. Rebane today,” said O’Neill. “This is more than just a document that governs science and technology efforts; it affirms our two countries’ mutual commitment to work side by side to proactively address global security challenges. The C5ISR Center looks forward to this collaborative effort as we continue to explore the realm of the possible for cyber security. I am extremely pleased that the efforts on both sides have come to fruition.”
By Edric Thompson, CCDC C5ISR Center Public Affairs
