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U.S. Navy Awards iRobot Additional $26 Million for Man Transportable Robotic System Robots BURLINGTON, Mass., March 27, 2006 – iRobot Corp. announced a new contract delivery order from the U.S. Navy to build additional bomb disposal robots for shipment to the U.S. Forces. Under the terms, iRobot will deliver an additional 213 iRobot PackBot® Man Transportable Robotic Systems (MTRS), plus spare parts to repair robots in the field. The new award of $26 million marks the third round of funding by the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), bringing the total value of the orders placed to date to more than $43 million. “The PackBot MTRS robots are helping to reduce casualties as our soldiers battle insurgents who are littering Iraq with thousands of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs),” said Helen Greiner, chairman and co-founder, iRobot. “iRobot continues to develop innovative robot technologies that will offer soldiers options for more safely dealing with bombs and other threats.” The PackBot MTRS robots are customized for NAVSEA and are based on iRobot’s combat-proven PackBot Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) robots. PackBot MTRS robots are equipped with advanced tools and sensors that enable EOD technicians to identify and disrupt bombs from a safe distance. The U.S. military’s dual-sourced MTRS program has requirements for up to 1200 robots through 2012. These PackBot MTRS robots will be deployed in Iraq and elsewhere. Currently more than 300 PackBot robots are deployed worldwide where they are used extensively to disarm IEDs. The PackBot robots have performed tens of thousands of missions in the region and are credited with saving scores of soldiers’ lives. Source: iRobot Renovation and Modification of Swedish Artillery System Swedish Government submitted to the Riksdag Government Bill 2005/06:132, "Renovation and modification of the Haubits 77B artillery system". To enable the Swedish Armed Forces to retain a future artillery capability that has good potential for both national and international use, the Government proposes that the Haubits (Howitzer) 77B artillery system should undergo renovation and modification. The Government's proposal starts out from the recognition that the present artillery system has shortcomings in several respects, including protection of personnel. According to estimates, delivery of the artillery system will begin in 2009 and will allow an initial capability to be available in 2011. The renovation and modification of Haubits 77B comprises the following steps: - The gun will be mounted on a civilian off-road vehicle (dumper), which will create improved tactical and combat mobility. - The gun unit will be upgraded so as to be able to fire precision ammunition, among other improvements. - A splinter-proof cabin will be mounted on the dumper to protect the personnel from both attack and harmful sound pressure. - The gun will be equipped with remote control capability by making the gun itself computer-controlled and by developing a new loading system, modular loading. This means that the personnel will never need to leave the splinter-proof cabin at any time in the course of combat. - The gun units will be made more autonomous, making it possible to cut back on support systems in the military unit. Less personnel will subsequently be needed in the artillery units. The Riksdag has prescribed an operational organisation with two artillery battalions. The Swedish Armed Forces have made the assessment that this corresponds to 24 gun units. The cost estimates that the project is based on assume that Sweden will cooperate with a partner to share the costs with. If no partner joins in, the Government may reconsider implementation of the project. Source: Swedish MoD Sale of RUAG Ammotec USA Inc. to Umarex RUAG Ammotec Deutschland GmbH has sold its US subsidiary to the Umarex group of companies. This distributor specializes in the sale of high-quality airguns and airgun ammunition under the RWS brand, and is a market leader in this segment. RUAG Ammotec will continue to sell its products for the airgun pellet market - bearing the RWS label - via Umarex in North America. In the airgun segment, Umarex will use the RWS brand under a licence agreement. The two manufacturers expect the cooperation to generate significantly greater opportunities and synergies on the North American market. Source: RUAG Russia's Special Weapons And Equipment At SOFEX 2006 Exhibition The 6th International Special Operations Forces Exhibition, SOFEX 2006 will be held from 27th till 30th March, 2006 in Amman, the capital of the Hashimite Kingdom of Jordan, at King Abdullah Marka air base. The event is fostered by the head of the state King Abdullah II and supported by the Jordanian Armed Forces Command. It traditionally generates heightened interest among leading producers and customers of special weapons and equipment in many countries round the world. This year more than 270 companies and organisations from over 40 countries have been invited to attend SOFEX 2006. Russia is a traditional participant to this exhibition. Besides Rosoboronexport State Corporation, the united Russian delegation includes: Bazalt State scientific production enterprise, Moscow; Vega Radio-engineering concern JSC, Moscow; TsNIITOCHMASH Federal state unitary enterprise, Klimovsk, Moscow Region; Vyatskiye Polyany Machine-building plant, Vyatskiye Polyany; Sfera company, Nizhniy Tagil. Above 150 different products will be showcased by full-scale samples, models, mockups, advertising and promotional materials from leading Russia’s special weapons and equipment designers and manufacturers in a unique national exposition. The exhibition is also a good case to demonstrate other types of Russian-made armaments and military equipment intended for export, such as helicopters, armoured vehicles, air