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21 Oct 21. Rheinmetall submits BAFO for LAND 400 bid. The defence prime has upgraded its bid to supply the Australian Army with its next-generation Lynx IFVs, including a “special offer” in its final proposal for the $18.1-$27.1bn LAND 400 Phase 3 contract.
Rheinmetall Defence Australia (RDA) has submitted its Lynx Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) ‘best and final offer’ (BAFO) to the Department of Defence — the last deliverable of the two-year Risk Management Activity (RMA) in the final phase of the LAND 400 Phase 3 tender process.
The company’s offer — which is competing against Hanwha Defense Australia’s Redback IFV to replace the Australian Army’s M113 Armoured Personnel Carrier — includes a ‘special project’, yet to be unveiled to the market.
According to RDA managing director Gary Stewart the undisclosed project would “pique the interest” of both the Australian Defence Force and the international export market.
“Incorporating a great deal of engineering design and innovation, I am very much looking forward to unveiling the Rheinmetall special project,” he said.
The BAFO followed a rigorous RMA process, which Stewart has claimed “mitigated a number of risks” and “confirmed vehicle and company performance”, while also demonstrating local supply chain opportunities.
Stewart went on to tout the capability benefits of the Lynx IFV — a tracked, digitised platform, which he said offers a “step-change” in Army’s capabilities.
“Lynx sets the new standard and offers unmatched levels of survivability, mobility, lethality, knowledge and growth,” he said.
“Importantly, Lynx is ready to protect Australians in the field and defeat any adversary.”
The Lynx is fitted with Rheinmetall’s Lance turret — also used in the Boxer CRV — designed to bolster precision and lethality, while also offering an integrated battle management system.
“Designed for close combat operations, the extensive family of Lynx vehicles is modular,” Stewart continued.
“Lynx can be easily configured and reconfigured, to all 10 roles required by the Army.”
RDA’s managing director also reaffirmed the company’s commitment to achieving the Commonwealth government’s Australian industry capability (AIC) objectives through the expansion of the LAND 121 and LAND 400 Phase 2 programs.
“The Australian Army will benefit from the Lynx IFV that will be designed, built and supported from Rheinmetall’s Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence, with an expanded Australia-wide military vehicle industry network,” he said.
“In addition to the engineering of the system design Rheinmetall undertook in Australia with our key Australian partners, we are continuing to identify more Australian companies to supply technologies into Lynx, as part of our ongoing ‘design to manufacture in Australia’ activities.”
The company’s local supply chain consists of more than 100 SMEs manufacturing parts for the Lynx.
“Rheinmetall’s bid will see the Lynx sustained and enhanced locally throughout its service life, building on Rheinmetall’s existing employment base which supports hundreds of high-technology design and manufacturing jobs in fields as diverse as electro-optics, weapon systems, vehicle and turret manufacturing, armour systems and simulation,” Stewart added.
“…Manufactured at Rheinmetall’s Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence (MILVEHCOE) in Redbank, Queensland, the company will provide whole of fleet management, training and through-life support of Lynx. (Source: Defence Connect)
21 Oct 21. Pearson Engineering awards local manufacturing deal to Marand. The companies have partnered to localise the production of prototype mechanised land forces equipment. Marand Precision Engineering has been contracted by mobility and counter-mobility equipment manufacturer Pearson Engineering Limited (PEL) to produce a prototype Earth Anchor Dozer Blade in Australia. Marand has been tasked with manufacturing and assembling the unit, with the first to be delivered and mounted to Rheinmetall Defence Australia’s Lynx Combat Support Vehicle (CSV). The dozing and vehicle anchoring blade is designed to hold a vehicle static to provide a platform for winching operations across a range of conditions. By leveraging its adjustable pitch, controlled by hydraulic cylinders, the blade can be optimised as an earth anchor or as a dozer blade in accordance with operational requirements. The contract forms part of Marand’s broader partnership with RDA on the Lynx KF41 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV), proposed for selection under the Commonwealth government’s $18.1-$27.1bn LAND 400 Phase 3 project.
