Camero

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Oct 17, 2010

Founded in early 2003, Camero is run by an experienced management team with decades of experience providing solutions to major government and commercial customers. Camero benefits from the strong financial backing of leading Venture Capital investors and from its strategic shareholder, Motorola. Also supporting Camero is an Advisory Board comprised of prominent industry experts with experience at the highest levels in the military and first responder domains.
Camero is incorporated in Delaware, with its global sales and marketing headquarters based in Tysons Corner, Virginia. R&D is performed at a fully owned subsidiary, Camero-Tech Ltd, located in Israel. The company has a strong emphasis on the quality of its processes and is ISO 9001:2000 approved.

Founded in early 2003, Camero is run by an experienced management team with decades of experience providing solutions to major government and commercial customers. Camero benefits from the strong financial backing of leading Venture Capital investors and from its strategic shareholder, Motorola. Also supporting Camero is an Advisory Board comprised of prominent industry experts with experience at the highest levels in the military and first responder domains.

Camero is incorporated in Delaware, with its global sales and marketing headquarters based in Tysons Corner, Virginia. R&D is performed at a fully owned subsidiary, Camero-Tech Ltd, located in Israel. The company has a strong emphasis on the quality of its processes and is ISO 9001:2000 approved.

CamelBak

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Oct 17, 2010

CamelBak, the originator and world leader in hands-free hydration systems, initially introduced its products among mountain bikers and motocross riders, because it allowed them to drink without taking their hands off of the handlebars in technical terrain. As the war in Iraq and Afghanistan broke, soldiers were buying the CamelBak product privately and gradually, the system entered the standard issue equipment with many military forces operating in desert conditions.

In addition to the hydration systems the company also markets the Elixir tablets – an energy blend that includes caffeine, taurine, guarana and B-vitamins. This product is promoted as a healthy alternative to sugary energy drinks since one sugar-free Elixir Orange Alert tablet contains 75 mg of caffeine, about equal to one serving of Red Bull or one shot of espresso.

Amit Industries – Amicell

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Oct 17, 2010

Amit Industries Ltd. (Amicell) is a specialist provider of battery packs for military and aerospace applications. Founded in 1989, the company is marketing its product under the Amicell brand, offering standard and custom-designed battery packs in a wide range of technical formats including Li-Ion / Polymer, Ni-MH, Ni-Cd, as well as the appropriate charging systems. Amicell custom built battery packs designed to provide maximum energy density in minimum weight, are especially applicable for weight sensitive applications, such as soldier systems, man portable robotics and unmanned aerial systems.

ALS Technologies

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Oct 17, 2010

ALS Technologies specializes in less than lethal munitions, offering 12 gauge rounds, 37/40mm rounds and launchers, chemical and diversionary devices, OC delivery systems, stun munitions and a range of related products.

ACS – Alcohol Countermeasures Systems

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Oct 17, 2010

Canadian based international group of companies based in Toronto; a developer and manufacturer of alcohol sensing and breath testing instruments. ACS is presenting the Alcolock WR3 alcohol interlock. Also known as an ignition interlock, this in-car breath alcohol screening instrument prevents a vehicle from starting if it detects a driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over a pre-set limit. ACS has developed the ‘Alcohol Interlock’ for transportation safety. The product uses the same alcohol sensing technology used by police in roadside screening.

MBDA Tests a Novel Penetrating Warhead

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Oct 16, 2010

hardbut — During the recent test HARDBUT warhead was mounted on a representative missile airframe, accelerated over the sled track at Briscombe test center in France. The warhead carried an inert follow through bomb but employed a live precursor charge to demonstrate the penetration capability. The test proved that the weapon penetration capability significantly exceeds any warhead currently produced by the company. Photo: MBDA

The European missile group MBDA has completed a second successful test of a new aerial weapon designed to penetrate deep buried bunkers. The recent test employed the weapon using representative missile airframe, accelerated on the long sled track at the Biscarrosse test range of DGA Essais de Missiles on 14th September 2010. The first test, carried out on 18th May 2010, evaluated other NGMWS novel concepts. A third and final proving trial is now in the planning, concluding the technology demonstration objectives.

