April 2020 | Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

Archive for April, 2020

Mystery Ranch Continues its Charitable Mission to Produce COVID-19 Face Masks

Monday, April 13th, 2020

Social distancing mandate spurs the development of the “Street Mask”

Bozeman, Mont. (April 13, 2020) – MYSTERY RANCH, the industry-leading pack company built on a heritage of comfortable load carriage, function and durability for people who have a mission to accomplish, has expanded its efforts to build personal protective equipment (PPE) for medical personnel, essential workers and government entities in the Gallatin Valley. MYSTERY RANCH has worked in collaboration with local volunteers and members of the outdoor industry to provide over 8500 masks, and counting, to local essential workers.

MYSTERY RANCH employee builds face masks for local Bozeman hospital and government agencies.

To date, MYSTERY RANCH has sewn and donated 500+ face masks and facilitated the making of 8500 masks by sourcing, donating and cutting the materials for their local volunteer effort. “We are grateful to our employees, the outdoor industry, our suppliers, and especially Nite Ize, for stepping up at a critical time,” said Dana Gleason, CEO and Co-Founder of Mystery Ranch. Nite Ize, a Boulder, Colo. based company that designs and manufactures inventor-driven products, has supplied critical materials to the overall mask building program. Gleason continued, “Elastic is a hot commodity and they supplied some of the best in the world. A unique and new formulation to keep this project going. The 3D nose piece is also an enormous step forward in long-term comfort.”

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to partner with Mystery Ranch to provide much needed mask making supplies. The spirit of innovation is strong in the mask making community and we’re excited that Gear Ties & BetterBands can play a pivotal part in the effort to keep people safe.” Rick Case, Nite Ize CEO + Founder

MYSTERY RANCH is using the feedback from hospital workers and the experience of the past several weeks to design a new mask that will be made available to the general public and government entities who are seeking all-day protection from COVID-19. The development of the new “Street Mask” includes a more form-fitting design and technical materials for a more comfortable fit over longer periods of time. The company plans to produce both the ‘Hospital Mask’ and the ‘Street Mask’ as long as there is demand.

See the masks in production and learn more about the effort here.

Posted in Advertiser, COVID-19 Pandemic, Medical, Press Release | Comments Off on Mystery Ranch Continues its Charitable Mission to Produce COVID-19 Face Masks

SOFWERX – Blast Exposure Monitoring System Assessment Event

Monday, April 13th, 2020

SOFWERX, in concert with USSOCOM PEO-SOF Warrior (PEO-SW), will host a Blast Exposure Monitoring (BEMO) System Assessment Event on 27 May 2020 to identify solutions to blast overpressure exposure recognition, which occurs with heavy weapon system use, breaching, and other dynamic training and operational environments.

Select individuals will be allotted a one-on-one session with USSOCOM to pitch, demonstrate, and/or discuss solutions.

Submission Deadline: 19 April 11:59 PM EST

To submit, visit events.sofwerx.org/bemo.

Posted in CIED, SOF | Comments Off on SOFWERX – Blast Exposure Monitoring System Assessment Event

MCSC Fields Upgraded Tablet-Based Technology

Monday, April 13th, 2020

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. —

Last year, the Marine Corps fielded a lightweight, tablet-based system that improves situational awareness on the battlefield. This year, Marines will see an enhanced version of the technology.

The Marine Air-Ground Task Force Common Handheld enables dismounted Marines to leverage commercial smart devices to plot and share locations. The tablet’s software includes a moving map with friendly and enemy positions, giving Marines at all levels a better overall view of the battlespace.

“MCH includes applications specific to the needs of a Marine at the tactical edge,” said Maj. R. Travis Beeson, Tactical Applications and Services Team Lead at Marine Corps Systems Command. “The system increases digital lethality while decreasing the chance for friendly fire.”

MCH allows Marines to relay messages and locations to other users in a manner similar to text messaging. The system’s capabilities augment previous methods of radio contact, allowing quieter and more efficient long-distance communication.

“By employing MCH, location errors due to misreading a paper map will be reduced,” said Maj. Justin King, MCSC’s project officer for MCH.

Updated system increases efficiency

MCSC recently rebuilt the system’s communication engine to increase interoperability.

