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Vegvisir Set to Unveil Its Disruptive Situation Awareness System at DSEI

September 6th, 2023

The Estonian-Croatian defence industry start-up Vegvisir will be presenting its first ready-made products at this year’s DSEI exhibition in London. Following two years of development and rigorous testing, the company is prepared to showcase Vegvisir Core as the situational awareness system for manned vehicles and the Vegvisir Remote for unmanned platforms.

Vegvisir’s innovative situational awareness system uses vehicle-mounted cameras, an immersive ultra-low latency headset, and supplementary data overlay capability to provide the vehicle personnel a comprehensive 360-degree view of the surrounding environment. This heightened awareness equips troops with the tools to navigate complex scenarios and make well-informed decisions on the battlefield.

According to Ingvar Pärnamäe, the CEO of Vegvisir, the company has successfully completed three product demonstrations with the Estonian and Croatian armed forces within the last year.

“We have received a lot of positive feedback from end users who confirm that we are addressing a critical problem often encountered by armoured vehicle personnel on the battlefield. As the cornerstone of our concept is our team members’ first-hand experience from military missions, we know that an adequate understanding of the surroundings can significantly enhance the capabilities of armoured vehicles and their personnel,” said Pärnamäe.

The company is set to showcase two versions of the solution at DSEI – Vegvisir Core and Vegvisir Remote. Vegvisir Core is designed to deliver a comprehensive 360-degree view with the lowest possible latency on infantry fighting vehicles, armoured personnel carriers, combat support platforms, engineering vehicles, and main battle tanks. It connects the crew into a digital hub allowing seamless interaction and access to digital data.

Vegvisir Remote offers a similar experience to Vegvisir Core but is optimized for lower bandwidth, making it ideal for remote use. Its primary application is on optionally manned or unmanned platforms that require remote operation.

The company will be presenting the product demo at the Estonian Pavilion (stand H4-120). Vegvisir Core will be integrated to Patria AMV XP 8×8 at stand H7-120 and Vegvisir Remote will be exhibited live on Milrem Robotics Type-X RCV at stand H4-122.

“For our team, having our product assembled on the platforms of some of the most renowned players in the defence sector is also a significant achievement. We aim to send a strong signal that the Vegvisir solution is a valuable addition to the most advanced platforms within the defence industry, and we are capable of introducing substantial innovation to the field of situational awareness technology,” Ingvar Pärnamäe added.

Vegvisir technical features:

• 4 sensor system modules attached to the vehicle (front, sides and rear)

• 360 degrees field of view by combining different layers of sensor system

• Ultra low latency

• Military grade casings with cleaning system

• Optional thermal sensors

• Head or helmet mounted display(goggles) for MR experience

• Intuitive user interaction panel

• Custom 3D virtual engine to support multi user and channel input

• Additional interfaces available: CAN, ETH

• Custom UI to effectively show data from vehicle or other systems

• Battlefield management system integration with data virtualisation and visualisation

• Vehicle information visualisation

For organising a meet-up at DSEI or receiving additional information please contact:

Karl Kaju, CMO

karl.kaju@vegvisir.ee

www.vegvisir.ee

Posted in DSEi, International, Press Release | 1 Comment »

Integris Is New Company Name for TenCate Advanced Armour

September 6th, 2023

Expanding the Market for Survivability Engineering and Composite SolutionsTysons Corner, Virginia Sept. 5, 2023 — The company that has provided the world’s military and law enforcement with protective armor for 25 years has changed its name and broadened its mission. “TenCate Advanced Armour becomes Integris Composites,” said CEO John W. Mercer.

For decades the firm has been a trusted partner in the design, engineering and manufacturing of survivability solutions for the world’s most demanding defense contractors, including Boeing, Airbus, General Dynamics and BAE Systems as well as major police agencies. Specifically, the company provides body armor plates for military and law enforcement personnel, as well as ballistic and blast protection for land vehicles, aircraft and naval vessels and antiballistic composites that also serve as structural housings for sensitive technologies such as optronics.

Presenting Integris: CEO John W. Mercer and Managing Director Helle Specht last week introducing employees at the Vissenbjerg, Denmark facility to the company’s new name Integris Composites. The new brand replaces TenCate Advanced Armour. For 25 years the business has provided the world’s military and law enforcement with protective armor designed, engineered and manufactured here as well as in France and the United States. “In 2020 we reestablished the company as a stand-alone business. Now, I am delighted to announce we have a stand-alone identity,” said Mercer, who was Executive Chairman of the Steering Committee until being named CEO in July. Permission is granted for publication. Credit: Holy Cow Media, Denmark

“In 2020 we reestablished the company as a stand-alone business. Now, I am delighted to announce we have a stand-alone identity,” said Mercer, who was Executive Chairman of the Steering Committee until being named CEO in July. “Our name has changed, but not our company, nor our dedication to customers and innovation, nor our commitment to creating cutting-edge composite solutions,” he added.

