Attending SHOT Show 2018? Strategic Operations, Inc. will host a live demo of a prolonged field care scenario in the ADS booth, #20415 on Jan. 24th at 2pm.
Archive for the ‘ADS’ Category
ADS To Host Prolonged Field Care Scenario At SHOT Show
Wednesday, January 3rd, 2018First Annual ADS Inc UAS + Counter UAS Industry Day Wrapup
Monday, November 13th, 2017Last week, I attended the First Annual ADS Inc UAS + Counter UAS Industry Day, held at the Va Beach Military Aviation Museum. Despite pressing foul weather, the museum offered ample room for booth space as well as in the hangar and apron area for demonstrations.
Attendance was restricted to vetted government and industry members, but the individual demonstrations were quite technical and required a basic level of experience with the subject. Terminology alone would have marginalized the casual observor.
The event focused on two sides of the Unmanned Aerial System coin. There isn’t a single drone technology. Consequently, countering them requires a layered approach, with multiple technologies to go after the signals; commercial and military, as well as novel, the result of tweaking existing systems to operate outside standard parameters.
Below is an overview of the various vendors to demonstrate at the industry day.
Aeryon Labs focused on their Sky Ranger. It flies at 50 kph but will maintain station in gusts up to 90 kph. It also offers a 25-30 min flight duration with its heaviest payload (60 x zoom EO Offering the ability to read a license plate at 1500m) but can remain aloft for up to 50 min with lighter payload (FLIR Tau 2 EO/IR sensor).
Optimized to fly with tablet and stylus and boasting a 256 bit encryption datalink, it can also be controlled with a joystick.
The Sky Ranger offers a 120 to -20 deg operational window and integrates an auto landing using Sonar which kicks in at 10’ above the deck.
MyDefense is a Danish firm which offers the Wingman 100, a TRL 9, manwearable UAS detection system. It is currently in use with US prisons and EU militaries.
It is an RF detector with a 60 deg directional antenna and a max range of 1000m. It offers general direction detection by turning the body and compares signals to a limited library (recreational systems are absent). When a signal is detected, the Wingman calls out “drone” or “controller”. It also offers light and vibration alert features.
They are currently working with JIEDDO to introduce the Wingman 101 which features an Aluminum backplate and removable battery. This model will also connect to common military batteries and will pertain up to 3 days.
Lockheed Martin demonstrated their Indago 2 VTOL quadcopter. It can be folded up and transported in two Kevlar reinforced transport cases.
The Indago 2 offers the DUO+, ION30X, and dual IR sensors (NIIRS 8 at 400m) as hotswapplable payloads and will remain aloft for up to 50 min at a range of 2km and an operating altitude of 10-500’ AGL.
Batelle’s Drone Defender is a handheld man-portable directional jammer, resembling the point and shoot operation of a rifle, which breaks the communication between the drone and controller and disrupt the GPS signal. The range is up to 400m.
Rohde & Schwarz brought out their demo van which incorporates a full suite of EW/SIGINT capabilities.
Included in the van’s various capabilities is the Ardronis system which looks at 8 MHz of bandwidth at a time, searching for signal characteristics indicative of a UAS. In addition to geolocation of the signal, it can then characterize the signal using its onboard library. Library Data is updated quarterly. However, new drones can be added manually or via signal capture and classification.
Aerovironmemt flew their Puma SUAS System, outfitted with the new I45 payload which adds a low level light camera with improved illumination over the I25. In fact, the I45 payload offers NIIRS 9+ at 1000m oblique.
The Puma boasts 2.5 hours of flight time and 20km LOS range, although there is also a 3 hour battery. It features auto land which allows it to essentially come straight down into a small area.
Dedrone’s DroneTracker is designed tospecifically go after commercial drones which are the most prolific form of UAS. It can be mounted to windows or building facades to identify approaching drones via visual, acoustic and frequency sensors. In addition to characterizing approaching drones, the system can tip and cue other sensors such as cameras.
