Signal & Screening
Wescom Group: Providing Integrated Survival Solutions for Defence and Maritime
Wescom Group, a global leader with over 150 years of expertise, has established itself as a global force in survival solutions. Operating across Germany, Spain, Australia, and the UK, including key locations in Derby, Hull, Nottingham and Basildon, with a dedicated workforce exceeding 350 employees worldwide, the company is renowned for its commitment to safety, quality, and reliability.
Defence Sector Excellence
Pyrotechnics and Detection Technologies
In the defence sector, Wescom Group serves as a trusted manufacturer and supplier to the UK MoD, German BMVg, and NATO allies and organisations worldwide. The company’s capabilities include pyrotechnics for signalling, illumination, screening, minefield breaching and battlefield training and simulation within its Defence division. Wescom Group further contributes high-quality chemical detection technologies, staying ahead of evolving challenges in the defence sector.
Maritime Sector Dominance
Distress Signalling and Emergency Systems
Wescom Group is the world’s leading manufacturer and supplier of SOLAS, MED, and USCG approved pyrotechnic marine distress signals. Additionally, Wescom Group integrates emergency beacons, eflare systems, emergency food and water rations, and Marine First Aid Kits. This holistic approach to marine survival solutions establishes Wescom Group as a single, reliable source for mandated marine products.
Wescom Group provides a comprehensive suite of survival solutions backed by a legacy of expertise and a commitment to excellence, offering unparalleled reliability and peace of mind in the face of maritime and defence challenges. 11 BRANDS
450 EMPLOYEES
6 MANUFACTURING SITES
500 PRODUCTS 12 ACCREDITATIONS
COUNTRIES
Effective Battlefield Communication Battlefield Illumination
Tactical Screening
Vehicle Defensive Aids
Tactical Signalling & Marking
Search & Rescue
Signal & Screening
Perimeter Protection
Battlefield Illumination
For modern militaries and law enforcement agencies, the ability to dominate areas of operations is largely dependent on having an effective and reliable night fighting capability. The most obvious effect of night time is reduced visibility – normally favouring offensive formations.
Wescom Defence has developed a range of hand-fired rockets, for various payloads and parachute suspension (large area illumination, visual and infra-red) or free falling signalling flares. Ranges from 300 to 1,000 metres.
Multiple Effect Rocket System (MERS)
MERS is a smokeless rocket system carrying various payloads for parachute suspension (large area illumination, visual and infra-red) or free-falling flares for signalling.
• Exceptionally lightweight and compact
• Excellent visibility > 200,000 Candela
• EDB Smokeless Propellant (qualified according to STANAG 4170)
• Unique tube design and induced tailspin provide high level of accuracy in flight (300-1,000m range)
• Enhanced safety with inherent over-pressure gas escape system
• No stored energy in the initiator
• Three-stage safety ignition system
Parachute Rockets
Wescom Defence has a rich heritage of developing handfired rockets. Terrain illumination rockets enable random surveillance to reveal enemy movement, illuminate ambush situations (to reveal targets) or used as target illuminators for weapon systems.
• Handfired Parachute Rocket, Illuminating (J301)
• Handfired Parachute Rocket, Red/Green (J302A & J303)
• Handfired Parachute Rocket, Radaflare (J304)
Multiple Effect Rocket System (MERS) Illumination Rocket
Handfired Illuminating Parachute Rocket
Radaflare Rocket
Handfired Parachute Rocket - Green , Red and Illuminating
Multiple Effect Rocket System (MERS) Infrared Illum Rocket
Tactical Screening
Wescom Defence has a long history of providing tactical screening products globally, a heritage borne out of necessity to protect troops, vehicles and objects from being seen and targeted. The requirement for this type of solution will always be required and Wescom continues to evolve its range of products to suit. Our current suite of products covers everything from ergonomic designs and high volume output to rapid deployment for critical situations. Our screening payloads are deployable by various means, including hand-thrown or vehicle-launched in most calibres.
Our screening payloads are also available with our proven rubber bursting technology. This family of products can enable the user to create a wider screen effect than some of the more conventional top or bottom venting products depending on the tactical situation. This feature also ensures the grenade cannot be thrown to a different location following function at the location of its intended use, further enhancing the level of protection to the user.
