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V Corps Leaders Share Lessons Learned on Counter-UAS Training from Project Flytrap

Tuesday, August 5th, 2025

WASHINGTON — Army leaders from V Corps, headquartered in Fort Knox, Kentucky, spoke of lessons learned and the importance of Project Flytrap as part of the Army’s Transformation Initiative July 30, 2025.

“[Counter-unmanned aerial systems] are essential to success on the modern battlefield,” said Lt. Gen. Charles Costanza, commanding general of V Corps. “U.S. and allied forces must rapidly transform to the very real threat of unmanned drones by testing, adjusting and ultimately integrating the best C-UAS platforms in the world to protect our forces. Project Flytrap is a key component of V Corps’ transformation strategy.”

Project Flytrap 4.0 runs from July 27-31, 2025, at Bemowo Piskie Training Area, near E?k, Poland. It is the final iteration of the C-UAS training events where Soldiers from the 2nd Cavalry Regiment and 1st Royal Yorkshire Regiment, United Kingdom test new counter-UAS capabilities in combined exercises meant to develop and inform the future of anti-drone tactics and technologies.

Results from Project Flytrap will inform the way the U.S., allies and partners fight on the modern battlefield, said Col. Donald Neal, Jr., regimental commander, 2nd Calvary Regiment, Grafenwoehr, Germany.

“Developing, testing, and fielding C-UAS technologies together with our NATO allies and partners enhances our deterrence capability,” he said. “Training and experimentation with our allies and partners serve to build capacity and increase European leadership in European security, effectively strengthening the NATO alliance.”

We’re uniquely positioned in Europe, where we can work with allies and partners to provide opportunities for innovation with the latest emerging technology and capabilities, said Col. Matt Davis, transformation chief and exercise director of V Corps, Project Flytrap.

“Project Flytrap is one of those. It’s a series of training events we’ve designed to test and refine new counter-unmanned aerial systems, technologies and tactics to respond to the evolving threat of drone warfare,” Davis said.

Project Flytrap sits at the intersection of Army transformation and modernization efforts that will change the way it plans, operates and fights in large-scale combat operations, Neal said.

“These efforts enable increased lethality for our forces, improved and expanded the capabilities of our allies and partners, and provide credible deterrence to any adversary that would think to test us,” Neal said.

More than 40 organizations, 400 representatives across industries, and allies and partners from four different countries including U.K., Poland and Australia, participated.

Iterations

The first phase of Project Flytrap began in March and was launched to identify and test counter UAS solutions. This meant research and fact-finding from historical data and lessons learned from the war in Ukraine. The second phase included installing these systems into various platforms within the U.S. and U.K.’s formations.

Through theory and trial and error, feedback from the Soldiers who were manning and using these systems ensured that efficacy was at the forefront of further developmental decisions resulting in doctrinal squad size and standardized equipment, said Neal.

The third phase focused on conducting squad and platoon-level counter-UAS exercises. Theories and best practices were further developed through real-world data, creating a solid foundation for the implementation of C-UAS squads across the Army. These training exercises were limited in scope to ensure maximum control for data gathering. The last iteration concludes July 31 and implemented battalion-level operations, with defensive and offensive operations around the clock without interruption.

“This pushed the realism factor even higher to maximize the quality of training and feedback,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Bol, command sergeant major, 3rd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment.

Training

Infantry Soldiers took eight-hour courses over three days next to industry experts, learning to build almost 300 UAS with about a dozen models and how to counter them in the field, Bol said.

“We made sure those models represented each kind of capability you’d expect to see on the modern battlefield,” Davis said. “Some have thermal optics for nighttime. We used fiber optic drones, jam-resistant, we had larger drones like octocopters. We had six-winged. We really went through a lot of effort to diversify the threat.”

Although the Soldiers have an infantry military occupational specialty, they may have come from a science and math-focused education and have a hidden talent for building drones, said Madera.

“It’s looking past the MOS and finding their hidden talents and then employing them to help us make these changes at the unit level,” he said.

The unit has a drone production and training facility where they assemble the components, build them with 3D printers and learn to fly the drones.

“I don’t have a huge tech background. I’ve been amazed to see what this unit has been capable of,” Bol said. “I’ve watched Soldiers who have an aptitude dive into this and be extremely passionate about it. It’s fun to watch them learn how to build, break and rebuild the drones in the same facility. I have several peers across the Army, in different theaters, and we’re all learning how to fight with UAS, how to defend against them and how to maintain them.”

We’re taking the latest, cutting-edge versions of existing technology like radar, RF detect and jam, optical and audio sensors, and then merging those into a system our Soldiers on the ground can employ in a tactical setting in order to enable them to do their jobs despite having its own threat, Bol said.