FLIR discussed their sensor packages as well as their PD-100 Personal Reconnaissance System, which includes the pocket sized Black Hornet 2 sensor, boasting EO or EO/IR sensors. The entire system weighs just 1.3 kg.
The Black Hornet 2 Offers 25 min flight time, 1.6 km LOS data link range and 5 mps ground speed, tolerating up 12 mps gusts.
Summary
UAS and CUAS technologies are rapidly changing. Fortunately, ADS plans to make this an annual event. If you involved in either, or both disciplines I highly recommend attending the next Industry Day.
To learn more about any of these technologies, visit www.adsinc.com.
Reminder – First Annual ADS Inc UAS + Counter UAS Industry Day Is Next Week
Friday, November 3rd, 2017ADS Inc is presenting their First Annual UAS + Counter UAS Industry Day on November 7th & 8th at the Military Aviation Museum in Va Beach.
This is a very interesting topic for me. New capabilities roll out regularly for Unmanned Aerial Systems. But maybe even more important, drones have become the number one asymmetric threat due to their wide proliferation. Their payloads increase while their cost goes down making them a solution of choice for adversaries seeking low-cost ISR and precision weapons. Developing an adaptable strategy to counter them is critical.
During the two-day event, vendors will present eight, one-hour sessions to educate attendees on their technologies.
This event is not open to the public.
Hope to see you there. To sign up and to review the daily schedule, visit adsinc.com/event/drone-day-2017.
ADS Inc – First Annual UAS + Counter UAS Industry Day
Wednesday, October 18th, 2017ADS Inc is presenting their First Annual UAS + Counter UAS Industry Day on November 7th & 8th at the Military Aviation Museum in Va Beach.
This is a very interesting topic for me. New capabilities roll out regularly for Unmanned Aerial Systems. But maybe even more important, drones have become the number one asymmetric threat due to their wide proliferation. Their payloads increase while their cost goes down making them a solution of choice for adversaries seeking low-cost ISR and precision weapons. Developing an adaptable strategy to counter them is critical.
During the two-day event, vendors will present eight, one-hour sessions to educate attendees on their technologies.
This event is not open to the public.
Hope to see you there. To sign up and to review the daily schedule, visit adsinc.com/event/drone-day-2017.
ADS To Exhibit at AUSA 2017
Saturday, October 7th, 2017ADS will be exhibiting at AUSA Annual. This year’s AUSA Annual 2017 theme is based around this premise of “Building Readiness.” To this end, ADS is concentrating on five areas:
Prolonged Field Care
Expeditionary Capabilities
Unmanned Systems
Organizational Clothing & Individual Equipment
CBRNE Decontamination & Detection
They’ve created a blog post which discusses how their offerings relate to each of these thrust areas. Feel free to check it out at adsinc.com/event/ausa-annual-2017.
Visit ADS and their vendors in booth #2115.
MDM 17 – DRIFIRE/Crye Precision Field Uniform in Woodland MARPAT
Thursday, September 21st, 2017At Warrior West DRIFIRE officially unveiled their FR Field Uniform collaboration with Crye Precision. The initial model was in MultiCam, with additional patterns to come.
ADS Inc featured this Woodland MARPAT version in their booth at this year’s Modern Day Marine.
These Berry compliant uniforms are made with DRIFIRE’s durable and comfortable Fortrex fabric. It’s not only FR but also moisture wicking and includes odor control. They are offered in the full CP size range which is prefect for those who are running a uniform program. The uniforms are also available in MultiCam, Desert MARPAT, US Navy Types II and III (AOR 1 and 2) and NATO Woodland (that’s what we wore in the 80s and 90s for you whippersnappers).
DriFire products are available for unit and agency purchases through ADS Inc.
ADS Presents – 20th Anniversary Edition Military Dive Equipment Pocket Guide
Friday, August 25th, 2017Many probably don’t know that ADS started out as Atlantic Dive Supply and got into the Tailored Logistic System game back when it was called Prime Vendor and focused on Diving equipment, primarily for the Navy. In the late 90s, the military diving community found itself using outdated equipment, with more of the same sitting on the shelf in supply depots, while the commercial and recreational diving communities enjoyed constant updates to their equipment.