defence assets, multiple rocket systems, modern naval weapons adapted to needs of the Middle East countries. The RPG-26 and RPG-27 type hand-held anti-tank grenade launchers, RShG-1 and RShG-2 assault grenades, new munitions for the RPG-7 hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher can substantially increase firepower of mechanised infantry, assault, reconnaissance and special operations units. These weapons are capable of defeating existing and prospective armoured targets including those fitted with explosive reactive armour. At present such munitions are in service with more than 40 countries round the world. It should be noted that the well-known RShG-1 grenade will be displayed in complement with an expandable grenade launcher. The latter features the world’s unique thermobaric ammunition developed by Russian arms designers who drew on combat experience gained in recent local conflicts. Its combat effects ensure reliable destruction of enemy manpower in any type of shelters with a high-temperature field and a powerful shock wave generated after its round’s warhead explosion. Visitors’ interest will traditionally be drawn to highly efficient firing arms designed for special-operations and law-enforcement units. One will be able to see samples of the SR-1 self-loading pistol, SR-2 submachine gun, SR-3 compact assault rifle, PSS silent pistol, AS special silenced assault rifle, VSS sniper rifle, SPP-1M underwater pistol, APS underwater assault rifle, and special-purpose cartridges. These weapons embody design features most needed for anti-terrorist operations, such as limited maximum kill range, high grouping of both single-shot and automatic fire allowing reduction of collateral damage among civilian population, hostages and special unit operatives, as well as demolition of material assets. In the national exposition one will also find the best-selling samples of individual protection aerosol sets – the Udar and Udar-1M aerosol spray-dosers designed to temporarily disable living creatures, such as humans, wild and domestic animals. The protection sets are simple and reliable in use, safe and convenient in operation. Visitors will undoubtedly take notice of the 1U35 unified shooting trainer designed to master weapon handling skills in different firing positions without spending live ammunition. The Russian exposition will show special-purpose anti-terror equipment including various types of explosive ordnance device disposal equipment, as well as facilities for their safe transportation and de-arming characterised by design simplicity and operational reliability. Various types of non-lethal weapons will be of a certain interest too. Among them one will be able to see the SV-1301 and SV-1317 multi-purpose grenade-launching systems armed with tear-gas, blinding-deafening and shock-stunning rounds. These weapons are designed to produce psycho/physiological impact on armed terrorists who have seized means of transportation or buildings, to put them out of action for some time. A sizeable place on Russian stands will be given to a new generation of individual protection means. This part of the exposition includes the Sfera bullet-proof armoured vests and Alfa helmets providing high degree of protection thanks to use of special steel, modern design and improved comfort. Considering the global context where demand for modern and efficient means to counter terrorist threat is on the rise, Rosoboronexport State Corporation is able to satisfy to the maximum degree foreign customers’ requests and requirements for special weapons and equipment, including their joint development, production and promotion to the world market. Foreign visitors to the Russian exposition at SOFEX 2006 will be able to make certain one more time that the Russian Federation offers for export most modern high-technology military and dual-purpose products whose basic characteristics are rather not inferior, but in many cases superior, to their foreign analogues. First Two AMOS-AMV Mortar Vehicles to the Finnish Defence Forces The completion of the first two AMOS-AMV mortar vehicles was celebrated today at a roll-out ceremony in Patria's Weapon Systems premises in Vammala, Finland. Patria Weapon Systems has manufactured the weapon and loading systems while BAE Systems Hagglunds has produced the armoured turret and integrated the fire control system. Final turret integration into Patria AMV 8x8 armoured wheeled vehicle has been carried out by Patria Weapon Systems. Patria Hagglunds Oy, jointly owned by Patria and BAE Systems Hagglunds of Sweden, was awarded a contract in 2003 by the Finnish Defence Forces of 24 AMOS (Advanced MOrtar System) turret systems integrated on Patria AMV 8x8, the most advanced armoured modular vehicle in the market at present. Deliveries take place in 2006 - 2009. Total value of the order is over EUR 100 million. AMOS representing the latest technology in mortar systems together with Patria AMV with over 100 vehicles delivered so far offers an outstanding solution for a wide range of fire support needs in many different environments and operations. "We have been extremely happy with our cooperation with the Finnish Defence Forces in this Project. Also the Swedish Armed Forces have cooperated in the AMOS development work and we are looking forward to continuing the AMOS project with the Swedish customer in the near future", states Mr Jarmo Puputti, Executive Vice President of Patria's Weapon Systems Business Unit. "This delivery confirms the 10 year long successful cooperation between Hagglunds and Patria Weapon Systems. Both Hagglunds and Patria have a new product with big potential to launch on the export market," states Mr Sven Kagevall, Managing Director of BAE Systems Hagglunds AB. Source: Patria |
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March30, 2006 - News from Army-Guide.com >> |
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