April 2022 | Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

Archive for April, 2022

Garmin Launches tactix 7 Series

Thursday, April 7th, 2022

Today Garmin launches the latest update to their tactix line with the 7 series, consisting of three models. I’ve been watching what Garmin has done with their devices for years, as they’ve transitioned from watches with basic ABC (altimeter, barometer, compass) functionality with basic global positioning to the addition of mapping, and this latest update is impressive. It goes well beyond a watch, to functionality that rivals a handheld device. They’ve included features I have never even considered seeing on a wrist device. I’m not sure how they’re going to integrate additional capability into future iterations. Once you see what they’ve done, I think you’ll agree.

A word of caution, with that increased functionality comes a higher price. This isn’t some cheap wristwatch. Consequently, units and agencies should consider these a tool as vital as an end user device and issue them to their members.

Here is their press release:

OLATHE, Kan./ April 7, 2022

– Garmin® International, Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NYSE: GRMN), today announced the tactix® 7 Series, a new class of purpose-built tactical smartwatches.

Leveraging a new 5-button interface with a responsive touch screen, the tactix 7 Series provides dedicated tactical, training and performance features, wrist-based navigation, and comprehensive health and wellness monitoring.

Prepared for operations day and night, the tactix 7 Series now includes an always-on NVG-compatible reflective display and a dedicated multi-LED flashlight for low-light conditions.

Featuring robust battery life across all three models, including enhanced solar charging on select tactix 7 units, users can focus on everything from HIIT workouts to HALO jumps and worry less about recharging.

“The new tactix 7 Series is an ideal premium timepiece for everyday use while pulling double duty as a must-have for any tactical kit.

Whether heading to the gym, hiking with your family or preparing to land on the X, you can depend on tactix 7 to help get you there,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of global consumer sales.

“Thanks to premium materials and a new sophisticated design, tactix 7 is a trusted companion whether you’re in the field on assignment or in a meeting with clients. It is truly a watch ready for any challenge.”

Built to endure

The rugged tactix 7 Series is built to a military standard (MIL-STD-810) and water-rated to 10 ATM.

The new metal button guards with reinforced metal lugs are paired with a black DLC coated titanium bezel and rear cover, as well as black tactical nylon QuickFit bands on tactix 7 Pro Series, to create a watch as tough as its users.

Available in three models, all tactix 7 units feature a large 1.4” display a scratch-resistant sapphire lens.

Users can feel confident knowing the sapphire used is considered one of the hardest materials on earth, ensuring the tactix 7 display remains operationally ready even in harsh environments.

New to the tactix 7 Series is a dual touchscreen and button user interface. The traditional button controls work in any environment and are matched with a responsive new touchscreen for direct access to selections and functions. The powerful 5-button and touchscreen interface enables quick and intuitive engagement with the topographical maps, offering confident “off-grid” situational awareness.

To lead the way during night operations, the tactix 7 Series provides a new built-in multi-LED flashlight providing quick access to a bright, steady light in either white or a dedicated green. Users will find the green light useful in maintaining their eyes’ natural night vision.

tactix 7 Series customers can utilize stealth mode, which collects distances traveled and biometric data without recording location data, to physically train or during operations.

Leveraging this security feature ensures customers can use tactix 7–and even upload logged data–without concerns of revealing location information through popular mobile training apps.

By not recording location data to the device, stealth mode also protects operational security should a device become lost.

The tactix 7 Series brings significant battery life gains to the rugged smartwatch family; tactix 7-Standard Edition provides up to four weeks of battery life in smartwatch mode and thanks to advancement in solar technology tactix 7-Pro Series can provide up to 37 days of battery life in smartwatch mode.

Service-ready features

Packed with dedicated features for tactical operations, the tactix 7 Series includes night-vision goggle compatibility mode, Jumpmaster, dual-position GPS formatting, projected waypoints, and the ability to erase all user data in a matter of seconds should the need arise.

