June 2023 | Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

Archive for June, 2023

Explore the FROG.PRO Tactical Evolution in the New Phantomleaf WASP II Z3A and Z2 Camo

Monday, June 5th, 2023

(GATTATICO (RE) – ITALY) – FROG.PRO®, the Italian reference brand for tactical tailoring, is proud to announce the release of its new Capsule Collection #2 – Phantomleaf Vibes.

Always keeping pace with the latest innovations

For years we at FROG.PRO have been committed to offering awesome tailored gear to our customers, but we don’t just stop at the design and production of combat equipment. Our mission is to integrate the most advanced technologies to provide operators with comprehensive and cutting-edge solutions to support them in modern warfare scenarios.

For this reason, we decided to launch the new line Capsule Collection #2 – Phantomleaf Vibes. The Phantomleaf WASP II Z2 and Z3A patterns are the result of experience and continuous field-test to provide optimal camouflage performance in various operating environments.

The advantages of new color schemes

The Phantomleaf camo pattern technology combines natural and geometric elements in an innovative way, creating an unprecedented camouflage effect. These specific camouflage solutions, blending with the surrounding environment, will make you practically invisible, allowing you to operate with confidence and discretion. Phantomleaf represents a true revolution in the field of camouflage and concealment, starting from a completely different approach.

The new Capsule Collection #2 – Phantomleaf Vibes, was created to integrate this technology into FROG.PRO’s most advanced products such as the HAWK Plate Carrier, the Chiron Mini IFAK and the Precision Rifle Scope Cover.

WASP II: breaking the perception

Phantomleaf develops modular camouflage systems using both the concept of mimikry (making something look like something else) and the concept of crypsis (hiding in one’s surroundings) to ensure optimal camouflage. The objective of WASP II is not to imitate or mimic the surroundings, but rather to introduce a pattern that leverages psychiatric and neuro-psychological knowledge to perplex the brain, disrupting its ability to classify visual information as familiar or menacing. All patterns provide micro, midi, and macro elements, addressing relevant engagement distances. The effectiveness of the pattern is demonstrated through night vision footage, showcasing its ability to provide camouflage even in low-light conditions and with infrared illuminators. The various WASP II patterns blend into designated environments, hindering human perception and making the user virtually undetectable.

As a starting point, we picked two patterns that would fit the biomes where most military operations currently take place.

Z2: from bush lands to desert

This coloration variant is designed to effectively camouflage in arid and desert-like regions, seamlessly blending into dry and burnt-out landscapes. With a combination of browns and yellows, this camouflage design perfectly mimics the hues and tones found in arid regions, ensuring that you remain hidden from sight even under the intense sun. Whether you’re lying low amidst the rubble or maneuvering through a desert canyon, WASP II Z2 offers reliable concealment at various distances.

Z3A: from forests to jungles

The WASP II Z3A pattern, a green variant of the Phantomleaf camouflage. Showcases remarkable camouflage capabilities in areas with high vegetation, ranging from deciduous and coniferous forests to lush tropical jungles. Thanks to the strategic combination of its seven-color palette, the adaptability of the Z3A pattern extends to boundary zones, where it transitions smoothly to bush, agricultural, or grasslands. The incorporation of micro, midi, and macro elements offers camouflage capabilities whether in close proximity or at longer ranges, ensuring a reliable performance at varying distances.

FROG.PRO, tactical innovation at your service.

Through the new Capsule Collection #2 – Phantomleaf Vibes, we express our commitment to evolution in the tactical field.

With the Phantomleaf WASP II Z3A and Z2 patterns, whether you’re operating in dense forests, lush jungles, or arid deserts, this new collection ensure you remain concealed, maintaining a tactical advantage. Rely on FROG.PRO for tactical awesomeness and stay one step ahead on the battlefield.

The Capsule Collection #2 – Phantomleaf Vibes is now available on www.frogpro.eu.