Designated ‘Hard and Deeply Buried Target’ (HARDBUT) is part of the Next Generation Multiple Warhead System (NGMWS) initiative, a research program jointly funded by the defense ministries of France and the U.K., HARDBUT employs a small precursor charge detonated in front of the massive concrete target, perforating an entry path for the hardened penetrating body carrying the main warhead. According to MBDA, During the recent test HARDBUT carried an inert follow through bomb but employed a live precursor charge to demonstrate the penetration capability.

The test proved that the weapon penetration capability significantly exceeds any warhead currently produced by the company. The trial was also designed to assess the robustness of the compact Ruggedized Electronic In-line Fuze (REIF) which will incorporate embedded smart fuzing algorithms. The target and trial set-up were designed to be operationally representative. The first test, carried out on 18th May 2010, evaluated other NGMWS novel concepts. A third and final proving trial is now in the planning, concluding the technology demonstration objectives.

The NGMWS is designed to defeat a wide range of targets such as command and control facilities, infrastructure and underground facilities including caves, reflecting current and potential future operations.

The program is being jointly managed by the UK MoD (DE&S) and the French MoD (DGA), supported by Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) and the Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique et aux énergies alternatives, Centre de Gramat (CEA Gramat), and successfully delivered by MBDA teams in the UK and in France, Thales Missile Electronics (TME), QinetiQ, BAE Systems Global Combat Systems Munitions (GCSM) and Fluid Gravity Engineering (FGE). The TDP has previously been independently audited by Cranfield University and assessed as delivering research of a world class standing.

Rafael Delivers the 1,000th Litening Targeting pod

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Oct 15, 2010

gripenLitening — Litening targeting pods are integrated with a wide range of fighter aircraft, among them the Gripen shown above.

In 1997 Northrop Grumman joined Rafael to become the prime contractor for the Litening pod for the U.S. market and U.S. Government Foreign Military Sales (FMS), representing more than half of all sales (designated AN/AAQ-28).

The pod has been integrated on many different aircraft, from the B-52 bomber, MiG-21, F-5E and F-4E to the latest versions of F-16, F-15E, Su-30 and Typhoon. Among the countries operating Litening are Australia, Brazil, Chile, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Spain, Turkey, the U.K., U.S. and Venezuela.

Israel Air Force Helicopters Conclude a CSAR Exercise in Greece

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Oct 14, 2010

A joint training exercise conducted by the Hellenic and Israel Air Forces took place in Greece this week. Israeli and Greek helicopters took part in simulated Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) operations, flying in a ‘coalition’ type operation as a joint force, as well as foes – training in a force-on-force scenario. This training included flights and landing in mountainous terrain and under changing weather conditions.

Aircraft taking part in the exercise included Israeli UH-60 Black Hawk (Owl) helicopters from the IAF Negev airbase Hatzerim and Apache (AH-64) helicopters from the “Ramon” Air Force base. The Hellenic helicopters participating in the exercise also included the Army Apache AH-64 alongside AS332 Super Puma and F-4E strike fighters of the Air Force.

The head of the Helicopter Air Division and the commanders of “Ramon” and “Hatzerim” IAF bases visited the training squadrons on Wednesday 13 October, and participated in the training, debriefing and conclusion of the exercise, which included chief representatives from the Hellenic Air Force.

In recent years the IAF has expanded international training activities, deploying combined task forces, strike packages, transport aircraft, search and rescue helicopters and other elements overseas. the IAF was routinely training in Turkey but since about 18 months, when the Turkish government closed its airspace to Israeli military flights, Israel has increased its training activities elsewhere – Sardinia, Greece and Romania being among the destinations recently mentioned in the press. In July 2010, on one of these flights, a CH-53D helicopter was crashed on a mountainous range killing six crew members.

Update: ISDEF 2010 – Israel Defense Expo Opens in Tel Aviv

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Oct 14, 2010

ISDEF 2010 is a leading defense event in Israel, serving the military and Special Forces, security agencies, law enforcement and correctional prison authority. The 2010 event is the fourth ISDEF exhibition taking place in Israel, it will also be the largest event, offering visitors and exhibitors new opportunities including live demonstrations and networking. The exhibition is provided exclusively for professional visitors and is closed to the general public. Defense Update, the media sponsor for IDEF 2010 presents a preview the event’s main themes and exhibitors. The exhibition will be held on October 18-20, 2010 at the Israel Trade Fairs Center in Tel Aviv, Hall 14-15.

