May 2023 | Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

Archive for May, 2023

FirstSpear Friday Focus – Concealable Vests

Friday, May 5th, 2023

This week, we’re focusing on our concealable vest options. The Slick™ and Deceptor™ are durable and lightweight discrete carriers.

Designed for wear underneath garments or load carriage platforms, the Slick is light and comfortable. The soft material can be folded up and stashed on your cargo pocket when not needed. This is a minimalist carrier and not designed to be an outer most carrier for overt tactical operations.

Sizing corresponds to SAPI plate size. Swimmer Cut available here.

Designed to conceal rifle velocity protective plates in hight threat environments, the Deceptor will discretely hold a pair of special threat plates and two 6” x 6” rifle side plates. Our Ragnar pockets can quickly attach to the front or the back of the carrier as well. The Deceptor shines with SAPI cut plates in the 2.2 to 4.5 Ibs medium-sized weight range which are .5” or thinner. For larger, thicker, or heavier plates, you need to consider another capability. This carrier comes with stretch and non-stretch shoulder straps to accommodate user comfort preference.

Check out FirstSpear to find American Made kit and accessories, Built For The X.

Posted in Advertiser, Armor, FS Friday Focus, Guest Post | 1 Comment »

Terrain 365 STS-ATB

Friday, May 5th, 2023

Upscale Variant of the Rustproof STS Featuring Integrated Bolster Construction

New for May 2023, Terrain 365™ releases their STS-ATB. An upscale variant of the popular, STS-AT series, featuring their proprietary, corrosion-proof, edge-holding, Terravantium™ super alloy. This precision made framelock features an integrated bolster construction with hand fitted carbon fiber, G10 or canvas micarta scales. Signature design details include a Loveless inspired clip point blade, handle and blade fullers, dive watch-grade glow in the dark cabochons in the dual thumbstuds, fine jimping throughout, and a purpose driven, classic chute knife aesthetic. As with all their “AT” designated knives, these are 100% non-ferrous, non-magnetic, and a completely rustproof build for all terrains.

The STS-ATB is available with Terravantium™ blades and integrated titanium bolsters with carbon fiber, G10 or canvas micarta scales.

Creative Director and Co-Founder Patrick Ma of Terrain 365 states,

“The STS-ATB is an upscale homage to a lifelong love affair with the classic Loveless Chute Knife. This is a superbly made edged tool for the field, made for explorers and adventurers. The original chute knife concept was intended to operate in harsh and unconventional wilderness field conditions, this intention certainly holds true and is mirrored in my design of the STS series of folders.”

The STS-ATB is available for $375-$390 on their website.

Posted in Knives, Press Release | Comments Off on Terrain 365 STS-ATB

16th Annual Emerald Warrior Jumps Into Action

Friday, May 5th, 2023

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. —

Air Force Special Operations Command is hosting the 16th Annual Emerald Warrior exercise at multiple locations across Florida, as well as Puerto Rico and will run through May 6.

This joint, combined exercise provides realistic and relevant, high-end training to prepare special operations forces, conventional forces, and international partners in the evolving strategic environment, shifting focus to growing kinetic and non-kinetic effects in strategic competition.

Emerald Warrior applies lessons learned from real-world operations to provide trained and ready personnel to the joint force, while addressing priorities laid out in the 2022 National Defense Strategy. Vital to this effort are effective trained forces and strong international partnerships. Partner force participants for this year are primarily from France, Germany, and Lithuania.

This exercise hones the skills of participating units and is an opportunity to test future concepts in support Agile Combat Employment operating under the new Air Force Force Generation deployment model. In line with AFSOC’s Strategic Guidance, the exercise fuels on-going pathfinding and experimentation efforts within the command.

