Sponsored by Meggitt Training Systems
https://meggitttrainingsystems.com/
————————————————————————-
17 Jan 19. SIG SAUER Introduces the SIG AIR ProForce Airsoft Line for Professional Training. SIG SAUER has introduced the new, high-end SIG AIR ProForce airsoft line for professional training. SIG AIR ProForce products are designed as replicas of their centerfire counterparts in look, balance and handling characteristics and engineered to SIG standards for precision, accuracy, and reliability. Initial SIG AIR ProForce airsoft pistol offerings include the M17 airsoft pistol and P229 airsoft pistol.
“The SIG AIR ProForce line of airsoft guns is designed for professionals who train frequently and want the option of training safely in realistic force-on-force scenarios,” said Joseph Huston, Vice President and General Manager of SIG AIR. “SIG SAUER is a huge proponent of training, and we will continue to offer our customers numerous new product options to facilitate the safe practice of gun handling and target shooting in various environments.”
The new SIG AIR ProForce M17 airsoft pistol is similar in look and feel to the U.S. Army issued P320- M17 9mm pistol and features a polymer frame and metal slide with full blow-back action. The proprietary drop magazine holds 21 rounds of 6mm polymer or biodegradable BBs. An adjustable hop-up feature creates spin on the BBs for additional stabilization in flight, resulting in increased distance and accuracy. A picatinny accessory rail allows for quick and easy mounting of a laser or tactical flashlight.
Available in two power source options – 12g CO2 cartridge or green gas – the SIG M17 Airsoft pistol will be available with an optional optic plate mount for red dot sights. Velocity is up to 330 fps with muzzle energy of 1 joule (using a .20-gram polymer BB); however, results may vary depending on temperature and altitude. Available in Coyote Tan.
ProForce M17 Airsoft Pistol:
MSRP: $179.99
Recently chosen by the US Coast Guard for training, the SIG AIR ProForce P229 is a full-size, metal frame airsoft pistol with an ergonomic polymer grip. The P229 airsoft pistol is powered by green gas and features a full-metal slide with realistic blowback. The drop magazine holds 25 rounds of 6mm polymer or biodegradable BBs and a picatinny accessory rail allows for the mounting of a laser or tactical flashlight. Fixed front and rear white dot sights facilitate quick target acquisition.
Velocity is up to 330 fps with muzzle energy of 1 joule (using a .20-gram polymer BB); however, results may vary depending on temperature and altitude. Available in Black. ProForce P229 Airsoft Pistol: MSRP: $ 179.99
17 Jan 19. US DoD awards Joint Force Development contract to GD. The US Department of Defense (DoD) has awarded the Joint Force Development training contract to General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT). With an estimated ceiling value of $501m, the multiple-award indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity contract has a base period of performance of five years and includes one six-month option. The company will compete for task orders through the contract in support of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff’s J7 training programmes. The task orders are to provide services related to cybersecurity, planning, execution and analysis, and future joint training environments development.
General Dynamics Information Technology naval and training solutions vice-president and general manager Rich Farinacci said: “This award continues GDIT’s legacy as a trusted partner with the DoD and provider of next-generation training technology.
“GDIT brings a best-value solution tailored to meet every joint training challenge. Our management and technical approach focuses on our customers’ needs while advancing new, low-cost and low-risk technologies to improve training. We are excited to continue this work and focus on empowering our warfighters for every possible scenario.”
Work under the Joint Development Force contract will be carried out by the company at government facilities in Suffolk, Virginia, US.
The company has been providing services in support of US and multinational joint training audience requirements worldwide for the past two decades.
The multiple contract awards were also made to Capstone Corporation, Northrop Grumman Systems, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), CALIBRE Systems, and Booz Allen Hamilton.
The Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk, Contracting Department Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Us, is serving as the contracting activity. (Source: army-technology.com)
17 Jan 19. Canada’s Top Aces reaches new air combat training milestone. Canadian air combat training provider Top Aces has achieved a milestone of 75,000 hours of operational air combat training during a deployment to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. The company’s Alpha Jet aircraft supported Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Exercise Puma Strike. During the exercise, the aircraft provided both Red Air and electronic attack training for Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Cold Lake 410 Fighter Squadron operational training unit and 409 Tactical Fighter Squadron. The RCAF units, including CF-18s and KC-130s, supported by RCAF Air Weapons Controllers took part in the exercise.
