March 2024 | Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

Archive for March, 2024

COMAFSOC Delivers Closing Remarks at SAWS

Wednesday, March 6th, 2024

HURLBURT Field, Fla. —

Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, Commander of Air Force Special Operations Command, delivered a keynote speech concluding the Special Air Warfare Symposium on Feb. 29, 2024 at the Fort Walton Beach Convention Center.

SAWS is an annual symposium focused on special air warfare, SOF aviation mission sets, their partners, and enabling technologies. The symposium, co-sponsored by AFSOC, included keynotes and panels composed of AFSOC senior leadership, leaders from across the U.S. and international SOF aviation enterprise and industry experts.

Throughout the two-day symposium the attendees were challenged to reimagine how SOF aviation needs to adapt from several decades of counterterror focused operations to a world of increasing strategic and geopolitical instability and competing with peer adversaries.

Bauernfeind explained how 2023 AFSOC Strategic Guidance focuses the command on the need for accelerated transformation to meet the demands of combatant commands, theater air components, and theater special operations commands, with a focus on developing people as the key to success.

“It’s going to be our people, our Air Commandos, that make this happen,” said Bauernfeind.

From establishing an Outreach Squadron to assist the Air Force Recruiting Service in exciting young Americans to join the military, to reducing initial qualification training by 50% while investing in augmented and virtual reality to enhance training, to developing a robust certification, validation and verification process that includes high-end readiness training and develops a culture of mission command before Air Commandos deploy, AFSOC is taking steps to develop its people throughout their service.

Bauernfeind also outlined changes to better align AFSOC’s Wings with regional challenges and encompass all four mission areas: SOF mobility, SOF strike, SOF ISR and SOF air-to-ground integration.

“All of our wings will be mission oriented with all our AFSOC capabilities. They will be theater focused… as we align our wings to get after regional problems for the joint force.”

This includes establishing Theater Air Operations Squadrons focused on long-stare intelligence, multi-domain operations, air advising, and developing concepts of operations for the toughest problems.

Looking to the future fight, Bauernfeind stated, “We know our Air Commandos had been wildly successful over the last few decades, but how are we going to ensure success for tomorrow?”

Initiatives like developing modern high-speed vertical take-off and lift platforms to build out the ability to operate independent of traditional runways, returning focus to electromagnetic spectrum operations and enhancing precision effects through systems like small cruise missiles and reimagining how the MQ-9 is utilized through the Adaptive Airborne Enterprise.

Bauernfeind concluded with why he is confident AFSOC will be successful in all these efforts.

“We have an amazing team whether it be active duty, guard, reserve, our government civilians—that are focusing on pathfinding for the future, and I am excited to see what our people can do.”

By Maj Jessica Gross, Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Forces Focus, Guest Post, SOF | Comments Off on COMAFSOC Delivers Closing Remarks at SAWS

Major Order: Rheinmetall Supplying NATO Member Nation with Multiple Rocket Launcher Ammunition and Other Systems Worth More Than €300 Million

Tuesday, March 5th, 2024

Rheinmetall has won an order to supply a European member of NATO with multiple rocket launcher ammunition. Delivery is to take place from 2024 to 2027. The order, which was already booked in December 2023, represents sales volume for Rheinmetall of more than €300 million, without value added tax.

Rheinmetall Expal Munitions of Spain is responsible for manufacturing and delivering the rockets, which have a maximum range of 300 km. The order also encompasses additional services and other systems.

This is Rheinmetall’s first sales success in rocket artillery, vindicating the recent strategic expansion of its product portfolio. Just the other day, on 12 February, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz wielded a shovel at the ground-breaking ceremony took place at Unterlüß in Lower Saxony for a new factory that will produce explosives, artillery ammunition and rocket artillery components.

In artillery systems, 120mm smoothbore tank ammunition, cannon-based air defence and the production of medium-calibre ammunition, Rheinmetall is a leading global supplier. Ever since its foundation over 125 years ago, the company has been a reliable partner of the artillery branch, supplying seamless barrels for big guns. In the ammunition domain, today Rheinmetall supplies a comprehensive array of ammunition types in various calibres.

