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Quaze Technologies Bring Wireless Power Transfer Technology to the US Defense Sector at AUSA 23

October 9th, 2023

Quaze Technologies, a Canada-based innovative technology company and the creator of wide-surface wireless power transfer, is introducing their revolutionary autonomous wireless power transfer capabilities to the US defense sector at AUSA 23. Quaze will have a senior team on the ground at AUSA in Washington DC and can arrange meetings to demonstrate their ground-breaking technology, on request. Quaze are interested in reaching out to the research and development agencies across the US DoD as well as sparking interest in the wider US user community, regarding their unique wireless charging technology.

This US announcement follows on from DSEI in September where the Quaze concept demonstrator remote charging solution, named Drone Swarm Tactical OverWatch (DSTOW™), was featured as part of Rheinmentall’s innovation portfolio. The Quaze DSTOW was displayed on the Mission Master SP autonomous unmanned ground vehicle. It was active and wirelessly recharged 3 Parrot ANAFI USA drones.

The DSTOW addresses a critical need in the world of drone operations, enabling the continuous aerial support of tethered drones with the flexibility and freedom of untethered flights. With just one Quaze DSTOW, drones of any make or model can charge wirelessly and simultaneously, ensuring reliable charging even in the most hostile environments. This reduces the constraints associated with battery levels, connecting charging cables, or swapping batteries. It’s seamless, efficient, and paves the way for autonomous and uninterrupted drone missions. The DSTOW’s versatility extends across platforms and applications. Whether mounted on various vehicles or employed in static operations, such as mobile command centers, the DSTOW remains a dynamic solution. Its adaptable form factor accommodates UAVs of all sizes and seamlessly integrates onto diverse platforms, ensuring the readiness of drones for extended missions or remote swarm operations.

Quaze’s Surface Power Technology revolutionises the way devices are powered, enabling easy and reliable wireless charging for remote or autonomous devices on land, sea or air. Powered by magnetic resonance this technology offers a safe, secure and seamless solution to efficiently charge multiple devices with variable power demands across a wide platform surface area.

Quaze remote charging surfaces are scalable to suit various demands and the potential applications in defense are vast, by freeing technology from the constraints of cables and redefining how electronic systems access power. Quaze have designed and developed their solid state volumetric technology to be compliant with relevant Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) standards.

Xavier Bidaut, CEO at Quaze Technologies said. “We were overwhelmed by the amount of interest shown in our technology when we introduced our DSTOW to the European defense sector at DSEi. He added:

“Together with Rheinmetall we have already showcased one particular charging application. However, there are many more potential applications being developed and as interest grows across the defense environment, more and more applications are becoming apparent.”

Posted in AUSA, International, Power, Press Release | Comments Off on Quaze Technologies Bring Wireless Power Transfer Technology to the US Defense Sector at AUSA 23

Future of Human-Machine Integration Must Bring Right Mix of Robotic Elements to Formations

October 9th, 2023

WASHINGTON — As ground robotics and autonomy are expected to play a critical role in future warfare, four Army leaders will jump start AUSA with a Warriors Corner discussion on human-machine integration at 12:50 p.m. Monday, Oct. 9, 2023.

Michael Cadieux, director of U.S. Army DEVCOM Ground Vehicle Systems Center; along with Brig. Gen. Geoffrey Norman, director of the Next Generation Combat Vehicles Cross-Functional Team, shortened NGCV CFT; Maj. Gen. Curtis Buzzard, commanding general at Maneuver Center of Excellence; and Col. Shane Upton, director of the Contested Logistics CFT, will address formation-based concepts developed with human-machine integration advances. Brig. Gen. Stephanie Ahern, concepts director at Army Futures Command, will moderate the panel discussion.

The session will be livestreamed on DVIDSHub.net.

Transforming for the future fight requires engagement across the Army and joint force. Advances in ground robotics and autonomy and the effective fusion of robotic systems into formations will provide new capabilities to help the Army achieve goals for multi-domain operations.

The fusion of robotics in formations is already taking place on the ground at various Army training locations.