“Having an established and well-recognised pedigree in fabrication and manufacturing put Marand on a very reliable and solid footing for seamless and on-time delivery for Pearson Engineering, as part of its supply arrangement with Rheinmetall,” Marand Precision Engineering CEO Rohan Stocker said.
“It also complements other packages of work that Marand will deliver to Rheinmetall under an ongoing supply partnership.”
Marand conducts its manufacturing operations in Melbourne and Geelong, offering its services to the defence, aerospace, rail, automotive and mining sectors.
The firm’s customer base includes Lockheed Martin, Boeing, BAE Systems, BHP and Rio Tinto. (Source: Defence Connect)
21 Oct 21. Rheinmetall submits Lynx Infantry Fighting Vehicle Best and Final Offer for Land 400 Phase 3 in Australia showcasing Leading Capability and Sovereign Military Industrial Growth. Rheinmetall, the largest supplier of military vehicles to the Australian Defence Force has submitted the company’s Lynx Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) best and final offer for the Australian Department of Defence Land 400 Phase 3 Mounted Close Combat Capability tender. Rheinmetall is one of two competing companies involved in the tender for this procurement project.
Rheinmetall Defence Australia Managing Director, Gary Stewart said the Lynx is a next generation tracked, digitised and highly protected Infantry Fighting Vehicle and offers a step-change in Army’s capabilities.
“Lynx sets the new standard and offers unmatched levels of survivability, mobility, lethality, knowledge and growth. Importantly, Lynx is ready to protect Australians in the field and defeat any adversary. Lynx is fitted with the Rheinmetall Lance turret for precise and lethal effects and offers an integrated battle management system.
“Designed for close combat operations, the extensive family of Lynx vehicles is modular. Lynx can be easily configured and reconfigured, to all 10 roles required by the Army.
Rheinmetall has developed the Lynx with a growth path to meet continually evolving military needs throughout its anticipated 40 year life. Submitting the best and final offer represents the final deliverable of the two year Risk Management Activity (RMA) undertaken by the Department of Defence. Involving 12 months of rigorous testing by Army, Rheinmetall has been impressed with the professional and flexible approach taken by Defence in response to COVID.
“The fact that Army and Defence’s Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group has completed perhaps the most comprehensive testing in the world of these IFVs is outstanding” said Mr Stewart.
“The testing and associated working group discussions have mitigated a number of risks, confirmed vehicle and company performance, and improved the access for more Australian companies to be involved in this program.
Mr. Stewart said that the company’s offer also included a “special project” that was sure to pique the interest of not only the Australian Defence Force, but international export markets as well.
“Incorporating a great deal of engineering design and innovation, I am very much looking forward to unveiling the Rheinmetall special project”, he added.
Mr. Stewart said that Rheinmetall’s demonstrated commitment to Australian Industry Capability (AIC) through the Land 121 and Land 400 Phase 2 programs will continue to expand for the Lynx program.
“The Australian Army will benefit from the Lynx IFV that will be designed, built and supported from Rheinmetall’s Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence, with an expanded Australia-wide military vehicle industry network.
“In addition to the engineering of the system design Rheinmetall undertook in Australia with our key Australian partners, we are continuing to identify more Australian companies to supply technologies into Lynx, as part of our ongoing ‘design to manufacture in Australia’ activities.
“Today, we have well in excess of 100 small to medium enterprises that are manufacturing parts for Lynx, thereby providing employment and economic growth opportunities across regional and capital cities in Australia,” Mr. Stewart added. “Rheinmetall’s bid will see the Lynx sustained and enhanced locally throughout its service life, building on Rheinmetall’s existing employment base which supports hundreds of high-technology design and manufacturing jobs in fields as diverse as electro-optics, weapon systems, vehicle and turret manufacturing, armour systems and simulation.
