September 2024 | Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

Archive for September, 2024

Australia’s Albanese Government Invests in Domestic Rocket Motor Program

Wednesday, September 18th, 2024

The Albanese Government is investing in a sovereign rocket motor program to help keep Australians safe, and generate well-paid, high-skilled jobs.

The Government is seeking options from industry to establish a manufacturing complex that will enable production of rocket motors for some of the world’s most advanced missiles in Australia.

This is backed by an initial investment of $22 million over the next three years, which will help grow Australia’s advanced high-tech manufacturing sector and boost long?range strike capabilities for the Australian Defence Force (ADF), making the nation safer.

It is underpinned by the Albanese Government’s Future Made in Australia agenda, which will improve the resilience of supply chains, provide for greater strategic sovereignty, enhance export opportunities, and deliver broad economic and employment benefits, particularly in regional Australia.

Rocket motors are a critical component of missiles and required for most guided weapons, including Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS) missiles, which under the Albanese Government will be made in Australia from next year. It’s expected the rocket motor complex will begin production by the end of the decade.

The rocket motor program is part of the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise which is backed by up to $21 billion over the decade through the 2024 Integrated Investment Program.

The Albanese Government also announced today it will invest up to $60 million over the next five years to develop the next generation of guided weapon sub-systems and components, such as hypersonic and long-range strike. This will enable partnerships between industry and Defence and allow the next generation of guided weapon technologies to enter the supply chain of GWEO Strategic Partners.

This investment will also deliver industry-manufactured prototypes of the critical seeker, fuse and warhead sub-systems and aligns with the work being done as part of the Advanced Rocket Motor Technology Demonstrator program, which has leveraged collaboration from Five Eyes science and technology partners.

The rocket motor program and Advanced Rocket Motor Technology Demonstrator program are key to enhancing Australia’s national security. They are part of the Albanese Government’s ongoing commitment to delivering on the 2024 National Defence Strategy’s recommendation to invest in and uplift Australia’s domestic manufacturing capability.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, Pat Conroy:

“Today’s announcement represents a leap forward for the Australian defence industry and continues to deliver on the Albanese Government’s commitment to providing the ADF with the capabilities it needs to make Australians safer and safeguard our national interests.

“This is another investment in a future made in Australia and the more than 100,000 Australians, including in regional Australia, that are benefiting from the Government’s commitment to grow our sovereign defence industry and sovereign industrial base.

“This program is an endorsement of Australian ingenuity. Making solid rocket motors in Australia will build on Australia’s proud history as a manufacturing nation and contribute to a future made in Australia.”

Australian Defence Media Release on behalf of:

The Hon Pat Conroy MP

Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery

Minister for International Development and the Pacific

Posted in International, Munitions, Press Release | 1 Comment »

AFSOC Commander Addresses Balancing Current and Future Requirements at AFA

Wednesday, September 18th, 2024

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. – Lt. Gen. Michael Conley, commander Air Force Special Operations Command, shared his outlook on balancing current operational success and future requirements in the face of Great Power Competition during the Air and Space Force Association’s Air, Space and Cyber Conference panel here Sept 16.

“It is an exciting time to be in AFSOC, we are leaning very hard into future capabilities figuring out what our role is in a future fight but we do not have the luxury of just looking to the future we also have to make sure the men and women we send down range are ready to go,” said Conley.

Conley joined Lt. Gen. Adrian Spain, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Air Force for Operations and Lt. Gen. Douglas Schiess, Commander, U.S. Space Forces – Space and Combined Joint Force Space Component Commander for the Wars We’re Fighting panel.

On any given day AFSOC has approximately 1,000 deployed Air Commandos worldwide conducting operations, training and joint exercises. As an early adopter, AFSOC is completing its first 2-year Force Generation cycle, which has streamlined how Air Commandos are presented to the Joint Force.

“Force generation has proven to be a win for AFSOC,” said Conley. “It has really helped our ability to clearly explain the forces we have available to go out the door and support [the Joint Force], what we have in reserve, and what the risks are of reaching into that reserve force.”

Articulating capacity and risk while maintaining crisis response capabilities requires Air Commandos who understand the threats and are disciplined, adaptable, and ready to answer the Nation’s call.