By Air Force Special Operations Command

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, SOF | Comments Off on 16th Annual Emerald Warrior Jumps Into Action

DEFEA: RT and CopterPIX Launch the Sky-High DI System, a Combined Tactical Aerostat and Mini Quad Rotor Drone

Thursday, May 4th, 2023

The combined investigating system provides a comprehensive detection solution

DEFEA, May 9-11, Metropolitan Expo, Athens, Greece, Hall 2, Stand A2

May 3rd, 2023. RT LTA Systems Ltd. – a world-class designer, developer, and manufacturer of the SkyStar™ family of aerostats for use in intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and communications applications – will launch, together with CopterPIX, the Sky-High DI system, a combined tactical aerostat and mini quad rotor drone. Providing a comprehensive detection solution, the investigating system combines the SkyStar™ 180/330 aerostat and the ERE-95 mini quadcopter.

SkyStarTM is an aerostat family of combat-proven, compact and mobile, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) systems based on lighter-than-air platforms. Designed for extended surveillance and reconnaissance missions for force protection and intelligence gathering, they operate day and night, with a minimal crew at an altitude of up to 1,500 ft, and carry high-performance payloads.

The ERE-95 Mini quad-rotor drone, designed for long-range inspection missions, has a dual day/thermal camera and an 80-100 minute flight time – providing at least 30% longer endurance time than any other commercial platform. These drones consistently outperform the competition in both military and non-military testing, performing complex missions in fully operational and challenging conditions, and are used worldwide by leading government, defense and commercial organizations.

Rami Shmueli, CEO of RT, says, “The integrated system can respond to an extensive range of scenarios. Until today, our system has enabled 24/7 observation and the collection of intelligence information through the wide range of payloads the system can carry. Now, thanks to the integration with the ERE-95 Mini, it also enables target tracking, and provides an active response to every scenario.”

Posted in International, Tradeshow, UAS | Comments Off on DEFEA: RT and CopterPIX Launch the Sky-High DI System, a Combined Tactical Aerostat and Mini Quad Rotor Drone

U.S. Army Awards TRX Systems $402 Million Production Contract for DAPS GEN II

Thursday, May 4th, 2023

The DAPS GEN II systems developed and delivered by TRX will provide Assured PNT to warfighters, enabling seamless dismounted operations in GPS-denied environments.

GREENBELT, MD. MAY 04, 2023

TRX Systems has been awarded a $402 Million, seven-year, Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract by the U.S. Army for the procurement of Dismounted Assured Positioning, Navigation, and Timing System Generation II systems and services (DAPS GEN II). The award to TRX is a Program of Record contract from the U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors (PEO IEW&S) for delivery of systems that provide Assured PNT to Soldiers operating in GPS denied or contested environments.

The TRX Systems solution to be provided under the contract, known as TRX DAPS II, enables dismounted maneuver operations with speed, surprise, and agility, even where GPS is compromised or denied. TRX DAPS II provides Assured Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) to dismounted users by disseminating assured position and time to dependent devices in GPS challenged environments. Reliable PNT is essential to the positioning of forces, navigation, communication networks, situational awareness applications, and systems related to protection, surveillance, and targeting; it is critical for Army Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) in contested areas and for the Brigade Combat Team (BCT) and their supporting units.

Designed to replace the Defense Advanced GPS Receiver (DAGR) for Dismounted Soldiers with Nett Warrior (NW), TRX DAPS II fuses inputs from M-code GPS, inertial sensors, and complementary PNT sources to determine the integrity of positioning, navigation, and timing sources and deliver assured PNT. It is a small, lightweight PNT device that supports both standalone operation and integration with the NW ensemble, and it can distribute PNT information to a customized tactical watch. The TRX DAPS II solution employs a modular architecture and adheres to Army PNT interface standards, facilitating the addition of new PNT sensors as threats evolve.

In 2021, TRX was selected by the U.S. Army to deliver a DAPS GEN 1.2 solution via a Quick Reaction Capability (QRC) and began shipping devices in volume in 2022 – less than 8 months after the award. Building on the success of the QRC program, after thousands of hours of field testing and incorporation of hundreds of additional Project Manager, Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PM PNT) requirements, the next generation of dismounted Soldier navigational tools, TRX DAPS II, will be in production for the Army later this year.

