July 2023 | Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

Archive for July, 2023

Team SIG’s Daniel Horner and Lena Miculek Dominate at USPSA Multi-Gun Nationals

Thursday, July 27th, 2023

NEWINGTON, N.H., (July 27, 2023) – SIG SAUER, Inc. congratulates Team SIG professional shooters Daniel Horner and Lena Miculek for their impressive performances at the recent USPSA Multi-Gun Nationals. Daniel Horner earned the inaugural first place finish in the newly established Modern Division, while Lena Miculek defended her High Lady title and became the first female to break the top five finishers in the overall Tactical Division.

“The performances by Daniel and Lena throughout this match were thrilling and their victories incredibly impressive,” said Tom Taylor Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President, Commercial Sales, SIG SAUER, Inc. “Leading up to this nationals, Daniel and Lena trained together putting themselves through an exhaustive daily regiment to be match-ready; it was great to see this dedication and hard work pay off with the championship finishes for each of them, competing in a true team fashion. Daniel set the bar for the newly establish Modern Division, and Lena smashed another glass ceiling earning the fifth overall spot in the extremely competitive Tactical Division.”

Daniel Horner, Team SIG professional shooter commented, “I came to this years’ nationals with a mission to reclaim a title after a very close loss last year. The course of fire was extremely challenging, and my skill was tested at every stage of the match. However, I was able to rely on my training and SIG equipment to reclaim a national multi-gun title and deliver a victory for Team SIG.”

Horner competed with a P320-DH3 pistol with a ROMEO1PRO optic, M400-DH3 rifle with a TANGO6T riflescope and SIG 9mm Match Elite competition ammunition, and 5.56 MARKSMAN ELITE Match Competition Ammunition.

Lena Miculek, Team SIG Professional shooter added, “since the launch of Rose by Sig Sauer my focus has been on taking my experience as a professional shooter to provide support and education to the Rose community. This multi-gun nationals brought me back to my roots and the beginning of my own firearms journey; I returned to my family trade of competition shooting to not only defend my Tac-Optics High Lady title but earn a top five overall ranking, raising the bar yet again for women in the firearms world. Nothing is sweeter than getting to celebrate shared success alongside my teammate Daniel Horner, and my father Jerry Miculek. New training, camaraderie, encouragement, and the joy of shared success are just a few of the things I experienced at this multi-gun national that I can’t wait to bring back to the Rose Community.”

Miculek competed with a P320-XFIVE LEGION, M400-DH3 rifle with a TANGO6T riflescope and SIG 9mm Match Elite competition ammunition, and 5.56 MARKSMAN ELITE Match Competition Ammunition.

The 2023 USPSA Multi-Gun Nationals was held at the Forest Lakes Sportsman’s Club in Forest Lake, Minnesota, July 21 – 23, 2023. For more information about the SIG SAUER equipment used by Team SIG Pro Shooters Daniel Horner and Lena Miculek visit sigsauer.com.

Posted in Advertiser, Press Release, Shooting Sports | 1 Comment »

Australian Defence Force Selects Hanwa’s Redback as New Infantry Fighting Vehicle to Replace Aging M113s

Thursday, July 27th, 2023

Redback to bring Army some sting

A Redback infantry fighting vehicle on display in Canberra. Army will take delivery of 129 of the vehicles, to be built in Geelong. Photo: Andrew Green

The Army will receive 129 new infantry fighting vehicles in response to Australia’s changing strategic environment.

Making the announcement today, the Australian Government said Hanwha’s state-of-the-art Redbacks would be built at the company’s facilities in the Geelong region, supporting Australia’s strategic imperative to develop sovereign defence manufacturing capabilities.

At a cost of between $5 billion and $7 billion, the LAND 400 Phase 3 project will be one of the largest capability acquisitions in Army’s history.

Replacing the M113 armoured personnel carriers, which were acquired in 1964, the first Redback will be delivered in early 2027.

