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Archive for the ‘Admin’ Category

You May Need To Reestablish Your RSS Feed To Get SSD Updates

Monday, October 16th, 2023

Last Friday night we found ourselves under assault so we turned on war mode on Cloudfare to protect access to the site for legitimate visitors. Everything is back to normal but this may have interrupted RSS feeds.

To establish a feed:

1) Visit www.soldiersystems.net/feed. It’ll look like this:

2) Subscribe to the feed using the dropdown menu. You can utilize Live Bookmarks, Microsoft Outlook, or any other program which supports RSS feeds.

3) Alternatively, a number of web services also allow for subscription to an RSS feed. Just search ‘RSS Reader’ or a similar term in your search engine of choice and work from there. Usually, with online services you’ll simply have to provide the website for the feed to pull from, which in this case would be www.soldiersystems.net.

4) Enjoy your new subscription to the SSD RSS feed!

DSEI 23 – HK421 from Heckler & Koch

Wednesday, September 13th, 2023

The HK421 is a new 7.62 NATO belt-fed machine gun which made its debut at DSEI.

Based on the MG5, it has a hydraulic buffer which allows it to accept various buttstocks like this collapsible MP7 stock. It has also been seen with an HK416A8 buttstock. You’ll also notice the handguard module which can be detached to expose a Pic rail for accessories.

Offered in 13″ (8.3 kg) and 16.5″ (8.5 kg) barrel options, it features a 3-position gas block for normal operations, sustained fire, and suppressed. It can also be set on safe in any loaded state.

Heckler & Koch shared this photo of the HK421 on social media which shows the FDE version. They also adverstise a Sniper Grey version.

Accuracy X Expands Their 2011 Pistol Family with Lightfighter.net

Tuesday, September 12th, 2023

Virginia USA. – Sept. 12, 2023 Accuracy X, Inc., announced today the addition of the D1 Gunfighter and T1 Darkfighter models to their 2011 pistol family, bringing the number of models in the family to eight.

The Gunfighter and Darkfighter models are the result of a collaboration with the professional tactical knowledge group, lightfighter.net. 

Both new models bring together the renown accuracy, performance and versatility of Accuracy X pistols with the features and styling ques inspired by the professionals at LF.

“The development of these limited edition Lightfighter 2011s was the result of a mutual pursuit of excellence and the desire to create configurations for the 2011 platform focused on duty and defense use,” said Accuracy X Inc. President Steve Huff. “We have combined our standards of exceptional performance and reliability with distinctive design enhancements to improve aesthetics and capabilities. The outcome results in a highly adaptable and confidence inspiring shooter experience on the firing line, at the range and in critical situations where split seconds matter.” 

Among the design features included on both pistols are the patented Multi-Sight™ / SLOT Sight™ mounting system, Picatinny attachment dust cover rails, classic High Power slide cuts and BlackSTAR finish. The Darkfighter model features the single port carry X Comp which ensures flat shooting performance while providing a compact slide length.

The D1 Gunfighter and the T1 Darkfighter will be available for order beginning September 12, 2023.

For more information about these new tactical defense 2011 pistols, contact Accuracy X, Inc. or go to:

accuracyx.com

Read the full in-depth review here:

taskernetwork.com/x-marks-the-spot-lightfighter-net-custom-2011s-by-accuracy-x

Australian Defence Force Selects Hanwa’s Redback as New Infantry Fighting Vehicle to Replace Aging M113s

Thursday, July 27th, 2023

Redback to bring Army some sting

A Redback infantry fighting vehicle on display in Canberra. Army will take delivery of 129 of the vehicles, to be built in Geelong. Photo: Andrew Green

The Army will receive 129 new infantry fighting vehicles in response to Australia’s changing strategic environment.

Making the announcement today, the Australian Government said Hanwha’s state-of-the-art Redbacks would be built at the company’s facilities in the Geelong region, supporting Australia’s strategic imperative to develop sovereign defence manufacturing capabilities.

At a cost of between $5 billion and $7 billion, the LAND 400 Phase 3 project will be one of the largest capability acquisitions in Army’s history.

Replacing the M113 armoured personnel carriers, which were acquired in 1964, the first Redback will be delivered in early 2027.

With its latest-generation armour, cannon and missiles, they will provide the protection, mobility and firepower required to transport and protect soldiers in close combat, giving them the highest chance of achieving their mission and returning safely.

The government said the acquisition was part of its drive to modernise the Army to ensure it could respond to the land challenges in the region.

The new vehicles will be delivered about the same time as the new HIMARS missile systems and landing craft, reflecting the Defence Strategic Review’s call for Army to be transformed for littoral manoeuvre operations from Australia.

The government said it was providing the ADF with the capabilities it needed to defend Australia and protect national security.

Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said the government was committed to investing in the security of the nation and the safety of Australian soldiers.

“We are also committed to supporting Australian defence industry so we can make more of the critical defence equipment we need in this country rather than relying on overseas suppliers,” Mr Conroy said.

“Our decision to build the Redback infantry fighting vehicles in Australia will support up to 600 direct jobs and more than a thousand jobs in the Australian industry supply chain.”