Coinciding with ISDEF 2010 is the Homeland Security (HLS) Conference organized by the Technologies Group. The HLS conference is devoted to the different trends, innovations, developments and applications in this field, with an emphasis on designated electronic systems. Among the topics to be discussed are crisis management, surveillance and monitoring, information tools and algorithms for the analysis of large databases, automatic target identification and tracking, biometric identification systems including facial recognition, remote sensing of explosives, communication networks, communications monitoring and interception, advanced sensors and more. The conference will be held adjacent to ISDEF 2010, on October 19, 2010 at halls 12-13.

In 2009 ISDEF attracted over 2500 visitors, among senior officials from key local and international government agencies and the military, procurement officials from Israeli establishments, foreign procurement delegations, representatives, foreign attaches, an The event is sponsored by government agencies such as Israel’s Manufacturers Association, the Industrial Cooperation Authority (ICA) and Israel’s Export Institute. According to the organizers, 120 exhibitors are expected to participate in this year’s fair, up from 65 in 2009. Visitor attendance is expected to more than double to about 5,000 local and foreign visitors. In addition to many local Israeli companies, ISDEF will also host exhibitors coming from the U.S.A, Canada, the U.K., Sweden, the Netherlands, Slovenia and India.

Exhibits in ISDEF span over many areas, from personal equipment, small-arms weapons and weapon modifications for individual and the squad level, counter-IED, combat engineering equipment, urban assault systems, night vision systems, advanced communications, HAZMAT, CBRN and explosive identification systems, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) systems, and more.

Several exhibitors are showcasing small caliber weapons and ammunition, including less than lethal ammo, weapon modification,tactical lighting, adaptation and enhancement of firearms utilizing custom design accessories and replacement parts. U.S. Ordnance will showcase weapon currently under production for military customers, primarily NATO standard M2HB/QCB heavy machine gun, M60E4/Mk43 light machine gun, M60D Enhanced and M4/M203 weapon systems. Conversions of the M16/M4 weapons is also covered, offering better accuracy, low acoustic signature, greater accuracy and improved reliability over the original AR15, M16 and M4 family of weapons.

Personal gear for the warfighter is well represented at ISDEF, including name leading brands such as protective eyewear from ESS and CamelBak hydration systems, and footwear manufacturer Wellco, showcasing the ‘Blast Boots‘, part of the company’s line of military footwear. The Blast Boot’s unique design deflects mine blast outward from the point of contact, providing the wearer the protection, flexibility and comfort for extended operation in mine infested areas.

EZ-Info will introduce a new combat identification system, effective in the visible, thermal and NIR spectral bands, enabling effective identification of friendly forces and battlefield preparation using concealed target reference points, clearly marking and effectively engaging enemy targets in complex, protected areas. GMA is also demonstrating innovative multi-spectral camouflage techniques utilizing their proprietary Aketon concealment system.

Idan will show how aerial recce images transform into two- and 3D models providing detailed intelligence resources for military planners and the warfighters, utilizing the company’s Oblivision and Telem applications. Advanced electro-optical equipment for personal use and unit level applications will also be displayed by several manufacturers from Israel and abroad. Electro Optical system will be presented by a number of companies, including the U.S. FLIR Systems, and Newcon Optik from Canada.

Systems designed for the detection of explosives, chemical or biological agents are also attracting increasing interest among world military, homeland security and agencies responsible for hazardous materials (HAZMAT). At ISDEF, Proengine will demonstrate CBR agent detectors based on flame spectrometry technology, enabling almost instant, simultaneous detection of multiple hazardous chemical warfare agents or biological pathogens. The Israeli company STI will showcase their forensic an explosive identification sensor, analyzing vapor and trace vapor samples for reliable and accurate identification of commercial, military and improvised explosives. Verint, a specialist in lawful interception and actionable intelligence from video surveillance, will also present its solutions for homeland security.