The upgraded MCH enables Marines to communicate with one another through several additional communication systems, including the Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System, the Command and Control Personal Computer and the Army’s Joint Battle Command-Platform.

The newer system has lower data bandwidth requirements—a constrained resource on the battlefield— and uses a lower percentage of the available network when compared with the previous version of the technology.

“Reducing bandwidth frees up space for other tactical uses,” said King. “It also allows for additional users on the network without clogging it.”

In December 2019, MCSC fielded the upgraded version of MCH to infantry Marines aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and will continue fielding to other infantry units throughout the year. The program office plans to field to the Reserves in fiscal year 2021.

Marine feedback on the MCH has been overwhelmingly positive, said Beeson. He noted how those who have received the system emphasize its benefits, while Marines still awaiting the technology are excited for its arrival.

“The units are constantly asking when they will receive theirs,” said Beeson. “And others have asked when they will receive more. The feedback has been great, but the MCH team recognizes that our work isn’t complete and will continue to develop and field new capabilities.”

Both Beeson and King expressed excitement over the benefits of MCH and its ability in helping Marines better accomplish their missions. The system is an efficient way to communicate with one another without relying on voice communication.

“Commanders down to the squad level will be better equipped with a lightweight tablet that grants them better situational awareness via a moving map with both friendly and enemy positions,” said Beeson. “That will ultimately help them on the battlefield.”

By Matt Gonzales, MCSC Office of Public Affairs and Communication | Marine Corps Systems Command

Posted in Comms, Guest Post, MARCORSYSCOM | Comments Off on MCSC Fields Upgraded Tablet-Based Technology

MATBOCK Monday 1 – Day Assault Pack

Monday, April 13th, 2020

Good morning and Happy MATBOCK Monday,

The 1 Day Assault Pack is made from MATBOCK’s Ghost material giving it superior strength, abrasion resistance, water and CBRN resistance and heat transfer capabilities in a lightweight package. Designed for the 117G Radio, it has MATBOCK’s exclusive water-seal external ports for comms cables and antennas, an adjustable internal shelf for radio height adjustments and an expandable, removable pouch to double its size. The 1 Day Assault is available in Multicam and Black

Don’t forget to tune in on Monday at 4:30 PM EST for a live demonstration and a chance to ask any questions you may have. Stay safe!

To join the MATBOCK Monday webinar visit zoom.us.

Link to website: www.matbock.com/products/1-day-assault-pack

Posted in Advertiser, Guest Post, Packs | Comments Off on MATBOCK Monday 1 – Day Assault Pack

The SureFire XC2-IRC

Monday, April 13th, 2020

Fountain Valley, CA—SureFire, LLC, manufacturer of the world’s finest—and most innovative—illumination tools and tactical products, wants to shed some light on the XC2-A-IRC. Before we get in to it, you should know this product probably isn’t for you. This product was designed for a specific end-user who had a requirement for an ultra compact infrared (IR) light & IR aiming laser combination. As such, the XC2-A-IRC is SureFire’s smallest, lightest dedicated IR light and laser combination. Its recoil-proof LED is focused by a multi-faceted reflector to create a broad, 850-nanometer infrared MaxVision Beam® that’s perfect for enhancing the capability and image quality of modern night vision goggles (NVGs). Its 845-nanometer infrared laser stands out when viewed with NVGs and, once zeroed, rarely needs re-zeroing thanks to adjustment screws that stand up to the effects of recoil. It can be powered by a AAA lithium, NiMH or alkaline battery, and its ambidextrous switching provides both momentary- and constant-on activation for ultimate controllability. Ultracompact, lightweight and rugged, the XC2-A-IRC is built to rule the night.

www.surefire.com

Posted in Advertiser, Lights, Press Release | Comments Off on The SureFire XC2-IRC

Fort Riley Brigade Combat Team Kicks Off Unmanned Aircraft System Assessment

Monday, April 13th, 2020

FORT RILEY, Kan. – The 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division conducted the first Soldier-operated flight during the Army Futures Command-directed Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System capabilities assessment, April 7, 2020.

Announced in December 2019, the assessment will evaluate selected unmanned aircraft systems to define the capabilities needed in the next generation UAS for brigade combat teams. Data gathered during the assessment will be critical to determining the requirements for the RQ-7 Shadow replacement.