Top Aces president and CEO Paul Bouchard said: “Thanks to the trust of our clients and the dedication of our team, we have just established a world record in the number of hours flown by an adversary air provider. We are ready to deliver the next generation of highly representative adversary air to all our customers worldwide. Reaching 75,000 hours is unparalleled in our industry worldwide. We are very proud of this milestone and of our industry-leading safety record and airworthiness standards. We are ready to deliver the next generation of highly representative adversary air to all our customers worldwide.”
Other recent deployments include RCAF 433 Tactical Fighter Squadron Exercise TIPIC STRIKE, which involved Top Aces teams flying training exercises with the USAF 8th, 311th and 314th Fighter Squadron F-16 Replacement Training Units (RTU).
Furthermore, Top Aces sent its aircraft for combined close air support operations with CF-18, Alpha Jet and MQ-9 Reaper aircraft that included inert weapon deliveries.
The company is planning to introduce advanced aggressor training using the supersonic F-16 Fighting Falcon equipped with advanced radar, electronic attack (EA) and on-board systems.
The new milestone comes after the firm reached 70,000 hours of air combat training in April. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
16 Jan 19. A320 For Special Operations Forces Training. The German KSK Special Operations Force received the discarded fuselage with wings and tail unit of an Airbus A320 for the training of the command soldiers. The aircraft of an Estonian airline could no longer be repaired. While the wings and tail unit were transported on low-loaders by land from Tallinn to Calw, the fuselage was initially transported in one piece by sea from Tallinn to Lübeck. From there it had to cover almost 1,000 kilometres across the country. For the 60 meter long train with Mercedes-Benz Actros 4163 SLT heavy-duty tractor and lifting lever boiler bridge of the heavy transport company Paule with the 34 metre long aircraft fuselage, numerous traffic signs and traffic lights had to be removed on the carefully selected transport route. The KSK will use the fuselage to practice operations on passenger aircraft in order to be able to liberate people from emergencies, e.g. hostage-taking, with a high degree of professionalism in the future. (Source: ESD Spotlight)
16 Jan 19. British Army’s Apache helicopters deploy to Arctic. The British Army’s AH-64 Apache attack helicopters have been deployed to the Arctic as part of Exercise Clockwork held at Bardufoss in Norway. The deployment marks the Apache’s flying debut inside the Arctic Circle, where temperatures drop to -30°C with white-out flying conditions. The helicopters are from 656 Squadron 4 Regiment Army Air Corps (4 Regt AAC), part of Attack Helicopter Force, which is participating in the Arctic flying training exercise. 4 Regt AAC is based at Wattisham Flying Station in Suffolk and operates the Apache helicopter as part of Joint Helicopter Command. The army regiment will provide Apaches as an aviation strike capability to the Royal Marines of 3 Commando Brigade, which is the British military’s extreme cold weather warfare specialist. During the training, the British Apaches will fly together with the Commando Helicopter Force’s Wildcat battlefield reconnaissance helicopters. The training will focus on allowing the aircraft and their crew to learn how to operate together in adverse weather conditions such as in the Arctic. In a statement, the British Army said: “Training in the Arctic builds on the Apache’s battle-winning abilities that have already been proved on combat operations in the maritime and desert environments.”
Built by Boeing, the AH-64 Apache helicopters are capable of flying close to the ground at low speeds to easily find and attack targets. The aircraft is designed to be able to operate in all weather, day or night conditions. (Source: army-technology.com)
15 Jan 19. Range Systems Releases PerfectFit™ Compact Shooting Range. PerfectFit uses Ti Outdoors’ V23 technology to create a virtual, live-fire shooting range for one-third of the required space of traditional commercial shooting ranges. Range Systems has partnered with Ti Outdoors to release PerfectFit Compact Shooting Range, an all-in-one range designed specifically for smaller spaces and maximum profit potential. A virtual, live-fire shooting range, PerfectFit pairs Ti Outdoors’ V23 technology with Range Systems’ ballistic rubber to help firearms retail business owners get the most out of their space. PerfectFit brings all of the aspects of a standard commercial range for one third of the overall size. Its 35×39 footprint allows firearms retail owners who are short on space to provide their customers with a 10-lane interactive shooting area.