Screening Smoke Grenade
Hand Thrown Smoke Grenades, with an output in visual and/or IR, for use in various training or operational scenarios such as the rapid concealment of troops, the removal of target opportunities, or to provide essential cover for the deployment of friendly forces.
Low Toxic Screening Smoke
Screening Smoke Grenade is designed to produce a dense curtain of smoke masking the removal or deployment of personnel in tactical and training situations. The grenade can be used in various military and law enforcement operational and training situations.
Remotely Piloted Vehicle Target Smoke Generator
Used primarily for visual enhancement of an aerial target. The unit c an be integrated with, and deployed from remotely piloted vehicles.
Screening Smoke Grenade
Grenade Hand Compact Screening Smoke
Bursting Screening Smoke Grenade
Low Toxic Screening Smoke showing stay-in-place lever
Remotely Piloted Vehicle Target Smoke Generator
Vehicle Defensive Aids
Wescom Defence’s extensive SmokeShield™ range of 66mm and 76mm vehicle-launched grenades are integral to any defensive suite employed by mechanised units from Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs) to Main Battle Tanks (MBTs). The threats to vehicles from being observed and targeted in both the visual and infrared spectrum through sensorguided weapons, rangefinders & traditional anti-vehicle weaponry are potentially lethal. When SmokeShield™ is deployed, these threats are significantly reduced, as the line of sight (LOS) can be obscured.
A modular concept has been developed to include ‘Air-Burst’ and/or ‘Ground Burst’ payloads, which together, are capable of providing instant protection, augmented with a longer, denser screen as required. Our HERO qualified stores are at the forefront of modern munitions, suitable for use on the most technically advanced weapons platforms where Radiation Hazards (RAD HAZ) are present.
The product range includes training and operational variants. Red Phosphorous products (RP) offer enhanced IR protection. Wescom’s comprehensive SmokeShield™ range includes non-RP variants, which are less toxic, whilst providing a robust and realistic alternative during training, or in environments where the effects to noncombatants within close proximity need to be minimised.
Wescom Defence’s solutions have been developed over many years in conjunction with a number of the leading launcher & vehicle manufacturers globally to ensure maximum interoperability and versatility
SmokeShield
76mm Vehicle Launched Grenade RP
76mm Vehicle Launched Grenade Multi-Spectral
66mm Vehicle Launched Grenade Screening 66mm Vehicle Launched Grenade Screening RP
Search & Rescue
Wescom Defence’s state-of-the-art pyrotechnic products provide comprehensive, proven and reliable capabilities to mark or communicate position. Effective critical asset marking (including solutions for submarines) or individual position marking during day and night time search and rescue operations. This is achieved by using smoke, dyes, signal cartridges and flares.
Miniflares
The Miniflare signal kit provides an individual with the means of achieving high intensity localised signalling for personal survival (to pinpoint location) or warn-off aircraft. The compact kit can be carried unobtrusively in combat clothing, or packed into personal survival packs (PSPs).
Signal Cartridges (19mm, 26.5mm, 38mm)
Signal cartridges are fired from pistols and provide a short/medium range signal in both white light and infra-red light conditions. They provide high-intensity localised signalling for land and sea operations. Multi-colour cartridges are available (red, green, white, yellow and illuminating). Cartridges are marked to facilitate night-time operations. Signal cartridges can also be used for communications between combat forces and night-time reconnaissance.
Signal Distress Day & Night
A dual-purpose compact personal distress signal for divers, or aircrew, features an orange smoke signal at one end for daytime use and a red flare for night.
Marine Sound Signals
Marine Sound Signal is a hydrostatically-operated explosive device for communications between the surface and a submarine. The device explodes under hydrostatic pressure emitting a distinct signal clearly discernible by a submarine at depth. Simplified operation includes several safety features, which reduce danger to personnel and craft.
Diver Recall Signal
Sea Location Markers are released to illuminate, for up to five minutes, landing zones for rotary wing aircraft. They are also used to indicate distress.
Buoyant Smoke Cartridge (40mm, Orange)
Designed for use by aircrew to assess wind speed and direction over water when carrying out Search & Rescue activities.
Sea Location Markers
Sea Marker is released from ships to illuminate, for up to 5 minutes, a landing zone for rotary wing aircraft. Also used to indicate distress.