“People are the thing I need more of – not just people, but the right people. We need problem solvers; we need thinkers, and it takes a while to build up a special operator to go downrange,” said Conley.

Current and future Air Commandos provide the Joint Force with placement and access in strategic locations, however when looking at Great Power Competition Conley says AFSOC needs to better to connect with other Air Force MAJCOMs like Pacific Air Forces and U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa to provide SOF unique capabilities.

“I am challenging my team to be better at being the Air Force’s SOF component, so I want to be able to reach out to Gen Hecker (USAFE-AFAFRICA Commander) or Gen Schneider (PACAF Commander) and say how can AFSOC help you with some of your tough problems because I think in Great Power Competition we are going to need to be better integrated so now is the time to start moving out in that direction.”

In the face of Great Power Competition, AFSOC is striving to provide SOF unique capabilities, deter challengers and ensure success should deterrence fail.

– Courtesy of AFSOC

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, SOF | 1 Comment »

GA-ASI Displays Future of Uncrewed Airpower at AFA ASC 2024

Tuesday, September 17th, 2024

Air Force Conference Will Feature Actual XQ-67A OBSS and Full-Scale CCA Model

NATIONAL HARBOR, MD – 16 September 2024– Are you ready to see the future of uncrewed air power? General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) announces major displays during the Air Force Association’s (AFA) Air, Space & Cyber Conference, Sept. 16–18, 2024. During the show, just outside Washington, D.C., GA-ASI will exhibit:

• The Air Force Research Laboratory’s XQ-67A Off-Board Sensing Station(OBSS) – the actual operational aircraftwill be parked for static display at GA-ASI’s booth #734.

• A full-scale model of GA-ASI’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), on display at the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s booth #1834.

Journalists and other AFA conference attendees are encouraged to view these and other GA-ASI exhibits to get the latest on how the company’s leadership in aircraft hardware, autonomy software, and other cutting-edge capabilities make it the strongest contender to build the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) for the U.S. and its allies.

OBSS

GA-ASI built the XQ-67A OBSS as part of an Air Force Research Laboratory effort. The aircraft flew for the first time in February 2024 and completed its initial round of flight testing in June. To demonstrate the maturity of its unmanned air-to-air platforms, GA-ASI engineers performed an Agile Combat deployment to the Gaylord Convention Center of the actual operational aircraft, using common commercial support equipment, to booth #734.

CCA

In addition, GA-ASI is showcasing a full-scale model of its CCA aircraft at booth #1834. In April, GA-ASI was selected to build a production CCA for the U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center. Large numbers of these highly capable autonomous warplanes will fly alongside, and well ahead of, legacy human-piloted fighters to enhance their sensing, networking, and combat capabilities.

“We’re excited to show our industry colleagues what the future force will look like,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander.

Posted in Air Force, Press Release, Tradeshow, UAS | Comments Off on GA-ASI Displays Future of Uncrewed Airpower at AFA ASC 2024

Kongsberg to Establish Missile Factory in the U.S.

Tuesday, September 17th, 2024

KONGSBERG, NORWAY – Sept. 17, 2024 – Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace is building a state-of-the-art missile production facility in the United States to meet global demand, following expansion in Norway and the recently announced missile factory in Australia. Located near key U.S. Navy facilities, the site in James City County, Virginia will provide additional production capacity, sustainment and in-country tech refresh capabilities for Kongsberg Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) and Joint Strike Missiles (JSM).

An image from Kongsberg’s recently opened missile facility in Norway.

“The new missile production facilities in the U.S., Australia and Norway address the strong and long-term demand for our unique technology and the critical need to strengthen collective defense capabilities. Kongsberg has a proud history in the U.S. and we are delighted to continue to invest in the country to support American interests while creating jobs locally,” said Geir Håøy, CEO of Kongsberg.

This is the second new missile production facility Kongsberg has announced in as many months, and the decision to locate this facility in the U.S. was heavily influenced by the possibility that the Department of Defense could award a multiyear procurement contract to Kongsberg.

“The U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force are important customers for Kongsberg’s Naval Strike Missile and Joint Strike Missile. Their demand signals gave us the predictability we needed to make this investment in the United States,” said Eirik Lie, president of Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace. “This will allow us to better serve our allies in the U.S. and continue to expand that supply chain locally, building capacity and redundancy for these critical capabilities.”