Future Unmanned Aircraft Systems is a signature effort within the Army’s Future Vertical Lift Modernization priority. The Program Executive Office for Aviation’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems Project Office in collaboration with Army Futures Command is leading the capabilities assessment.

The “Devil Brigade” is the first U.S. Army Forces Command unit to demonstrate one of the four vertical take-off and landing unmanned aircraft systems procured for the assessment.

Assigned the Arcturus UAV JUMP 20, it is the largest of the selected systems weighing 210 pounds with an 18-foot wingspan. Despite the size, its reduced acoustic signature compared to the Shadow is appreciated by the entire crew. “We’re used to screaming at each other and having to use radios in order to communicate,” said Spc. Christopher McCoy, a crew chief assigned to 1st Engineer Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team. “You can stand right next to this aircraft and not even raise your voice,” said McCoy.

According to Spc. Nicholas Miller, an unmanned aircraft systems operator also assigned to 1st Engineer Battalion, the JUMP 20 maintains the ability to launch and recover from a confined area with minimal ground support equipment. “Currently, we need a runway for launch and recovery of the Shadow. With the VTOL system on the JUMP 20, we don’t need any of that, we’re working with half the equipment,” he said.

The extended endurance of the system allows multiple operators to take turns training on the payload at altitude, while a second aircraft conducts repeated launches and recoveries to train operators and crew chiefs on critical modes of flight.

Over the next five months, the Big Red One Soldiers will operate the system as a surrogate for their RQ-7 Shadow, performing similar tactical tasks for the BCT, but with the added vertical take-off and landing capability and control while on the move. The assessment utilizes a crawl, walk, run mentality, progressing through operator and collective training, then culminating in brigade level field training exercises and a Combat Training Center rotation.

Under increasing COVID-19 precautions, it was uncertain whether the assessment would remain on schedule. Maj. Gen. John Kolasheski, commanding general of the 1st Infantry Division determined the assessment could continue with proper mitigations. The Army is following CDC and DoD guidelines to combat the spread of COVID-19.

The four other FORSCOM units participating in the assessment are assigned the Martin V-Bat, Textron Aerosonde HQ, L3 Harris FVR-90, and a second Arcturus UAV JUMP 20 are scheduled to begin in the coming months. These assessment schedules are under regular re-evaluation as COVID-19 conditions change.

For updates throughout the FTUAS assessment, visit: www.dvidshub.net/feature/FTUAS

By Sarah Tate

Posted in Aviation, Guest Post, UAS | Comments Off on Fort Riley Brigade Combat Team Kicks Off Unmanned Aircraft System Assessment

GiantMouse Knives Introduces the GMF2-FF

Sunday, April 12th, 2020

A Modern Take on an Old Nordic Work Blade

Corte Madera, California, April 10, 2020 – GiantMouse Knives has launched their newest fixed blade – the GMF2-FF. Designed by world-famous knife designers Jens Ansø and Jesper Voxnaes, they drew inspiration for the design of the GMF2-FF and leather dangler sheath from the style of knives they grew up using in Denmark. It’s a modern take on an old Nordic work blade.

The original GiantMouse GMF2 fixed blade has long been sold out. Now this updated version goes to a new level. The “FF” designation is for “full-flat”, which describes the blade grind. They also decided to step up to M390 steel this time and give it a beautiful satin finish.

With its perfectly contoured micarta handle, this fixed blade design is comfortable in the hand and hardy in the field. Whether you are shaving wood for a campfire or cutting rope for a hammock, the GMF2-FF will not let you down. Each GMF2-FF comes with a handmade leather dangler sheath designed by Ansø and Vox specifically for this knife.

SPECIFICATIONS

Materials:

Blade Steel: Böhler M390 MICROCLEAN stainless steel. Satin finish.

Handle: Green Micarta.

Dimensions:

Blade Length: 3.62″ (92mm)

Blade Thickness: 0.157″ (4mm)

Handle Length: 4.43″ (112.6mm)

Overall Length: 8.12″ (206mm)

Weight: 3.875 oz (109.85g) – without sheath

MSRP: $185

www.giantmouse.com/products/giantmouse-gmf2-ff