“The Lynx’s Lance turret; already in manufacture for the Australian Boxer CRV program and an export customer, provides high degrees of commonality and interoperability for the soldier. Allowing rapid transition across platforms, a common L turret would simplify Army’s training system and reduce in-service support costs, providing the customer with tangible benefits from day one. “Manufactured at Rheinmetall’s Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence (MILVEHCOE) in Redbank, Queensland, the company will provide whole of fleet management, training and through-life support of Lynx.
19 Oct 21. Add-on armour now available for Mbombe 4. Paramount Group has announced that new add-on armour has been developed for its Mbombe 4 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV), pushing it up to full NATO Stanag 4569 Level 3 ballistic protection. Designed to be quickly replaceable in the field, the add-on armour provides a lightweight shielding system that adds the least possible weight to the vehicle while providing maximum security against multi-hit ballistic threats, artillery shell fragments, and close proximity IED explosions, Paramount said. The design includes the same full levels of protection for the engine and engine bay, without decreasing the effectiveness of the engine cooling system.
The Mbombe 4 received its final certification after successfully completing a series of certified blast tests designed and executed by the Landward Sciences division of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). In the case of the Mbombe 4, blast tests included two 10 kg TNT explosions under the wheels and the hull, and one 50 kg side blast test carried out at a 5 metre distance to simulate an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), equating to STANAG 4569 Level 4a and Level 4b mine and blast certification.
Paramount said the Mbombe 4 was designed and developed specifically for local manufacturing within customer countries and in response to the increasing requirement from governments for the development of their own defence industrial capabilities. The vehicle was first launched onto the global market in 2019. Since then it has successfully completed a series of trials with several armed forces around the world, securing orders from the United Arab Emirates and a partnership with India’s Bharat Forge for the in-country production of its localised variant, the Kalyani M4, for the Indian Army. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
19 Oct 21. Uganda commissions new infantry fighting vehicle. The Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) has commissioned the locally manufactured Chui (Leopard) infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), which is based on Twiga’s recently launched Nyati but incorporating elements required by the Land Forces of the UPDF. The Chui was commissioned by President Yoweri Museveni, Commander-in-Chief of the UPDF, during a function at State House in Entebbe on 18 October. According to Land Forces commander, Lieutenant General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the new vehicle is manufactured in Uganda by the Armoured Vehicle Manufacturing and Assembly Facility in Maga Maga, near Jinja, which has also manufactured the Nyoka armoured personnel carrier and Nyoka weapons platform.
The Chui IFV requirement came from Impala Services and Logistics Limited, a Uganda defence company, to which Twiga Services and Logistics proposed a variant of the Nyati armoured personnel carrier (APC), which was unveiled by Twiga in August this year.
Uganda’s variant of the Nyati is designed to meet the harsh conditions of Eastern and Central Africa. The Chui variant is being built in Uganda under a technology transfer agreement to further contribute to the growth of the country’s defence industry. Variants of the Chui include a mortar platform, recoilless gun platform and battle field ambulance.
Twiga began development of the Nyati at the end of 2018, partly as an in-house project to meet the requirements of a modern 4×4 infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) using South African battle experience, and partly for a potential export customer. Vehicle trials began in early 2019 and testing and evaluation was completed in early 2021, with production from mid-year.
Damian de Lange, CEO of Twiga, said the Nyati stands out as a modern, powerful 4×4 Infantry Fighting vehicle that is standard STANAG Level 2 protected. The main components provide reliability, maintainability and support into the future which is key and the pricing of the Nyati is very competitive. An added advantage is that the Nyati has been designed and developed to enable the Transfer of Technology.
“The fact that a tried and tested African fighting force has carefully selected our latest armoured vehicle for their local manufacture and battlefield use is an indication of the value that is placed on South African defence industry capabilities. It is these small contributions that we wish would be supported by our government,” said de Lange. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
18 Oct 21. Rheinmetall unveils locally-built Lynx variant. Rheinmetall has unveiled the Lynx Combat Support Vehicle (CSV) at its Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence (MILVEHCOE) in Redbank, Queensland. The Lynx CSV — a variant of the Lynx Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV), currently under consideration for the LAND 400 Phase 3 project — is billed as the most advanced armoured vehicle ever to be designed and built locally, receiving ‘Made in Australia’ certification from the Australia Made Campaign Limited (AMCL).
