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Archive for 2019

Army Futures Teaming with Industry on Advanced Robotics, Sensors

Tuesday, August 20th, 2019

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. — Army Futures Command is soliciting industry for information on emerging technologies in robotics and sensors to enhance the targeting capabilities of Army small tactical units.

Researchers are in the initial stages of the Smart Targeting Environment for Lower Level Assets, or STELLA, program that will enable Soldiers to operationalize robotics to rapidly employ, build and share target data in multi-domain operations. The goal is to shorten the amount of time it takes for Soldiers to detect, acquire and identify a target before they engage the enemy.

AFC’s major subordinate command, the Combat Capabilities Development Command, or CCDC, is leading the effort and will issue a request for information, or RFI, in August 2019. The RFI will help the Army to gauge current capabilities, ongoing research and development, and emerging trends.

“We’re developing an efficient system so there is a Soldier in the loop making a decision much more quickly on what needs to be engaged. The future battlefield will include a large number of sensors detecting targets and high-value assets. With higher volumes on information, we need to ensure the Soldier isn’t overwhelmed,” said Osie David, a chief engineer within CCDC’s center for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance — or C5ISR.

Several areas of science and technology expertise will converge for the STELLA program, Osie said. C5ISR Center will use the findings from the RFI to inform future efforts in support of the Army’s manned-unmanned teaming concept.

C5ISR Center anticipates releasing a request for proposal, or RFP, in early 2020. The STELLA program is scheduled to begin in fall 2020.

Story by Dan Lafontaine, CCDC C5ISR Center Public Affairs

Graphic illustration by Jamie Lear, CCDC C5ISR Center

Posted in Guest Post, Robotics | Comments Off on Army Futures Teaming with Industry on Advanced Robotics, Sensors

You Had Me At Tigerstripe

Monday, August 19th, 2019

Kitanica has introduced their Range Shorts in TigerStripe camouflage. It’s just a new paint job, and these retain all of the features of Kitanica’s classic design.

They are constructed of nylon/cotton Ripstop, have 2 hip pockets, 2 rear pockets, 2 side pockets, and 2 cargo pockets. They have CORDURA® Fabric pocket corner reinforcements to prevent knife clip wear. The Range Shorts have a relaxed fit for hot weather, VELCRO® cinching waistband and 7 HD belt loops. The 2 side cargo pockets have mag organizer sleeves and retainer bungees.

www.kitanica.net/Range-Shorts-Tiger-Stripe

Posted in Advertiser, Clothing | 6 Comments »

AeroVironment Receives $45 Million Raven B Unmanned Aircraft Systems Contract Award for U.S. Army Security Force Assistance Brigades

Monday, August 19th, 2019

• Contract award funded by U.S. Government fiscal year 2019 appropriations

• Raven systems support U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, Special Operations Command, National Guard and more than 25 defense forces around the globe

• Raven lightweight small unmanned aircraft system is designed for rapid deployment to deliver real-time tactical situational awareness

SIMI VALLEY, Calif., Aug. 19, 2019 – AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV), a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems for both defense and commercial applications, today announced it received a firm fixed-price contract award on July 25, 2019 valued at $45,190,881 for RQ-11B Raven® small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and initial spares packages. AeroVironment received the contract award from the United States Army for its Security Force Assistance Brigades (SFAB). Delivery is anticipated by January 2020.

The SFAB are specialized units with the core mission to conduct training, advising, assisting, enabling and accompanying operations with allied and partner nations.

“Raven is the most widely deployed small unmanned aircraft system in the United States Department of Defense’s fleet,” said Rick Pedigo, vice president, sales and business development for AeroVironment. “Our family of small unmanned aircraft systems supports all U.S. military services and more than 45 allied nations. Every day, AeroVironment small UAS provide the actionable intelligence our customers need to proceed with certainty.”

