Defense Update News Feed

Sand-X Motors Introduce the Sand-X T-ATV Desert Patroller

25 Aug 2010 19:15:43 GMT

Originally introduced as a recreational vehicle for the emirate�s elite, UAE based Sand-X Motors has recently introduced the military version of the Sand-X Tracked All terrain Vehicle (T-ATV) designated �Desert Patroller�, tailored for security and military market, special operations, border security and other military and security applications. (Newscast)

MultiCam Camouflage Pattern Selected for U.S. Army Uniform and Equipment

19 Feb 2010 23:49:21 GMT

Following four months of evaluations of alternative camouflage patterns, the U.S. Army selected MultiCam for the uniform to be provided for all soldiers deploying to Afghanistan starting the summer of 2010. The new, fire resistant Army combat Uniforms (ACU) finished in MultiCam patterns, will be accompanied by personal and combat equipment applied this patterns, including body armor, rucksacks, and helmet covers. Selection of the new camouflage patterns was the third phase of a four-phase plan to improve Army combat uniform camouflage options for all soldiers.

British MOD Launches the first phase of FIST Acquisition Program

21 Sep 2009 18:29:19 GMT

British infantry units will soon be issued with new Surveillance and Target Acquisition (STA) package. The order, part of a �150m contract awarded by the British Ministry of Defence (MOD) to Thales UK marks the first acquisition increment of the Future Integrated Soldier Technology (FIST) program. The full FIST package will consist of nearly eleven thousand suites of equipment.

MAUL Weapon launched at Small Arms Symposium in Nevada

20 May 2009 07:00:03 GMT

"At 1.8 pounds, we think we have set the bar for a five shot semi-automatic shotgun." said MSI General Manager Peter D. Faulkner, introducing the new MAUL - an ultra-light shotgun attachment that fits under the barrel of an individual combat weapon including the M-4 and M-16 rifles. “The MAUL was conceived with a great deal of influence from the US operational community� said Faulkner, “We were consistently told that weight should be at the top of our design priorities.� The new weapon was unveiled today at the MAUL at the Joint Services Small Arms System Symposium in Las Vegas, Nevada

Metal Storm Completes 3GL, MAUL Tests

30 Apr 2009 08:38:27 GMT

Metal Storm's MAUL to Debut at the NDIA show Next MonthMetal Storm completed an endurance firing test of launching 200 of its 40mm STORM40 ammunitions using its 3GL grenade launcher. Following the successful test, the company expects to begin production of the 3GL in 2010. The testing culminated in a series of shoulder firings at Metal Storm�s test facilities in Chantilly, Virginia USA on Friday, 24 April 2009. The MAUL is an ultra-light shotgun attachment that fits under the barrel of an individual combat weapon including the M-4 and M-16 rifles.

Defense Update sponsors the 9th Soldier Technology Event

17 Apr 2009 18:58:04 GMT

The 9th annual Soldier Technology conference and exhibition will take place from June 30th � July 3rd at the Olympia Conference Centre, London, offering soldier modernisation professionals unparalleled learning and networking opportunities. Defense Update will be covering the event for the third year as Media Sponsor. With 65+ senior military soldier modernisation experts from 27+ MoDs giving executive briefs, including 22+ international soldier modernisation programmes, Soldier Technology offers unbeatable insight on soldier system integration from the heads of world leading future soldier projects. Register today to network with 400+ high quality attendees and test the latest soldier products demonstrated in the interactive exhibition by 40+ innovative defence Prime Contractors and equipment manufacturers including EADS and ELBIT Systems Land and C4i � Tadiran. To register, call +44 (0) 207 368 9465, email soldiertechnology@wbr.co.uk or visit the event's website www.soldiertechnology.com

Dynamit Nobel Defence Develops a New Multi-Purpose Shoulder Launched Weapon

18 Mar 2009 19:53:57 GMT

Dynamit Nobel Defence GmbH is developing a new anti-structure weapon designed to fill the gap identified by the German Army, between current anti-tank and anti-material shoulder fired weapons and lightweight anti-tank missiles. The new Wirkmittel 90 currently in development will be capable of firing from enclosed spaces (adapted for urban warfare) and is expected to have a maximum combat range of 1,200 meters, firing a tandem HESH warhead fitted with tri-modal fuze.

