Sponsored by Arnold Defense www.arnolddefense.com
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09 Jul 20. Canadian First Nation owned global armour provider, NP Aerospace, has opened a new facility in London, Ontario and appointed a General Manager to drive future business growth.
Jessica Bland will oversee the running of the new 10,000 sq ft manufacturing facility and will be responsible for growing the business in Canada and North America. NP Aerospace currently has operations in the UK and Canada manufacturing and integrating medium calibre, lightweight vehicle armour for global platform programs, as well as a full portfolio of advanced personal armour solutions. Products include lightweight ballistic helmets, body armour plates, shields and bomb disposal suits used by world leading defence and security organisations.
The new facility in London will act as NP Aerospace’s North American Centre of excellence for vehicle armour manufacturing and survivability systems in support of existing and future customer programs.
Jessica has close to 20 years’ experience in the defence industry working for local London companies such as GDLS-C and Kongsberg Protech Systems Canada. She is involved with organisations including Southwestern Ontario Regional Chapter, Women in Defence & Securities (WiDS) and the Canadian Association for Defence and Security Industries (CADSI). In January 2019, Jessica joined NP Aerospace to oversee business development.
Jessica Bland, General Manager, NP Aerospace Canada, comments: “NP Aerospace Canada has grown rapidly in the last two years and it’s great to have been part of that. With a new facility and an expanding portfolio of global vehicle and personal armour programs, we are set for the next phase of our business development which will see expansion into the security and law enforcement markets where NP Aerospace is seeing growth globally.”
James Kempston, CEO, NP Aerospace, comments: “We are delighted to have Jessica on board driving the business in Canada and North America. She has extensive experience of complex global vehicle programs and personal armour technology requirements. As an agile SME located in London, Ontario, we can take advantage of regional defence opportunities and new global programs.”
NP Aerospace (Canada) Limited is located at 24 Swiftsure Court (Unit2), London, Ontario, Canada, NV5 4L1.
09 Jul 20. 30mm airburst ammunition will provide soldiers the ability to defeat difficult targets on today’s battlefield. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) received a contract award from the U.S. Army’s Project Manager for Maneuver Ammunition Systems (PM-MAS) to develop the next generation airburst cartridge for the 30mm XM813 Bushmaster® Chain Gun®. The gun and ammunition function as a system and will provide greater capability for the Army’s up-gunned Stryker Brigade Combat Team fleets.
“Northrop Grumman is leading the way in developing new ammunition types that provide existing gun systems with increased capabilities to defeat difficult targets ranging from threat drones to targets in defilade positions,” said Dan Olson, vice president, armament systems, Northrop Grumman. “Our air bursting technology is proven and the addition of this new round will provide the Army with an even more capable gun system for our soldiers.”
The 30mm x 173mm airburst cartridge will feature a contact set fuze design with three operational fuze modes: Programmable Airburst, Point Detonation and Point Detonation with Delay. The initial contract will fund the completion of the engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) phase and final qualification by the Army.
Northrop Grumman will also begin deliveries this year of the first airburst type cartridge to support the U.S. Army’s Germany-based, 2nd Cavalry Regiment’s Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV) fleet that were recently ‘up-gunned’ with the company’s 30mm Bushmaster® Chain Gun®. The new airburst cartridge in development also will support additional U.S. Army platforms to include, but not limited to, the future Stryker Brigade Combat Teams.
The newly fielded gun system nearly doubles the range of the platform’s current .50-caliber machine gun. The addition of an airburst cartridge provides a complete family of ammunition that arms the crew to meet the challenges posed by peer and near-peer adversarial threat systems.
08 Jul 20. Armenian assault rifle factory begins production. The assembly of Kalashnikov AK-103 assault rifles under licence in Armenia has commenced at the Neutron GAM facility, the country’s government has revealed. A tour by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Minister of Defence David Tonoyan and Minister of High-Tech Industry Hakob Arshakyan on 7 July revealed a number of aims for the factory, as well as other defence industrial projects for the Caucasian country.
The new facility will be able to produce up to 50,000 rifles per year, according to a press release by Pashinyan’s office.
Neutron’s ammunition production lines are also being moved from the company’s current facility in the capital Yerevan to the neighbouring province of Kotayk. Following refurbishment, the facility will be able to produce 7.62 × 39 mm, 7.62 × 54 mm, 12.7 mm, and 9 × 18 mm and 9 × 19 mm ammunition. The modernisation of equipment for the 7.62 × 39 mm, 7.62 × 54 mm, and 12.7 mm production lines is being performed through a USD24m contract with Russia’s Spetsmashingeneering. (Source: Jane’s)
08 Jul 20. USMC: Kongsberg’s XM914 RWS proceeding under MADIS Inc 1Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace’s proposal to outfit US Marine Corps (USMC) Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs) with its XM914 remote weapon system (RWS) has defeated two other competitors’ bids for the ground-based air-defence effort, Janes has learned.
Earlier this year, the service issued a request for information (RFI) seeking vendor feedback for its Marine Air Defense Integrated System Increment 1 (MADIS Inc 1) effort. Kongsberg, EOS Defense Systems, and Moog submitted their respective plans but the USMC has only asked one company to proceed.
