KWESST (TSX-V:KWE, OTCQB:KWEMF) Micro Systems Inc. revealed that General Dynamics (NYSE:GD) Land Systems (GDLS) has selected KWESST 's Phantom electronic battlefield decoy as part of its ongoing efforts to develop a next-generation multi-domain mobile capability at the tactical level.
GDLS is a leading manufacturer of military vehicles such as tanks and lighter armored fighting vehicles for military customers around the world.
Over the next eighteen months, the KWESST engineering team will be working in close collaboration with GDLS to support readying a prototype vehicle with Phantom onboard for trials by their US military customer in the first part of 2023.
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“The Phantom capability will be designed to meet evolving Electro-Magnetic Spectrum Operations (EMSO) tactics, techniques, and procedures to be employed by vehicle operators in a radio frequency (RF) contested environment,” said the company.
KWESST (TSX-V:KWE, OTCQB:KWEMF) stated that should GDLS be the successful bidder for the planned follow-on production program, and include the Phantom, the potential value to KWESST (TSX-V:KWE, OTCQB:KWEMF) could be US$40 million or more, depending on the number of Phantom units per vehicle.
"Today's announcement represents an important validating milestone and significant potential order flow for KWESST, with multi-year visibility," KWEST founder CEO Jeff MacLeod said in a statement.
The company added that the US military customer is at the forefront of thinking as it re-aligns to an operating environment in which EMSO capability is critical to operational superiority against peer and near-peer adversaries.
"A capability like Phantom is a force multiplier," said MacLeod. "It is a programmable radiofrequency device that can mimic the electronic communications of NATO forces, thus fooling adversaries as to their location. As well, it can detect and display the RF signatures of both adversaries and friendly forces, thereby enabling reconnaissance patrols to plan and train for EMSO operations for maximum effect."
On October 4, KWESST announced that it was in advanced negotiations with a global defense contractor to provide Phantom units as part of the contractor's tender for armored vehicles to a large NATO customer.
"We are pleased to confirm that these negotiations were with GDLS and that we have now entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with them, leading to today's announcement," concluded MacLeod.
As described in the company's October 4 press release, the Phantom selection by GDLS which has now been confirmed is “one of several opportunities in progress with NATO customers” related to the company’s Phantom electronic battlefield decoy as they “pursue programs to create EMSO capability at the tactical level,” said the company.
Ottawa-headquartered KWESST commercializes breakthrough next-generation tactical systems that meet the requirements of security forces and personal defense. The company has representative offices in Washington, London, UK, and Abu Dhabi.
Contact the author Uttara Choudhury at uttara@proactiveinvestors.com
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