Posted in Camo, International, Press Release | Comments Off on Explore the FROG.PRO Tactical Evolution in the New Phantomleaf WASP II Z3A and Z2 Camo

AATC Tests Enhanced Intelligence Gathering Capabilities with MQ-9 Reaper Upgrade

Monday, June 5th, 2023

EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska (AFNS) —

The Air National Guard-Air Force Reserve Command Test Center partnered with the 174th Attack Wing and 556th Test and Evaluation Squadron to test an upgraded satellite communications capability of the MQ-9 Reaper during exercise Northern Edge 2023 at Eielson Air Force Base.

Northern Edge 23 is a U.S. Indo-Pacific Command-sponsored, Headquarters Pacific Air Forces-led, multilateral, joint field training exercise at main operating bases Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and Eielson AFB.

The MQ-9 is a remotely piloted aircraft primarily used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. Air National Guard pilots, using the SATCOM upgrade, can now fly ISR missions in real-time almost anywhere around the world from remote bases in the United States.

The MQ-9’s upgraded SATCOM system uses advanced satellite technology to transmit data and communications over long distances. It is capable of flying at high altitudes for extended periods and its sensors can provide real-time intelligence on adversary positions, movements and activities. The ANG plans to deploy the upgraded MQ-9 to support ongoing operations around the world, as well as for training exercises and other missions in support of U.S. national security objectives.

“The speed at which this modernization effort and test program has been accomplished highlights the Accelerate, Change, or Lose vision from General Brown,” said Maj. Ryan Nastase, Test Program manager.

“This SATCOM upgrade will allow pole-to-pole operations while increasing the amount of data or bandwidth the MQ-9 can transmit and receive by more than double and reducing the latency or time of transmission by a factor of 10.”

Maj Ryan Nastase, Test Program Manager

With the upgraded SATCOM capability, the MQ-9 can continue to modernize by integrating more advanced sensors that require increased bandwidth. The upgrade enhances the aircraft’s ability to provide real-time situational awareness to combatant commanders around the world.

“This upgrade is a game-changer for the MQ-9 and the Air National Guard,” said Lt. Col. Matthew Harris, Hancock Field ANG Base test pilot at Syracuse, New York. “We can better support our combatant commanders and provide critical intelligence in real-time.”

The SATCOM upgrade is one of many advancements being fielded on the MQ-9. The ANG and its partners are continually working to enhance the capabilities of these critical assets and provide combatant commanders with the best possible support.

by SSgt Van Whatcott, 162nd Wing Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, ISR, UAS | Comments Off on AATC Tests Enhanced Intelligence Gathering Capabilities with MQ-9 Reaper Upgrade

Yankee Hill Machine Increases Their ASA Sponsorship Level

Sunday, June 4th, 2023

Easthampton, MA: The American Suppressor Association (ASA) is excited to announce that Yankee Hill Machine has increased their sponsorship to ASA’s highest Tier 1 level for 2023. They join Silencer Shop and Elevated Silence as ASA’s third Tier 1 sponsor.

“YHM is proud to be a continued partner with the American Suppressor Association,” said Chris Graham, President and Co-owner of Yankee Hill Machine. “They are the front lines for suppressor advocacy and they step up to the plate whenever a bill is introduced that would impede suppressor ownership. YHM and the ASA will continue to fight until civilian suppressor ownership is legalized in every state.”

“THEY ARE THE FRONT LINES FOR SUPPRESSOR ADVOCACY”

— Chris Graham, President and Co-owner of Yankee Hill Machine

As a third generation family business, YHM holds true to their original goal of helping those who served. Over the past 70 years, YHM has established a reputation as a world class rifle, suppressor, and accessories manufacturer, as well as a full service OEM manufacturer. They offer high-end durable products at an affordable price-without sacrificing quality.

“Chris, his brother Kevin, and the entire team at Yankee Hill Machine are devoted supporters of suppressor rights and the Second Amendment,” said Knox Williams, Executive Director of ASA. “Over the years, we’ve had tremendous success working directly with YHM to help legalize suppressor ownership and their use by hunters in New England. That said, we still have a long way to go. With partners like YHM, who consistently go above and beyond, I’m confident that one day we will reach our goal of making suppressors legal in all 50 states!”