The latest orders for artillery rockets and 155mm artillery ammunition underscore Rheinmetall’s technological edge in ammunition development and production in Europe. Framework contracts for artillery ammunition help to make sure that the needs of the armed forces of Germany and other NATO nations are reliably met. They enable better planning of production processes and optimum exploitation of existing capacity.

Posted in Ammo, Contracts, International, Press Release | Comments Off on Major Order: Rheinmetall Supplying NATO Member Nation with Multiple Rocket Launcher Ammunition and Other Systems Worth More Than €300 Million

C&H Precision Breaks Ground on New Headquarters

Tuesday, March 5th, 2024

RICHMOND HILL, Ga. – Month DD, 2024 – C&H Precision has broken ground on its new home in Bryan County, G a. CEO and Founder Buck Holly and the entire C&H Precision team welcomed hundreds of attendees, several state and local politicians, media members, area business leaders, law enforcement and first responders, business partners and others vital to C&H’s rapid rise to the site of the new headquarters. The facility in the city of Richmond Hill will span 50,000 square feet, create up to 60 jobs and become a place for the community to gather.

In plans released earlier, the C&H campus will include state of the art manufacturing, indoor shooting ranges for the public and law enforcement, a retail store with Federal Firearms License, a sandwich and coffee shop and more. This multi-use facility will not only increase C&H Precision’s manufacturing and design capacity to support its growing business needs, but it will increase the company’s involvement and contributions to the local community.

“C&H Precision is more than just a brand or a company,” said Buck Holly, owner of C&H Precision. “We prioritize community support, engagement and involvement. This is important to me because my family and I arrived here more than six years ago with nothing more than a small business and a dream. This is the area and community that welcomed us and allowed us to grow. This is where the people who joined our workforce and supported our dreams live, raise families and call home. Our employees are our lifeblood and are the reason we stand here today with such exciting and expansive plans.

“Being able to announce this here in Bryan County and Richmond Hill means the world to us. It is also not lost on us that so many political figures, economic development partners, vendors, fellow business owners and friends are here today and directly involved in what we’re building. I want to thank everyone who is here and who has helped us get to this point. We are just getting started.”

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp was unable to attend due to weather impacts to travel, the ceremony featured over a half of dozen speakers and was well-attended by the community. Speakers at the standing room only event were:

• Buck Holly
• United States Congressman Buddy Carter
• C&H President Patrick Kisgen
• TJ Hudson of Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones’ office
• Richmond Hill Mayor Russ Carpenter
• Summer Beal with Bryan County/Richmond Hill Chamber of Commerce
• Lamar Smith of Smith Family Homes
• Ron Stevens, State Representative
• Sean Register, Development Authority Board
• Bryan County Chairman Carter Infinger

The state-of-the-art expansion is designed to foster creativity and productivity. It will include offices and manufacturing facilities for employees to enhance product quality and production efficiency. A 10-bay indoor shooting range will provide an arena for product testing and development opportunities. Finally, the Ground and Rounds Coffee Shop will be available to the public and foster a vibrant community atmosphere.

Local firm Felder & Associates Architecture was chosen for the early-stage design process. For the civil engineering efforts, Coleman Company Inc. of Savannah, GA was selected for the estimated $16,000,000 project. West Construction has been chosen to handle the erection of the new headquarters.

A video from yesterday’s events is live now on C&H’s YouTube channel.

For more information on C&H Precision visit www.chpws.com. Additional updates from the company are also available on social media and the recently released C&H Podcast has new episodes every two weeks.

Posted in Industry, Press Release | Comments Off on C&H Precision Breaks Ground on New Headquarters

Helikon-Tex Launches New Products

Tuesday, March 5th, 2024

One of the only reasons I stayed on in Nürnberg after Enforce Tac to attend IWA was to see what Poland’s Helikon-Tex would launch for 2024 and they didn’t disappoint.

Duck Hunter

Each year they launch a retro pattern and this year it’s Duck Hunter aka USMC pattern, aka Frog Pattern which was worn by US Forces and their allies well into the 80s and was adopted by US hunters. To showcase the pattern, they created a diorama featuring a Vietnam-era SEAL complete with UDT vest, suppressed Grease Gun and Beret along with Helikon-Tek’s UTP Pants and Raid Shirt.

