Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

Rheinmetall MAN Contracted for Delivery of 48 HX 8×8 Protected Military Trucks for Swedish Archer Artillery System

May 25th, 2024

Rheinmetall has been contracted by the Swedish company BAE Systems Bofors AB to deliver 48 all-terrain HX Cab Chassis with protected cabins. The highly mobile 8×8 military vehicles from Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles (RMMV) will serve as carriers for the Swedish Armed Forces’ Archer artillery systems. The contract, which was concluded in March 2024, has a volume of around €71 million. Deliveries are foreseen to start in the third quarter of 2024 and to be completed by the end of 2027.

Besides the vehicles the order also includes additional service and maintenance scope. The robust HX vehicles are specially adapted to the requirements of a 155mm wheeled howitzer, for example to withstand the pressure wave when firing, and provide the operator with the highest level of off-road mobility. The particular hardened Rheinmetall integrated armoured cabin contributes significantly to the protection of the crew during deployment in high-risk scenarios. This contract constitutes the first series integration of Archer system on the HX truck family.

The integration of the system is done by BAE Systems Bofors AB. The Archer wheeled artillery system is currently being used by the Swedish Armed Forces on a 6×6 platform, which will now be replaced by the new HX-8×8 systems.

High-mobility trucks from RMMV’s HX2 series are already in service with the Swedish armed forces in large numbers – as logistics trucks and as carrier vehicles for the Patriot air defence missile system, for example. Thanks to the ‘family concept’ of the HX vehicle family, the new artillery system can be seamlessly integrated into the existing logistics of the Swedish armed forces.

With the current order, Rheinmetall is making a further contribution to increasing interoperability within NATO. Vehicles of the HX family have been introduced in a growing number of armed forces of the defence alliance and allied nations. In addition to Sweden, other nations such as Germany, Great Britain, Australia, Denmark, Austria and Norway are also using HX military trucks in large numbers and in various configurations. The use of similar systems offers synergy potential in the areas of training, deployment, maintenance and repair.

Posted in Contracts, Mobility, Press Release | Comments Off on Rheinmetall MAN Contracted for Delivery of 48 HX 8×8 Protected Military Trucks for Swedish Archer Artillery System

Crye Precision – SMOC

May 25th, 2024

Crye Precision’s much anticipated Special Missions Operations Coat (SMOC) is finally available.

Here you can see it in Ranger Green, in a photo taken during SOF Week earlier this month in Tampa, next to something special we’ll be discussing next week in Canada.

Right up front, many are going to suffer serious sticker shock. The SMOC retails for $736.90. Yes, it’s expensive, but a lot of work goes into making each one; 231 steps taking up a whopping 546 minutes for each coat, to be exact. Consider this, the Combat Pant, which is a very complicated piece of clothing itself, takes only 94 steps to manufacture.

All of that work results in a lot of features. In addition to mesh lined underarm ventilation, you also get thumb loop cuffs, a roll-up hood, shock cords at the hem and waist, and a crotch strap to prevent riding up.

There are also pockets galore: at the chest, biceps, all along the hem, and handwarmer pockets. Additionally, the elbows accept Airflex field knee pads.

A very cool feature is the premiere of Crye’s field expedient button which is shaped to manipulate while wearing handwear and can be easily replaced if broken.

As far as sizing goes, these are already oversized so don’t size up. I generally wear a US issue / CP Large top and I tried a size Medium on at SOF Week and had room. Having said that, SMOC is available in sizes XSmall – 3XLarge.

Currently offered in MultiCam and Ranger Green. I know there’s been some talk of a Black version as well. My vote is for Grey but with something this specialized, it will never happen unless there is a very sizable Special Make Up order.

I own a lot of Smocks and I’m really looking forward to getting this one.

Get yours at www.cryeprecision.com/SMOC

Posted in Advertiser, Clothing | 9 Comments »

U.S. Marines and Canadian Soldiers Plan to Defend Against Cyber Attacks

May 25th, 2024

Montreal — U.S. Marines assigned to Defensive Cyberspace Operations-Internal Defensive Measures, Alpha Company, participated in joint training exercise Cyber Harmony 2024, with partner nation service members from the Canadian Army at the Royal Montreal Regiment, Quebec, April 27-28, 2024. Cyber Harmony is a force against force training event against simulated nations launching cyber-attacks at one another.

The role of DCO-IDM is to employ a set of protocols and strategies to protect and defend U.S. military networks, systems and information from unauthorized access, manipulation, or destruction by cyberspace hackers. Some of these measures include constant network monitoring, access control, encryption of these networks or sensitive data and regularly schedule security audits.