Submarine Launched Markers
Submarine launched markers are designed to be deployed from the ejection tube of a submarine to indicate position. Available in red and green flare, plus white smoke.
Miniflares and Handheld Illuminating Rocket
Signal Distress Day & Night
Light and Smoke Signal
Marine Sound Signals
Tactical Signalling and Marking
Effective communication between forces is an essential element of military operations. Wescom Defence manufactures a range of Mini Flares, Multi Coloured Smoke and Signal Cartridges. These enable effective position marking to include landing zones and wind direction.
Hand Thrown Coloured Smoke
Smoke Grenades provide combat forces with a means of communication/signalling during daylight. Besides individual signalling codes, smoke grenades are used to indicate wind direction (helicopter landing) or marking drop zones.
Signal Cartridges
(16mm, 19mm, 26.5mm, 38mm)
Signal Cartridges are fired from pistols to provide a short range signal in both white light and infra-red light conditions. Multi Colour Cartridges are available (red, green, white, yellow and illuminating). These can also be used for communications between combat forces and battlefield reconnaissance at night.
Ground Flare Indicating Yellow
Marking landing zones, and wind direction indicators for aircraft as well as highlighting an emergency landing path.
Parachutist Signal Smoke
Wescom ParaSmoke™ was specifically designed for use by parachutists to mark their descent course during training and for parachutist displays. Can be used as a smoke generator for any situation where a large volume of coloured smoke is required.
Hand Thrown Coloured Smoke
Ground Flare Indicating Yellow
26.5mm Signal Cartridges
Grenade Hand Compact Signal Smoke, including low toxicity screening
Coloured Grenade Hand 83 Smoke, including low toxicity screening
Low Toxic Screening Smoke showing stay-in-place lever
19mm Signal Cartridges
38mm Signal Cartridges
Perimeter Protection
Effective manning of borders/perimeters is critical to ensure physical safety. Alarm and Trip Flares are often used both in a standalone mode and in conjunction with electronic surveillance equipment to effectively manage large perimeters/borders. Wescom Defense is a trusted partner of major military and law enforcement customers for alarm and trip flares around the globe.
Our trip and alarm flares are very versatile and offer a range of features and effects. Hand deployed and wire triggered when activated, they provide a combination of flash, sound signal and pyrotechnic flare (up to 150,000 candela) – disorienting and illuminating the trespasser.
Wescom Defence has extensive experience of designing and developing easy to use, safe and reliable ignition systems for Trip and Alarm Flares. Our unique ignition system provides the ability to connect multiple trip wires onto the same ignition systems and offers depending of the number connected trip wires multiple activation capability in a circle 360°.
Trip Flares
Our hand-deployable trip flare is a non-lethal device. When wire-triggered, it produces bright white light for ~30 seconds duration. This disorientates and illuminates an area of ~25m around the ignition point. Wescom’s infrared variant further enhances the night vision capability of the security forces.
Alarm Flares
Alarm Flares are hand-deployable, non-lethal devices. When wire-triggered, each unit produces a loud short bang at 15m height and bright white light of ~15 sec. duration. It disorientates for several seconds and illuminates an area of 25m around the ignition point.