The Kongsberg Naval Strike Missile.

Kongsberg’s investments will increase overall U.S. manufacturing capability and further increase capacity to build these advanced systems, but more importantly, it will bring this capability to the U.S.

“Kongsberg is investing in a big way in the U.S. market by making Virginia the U.S. home of our new missile factory, which will entail hiring more than 180 people. We will also be investing more than $100 million into the Commonwealth of Virginia over the next few years, in terms of property, plant and equipment,” said Heather Armentrout, president and general manager, Kongsberg Defense and Aerospace, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Kongsberg. “This is in addition to expansion at our core U.S. production facility in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.”

The new facility in James City County will be equipped to assemble, upgrade and repair both NSM and JSM. The NSM is an anti-ship missile with superior operational performance and high survivability against all enemy defense systems. The JSM is an air-launched strike missile designed to fulfill complex missions, such as Anti-surface Warfare (ASuW) and land attack. The JSM is designed to be deployed internal to the weapons bay of the U.S. Air Force’s F-35A, a characteristic that preserves the low observability features of the aircraft throughout any strike mission. KONGSBERG’s JSM is the only long-range precision strike munition that offers that capability.

Posted in Industry, Munitions, Press Release | Comments Off on Kongsberg to Establish Missile Factory in the U.S.

USSOCOM SBIR Pre-Release: Autonomous Precision Timing in Contested/Congested RF Environments

Tuesday, September 17th, 2024

The objective of this SBIR Open Topic is to develop applied research towards the development of an independent, autonomous precision timing source, such as an Atomic Clock, to enable precision timing in Radio Frequency (RF) contested and congested environments.

Existing systems depend on the Global Positioning System (GPS) for positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) services. In environments where GPS is unavailable, RF communication systems relying on precision timing are impacted. The proposed technology should address how autonomous precision timing sources can integrate into current systems and mobility platforms, including chip-scale, modular, and fixed-based timing sources. The aim is to provide a reliable autonomous precision timing source to support mission success in contested and congested environments.

Tactical Information Systems (TIS) Technology Areas of Interest:

Mobility Applications: Technology for “advantaged” user applications 1.

Disadvantaged Applications: Timing update technology for ground users 2.

Enterprise Timing: Source and distribution technology 3.

Performance Requirements:

General:

Interface Requirements: Ethernet, RS-232, 1 Pulse per Second (PPS) output, 1 Have Quick Timing output, L1/L2 SAASM GPS Input.

Objective Requirement: Maintain a drift of 1 microsecond in 24 hours.

Threshold Requirement: Maintain a drift of 1 microsecond in 4 hours.

Mobility Platform:

Size: Approximately 150 cubic inches (in³)

Weight: Less than 5 pounds (lbs.)

Power: Must operate on 28DC

Application: Intended for aircraft, vehicular, and maritime subsystems.

Dismounted:

Size: Approximately 20 in³

Weight: Less than 1 lb.

Power: Runs on a rechargeable battery

Application: Intended for handheld and manpack radios, small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS), etc.

Timeline:

September 26, 2024: USSOCOM begins accepting proposals via DSIP

October 15, 2024: DSIP Topic Q&A closes to new questions at 12:00 p.m. ET

October 29, 2024: Deadline for receipt of proposals no later than 12:00 p.m. ET

Join SOFWERX for a virtual Q&A with their Technical Point of Contact on 20 September 2024 from 1000-1100 ET

This is an ITAR Restricted topic.

Visit SOFWERX for more information.

Posted in Research, SOF | Comments Off on USSOCOM SBIR Pre-Release: Autonomous Precision Timing in Contested/Congested RF Environments

Tactical Tuesday: Light in Weight, Not in Function

Tuesday, September 17th, 2024

Conceal your gear with the low-profile, ultra-light Long Walks Collection by Vertx. Made for every outdoor adventure, these packs feature an ultra-lightweight yet incredibly durable mini-rip fabric. Each bag weighs less than 2 lbs, with the waist pack at just half a pound!

They’re incredibly versatile, with VELCRO® Brand loop lining and plenty of room for CCW storage and customization, allowing you to seamlessly transition from backcountry treks to corporate headquarters. Experience unmatched modularity to keep your gear organized – on and off the trail.

