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29 Sep 23. Iran Unveils Jet-Powered Version of Shahed Kamikaze Drone. Iranian state television has revealed the existence of a new one-way attack drone: a jet-powered version of the Shahed series, the drones which Russia has used to pound Ukraine. The current Shahed-136 is driven by a propeller, with a puttering piston engine earning it the nickname ‘flying moped.’ The new version will be far faster and more difficult to intercept. The drone appears in the trailer for a documentary called “Parchamdar” – meaning, roughly, ‘flag-bearer’ – out in October. It celebrates Iran’s long history of drone development and production. After the revolution in 1979, the US cut ties with Iran, and the Iranian Air Forces’ US-supplied aircraft became difficult to service (though it’s had remarkable success keeping some of its F-14 Tomcat fighters flying). Iranian students making model radio-controlled aircraft realized they could be used for reconnaissance in the war with Iraq, and a new national industry was born. Iran’s drone exports took a surprising turn last year when, despite official denials, it became obvious that Russia was using Iranian Shahed-131 and -136 drones. Russia has fired some 2,000 imported Shaheds at Ukraine and is now setting up a giant factory to assemble them inside Russia on a much larger scale. The documentary Parchamdar was officially unveiled this week by the commander of the Revolutionary Guard Aerospace Force, which has played a key role in drone development for decades. The trailer shows a wide range of drones, but even this is fraction of the total; according to analysts Oryx, some 143 types have been seen over the years. It includes six seconds of clips of a new version of the Shahed, which does not have the propeller seen in the previous versions. This new version does not come as a great surprise. In 2021 we noted the international concern when Iran unveiled the Ranseh-1 (“Propulsion-1”) micro turbojet for drones and cruise missiles alongside other new developments. Turbojets, one of the earliest types in jet evolution, offer vastly more power for their size and weight than piston engines. They are less fuel efficient than turbofans, but the power and simplicity make them attractive for some military applications. The jet-powered Shahed appears to have similar dimensions to the earlier versions, but due to the relatively thirsty turbojet its range may be far less than the 1,200 miles reported for the Shahed-136. The turbojet will provide speed and altitude. While the Shahed-136 cruises at around 120mph, slow enough to be engaged by anti-aircraft guns and even Kalashnikovs, the jet drone will come in at much greater speed.
A large percentage of Shaheds are shot down, many by Gepard flakpanzers with twin automatic cannon. In one recent attack the defenders accounted for 26 out of the 38 attacking Shaheds, but a faster version may get through in larger numbers. However, the jet engine does come with other disadvantages: the high heat output will make it more obvious to thermal imagers and a much easier target for heat-seeking missiles. Iranian Twitter user Meshkat noted a less obvious feature of the new drone: it appears to have a nose-mounted camera. This is a novelty, as the previous Shaheds have all relied on satellite guidance to hit pre-programmed co-ordinates. The camera may be used in two ways. It might be there to enable visual navigation, like a modern version of the Digital Scene Matching Area Correlator developed for the Tomahawk cruise missile way in the 1970s. This looks at the territory below and works out where it is on the map by comparing landmarks, making it immune to GPS/GNSS jamming. Alternatively the camera may enable terminal guidance, either controlled by an operator or with a machine-vision system to identify and lock on to a target feature such a specific building. In the video the Shahed is seen hitting a target with extreme precision; this is typical of videos of test firings and no indication of the actual performance. But is it possible the new version will be a significant upgrade. The big selling point of the original Shaheds has been their low cost and ease of manufacture. Replacing a cheap, simple weapon with a more costly and complex one may not make sense. But a mixture of high- and low-performance drones will present defenders with more of a challenge.