The goal of Cyber Harmony was for DCO-IDM to employ, maintain, and improve cyber capabilities and act as Defensive Cyberspace Operators. The exercise ushered Marines and joint NATO allies’ defensive cyber capabilities towards their training objectives via a digital capture the flag simulation.

This ensures readiness and adaptability to sudden cyber threats that may emerge as technology becomes more and more relevant every day.

“It strengthens our abilities by giving us a chance to work with our NATO partners in simulated cyber-attack scenarios and use tools we don’t usually use,” said Sgt. Justin B. Bryant, a cyberspace warfare officer attached to DCO-IDM, Alpha Company.

The exercise consisted of challenges presented on a web server that represented real-world systems. Each team was responsible for discovering vulnerabilities in the systems’ security and once accomplished, a flag would appear for them to “capture,” earning them points.

“We have servers and computers on different networks that are actively being attacked,” said Bryant. “Our job here is to utilize the toolset that has been provided to us to detect intrusions and neutralize any threats.”

The Marines served a multitude of jobs, including basic cyber operator and networking chief, –all with the goal of securing a more stable cyber security network for the U.S.

“The Marines that participated in Cyber Harmony 2024 will be leaving with an excellent example of what a real network attack on a protected system could look like,” said Bryant.

The Marine Corps Reserve provides trained units and individual Marines to augment and reinforce active forces for employment across the full spectrum of crisis and global engagement.

“In the world we live in today, technology is embedded in our society and dictates a huge aspect of everyday life,” said Bryant. “It is our responsibility to protect those systems and secure our data so that we may continue our way of life.”

Story by LCpl Juan Diaz

Marine Forces Reserve (MARFORRES)

Posted in Cyber, Guest Post, International | Comments Off on U.S. Marines and Canadian Soldiers Plan to Defend Against Cyber Attacks

Rheinmetall Automecanica SRL: Kick-off for Strategic Presence on NATO’s Eastern Flank in Romania

May 24th, 2024

During a Welcome Day at the Medias site, the new Romanian vehicle manufacturer Rheinmetall Automecanica SRL presented itself to the workforce and representatives from politics, business, the armed forces and the media. The Romanian Minister of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism, Stefan-Radu Oprea, also took part in the event.

Rheinmetall, a leading manufacturer of military vehicles in Europe, recently completed the investment announced in February 2024 as the majority shareholder in two companies of the Romanian vehicle manufacturer Automecanica Media. The acquisition became effective on 1 May 2024 once the relevant official approvals had been obtained. The new company, of which the Duesseldorf-based group now holds 72.5% of the shares via Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH, will now operate under the name Rheinmetall Automecanica SRL.

With Rheinmetall Automecanica SRL, Rheinmetall is furthermore expanding its global vehicle production network, which already has locations in Canada, the USA, Australia, the UK, Austria, the Netherlands, the Ukraine and Germany. This will also significantly increase the production and maintenance capacities. Rheinmetall is hence continuing to strengthen its strategic presence in Central Europe and is tapping into considerable sales growth and new, promising customer countries in the region. Rheinmetall is now also present in Hungary and Lithuania with locations in the eastern NATO alliance area.

Dr Bjoern Bernhard, Managing Director of Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH: “Rheinmetall Automecanica SRL will contribute to further strengthening the defence capabilities of the EU and NATO on the eastern flank. We are ready to support the Romanian customer in future programmes – be it in the vehicle sector or with other technologies from our company. We look forward to involving local partners and strengthening the domestic economy in Romania.”

Dr Nick Stirban, Managing Director of Rheinmetall Automecanica SRL, adds: “This is a historic day that not only bolsters Automecanica as Rheinmetall Automecanica SRL, but also strengthens Romania and proves that it can have a powerful and profitable defence industry.”

Rheinmetall believes that the new acquisition has an annual sales potential of up to €300m in the mid-term and expects incoming orders in the triple-digit million Euro range as early as within the 2024 financial year.

The Medias site, centrally located in the Romanian region of Transylvania, guarantees the armed forces on NATO’s eastern flank shorter response times and larger security in the supply chain. In addition to the repair of logistical vehicles, undercarriages for the Romanian armed forces’ anti-aircraft weapons shall also be serviced here in future.

At the same time, Rheinmetall is expanding its product portfolio in military vehicle construction with this step. Truck bodies, trailers and other special vehicles developed and produced by Automecanica complete the range of logistical trucks with which Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles (RMMV) is successful in global markets.

Automecanica Medias has already been an efficient partner of the Romanian armed forces.

Rheinmetall’s cooperation with Automecanica was established in 2022, when both partners agreed to operate a maintenance centre for military vehicles in Satu Mare.