“Soldier Touchpoints help us to help define future tactics and techniques for fighting with these revolutionary systems while informing future required capabilities for the science and technology community to develop,” Cadieux said.

“Human-machine integration is all about bringing the right mix of robotic elements to our formations to enable a total formation that is more capable than the sum of either the human or robotic elements,” he said.

Robotic combat vehicles will provide formation leaders new options on both the offense and the defense. The NGCV CFT has been at the forefront of robotic combat vehicle development and the experimentation that refines those vehicles.

“We’re already seeing the first robotic capabilities that we’ll be fielding, and our teams for years have been experimenting with the best way to integrate them into formations,” Norman said.

“We’re not sure yet what the integrated formations will look like, but it could require warfighters to control multiple platforms simultaneously, or perhaps multiple warfighters working different parts of the same system, or the flexibility to move between these two paradigms as the mission requires,” Norman said.

Robotic combat vehicles can accomplish some of the more dangerous and mundane tasks, such as refueling and for port logistics, while freeing up Soldiers to do the tasks that call for more thinking.

“Human-machine integration is fundamental to sustaining the future joint force operating in a contested logistics environment,” Upton said.

The integration of robotics into manned formations will iterate between doctrinal and training insights informing what the robots need to do and insights from experiments with the robots informing how doctrine and training need to adapt.

The Army has created a ground vehicle autonomy strategy built on a foundation of modular open systems approach, or MOSA, which will enable common unmanned maneuver capabilities across the ground vehicle fleet.

“Building a MOSA based, common approach to ground autonomy software lets the Army collaborate with a wide range of industry-leading partners while controlling current and future costs,” Cadieux said.

Understanding formation-based concepts developed with Human-Machine Integration advances is a key priority to designing the Army of 2040.

“The technologies Army pursues in the ground vehicle space drive at both robotic capability growth and in strengthening the interface between the Warfighter and the robotic elements,” Cadieux said.

By Jerome Aliotta

Posted in Army, Guest Post, Robotics | Comments Off on Future of Human-Machine Integration Must Bring Right Mix of Robotic Elements to Formations

Integris Composites Presents Latest Trauma Reduction Technology Innovations at AUSA Show

October 8th, 2023

Replacing TenCate Brand After 25 Years

With a New Name, a Contract for Its Latest Innovation, and an Enduring Commitment to Quality, Integris Composites Is Exhibiting at AUSA 2023, Booth 2153

Washington, Oct. 6, 2023 — The group that announced its game-changing Trauma Reduction Technology here last year is returning to AUSA 2023 with the announcement of its first military contract for ballistic plates using that technology, a new name for the company and a renewed commitment to quality and customer service.

“We will meet you at Booth 2153 as Integris Composites USA, Inc.,” said Andrew Bonham, president. Last month Integris became the new name for TenCate Advanced Armor. Integris is exhibiting at the Association of the United States Army 2023 Annual Meeting and Exposition, to be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., Oct. 9–11.

“Visitors can examine our Cratus™ 3650 Wave ballistic plates, which incorporate the Trauma Reduction Technology we premiered at last year’s AUSA conference. This year we are demonstrating the plates and other innovative composite solutions,” Bonham said.

Deep Experience

“Best of all, you can meet our team and experience their unwavering commitment to customized ballistic, blast, spall and weight solutions that stretch the boundaries of existing products and standards,” said David Cordova, chief commercial officer.

“Our new name, Integris, embodies a quarter-century legacy of design, engineering and manufacturing armor for personal protection as well as land, air, and naval vehicle survivability.

“We’ll continue challenging current limits with fresh approaches — such as our composite optronics housings that protect the sensors inside as well as our advanced spall-liner solutions, notable for their lightness and significant cone-angle reductions,” added Cordova.

The global Integris Composites organization and Integris Composites USA, Inc. are headquartered in Tysons Corner, Va.