The Defense Logistics Agency took a look at the issue and decided the best way to deal with the issue was to outsource. They issued contracts to several suppliers of dive equipment which allowed the military diving community to purchase approved civilian equipment to enhance their operations. For DLA and the supported Warfighter, it meant no more outdated equipment sitting in the shelf, but rather access to the latest equipment. As the Dive community also encompasses special operations units, they began to leverage the Prime Vendor program for other organizational clothing and individual equipment needs. Over the years, the program has grown and evolved into the TLS program we know today.
In their 20th year, ADS has issued this handy “pocket guide” to the equipment they offer specifically for the diving community.
FOr more information, visit www.adsinc.com and get your copy here.
End of Year: 6 Things You Need to Know About DLA’s TLS Contracts in 2017
Thursday, August 17th, 2017Although this article was originally written and posted to their website by ADS, Inc, the information is applicable to the TLS program writ large. Naturally, DLA wants to close out TLS earlier than last year but with so many years of Sequestration, CRAs and OCO money, the services have forgotten how to trickle funding down to the unit level in a timely and predictable manner. Consequently, every year, chaos ensues at EOY. That’s why it’s imperative to be aware of the latest processes for placing your TLS order.
ADS Inc. is a proud multiple award recipient of the Defense Logistics Agency’s (DLA) Special Operations Equipment (SOE) and thedla Fire & Emergency Services Equipment (FESE) contracts as part of the Tailored Logistics Support Program (TLSP). As an incumbent Prime Vendor, ADS has proven itself successful in fulfilling customer equipment and incidental service needs and requirements since its first prime vendor contract awarded back in 2001 and its first TLS award acceptance in 2005.
ADS’ experienced contracting team, expansive customer-focused sales task force, and its positive relationships with over 3,000 partner suppliers contribute to its ability to exceed the TLS program’s primary goals of reducing costs, ensuring product of choice, improving logistics response time, and improving customer support. In this blog, we highlight six important things you need to know about leveraging DLA’s TLS contracts in 2017. Be informed with ADS!
1. The deadline for submitting End of Year (EOY) orders through DLA’s TLSP Contracts is earlier than last year.
It’s all too common for government entities to reach a use it or lose it period toward the end of the fiscal year. This is a pertinent time for buyers to determine any outstanding requirements and submit them to their contracting office for approval.
For customers, this means NOW is the time to start gathering any last minute purchasing requirements. See Diagram A – TLSP Procurement Vehicles for additional information regarding order processing as it pertains to the FESE and SOE programs.
Submission Date: All TLS orders must be submitted to DLA by September 8, 2017 at 11:59 p.m. Funding must be in by September 22 at 11:59 p.m. Any orders with Fiscal Year (FY) 17 funds submitted past that timeframe will be returned to the submitter. Any orders received after that timeframe will be processed as FY18 funds.
2. The process for ordering through FESE and SOE TLS remains the same for FY17. Reminder: Kits have new requirements.
As defense budgets shrink and a larger emphasis is put on improving the ordering process, the FESE and SOE TLSP contracts adapted to continue to provide users with a simple, efficient procurement vehicle. The changes adopted in FY16 gave customers greater visibility on orders, more accurate pricing information, and valid obligation/transfer of funding directly with DoD Finance personnel.
Changes were effective the SOE TLS Program (in November 2015) & FESE TLS Program (in May 2016): Due to a mandate to conform to Audit Readiness requirements, several changes have been made to the SOE and FESE ordering process that the customer may or may not be informed of.
Kitting Requirements: Kit purchases must include a breakdown for both SOE and FES. ADS provides a full list, pulled from each manufacturer and compiled.
DLA Troop Support – Construction and Equipment Program:
For more information on how these changes affect the ordering process flow please download the flowchart provided by DLA.