Industry partners went out in the field and worked side-by-side with the Soldiers, sometimes in inclement weather, to fix issues such as battery drainage and equipment compatibility across allied platforms.

As combat and technology continues to evolve, Lt. Col. Jeremy Medaris, commander, 3rd Squadron, 2nd Calvary Regiment, said the Army is becoming more adaptable, mobile, lethal and more survivable.

As the Soldiers trained with the new technology, Medaris said the fundamentals of maneuver warfare still matter.

“Dispersion, protection, fortification, collecting the correct routes, planning to an objective, they remain essential,” he said. “The essential nature of warfare still matters. Some components are changing, but those fundamental pieces are still there and just as applicable to the counter-UAS fight as well.”

Layering

Each capability brought to combat has its strength and weakness, so having a layering of capabilities is important, said Davis.

“There’s no one system or one solution to counter-UAS,” Neal said. “The counter-UAS capability we’ll have in the future is going to have to be an integrated, multi-system solution.”

The layered effect during Flytrap included a Stryker infantry formation, Soldiers wearing technology with radio frequency detect and defeat capability to jam UAS, Soldiers with M4s to shoot down enemy drones and Soldiers who were manning the drones from the other side, said Medaris.

Another layered consideration is active and passive. Active means a Soldier is emitting some type of signature, making them vulnerable on offensive operations. Passive has limitations but allows a Soldier to move on the offensive without giving their position away in the electromagnetic environment.

Yet another layer is deciding what to do, from the rifleman up to the three-star general, when systems detect potential enemy UAS systems in the air that may have potential intent.

“At each echelon, you need the ability to handle that type of data on the systems we use to communicate with,” Neal said. “You have two options: you have the ability to do assault kills, which means you’re altering the flight path without a projectile in the air that shoots it out of the air. Or a hard kill, which means you’re altering the flight path with projectiles. So, it’s neutralized or destroyed.”

Davis said using diversified drones helped with the layering effects.

“If we flew the fiber optics, the RF detect systems we were using, they weren’t going to detect them,” he said. “We had to rely on acoustics or an optical, for example.”

These layering effects and training scenarios learned throughout the five months of Project Flytrap will continue to inform the Army’s transformation in C-UAS capability.

By Shannon Collins, Army News Service

TacJobs – UNITY Tactical Seeks Design Engineer

Friday, August 1st, 2025

UNITY TACTICAL IS HIRING A DESIGN ENGINEER

Get in the van … and, no, that isn’t an A-Team reference.

UNITY™ Tactical is seeking a talented and motivated design engineer who wants to employ his/her skills to design and develop new products and updates to existing products. The design engineer is focused on the design of machined, injection molded, and additively manufactured products related to firearms and their accessories. This person must have a firm grasp of engineering principles and experience designing mechanical components, and be an enthusiast ofthe firearms market.

We seek and hire friendly, fun individuals who are smart and driven. We look for individuals with a passion for innovationwho are committed to continuous learning to grow their professional experience and to further the business and the team. We place an emphasis on personal and professional growth and foster an environment where you can learn from others and then build upon it, so others can learn from you. The ideal candidate is self-motivated, enthusiastic, detail-oriented and collaborative with an unyielding commitment to excellence.

At UNITY, we pride ourselves on our stickers and never shy away from a good parody. We have a people-first mindset, which means we focus on keeping our customers and partners happy and laughing while we do. Come join our fun-loving, motivated team and get in the van … and maybe we’ll tell you why we say that (because it isn’t an A-Team reference).

Visit our Careers page for the full job description and to apply.

Fast Metal Eyewear Rocks APEL with Four NSNs Awarded

Tuesday, July 15th, 2025

Fast Metal Military APEL NSN Eyewear

Yuma, AZ – July 15, 2025 — Fast Metal is proud to announce our official APEL qualification and National Stock Number (NSN) assignment for four of our top ballistic eyewear systems: Fontana, Ozz, Halen, and Zant. It’s not just a win—it’s a warfighter-grade stamp of approval.

These models—engineered for uncompromising protection and all-day performance—are now officially listed on the U.S. Army’s Authorized Protective Eyewear List (APEL): the gold standard for combat-ready eye protection.

Mission-Critical Legends: Fast Metal’s APEL-Listed Eyewear

Each of the following Fast Metal models has been assigned a National Stock Number (NSN), making procurement simple for units, supply officers, and federal buyers:

Model Size MFR Part NSN
Fontana One Size 4-0030-9001 4240-01-729-1698
Ozz Regular 4-0029-9001 4240-01-729-1623
Ozz Compact Compact 4-029C-9001 4240-01-729-1696
Halen Regular 4-0028-9001 4240-01-729-1324
Halen Compact Compact 4-028C-9001 4240-01-729-1344
Zant One Size 4-0031-9001 4240-01-729-1700

What Is APEL?

