Sponsored by TEK Military Seating Limited
http://www.tekmilitaryseating.co.uk/
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22 Sep 21. European MGCS close to cancellation next month? Sources close to BATTLESPACE suggest that the European MGCS Main Battle tank Project is close to collapse with differing requirements emanating from Germany and France, the latter of which appears to be slanting to a lighter vehicle. The UK became an observer in MGCS in early 2021. Rheinmetall is reported to have started work on Leopard 3, with no doubt RBSL being included as a partner for any UK Requirement to replace Challenger 3.
The Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) is a project by France and Germany since 2012 to replace their currently deployed Leclerc and Leopard 2 main battle tanks (MBTs). In 2016, the program was in the concept phase which was projected to be completed by 2017. At the 2016 Eurosatory, Rheinmetall presented the MBT Advanced Technology Demonstrator on the basis of a Leopard 2A4 Evolution concept.[6] At the 2018 Eurosatory, KMW+Nexter Defense Systems (KNDS) unveiled the “European Main Battle Tank” (E-MBT), a hybrid combining the hull of a Leopard 2A7 with the lighter, two-man turret of a Leclerc. The previously independent companies KMW and Nexter intended to demonstrate that both could cooperate and jointly develop a next generation tank.
The contract for the first part of the System Architecture Definition Study was signed in May 2020 by the German armed forces’ procurement office on behalf of both nations to a consortium consisting of Rheinmetall, Nexter and KMW (KNDS),[9] with the aim of assessing different aspects of the programme such as interoperability with national systems, harmonising requirements and defining a multi-platform architecture for the future MGCS. The study is to be conducted over 18 months. The workshare during this phase is split between French and German companies. The System Architecture Definition Study is part of the Technology Demonstration Phase (TDP), which is to be completed by 2024 and is to be followed by the overall system demonstrator phase (GSDP) until 2028, after which initial production and testing is to occur.
Deployment of the new vehicles and systems is scheduled for 2035, with full operational capability to be achieved by 2040. (Source: Wikipedia)
21 Sep 21. Bundeswehr awards Rheinmetall contract to modernize Fuchs/Fox armoured NBC reconnaissance vehicle – new highly protected A8A7 configuration. Rheinmetall has been awarded a Bundeswehr contract to modernize the tried-and-tested Fuchs/Fox armoured NBC reconnaissance vehicle. A total of five A6A1 versions of the vehicle will be upgraded to the new highly protected A8A7 configuration. The Bundeswehr will thus have at its disposal an NBC reconnaissance and analysis capability that is a match for modern operational threats. Work begins in September 2021 and is expected to be complete by July 2024. The first vehicles are due to be transferred to the German military starting in 2023.
The order has special significance for Rheinmetall’s Kassel plant for two reasons. It strengthens the Group’s centre of excellence for NBC systems technology, and thus safeguards valuable jobs in the north Hessian metropolis, which also happens to be the birthplace of the battle-tested 6×6 fighting vehicle. Potentially, the order could also lead to the Bundeswehr’s remaining 22 Fuchs/Fox armoured NBC reconnaissance vehicles being upgraded to the new A8A7 configuration, as well as proposals to modernize systems operated by international customers.
The Bundeswehr has fielded numerous versions of the Fuchs/Fox armoured transport vehicle ever since 1979, deploying over a hundred of them in Afghanistan. Owing to its versatile operational possibilities and high reliability, the Fuchs/Fox has always been popular with the troops. After over forty years in service, it is still undergoing continuous improvement.
The latest version of the Fuchs/Fox, the 1A8, offers substantially greater protection against mines and improvised explosive devices than earlier models, together with enhanced resistance to ballistic threats. Among the principal modifications featured in the Fuchs/Fox 1A8 are structural alterations of the hull; new seats and seat suspensions in the fighting compartment decoupled from the floor of the hull; reinforcement of the wheel wells, doors and window mounts; as well as additional storage bins and reinforcement of the vehicle exterior. The Bundeswehr now has over 940 Fuchs/Fox vehicles in its inventory, 267 of which are the latest 1A8 design.
A derivative of the Fuchs/Fox 1, the vehicle’s export variant, the Fuchs/Fox 2, has undergone a separate process of continued development, and now boasts a more spacious fighting compartment, a more powerful engine, modernized running gear, enhanced state-of-the-art protection and a digitized electrical system.
