Sep. 24, 2013 - By HOPE HODGE SECK – Defense news

Rheinmetall Defence's Air Burst Hand Grenade is designed to eliminate the tactical advantage of a wall or vertical structure sheltering an enemy target.

QUANTICO, VA. — Rheinmetall Defence is showcasing a technology here at Modern Day Marine that could cause enemies sheltering in trenches or behind berms to feel much less safe.

The Austrian company has developed an Air Burst Hand Grenade that is equipped with two charges, not just one. After being activated and thrown, the first charge shoots the grenade about two meters in the air, where the second charge detonates the explosive. The system is designed to eliminate the tactical advantage of a wall or vertical structure sheltering an enemy target.

Other features include a cone-shaped body that directs fragments downward to ensure the elimination of the target on the ground, while controlling outward dispersion.

The company’s senior advisor, Mike Miller, said while no Air Burst grenades have been fielded to U.S. military buyers yet, the Swedish Armed Forces began using the new weapons system last year.

24 May 2013 army-technology.com

Rheinmetall Defence has received a contract to upgrade the Germany Army's additional Fuchs/Fox armoured personnel carriers (APCs) to the latest 1A8 configuration.

The €36m contract from the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) will cover upgrade of 25 vehicles, bringing the total number of vehicles being modernised by the company to 177.

Vehicles will be supplied in five different configurations, which include seven HRM communication vehicles equipped with high-frequency HRM radio systems, five command and fire control vehicles for indirect fire/joint operations tactical fire support, as well as six armoured reconnaissance vehicles.

Remaining two variants comprise four combat weather section vehicles for indirect fire/joint operations tactical fire support, such as weather data collection and analysis, as well as three explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) section vehicles, increasing number of different variants in service with the Bundeswehr to 16.

"The Fuchs/Fox 1A8 is primarily deployed for operations in Afghanistan."

The vehicles are expected to be used by the army in support of deployed operations abroad and also for special pre-deployment training at home.

Featuring enhanced reliability and excellent off-road mobility, the Fuchs/Fox 1A8 is primarily deployed for operations in Afghanistan.

As well as offering increased protection from ballistic fire, the vehicle also boosts soldier's defence against landmines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) compared to earlier variants of the vehicle.

The vehicle's infantry section is fitted with an unmanned weapon station to provide crew members with enhanced self-defence capability, and a substantially higher level of protection against other battlefield threats.

Having already shipped 123 vehicles from previous contracts by February, the company is set to start delivery of new vehicles later this year, for scheduled completion in 2016.