In a report published by the United States Army on July 24, 2019, Sgt. Jordan Aguiar, a cavalry scout assigned to Alpha Troop of the 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry Regiment, said the Raven is more agile and less detectable than larger and more costly unmanned aircraft. Soldiers use it to conduct battlefield reconnaissance and provide their units with a greater level of security. Sgt. Foluke Marsh added, “If you need to have eyes on a target, or eyes on a convoy to make sure everything is safe, it’s good to send out the Raven instead of risking someone getting hurt or killed.”

(Photo: TSgt John Winn)

AeroVironment RQ-11B Raven Small Unmanned Aircraft System designed for land-based operations (Photo: AeroVironment)

AeroVironment’s Raven is a fully man-portable, hand-launched small unmanned aircraft system designed for land-based operations. First adopted by the U.S. Army in 2005, Raven is now used by more than 25 countries across the globe. Weighing just over four pounds, with a wingspan of 4.5 feet and with a flying range of 10 kilometers, it is the most prolific small unmanned aircraft system deployed across the U.S. Department of Defense. The Raven system provides operators with real-time intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, delivering color or infrared video and still imagery to its operator via a hand-held ground control unit and to remote viewing stations, and uses a GPS system for pre-programmed or manual navigation.

Posted in Press Release, UAS | 2 Comments »

Hill People Gear – Bino Pouch Large

Monday, August 19th, 2019

Large MOLLE compatible Bino pouches now in stock. For standard x50s and Leica 10x42s. Mounts to their Recon Kit Bag, Heavy Recon Kit Bag, and any MOLLE platform.

Features:
-soft velcro loop on inner lid and bottom to avoid scratching lenses
-fully padded except top flap
-one hand opening flap closure can be fastened either for full retention or quicker access
-top flap stays closed by default
-mounts on 4×3 PALS grid
-external tabs for tying retention strap to if desired

Offered in Ranger Green, Blaze Orange or MultiCam.

hillpeoplegear.com

Posted in Load Carrying | Comments Off on Hill People Gear – Bino Pouch Large

Max Talk 34: HEAT 1 Combat Tactics 8 – 11 Aug 2019: Compilation

Monday, August 19th, 2019

This is the thirty fourth installment of ‘Max Talk Monday’ which shares select episodes from a series of instructional videos. Max Velocity Tactical (MVT) has established a reputation on the leading edge of tactical live fire and force on force training. MVT is dedicated to developing and training tactical excellence at the individual and team level.

A compilation of footage taken during the August 8 – 11 HEAT 1 Combat Tactics Class, originally for upload to Instagram. This is by no means all of the drills that are run at these classes, simply what I was able to capture on my phone during the training. HEAT 1 Combat Tactics is a 4 day class, 2 days on the flat range doing work-up training and drills to ready the students for the 2 days on the tactical ranges. The classes are held at the Velocity Training Center (VTC), Romney WV. The facility is purpose built to offer the best in Live Fire and Force on Fire Tactical Training.

Shown in the video are portions of tactical Ranges 1 & 2, the main movement ranges used for HEAT 1. Mobile classes are also available. Day 3 of the tactical range portion sees students working up from pairs to team assault and then break contact drills, repeated in more complexity on Day 4, starting with a pairs jungle walk, break contact drills, and a final team assault.

This is the fourth installment of ‘Max Talk Monday’ which shares select episodes from a series of instructional videos. Max Velocity Tactical (MVT) has established a reputation on the leading edge of tactical live fire and force on force training. MVT is dedicated to developing and training tactical excellence at the individual and team level.

Max is a tactical trainer and author, a professional soldier with extensive experience in British elite forces and as a paramilitary contractor. Max was enlisted and later commissioned, via the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, into the Parachute Regiment. The Parachute Regiment is an elite airborne infantry unit, comparable to the U.S. 75th Ranger Regiment, accessible only via the renowned ‘Pegasus Company’ Selection course. Max served in 1 and 2 PARA. Of the three PARA battalions, 2 and 3 PARA serve in 16 Air Assault Brigade as the UK’s elite Rapid Response Force, with one battalion at permanent high readiness for worldwide intervention operations. Max served in Para Reg when it was utilized to provide elite airborne infantry support to UKSF, as the forefathers of the SFSG. With training and operations validating the concept, including Op Barras (Sierra Leone), 1 PARA was placed permanently in role as part of the SFSG.

