Daily news - Day 4
Hands-free hydration
US company CamelBak Products (Stands 2211, OD420 and OD430) has increased the hydration options available to soldiers in the field, with the introduction of the Elixir electrolyte-enhanced hydration drink, and SquadBak and SixBak large capacity reservoirs.
The SquadBak is a 25-litre capacity reservoir intended to speed the process of refilling two reservoirs simultaneously through two HydroLink spigots. SixBak, carrying an impressive six litres of water, is a standalone hydration system designed for use by soldiers and marines on especially long, arduous missions. Elixir, available in quickdissolving effervescent tablets, is added to plain water to maximise the benefits of hydration by maintaining the body’s optimal fluid balance.
21 February, 2007
Kongsberg takes Protector to sea
Having achieved significant international sales success with its Protector remote weapons station in the armoured fighting vehicles market, Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace (Stand 314) has unveiled a naval derivative designed to provide close-in force protection against asymmetric surface threats. Known as Sea Protector, the system is adapted from the latest M151A2 Protector weapon/sensor mounting already fielded by the US Army’s Stryker Brigades, and ordered by Australia, Canada and several other nations.
21 February, 2007
Light naval gun trained on Kuwait
Having already delivered some 55 MLG 27 light naval gun systems to the German Navy, Rheinmetall Waffe Munition is now working on a first export order for Kuwait. An automated small-calibre weapon mounting combining a 27mm cannon with an on-mount electro-optical sensor package, the MLG 27 is specifically designed for arming small surface combatants and support vessels, enabling effective engagement of fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, speedboats and coastal threats.
21 February, 2007
Novel L-Cat bridges the gap
Ship-to-shore transfer of troops and materiel has traditionally been performed by landing craft utility vessels that can trace their basic design lineage back to the Second World War. However, it is a fact that such craft are compromised by their inability to combine the key attributes of high speed, high and good beaching qualities. Air cushion vehicles offer an alternative – but come at a significantly higher cost.
21 February, 2007
Ukraine displays wound detection system
One of the more unusual items being shown at IDEX 2007 is a wounding detection system that has been developed by the High Technologies Institute of Ukraine. The system consists of six small sensors that are mounted on various parts of the body, which rapidly identify the entry point of a bullet and then define whether the bone or soft tissue only was injured.
21 February, 2007
Radio for uncontrolled environments
Datron World Communications (Stand A35, USA Pavilion) has launched its HF software defined radio here. Designated the RT7700, the radio is a desktop or rackmountable HF set that meets MILSTD- 810 and is said to perform extremely well in uncontrolled environments. This makes it an ideal choice for naval and deployed ground forces installations, for which the RT7700 can be supplied as transceivers, receivers and transmitters.
21 February, 2007
‘Go anywhere’ surveillance
The need to seal long, featureless borders that may be difficult to access has encouraged Selex Sensors and Airborne Systems to develop Mobile Surveillance Units (MSU) designed to operate autonomously, or as part of an integrated border management system.
21 February, 2007
MD Helicopter in Action
Dubai-based Action Aviation is showcasing the MD Explorer at the helicopter static pavilion (OD1680) and on its Stand CON 815. Having signed an eight-year distribution contract with the US manufacturer in November 2006, Action Aviation is marketing and supporting this multirole light twin helicopter in the Middle East, India, Sri Lanka and Scandinavia.
21 February, 2007
Multi-pronged market attack
With more than 210 units now sold worldwide, including a significant number in the Middle East, it is not surprising that Finmeccanica company AgustaWestland (Stand 1711 and OD1450) is exhibiting the AW139 at IDEX, courtesy of Abu Dhabi Aviation.
21 February, 2007
Pandur II in production
Steyr-Daimler-Puch Spezialfahrzeug (Stand A83) has confirmed that its new generation Pandur II family of 8x8 armoured fighting vehicles is now in quantity production for Portugal. The first batch of 42 Pandurs is coming from the Austrian production line in Vienna and the remaining 218 from the recently established Fabrequipa production line in Portugal.
21 February, 2007