Rheinmetall managing director Gary Stewart has described the Lynx CSV as a “game changer” for defence forces, providing flexibility to warfighters performing recovery, repair, manoeuvre support and support logistics.
The design similarities between the Lynx CSV and Lynx IFV are tipped to improve operational efficiency, bolstering interoperability among trained personnel.
Other features of the Lynx CSV include:
- additional onboard fuel capacity to support the refuelling of other vehicles;
- a roof top mounted crane capable of lifting more than five tonnes;
- an interchangeable power pack; and
- excavation attachments including a clam shell bucket and rock breaker.
The CSV’s modular remote weapon station can also be configured with varying weapons and ammunition systems, including 7.62mm, 12.7mm, and 40mm grenades.
According to Stewart, the locally-built Lynx CSV would be positioned for export from Australia to allied armed forces.
“The Lynx CSV was designed by Australian engineers and manufactured at MILVEHCOE using Australian steel and our industry network of more than 100 partners,” he added.
“It is uniquely Australian as a ‘work horse’ vehicle, even taking on the distinct function of a ute.”
Rheinmetall’s Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence (MILVEHCOE) is supported by 450 employees, which manufacture Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles and perform final integration of logistics trucks.
The company has employed the services of over 100 local firms, supporting a broader push to develop a sovereign military vehicle industry. (Source: Defence Connect)
15 Oct 21. Hoefyster is another Denel casualty. Denel Land Systems is main contractor for the Badger infantry combat vehicle. The sorry saga that is the new infantry combat vehicle (ICV) for the SA Army drags on with Armscor indicating “no significant progress” in its 2020/21 annual report.
The State-owned defence and security acquisition agency, operating as a State-owned enterprise (SOE) in Minister Thandi Modise’s Department of Defence and Military Veterans, notes “delays are mainly attributed to technical and financial challenges in Denel. During the reporting period, it has become clearer Denel is experiencing an increasing lack of capacity and capability and this has exacerbated delays on the programme”.
The programme, Project Hoefyster, will see the landward service of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) replace its ageing Ratel fleet, in service for over 45 years, with nearly 250 Badger ICVs.
The Armscor report has it Hoefyster originally comprised five combat variants including logistic support and ammunition with four new variants added with the approval of an acquisition plan by the Armaments Acquisition Council (AAC) on 13 February 2013. The quantity of 238 combat vehicles was increased to 244 after approval to increase advance payments. Twenty-one vehicle platforms were delivered by Patria from Finland, while the remaining vehicle platforms are produced locally by Denel Land Systems (DLS) and its sub-contractors. Turrets and weapon systems are locally developed and manufactured by DLS as prime contractor.
The development phase, according to Armscor, was to be completed as far back as May 2012. That has not yet happened and the expected new completion date is December 2023.
The report continues with a sombre overview pointing out, among others on the Ratel replacement, its successor had not reached product baseline establishment by the end of the reporting period, failing two rounds of performance tests.
“Turret, vehicle platform and level system development activities for the fire support, command, mortar and missile variants are late due to Denel prioritising completion of the section variant development. The industrialisation of vehicle assembly at Denel Vehicle Systems (DVS) has not shown any significant progress since the previous reporting period, due mainly to parts shortages as a result of non-payment of suppliers.
“Delivery of the first battalion of 88 vehicles was contractually scheduled to be completed by May 2019. This date was not achieved due to delays in development and the industrialisation process. The latest indicated delivery date for the first battalion is December 2024.”
(Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
21 Oct 21. Latest Update To IFS Cloud Adds New Functionality And Simplifies Composable Application Deployment.
- New features include ESG capabilities, Advanced Analytics and innovative user experience
- Click here for image
IFS, the global cloud enterprise applications company, today announced the latest update to IFS Cloud™, which is now generally available. IFS’s twice annual release cycle allows customers to constantly evolve their solution without the need for big upgrades or migrations, clearing their road to focus on business transformation.