Shop the Long Walks Collection for lightweight, tough, and infinitely versatile bags at vertx.com.

Posted in Admin | Comments Off on Tactical Tuesday: Light in Weight, Not in Function

Tenicor Releases Knife Sheath for RAT – First Offering in a New Line of Products

Tuesday, September 17th, 2024

After extensive development, Tenicor is excited to announce a brand-new product line, the Tenicor Knife Sheath. The initial offering of knife sheaths and storage sheaths are available for the HEADHUNTER BLADES RAT.

The Tenicor Knife Sheath (patent pending) is designed to be discreet and capable. It is optimized for inside-the-waistband carry and features a minimalist design, leveraging industrial 3D printing, that eliminates excess material, maximizing comfort and concealment.

The Sheath is ambidextrous for both right and left-hand. Proudly made in America.

tenicor.com/collections/other-goods/products/knife-sheath

Posted in Knives, Load Carrying, Press Release | Comments Off on Tenicor Releases Knife Sheath for RAT – First Offering in a New Line of Products

High Speed Gear Launches GEN 2 Navigator Tech Mount

Tuesday, September 17th, 2024

SWANSBORO, N.C. – September 13, 2024 – High Speed Gear® (HSG®), a leading provider of high-quality tactical gear, announces the release of the GEN 2 Navigator Tech Mount. This innovative, hands-free solution is designed to securely hold and display end-user devices such as smartphones, offering unmatched convenience and functionality for professionals in the field.

The GEN 2 Navigator Tech Mount builds upon the success of the original design with several key improvements, such as fitting larger devices, allowingcamera usage, and including a tensioner to hold the mount open and prevent bouncing. Thus, making it an essential accessory for those needing reliable device access during critical missions or demanding activities.

Key Features of the GEN 2 Navigator Tech Mount:

• Fits Most Rugged Smartphones: Accommodates smartphones in rugged cases up to 7” x 3.5” x .75”, ensuring compatibility with most common devices.

• Secure, Hands-Free Viewing: When open, the mount holds the device parallel to the ground for easy, hands-free viewing, ideal for navigation, communication, or data access.

• Improved Functionality: The GEN 2 model allows full camera usage while the device remains mounted.

• Adjustable Tensioner: A new tensioner ensures the mount stays open and stable during activity, reducing bounce and improving usability.

• Silent, One-Handed Operation: The closure system can be operated silently with one hand, allowing for discreet use in tactical situations.

• Shock Cord Harness: The adjustable shock cord harness ensures a secure fit, offering superior device retention even during high-movement activities.

• Folds Flat: When not in use, the mount folds flat against the body for minimal interference and maximum comfort.

• Extended Power Options: A collapsible pocket holds a battery pack for extended device usage, keeping your tech powered on-the-go.

• Full Mini MOLLE Compatibility: The mount attaches easily to PALS webbing or belts via the included two HSGI® MOLLE clips (MOLLE area: 4 columns x 3 rows), making it adaptable for a wide range of setups.

• Built for Durability: Made in the USA and Berry Compliant, the GEN 2 Navigator Tech Mount is backed by a lifetime guarantee.

High Speed Gear emphasizes that the GEN 2 Navigator Tech Mount is not a substitute for a protective case; it is designed to be used with a device in a rugged case for maximum protection and utility.

“Our GEN 2 Navigator Tech Mount was designed to provide end-users with the hands-free convenience they need without sacrificing security or functionality,” said Daniel Chaney, Senior Designer at High Speed Gear. “Whether you’re out on patrol, in the field, or just need reliable access to your device, the GEN 2 Navigator Tech Mount ensures your tech is always within reach, while remaining protected and steady during activity.”

The GEN 2 Navigator Tech Mount reflects HSG’s commitment to enhancing mission effectiveness with gear that meets the needs of modern operators, providing secure access to essential tech without sacrificing mobility or durability.

For more information, visit www.highspeedgear.com or contact our sales team at sales@highspeedgear.com.

Posted in Advertiser, Load Carrying, Press Release, TAK | Comments Off on High Speed Gear Launches GEN 2 Navigator Tech Mount