Integris maintains the ability to develop, test and manufacture armor solutions in its Danish, French and U.S. facilities. “We stand apart because of our ability to collaborate with and supply major contractors virtually anywhere in the world,” said Jonas Holck, group vice president for strategy.

Beyond Armor

“Our goal is to engineer and manufacture cutting-edge composite solutions, in high-performance applications or high-risk environments, that meet or exceed our customers’ expectations of quality, performance and value,” explained D. Andrew Bonham, president of Integris Composites, Inc., the U.S. company.

Stopping Power: Testing ballistic resistance at the shooting range in Primarette, France, home to one of the engineering and manufacturing facilities of Integris Composites. The others are in Denmark and the United States. The new Integris brand replaces TenCate Advanced Armour, which has provided the world’s military and law enforcement with protective armor for 25 years. “Integris stands apart because we design, engineer and produce the full range of ballistic armor and survivability solutions for personal protection; air, land and sea vehicles; and tactical technologies used by defense authorities and leading police agencies worldwide. Other firms support one or two of these needs. Integris supports all segments,” said CEO John W. Mercer. Permission is granted for publication. Credit: Holy Cow Media, Denmark

“Going forward, Integris is expanding its market into other sectors where lightweight, high-performance, innovative, fit-for-purpose composite solutions can be an advantage,” Bonham said.

Value Proposition

With its new name comes a recentering of the company’s mission. “Integris” evokes the reasons for longstanding customer loyalty, according to Mercer. “Reliability, integrity, innovation, design-engineering, research and development. All of that is packed into our new name.”

Integrity, Trust, Doing What You Say You Will Do

The name Integris was developed following a survey of employees that asked what characteristics most accurately define the business. “The answers were integrity, honesty, trust — delivering what you say you will deliver,” Holck said.

Integris provides composite solutions that enhance the value of the customer’s offering. “Customers know they have a partner for life. As a technical company, specialized in engineering, design, and manufacturing of high-quality composite solutions, we have a reputation for supporting long life-cycle programs — on time, on price, on quality — while creating new-generation composite solutions,” explained Mercer.

John W. Mercer: CEO of Integris Composites, the new name for TenCate Advanced Armour, the company that has provided the world’s military and law enforcement with protective armor for 25 years. Mercer served as Executive Chairman of the Steering Committee until being named CEO in July. “In 2020 we reestablished the company as a stand-alone business. Now, I am delighted to announce we have a stand-alone identity,” said Mercer. “Our name has changed, but not our company, nor our dedication to customers and innovation, nor our commitment to creating cutting-edge composite solutions.” Permission is granted for publication. Credit: Holy Cow Media, Denmark

“Integris stands apart because we design, engineer and produce the full range of ballistic armor and survivability solutions for personal protection; air, land and sea vehicles; and tactical technologies used by defense authorities and leading police agencies worldwide. Other firms support one or two of these needs. Integris supports all segments.”

Posted in Armor, Industry, Press Release | Comments Off on Integris Is New Company Name for TenCate Advanced Armour

Black Hills Designs RANGE – R PRO

September 6th, 2023

Introducing the Black Hills Designs RANGE – R PRO which was designed with some deliberate feedback and help from Praecore Performance Shooting.

It offers the ability to Correct Fire, Vector Fire, Navigate, and Range, all in one. The RANGE-R PRO is the Rifleman and Special Operations best friend that fits in your pocket.

Features:

-MIL scale for Correcting Fire or MIL Ranging

-1:10,000/100,000 map scale

-1:50,000 map scale

-4 Map Marking Stencils

-10 CM ruler

-2m reticle

-M80 Ball and 556 m855a1 Ballistic Drop Visualizers

www.blackhillsdesigns.net

Posted in Comms | Comments Off on Black Hills Designs RANGE – R PRO

The Australian Combat Assault Rifle by Lithgow Arms

September 6th, 2023

Australian small arms manufacturer Lithgow Arms has formally launched their Australian Combat Assault Rifle line with two current models, the ACAR 5.56/300BLK and the ACAR 7.62. Both feature Direct Impingement operating systems. However, Lithgow Arms continues to develop the line and we should see a piston gun next year.