“It’s rare that a commercial firearms business owner has 5,000 extra square feet of space on their property to add a traditional shooting range,” said Doug VanderWoude, Commercial Managing Director at Range Systems. “With PerfectFit, that simply doesn’t matter. Owners can now get a dynamic shooting space that fits their footprint and provides an interactive shooting environment for their guests.”
PerfectFit is outfitted with Ti Outdoors’ V23 technology. Using V23, virtual targets are broadcast in each individual range lane, allowing for live-fire shooting. These virtual targets are closer to the shooter, meaning less overall space is required down range. With less space required, PerfectFit ranges experience less wear and tear, meaning decreased upkeep costs for owners.
V23 also brings more than 32 interactive game options to PerfectFit. This makes the range a great option for a new generation of shooting enthusiasts interested in live-fire gaming.
“No two operations are alike,” said VanderWoude. “With PerfectFit, we aim to create a space that a wide variety of firearms retail owners can implement in their space to maximize their profits.”
The PerfectFit Compact Shooting Range will be showcased for the first time at the 2019 SHOT Show in Las Vegas. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
15 Jan 19. GaardTech targets survive Army firepower. Queensland-based GaardTech has demonstrated the survivability and capability of the company’s training TARGET systems in live-fire trials with the Australian Army. After the successful launch of GaardTech’s TARGETS (Tank and Reconnaissance Ground Enemy Target Systems) at Land Forces 18, the Australian Defence Force has moved quickly to put the veteran start-up to the test. The Australian Army purchased eight systems for M1A1 Tank and ASLAV live fire at the School of Armour in late November 2018. Furthermore, the Royal Australian Air Force has purchased surface-to-air missile (SAM) targets; which it is encountering in current operational zones.
Steen Bisgaard, founding director, said, “GaardTech intends to work closely with its customer bases to ensure the enemy force target arrays which we provide replicates what they will see on the battlefield; not just in the visual and thermal spectrum, but radar, EW and cyber also.”
These systems will be put to the test in early 2019 and will enable RAAF pilots to identify and destroy high-value targets. In 2019, GaardTech is expanding its Brisbane-based fabrication and is taking aim at export markets with the attendance of IDEX as part of Team Defence Australia in Abu Dhabi.
“Owning the best weapon system is historically not a safe laurel to rest on. Combat success and national security will only occur when the force operating it is trained to employ it against a thinking and motivated opponent,” Bisgaard added.
GaardTech will also be at the 2019 Avalon Airshow in late February, where Bisgaard has been nominated for the Young Innovator of the Year award as part of the Avalon Airshow Innovation awards.
“To see the ADF purchasing and putting the targets to the test is extremely exciting and proves the training value and uniqueness of our product offering,” he said.
GaardTech, is an Australian-owned, veteran founded defence innovation company. Its product offerings range from full size, highly detailed metal 2D tank and AFV targets to full-size metal 3D robotic military targets, which all contain active thermal cells.
What makes these metal military targets so innovative is their flat-packed transportation and shipping method, which sees 10 T-80 full-size tank targets packed into one 20-foot intermodal container. Finally, they are able to be hand assembled with no specialist tooling or lift equipment, enabling simple range set up and disassembly.
They have been proven to withstand the punishment of the 120mm cannon, and provide training value and training design opportunities as they do not require fixed range infrastructure.