The Israeli startup company Camero will demonstrate its innovative sensor capable of ‘seeing through walls’. Camero will demonstrate how assault teams can use the handheld XaverT 400 radar to view people and movement behind walls.

Law enforcement systems are also exhibited here. Among the innovative products and technologies to be exhibited at ISDEF, are the alcohol interlock, developed by the Canadian company ACS. Also known as an ignition interlock, this in-car breath alcohol screening instrument prevents a vehicle from starting if it detects a driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over a pre-set limit.

Defence Geospatial Intelligence (DGI) 2011

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Oct 14, 2010

Defense Update is proud to add WBR’s Defence Geospatial Intelligence (DGI) 2011 to the list of defense professional events sponsored by us. DGI 2011 is Europe’s largest and most international annual gathering dedicated to the high-level discussion of the importance and the major challenges of the use of geospatial intelligence in both defence and national security operations.

DGI brings together 700 heads of Geospatial Intelligence, Remote Sensing, GIS Mapping, Satellite Imagery and Analysis within the Military, Governmental and National Security sectors. It attracts professionals who are responsible for using, and integrating, geo based capabilities in their operations and organisations. DGI provides a unique forum for defense intelligence to discuss and debate the development of geospatial intelligence capabilities across the globe in defence and security sectors. Over 45 ministries of defence and governments are sending their senior officers and executives to join this geospatial intelligence community event. Among the attending delegations are members of the Ministries of Defense of the UK, Australian, French, Norwegian, Finland, Canada, NATO C3 Agency, EU Forces, AGCHO Afghanistan, UNOSAT, BGIO Germany, US Army, Department of Defense and Coast Guard, Italian Defence General Staff, and Israel’s Intelligence Service and others.

Addressing the use of geospatial information in scenarios such as international conflicts, defence intelligence operations, C4ISR, humanitarian disasters, crime, national security, border control, arms treaty monitoring and global climate change; a fundamental objective of DGI is to help organisations understand how to build the necessary infrastructure and architecture to take advantage of geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) capabilities.

Geospatial imaging services are used for a wide range of applications, beyond pure intelligence operations. The European Union (EU) is currently acting as the driving force for the so called “comprehensive approach”. The Global Monitoring of Environment & Security worth €1.6 billion is designed to integrate defence, civilian, national security and anti-terrorist GIS intelligence capabilities. This will achieve better results for all parties involved, and most importantly will keep the costs in tight control. It is especially relevant to the GIS intelligence community, as every European government is cutting costs, tightening budgets and reduces spend. Therefore, shrinking defense expenditure and the growing need for geospatial intelligence are expected to be the major themes at the upcoming 2011 event.

The changing role of geospatial capabilities in intelligence collection, analysis and decision-making, will be addressed by Royal Air Force Air Marshal Sir Stuart William Peach, Chief of Joint Operations at the UK Ministry of Defence. Air Marshal Peach is responsible for the planning and execution of UK-led joint, combined and multi-national operations. Prior to that, he was the Director General Intelligence Collection in the Defence Intelligence Staff. In this role Air Marshal Peach was responsible for the organisation of what makes up the largest sub-element of Defence Intelligence. He was in charge of the collection of Signals, Geo-spatial, Imagery and Measurement and Signature Intelligence.

New Super-Strong Fiber Designed to Meet Threats in Former-Soviet Markets

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Tamir Eshel

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Oct 14, 2010

762x25_tokarev — 7.62x25 Tokarev cartridge.

Composite fibers manufacturer DSM Dyneema unveiled today the SB51, a new fiber optimized for use in ballistic vests that combine minimum weight with high protection performance against handgun ammunition, fragments and knives. It was designed specifically to provide protection against the prevalent threats in Central and Eastern Europe and Asia Pacific, namely the 7.62x25mm Tokarev bullet, widely used in former Soviet states and neighboring countries as well as the Chinese P54 pistol ammunition.

Zhong Tian Feng (ZTF) in Beijing has been named the launch customer for the new fiber. ZTF is a development partner with DSM Dyneema in China. According to Sasja Spiertz, Business Segment Manager, Personal Protection, at DSM Dyneema, the company invested in the new line in expectation of important new business in Central and Eastern Europe. Spiertz added the new fiber is the first of a new series of grades that will expand our portfolio in the coming months and years.