“Kongsberg was notified on June 26 that they were selected to provide a final proposal,” a USMC spokesperson confirmed on 7 July. “Both EOS and Moog were notified that they were not selected.”
The company offered the service its XM914 RWS, which includes a 30 mm × 113 mm cannon, a 7.62 mm M240 machine gun with “full integration” of Stinger missiles, according to Scott Burk, Kongsberg Defence’s vice-president for business development and government relations for US land systems.
“This provides significant accuracy and capability with tracking and targeting over an extended range and addresses a variety of threats,” Burk wrote in a 7 July email. “This weapon station is designed to handle current and future ammunition types, and because of its common missile interface, hardware and software commonality connecting MADIS with CROWS [Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station], MUMS (multi-user, multi-station) and other existing army and Marine Corps capabilities.”
(Source: Google/Jane’s)
07 Jul 20. Cobalt Kinetics, manufacturer of premium performance and precision engineered rifles, today announced that its holdings have been acquired by BAQ Defense, a company providing specialty training, products, and programs to non-profit entities involved in combating child sex trafficking. As a niche manufacturer focused on enhancing functionality and features in AR type rifles, Cobalt Kinetics climbed to fame by designing and building specialty firearms unmatched in the industry. Endowed with bold aesthetics, cutting-edge technical innovation and state-of-the-art engineering, Cobalt rifles have garnered attention by gun enthusiasts, competitors, and high-level dealers since their inception in 2014.
“After a demanding run from 2015 to 2019, we felt ecstatic about the progress we had made. As we were in the steps of planning out our next phase of development, we were approached by BAQ Defense and began entertaining conversations about our future.” Said Skylar Stewart, VP of Cobalt Kinetics. “They were deeply interested in our R&D and the potential they saw for taking the company to the next level. From our very first conversations it was apparent they already had a vision in place, one that would capitalize on what we had already achieved, while moving towards new opportunities that would distinguish Cobalt even further. BAQ Defense was the answer we didn’t even know we were looking for.”
Commenting on the decision to purchase Cobalt, BAQ President, Aaron Quinn revealed, “We’ve been interested in Cobalt for some time. Their level of innovation and pure artistry is unprecedented. We watched them maneuver into the industry, filling a need for billet options while also meeting a heavy competition type demand. We want to continue their gold standard of excellence by developing additional firearms that meet every demand in the market. As trends come and go and the flux between tactical and competitive needs arise, we want to be there with products that outfit all buyers.”
Having eased off on production in August of 2019, Cobalt, now under new leadership, will immediately begin its next phase of manufacturing. Carrying on the tradition of AR Style Rifles, Cobalt now promises to move forward on several new projects, including work on a series of prototypes presently in R&D that are going to dramatically enhance Cobalt’s line up.
Jason Parker, VP BAQ adds, “With these exciting changes taking place, we want to assure Cobalt fans that the same level of professionalism that has made the company what it is today will remain the same. Several key staff members crucial to prior success will remain with us full time. We will not let the commitment to excellence slide backwards, regardless of the new channels we open.”
For gun owners seeking access to the best AR type rifles on the market, Cobalt is the product of choice. Now, under new ownership and new directives, the name that has predominantly been associated with elite circles, will also be known by every gun owner who wants to experience the best in the game.
06 Jul 20. Kawasaki Heavy Industries secures contract to develop new MMPS for JGSDF. The Japan Ministry of Defense’s (MoD’s) Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) has awarded Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) a JPY3.5bn (USD32.5m) contract for the development of a new road-mobile multipurpose missile system (MPMS) for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF).
KHI has been awarded a JPY3.5bn (USD32.5m) contract to develop the new multipurpose missile system (MPMS) Kai for the JGSDF. (ATLA)
Documents obtained by Janes on 6 July show that the contract for the new system, which is being referred to as MPMS Kai, was signed on 30 March.
The new MPMS, which will consist of a command-and-control centre, a multifunction radar, and at least one launcher – each of which will be mounted on separate 4×4 vehicles – will incorporate features from both the Type 96 MPMS and the Middle-range Multi-Purpose Missile (MMPM or Chū-MPM). Both of these road-mobile systems, which are manufactured by KHI, are currently operated by the JGDSF.
The ATLA said the new MPMS will be designed to counter the growing quality and quantity of amphibious warfare platforms being developed by neighbouring countries. This includes the system’s ability to target landing craft – including high-speed air-cushioned landing craft – and amphibious assault vehicles. The ATLA said the new MPMS will be “more capable than existing equipment”. (Source: Jane’s)
06 Jul 20. Philippines confirms GBAD funding. The Philippine government’s Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved funding for the procurement of a ground-based air defence (GBAD) system for the Philippine Air Force (PAF), according to recently released budgetary documentation. In a ‘Special Allotment Release Order’ (SARO), the DBM said the PAF’s GBAD project has been allocated PHP2.39bn (USD48.4m). It said the funds were approved and released under a SARO issued to the Department of National Defense (DND) in mid-June. According to the DBM, the SARO provides approval for procurement agencies such as the DND to sign contracts with vendors. In January this year Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the PAF intended to meet its GBAD requirement through the procurement from Israel of the Spyder self-propelled surface-to-air missile (SAM) system made by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. The procurement has been prioritised by the Philippines for several years to boost the PAF’s air defence capability, although the DND has not yet confirmed how many Spyder systems it wants to acquire.