The jet-powered Shaheds may, for example, fly ahead of the main wave and target Gepards or other air defense assets to help the rest get through. We do not know if the jet-powered Shahed is in production yet. But it appears to be a sign that Iran’s drone industry continues to develop, and we can expect Iran to export large numbers of increasingly capable drones to its allies in coming years. (Source: UAS VISION/Forbes)
28 Sep 23. Germany, Israel sign formal commitment for Berlin’s Arrow-3 missile buy. Germany on Thursday signed a letter of commitment with Israel to buy its Arrow-3 missile defence system for nearly 4bn euros ($4.2bn), the defence ministers of the two countries said in a press conference. The deal represents Israel’s biggest ever defence sale and follows a European arms build-up in response to Russia’s war in Ukraine. The purchase will be financed from a 100 billion-euro special military fund that the German government agreed on last year in reaction to Russia’s attack on Ukraine. The Arrow-3 system, which is designed to intercept ballistic missiles outside the earth’s atmosphere, is expected to be delivered from the fourth quarter of 2025. (1 euro = $1.0541) ($1 = 0.9507 euros) (Source: Reuters)
28 Sep 23. Successful firing of new generation Exocet missile from French frigate. A successful firing, by the French navy, of the latest generation of MBDA’s Exocet missile – Mer-Mer 40 Block 3c (MM40 B3c) – took place from the multi-mission Alsace frigate (FREMM DA) off the coast of the DGA missile test centre (DGA EM) of Ile du Levant on 20 September 2023.
Exocet MM40 B3c is the latest generation of MBDA’s Exocet family of anti-ship missiles for integration on a wide variety of platforms including surface ships, submarines, fast jets, helicopters and coastal batteries. Previous versions of Exocet are in service with several navies around the world.
The B3c generation builds on the successive improvements made to Exocet throughout its service. MM40 B3c includes all the characteristics for which Exocet is renowned, in particular its all-weather capability and high flexibility of use. In addition, this latest missile benefits from new seeker technology and the development of new algorithms designed to meet the latest operational requirements of anti-ship warfare.
MBDA CEO Eric Béranger said: “I am extremely proud of the success of this operational evaluation firing of the Exocet MM40 B3c, performed from the multi-mission Alsace frigate. It proves the new capabilities of the missile’s latest generation, whose major developments keep it at the forefront in a high-intensity context. Exocet is a real symbol for MBDA, and this success is further proof of the skill and technical excellence of MBDA’s people. I would also like to thank the DGA and French navy for this firing.”
MBDA has continued to develop Exocet since it entered service. This has enabled the missile to adapt to new battlefield conditions while maintaining its exceptional all-weather capability. The Exocet MM40 B3c is MBDA’s response to new conflicts with an evolving threat spectrum, in particular high-intensity combat in complex electronic warfare environments.
28 Sep 23. NP Aerospace Vehicle Systems Highlights at DSEI:
GM Defense
New Memorandum of Understanding with GM Defense covering R&D, post production support, global logistics, power and propulsion, automation and platform integration.
Volvo Defense
Development contract with Volvo Defense to supply composite armoured cabs for militarised versions of Volvo FMX Series trucks.
Nurol Makina
Collaboration to integrate NP Aerospace’s engineering expertise in 4×4 vehicle sub-systems into Nurol Vehicles.
ST Engineering
New partnership covering vehicle capability enhancements across areas
such as digital systems, defence systems and hybrid electric drive technologies.
Composites & Armour Systems
ArtArmor Initiative
The Ukraine plate that saved lives of soldiers on the frontline that has been painted via artists in the ArtArmor Initiative was displayed. An auction is due to be held in early 2024.
Next Generation Bomb Suit
Our NIJ certified 4030 ELITE Bomb Disposal Suit was demonstrated live by a British Army EOD operator and a next generation bomb suit with additional features also attracted interest.
Personal Protection
New Personal Protection products were launched at DSEI including the new MK3 Ballistic Shield, Helmet with Mandible guard and the Galvion UK MOD Virtus helmet manufactured by NP Aerospace.
Vehicle Armour – Volvo Truck
The new Volvo Defense FMX Truck cab was displayed on Volvo booth which has been designed and engineered by NP Aerospace, including STANAG level 2 and 3 armour.
28 Sep 23. US Army awards competitive M1128 mobile gun systems contract in $974m deal. The defence contractors are to compete in delivering load, assemble, and pack Requirements for the 155 mm artillery system. To bolster the US Army’s operational readiness, two defence firms, American Ordnance LLC of Middletown, Iowa, and General Dynamics OTS Inc. in Niceville, Florida, have emerged victorious in securing a contract valued at nearly $1bn.
