Australia developing wearable 'Fight Recorder' for soldiers

The "Fight Recorder" -- akin to the so-called black box used on aircraft -- would act as an emergency beacon to reduce the time taken to reach and treat battlefield casualties.

"In addition to serving as a location beacon, the data captured by the Fight Recorder could be used to inform the design and performance of soldier equipment and protective wear," Pyne said in a press release.

Australian telecommunications company Myriota and wearable technology company IMeasureU, will conduct the system development with about $559,000 of funding from the government's Next Generation Technologies Fund.

"Defense will work closely with these companies to help deliver this world-first innovation," Pyne said.

The minister said that when fully developed the recorder could also be used by emergency services and law enforcement personnel.

Chemring Ordinance awarded $11.8M contract for mine clearance devices
Washington (UPI) Sep 7, 2017 - Chemring Ordnance Inc. has received a $11.8 million modification to an existing contract for the purchase of Anti-Personnel Obstacle Breaching System MK 7 Mod 2 units, the Department of Defense announced on Wednesday.

The production will take place in Perry, Fla., with the manufacturing run expected to be completed by Oct. 31, 2018.

The APOBS Mk 7 Mod 2 is designed for breaching land mines, wire and other anti-personnel obstacles. It weighs 60 pounds and is designed to be carried and deployed by two men.

It can be set up in under two minutes and uses a stand-off rocket with a range of approximately 35 meters. When fired, the rocket carries a line charge of fragmentation grenades retarded by a drogue parachute, which lays the line over the mines and wire.

The explosives then detonate the mines and cut the wire, hopefully clearing a path for follow-up assault by infantry. The APOBS replaces the World War II era Bangalore Torpedo, which is far heavier and takes much more time to set up.