With its latest-generation armour, cannon and missiles, they will provide the protection, mobility and firepower required to transport and protect soldiers in close combat, giving them the highest chance of achieving their mission and returning safely.

The government said the acquisition was part of its drive to modernise the Army to ensure it could respond to the land challenges in the region.

The new vehicles will be delivered about the same time as the new HIMARS missile systems and landing craft, reflecting the Defence Strategic Review’s call for Army to be transformed for littoral manoeuvre operations from Australia.

The government said it was providing the ADF with the capabilities it needed to defend Australia and protect national security.

Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said the government was committed to investing in the security of the nation and the safety of Australian soldiers.

“We are also committed to supporting Australian defence industry so we can make more of the critical defence equipment we need in this country rather than relying on overseas suppliers,” Mr Conroy said.

“Our decision to build the Redback infantry fighting vehicles in Australia will support up to 600 direct jobs and more than a thousand jobs in the Australian industry supply chain.”

By Australian Defence Force

Posted in Admin, Contracts, Guest Post, International, Mobility | 2 Comments »

SlingShot Tactical Operations Centre System (STOCS) gets UHF Commercial Band Upgrade

Thursday, July 27th, 2023

Spectra Group, the specialist provider of secure voice, data and satellite communications systems has expanded the capability of its battle proven SlingShot Tactical Operations Centre System (STOCS) to include the low UHF commercial band (410– 440Mhz) thereby increasing the flexibility and utility of this robust and reliable SlingShot system.

The concept for STOCS was born from a specialist military user’s requirement to remote the antenna away from the user’s radio, such as in a tactical headquarters/operations room, to enhance the user’s protection or where it was required due to the configuration of a mobile platform. First launched in October 2020, the STOCS hardware consists of a hub, power unit, cable reel and antenna which is British built to military standards and hence ruggedized and weatherproofed (IP67) to enable the user to leave it in a more exposed position, without any risk of damaging the electronics due to adverse weather.

Since its launch, over 120 specialist and regular units across land, sea and air domains from over ten different countries globally (including NATO members) have purchased and operationally proven the benefits of adding STOCS to their SlingShot portfolio. When fitted it allows users to maximise all the existing benefits of Spectra Group’s award winning and combat proven SlingShot – quickly, efficiently and securely communicating beyond line of sight (BLOS) and, if needed, while on the move (COTM) while at the same time having the flexibility to operate the radio up to 35 meters from the antenna. In partnership with Inmarsat’ L-TAC satellite link service for the last 10 years, there are now over 7000 SlingShot systems in use with government forces globally, all capitalizing on the capability to create strategic communications for secure voice and data, without the need to purchase new radios and hence minimising the training burden for security forces. The inclusion of commercial band UHF to the existing military VHF/UHF capability therefore significantly enhances Slingshot’s interoperability and flexibility in deployment, for all types of organisation requiring secure rapidly deployable satellite communications in austere environments around the world.

Simon Davies, CEO of Spectra Group said: “we pride ourselves at Spectra Group in delivering reliable and secure communications to those that need it most in the most austere and demanding of locations. The addition of commercial band UHF to the STOCS capability is just another innovation to meet our customer’s operational demands and increases the overall SlingShot offering. The design follows the remainder of the SlingShot family in that it is extremely simple for the user to set up, operate and requires no configuration.”

Posted in Comms, Press Release | Comments Off on SlingShot Tactical Operations Centre System (STOCS) gets UHF Commercial Band Upgrade

Mission First Tactical Introduces New Pro Series Guardian OWB Holster

Thursday, July 27th, 2023

Horsham, PA – (July 31st, 2023) – Mission First Tactical (MFT), manufacturers of state-of-the- art, USA made rifle/carbine accessories and holsters, is proud to announce the new Pro Series Guardian OWB Holster.