Posted in Industry, Press Release, Suppressors | Comments Off on Yankee Hill Machine Increases Their ASA Sponsorship Level

Federal Ammunition Adds New Train + Protect 10mm Auto

Sunday, June 4th, 2023

ANOKA, Minnesota – May 31, 2023 – Federal recently added a new line extension to its popular and versatile Train + Protect product line—which features packaging that honors any shooter’s birthright to bear arms—with a new load in 10mm Auto. The full-power 10mm offering features a Versatile Hollow Point (VHP) bullet to deliver both precise, practical performance at the range, and instant, reliable expansion on impact.

Train + Protect | Federal Ammunition

“With the popularity of our Train +Protect products and customers desire to have a good all-around option they can use for training as well as protection, we’re expanding the line with 10mm auto,” said Federal’s Handgun Product Line Director Nick Sachse. “10mm has seen a resurgence in recent years and we continue to receive requests for more options in the cartridge.”

Summary of features include: New 180-grain 10mm Auto load; VHP bullets based on proven Federal versatile hollow-point design; Reloadable Federal brass case; Extremely reliable primer; Loaded to produce consistent performance on the range and in defense situations; 50-count boxes; MSRP: $57.99.

For more information on all products from Federal or to shop online, visit www.federalpremium.com.

Posted in Ammo, Press Release | Comments Off on Federal Ammunition Adds New Train + Protect 10mm Auto

Blackhawk’s Zach Rodman and Jared Halbert Take First at South Carolina Tactical Games

Saturday, June 3rd, 2023

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – May 31, 2023 – Blackhawk®, a leader in law enforcement and military equipment for over 20 years, congratulates tactical athletes Zach Rodman and Jared Halbert for their first-place finish at The Tactical Games South Carolina Team Event 2023, which took place at The Sawmill Training Complex.

Like individual Tactical Games events in terms of structure, Team Events see two competitors working together to complete various physical and marksmanship stages as quickly as possible. Rodman and Halbert both ran Blackhawk T-Series® holsters and Foundation Series Tac Nylon gear, including plate carrier and belt, to help them secure first-place in the Men’s Elite Division.

“Jared and I have competed against each other since 2019,” said Rodman. “We first met on the firing line in Mississippi, and since that time have remained good friends. I’m more of a team orientated person by nature, so having Jared as a partner over the last two years has been great. Not only is he a great teammate, but as a former champion, he knows what it takes to win. I push hard individually, but there’s an element of not letting your teammate down that makes you push even harder.”

The duo, who previously secured a second-place win when they competed together last season, have praised the Foundation Series and T-Series holsters as a big contributor to their success both in individual and team competitions.

“The Foundation Series Plate Carrier is very minimalist but still holds standard sized plates,” Halbert said. “This design makes it easy to traverse obstacles where other plate carriers would get caught-up. Plus, the removable placard options have proven to be great for mission specific loadouts. Likewise, I’m also pretty particular about holsters, and the T-Series is not only fast, but it also retains the pistol through any kind of movement.”

Blackhawk’s T-Series holsters with leg straps are optimally designed to maintain proper holster position and security as competitors navigate unconventional obstacles throughout The Tactical Games. Foundation Series Tac Nylon gear gives competitors some of the lightest weight gear in its class without sacrificing durability or modularity, which is critical to maintaining speed and endurance while wearing heavy plate carriers.

To learn more about Blackhawk or to see the full line-up of holsters and tactical gear, head over to Blackhawk.com.

Posted in Press Release, Shooting Sports | Comments Off on Blackhawk’s Zach Rodman and Jared Halbert Take First at South Carolina Tactical Games

The 2023 OTTE Gear x Bawidamann 2023 Narcos Playa Shirts Are In!