The Authorized Protective Eyewear List (APEL) is maintained by PEO Soldier and the U.S. Army. To qualify, eyewear systems must pass the most rigorous impact, optical clarity, and durability tests in the industry. All listed products meet or exceed:

  • MIL-PRF-32432A ballistic fragmentation standards
  • ANSI Z87.1-2020 industrial eye protection standards
  • Independent testing at certified government labs

Bottom line: APEL eyewear isn’t just safe. It’s verified, standardized, and ready to serve.

Highlights of Each Fast Metal APEL ModelFast Metal APEL Halen Kit NSN 

Halen / Halen Compact

The Only Aluminum Frame on APEL. Versatility That Hits Hard.
Precision-milled aluminum frame and nylon temples deliver rugged durability and interchangeable lens flexibility—all with unmistakable Fast Metal attitude.

Fast Metal Fontana APEL Kit NSN

Fontana

Mission-Grade Optics. Maximum Coverage. Zero Distractions.
A minimalist, browless design with an oversized lens for wide field-of-view, superior venting, and full MIL-PRF-rated ballistic protection.

Fast Metal APEL Ozz Kit NSN 

Ozz / Ozz Compact

Streamlined. Secure. Solid.
Low-profile and helmet-compatible with adjustable temples—built to stay locked in at full throttle. Two sizes for dialed-in fit.

Fast Metal APEL Zant Kit NSN

Zant

Built for Speed. Designed to Boogie.
A no-bulk, low-drag hybrid with anti-fog performance, bungee retention, and wraparound protection—born from the KISS principle and built for high-tempo ops.

All models feature interchangeable polycarbonate lenses with anti-fog coatings, scratch-resistant exteriors, and 99.9% UVA/UVB protection.

How to Acquire

Each model listed above is available for order through standard DoD supply chains using the associated NSNs. For federal, state, and agency buyers—or defense contractors seeking bulk orders or teaming options—contact:

govsales@fastmetal.com

About Fast MetalFast Metal engineers ballistic-rated eyewear that protects the elite—warfighters, law enforcement, extreme athletes, and mission-first professionals. Born from precision manufacturing and raised on rock ‘n roll, our name reflects the energy and innovation behind every frame.

Whether you’re clearing rooms or carving trails, Fast Metal gives you vision that doesn’t blink.

Revision SlingShot Added to APEL with New NSN Assignment

Tuesday, July 15th, 2025

Essex Junction, Vermont – Revision Military, a global leader in advanced protective eyewear solutions, is proud to announce that its innovative SlingShot ballistic sunglasses have been added to the U.S. Army’s Authorized Protective Eyewear List (APEL®) and assigned a National Stock Number (NSN).

This milestone further strengthens Revision’s position as a trusted supplier of mission-critical eye protection and expands access for Soldiers to cutting-edge eyewear designed to meet the demands of today’s operational environments.

A New Standard for Military Eyewear

The SlingShot is not just another ballistic sunglass. With its featherweight, browless frame design, the SlingShot delivers superior performance and comfort for extended wear in dynamic environments.

  • Unmatched Anti-Fog Performance – The browless design maximizes airflow for exceptional venting, while Revision’s industry-leading OcuMax® anti-fog coating keeps lenses clear in the most challenging conditions.
  • Rapid Lens Swapping – Innovative frame mechanism allows Soldiers to quickly change lenses in the field to adapt to changing light conditions.
  • Equipment Compatibility – Thin, extendable temple arms ensure seamless integration with helmets and communication systems.
  • Optional I-Vis® Lens Technology – For users seeking enhanced contrast and color recognition, Revision’s I-Vis lens technology is available in six tints optimized for specific environments. Note: I-Vis lenses are not part of the APEL-approved configuration and are offered separately for those who want additional capabilities.
  • Ballistic Protection – Exceeds stringent U.S. and global military impact standards for maximum protection in harsh operational conditions.


Ordering Information

The SlingShot Spectacle Kit is now available for procurement:

  • NSN: 4240-01-728-5777
  • Revision Part Number: 4-0759-9028

Products can be ordered through the U.S. military supply chain using the NSN or via:

  • GSA Advantage
  • DLA/TLS
  • AAFES
  • MCSS
  • NEXCOM

For ordering support, contact sales@revisionmilitary.com.