Additionally, Max served on a number of deployments, to include multiple tours in Northern Ireland, the Balkans and Afghanistan. Additional overseas assignments saw the opportunity to train, or train with, allied nations, including the U.S. Military. Roles which Max filled included rifle platoon commander, patrol leader, recruit instructor (platoon commander) at the PARA Training Depot, anti-armor platoon commander (fire support company), operations officer and command on deployments. Reaching a career point facing staff college and moving away from command of paratroopers, Max made the decision to resign from the service. After leaving the British Army, Max spent a further five years working operationally as a paramilitary contractor in both Iraq and Afghanistan; the latter two years based in Helmand Province working alongside the UK Military.

Since 2013, Max has run Max Velocity Tactical (MVT), a training company conceived to offer professional combat training for responsible citizens. As the Velocity Training Center (VTC) has grown into a state of the art training venue, MVT also took on pre-deployment training for U.S. SOF. This runs the spectrum from facility rental to tailored training packages specializing in Small Unit Tactics.

Website: Max Velocity Tactical

YouTube: Max Velocity Tactical

Posted in Guest Post, Training | Comments Off on Max Talk 34: HEAT 1 Combat Tactics 8 – 11 Aug 2019: Compilation

ThirdBlockGear – Advanced Field Sling Bag

Monday, August 19th, 2019

The Advanced Field Sling Bag was developed by a friend of mine for personal use while working initially overseas, and increasingly here at home. He wanted a bag that would keep his most needed equipment right at his fingertips.

His work requires the use of electronics and those often need to be recharged in the field.

Above is a layout of the kit he uses to teach classes.

And in case your interested in the types of electronics he uses, here are a couple of images of something he is currently working on.

But back to the ASF. Here are some key design points:
• Comfortable to wear for hours, in hot climates.
• Quick access to all your gear, without taking the bag off.
• Adjustable, ambidextrous, and quick-release design.
• Designed to fit power, communications, and sustainment gear.
• Extremely durable and rugged.
• 100% US Materials. 100% US manufactured.

I’ve had one for awhile and feel blessed anytime Jason honors me by allowing me access to his work. While it’s a very specialized piece of kit with a very specific layout, it has already been fielded to several organizations. Learn more at thirdblockgear.com/shop/afs-bag.

Posted in Grey Man, ISR, Load Carrying, Packs | 9 Comments »

TNVC Announces New Lifetime Warranty on All TNV and NGI Branded Night Vision Devices

Monday, August 19th, 2019

August 15, 2019

Tactical Night Vision Company, Redlands, CA –

At TNVC, we understand that your life may depend on our products, so we build products that you can depend on for life.

TNVC has long been an industry leader in Night Vision and Visual Augmentation Systems (VAS) technologies with our flagship TNV-branded Night Vision Devices (NVD), providing high quality finished goods to military, law enforcement, and civilian enthusiasts alike.

TNVC, along with our sister company, Night Goggles, Inc., geared towards civilian hunting and outdoor adventure enthusiasts have already boasted one of the best warranties in the industry with our TNV and NGI branded NVDs, assembled from the highest quality components and tested in-house by our experienced techs, allowing us to maintain the highest standards for quality control and quality assurance.

We are therefore proud to announce that due to our overwhelming confidence in our products and workmanship that we will now be instituting a full, transferable, limited lifetime warranty on all of our TNV and NGI Night Vision Devices, including the TNV/PVS-14, TNV/RNVG, TNV/Sentinel, TNV/MOD-3B, TNV/DTNVG, and NGI/PVS-14 units.