1. Customer must register a designated Finance Office Point of Contact (FOPOC) with their account and submit their information. Here are instructions on how to complete the designation form provided by DLA.
2. Once the customer’s FOPOC is registered, orders can be submitted for equipment, supplies and/or services under the current Order Request Spreadsheet. Once DLA approves the items for scope the request will be solicited amongst the qualified TLSP vendors.
3. DLA will email the Price Acknowledgement Spreadsheet to BOTH the Ordering Activity as well as the FOPOC.
4. Once the order is approved by the FOPOC and the Ordering Activity, the customer submits required funding information via the FOPOC Review Spreadsheet to DLA.
5. Upon award, DLA will send a second notification to the FOPOC and the Ordering Activity letting them know the order is awaiting obligation in the system.
6. Once the KO obligates the order, a third email will be sent to the FOPOC and the Ordering Activity with final order line item details.
7. A final email will be sent from DLA to the customer and will include a request to post receipt of the order in DoD FedMall.
3. It’s easier than ever to register with DLA.
To have access to a wide variety of Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) equipment, incidental services and training through the SOE and FESE TLS Programs, qualifying customers must be authorized DOD, Federal or other DLA approved, federally-funded agencies. For more information on how to register, if you haven’t already, contact the following contracting offices:
FESE
FESE WEBSITE
Registration: Email | FESECustomerRegistration@dla.mil
Ordering: Email | FESOrders@dla.mil
Questions: Email | FESECustomerInfo@dla.mil
SOE
SOE WEBSITE
Registration: Email | SOECustomerRegistration@dla.mil
Ordering: Email | SOEOrders@dla.mil
Questions: Email | SOECustomerInfo@dla.mil
4. Every request is approved on a case-by-case basis. Increase your chances of a quick, smooth approval process with these tips:
There are several reasons why DLA would not award or approve product requests. It’s important to keep in mind that DLA may not always know of the product (if it’s new technology for example) and may not always know the relevant application and how it pertains to your mission and the contract scope.
5. You can buy incidental services through TLS if they’re ancillary and purchased with a product.
According to Bloomberg Government, the government’s top four spending categories are services-related.
When it comes to the purchase of incidental services through the FESE and SOE TLS Program contracts, they are typically requested as an additional line item on the Customer Order Request Form and are ancillary to a product being requested.
Incidental service requests should also ensure proper functional capability and safety of the accompanying product(s). Consistent with product requests, DLA will approve incidental service requests on a case-by-case basis.
See Diagram C – EXAMPLES OF INCIDENTAL SERVICE REQUESTS for examples of these requests for both FESE and SOE programs. For additional instruction, visit the DLA SOE TLS Customer Guidelines and DLA FESE TLS Customer Guidelines or contact your respective TSLP Contract Manager.
6. ADS can…
-Help you tackle road blocks early on.
-Help you select equipment that fits your needs and requirements.
-Provide procurement options through both of our FES and SOE TLS contracts.
-Keep you updated on shipping information when your order is complete.
HOW TO ORDER:
1. Send RFQ to ADS
Request a quote from your ADS Account Manager. They will help you identify the best procurement options for your requirements – GSA, TLS, Open Market, etc.
2. ADS Provides Quote
Our knowledgeable ADS Account Managers can help you select equipment to satisfy your requirements, determine procurement options, as well as verify part numbers, lead times, pricing (including freight), and country of origin.
3. Register for the Program
If you determine that the TLS Program is best for your requirement, register for the corresponding TLS Program with DLA Troop Support.
Instructions for Customer/FOPOC Registration:
FESE | SOE
4. Submit Your Order
Email your completed order request to DLA Troop Support. They will act as your contracting office.
Contact Info: SOE TLS Orders: SOEorders@dla.mil
Contact Info: FESE TLS Orders: FESorders@dla.mil
5. You’re All Set!
DLA Troop Support will compete the requirement amongst the participating TLS vendors and provide best pricing for all items requested.
Once approved, DLA Troop Support will contact you and your FOPOC for funding information.
Once that is processed, an award will be made!