Designed and manufactured in a collaboration between Thales’s Lithgow Arms and Australian small arms specialist Wedgetail Industries, the ACAR series delivers high quality and mission flexibility for defence and law enforcement customers.

This video gives a quick overview of the ACAR.

We offered a sneak peek during last year’s Land Forces conference and will check these latest versions out during next week’s DSEI in London.

To learn more, visit www.lithgowarms.com/defence-law-enforcement

Posted in DSEi, International, weapons | 2 Comments »

2nd Infantry Division Soldiers Test New Army Command Post Communications

September 6th, 2023

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Washington — Soldiers here are testing new gear to achieve the Army’s top priority in communications to reduce its command post battlefield footprint while improving mobility and agility.

Under development in two increments, termed Increment 0 and Increment 1, Soldiers of the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team “Ghost,” 2nd Infantry Division, are testing Inc. 0 of the Command Post Integrated Infrastructure (CPI2).

Maj. Joseph Brown, brigade fire support officer, and lead planner for the exercise and test, said, “CPI2 is intended to provide the Army a more survivable mission command platform.”

Brown said it is important for combat units like his to be able to tear down, move, and stand up their capabilities rapidly.

“If it functions the way it is intended,” he said, “brigades will consume less time in transitions and the improved survivability makes our C2 structure more resilient to enemy attack.”

“Soldiers are exercising the CPI2 by conducting real-world missions in an operational environment,” said Mr. Beresford Doherty, test officer with the U.S. Army Operational Test Command, based at West Fort Cavazos, Texas.

“Nine production representative vehicles are being tested under simulated combat operations,” he added.

According to its website, Program Executive Office Command, Control, Communication Tactical (PEO C3T) at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, CPI2 is currently executing multiple phases of prototyping, integration, and experimentation.

Doherty said CPI2 will replace the dated Command Post Tent System (SICUP) with a family of more mobile systems.

“One of the most important elements of the test is Army Soldier feedback of how the CPI2 performs in support of their mission,” Doherty said.

“Soldier feedback and lessons learned during Inc. 0 will inform Inc. 1, which expands upon product lines with an additional mix of military vehicle platforms, including armored vehicles, Joint Light Tactical Vehicles and Medium Tactical Vehicles,” he added.

Sgt. 1st Class Austin Bradford, brigade help desk NCOIC said, “So far it’s been pretty good, we’ve run into some issues, but I think as we work things out it’s going to get better and faster.”

Platoon Leader 2nd Lt. Cassie Daly, working out of the brigade’s tactical action center, seemed excited about the overall set up of the “expando” vehicles and quick connection capabilities.

“It’s been cool to see the attachments to the S3, or our attachments to the BDE S6 and other S shops that are fielding these new expandos,” she said.

“The coolest part is that they can connect the services we provide through wireless, verses through fiber, across the battlefield. And just the whole set up of the expando is like a mini conference room.”

According to Mr. Robert Potter, chief of Mission Command at the U.S. Army Evaluation Center at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, data points collected during the test will be used to assess operational effectiveness, suitability, and survivability of CPI2, as well as any effects across the Doctrine, Organization, Training, Materiel, Leadership, Personnel and Facility domains.

Story by Jacqueline Howard, Test Officer, Mission Command Test Directorate, U.S. Army Operational Test Command

Photos by Tad Browning, Lead Audiovisual Production Specialist, U.S. Army Operational Test Command

Posted in Army, Comms, Guest Post | Comments Off on 2nd Infantry Division Soldiers Test New Army Command Post Communications

Rheinmetall Supplies Norway with a Mission Master XT After Demonstrating Its Capabilities in Hostile Nordic Conditions

September 5th, 2023

Rheinmetall has supplied Norway with its very first Rheinmetall Mission Master XT, an extreme-terrain unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) capable of thriving in sub-zero temperatures.

The Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (the prime institution responsible for defence-related research and development in Norway) awarded Rheinmetall the contract after it won a competitive bid with challenging mobility and schedule requirements.

A tried-and-tested solution for Nordic countries

This contract comes just months after Rheinmetall took part in the Artic Mobility Trials in Finland, where the autonomy and mobility of the Rheinmetall Mission Master XT were put to the test. Despite a challenging environment and -30°C weather conditions, the vehicle successfully navigated through icy rivers and climbed up slippery banks.

The Rheinmetall Mission Master XT during the Artic Mobility Trials in Finland

“We are proud to have developed systems that can withstand some of the world’s harshest conditions. These recent trials have proven that we are in a strong position to meet the needs of Nordic countries that face similar challenges to us here in Canada,” stated Alain Tremblay, vice president for business development and innovation at Rheinmetall Canada.