“Warfighters can be subjected to enemy electronic attacks that degrade their access to reliable position and time, putting their operation and safety at risk,” said Carol Politi, President of TRX Systems. “The Assured PNT information provided by TRX DAPS II will secure dismounted Army forces’ ability to shoot, move, and communicate in GPS challenged environments.”

Posted in Army, Comms, Contracts, Press Release | 2 Comments »

Freedom Atlantic Awarded Contract for Radio Cables

Thursday, May 4th, 2023

Austin, TX – Freedom Atlantic, Inc. a Defense Communications company, announced today that it has been awarded a $1.2M contract for its specialty cable which connects a Program of Record Tactical Radio directly to the End User Device (Samsung Galaxy S20 Tactical Edition). After thorough evaluation and testing, Freedom Atlantic’s approach was selected to solve the end user requirement of ensuring robust connectivity between these two mission-critical devices. Freedom Atlantic’s products are engineered to provide the highest level of reliability for end users’ communication equipment in harsh and demanding environments where they serve and protect our freedom.

“In today’s changing landscape, it is imperative that we continue to move quickly in developing seamless solutions that plug in and just work.” said David Martschinske, Freedom Atlantic’s VP of Product Development. “We are singularly focused on delivering reliable and cost-effective solutions to ensure that the end user maintains their situational awareness and dominance at the tactical edge.”

Posted in Comms, Contracts, Press Release | 1 Comment »

Guardian Warrior Solutions – Raptor Adaptor Series

Thursday, May 4th, 2023

I have been remiss about mentioning the Raptor Adaptor line of Tegris gear mounts from Guardian Warrior Solutions.

Raptor Adaptors serve as an interface between PALS compatible pouches and plastic belt clips like the BladeTech TEK-LOK, in any orientation. Likewise, they can be used to attach a plastic mount to a PALS compatible platform like an armor vest.

They are sized, so use this guide to determine which adaptor you need.

www.guardianwarriorsolutions.com

Posted in Load Carrying, PALS | Comments Off on Guardian Warrior Solutions – Raptor Adaptor Series

FN Announces $18 Million Expansion Project at Columbia, South Carolina Production Facility

Thursday, May 4th, 2023

(McLean, VA – May 03, 2023) Following the announcement of the company’s plans to construct a second facility in Liberty, South Carolina, FN America, LLC, U.S. subsidiary of FN Herstal, S.A., a global firearms manufacturer, is pleased to share that an $18 million expansion of its Columbia, South Carolina facility will occur later this year with an expected completion in the first half of 2024.

This plan will add more than 40,000-square-feet of manufacturing capacity and office space as well as create a Design Center of Excellence geared toward enhancing the company’s research and development for new products. The expansion will add 102 new positions to the company’s existing workforce and will allow the company to meet the ever-increasing demand for FN products.

“The record growth that our company has had these last several years has enabled us to invest in our South Carolina manufacturing footprint with our soon-to-be new facility in Liberty and now the expansion of our Columbia facility,” said Mark Cherpes, President and CEO for FN America, LLC. “We were established in Richland County more than 40 years ago to manufacture small arms for the U.S. Army, and we are proud to expand our capacity to support that sector of our business.”

For more than 40 years, FN’s production facility has been located in Richland County, South Carolina and has produced more than 1 million small arms under contract to the U.S. Department of Defense. The company was originally established in the United States in 1979 and opened its doors in 1981 to produce the M240 medium machine gun, a variant of the FN MAG-58, under contract to the U.S. Army.

Currently, FN America employs more than 600 individuals to produce firearms, accessories and other adjacent products for the U.S. military, law enforcement agencies as well as consumers. The company has produced the M4A1, M16A4, M249 light machine gun, M240 medium machine gun and FN SCAR under contract for the U.S. military as well as the FN 509 striker-fired pistol line used by U.S. law enforcement agencies like the Los Angeles Police Department and individual officers nationwide.

To learn more about FN America and its products, please visit www.fnamerica.com. To view or apply to any open positions, please visit FN America’s careers site at careers.fnamerica.com.

Posted in Industry, Press Release | Comments Off on FN Announces $18 Million Expansion Project at Columbia, South Carolina Production Facility