The procurement is included under the second phase of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program (RAFPMP). (Source: Jane’s)
05 Jul 20. Turkey’s First Maritime Missile Successfully Passes Test. Turkey’s first indigenously produced maritime missile passed its latest long-distance test launch with flying colors, the nation’s top defense industry official said on July 4.
The Atmaca missile “performed its functions perfectly, it successfully hit a target over 200 kilometers [124 miles] away and is ready to enter the [Turkish Armed Forces’] weapons inventory,” İsmail Demir, the head of Turkey’s Defense Industries Presidency, said on Twitter.
Demir also shared footage of the test.
Made by missile producer Roketsan, Atmaca is expected to enter the Turkish military’s inventory before year-end, replacing the U.S.-made Harpoon.
According to Roketsan, Atmaca is a high-precision, long-range, surface-to-surface, precision strike anti-ship missile that can be integrated with patrol boats, frigates, and corvettes.
It boasts a range of over 200 km (124 mi), posing a threat to targets far outside visual range. It also provides target update, re-attack, and mission abort capability via modern data link. (Source: (Source: defense-aerospace.com/Anadolu Agency)
06 Jul 20. Elitac Wearables delivers first Mission Navigation Belt order to Royal Netherlands Army. The Mission Navigation Belt makes GPS-based navigation safer and more intuitive by using haptic feedback to convey navigation cues. Elitac Wearables B.V. announced today that it has delivered the first order of Mission Navigation Belts to the Royal Netherlands Army. The Mission Navigation Belt (MNB) allows soldiers to feel waypoint navigation directions through small, quiet vibration motors, located in a lightweight belt worn around the waist. The order is part of a wider initiative by the Netherlands Ministry of Defense to improve situational awareness and survivability through the application of new technologies.
Trade-off between traditional navigation and situational awareness
Traditional navigation compromises situational awareness because it requires soldiers to take their focus away from their surroundings to check screens or maps, or listen to audio instructions. The Mission Navigation Belt solves this problem by conveying navigation cues through haptic feedback and the underutilised sense of touch. This way, it frees up soldiers’ hands, eyes and ears to concentrate on their surroundings.
The MNB was developed by haptic feedback specialists Elitac Wearables in close collaboration with the Netherlands Ministry of Defense. Major Van Veen, of the Royal Netherlands Army Defence Centre of Expertise for Soldier and Equipment, explained: “Modern soldiers have access to incredible, hi-tech navigation systems, but these all require soldiers to keep checking their screens constantly. This makes an already dangerous job even more dangerous because it reduces situational awareness.”
Solving the trade-off
The Mission Navigation Belt was developed to address this problem: “It has proved its value convincingly during field tests: Soldiers reported that they were more aware of their surroundings and found the navigational cues very intuitive. And because it plugs into our own soldier system, there is no learning curve or need for an additional battery. We look forward to implementing this order of belts and investigating other possible applications of the MNB.”, Major Van Veen said. The MNB can be used to navigate on foot and in vehicles both on land and water: Soldiers can change seamlessly from one mode of transportation to another without stopping to navigate.
Successful collaboration
Merijn Klarenbeek, CEO and co-founder of Elitac Wearables said “After multiple years of joint testing and development with the Netherlands Ministry of Defense, we delivered the first order of the finished product today. The Mission Navigation Belt is fully compatible and interoperable with the VOSS system (the improved operational soldier system developed for the Netherlands Ministry of Defense). Its design really pushes the boundaries when it comes to integrating electronics and textiles, as the belt had to be robust, comfortable, and, most importantly, reliable. The field tests conducted by the Royal Netherlands Army demonstrate that we have indeed achieved that. It is rewarding to think that our wearables will help keep soldiers safer”.
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Arnold Defense has manufactured more than 1.25 million 2.75-inch rocket launchers since 1961 for the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force and many NATO customers. They are the world’s largest supplier of rocket launchers for military aircraft, vessels and vehicles. Core products include the 7-round M260 and 19-round M261 commonly used by helicopters; the thermal coated 7-round LAU-68 variants and LAU-61 Digital Rocket Launcher used by the U.S. Navy and Marines; and the 7-round LAU-131 and SUU-25 flare dispenser used by the U.S. Air Force and worldwide.
Today’s rocket launchers now include the ultra-light LWL-12 that weighs just over 60 pounds (27 kg.) empty and the new Fletcher (4) round launcher. Arnold Defense designs and manufactures various rocket launchers that can be customized for any capacity or form factor for platforms in the air, on the ground or even at sea.
Arnold Defense maintains the highest standards of production quality by using extensive testing, calibration and inspection processes.
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