Saturday, June 3rd, 2023

It’s finally here! The 2023 OTTE Gear x Bawidamann 2023 Narcos Playa print which recalls the 80s Miami Drug War, a gritty fight between the US and the cartels. The fuel for the failed state was Cocaine and the fight was with the elusive Cocaine Cowboys. Hand-designed by Andrew Bawidamann himself, this pop-heavy print courses through your veins, weaving around Hibiscus & Coca, Beechcraft Kings & Cigarette boats, Brass Knucks & AK47s to name a few. The Mexican bass guitar plays Chalino Sanchez’s music, setting the stage for Miami Vice days and nights.

ottegear.com/products/aloha-narcos-playa-shirt

Hidden gems include Grenades & AK47s, straight razors, brass knucks, switchblades, Bren 10, SBS 12, coffins, rosary & skulls, CAR 15 & mac10. Available in Blowout Black, Paradise Blue and Rush Green.

The Nacros Playa print is also available on OTTE Gear as a Nalgene bottle in Rush and a Range Bag in exclusive Sunset Pink. We also partnered with TXC Holsters to make this print available in the holster lineup as well (available on their site).

ottegear.com/products/og-x-nalgene-32oz-bottles

ottegear.com/products/tactical-range-bag

txcholsters.com/collections/limited-edition

Posted in Advertiser, Clothing | Comments Off on The 2023 OTTE Gear x Bawidamann 2023 Narcos Playa Shirts Are In!

AFSOC’s Second Summit Tackles How to Instill Mission Command

Saturday, June 3rd, 2023

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. —

Air Force Special Operations Command’s second Mission Command Summit concluded its three-day event on May 18 with the goal to generate how to instill a culture of mission command across the formation.

During the first summit, the team developed the philosophy of mission command which empowers our commanders and subordinates to execute assigned missions using some or all of the seven joint functions. Those missions are assigned by commanders via mission-type orders that ultimately enable subordinates to operate competently and confidently.

This summit provided an opportunity to connect key stakeholders from DAF, joint and ally counterparts to have candid conversations about the vision for mission command in AFSOC’s new force presentation construct.

“Our future operating environment looks very different than how we’ve fought over the last three decades and our adversaries have been paying attention to that,” said Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, AFSOC commander who provided opening remarks for the summit. “We’ve become on reliant on our global reach, active FOBs (forward operating bases) and centralized command/decentralized execution. For us to be successful, we need to shift our focus to the control piece, which is mission command.”

He expanded on the “how” and laid out the aspects that surround mission command: mutual trust built through exercises, ensuring clear commander’s intent, having an aggressive but disciplined mindset, a higher tolerance for risk and building competence.

“Developing mission command across our command will take more than writing doctrine or policy,” said Bauernfeind. “This is why we’ve established the headquarters A7 and are establishing the Air Commando Development Center this summer. This will allow us to focus that energy to synchronize and coordinate the training, education, exercising and experimentation that are required to develop the competence around mission command. And competence leads to the first aspect of mission command, mutual trust.”

This is yet another change AFSOC is tackling to prepare Air Commandos for the future operating environment. The command has been a pathfinder for the Air Force chief of staff, Gen. C.Q. Brown Jr.’s five drivers for change across the force: AF Force Generation, Agile Combat Employment, Multi-capable Airmen, wing A-staff implementation and now, mission command.

Moving forward, the 492 Special Operations Training Group and A7 are outlining actions and owners for the identified barriers to normalize mission command in AFSOC formations and updating the Mission Command Toolkit to rollout the next version at Commando Rally scheduled for June 2023.

“There’s no denying that this is a heavy developmental effort across the Air Force, but here in AFSOC, we’re up for the task,” said Bauernfeind.