During airborne operations, individuals can use Jumpmaster for three jump types: HAHO, HALO, and Static. Set the watch to dual-positioning mode, and it will simultaneously display two sets of coordinate systems, such as MGRS and latitude/longitude, on a single data screen.

When night-vision mode is activated, the backlight settings of the screen will reduce to a level that won’t interfere with the function of night-vision goggles.

Both civilian and service aviators will benefit from the tactix 7 Series Direct-To Navigation feature, which allows users to navigate straight to an airport in the world aeronautical database or use the “Nearest” function to activate a path to a nearby airport.

Additionally, pilots can also access aviation weather, including NEXRAD radar, METARs and TAFs, to see winds, visibility, barometric pressure and more directly on their tactix 7 unit.

Everyday support with advanced training. Designed for all-day use, the tactix 7 Series features Garmin’s 24/7 health and wellness tools including Pulse Ox, wrist-based heart rate, respiration and stress tracking, plus Garmin wellness insights such as Body Battery™, Fitness Age and Sleep Score with Advanced Sleep Monitoring.

The tactix 7 Series is also compatible with other Garmin devices including satellite communicators such as inReach® Mini 25 and dog tracking devices such as Alpha® 10.

Leveraging Garmin’s advanced training technology, all tactix 7 units can help customers reach their training goals.

In addition to dedicated sports apps from hunting to mountain climbing to strength training and more, the tactix 7 Series provides tools for customers to reach peak performance.

These tools include Real-Time Stamina to monitor and track exertion; a Recovery Time Advisor which takes into account training intensity and factors like stress, daily activity and sleep to estimate the number of hours of rest needed to properly recover from a workout session of the same exertion; and Daily Workout Suggestions, which acts as a personal trainer providing workout suggestions based on current training load, training status and overall fitness level.

Global navigation

Using multi-band GNSS support, customers can access multiple frequencies sent by navigation satellites for improved position accuracy in areas where GNSS signals are reflected, weak or typically don’t penetrate. All tactix 7 units come preloaded with multicontinent Topo maps from the customer’s regions and provide free access to download additional maps from around the world.

For recreational uses, the tactix 7 Series come preloaded with Public Land Boundaries Maps, SkiView Maps,and more than 42,000 full-color golf courses around the world.

Customers needing the enhanced solutions provided by Applied Ballistics (AB) will be pleased to know the tactix 7-Pro Ballistics Edition now integrates with the AB ecosystem, including the AB Synapse™ app and sensor integration.

The tactix 7 Series represents Garmin’s continued innovation of smartwatch technology and is available now with a starting suggested retail price of $1099.99.

To learn more, visit garmin.com/outdoor.

Engineered on the inside for life on the outside, Garmin products have revolutionized life for adventurers, athletes, and outdoor enthusiasts everywhere. Committed to developing products and services that enhance experiences and provide peace of mind, Garmin believes every day is an opportunity to innovate and a chance to beat yesterday.

For more information, visit Garmin’s virtual Newsroom, email our press team, connect with @garminoutdoor on social media, or follow our adventures at garmin.com/blog.

As always, I highly recommend you go to our friends at Strohman Enterprise to purchase Garmin products. They offer discounts for military and LE customers.

Posted in Advertiser, Watches | 2 Comments »

The Royal Dutch Marines: A Way of Life

Thursday, April 7th, 2022

GRAFENWOEHR TRAINING AREA, Germany – It is a commitment not to be taken lightly. The choice to become a Royal Dutch Marine is more than committing oneself to a new job – it’s committing to a new way of life.

“It was a lot harder than I thought it was going to be,” admitted Marine 2nd class Collins. Collins, born to a Dutch mother and an American father, followed in the footsteps of his father who served in the United States Army. “I was looking for the biggest challenge I could find, and I was looking for an exciting job, and I found both.”

Collins said that waking up early, not always getting enough food or sleep, combined with the rigors of physical training, initially made adjustment to military life a challenge.