British Army Prepares the RidgeBack for Missions in Afghanistan

16 Mar 2009 21:05:26 GMT

The first batch of the British Army new 4x4 Ridgback protected vehicles are currently being tested and are expected to be shipped to Afghanistan later this year. These vehicles, based on the 4x4 Cougar produced by the US based Force Protection company are lighter and more manoeuvrable than the�6x6 Mastiff armoured fighting vehicle, also based on the Cougar platform.

Analysis: The Afghan War is Becoming a Logistical Nightmare

14 Mar 2009 18:44:41 GMT

While winning the war in Afghanistan seems, under the circumstances, mere wishful aspirations, even keeping the deployed troops supplied could soon become a logistical nightmare. The land supply route supporting ISAF through Pakistan is already unreliable, forcing the coalition to search for safer alternatives. Seeking replacement to Manas airbase is another top priority that US military leaders have to solve in their logistical support dilemma.

Future Combat Systems UVS Complete Preliminary Design Reviews

13 Mar 2009 21:34:53 GMT

All the unmanned vehicle systems included in the U.S. Army's Future Combat Systems' program successfully completed preliminary design reviews (PDR) this month (March 2009). The UVS Integrated Product Team (IPT) completed the five PDRs ahead of the FCS System-of-Systems (SoS) PDR scheduled for later this spring. The SoS PDR will assess the integration of the program's individual platforms into a complete SoS architecture and help establish baselines for developing prototypes. The systems that passed the evaluation include three MULE versions, the Small UGV, Class I UAV, and Class IV (Firescout) Vertical Take-off and Landing UAV.

TACOM Orders two Cheetah Armored Vehicles

12 Mar 2009 21:57:25 GMT

Force Dynamics was awarded $1 million order for two vehicles to be used for testing as part of the M-ATV program. The M-ATV Cheetah incorporates several improvements to the original FPI Cheetah, including independent suspension, additional interior capacity, and a significantly increased power-to-weight ratio.

Army, Marines Evaluate Five Vehicle Models for M-ATV

12 Mar 2009 23:22:46 GMT

US Army and Marine Corps are planning to field as many as 10,000 dedicated All-Terrain Mine Resistant Armor Protected (MRAP) optimized for operations in Afghanistan. Four vehicle manufacturers were cleared to pass to the next evaluation level, including Oshkosh, Navistar Defense, Force Dynamics and BAE Systems. Read the updated story on Defense Update.

Austria's new LMV to mount new Weapon Stations

22 Feb 2009 10:31:53 GMT

Austria is buying 150 Light Multi-role Vehicles (LMV) from Iveco. According to an announcement by Iveco, the company will deliver the vehicles in seven configurations. The vehicles will be equipped with a new remotely operated weapon station model developed by Elbit System.

GAO Culls JLTV Protests

21 Jan 2009 17:41:58 GMT

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) denied protests filed in November last year by three teams that lost the initial selection process of the Army's Joint Light Tactical Vehicle - Textron-Boeing-SAIC, Northrop Grumman-Oshkosh and Force Protection. The GAO decision will enable Pentagon to launch the 15 month program designing and manufacturing 12 vehicles for subsequent testing, leading to a procurement decision in 2011. After the filing of the protest, the Army issued stop work orders to the winning companies, an action that could have delayed the program by few months.

New Datalink Quadruples Raven's Operability

18 Mar 2009 12:12:10 GMT

New production Raven (RQ-11B) Small UAVs to be delivered to the US Army will be equipped with Digital DataLinks (DDL) for the first time. In January 2009 the Army placed an order valued $16 million for the production of 50 Raven systems, equipped with the new DDL.

Honeywell Supplies T-Hawk to the UK

13 Mar 2009 21:08:41 GMT

Honeywell announced receiving a US Navy order for six T-Hawk Micro Air Vehicle systems, destined for the British MoD. In addition to the six T-Hawk MAV units, the MOD will receive training, field support, maintenance and spare parts.