The latest evolution of IFS Cloud delivers a long range of innovative, industry-specific new capabilities. For one, IFS is helping businesses collect the data needed to demonstrate their compliance and improve their performance against environmental sustainability standards—IFS Cloud Sustainability Hub is now available and integrated inside Microsoft Teams. Secondly, IFS Cloud for HCM and Talent Management solutions now provide the flexibility of using either basic or out-of-the-box functionality for recruitment, onboarding, and development of your most key resource—your people.
Available now are new APIs that connect factory machinery with IFS Cloud to deliver a connected shopfloor—this provides real-time intelligence that enables companies to better manage their supply-chain and production in line with order demands. New Intelligent Asset Monitoring and Maintenance functionality uses machine learning to improve predicative maintenance capabilities and efficiency.
The new Advanced Analytics feature that is accessible through the user-customisable Lobbies leverages modular tabular analysis models to clearly display business-critical information relevant to the user. End users can visualise their data in real, detailed graphical renderings suitable to the way they access and consume data, reducing the skills needed to make insights available to everyone.
As a market differentiator and ongoing driver for the evolution of IFS Cloud, the platform’s UX has also been updated. New branding capabilities allow the customer to integrate their own look and feel, helping to create a more engaging experience for users. Adding customisation and analytical capabilities enables users to join up data, insights, actions and transactions in one place.
Additional capabilities added to IFS Cloud include:
- The Update Studio puts customers in control of the update and cadence of functionality, allowing them to analyse the release update and understand what impact it might have on configuration or customisation, before making any changes, which is especially critical to customers in regulated industries. The Update Studio is at the heart of enabling our customers to stay evergreen.
- The Dispatch Console, which is part of IFS Cloud for Service Management, now features capabilities based on four personas of dispatchers, ranging from those that rely on a mostly automated process to those that will complete a whole process start to finish manually. IFS Cloud now gives each user profile the power to make sure they are delivering their Moment of Service™ for their customers.
IFS Chief Product Officer Christian Pedersen commented, “The updates we have built into the latest release of IFS Cloud are meaningful for our customers, both in how customers engage with the software through the UX improvements, as well as the additional functionality that has been added to help them manage and address the issues they face and the opportunities ahead of them. An example of this is the new IFS Cloud Sustainability Hub—there is no customer who does not want to improve the impact they are having on the environment and communities we all work in. Sustainability is a critical item for not only our planet, but IFS and our customers. We are continuing to see the world over, that businesses want and need to transform if they are to prosper. Therefore, having regular, meaningful updates to our platform is key to enabling customers to remain evergreen and empowered to continually drive value from their software.”
IFS is committed to delivering an ever-evolving set of solutions for customers along their transformation life-cycles—future-proofing their operations, limiting risk to their businesses, and allowing them to create increasing value to their own customers.
“We’ve been expanding our digital transformation globally with IFS’s help, and since we initiated IFS Cloud six months ago, it’s proving to be key in how we deliver on our ambitions,” said pioneer IFS customer Cimcorp’s Director of Corporate IT, Pekka Nurmi. “IFS Cloud provides a big step forward in technology and capability for us and our customers—and will continue to support our global growth strategy. The biggest value provided by IFS Cloud is the ease of use for the everyday end user—our users are excited and even our management has shown particular interest in the new user interface and functionalities.”
To find out more about the latest IFS Cloud release, visit: https://www.ifs.com/ifs-cloud/cloud-21r2/
19 Oct 21. Embraer signs MoU with Fokker Services and Fokker Techniek.
The partnership will focus on exploring opportunities in the defence, commercial and support markets.
Brazil’s Embraer has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Netherlands’ Fokker Techniek and Fokker Services to explore opportunities for joint projects.
Under the MoU signed on 18 October, the collaboration will focus on a wide range of activities in the defence, commercial and support markets.