The agreement pertains to preparing 155 mm M1128 mobile gun systems (MGS), encompassing load, assembly, and packing protocols. This contract, awarded by the Army Contracting Command in Newark, New Jersey, signifies a step in ensuring the deployment of this artillery system.
The agreement is to advance the readiness and operational efficiency of the 155 mm M1128 mobile gun system. The M1128 Mobile Gun System is an eight-wheeled assault gun of the Stryker armoured combat vehicle family, mounting a 105 mm tank gun. Stryker variants include the M1126 infantry carrier vehicle (ICV) and the M1128 mobile gun system (MGS).
According to GlobalData’s “US Defense Market 2022-2027” report, the US has seen 2,368 of its Stryker ICV Stryker Armoured Personnel Carriers enter the US Army fleet between 2005 and 2021.
Under the terms of this contract, American Ordnance and General Dynamics will compete to deliver preparations for the M1128 MGS. These preparations encompass the loading, assembling, and packing processes, each of which plays a role in ensuring the system’s deployment and operational readiness.
A competition fuelled by load, assemble, and pack protocols
American Ordnance and General Dynamics will be vying to demonstrate their superiority in executing these preparatory measures.
The US Department of Defense pitted General Dynamics and American Ordnance LLC against each other to produce 155m rounds of ammo in February this year to supply Ukraine with ammunition.
In another 155M M1128 development, General Dynamics and IMT Defense were selected to compete for manufacturing, packaging, and delivering metal parts for the 155m M1128 artillery to the US Army in a $344.2m contract.
The M1128 MGS is a piece of artillery, and its effectiveness hinges on preparation. “Load” entails precisely positioning the M1128 MGS onto designated transport vehicles, ensuring stability and safety during transit. “Assemble” involves integrating various components and customising the system to meet specific mission requirements.
“Pack” outlines the protocols for storing or transporting the M1128 MGS when not in active use, safeguarding sensitive equipment and ensuring rapid deployment when the call to action arises.
A pathway to enhanced operational readiness
The impact of this contract represents a strategic investment in the preparedness and agility of the US Army. With American Ordnance and General Dynamics, this venture promises to deliver in load, assemble, and pack requirements for the M1128 mobile gun system.
With an estimated completion date set for September 26, 2028, this contract sets the stage for a transformative change in how the US Army prepares and deploys its M1128 MGS arsenal.
(Source: army-technology.com)
27 Sep 23. Modernisation programmes to drive global artillery market to $16.6bn. Countries worldwide invest heavily in advanced artillery systems to meet the growing demands. To replace ageing artillery systems and enhance their military capabilities, nations across the globe are embarking on modernisation programmes that are set to reshape the global artillery systems market.
According to a comprehensive report by GlobalData, titled “Global Artillery Systems Market 2023-2033,” this wave of modernisation is projected to drive cumulative spending on artillery systems to a staggering $153bn between 2023 and 2033, culminating in a market value of $16.6bn by 2033.
The report also highlights the role played by self-propelled artillery and the emergence of smart munitions in this transformative journey.
Vinayak Kamath, aerospace and defence associate analyst at GlobalData, emphasises the significance of self-propelled artillery in this global shift. “The self-propelled artillery segment is expected to witness the largest amount of spending over the forecast period. This is mainly because of their advantages over towed artillery systems in terms of mobility and survivability enabled by their shoot-and-scoot features.
“The US is analysed to emerge as the largest spender in the self-propelled artillery segment, with a cumulative spending of $9.7 bn in procuring systems like the M109A7 Paladin and next-generation Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) over the next ten years.”
One prominent trend highlighted by the report is the increasing focus on reducing import dependence and establishing local manufacturing and maintenance capabilities. The Russia-Ukraine conflict and subsequent sanctions on weapon transfers have compelled many nations to look inward.
India, for instance, is introducing indigenous artillery systems like the Dhanush towed artillery and ATAGS platforms, aimed at replacing ageing FH77 artillery units in service since the 1980s. Additionally, Indian companies are supplying Pinaka Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MRLS) to bolster their artillery capabilities.
