Breaking news
New 84 million order of 64 more systems Gladius future soldier equipment for German Army 1002132.
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Defence Industry News - Rheinmetall Defense |
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Sunday, February 10, 2013, 01:50 PM | |||
New €84 million order of 64 more systems Gladius future soldier equipment for German Army. | |||
Moves
by the German Bundeswehr to equip its infantry forces with the state-of-the-art
Gladius soldier system are gathering pace. In January 2013, the Düsseldorf,
Germany-based Rheinmetall Group was awarded an order to supply a further
sixty systems. The procurement programme began in 2012 with an initial
order of thirty systems, enough to equip 300 troops. |
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Rheinmetall Gladius Future Soldier equipment in details |
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This follow-up order is worth
€84 million, and encompasses equipment for 60 infantry sections
with a total of 600 soldiers. |
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The first Gladius future soldier equipment will be delivered to the German Army in June 2013 for training before going to Afghanistan. |
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An
expanded set of capabilities Gladius substantially exceeds the capabilities of previous infantry systems used by the Bundeswehr, especially with regard to networkability, command and control, and combat effectiveness. Reflecting the heightened requirements profile of the user as well as incorporating knowledge gained during comprehensive testing and in the field, Gladius is essentially a new, highly advanced system. A prominent feature of the Gladius system is the holistic design approach that takes full account of the complex operational requirements levied on modern soldier systems. Gladius is intended first and foremost to bring the 10-man infantry section and its vehicle into the network-enabled operational loop. This network, consisting of reconnaissance, command and control components, and weapons, enables rapid exchange of information as well as shared situational awareness as the basis for planning and conducting operations. The individual soldier receives all relevant data concerning the tactical situation, the position of friendly forces, the mission, and system status. It includes a GPS and an inertial navigation system as well as a magnetic compass, facilitating reliable orientation on the ground. Improved ergonomics and superb protection Equally impressive are the system’s ergonomic features, especially with regard to weight reduction, miniaturization and improved integration of individual components. The modular battle dress uniform, body armour and harness system provide excellent protection from detection in the visual and infrared spectrum as well as from the weather – even in extreme climate zones – and especially from biological and chemical agents. Flame-retardant equipment and vector protection round out the system’s high level of protection. The system is integrated into an “electronic backbone” that contains the radio, core computer, batteries and GPS module. More than just the sum of its parts, the Gladius system puts Bundeswehr infantrymen on the global cutting edge, placing them ahead of their peers in terms of networking capabilities, command and control, and operational efficiency. |
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