During the year, they will introduce Duck Hunter versions of their most popular chest rigs and packs. Likewise, many of the items they offered in last year’s Rhodesian pattern are still available.

Next, we’ll point out the other new products for 2024.

Alien Bag

The new Alien Bag is massive and utilizes four zippers to open up like the egg pods on the movie “Alien.

Here you can see the top closure which is covered with a flap.

The inside is high visibility so you can find everything and the base is padded so you can stand on it to change if you’re swapping out wet clothes. Additionally, there is a small bag internally for wet items. It can be carried in three ways, with hauling loops, backpack straps and shoulder straps.

Rescue Team Gear

In addition to the Red color for Rescue and First Responders, you see this team outfitted with the new SAR Vest furted with SAR Scissors Pouch, SAR Admin Pouch, SAR Medium Pouch, and SAR Large Pouch along with the new Lizard Grip Gloves. Additioanlly, the female member of the team is wearing the Women’s OTP pant.

Mission Bag

The Mission Bag is inspired by the Rangemaster Bag but offers seven pockets.

Bushcraft and Outback Lines

The only new product seen here along with several popular Outback products is the new Winter Yukon Jacket.

Here we see the new Winter Warden Shirt and Swagman Scarf and well as the Bushcraft First Aid Kit.

Eye Pro

They are launching a line of ballistic rated eyewear this year.

Patrol Line

This manikin is equipped with the new Tracer Anorak and Ambush Backpack.

This example features the new Mk2 Boonie Hat and Ambush Backpack.

This guy is sporting the new Mk2 Boonie and Tracer Anorak.

Additional Items

To the left are the new Trooper Mk2 Jacket and Pants and to the right is the new Traveler Backpack the Urban line.

Ordering

Check out their 2024 catalog to see everything. It’s over 250 pages. It contains more in-depth descriptions than we’ve supplied here.

Unfortunately, their US site doesn’t have all of the products but I’ve ordered direct from their international website and received everything I ordered, and in just a few days. Just make sure you set the language, country, and currency properly.

www.helikon-tex.com

Posted in International, IWA | 15 Comments »

Tactical Tuesday: Women’s History Month Giveaway from Vertx

Tuesday, March 5th, 2024

To celebrate Women’s History Month, Vertx has teamed up with industry leaders SIG SAUER and Premier Body Armor to introduce an exclusive giveaway that celebrates and empowers the resilience of women. This specially curated package was made for the modern woman who values security, style, and independence, with a retail value exceeding $1,580.

Prize package includes:

– SIG SAUER Rose 9mm Pistol
– Vertx Transit Sling with Premier Body Armor Panel
– Vertx Lena Everyday Fanny Pack with Premier Body Armor Panel
– Vertx Hayes High Rise Jeans
– Vertx Women’s Valley Flannel

Help us celebrate Women’s History Month by sharing this awesome giveaway with friends and family.

Click here to enter

Must be 21 or older and a legal U.S. resident to enter. Void where prohibited. Winners subject to background checks and must comply with all federal, state, and local laws.

Posted in Advertiser, Contest, For the Ladies, Guest Post | Comments Off on Tactical Tuesday: Women’s History Month Giveaway from Vertx

Project Convergence Capstone 4 Works to Integrate Joint, Multinational Defense Systems

Tuesday, March 5th, 2024

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — Pushing forward on Army Futures Command’s mission of multinational and joint interoperability, Project Convergence Capstone 4 is experimenting with the capabilities of joint and multinational layered air and missile defense systems.

PC-C4 is an Army-hosted, joint and multinational experiment that will inform the integration of modernization capabilities, such as layered defense systems that will increase the effectiveness of weapon systems and force protection.

Layered defense’s primary goal during PC-C4 is to experiment with sensor capabilities from unmanned drones and manned aircraft that send data to translating nodes that interpret it for anti-aircraft interceptors.

“Layered defense means we will see different weapons against targets from the defended area,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Morgan Huttes, the director of operations from the 134th Air Control Squadron. “This way the coalition can increase the probability of kill while maximizing our weapons efficiency.”

The experiments at Capstone 4 will focus on implementing these strategies as a team of Multinational and Joint forces.