A noteworthy development in the artillery landscape is the growing interest in smart munitions, which promise to revolutionise artillery systems’ capabilities. With smart munitions, artillery systems can undertake a diverse range of firing missions that were once beyond the realm of conventional artillery.
For example, US-based SRC is pioneering electronic warfare systems that can be delivered via 155mm artillery shells, enabling the interception and jamming of signals deep within enemy territory.
Kamath highlights the global effort to develop various types of smart munitions, echoing the sentiments of countries like Germany, the UK, and France.
“Similar development initiatives for other types of smart munitions are currently being undertaken by countries like Germany, the UK, and France. This will lead to increased demand for launcher platforms, including towed artillery, self-propelled artillery, and naval artillery, in the near future.” (Source: army-technology.com)
27 Sep 23. Sweden’s FMV Tests New Portable Mine-Laying Rails for Civilian Ships. FMV, together with the Swedish Armed Forces, has successfully tested a new type of portable rail for the laying of sea mines, which will be used on board civilian ships. Together with the Swedish Armed Forces’ new ability to take in civilian ships, the rails contribute to the laying of sea mines being able to take place significantly faster than before.
The possibility of taking in civilian ships is new for the Swedish Armed Forces and means that the navy can increase its military capacity in a short time. In short, it means that they either rent ships for a fee or make a so-called withdrawal of wartime material with right of disposal. The latter option applies in case of heightened readiness and then the ship can be transferred to the Swedish Armed Forces for a fee.
This whole procedure, together with the installation and use of a new portable rail for laying naval mines from civilian ships, was tested by the Swedish Armed Forces together with the FMV during the Aurora 23 exercise.
It is FMV and the supplier Saab that have developed the portable rail, which is built in sections and attached to the hull using tension straps. With the rails in place, the ship can carry and drop sea mines effectively. In addition, transport becomes both easier and safer.
Developing and developing the rail has gone very quickly. The order from the Swedish Armed Forces came in in September 2022 and we could already deliver in March 2023. Thanks to a very good collaboration with our supplier and with the Swedish Armed Forces, we have succeeded in creating a new capability that makes our coastal areas safer.
“We were careful not to damage the ship and to be able to return it in its original condition. The rail was assembled surprisingly quickly with the help of soldiers from Älvsborg’s amphibious regiment. When it was ready, sea mines were loaded on board, both of the K14 type that the amphibious units use but also of the F8 and F80 types that the fleet’s larger ships have. The different sea mines are adapted to different water conditions and complement each other,” says Anders Ellström, Swedish Armed Forces. (Unofficial translation by Defense-Aerospace.com) (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ Swedish Defense Materiel Agency, FMV;)
26 Sep 23. Swarm of loitering munitions draws attention at Serbian defense show. At the heart of the main hall of the Belgrade Partner 23 Defense Fair, an unusual display of drone technologies captured the attention of visitors.
Over three dozen mini loitering munitions armed with aerial bombs were spread across the conference hall floor in a swarm formation. To their right a white rotary-wing hexacopter drone, about the size of a grocery shopping cart, was displayed, equipped with two 120mm aerial bombs, and to their left, the same system in black carried two 81mm aerial explosives.
The Serbian manufacturer behind this demonstration is Belgrade-based PR-DC, which is showcasing the third-series of its primary system, the Ika bomber. The rotary-wing drone is powered by six electric motors and has a flight time of 30 minutes when carrying a 20kg (44 lbs) payload. It’s offered in gray, white and black, as well as with different armament sets, typically produced by local supplier Krúsik.
Jovana Jevtić, marketing manager at PR-DC, told Defense News that the firm is eying the international market more than the domestic one.
“Saudi Arabia has shown great interest in the Ika bomber(s) for its military, which is expected to become operational in the next month or two. We are actually holding a demonstration for them today at our offices, to show them its capabilities and allow them to practice controlling it themselves,” she said.
These platforms are among a sea drone systems presented at the fair. Such a vast range of available technologies highlights the rising level of competition in the market, as well as the challenges that exist within the Serbian drone industry, in part due to the country’s procurement strategy.