Leadership Perspective

“SlingShot is a leap forward in tactical eyewear design, combining superior ballistic protection with innovations that directly address the needs of today’s warfighters,” said Karan Rai, CEO of Revision Military“Adding SlingShot to the APEL with its new NSN underscores our commitment to equipping Soldiers with eyewear that performs in the most demanding environments.”

Mike Evans, Vice President – Global Sales, added: “The addition of SlingShot to the APEL ensures Soldiers have easier access to eyewear that delivers the ultimate in comfort, fit, and performance. It’s a win for operational readiness and for the end user in the field.”

About APEL® The Authorized Protective Eyewear List (APEL®) is a U.S. Army program managed by PEO Soldier to identify and certify eyewear that meets stringent DoD requirements for ballistic protection, optical clarity, and operational suitability. Products approved for APEL undergo extensive testing to ensure Soldiers are equipped with reliable and mission-ready eye protection.

About Revision Revision Military designs and manufactures purpose-built protective eyewear for military and tactical users worldwide. A U.S.-owned company headquartered in Vermont, Revision delivers advanced solutions that combine ballistic protection, anti-fog technology, laser defense, and integration with mission-critical equipment. Over the past 20 years, Revision has supplied millions of eyewear systems to U.S. and allied forces and continues to innovate to meet the evolving needs of modern warfare.

Happy Independence Day

Friday, July 4th, 2025

Today I’d like to honor the 56 men who stood up and declared independence for this new nation.

Of them, five were captured by the British and tortured as traitors, before dying. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons in the revolutionary army, another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the revolutionary war.

They sacrificed so that we could prevail. God bless them all and God bless America!

Celebrate the 249th birthday of this great republic.

Base Operations Selected by the US Air Force to Provide AI-Driven Security Intelligence for Mission Resilience and Force Protection

Thursday, May 29th, 2025

The Direct-to-Phase II contract was awarded to identify, assess, predict and counter emerging threats, including Small Unarmed Aerial Systems incursions, when operating in dynamic environments with limited intelligence and evolving adversary tactics.

WASHINGTON, May 27, 2025 — Base Operations has been selected by AFWERX for a Direct-to-Phase II contract focused on decoding local threats and providing actionable insights to safeguard the global operations of the Department of the Air Force (DAF). The Air Force Research Laboratory and AFWERX have partnered to streamline the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) process by accelerating the small business experience through faster proposal to award timelines, changing the pool of potential applicants by expanding opportunities to small business and eliminating bureaucratic overhead by continually implementing process improvement changes in contract execution. The DAF began offering the Open Topic SBIR/STTR program in 2018 which expanded the range of innovations the DAF funded and now on May 27th 2025, Base Operations will take the next step in its journey to create and provide innovative capabilities that will strengthen the national defense of the United States of America.

US Air Force picks Base Operations to decode local threats and safeguard global operations with AI-driven intelligence.

“In an era of evolving threats and rapid transformation in federal procurement, sourcing cutting-edge solutions from U.S. startups is essential to maintaining operational readiness and protecting the warfighter. Base Operations is proud to be selected by the Air Mobility Command of the Department of Air Force to deliver advanced, AI-powered threat intelligence. Our platform enhances force protection by anticipating and mitigating risks around critical installations, safeguarding personnel, and effectively countering adversarial foreign espionage. By equipping decision-makers with AI-driven insights, we help strengthen operational resilience and ensure mission success in complex and dynamic environments.”

Cory Siskind, Founder & CEO at Base Operations

The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Air Force, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.

About Base Operations
Base Operations decodes the world’s threat landscape into actionable security insights that enable organizations to protect their people, assets, and operations. Identify and assess threats, manage risk across your footprint, and make data-driven decisions using granular, street-level intelligence at global scale. Learn more at baseoperations.com.

My Memorial Day Message

Monday, May 26th, 2025

Today’s message is one of hope. I’d like you all to remember those who gave all for our nation, but when you’re doing it, let’s celebrate the good times we had with them. Let’s embrace the good of their sacrifice.

Those who went before us, were our best and their sacrifice protected this nation. We will never forget that. But as solemn as the day is, think about the good times as well.

Never Forget The Price Of Freedom

Photo- An American Soldier Sports German Medals on His Uniform in Germany on 12 December 1944. Photographs from the service of Allan Voluck, who served as a photographer with the 3908th Signal Service Battalion in Europe. WW II Museum Collection.

Happy 17th Birthday to Us

Saturday, May 17th, 2025

In a wild SSD / SOLSYS mashup, our first post in 2008 gave a hint of what was to come. If you’ve seen “2001: A Space Odyssey” you may have caught Astronaut Dave Bowman utter something about something wonderful happening…and here it is.

What a long, strange trip it’s been…