By 2nd Lt Cassandra Saphore, AFSOC Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, Profession of Arms, SOF | Comments Off on AFSOC’s Second Summit Tackles How to Instill Mission Command

Ministry of Defense (MoD) of Ukraine Orders Additional 300 Vector Drones from Quantum Systems

Friday, June 2nd, 2023

Germany, Munich, May 31st, 2023 – Quantum-Systems GmbH, the dual-use aerial intelligence company that provides multi-sensor data collection drones to government agencies and commercial customers, today announced an order of 300 additional mid-range reconnaissance drones type Vector™ in military support of Ukraine’s armed forces, funded by the German Government.

Founded in 2015, Quantum Systems is at the forefront of unmanned aerial system (UAS) development. Its electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) systems boast industry-leading endurance, ease of operation, and reliability, exceeding the performance of conventional UAS platforms. Quantum Systems’ drones bring together the most robust and field-proven systems and commercial speed in development and innovation.

Aerial intelligence when it matters

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has placed a third order of 300 Vector™ systems, following two earlier orders of 105 Vector systems in January 2023, and 33 Vector systems in August 2022.

Since August 2022, Vector demonstrated its unprecedented performance under the most challenging conditions. Vector has been extensively used and intensively tested on the Ukrainian battlefield, where it has proven to be an asset for military intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations. The Vector offers unparalleled agility and rapid deployment capabilities. Ready to use in two minutes, it ensures continuous enemy target detection regardless of weather conditions, it achieves speeds of up to 72 km/h and sustains long flight times. Leveraging advanced artificial intelligence capabilities, the Vector empowers Ukrainian forces to swiftly gather critical intelligence and gain a strategic advantage.

The Ukrainian MoD’s third Vector order is a testament to Quantum Systems’ commitment to support the Ukrainian MoD in the defense of their country and signifies a crucial milestone in advancing defense capabilities and fostering innovation in UAS technology. The Vector system’s integration into the Ukrainian Armed Forces equips military personnel with advanced aerial intelligence and situational awareness, enabling enhanced decision-making and heightened operational effectiveness.

Quantum Systems proudly stands in solidarity with Ukraine, as highlighted by representatives of the Chief Intelligence Department of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense in a recent statement. Quantum Systems is pleased to reaffirm its strong partnership and unwavering support for Ukraine by delivering cutting-edge Vector drones, as per Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense contract.

Advancing Vector through battle-tested insights

The direct and immediate feedback received from the operators in the Ukrainian battlefield, as well as Quantum Systems’ commitment to enhance security capabilities through technological advancements accelerated the system’s development processes.

With on-board Artificial Intelligence, Vector provides live aerial intelligence in an efficient and user-friendly manner. The system eases the operator from constant video monitoring. Built-in algorithms allow it to automatically identify objects and immediately transmit key intelligence information to the ground. The AI Board – an NVIDIA Jetson Orin – supports and enables GNSS-denied navigation, a feature that was developed with direct feedback from the battlefield.

The self-heating Smart Battery Pack manages the power supply during operation and will extend Vector’s endurance from 120 to 180 minutes. The Battery Management System transmits the battery status and warning messages to the operator, to prevent downtime and support uninterrupted detection of enemy targets.

Vector’s unique open systems architecture encompassing both the autopilot’s hardware and software modules, allows for seamless integration of new capabilities on an ongoing basis.

Supporting Ukraine “whatever it takes”

To further support the Ukrainian forces in their defense, Quantum Systems recently opened a Service-Training-Support and Logistics (SSTLC) Facility in Ukraine. This facility provides training for operators on the use and maintenance of the Vector™ system and is the local hub for procuring spare parts and repair services.

“Quantum Systems stands firmly in support of Ukraine and their democracy, and we are dedicated to assisting them in defending their country, whatever it takes. The trust of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense in our systems holds immense significance for us. We consider it a privilege to contribute to Ukraine’s defense, and we remain committed to delivering superior systems to their armed forces. Our unwavering belief in democratic values, coupled with the daily challenges faced by Ukrainian soldiers, fuels our motivation, and accelerates our development processes.”

Florian Seibel, CEO Quantum Systems

For more information about Quantum-Systems, visit www.quantum-systems.com.

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