As Belgrade attempts to strike a balance between greater diversification of international suppliers and further expanding its own domestic business, it often appears to create dual rivalries. Serbian drone manufacturers, although they do share some level of cooperation, must also battle each other for limited funding and contracts, both at a domestic and international level.
This was exemplified in February at the IDEX arms fair held in Abu Dhabi, where Serbia’s president announced that the country would buy UAE-made loitering munitions despite a number of domestic alternatives.
These challenges were highlighted by a representative of the Military Technical Institute, the developer of the Sparrow drone, also known as the Vrabac. The aircraft institute, which is tied to the Serbian Ministry of Defense, unveiled an armed version of this system in 2022. Thus far, the primary user of the standard Vrabac has been the Serbian Armed Forces, though MTI is eager to market it internationally.
“It has grabbed the interest of many non-European countries, but the international market [for this industry] is fierce,” said an MTI representative, who wished not to be named. “We have also encountered some organizational and funding issues.”
The Serbian MoD appears to be focused on rectifying this situation, where in the last two months, it signed contracts with domestic factories for $55,8m worth of weapons to be delivered to the country’s military.
“We export to customers worldwide, making profit from this, which we invest back into our defense budget and towards enhancing our domestic production capabilities,” Aleksandar Lijakovic, marketing director at Yugoimport-SDPR, a Serbian state-owned arms manufacturer, told Defense News.
About Elisabeth Gosselin-Malo
Elisabeth Gosselin-Malo is a Europe correspondent for Defense News. She covers a wide range of topics related to military procurement and international security, and specializes in reporting on the aviation sector. She is based in Milan, Italy. (Source: C4ISR & Networks)
22 Sep 23. Bundeswehr successfully concludes laser weapon trials at sea. After integration of the laser weapon demonstrator (LWD) onboard the German frigate “SACHSEN” in June 2022, the trials of the LWD at sea have successfully been completed. Responsible for development and construction as well as the support during the trials that have been planned and organised by the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw), is the High-Energy Laser Naval Demonstrator Working Group, or ARGE, consisting of MBDA Deutschland GmbH and Rheinmetall. During the trials with overall six campaigns lasting nearly a year, the combat effectiveness of the laser weapon demonstrator, or LWD, has been proven in increasingly complex scenarios under realistic operating conditions against different target types. This included all aspects from detection and tracking (including highly agile targets); the interplay of sensors, command and weapon engagement systems and effectors; possible rules of engagement; and of course the successful engagement of targets with a high-energy laser beam. The LWD has performed more than a hundred test firings onboard the Sachsen and proved that a laser is capable of successfully engaging targets in a maritime environment. At the end of the trials, the LWD’s capabilities were successfully demonstrated at two VIP days in front of high-ranking representatives of the Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw), the Germany Navy and Army as well as the Bundeswehr Office for Defence Planning (PlgABw), which among other things including shooting down a drone. Also, representatives of the British, Netherlands and Norwegian Navy participated during the demonstration. The huge success of the test campaign was the outcome of an excellent cooperation between BAAINBw incl. its subordinate detachments, the German Navy and especially the crew of the frigate “SACHSEN” and the ARGE. Following nearly a year of tests, BAAINBw and the defence industry have gained valuable knowledge into the operational possibilities, performance capabilities and development potential of high-energy laser effectors. The demonstrator is currently undergoing detailed examination, after which it will be transferred to Bundeswehr Technical Centre 91 in Meppen. The test results and subsequent analysis will be used for minimizing risks in a possible next phase, i.e., the development of an operational laser weapon system. The prerequisites for the development of a first laser weapon have generally been set. Both companies have launched internal preparations for the development phase within their own field of responsibility. Complementing gun-based systems and guided missiles, an operational laser weapon system lends itself particularly to countering the threat from drones, drone swarms, speedboats and possibly missiles at close to very close range. In future, moreover, it could undergo a performance upgrade for destroying supersonic missiles, rockets as well as mortar and artillery rounds.
22 Sep 23. New 155mm artillery ammo tipped to give British Army more lethality and range. The new 155mm artillery rounds set to be given to the British Army will deliver more lethality, range and performance, the manufacturer has told Forces News.