The companies will discuss several opportunities and aim to leverage their respective experiences and capabilities in upcoming projects.
In the field of defence, Embraer, Fokker Techniek and Fokker Services will discuss C-390 Millennium transport aircraft and specific end-user requirements and future fleet support.
Embraer Services & Support president and CEO Johann Bordais said: “Fokker Techniek and Fokker Services are well-known and reputable aerospace companies with roots in building aircraft and supporting aircraft fleets worldwide.
“Their network, experience and worldwide recognised aviation tradition will be a perfect match with Embraer Services and Support. We believe together we can service our customers better with tailor-made solutions.”
Other defence opportunities that are being considered include conversion and completion of special mission and transportation aircraft.
Furthermore, the partnership is also reviewing aftermarket support topics such as programme support, logistics, repair services and all other support opportunities.
Fokker Services CEO Menzo van der Beek said: “Whether it’s the defence market with our support for the C-390 Millennium transport aircraft or any type of support or development in commercial market, we are confident that many exciting projects will arise over the coming years.”
According to work by global HR consulting firm Robert Half, cloud migration and project management experience are top of the tech list for hiring managers in 2021, with DevOps engineers, programme leads and network architects all in high demand.
But with requirements – and technology – evolving at breakneck speed, and fierce competition between enterprises to attract the best candidates, how does one secure the personnel required to thrive in a crowded market? In a similar vein, how can ambitious tech professionals ensure they are joining an employer that gives them the opportunities to grow, while also being an attractive place to work? (Source: army-technology.com)
15 Oct 21. C-46 gets new refueling approvals for TRANSCOM missions. A KC-46 Pegasus from the 97th Air Mobility Wing, assigned to the 56th Air The KC-46 has been approved to refuel all variants of the F-15 Eagle and F-16 during U.S. Transportation Command-tasked missions.
The KC-46 Pegasus is now able to refuel the Air Force’s fourth-generation fighter jets during missions for U.S. Transportation Command, expanding the service’s air refueling capacity and the capability of its newest tanker.
Air Mobility Command announced Friday the Pegasus has been approved to refuel all F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon variants during TRANSCOM-tasked missions under its third interim capability release approval.
The Air Force previously used the Pegasus’ boom to refuel F-15s and F-16s during non-TRANSCOM missions such as testing and training flights, AMC spokesman Col. Damien Pickart said. Those jets do not use drogue systems to refuel.
allow the Pegasus to take on more missions the Air Force otherwise would have had to hand off to the KC-135 Stratotanker and KC-10 Extender and lessen the burden on those older tankers, AMC said in a release.
“The KC-46 can now support 62 percent of all receiver aircraft that request air refueling support from USTRANSCOM,” said Brig. Gen. Ryan Samuelson, who is in charge of the KC-46 cross functional team, in the announcement. “This step forward accelerates the critical projection and connection warfighting requirements the Pegasus brings to the joint force, even before it’s fully operational.”
AMC Commander Gen. Mike Minihan on Wednesday signed off on the KC-46′s latest approval.
AMC last hit such a milestone in August, when the KC-46 was approved to refuel the B-52 Stratofortress, C-17 Globemaster and other Pegasus aircraft using its refueling boom.
And the first interim capability release decision in July cleared the Pegasus to refuel aircraft using its centerline drogue system.
The Air Force said it will continue to roll out additional expansions of the Pegasus’ capabilities as its ICR process unfolds, though it would not say how long it might take. The plan focuses on “establishing incremental confidence measures” that allow AMC’s commander and other senior leaders to assess how the Pegasus is doing.
The Pegasus has so far carried out more than 6,000 missions since January 2019. Over that period, it has refueled aircraft with more than 35 m pounds of fuel, and made about 26,000 boom and 1,500 drogue contacts with other aircraft.
The Pegasus has been working to resolve a series of technical problems throughout its troubled rollout. As of August, the aircraft had six Category 1 deficiencies, though the Air Force said it is working with Boeing to resolve some of these issues. (Source: Defense News)
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Contact: David Parkman
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