SB51 pioneers a new line of ballistic protection vest grades uni-directional (UD) materials promising better protection achievable with Soft Ballistic (SB) armor. Tests conducted on the new material indicated it substantially outperforms aramids, demonstrating improvements of 10 to 20% compared with Dyneema SB21 for specific bullet and test specifications. Dyneema SB51 followed the SB21 and SB31 UD grades, all three are made with the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) Dyneema fiber.

Integrated into a protective vest system fabrics woven of the new fiber are combined with trauma liners and stab resistance solutions in vests designed to meet various international standards, including NIJ 0101.04 and NIJ 0101.06. In China, ZTF plans to offer ballistic protection vests complying with the Chinese specification GA-141 2001. The new material is suitable for both tactical and concealed vest designs, enabling vests to be designed with low Back Face Signature while remaining thin, light and comfortable. Trauma liner systems can be made more flexible than before while still keeping vests within specification.

Russia to Triple Defense Procurement Spending by 2013

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Oct 14, 2010

Details on the planned Russian defense spending for 2012 were revealed last week, during a Parliament debate on defense spending, when Defense committee chairman Viktor Zavarzin outlined almost three trillion rubles (98 billion US$) for planned defense spending in the period of four years (2010-2013). Russian press agency Novosti reports.

Thes figures include operations, procurement and research and development (R&D). The later will more than double in the next three years, from 487 billion rubles (US$16.3 bn) in 2010 to 574 bln (US$19.2 bln) in 2011, 726 bln (US$24.3 bln) in 2012, and up to 1,160 billion ($38.8 bln) in 2013.

The increase in spending is attributed to additional procurement – While actual spending on R&D will also double, from the current US$3.5 billion to US$6.5 billion, the share of R&D in the budget is expected to fall from the current 22% to 16% in 2013 indicating that most of the growth will be invested in operations and procurement. The share of procurement spending is expected to almost triple between 2010 and 2013, growing from 13% in 2010 (US$2.1 billion) to 14% in 2013 (US$5.4 billion).

Quite a few strategic weapon systems are included in the Russian military shopping list – RS-24 intercontinental ballistic missiles, Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missiles and Su-34 Fullback long range strike fighters. Other items include Su-35 Flanker-E for the Air Force, modernization of the Black Sea Fleet, with submarines, corvettes and frigates, and fielding of modern battlefield command-and-control systems for the Ground Forces.

7th Counter IED Conference

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Oct 13, 2010

More than 50 percent of fatalities among coalition forces in Iraq and Afghanistan during the first six months of 2010 are a result of terrorist IED attacks. The 7th Annual “Countering IEDs” conference to be held December 7-9 in Washington DC will address this threat, and the measures coalition forces, government agencies and industry are taking to contain and defeat IEDs. This 7th annual event focuses on C-IED operations supporting Counter Insurgency (COIN) operations, combining lethal and non-lethal ways to attack IED supporting networks, as part of counter terrorism efforts inside the USA and abroad.

This event provides an excellent venue for those involved in the strategy, technical development, training, support and operations, to meet piers from different industries and organization, discuss new ideas and capabilities and learn from the experience gained in the field. Among the highlights at the event are the development of troops’ ability to recognize threats before an explosion takes place; employing strategies to attack the insurgent network of operations before devices are constructed and utilized; analysis of the domestic threat of IED’s, and how organizations at the different levels are addressing those threats, domestically and abroad. New capabilities used by the U.S. Army to neutralize vehicle-borne IED’s, activities taken by the Pentagon Force protection Agency, to introduce bomb squads addressing domestic threats, employment of persistent surveillance systems by the U.S. Marine Corps and insights from domestic IED incidents, gained by agents of the Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (ATF) teams.

Unlike classified events dealing with this topic, which are relatively narrow in focus, this event is rated ‘Unclassified’, enabling domestic U.S. and international officials from different branches and organizations to share, network and discuss strategies, tactics and learn about the lessons learned by others, to understand the constantly changing technologies and tactics involved with counter-IED.