The Next Generation Adaptable Ammunition (NGAA) being produced by BAE Systems will replace the Army’s ageing L15 family of ammunition.
Each NGAA shell will have a course-correcting electronic fuse and offers three times the range of the Royal Artillery’s current 155mm shells. The rocket-assisted version of the shells will have a range of 65km.
BAE says it plans to test-fire the next-generation round later this year, and while the futuristic ammunition might not arrive in time to make a difference in Ukraine, it will help restock Nato’s bare shelves.
Phil Cardew, strategy director, munitions, at BAE Systems, told Forces News: “I think we recognise that ammunition manufacturing has been unchanged for probably the best part of 100 years. Actually, the conflict in Ukraine forced us to rethink how we approach that.
“The reality is there are a whole bunch of new technologies that we could be employing to manufacture ammunition which are common with other sectors.
“If we can harness that, what it allows us to do is to use a broader range of facilities for production and therefore scale ammunition much more quickly than we’re able to do today – and that’s the focus from us with NGAA.
“In addition, NGAA will deliver more range, it will deliver more performance and it will deliver more lethality than perhaps what you can buy today on the market.”
Watch: Inside an ammo factory racing to replenish dwindling Nato stocks
The MOD has already delivered 300,000 artillery shells to Ukraine and says it will send thousands more by the end of the year.
Ukraine is burning through an estimated 4,000 to 7,000 shells a day, while the Russian number is possibly four times that.
Defence experts say Kyiv needs more than one and a half m shells a year to sustain its fight against the Kremlin.
BAE Systems is rapidly expanding production of existing 155mm shells, increasing capacity at its factories and building a new one in South Wales.
Earlier this year, the company was awarded a £400m contract to produce new ammunition.
Mr Cardew added: “Our role was to offer innovation in terms of how we could quickly scale production and meet the demands the UK MOD was placing on us.
“It is a significant uplift. We’re designing our facility to be an eightfold increase over what we had previously.” (Source: forces.net)
20 Sep 23. MELLS – New Teeth For The German Waffenträger Wiesel 1. As part of the Spike LR replacement process, German Waffenträger Wiesel 1 TOW armament carriers were upgraded to Wiesel 1 MELLS. Within the German Armed Forces the modern Spike Long Range (LR) precision guided tactical missile/anti-tank guided missile system replaced the MILAN (Missile d’Infanterie Leger Antichar) and TOW (Tube launched, Optically tracked, Wire command-link Guided Missile) anti-tank guided missile systems in recent years. In the Bundeswehr the Spike LR weapon system is called MELLS / Mehrrollenfähiges Leichtes Lenkflugkörper-System (Multirole Light Guided Missile System). As part of the replacement process, the Waffenträger Wiesel 1 TOW armament carriers were upgraded to Waffenträger Wiesel 1 MELLS. The first upgraded MELLS Wiesel entered operational service in 2022.
The Waffenträger (Weapons Carrier) Wiesel 1 is a lightly armoured, highly mobile, extremely agile and air transportable tracked vehicle. It was developed as armament carrier for the airborne forces of the German Army. Today the Waffenträger Wiesel 1 is fielded by the heavy companies of the Airborne, Light and Mountain Infantry formations of the German Army. The Wiesel 1 entered service back in 1990 in two different variants: one being fitted with a 20mm Rh 202 DM6 automatic cannon, the other with the Tube launched, Optically tracked, Wire command-link Guided Missile (TOW) system. In 2005 a third variant of the vehicle was fielded in form of the Aufklärungs Fahrzeug Wiesel 1 reconnaissance vehicle. This version is fitted with the Autonomes Optronisches Zielsystem 2000 (AOZ 2000) surveillance and observation system.