“The Dutch Marines are known for their arduous training programs, which are primarily focused around hardship,” said 1LTC van Haaren. Enlisted Marines must complete two phases to become a Royal Dutch Marine. Part of the second phase takes place at Grafenwoehr, Germany, because according to van Haaren, the Netherlands lacks live-fire ranges. This phase is initial tactical training, and consists of 15 weeks of rigorous training, which is demanding both physically and mentally.

At the completion first phase, only half of the enlisted hopefuls will pass.

The speed march is an example of one of the more challenging physical and mental events for prospective Royal Dutch Marines. The Marines ran carrying rucksacks weighing approximately 40 pounds, in addition to weapons (the Colt C7 and switching off the general-purpose machine gun FM MAG 7.62). The speed march was five miles long and completed in under just 50 minutes.

The reason for the demanding nature of training is simple – to fashion the Marines into their most strong and capable selves, and to ensure only the most resolute of them make it to the Royal Dutch Marine Corps.

“Once you’re in, it’s usually for life,” said van Haaren, who himself plans to make a career of the Royal Dutch Marines.

According to van Haaren, the Royal Dutch Marine Corps specializes in carrying out special maritime operations, amphibious landings, and expeditionary land operations with light infantry units. They can be deployed for long periods of time, under all climatological and geographical circumstances. As sea soldiers, they deploy from Royal Netherlands Navy ships to carry out amphibious landings. On the ground, the Royal Dutch Marines must be capable of sustaining their own survival for up to 72 hours with zero support.

For that reason, both phases of training must be intense.

On the ranges of Grafenwoehr Training Area, equipped with Colt C7s, the Marines practice fire and movement drills which consist of individual and platoon movements. The Marines also work in pairs to train on their general-purpose machine gun, the 7.62 FN MAG, with one Marine reloading and signaling to the firer when to shoot. The ability to do this requires a great deal of teamwork, discipline, and situational awareness.

The practice of live fire could be potentially unnerving for some, but for the right few, the process can be invigorating.

“I really enjoyed the shooting drills,” said Collins, with a grin. “Probably one of my favorite things to do.” Collins had never shot prior to enlisting.

After their time in Grafenwoehr, the Marines will return to the Netherlands and continue their second phase of training. It takes place at the Mariniers Opleidings Centrum at the Van Ghentkazerne in Rotterdam. During this time, the Marines execute multiple land and amphibious validation operations. Fresh challenges will await them, with more demands on their bodies and minds.

For Collins, these demands are worth it. He motivates himself by thinking of his father, who he wants to make proud, and by avowing to himself to finish what he started.

“Being a Marine, to me, means to keep going where others might quit,” said Collins. “To always help the guy to the left and right of you, and to help the less fortunate around the world.”

Once both phases of training are successfully completed, van Haaren said the Marines will receive their “dark blue beret”. From there, they will be assigned at last to the operational units of the Royal Dutch Marine Corps. Their training will be complete, but their real journey and the rest of their lives, will have just begun.

Learn more about the Grafenwoehr Training Area at: www.7atc.army.mil

By SPC Elizabeth MacPherson

Posted in Army, Guest Post, International | 2 Comments »

DroneShield Achieves UK MOD SAPIENT Compliance

Wednesday, April 6th, 2022

DroneShield Limited (ASX:DRO) (“DroneShield” or the “Company”) is pleased to advise it has reached compliance with UK Ministry of Defence (UK MOD) SAPIENT format. SAPIENT is a common operating format for defence devices (with similar principles to the US Department of Defense ATAK system), originally developed by the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL). It was since adopted as the standard counter drone communication system in the UK.

SAPIENT offers a standard approach for AI and autonomy in networked multi-sensor systems in security and defence, and is being evaluated as a potential NATO standard for counter-drone systems.

Additional information on SAPIENT is available at www.gov.uk/guidance/sapient-autonomous-sensor-system

Going forward, DroneShield’s AI-enabled counterdrone/C-UAS RfPatrol, RfOne, and DroneSentry-X products now have the capability to provide a SAPIENT compliant output.

