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13 Aug 24. 330 Exhibitors registered for DVD: https://www.theevent.co.uk/exhibitor/exhibitor-list/
15 Aug 24. The Polish Armaments Agency has ordered the first batch of 28 LOTR light armoured reconnaissance vehicles from AMZ Kutno. The Polish Armaments Agency (AA), representing the State Treasury, ordered 28 LOTR 4×4 light armoured reconnaissance vehicles from AMZ Kutno on 14 August, the Ministry of National Defence (MND) and AA announced on their websites later the same day. The MND and AA valued the implementation agreement at PLN800 million (USD206 million), including a logistics and training package, with deliveries planned for 2026–28. It was the first implementation agreement of the framework agreement signed on 28 February for the delivery of 286 LOTR vehicles from 2026 to 2035 under the Kleszcz (Tick) programme to replace the Polish army’s BRDM-2 armoured reconnaissance vehicles. The LOTR was developed under an agreement between Poland’s National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR) and a consortium led by AMZ Kutno that includes the country’s Military Communications Institute, Military Institute of Armament Technology, and Military Institute of Chemistry and Radiometry. Based on the Bóbr (Beaver) armoured personnel carrier, the LOTR will equip Polish army reconnaissance units and is designed to reconnoitre the battlefield and process and transfer the data collected in encrypted form for the preparation and conduct of operations in all weather conditions 24 hours a day. It carries a reconnaissance team consisting of five scouts and is equipped with a tactical battlefield reconnaissance radar and electro-optical and communication systems. The latter allows it to communicate simultaneously with other LOTR vehicles, helicopters, and higher command levels up to the battalion, according to the AA. (Source: Janes)
13 Aug 24. The US Army’s DEVCOM and Clemson University unveiled today a new semi-autonomous, optionally piloted ground rescue vehicle dubbed Deep Orange 15.
Designed to be a high-speed, off-road platform, the futuristic-looking vehicle is on display here at the 16th Annual Ground Vehicle Systems Engineering & Technology Symposium (GVSETS) in Novi, Michigan.
The platform was built under Clemson’s Deep Orange program, which supports the Army’s efforts to advance and deepen the use of autonomous, uncrewed and optionally manned ground platforms – an area in which they’ve run into a few glitches recently.
“We are providing this vehicle basically to the Army so they can use it as a research platform, collect data on various terrains, run on the rocks, in the desert sections,” Aniruddha Joshi, power train systems and controls engineer and engineering project manager in the Deep Orange 15 team told Breaking Defense. “That data will be helpful for them to build their next-generation vehicles”.
The system was developed in 18 months for deployment in challenging environments to perform disaster relief and off-road terrain rescue missions. It features artificial intelligence (AI) motor assistance, semi-active suspension, and specialized SAR capabilities, according to a Clemson University’s press release
Deep Orange 15 is also fitted with four individual motors, which run its four individual wheels. Connected with the generators, its diesel engine generates energy and provides it to the battery.
According to Joshi, the vehicle’s Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) system provides high-resolution 3D spatial data for detecting obstacles, identifying terrain features, and creating detailed maps.
In the previous GVSETS edition, in 2023, the Army and Clemson showcased Deep Orange 14, a tracked vehicle engineered for deployment in urban reconnaissance and natural disaster relief missions in addition to navigating on unknown and challenging terrains.
Joshi explained that the newest platform provides advanced capabilities compared to the Deep Orange 14 and can autonomously travel from the starting point to where the rescue situation is and then return.
“The autonomy sensors, LiDAR, and cameras are helping to map the environment. So, from point A to point B, all the waypoints will be collected and then the path will be traced back by the vehicle. It will drive itself back with the patients in the back”, he remarked.
The platform already passed through a three-week trial in Clemson’s facilities in which its powertrain and mobility were tested. The coming phases of the program will involve additional tests as well as maneuverability improvements.
“The next steps are to build on top of the software of the vehicle because hardware is pretty much done, and get the vehicle to the actual off-road track to evaluate all its performance,” Joshi added. Then, he said, it’s off to the Army in a matter of month/
(Source: Breaking Defense.com)
14 Aug 24. Henkel brands joining forces at DVD 2024. Renowned adhesive specialists LOCTITE® and TEROSON® are set to make a significant impact at the upcoming DVD2024 show at UTAC Millbrook. Taking place on September 18th – 19th, brand owner Henkel will reinforce LOCTITE’s quality and dependability and establish TEROSON as the go-to brand in vehicle repair and maintenance by introducing its’ rebuild, replace, and repair capabilities to field engineers responsible for the maintenance of military vehicles.