The event is organized by the MarcusEvans group and sponsored by defense-Update.

Update: The Marines Want Cargo-UAS Now

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Oct 13, 2010

unmanned_kmax — Next Month, Unmanned K-MAX to Begin Operations in Afghanistan. Photo: Lockheed Martin

While DARPA’s dream of TX Transformers hopping supplies and personnel through the sky, avoiding roadside IEDs and ambushes, the Marines in Afghanistan need a solution now. In August the Second Marine Expeditionary Brigade (II MEB) published the requirements for C-UAS, following the Joint Urgent Operational Need (JUON) issue by the Marine Corps earlier, following the evaluation of several systems in early 2010. Due to the urgency of the mission the Marines are seeking a mature, autonomous, aerial cargo transport platform. For the actual deployment in Asia the corps plans to award six month contracts to civilian contractors who will operate and maintain the C-UAS in forward operating bases of the II MEB in Southern Afghanistan. In parallel, the U.S. Army is also considering using C-UAV to relieve manned helicopters from flying resupply missions but the Army requirements are not fully defined yet. It is anticipated that once introduced in theater, such assets could also be employed for other missions, for example, route clearing and IED sweeps along roads.

a160_sling — In March 2010 Boeing demonstrated the capability of its A-160T to transfer more than 2,000 pounds of cargo, addressing an urgent requirement raised by the Marines. Photo: Boeing.

Both A160T from Boeing and the unmanned K-MAX proposed by Kaman – Lockheed-Martin team have demonstrated their cargo transport capabilities. Eventually, other unmanned rotary-wing aircraft could join the service – one option could be the Fire-X from Northrop Grumman, an unmanned version of the Bell-407 (Fire-X) which will soon make its maiden flight.

Supporting forestry in the U.S. since 1994 with the manned K-MAX helicopter, the unmanned version offers the largest payload lift capability among all three (up to 6,000 lbs at sea level or 4,300 pounds at 15,000 feet.) A single K-MAX often moves more than one-million pounds of timber in a single day, and has exceeded two-million pounds in a single day on numerous occasions. The K-MAX producer Kaman is currently developing autonomous pick-up technologies that will allow the Unmanned K-MAX to attach loads without human intervention. The development will also provide for pin-point delivery as determined by the soldier on the ground.

The demonstration flights at Yuma highlighted flight scenarios demonstrated the platform’s ability to at 12,000 ft. density altitude with a 1,500-pound sling load; deliver 3,000 pounds of cargo over a 150 nm round trip to a forward operating base within six-hours, and deliver four loads totaling 3,450 pounds in a single flight to four separate destinations. The vehicles had to demonstrate remotely controlled flight and a precision load delivery, assisted by ground-based operator.

Boeing also demonstrated the MCWL the A160T’s ability to deliver at least 2,500 pounds over the 150 nm round trip. While the A-160T platform has carry less than half the K-MAX’ payload, the Hummingbird managed to haul the weight lifting half the load – a 1,250-pound sling load over two 150-nautical-mile round trips, operating autonomously on a preprogrammed mission. Boeing started A160T production at its helicopter plant in Mesa, Ariz., in March 2010.

At these demonstrations the unmanned K-MAX flew remotely controlled, hovered at an altitude of 12,000 feet with a 1,500-pound sling load, delivered 3,000 pounds of cargo well within the six-hour required timeframe, in two 150 nm round-trip flights, It performed precision load deliveries during day or night, controlled by a ground-based operator. On some missions, new flight plans were uploaded to the aircraft’s mission management system. The K-MAX helicopter employed its four-hook carousel, which enables multi-load deliveries in a single flight. The aircraft also demonstrated cargo dispatching to multiple locations. Employing its four-hook carousel the K-MAX flew to three pre-programmed delivery coordinates, loaded up with 3,450 pounds of cargo, and released a sling load autonomously at each location, delivering the fourth load under manual control by the ground operator. “Airdropping cargo as an option to placing a sling load on the ground can enhance an unmanned aircraft’s survivability while delivering critical supplies in combat environments,” explained Terry Fogarty, Kaman Unmanned Systems general manager.

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