“During PC-C4, we are truly integrating all the services,” Huttes said. “We are using a U.S. Marine Corps F-35 as the sensor, with a U.S. Air Force unit as the battle management node translating the data so that the target can be shot by an Army missile.”

The F-35 Raptor is used by the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy, as well as many NATO and foreign allies, such as the United Kingdom, Australian and Japanese militaries.

“We use the F-35 out here when we’re looking for all kinds of vehicles and ships,” said U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Matteo Occhipinti, a Naval Aviator who has flown with the F-35 extensively. “The big leap in technology is the sensors, and then the data links and the fusion between the two.”

The Joint and Multinational qualities of these experiments are essential to maximizing the sensors, battle management nodes, and weapons, which complicates the enemy’s targeting and eliminates a single point of failure.

“It comes down to fighting for information because even in exercises, there are unknown factors,” Huttes said. “It comes down to teaching your airmen, Soldiers and marines, regardless of rank, to fight for the information they need at their level to help inform commander’s intent and increase their lethality.”

These experiments will increase joint and allied participation as we ensure the Army, as a part of a joint and multinational force, can rapidly converge effects across all domains and help create the Army of 2030.

“The more we do this together, the easier it becomes in reality,” said British Army Lt. Col. Callum Lane, the U.K. exchange officer within the U.S. Army Joint Modernization Command, in charge of multinational integration and interoperability. “And the more agile we become, not just as institutions in our own right, as nations in our own right, but as a partnership of institutions and nations.”

Story by SPC Jackson Gray

Photos SSG Wheeler Brunschmid, SPC Hunter Grice, SPC Christ-Claude Mowandza-Ndinga, SPC Nathan Smith, and PFC Syrr Parker

Posted in Army, Guest Post | Comments Off on Project Convergence Capstone 4 Works to Integrate Joint, Multinational Defense Systems

Pre-Order Ventum Gear’s Burrito Backpack

Monday, March 4th, 2024

The Burrito is Ventum Gear’s first pack design.

It has a 21 litter capacity and features Ventum’s combination of laser cut PALS backed with Velcro pile. Behind this field is a flat pocket, the first of many compartments.

A primary main compartment has three mesh bellow pockets for internal organization. In addition, it offers a padded slot for laptops or reading material as well as an organizer for pens and electronics.

In the second main compartment there are side-sewn PALS loops. There are also mesh pockets attached on one side (1x small / 1x large). The opposite side is equipped with Velcro and can be equipped modularly as an EDC or even as a Medic backpack.

Behind the second main compartment is a third flat pocket, extra padded and lined with Velcro on one side.

www.ventumgear.com/p/burrito-r-backpack-20l-black-pre-order

Posted in International, Packs | Comments Off on Pre-Order Ventum Gear’s Burrito Backpack

Rheinmetall FPS Beacon – Versatile New Personal Position Marking and Warning System

Monday, March 4th, 2024

Personal position marking devices signal a soldier’s location to friendly forces. At Enforce Tac 2024, Rheinmetall is presenting for the first time the concept for its new Functional Protection System Beacon (FPS Beacon). Developed by Rheinmetall Soldier Electronics of Stockach, this compact device enables visible, IR/SWIR and thermal position marking. In addition, it can automatically warn the user of impending danger and is able to detect laser beams, e.g., laser target pointers. In combination with Rheinmetall laser modules, the FPS Beacon enables active battlefield surveillance.

Measuring 100 x 90 x 35 millimetres (L/W/H), it is powered by two CR123 batteries. The position marking device is designed for visible, infrared and thermal transmission. This enables the multiple operating modes: Visible (with a choice of up to seven colours); NIR (near infrared), SWIR (short wavelength infrared); and MWIR (mid-wavelength). It also has a built-in IFF (Identification friend and foe/unknown) function.

Owing to its compact, lightweight design, the FPS Beacon can be attached to a helmet, further enhancing transmission quality. The ergonomic design of the housing assures optimum adaptation to the helmet form.

In case of laser contact in a combat situation, the laser warning function is activated. This transmits a signal to the vibration unit. The position marking device also features an additional warning function that indicates contact with water. This enables faster recognition of dangerous situations in maritime environments. The FPS Beacon lends itself to a wide array of military and law enforcement uses.

Posted in Enforce Tac, International, Lights, Press Release | 1 Comment »