Already a success in the automotive sector, TEROSON will be introducing its’ rebuild, replace, and repair capabilities to field engineers responsible for the maintenance of military vehicles. TEROSON’s repair pocket guide leverages decades of expertise to help end users better understand its capabilities.
Not only do TEROSON adhesives increase productivity, but the best-in-class adhesives allow engineers to restore vehicles damaged in the field back to the original manufacturers finish. Ensuring they are road ready and in optimal condition.
In addition to showcasing the vast product range of both brands, LOCTITE and TEROSON aim to engage with attendees to organise visits to military barracks for in-person training. The training sessions for engineers include demonstrations on the practical application of Henkel products, ensuring that military personnel are well-versed in the latest repair technologies to maintain vehicles in peak condition. It is more than just academic learning, however. Attendees to the training will get hands on with LOCTITE and TEROSON product to practice the application of them.
Building on its strong relationship in the defence industry, Henkel is keen to progress the listing of its products with the Ministry of Defence (MOD). Achieving this status will streamline the procurement process, allowing the MOD to order LOCTITE and TEROSON products as needed.
George Hickey, Market & Customer Activation Manager at Henkel commented: “We are excited to present both LOCTITE and TEROSON at DVD2024. Our focus is on providing innovative and reliable solutions that enhance the maintenance and repair processes of military vehicles. By showcasing our products, we aim to support Armed Forces engineers in their critical work and establish strong, lasting partnerships.”
08 Aug 24. Thales showcases Bushmaster to Czech defence officials. Thales Australia hope to build on the Bushmaster’s minimal presence in Europe with Czechia a potential suitor for the armoured 4×4.. Thales Australia demonstrated the capability of the Bushmaster armoured vehicle to Czech Ministry of Defence officials, according to an update from the multinational company on 6 August 2024.
Supported by indigenous Czech supplier VOP CZ and Thales Australia personnel, attendees observed the Bushmaster’s manoeuvrability at the VOP test track, as well as its payload and passenger configurations.
Bushmaster is a 4×4 armoured vehicle that has been deployed in Afghanistan with the Australian Army. Thales Australia (formerly ADI) developed the platform and it remains in full production at Thales’s protected mobility systems manufacturing facility at Bendigo, Victoria.
Toward the end of last month, the supplier confirmed it would build 15 additional vehicles for the Australian Army’s command and control of the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) long-range fires regiment.
Currently, the Thales parent company states that there are more than 1,200 Bushmasters in service across nine defence forces, from Australia, Fiji, Indonesia, Jamaica, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Ukraine and the UK.
Thales Australia hopes to consolidate the Bushmaster’s European presence with Czechia beyond what little presence it has among Australia’s vehicle donations to Ukraine and while the UK operates only a handful of vehicles. The only committed European customer is the Netherlands, with 106 Bushmasters and four more Medical evacuation variant units.
“In the future, we would like to become the centre of delivery and support for Bushmaster vehicles in the Central and Eastern European region,” said the interim director of VOP CZ, Martin Sturala.
“Thanks to this important project, we would also increase our workforce in areas of production, service and development, which is a real opportunity for our region and a promise of work for the future. (Source: army-technology.com)
09 Aug 24. British Army’s Ajax proves 40mm main gun in mobility firing trials. The Ajax AFV is undergoing a series of trials to prove its mobility and lethality capabilities, most recently completing firing-on-the-move exercises, according to DE&S. The British Army’s future Ajax armoured fighting vehicle (AFV) has completed its first firing on the move exercise in the UK, using military crews, the previous firing trials were with GDUK crews, according to the UK Ministry of Defence’s Defence
In an 8 August 2024, post on social media, DE&S stated that the Ajax AFV had conducting on-the-move firings of its 40mm main gun following earlier cold weather trials in Sweden, as the type continues a series of trials ahead of future entry into service.
A distinct difference of the Ajax platform compared to the Warrior IFV it will in part replace is the use of the CTA International 40mm main gun, which is stabilised to enable firing on the move. The Warrior uses the unstabilised 20mm Rarden cannon, a significant disadvantage in the mobility-driven doctrine of today’s modern battlespace.
The Warrior would have seen the benefit of the CTA International 40mm main gun had its Capability Sustainment Programme (CSP) been completed, which would have been integrated into a new turret. However, the Warrior CSP was cancelled in 2021.