From Waffenträger Wiesel 1 TOW to Waffenträger Wiesel 1 MELLS: With the retirement of MILAN and TOW and its replacement with MELLS, the Waffenträger Wiesel 1 TOW were upgraded to Waffenträger Wiesel 1 MELLS by replacing the TOW system with the MELLS system. The modification work was conducted by Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft mbH (FFG). The company was issued a contract for the modification in November 2019. This contract not only covered the conversion to Waffenträger Wiesel 1 MELLS but also incorporated a series of service life extension measures that are implemented into all three Wiesel 1 variants. (Source: www.joint-forcescom)
19 Sep 23. FN Herstal promotes the 9mm Parabellum (9x19mm) HiPer pistol and asks “why design yet another 9mm pistol?” 2024 will be the 120th anniversary of the first adoption of a 9mm Parabellum (9x19mm) pistol. Since then, hundreds of different pistols have been proposed, all claiming to be excellent, one even claims to be perfect. Is it really possible to do any better?
Current designs: There are a large number of modern pistols in production. They have a variety of different firing mechanisms; hammer or striker fired with single action, double action, or pre-loaded striker trigger mechanisms. Opinions vary on which is the ‘best’. There are also different market segments, which overlap, but have specific priorities. These are the military, law enforcement and civilian markets. Military requirements are the most demanding, and very few pistols succeed on this market.
Ergonomics: The pistol is the weapon that requires the best ergonomics. It is supported only by the shooter’s hand and has several levers or buttons that must be operated with one hand. There are left-handed and right-handed shooters, and hands of many shapes and sizes, often resulting in controls that are difficult to reach for one person but are inadvertently activated by another. The pistol may be operated with wet hands or when wearing gloves, so all grip surfaces and controls must be designed to ensure a reliable grip in all conditions.
Performance: The requirement for reliability in extreme conditions such as high and low temperatures, sand and mud is the primary factor that differentiates military grade pistols from the others. Military requirements are as demanding, or slightly more demanding, for all other factors, but the high threshold for reliability in adverse conditions eliminates the great majority of pistols from the military market.
Sights: Modern combat pistols must have iron sights that are easy to align quickly and accurately, including in low-light conditions. Reliable mini red dot (MRD) sights that make fast, accurate aim much easier are generating increased interest. To use these sights effectively and without affecting the gun’s reliability the slide of the pistol should be pre-configured to mount the MRD.
The FN HiPer: Development of the FN HiPer by FN Herstal took into account the best features of recent designs, but also added new solutions, some of which have been patented.
- Ergonomics are a priority, ensuring a comfortable grip for all users thanks to the overall design and a choice of three grip covers that adapt the pistol to the size of your hand. Areas that may be gripped by the user have effective non-slip surfaces.
- Controls are designed to be easy to use without moving the hand from the firing position, most repeated on either side, accessible for left-handed and right-handed users. They are also positioned and move in a way that avoids inadvertent activation. The position of the slide catch and the design of the magazine catch are unique to the FN HiPer.
- The FN HiPer has multiple safety systems that function automatically, such as a firing pin safety and out-of-battery safety. It is impossible to disassemble the pistol unless the magazine has been removed.
- The light, smooth trigger pull, the low bore axis that reduces muzzle rise, and combat sights all help the average user to shoot accurately and fast. The FN HiPer is available with a slide configured for an MRD.
- Most importantly the FN HiPer has been designed to function reliably in adverse conditions, which is essential for a military pistol.
FN Herstal with the FN HiPer once again has a modern military grade pistol that that can legitimately claim features and performance to outclass its rivals, an excellent choice for both military and Law Enforcement users. (Source: www.joint-forcescom)
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About Galvion:
Galvion designs, develops, and delivers mission critical head, face, and torso protective solutions as well as intelligent power and data management systems for the world’s most demanding military and tactical teams. Founded in 2002 as Revision Military, a foundational belief in calculated investment and capability expansion led to a strategic refocus, resulting in the divestiture of the protective eyewear business, along with the Revision name, in 2019. Rebranded as Galvion, the company’s products and technology continue to evolve beyond purely passive protection, focusing instead on active systems that enhance performance and survivability, with an eye to the ever-changing demands of the modern battlefield. Through advanced design, keen end-user insight and intelligent integration, Galvion engineers uniquely customized solutions that go beyond what was once thought possible.
Privately owned with ISO 9001:2015 certified facilities in Vermont, Massachusetts and New Hampshire in the US, Montreal in Canada and Bristol in the UK, Galvion’s team of 400+ employees work proactively to solve the problems left unsolved by others.
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