To date, around 1,600 Fuchs/Fox vehicles have been built. The armed forces of numerous nations operate a wide array of different variants, including armoured personnel carriers, mobile command posts, field ambulances and NBC reconnaissance vehicles.
20 Sep 21. FNSS Develops A New Variant Of PARS Family, Following An RFP Issued In Late 2019/Early 2020. The company’s proposal is the Pars IV, an 8×8 version that builds upon the experience of the Pars II sold to Malaysia as the AV8, PARS III to Oman in both 6×6 and 8×8 configurations, and Pars IV 6×6 special operations vehicle developed for the TSK.
“TLF [the Turkish Land Forces] have started a new requirement for the procurement of New Generation Wheeled AFVs, considering lessons learned from recent operational deployments,” Gökhan Tekin, FNSS programme manager, told Janes in a September interview. “Pars IV is therefore designed to meet current and future combat requirements for TLF and its allies,” he added.
The Pars IV 8×8 follows a similar design philosophy to earlier generations, with the commander and driver seated side-by-side at the front of the vehicle and the power pack located behind the driver’s compartment. “This serves two purposes – it provides the commander and driver with good situational awareness, and it alters the weight distribution of the vehicle to give a better on and off-road performance,” Tekin said. (Source: https://staging.taktikz.com/)
18 Sep 21. Rheinmetall and MBDA Integrate Brimstone into Mission Master UGV. Rheinmetall, in partnership with MBDA, showcased a Mission Master unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) with an MBDA Brimstone missile launcher at DSEI 2021. The fully amphibious four-cell missile launcher, which can float and swim with a 1,000 kg payload, is mounted on a 4×4 Mission Master XT (Extreme Terrain) hybrid UGV that boasts of larger wheels than the other vehicles of the type. The UGV also has a continuous tyre inflation system allowing it to operate with 2 cm holes in its tyres on ice, snow, and sub-zero weather conditions in sandy, rocky, and mountainous terrain.
The new fire support module is the first iteration of the Mission Master XT that was launched in June. Brimstone is designed to engage both line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight moving and static targets, and to operate in two engagement modes: radar and semi-active laser. It can be fired from the Mission Master XT in salvos against single or multiple targets.
The Mission Master XT’s diesel engine gives the UGV a range of 750 km without refuelling and its lithium-ion batteries give it an endurance of six hours in silent mode. The UGV can be used for a variety of missions. including ambush, fire support, and suppression of enemy air defence.
(Source: https://gbp.com.sg/)
17 Sep 21. USSOCOM to Receive Robotican Indoor Unmanned Reconnaissance Drone Systems. Robotican has successfully delivered its first indoor UAS to the USSOCOM for operational evaluation. The Gallo is an unmanned reconnaissance system that enables rapid, live situational-awareness and forward observation in confined spaces, such subterranean environments or inside buildings. The Gallo is the first hybrid unmanned platform that has both land robot and aerial drone capabilities. Combining these two disciplines provides an effective tool for a diverse variety of indoor operations.
The Gallo’s MESH communication enables the simultaneous operation of three Gallo’s from the same control unit, relaying communication in indoor, communication-denied environments. The Gallo is suitable for military missions, as well as for search and rescue missions in locations of risk.
Following delivery, a training course was held that included system operation and mission execution many operational scenarios, such as urban warfare, tunnels, urban and rural warfare, and indoor-mission training.
Hagai Balshai, CEO Robotican, “We are very thrilled to have concluded our first Gallo delivery and training course with the USSOCOM. It is very exciting to see the fruits of our hard work integrated into an operational unit such as the Special Forces. We are looking forward to more Gallo-system courses and our continued collaboration with the US Armed Forces.”
Robotican specializes in autonomous robotics and drones for challenging operational needs. Since 2013, the company has supplied unique and creative robots and drones. Our products are the result of our in-house, multidisciplinary and professional team, abundant with autonomous drone experience. (Source: PR Newswire)
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TEK Military Seating Limited
TEK Military Seating Limited is a UK based designer and manufacturer of ProTEK military vehicle seating which offer the highest standards of safety and protection. The ProTEK brand is well respected across the globe for its robust construction, innovative design, built in modularity and cost effectiveness. Our superior products are supported by our experienced team who endeavor to offer unrivalled service to our customers from enquiry, through design and acceptance, to through life support.
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: David Parkman
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