Although it was not disclosed where the Ajax mobility firing trials took place, on 8 August QinetiQ stated that it had welcomed a senior DE&S and British Army delegation, including Major General Lizzie Faithfull-Davies (Director Land Equipment), at its Hurn Proving Ground to observe “several trials”.
The British Army’s Ajax armoured cavalry programme will not reach its initial operating capability (IOC) until December 2025, according to a timeline released on 22 July by the UK government.
By January 2024, more than six months had passed since the last of the 44 units delivered in June 2023 had been handed over, as crews continued familiarisation with the platform.
According to a UK Parliament report published in March 2023, the UK MoD had a firm price contract of £5.5bn ($6.9bn) with GDUK to deliver 589 vehicles. It is understood that IOC is achieved once 50 units of the 589 total have been delivered, which will see 27 used by a deployable squadron, with the remaining 23 utilised by the British Army for crew and maintainer training.
In January 2024 it was disclosed that 152 Ajax programme vehicles had been built, representing just over 25% of the planned total fleet number. The latest standard of the vehicle, known as Capability Drop 3, had been accepted” by the UK Ministry of Defence, with deliveries reported to be “on track” to achieve IOC.
The Ajax AFV has been put through a number of trials, but is yet to enter IOC. Credit: UK MoD/Crown copyright
The Ajax programme had been halted in 2021 due to excessive vibration and noise leaving crews in need of medical attention, entering Reliability Growth Trails at the start of 2023.
According to official UK data it was revealed that personnel operating Ajax in Reliability Growth Trials were using “dual layer” headsets, comprising of the in-service Crewguard Mk2 headset and the Communications Ear Piece inner headset.
In total the programme is intended to deliver the platforms across six variants, incorporating the Ajax infantry fighting vehicle, Apollo armoured recovery vehicle, Ares armoured personnel carrier, Argus reconnaissance vehicle, Athena command post vehicle, and Atlas engineering vehicle into British Army service. (Source: army-technology.com)
14 Aug 24. Ford Pickups Could Get Resilient UAV Landing Platforms.
Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for resilient UAV landing platforms that may be used in future Ford pickups, Ford Authority has learned.
The patent was filed on February 8th, 2023, published on August 8th, 2024, and assigned serial number 0262546.
The Ford Authority Take
Ford clearly sees unmanned aerial vehicles – or UAVs for short – as a potentially useful compliment to its future vehicles, as the automaker has filed a number of patents outlining ways it may utilize drones or similar aerial models in recent years. That list includes ideas for a moonroof docking system for UAVs, as well as a more traditional type of landing platform. Now, this newly published patent presents us with an idea for a resilient UAV landing platform that may be used in future Ford pickups, specifically.
The reason Ford continues to explore different types of landing pads for UAVs is quite simple – drones face a number of difficulties when trying to take off and land, including wind and other environmental factors, and many are also simply not rugged enough to be able to withstand harder landings. Thus, Ford proposes using a special kind of landing platform that would be mounted on the roof or in the bed of a pickup.
That special platform would use “protuberances” arranged on a base plate that are designed to compensate for hard landings and protect the drone, which wouldn’t necessarily be the case with a traditional flat platform. This could help prevent damage to the drone, and make it possible for users to easily land one in more rugged conditions as well – such as when off-roading, as Ford points out in the patent. (Source: UAS VISION/Ford Authority)
12 Aug 24. Support for Ukraine: Second ring swap with the Czech Republic – Rheinmetall to supply further main battle tanks and armoured recovery vehicles. Rheinmetall has once again been commissioned to supply main battle tanks and armoured recovery vehicles to the Czech Republic as part of a ring swap process commissioned by the German government to support Ukraine. An agreement to this effect was signed at the end of July 2024 in Prague between representatives of both countries and Rheinmetall. The order value is in the low three-digit m euro range. The Czech armed forces will be receiving 14 Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks and one Buffalo armoured recovery vehicle from Rheinmetall. In turn, the Czech military will be transferring military equipment to Ukraine. The first vehicle is due to be shipped to the Czech Republic at the end of 2024, the rest of the tanks will be delivered till the end of April 2025 and delivery of ARV 3 Buffalo will be completed by the beginning of 2026. As was already the case in the first ring swap with the Czech Republic in October 2022, Rheinmetall negotiated the necessary contracts in close cooperation with the German Federal Ministry of Defence and the Czech authorities and armed forces within a short period of time. Work on the vehicles has also already begun. The property of Rheinmetall, the vehicles now being made available are upgraded Leopard 2A4 MBTs formerly in the inventories of various user states. The state-of-the-art ARV 3 Buffalo armoured recovery vehicle is mounted on an enhanced Leopard 2 chassis. The “Ringtausch” (“ring swap”) is a procedure developed by the German government in cooperation with Germany’s neighbours and NATO allies to support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. Specifically, NATO member states are providing Ukraine with Soviet-era heavy equipment in exchange for readily available Western military systems.