Image: DroneSentry-X system, now with SAPIENT interoperability

Oleg Vornik, DroneShield CEO, commented, “In the current challenging geopolitical environment, DroneShield continues to substantially progress our engagement across the NATO militaries, and specifically UK, alongside Australia and the US. We have on-the-ground team members in all 3 countries, supported by a network of highly capable local partners – in the case of UK, our partner is BT with its substantial defence credentials, as well as being a household name in the UK market.”

“Compliance with the SAPIENT format was driven by end-user requests from our UK and European militaries. It ensures our networked devices are plug-and-play compatible to the common operating format of other devices and systems of those end-users. We are currently involved in meaningful acquisition tender processes with UK and European end-users, which require this compliance as part of the deployment.”

Posted in Press Release, UAS | Comments Off on DroneShield Achieves UK MOD SAPIENT Compliance

After Denmark, Lithuania Joins the Growing List of Small Arms Training Indoor Simulator (SATIS) Customers

Wednesday, April 6th, 2022

On March 17th, RUAG Defence France and the Lithuanian Armed Forces signed a major contract for the delivery of Small Arms Training Indoor Simulators (SATIS), following an international competitive bid process.

SATIS is a high-fidelity simulator for indoor shooting training at individual and unit levels. It is an evolution of SITTAL, which is used by the French Armed Forces in more than 50 garrisons countrywide, and by the Ivorian Armed and Law Enforcement Forces. Lithuania opted for the mobile version, allowing fast and easy deployment from garrison to garrison.

Enhanced, tetherless technology

Supporting a variety of tetherless weapons, SATIS helps individuals improve weapon handling, accuracy, and shooting procedures. Instructors can monitor and analyze all relevant data, including firing position, aiming, cant, cast and pitch, shots, and trigger pressure. SATIS features an automatic after-action review (AAR) to improve the assessment of all shooting parameters and results.

Customizable combat scenarios

The Lithuanian Armed Forces will also be able to use SATIS to strengthen decision-making and coordination competencies by running exercises with groups of up to ten soldiers.

SATIS supports AI (artificial intelligence) managed combat scenarios customizable by the instructor and taking place in a great variety of terrain ((urban, countryside, semi-desert, …).

Strong market position

With this new contract, RUAG Simulation & Training further reinforces its position as a benchmark in the field of combat simulators.

Posted in Contracts, International, Press Release, Training | 1 Comment »

Sasquatch – Framed Pack on Sale

Wednesday, April 6th, 2022

The Sasquatch – Framed Pack is a beast of a pack and it is on sale.

Made from 1000D Cordura and mounted to the 1606 Frame. It features a detachable lid that converts into a smaller pack as well as a sleeping bag compartment with a pass through pocket into the main storage compartment. There are eight external pockets with six incorporating MOLLE webbing. The pad set has extra heavy padding on the straps and frame for moving under heavy loads.

Offered in Coyote and MultiCam.

squatchsurvivalgear.com/products/sasquatch

Posted in Sales | Comments Off on Sasquatch – Framed Pack on Sale

DARPA Completes Underminer Program

Wednesday, April 6th, 2022

New tactical tunneling technologies will support national security objectives

DARPA’s Underminer program has demonstrated the feasibility of rapidly constructing tactical tunnel networks that enable secure, responsive resupply in denied environments. These networks could provide infrastructure for logistics support, such as pre-positioning supplies in advance of an operation or providing ongoing resupply as troops move through a contested area. The ability to rapidly bore tactical tunnels could also be helpful in rescue missions.

Adversaries, peer competitor nations, and allies around the world are building and exploiting tunnels for tactical operations. Tunneling capabilities exist in United States’ commercial applications – mostly in the oil/gas, utility, geological, and environmental sectors – but the U.S. Department of Defense is not currently taking advantage of such technologies or equipment to support tactical tunnel creation or exploitation.

“The technologies demonstrated in the Underminer program offered unique insight into applications for tactical tunneling networks,” said Andrew Nuss, Underminer program manager in DARPA’s Tactical Technology Office. “Through Underminer, DARPA has advanced the community’s use of high-speed tactical tunnel creation, sensing, and positioning.”