“We leveraged our relationships within the professional space to get the input needed to create the best Concealable Outside the Waistband (OWB) holster on the market, the Pro Series Guardian OWB Holster,” said Bobby McGee, Executive Vice President of Product Development/Innovation, Mission First Tactical. “It’s exciting to think about how this holster will be keeping the men and women tasked with protecting high value assets on the cutting edge of holster technology.”

With valuable insights from professionals in the field, we have developed the ultimate Concealable Outside the Waistband (OWB) holster: the Pro Series Guardian. Designed to keep law enforcement officers equipped with the latest holster technology, this holster is set to redefine the industry standard.

Expanding our professional concealment line, we are proud to present the Pro Series Guardian OWB Holster to the law enforcement marketplace. Our focus is on achieving unparalleled concealment and employing a unique handgun retention system that utilizes our patented magnetic retention technology. The Pro Series Guardian combines our innovative In-Line Magnetic Retention System (ILMRSTM) with an ultra-thin, comfortable profile. With no adjustment or wear concerns, the ILMRSTM system ensures consistent retention with every draw. The neodymium magnet, boasting an impressive 11 lbs. maximum pull weight, securely holds a fully loaded pistol in the holster without the need for any locking devices. Notably, the magnetic retention is not affected by mounted lights. All mounting hardware utilizes red Loctite, eliminating the need to maintain mounting screws torque. Adding to the innovation, we have incorporated CURV® Thermoplastic Composite fabric for the Belt Loops, delivering a lighter, stronger alternative to leather and other synthetic materials, all while providing exceptional comfort. This comprehensive package offers the ultimate experience in a professional-grade concealment holster.

The Pro Series Guardian OWB Holster also features the Integrated Barrel Stabilizer Insert (IBSI), an ingenious system designed to maintain the alignment of the pistol with the holster body spine. This allows the IBSI system to function flawlessly, with or without an under barrel- mounted weapon light. For a closer look at the Pro Series Guardian OWB Holster, please “Click Here”.

HUSSS-OWB MSRP: $124.99

Features include:

– Sleek and slim holster body for maximum concealability

– Softened radius to prevent discomfort during extended wear

– Mid-height sweat guard to prevent direct contact between body and pistol

– Full trigger guard coverage for enhanced security

– Slide mounted optic relief cut

– Co-witness capability with a suppressor height sight channel

– Proudly made in the USA at MFT facilities

To explore the full range of Mission First Tactical’s offerings, including the Pro Series Guardian OWB Holster, please visit: www.missionfirsttactical.com. Stay connected with us on Facebook or Instagram to stay updated on the latest news and releases.

Posted in Advertiser, Holsters, LE, Press Release | Comments Off on Mission First Tactical Introduces New Pro Series Guardian OWB Holster

MARSOC Multi-Discipline Logistics Operations Course

Thursday, July 27th, 2023

CAMP LEJEUNE, North Carolina —

Marine Forces Special Operations Command held a Multi-Discipline Logistics Operations Course, March 6-31, 2023, to certify a new class of special operations capability specialists in the logistics (SOCS-L), maintenance (SOCS-M), and ordnance (SOCS-O) fields.

MDLOC is the final aspect of an 11 to 12-week training pipeline designed to create multi-disciplined logisticians able to provide expertise and support unique to the special operations forces operating environment. Each SOCS training pipeline includes Special Operations Forces Fundamentals; Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape; and a culminating military occupational specialty specific course.

“The Multi-Discipline Logistics Operations Course is tailored for logistics enablers at MARSOC,” said the MDLOC lead instructor. “Marines from multiple different MOSs can come to MDLOC and get further trained on their occupational specialties and enhance their capabilities, broadening the spectrum of things that they would learn from one platform or technical background to multiple different technical backgrounds to better enable small teams in austere environments with limited logistical support to accomplish their mission.”

MDLOC is open to all Marines within the logistician communities who are interested in advancing their skills and potentially serving at MARSOC later in their careers.