Posted in Armor, AUSA, Materials, Press Release | Comments Off on Integris Composites Presents Latest Trauma Reduction Technology Innovations at AUSA Show

Vortex Optics – Impact 4000 Ballistic Rail-Mounted Laser Rangefinder

October 8th, 2023

We would be remiss if we didn’t share the recently released Impact 4000 Ballistic Rail-Mounted Laser Rangefinder from Vortex Optics.

With a range of 5 yds – 4000 yds, it incorporates the GeoBallistics Solver with a full, up-to-date bullet library allowing you to use one of the ten preloaded profiles for popular cartridges or create custom profiles. You can interact with the software via an app for your end user device.

Calculations rely on data from the on-board compass and exposed temperature, pressure, and humidity sensors. GeoBallistics Solver will also connect with with popular weather devices or local weather stations.

The Impact 4000 weighs 16 oz and its dimensions are 4.6″ x 2.5″ x 3.2″.

In the Box:

• Impact 4000

• Bluetooth Remote

• Bluetooth Remote Mounting Kit

• Easy Zero Tool Kit

• SureFit Cover

• Lens Cloth

• Custom Tools

• CR123 Battery

• CR2032 Bluetooth Remote Battery

vortexoptics.com/vortex-impact-4000-ballistic-rail-mounted-laser-rangefinder

Posted in Optics | 16 Comments »

Helikon-Tex Guardian Plate Carrier Sets

October 8th, 2023

Helikon-Tex has released pre-built sets for their Guardian Plate Carrier.

Serving as a great basic set up, so far they offer vests configured for military or LE use.

The military set consists of a Guardian Plate Carrier, Guardian Cummerbund, and
Guardian Flap.

The LE version includes the vest and cummerbund as well as a Guardian Kangaroo Flap and Law Enforcement Insert.

In addition to a full range of dedicated pouches, the Guardian Plate Carrier is also designed to be compatible with their Competition series of pouches.

Offered in multiple colors. Get yours at www.helikon-tex.com/pl_pln/modulowa-kamizelka-typu-plate-carrier-na-oporzadzenie-taktyczne.

Posted in Armor, International | 4 Comments »

ARTEC Partners Set Up New Subsidiary in UK

October 8th, 2023

The shareholders of ARTEC GmbH (Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co. KG, Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH and Rheinmetall Defence Nederland B.V.) have elected to set up a new subsidiary in the United Kingdom, ARTEC Boxer UK Ltd.

The company will be a wholly owned subsidiary of ARTEC GmbH and assume responsibility for its operational activities in the UK. These include providing the British Army with service and maintenance support for the Boxer armoured transport vehicle. Furthermore, ARTEC Boxer UK Ltd. will pursue export orders.

The company’s operational goals include growing its market share in the UK service sector as well as gaining ground in the global market for highly protected 8×8 vehicles.

The agreement to create ARTEC Boxer UK Ltd was signed during the DSEI defence show in London.
From left to right: James Cartlidge, MP, Britain’s minister of state for defence procurement;
Armin Papperger, chairman of the executive board of Rheinmetall AG; and, Ralf Ketzel, chairman of the board of management Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co. KG.

Posted in Industry, International, Press Release | Comments Off on ARTEC Partners Set Up New Subsidiary in UK

LIQUIDPISTON Hybrid Power System Technology Awarded $35M U.S. Air Force Contract

October 7th, 2023

Funding supports development of a lightweight, portable, modular, and scalable heavy-fueled Rotary Engine Hybrid Power System™ for multiple mobile power applications

BLOOMFIELD, Conn., Oct. 05, 2023 — LiquidPiston, a leading innovator of compact, efficient engine technology and hybrid power systems, announced today that it has been awarded a three-year, $35 million contract to support hybrid power system development. The contract was awarded by AFWERX, a Technology Directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory, in partnership with AFLCMC, the U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center.

This award builds on an ongoing Phase II SBIR program supporting the 144th Fighter Wing, which is developing an Adaptive Basing Trailer to support rapid deployment of fighter jets. The new $35 million contract includes $15 million in SBIR funding from the prestigious STRATFI program, announced in June 2023. The funding reflects growing acknowledgment of LiquidPiston as a driver of smaller, lighter, more efficient engines and hybrid power solutions for military applications.