Defence Connect spoke with Steen Bisgaard of GaardTech in 2018 to discuss the role of the company’s target training systems in enhancing the combat capabilities of the ADF. (Source: Defence Connect)
15 Jan 19. Australia kicks off involvement in 2019 Exercise Sea Dragon. Exercise Sea Dragon is underway in Guam where Royal Australian Air Force units have linked up with their US counterparts in the annual, multilateral operation. The exercise is based out of Andersen Air Force Base and runs for 11 days, with a focus on “building anti-submarine warfare (ASW) proficiency and increase warfighting lethality”.
“Being a multi-national exercise, our goal is to work closely with our Pacific allies and to continue to foster relationships in the region,” said Lieutenant Commander Korhan Orgun, Patrol Squadron (VP) 47’s 2019 Exercise Sea Dragon Officer in Charge.
“We’ll do this through ASW events and learning to work together more efficiently. Additionally, this exercise is a chance for us to further hone our ASW skills and become even more proficient in one of our core missions.”
A RAAF P-8A Poseidon will conduct flight operations alongside four US units, with support provided from a joint Mobile Tactical Operations centre. One RAAF aircrew has been provided to work with the aircraft.
“I have worked very closely with the RAAF P-8s before and even recently during the Rim of the Pacific Exercise,” said LCDR Orgun.
“Our Australian allies have been very professional and skilled at what they do and I look forward to sharing our experiences and learning more from each other.”
US units participating in the exercise include VP-47, VP-16 and Commander, Submarine Squadron (CSS) 15, operating under CTF-74.
CTF-72 has taken lead and will oversee the exercise.
Exercise Sea Dragon will see co-ordinated ASW actions against simulated and live targets, which includes a Los Angeles Class attack submarine.
“By also working with one of our submarines, it provides training for them and helps us prepare for any future engagements,” said LCDR Orgun.
“It’s an incredible opportunity for all involved.” (Source: Defence Connect)
14 Jan 19. Laos receives Yak-130s from Russia. The Lao People’s Liberation Army Air Force (LPLAAF) has received at least three Yakovlev Yak-130 ‘Mitten’ advanced jet trainer/light-attack aircraft from Russia, an LPLAAF source told Jane’s on 14 January. The platforms, the first of which arrived in the Laotian capital Vientiane in late December 2018, will enter service in the coming months and will be used by the LPLAAF primarily for training missions, added the source, who did not provide any details about costs or the exact number aircraft being procured. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
10 Jan 19. DF-26 TELs sighted at new PLARF training facility. Key Points:
- DF-26 TELs were sighted at a previously unknown training site near Alxa, Inner Mongolia, on 9 January.
- The deployment seems to coincide with a Global Times report claiming that the IRBMs were mobilised after a 7 January US Navy FONOP near the Paracel Islands
DigitalGlobe imagery captured on 9 January shows 12 DF-26 intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) transporter-erector-launchers (TELs) at a previously undisclosed training range of the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force (PLARF) located north of Alxa in China’s Inner Mongolia region.
The DF-26 IRBM can attack targets on land or at sea and can employ conventional or nuclear warheads. The 2017 Ballistic and Cruise Missile Threat report published by the US Defense Intelligence Ballistic Missile Analysis Committee (DIBMAC) gives the DF-26 a range of at least 3,000km.
The training range at Alxa was constructed between 2016 and 2018. It features a garrison complex, a probable missile storage and handling facility, and over 100 prepared launch positions. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
————————————————————————-
Meggitt Training Systems, makers of FATS® and Caswell technologies, a division of Meggitt PLC, is the leading supplier of integrated live-fire and virtual weapons training systems. Following the acquisition of FATS® virtual training systems and Caswell International’s live-fire ranges and services, Meggitt Training Systems continues to grow its capabilities based on the legacy of these two industry leaders. Over 13,600 Meggitt live-fire ranges and 5,100 virtual systems are fielded internationally, providing judgmental, situational awareness and marksmanship training to the armed forces, law enforcement and security organizations. Meggitt Training Systems employs more than 400 people at its headquarters in Atlanta and at facilities in Orlando, Canada, the United Kingdom, Netherlands, UAE, Australia and Singapore. It can deploy service personnel anywhere in the world for instructor training, system installation and maintenance. Learn more at https://meggitttrainingsystems.com/
————————————————————————-