By Australian Defence Force

Michelle Rodrigues Hired as VP, Government Business Development at MRI Global

Wednesday, July 26th, 2023

Brings Executive Presence to Key Government Relationships 

Kansas City, Mo.: (July 24, 2023) – Michelle Rodrigues has joined MRIGlobal as Vice President, Government Business Development. In this role, she will lead business development activity in the government sector for both civil health and defense clients. Rodrigues provides an executive presence for key federal government customer relationships, including the Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Agriculture, NASA, the National Science Foundation, and the Department of Defense. Based in the national capital region, she will also join MRIGlobal’s Executive Leadership Team. 

“Michelle has a strong history of more than two decades building portfolios with government clients. Her experience growing effective, diverse teams of researchers and business professionals to collaboratively deliver transformative programs will help advance MRIGlobal’s work with our U.S. government partners,” said Dr. Ian M. Colrain, President & CEO, MRIGlobal. “When coupled with MRIGlobal’s decades of expertise in countering diverse threats, we are well-positioned to further address the world’s most important challenges in ensuring warfighter protection and civilian safety.” 

Since January 2001, Rodrigues has been with SRI International, serving the past four years as Vice President, Federal Business Development, where she managed a strong team of business development professionals and developed a significant business pipeline. In that time, she was also Senior Executive of SRI’s Arlington office operations, overseeing all aspects of the facility. 

“The rapidly changing global threat landscape demands transformative technological advances that strengthen our health security and ensure a rapid and effective response. I am excited for the opportunity to work with the talented MRIGlobal team that is focused on delivering such high-value solutions for customers,” said Rodrigues. “Today’s challenges are varied and complex, so they require that customers, interdisciplinary teams of researchers, and business teams work closely together toward common goals. By cultivating these strong relationships, we will broaden the impact of MRIGlobal’s mission.” 

Rodrigues also serves on several boards and committees, including as a Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, Lunar Surface Innovation Consortium Executive Member.

ZeropBlindSpot – 0BS-1

Wednesday, May 24th, 2023

Created by two special operations Veterans (one Army and one Navy) the 0BS-1 (referred to as the Dash One) was designed to do precisely what the company name promises, eliminate weapon light blind spots caused by shadows from barrels and enablers.

They invested three years of R&D effort into the project. The light offers 400 lumens on the high setting and 300 lumens on low, which testers found optimal during development for target illumination and threat identification. The Dash One also runs for four hours on the high setting (eight hours on low) on a single charge of its integral USB-C rechargeable Lithium Ion batteries, offering a great balance of performance and power.

ZeroBlindSpot told us the Dash One has two other advantages; the light better conforms to the rail offering batter balance and a reduced snag hazard. It also features integrated bilateral activation switches so no more tape switches. Additionally, the rechargeable battery also means you don’t have to buy more disposable batteries.

zeroblindspot.net

Happy 15th Anniversary To Us!

Wednesday, May 17th, 2023

We began this journey 5 years ago on May 17, 2008 and have published most every day since then. There were a couple of missed days that first year. I hope we’ve lived up to the promise of that first post.

We currently stand at over 35,000 published articles. That’s an average of over six per day. Not too shabby.

AeroVironment Introduces VTOL Kit for Puma AE UAS

Wednesday, May 10th, 2023

New vertical take-off and landing kit expands operational capabilities and streamlines constrained area operations

AeroVironment’s Puma VTOL Kit enables rooftop launch and landing (Image: AeroVironment, Inc.)

ARLINGTON, Va., May 9, 2023 – AeroVironment, Inc. today introduced the Puma™ VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) kit, designed for plug-and-play integration into Puma 2 AE and Puma 3 AE small unmanned aircraft systems (SUAS). The optional Puma VTOL kit expands the operational capabilities of the combat-proven Puma system in complex terrain, as neither runway nor large open space are required for launch and recovery of the VTOL-equipped Puma, allowing operators to launch anywhere, anytime.

Leveraging AeroVironment’s Crysalis™ ground control solution, the added VTOL capability now allows a single Puma operator to execute missions and streamline operations through features like one-button launch and recovery.

“The modern battlefield offers varying types of complex terrain features, both natural and manmade, that can pose challenges to small unit operations and their use of unmanned aircraft. Our new Puma VTOL kit provides the operator with a wider range of launch and land capabilities, enhancing the unit’s mission while further safeguarding its personnel during these periods of transitional flight,” said Shane Hastings, AeroVironment’s vice president and product line general manager for small UAS. “The VTOL kit converts the Puma AE into a highly precise and agile ISR asset where a single operator can effortlessly launch the aircraft from a small space and attain mission-critical information of enemy forces in a timely manner and land on a desired rooftop or other small, targeted areas.”

Integration of the Puma VTOL kit requires minimal one-time modifications to the aircraft’s airframe by qualified personnel. Once modified, the plug-and-play Puma VTOL kit can be easily added or removed in the field within a couple of minutes, allowing operators to quickly transition between a fixed-wing and VTOL platform to suit varying mission needs with a single aircraft.

Available as an add-on option for new Puma 3 AE system orders and as a retrofit kit for already fielded Puma 2 AE and Puma 3 AE aircraft, both fielded and new aircraft can take advantage of this VTOL capability. To learn more about the new operational capabilities of Puma AE and Puma VTOL kit, visit www.avinc.com/pumaae.