Rheinmetall Mission Master XT, an extreme terrain UGV

Developed by Rheinmetall Canada in 2021, the Rheinmetall Mission Master XT can tackle ice and snow, as well as sandy, rocky and mountainous topography. Its advanced amphibious capabilities allow it to float and swim while maintaining its full payload capacity. Weighing in at 2,217 kg, this powerful A-UGV can carry a 1000 kg payload, allowing troops to transport special equipment to hard-to-reach locations. The diesel-powered engine allows it to travel 750 km without refuelling, while internal batteries enable up to 6 hours of silent watch operations. Another key feature of the Rheinmetall Mission Master XT is its high-performance continuous tyre inflation system, which adjusts the tire pressure according to the terrain.

Like other platforms in the Rheinmetall Mission Master family, the XT vehicle is driven by Rheinmetall PATH, an AI-powered navigation system that can be installed on any vehicle. This agnostic suite of advanced sensors and perception algorithms enables Mission Master vehicles to navigate autonomously through challenging environments, while keeping soldiers out of harm’s way.

The Rheinmetall Canada team took part in the Norwegian Army Technology Days 2023 on August 23 and 24, where it has delivered a presentation on “How to speed up the adoption of and trust towards UGVs”.

For more information on the family of Rheinmetall Mission Master UGVs, please visit rheinmetall.ca.

Posted in Contracts, International, Mobility, Press Release | Comments Off on Rheinmetall Supplies Norway with a Mission Master XT After Demonstrating Its Capabilities in Hostile Nordic Conditions

Agilite Appoints Michael Litwin as Business Development Director of Government Sales

September 5th, 2023

Agilite USA has announced the appointment of Michael Litwin as Business Development Director of Government Sales.

Michael previously served on the senior team at Noble, having risen through the ranks of TSSi where he won and managed multiple federal government contracts, managed TSSi’s largest customer accounts and developed custom TACOPS products and kits for many of his customers. Within his last two years he had the unique experience of going through two mergers, NOBLE and Federal Resources, where he participated in the development and management of a variety of business development and sales teams, assisted in process improvement, and strategy planning. During Michael’s tenure he developed lasting relationships within the DoD, Federal Government, State and Local, and Education spaces with clients, but also developed lifelong friendships within the industry as he worked to take the best products to the right customers over his almost eight years with TSSi/NOBLE.

“I’m honored to join the freight train that is Agilite.” said Litwin. “Anyone who’s ever done business with Agilite knows that both the products and the people are extraordinary and it’s exciting to join this industry-leading team.”

Michael’s role is part of the expansion of the team at Agilite USA in order to meet demand from US Forces and other North American clients.

Contact Michael at Michael.L@agilitegear.com

Posted in Industry, International, Press Release | Comments Off on Agilite Appoints Michael Litwin as Business Development Director of Government Sales

215 Gear – Safariland Drop Leg Holster Adaptor

September 5th, 2023

Designed to mount any Safariland™ holster or QLS plate, allowing for holster drop and CANT. Other OEM or aftermarket systems allow for holster drop, ignoring the ability to allow for rearward CANT of the pistol grip. By adding negative CANT into the pistol, it provides a streamlined draw of the pistol. To achieve a streamlined draw, CANT the pistol grip rearward, until your forearm and wrist, while in a straight line, naturally drop to your pistol grip. If you have to angle your wrist, you are reducing economy of motion and slowing you draw. The OEM Safariland™ QLS never achieves a neutral or zero, at best at 5º positive CANT.

Our system provides a rock solid clamp onto your belt, for both left and right handed shooters. Additionally built into our base are slots to accommodate the original Safariland™ leg strap, or the 215 Gear™Leg Strap.

Includes: 6061 Aluminum adapter Base Plate, Universal Mounting Adapter, four U.SA. made #8-32×1/2” Adapter Mounting screws, three U.S.A made #8-32×1/2” holster/QLS mounting screws.

Does not include: Installation tools or thread locker.

Additional accessories for purchase:

-Replacement 8-32×1/2” screws for mounting your holster or QLS plate.

-Loctite 242 Single Use thread locker.

-Leg Strap

Made in the U.S.A/ Berry Compliant Made with 100% U.S.A 6061 Aircraft Grade Aluminum.

Anodized matte FDE or Black.

www.215gearstore.com/safailanddroplegholsteradaptor

Be advised of other manufactures products that say “Made in the USA”, but do not specify “Made in the USA with USA materials”. We only use USA materials with certifications. These are the same materials specified for aerospace applications. The difference is almost a 50% difference in materials cost. Words matter.

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