With this award, LiquidPiston will design, develop, and qualify a 90+ horsepower heavy-fueled rotary engine, which will be incorporated into a modular Rotary Engine Hybrid Power System™. This engine and platform can serve as the “power pack” for a variety of applications of interest to the Air Force, including unmanned aerial systems (UAS) propulsion, human- and cargo-carrying Organic Resupply Bus (ORB) capabilities, mobile operating bases, and vehicle auxiliary power units (APUs).

“Increased mobility and rapid deployment of power are important to the Air Force as we support our forces in complex multi-domain operations across the globe,” said Lt Col John Tekell, AFWERX Agility Prime Lead. “Hybrid power systems and compact rotary engine technology have the potential to provide a disruptive modular power solution for a variety of critical support and tactical applications.”

LiquidPiston’s STRATFI award continues the company’s noteworthy momentum as a leader in custom power solutions for the U.S. Department of Defense. In the last year, it has also received a $9 million development contract from the U.S. Army to develop a prototype “core engine” based on its XTS-210 design, as well as an $8.3 million award to revolutionize battlefield power generation, also for the U.S. Army.

“By working with the Air Force, we’re laying the building blocks for a new portfolio of engines in the 100-horsepower class,” said Alec Shkolnik, Founder and CEO of LiquidPiston. “We’re excited to work with the Air Force on this program, providing logistical advantage to the warfighter. The technology being developed will have dual-use application, ultimately being scalable and adaptable to meet a spectrum of military – and soon commercial – needs.”

To view LiquidPiston’s media kit, please click here. For more information about the STRATFI program, visit afwerx.com/divisions/afventures/stratfi-tacfi.

The views expressed above are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Air Force, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.

Posted in Air Force, Power, Press Release | Comments Off on LIQUIDPISTON Hybrid Power System Technology Awarded $35M U.S. Air Force Contract

Another Order for Rheinmetall in the Field of Automated Reconnaissance Systems for Ukraine – Order in the Two-Digit Million-Euro Range

October 7th, 2023

Rheinmetall has again been awarded a contract to supply automated reconnaissance systems to Ukraine. The order was placed by the German government. Rheinmetall has again been awarded a contract to supply automated reconnaissance systems to Ukraine. The order was placed by the German government.

SurveilSpire is a drone defence system designed to reconnoitre and engage hostile drones. The reconnaissance systems include mobile surveillance towers with day and night vision camera equipment, autopiloted mini-drones and a command and control system. Transport vehicles are also included in the scope of delivery. The systems are used in particular to monitor sections of terrain with as few personnel as possible. The system can also provide a 5G network. Rheinmetall is cooperating on the project with the Estonian company DefSecIntel.

The order value is in the lower double-digit million euro range. Delivery has already begun.

Made by Estonia’s DefSecIntel, the SurveilSPIRE surveillance towers can be loaded onto trailers and quickly transported to their area of operation. Assembly requires three personnel; operation is fully automated. The system includes wireless links (4G and Starlink) for video transmission to a mobile command post. Solar panels enable sustained operation without power cables or a fuel source. The system relies on autopiloted reconnaissance drones that conduct patrols and mission-specific flights. This enables inspection of detected threats and lets the operator initiate necessary countermeasures.
Rheinmetall is already taking part in several projects in support of Ukraine. These include deliveries of Marder infantry fighting vehicles, ammunition of various calibres, field hospitals, military trucks and, soon, a LUNA Next Generation reconnaissance system. Furthermore, Rheinmetall is a partner in multiple multilateral “Ringtausch” transactions. This procedure, developed by the German government, is designed to support the Ukrainian war effort in cooperation with Germany’s European neighbours and NATO partners. Here, NATO member nations transfer Soviet-era equipment to Ukraine in exchange for surplus Western-made systems.

Posted in Contracts, International, ISR, Press Release | Comments Off on Another Order for Rheinmetall in the Field of Automated Reconnaissance Systems for Ukraine – Order in the Two-Digit Million-Euro Range