Three teams collectively produced and matured technologies for rapid tunnel creation with a focus on diameter, distance, speed, and accuracy.

1 The Colorado School of Mines designed and demonstrated a continuous feed directional drilling concept that incorporated a hybrid drill bit system, an innovative drilling fluid management approach, and an intelligent drilling support system.

2 General Electric Research Center developed and demonstrated a novel robotic approach consisting of multiple artificial muscle systems.

3 Sandia National Laboratories implemented modifications to existing commercial hardware to demonstrate improvements to rate of penetration, accuracy and reduced operator demands.

“Tactical tunneling capabilities have tremendous opportunities to expand the combined arms maneuver trade space to include the vertical dimension in both natural and man-made subterranean environments,” added Dr. Nuss. “These unique capabilities have the potential to create secured logistics pathways in contested environments.”

Novel tunneling technologies and processes developed under the program have already transitioned to multiple industry and government partners. Some of those advances include an increased understanding of fluids management while drilling, localization of the drill bit without the use of beacons, and how to conduct branching operations while drilling at high rates of penetration.

Posted in Disruptive Tech, Press Release | 5 Comments »

Special Projects Division STS-B

Wednesday, April 6th, 2022

Expertly Made, Modern, Folding Chute Knife w/Integrated Bolsters

This Spring 2022, Prometheus Design Werx introduces their STS-B folding chute knife under their Special Projects Division label. This modern, precision made, framelocking chute knife is inspired by the classic Loveless Chute Knife and features integrated, titanium bolsters. The STS-B comes with the OD Green G10 scales installed but also includes an extra set of Black G10 handle scales for user swap out if so desired. Many fine details are machined throughout this purpose driven folder including fine jimping for saber and reverse grips, handle fullers, internal lanyard pin, replaceable lockbar limiter, and dive watch grade glow-in-the-dark cabochons inlaid in the dual thumbstuds. Built with a Böhler M390 blade, the STS-B is highly versatile, capable, and practical wilderness tool for a wide range of field conditions.

The STS-B is available with OD Green G10 handle scales installed and includes an extra set of Black G10 handle scales for user DIY swap.

The Design and R&D Team at PDW states:

“This is the level up STS model, which has proven to be one of our most popular folder models. It is certainly one our staff favorites. With its heritage DNA, the design is a well-balanced design of old and new; and uses state of art materials. We don’t do flashy or superfluous knife designs and our purpose driven ethos is defined by the many fine, pragmatic details found in this knife. The STS-B’s use case intent is the same as when Loveless made his Chute Knife under the direction of the legendary Harry Archer.”

The STS-B G10 Combo will be available for purchase for $369.00 on Wednesday, April 6th, 2022 at 12:00pm Pacific via their website, prometheusdesignwerx.com.

Posted in Advertiser, Knives, Press Release | 2 Comments »

S.O.Tech x GWA ARVN Pack Redux in Tiger Stripe

Wednesday, April 6th, 2022

“A combination of the old tried and true with modern technology – a reflection of SOTECH.”

Respecting the calls for us to reintroduce our h-harnesses and belts, we recognized a trend to go back to the battle tested designs of the past. In doing so, we wanted to honor our beginnings by doing a reboot of an ALICE Pack predecessor – the ARVN Ranger Pack, a favorite of MACV-SOG and other SOF units.

At a base level, this is a hat tip to our early days modifying ALICE packs, but it’s much more significant than that. SOTECH started in a time when we were issued the same tired designs that barely evolved from World War Two through Korea and Vietnam and into the Cold War of the 80’s.

There was a creativity born from lessons from the field, and a handful of innovators started companies to modify and then create alternatives. In this vein, we took the day pack version of what would become the ALICE and modernized and modified the design with Tegris and improved cuts (the pack was designed for small-framed Vietnamese soldiers). The result is an EDC pack that takes you back to your days in BDUs every time you cinch that ribbed web through those metal tabler buckles.