“We are looking for Marines that have been recommended by command, that have a lot of experience, that they’re proficient in their MOS, and have capacity for more,” continued the lead instructor. “Not only should they have interest in MDLOC and in expanding their knowledge, their technical background, and their technical specialty, but they should also be coming here eager to learn.”

The logistics and sustainment track of MDLOC focuses on mobility, supply, and procurement catered to the special operations logistics architecture.

“Being at MARSOC and being a logistician will make you more effective when you go back to the fleet because you are now seeing the bigger picture of logistics,” explained a supply chief with MARSOC. “SOCS-L is now incorporating all the functions of logistics and supply and how to transport and support the teams and units you’re deploying with. In the fleet, you’re only seeing that one function of logistics or supply that you’re attached to, whether that be embark, supply or ammo. Understanding the overall picture of all the functions of supply and how they work together will make you a more efficient Marine going back to the fleet.”

The maintenance Marines receive commercial training on diagnosing and repairing a wide variety of combustion engines with limited access to parts and tools.

“I did benefit from MDLOC,” said a motor transport maintenance chief with MARSOC. “In my experience, the technical side of my MOS is very important to help support the [Marine Special Operations Team’s] mission down range. Focusing on the fundamental theories of electrical, engine, powertrain, and troubleshooting, helps the Marine understand how the components work and how they can apply mechanical theory to all the gear sets they may fall in on down range.”

The ordnance curriculum cross-trains Marines in a wide variety of weapons systems and optics, including SOF-peculiar and foreign weapons.

“I benefited from this course due to the [number] of weapons we were able to get our hands on during this course that generally I don’t have time to work with,” said an electro optical ordnance repairer with MARSOC. “The main difference with this course is it’s specificity to MARSOC weapons and foreign weapons that MARSOC uses that isn’t implemented in the Fleet Marine Force.”

The MARSOC graduates of MDLOC will go on to be assigned to Marine Raider Support Teams with the unique skills needed to support and sustain Marine Special Operation Companies.

By Sgt Jesula Jeanlouis, Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command

Posted in Guest Post, SOF, Training, USMC | 1 Comment »

Michelle Rodrigues Hired as VP, Government Business Development at MRI Global

Wednesday, July 26th, 2023

Brings Executive Presence to Key Government Relationships

Kansas City, Mo.: (July 24, 2023) – Michelle Rodrigues has joined MRIGlobal as Vice President, Government Business Development. In this role, she will lead business development activity in the government sector for both civil health and defense clients. Rodrigues provides an executive presence for key federal government customer relationships, including the Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Agriculture, NASA, the National Science Foundation, and the Department of Defense. Based in the national capital region, she will also join MRIGlobal’s Executive Leadership Team.

“Michelle has a strong history of more than two decades building portfolios with government clients. Her experience growing effective, diverse teams of researchers and business professionals to collaboratively deliver transformative programs will help advance MRIGlobal’s work with our U.S. government partners,” said Dr. Ian M. Colrain, President & CEO, MRIGlobal. “When coupled with MRIGlobal’s decades of expertise in countering diverse threats, we are well-positioned to further address the world’s most important challenges in ensuring warfighter protection and civilian safety.”

Since January 2001, Rodrigues has been with SRI International, serving the past four years as Vice President, Federal Business Development, where she managed a strong team of business development professionals and developed a significant business pipeline. In that time, she was also Senior Executive of SRI’s Arlington office operations, overseeing all aspects of the facility.

“The rapidly changing global threat landscape demands transformative technological advances that strengthen our health security and ensure a rapid and effective response. I am excited for the opportunity to work with the talented MRIGlobal team that is focused on delivering such high-value solutions for customers,” said Rodrigues. “Today’s challenges are varied and complex, so they require that customers, interdisciplinary teams of researchers, and business teams work closely together toward common goals. By cultivating these strong relationships, we will broaden the impact of MRIGlobal’s mission.”

Rodrigues also serves on several boards and committees, including as a Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, Lunar Surface Innovation Consortium Executive Member.