Posted in Industry, International, Press Release | Comments Off on Rheinmetall Automecanica SRL: Kick-off for Strategic Presence on NATO’s Eastern Flank in Romania

Milrem Robotics Expands Its Production Capability Fivefold

May 24th, 2024

Tallinn, Estonia – 23 May 2024: Milrem Robotics, the world’s leading robotics and autonomous systems developer, has expanded its production capability fivefold by opening a new facility that allows the company to satisfy the growing need for intelligent robotics solutions by end-users.

The new facility next to Milrem Robotics’ headquarters in Tallinn, Estonia, allows the company to manufacture 500 units of its operationally proven, multi-mission THeMIS Unmanned Ground Vehicle yearly.

The THeMIS is already part of robotics programs in 18 different countries internationally, eight of which are members of NATO, including Estonia, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, the UK, and the US. THeMIS UGVs are also assisting Ukrainian soldiers in the war with Russia.

“Many end-users, satisfied with the results of testing the robotic vehicles, are preparing to launch high-quantity procurements. With the opening of our new facility, we are better prepared to answer these calls,” explained Kuldar Väärsi, CEO of Milrem Robotics. “Also, the growing use of UGVs in Ukraine shows a clear focus and importance of unmanned ground systems,” he added.

In addition to production, Milrem Robotics will also expand its prototyping facilities to speed up the development of new products in the company’s growing portfolio. An extra 1000 square meters of office space has also been added.

“Unlike other technology companies who announced layoffs during 2023, Milrem Robotics is continuing to grow this year and hiring 100 new employees, mostly in Europe,” Väärsi added.

Additionally, the expansion is estimated to indirectly generate further positions with high-technology partners and suppliers, contributing to developing the local talent pool and economy.

“The expansion of the Estonian defence industry is beneficial from both a security and economic perspective,” said Kusti Salm, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Defence of Estonia.

“For many years, Estonia’s defence industry policy has aimed to develop a high-tech defence industry that can be competitive in export markets. Milrem Robotics is a good example of how a defence industry start-up has grown in 10 years into a large and innovative industrial company, in Estonian terms, with a wide international customer base that can include a wide range of Estonian subcontractors, engineers and specialists in its network. The creation of such companies – and others that have been established in recent years – is a sign of the maturity of the Estonian defence industry and the potential to contribute more to national defence and economic development,” Salm said.

Milrem Robotics is the world’s leading robotics and autonomous systems developer and systems integrator, with offices in Estonia, Finland, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the US. The company is known for its THeMIS and Multiscope UGVs, the Type-X Robotic Combat Vehicle, and MIFIK.

The company is also renowned for successfully completing the European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP) project iMUGS, which focused on developing a modular and scalable architecture for hybrid manned-unmanned systems.

Posted in Industry, International, Press Release, Robotics | Comments Off on Milrem Robotics Expands Its Production Capability Fivefold

Spiritus Systems – The Hook

May 24th, 2024

The Hook is a simple method of attaching items like gloves, chem light bundles, or other accessories securely where you want them.

The Hook is designed to be integrated in with a variety of platforms as long as they have hook and loop surface.

www.spiritussystems.com/hook

Posted in Advertiser, Load Carrying | 1 Comment »

WTF Offering Solution Dyed, Coreless 550 Paracord

May 24th, 2024

WTF is excited to offer coreless, Berry & NIR compliant 550 paracord. WTF’s paracord is made in the USA with solution dyed, INVISTA CORDURA® TRUELOCK™ yarn. Solution dyed, as opposed to piece dyed, nylon yarn is inherently NIR compliant. Excellent for zipper pulls, harness rigging, lacing, and more. Because it is coreless, it’s more like a flat tubular webbing approx 2mm x 5mm as shown in the product pictures.

A coreless cord meters more consistently in automatic strip cutters and drastically reduces touch labor associated with gutting and heat sealing secondary ops.

Is it milspec? Because PIA-C-5040 does not allow for solution dyed yarn, we can’t call this milspec. This is otherwise made to as near milspec / PIA-C-5040 (superseding MIL-C-5040H) as possible. If we didn’t use solution dyed yarn, it would be milspec. In an ongoing effort for signature reduction, we chose solution dyed yarn for NIR compliance.

Not for life support or load bearing applications. wtfidea.com

Posted in Advertiser, Guest Post, Materials | 2 Comments »

FirstSpear Friday Focus: Remembrance

May 24th, 2024

As Memorial Day approaches on Monday, we at FS take time to reflect on the sacrifice’s on behalf of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. The price of freedom isn’t free.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

Posted in Advertiser, FS Friday Focus, Guest Post, Memorial | Comments Off on FirstSpear Friday Focus: Remembrance