Signal & Screening Product List
BATTLEFIELD ILLUMINATION
Multiple Effect Rocket System (MERS) Illumination Rocket, 300m
Multiple Effect Rocket System (MERS) Illumination Rocket, 600m
Multiple Effect Rocket System (MERS) Illumination Rocket, 1000m
TACTICAL SCREENING
Remotely Piloted Vehicle Target Smoke Generator
Grenade Hand Smoke Screening
Grenade Hand Bursting Screening
VEHICLE DEFENSIVE AIDS
76mm Vehicle Launched Grenade RP SmokeShield™
66mm Vehicle Launched Grenade Screening RP SmokeShield™
TACTICAL SIGNALLING & MARKING
Smoke Grenade, Coloured, 30 sec
Smoke Grenade, Coloured, 60 sec
Smoke Grenade, Coloured, 90 sec
Smoke Grenade, Screening, 30 sec, low toxic
Hand Grenade Smoke Coloured
Series Signal Smoke Parachutist
16mm Signal Cartridges
19mm Signal Cartridges
26.5mm Signal Cartridges
SEARCH & RESCUE
19mm Signal Cartridge Single Star Red, Green, White
26.5mm Signal Cart, Single Star Red, White, Green, Yellow, Flash Bang
Parachute Signal Cartridges & Illuminating
26.5mm Signal Cartridge, Single Star Red, White, Green, Yellow & Illuminating
38mm Signal Cartridge, Single Star Red, Green, White, Yellow & Illuminating
38mm Signal Cartridge, 2-Star Red, Green, White, Yellow
Salute Cartridge
Standard Military Rocket Para Illumination 9123600
Rocket Hand Fired Cluster - Red, White, Green
Day & Night Signal
Linethrower 250
White Handflare
Red Handflare
PERIMETER PROTECTION
Trip Flare DM 26
Alarm Flare DM 57
Multiple Effect Rocket System (MERS) Infrared Illum Rocket, 300m
Multiple Effect Rocket System (MERS) Infrared Illum Rocket, 600m
Multiple Effect Rocket System (MERS) Infrared Illum Rocket, 1000m
Grenade Hand Bursting Screening RP
Grenade Hand Compact Screening Smoke
Grenade Hand 83 Screenign Smoke
76mm Vehicle Launched Grenade Multi-Spectral SmokeShield™
66mm Vehicle Launched Grenade Screening SmokeShield™
38mm Coloured Smoke Cartridges
38mm Signal Cartridges
40mm Coloured Smoke Cartridges
Coloured Grenade Hand 83 Smoke – 30 seconds
Coloured Grenade Hand 83 Smoke – 60 seconds
Coloured Grenade Hand 83 Smoke – 90 seconds
Grenade Hand Compact Signal Smoke – 30 seconds
Grenade Hand Compact Signal Smoke – 45 seconds
Grenade Hand Compact Signal Smoke – 60 seconds
Red Parachute Signal Rocket
Light & Smoke Signal
Smoke Signal Orange
Signal Distress Day & Night
Miniflare 16mm
40mm Cartridge Buoyant Smoke Orange
Rocket Handfired Parachute Illuminating
Rocket Handfired Parachute Red
Rocket Handfired Parachute Green
Rocket Handfired Parachute Radaflare
Marine Sound Signal
Diver Recall Signal
Ground Flare - Indicating Yellow Tripflare Kit
Effective Battlefield Communication Signal & Screening
Core Competence & Capabilities
Wescom Defence is a versatile and specialist manufacturer of energetic materials, pyrotechnics and Chemical Warfare Agent (CWA) detection solutions. Our Engineering and Technology Centres boast a highly skilled & experienced team from technician level through to engineering graduates and energetic materials scientists. The team specialises in engineering, chemistry, physics, computer modelling, data acquisition and analysis. Our service involves working with and compliance with various United States Military Standards (MIL-STDs), UK Defence Standards (Def Stans) and The NATO Standardisation Agreements (STANAG) where applicable.
Chemical Detection Technologies
In Chemical Detection Technologies, Wescom Defence is a foremost producer of highquality Chemical Warfare Agent (CWA) detection solutions, excelling in rapid defence technologies. Our portfolio includes detection kits for explosives and pioneering nerve agent detectors capable of identifying all agents, even future variants.
Pyrotechnics
Our seasoned team specialises in mixing and pressing pyrotechnic materials like flash & flare. Environmental control during storage and processing is crucial for safe handling, ensuring a top-quality end product. Remaining at the forefront of manufacture, we evolve to meet bespoke demands while delivering value to customers and partners.
Smoke Compositions
At the forefront of smoke composition development and manufacturing for years, we offer low-toxic and RP smoke products tailored to specific applications. Our solutions, adaptable and robust, cater to varying needs, from vivid signalling colours to rapid dense screening smoke deployment.
Explosives
Our high explosive (HE) material expertise spans various applications, from e arly storage and pressing to present-day import, storage, and manufacturing for diverse uses.
Environmental Tests & Qualification
Our environmental test facility and engineering team offer a range of options for projects of any scale, including UN ‘Orange Book’ Series testing, bonfire testing, vibration tables, and climatic chambers. We provide end-to-end project management for product and material qualifications, leveraging our UKAS accredited partners for support as needed.