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Paolo Bigerna Triumphs at the Skiritai Legacy Sniper Competition with ZeroTech Optics

Wednesday, July 26th, 2023

ITALY, 25th July 2023 – The Skiritai Legacy Sniper Competition, held on 24-25 June 2023, ended with a spectacular victory for Paolo Bigerna, Testimonial of C&C Hunting Srl and Instructor and Training Manager of the Long Range Shooting Division of the OP. 07 TRAINING DIVISION Academy.

The competition saw Bigerna overcome top-level sportsmen, expert shooters and other operators from various Italian armed forces and beyond.

The competition was a grueling 30-hour event, with continuous activity both day and night. Each sniper was equipped with a bolt action or semi-automatic sniper rifle, a pistol and a backpack with all the equipment necessary for the task, including food and water. Targets, both metal and paper, were placed at ranges ranging from 65 to 900 m.

Bigerna, with 22 years of active service in the Italian Army, distinguished himself above all in the more complex exercises. His performance was particularly notable using the ZeroTech Trace Advanced 4-24×50 FFP Tremor3 scope. Despite the difficult conditions, such as spotting camouflaged targets, Bigerna managed to achieve impressive results. Also very important is the role of Marco Mirroni, Project Manager of the OP.07 Training Division and Marketing Development Consultant of C&C Hunting Srl, who provides valuable and constant support in the triangulation of these partnerships by managing field tests and product development.

“ZeroTech optics have played a significant role in my success,” Bigerna said. “The product offers excellent value for money and is the ideal choice for precision shooting. My experience in military and sports shooting, combined with the quality of these optics, has contributed to achieving this important result”.

C&C Hunting Srl, Official Sponsor of the Shooter and Exclusive Distributor for Italy of Zerotech Optics, expressed its pride for Bigerna’s result and for the support received from ZeroTech international. “We are thrilled with Paolo’s achievement and the performance of the ZeroTech scope. This competition was a testament to the quality of our products and the skill and professionalism of our shooters and collaborators,” said Roberto Catasti, CEO of C&C Hunting Ltd.

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USMC Completes 20,000 Flight Hours with MUX MALE MQ-9A

Wednesday, July 26th, 2023

SAN DIEGO – 24 July 2023 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) congratulates the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) on achieving a significant milestone of surpassing 20,000 flight hours with their Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Unmanned Expeditionary (MUX) Medium-Altitude, High-Endurance (MALE) MQ-9A Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS).

To date, GA-ASI has delivered eight MQ-9A UAS to the USMC. Two of these MQ-9A aircraft are actively engaged in operational missions, playing a vital role in supporting mission-critical Marine Corps objectives. The USMC awaits delivery of 12 additional aircraft, which will fulfill their goal of three squadrons by 2025.

“This strategic acquisition of MQ-9As underscores the USMC’s commitment to strengthening their aerial surveillance capabilities and demonstrates their confidence in GA-ASI’s expertise in delivering top-tier UAS,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander.

Renowned for its fault-tolerant flight control system and triple-redundant avionics system architecture, the MQ-9A UAS embodies the industry’s highest standards of reliability and performance, surpassing those of many manned aircraft.

The USMC fleet will ultimately be entirely composed of the MQ-9A Extended Range (ER) configuration, enhanced with wing-borne fuel pods and reinforced landing gear. This model has been specifically designed to extend its endurance to more than 30 hours, enabling persistent long-endurance surveillance capabilities. Equipped with Full-Motion Video and both a Synthetic Aperture Radar and a Moving Target Indicator/Maritime Mode Radar, this advanced system provides the USMC with a comprehensive real-time situational awareness picture.

The USMC’s 20,000 flight hours with MQ-9A represent an impressive accomplishment in the field of unmanned aviation. GA-ASI is honored to have played a role in this achievement and looks forward to continuing its collaboration with the USMC to further advance the capabilities of unmanned systems and support their growing UAS squadrons.

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