09 Aug 24. The Future of Brazilian Military Vehicle Under Construction. Thinking Positively. The MILITARY vehicle sector is at a time of transformation, demanding a reassessment of its fundamentals, following the example of the evolution of the automobile industry in current times.
The old development model, based on gradual increments, no longer meets the demands of a volatile and rapidly changing geopolitical scenario. This reality is particularly relevant for Brazil, which seeks to strengthen its national defense industry and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers.
In this context, the role of the Ministry of Defense and, in particular, the Brazilian Army, as strategic actors in promoting innovation and the development of cutting-edge technologies, becomes increasingly crucial.
To successfully navigate this ever-changing landscape, uncovering the factors that will shape the future is essential. The threats and conflicts of the 21st century require a new generation of defense vehicles that are more intelligent, agile, resilient and lethal.
Brazil, with its vast territorial extension and strategic natural resources, needs to invest in innovative solutions to guarantee the protection of its borders, the fight against organized crime and the assertion of its sovereignty.
The Brazilian Army, in turn, needs to be prepared to operate in different theaters of operations, from the dense Amazon forest to complex urban environments, demanding versatile vehicles with a high level of technology.
It is necessary to understand which emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligen. (Source: Paulo Dominonni via LinkedIn)
09 Aug 24. GM Defense is teaming with NP Aerospace at DVD, where attendees can experience a ride & drive at Booth OR13-SS in the Offroad Area. GM Defense will have our nine-passenger Infantry Squad Vehicle available, in addition to their Light Duty Off-Road Tactical Wheeled Vehicle, based on the Chevrolet Silverado ZR2.
09 Aug 24. DOD Needs Solutions for the Proliferation of Autonomous Vehicles, Defense Official Says. For several decades now, autonomous systems including aircraft, ground vehicles and waterborne craft have proliferated. While there hasn’t been a direct assault on a U.S. military base yet, autonomous systems remain a threat and something the Defense Department is seeking solutions for.
“If you look at the situation now, which is something easily predictable back in, I will say, two decades ago … you’re already seeing the increase in number of … unmanned systems,” said Heidi Shyu, the undersecretary of defense for research and engineering. “With that increasingly growing, exponentially worldwide, the obvious thing we have to think about is how are we going to counter that. Because we already have unmanned systems that are intruding into our installations.”
It’s not just airborne autonomous systems that are growing in numbers. Autonomous systems exist across all domains, including air, land and sea, Shyu said, during a discussion today at the National Defense Industrial Association’s 2024 Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference and Exhibition in Washington, D.C.
But inside the U.S., there are rules for how the military services can engage with those systems if they are deemed a threat – and defeating them will mean complying with those rules while at the same time working to protect both people and property.
“What we’re trying to do is figure out different rules,” she said. “We can’t really shoot it down with a missile.”
Shyu said while there are solutions being worked now, the Defense Department is interested in having industry proffer even more options for it and the military services to consider.
“We have to figure out solutions,” she said. “I think counter- is never going to die, because it’s a cat and mouse game. As soon as you figure something out, your adversary will do something different. This is going to be a growing need and … there isn’t one solution that can counter every single scenario. Therefore, you need to have an integrated solution of multiple capabilities. This is one area, which is not even classified … if you have great ideas, this is a great opportunity.”
Another area where Shyu said the Defense Department needs ideas is in contested logistics, where adversaries attempt to disrupt, destroy or defeat friendly force logistics operations.
“That means if I have to sustain your troops at the front and you have to carry food, fuel everything else to the front the battlefield,” Shyu said. “How do you deliver your products there? Contested logistics is a big issue, and it is an issue we are trying to tackle.” (Source: U.S. DoD)
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TEK Military Seating Limited
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From its inception ProTEK seats have been designed around a family of innovative seat frames onto which tested and certified modules can be fitted to create a bespoke solution for the user. These include Blast protection to Stanag 4569 standards, vibration reduction, head and body protection, seat risers and turntables, fore & aft adjustment, and seat back rake along with viable seat dimensions without the need for additional tooling costs.
Contact: Paul Fleming
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