From Victor DiCosola, TNVC’s President & CEO:

It has long been established our TNV night vision builds are the best the industry has to offer. It was an easy decision to give our valued customers who spend a good amount of money with us, peace of mind for a lifetime of use. TNVC will continue to listen to our customers’ needs and ensure their requirements are always met. Thank you for your continued confidence in our products in which many of our brave men and women in uniform across America have also come to trust for their mission needs.

This new Lifetime Warranty will be fully transferable from owner to owner of each device, ensuring that all users can remain confident in their equipment, whether purchased directly, from a dealer/distributor, or even on the second-hand market, allowing TNVC and NGI products to retain their value even after resale.

This new, limited lifetime warranty will cover the system housing for the life of the product as long as the components are still in production, as well a 10 year warranty on image intensifier tubes. And just because you bought your device yesterday, last month, or even last year, doesn’t mean you’re missing out! The new warranty will be retroactive to all devices assembled after 31 December 2017.

Full text of the warranty below:

TNVC & Night Goggles, Inc. Limited Lifetime Warranty

TNVC, Inc. and Night Goggles, Inc. warrants this product for the lifetime of the product and guarantees this product to be free from manufacturing defects in material and workmanship under normal use, and transferable by the owner assuming that the product otherwise still falls within the scope of this warranty. In the event that a defect covered by this warranty occurs TNVC, Inc. or Night Goggles, Inc., at its discretion, will either repair or replace the product. Such action on the part of TNVC, Inc. or Night Goggles, Inc. shall be the full extent of the company’s liability, and the customer’s sole and exclusive remedy. This warranty applies to all TNV and NGI-branded Night Vision Device housing systems, and furthermore warrants that all Image Intensifier Tubes will be free from manufacturing defects in material and workmanship under normal use for a period of 10 years after the original date of purchase. This warranty does not cover:

Products that were used in other than normal and customary manner.

Products that were misused.

Products that were altered, modified, or repaired by the customer or a party other than TNVC, Inc.

Products that were discontinued by the manufacturer and either parts or replacement units are not available due to reasons beyond the control of TNVC, Inc.

Damage, defects, or failures resulting from use that would be construed by any reasonable person as normal and expected “wear and tear.”

TNVC, Inc. shall not be responsible for any defects or damage that in the company’s opinion, resulted from the mishandling, abuse, misuse, improper storage, or improper operation, including use in conjunction with equipment which is electrically or mechanically incompatible with or of inferior quality to the product, as well as failure to maintain the environmental conditions specified by the manufacturer. This includes using rechargeable batteries, storing the product with batteries installed, or battery compartment corrosion due to faulty battery. Warranty claims falling outside of the scope of these written warranty terms may incur repair, labor, and shipping fees charged to the customer.

Customer is hereby notified that operation of the equipment during daylight or under excessive light conditions may permanently damage the image intensifier tube. While all TNV and NGI systems are auto-gated, they are not able to withstand exposure to constant light including, but not limited to, light sources, weapon sights, laser radiation. Auto-gated Image Intensifier Tubes are designed to stand up to nighttime battlefield light conditions, but prolonged exposure to any light source will still cause damage.

No other warranties except for this one apply to this product, including, but not limited to written, oral, statutory, expressed or implied, including any implied warranty or merchantability or fitness for particular purpose, shall apply to this product.

Posted in Advertiser, Press Release | 2 Comments »

Meet Callie – DoD’s Only Search and Rescue K9

Monday, August 19th, 2019

(Air National Guard photo by SSgt Darby Arnold, 134th ARW Public Affairs)

Meet Callie, a 26-month-old Dutch shepherd, is one of the newest additions to the 123rd Special Tactics Squadron in Louisville, Ky. She is the Kentucky Air Guard’s first member of the 123rd Search and Rescue K-9 program, making her the only search and rescue dog in the entire Department of Defense.

Callie’s handler, TSgt Rudy Parsons, is a Pararescueman with the 123rd STS, Kentucky Air National Guard.

Posted in Air Force, K9, SOF | 7 Comments »