by David Crane david@defensereview.com A 16-round Metal Storm prototype 40mm grenade launcher system attached to/mounted on a Foster-Miller Talon Robot/UGV (Unmanned Ground Vehicle) apparently successfully completed a series of live-fire tests in front of approx. 100 senior scientific and technical personnel from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and selected military defense industry representatives at a U.S. Army’s firing range …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com On March 17th, 2005, it was announced that iRobot (headquartered in Burlington, MA) has won an $18.4 million Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) contract to provide 150 of its PackBot EOD Hazardous Duty Mobile Robots to the U.S. Navy by the end of 2005 for the purpose of explosive ordanced disposal operations. These robots, already battle-proven/combat-proven …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com The following Sources Sought Notice looks like it’s essentially the same solicitation as that covered in the previous article, just in alternate form (a previous version, if you will): "General Information Document Type: Sources Sought Notice Solicitation Number: W15QKN-05-X-0427 Posted Date: Nov 05, 2004 Original Response Date: Dec 07, 2004 Current Response Date: Dec 07, 2004 …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com This article contains the first digital photo of a camouflaged/combat-ready/field-ready Foster-Miller Armed/Weaponized Talon Robot/UGV (Unmanned Ground Vehicle), a.k.a. SWORDS robot of which DefenseReview is aware. The weapon attached to the Talon Robot/SWORDS robot in the pic would appear to be an AT4 anti-armor/anti-tank weapon (ATW) (i.e. rocket launcher), which is produced by Saab Bofors Dynamics, Weapon …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com Click on images below to view them full-size. All photos were taken by Arnold Crane, Photographer, and are the property of DefenseReview.com. I recently wrote several articles for a print publication after I test-fired a few weapon systems–the select-fire Lewis Machine & Tool Monolithic Rail Platform/Quick-Change Barrel System (LMT MRP/QCBS), Barrett M468-A1 subcarbine (6.8x43mm SPC), and …

by David Crane defrev (at) gmail (dot) com January 17, 2005 In the future, our infantry forces might employ non-lethal "laser dazzlers" to blind and disorient enemy soldiers, insurgents, and terrorists in order to capture them alive and preclude the need to kill them, so we can interrogate them. Or, the high-tech weapons can be used as a precursor to …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com The U.S. milityary and several large military defense/aeorospace companies (i.e. major military defense contractors) have recently expressed a significant level of interest in the DREAD Centrifuge Weapon System (centrifuge gun) technology that DefenseReview wrote about, back in June (2004). DefenseReview isn’t surprised. It seems like a no-brainer, really. The DREAD Centrifuge Weapon System tech appears to …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com DefenseReview recently attended the 24th Army Science Conference, in sunny Orlando, FL. The conference was held at the truly spectacular JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes (where we stayed, thanks to the U.S. Army). The conference itself was pretty terrific, as well. O.k., I’m going to discuss a number of very interesting military/military-applicable technologies I observed inside …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com Diamondback Tactical is marketing the Rugged Terrain Vehicle (RTV) as "the premier light tactical vehicle to meet today’s and tomorrows threat." The Rugged Terrain Vehicle (RTV) appears to be a modified "Prowler". More accurately, it appears to be a modified/upgraded Prowler Weapons/Reconaissance Platform that’s now been private-labeled by Diamondback Tactical. The Diamondback Tactical Rugged Terrain Vehicle …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com Not content to just sit around on their laurels, the folks at Springfield Armory have been busy little bees, churning out some new 1911 pistols (single stack). The first new pistols we’ll mention are the new TGO 1 Service Model 5" Bi-tone and TGO II Service Model 5" Bi-tone 1911 pistols. Both pistols have been designed …