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Army Gunsmoke Satellites Successfully Deploy from Mojave Desert, International Space Station

Friday, July 16th, 2021

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. – The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command delivers Army space assets on orbit by any means necessary to test new capabilities for the warfighter.

The command’s first and third Gunsmoke-J satellites, a joint capability technology demonstration by the USASMDC Technical Center and Assured Position Navigation and Timing/Space Cross Functional Team, were placed into orbit, June 30, by two very different paths.

The first CubeSat was deployed from the Cygnus cargo vessel S.S. Katherine Johnson as a secondary mission shortly after it undocked from the International Space Station.

“We were very lucky to have this unique opportunity to place our satellite into orbit, and we extend our gratitude to those involved for making this a reality,” said Rebecca Nagurney, Gunsmoke deputy program manager. “What this group and our Gunsmoke-J team has accomplished over the past few months is amazing and is a testament to what true teamwork can achieve.”

The third CubeSat was air-launched into orbit by a 747 carrier aircraft from Mojave Air and Space Port in Mojave, California. It was flown out to a launch site over the Pacific Ocean, about 50 miles south of the Channel Islands. After a smooth release from the aircraft, the LauncherOne rocket ignited and propelled itself toward space, ultimately deploying its payload into an orbit approximately 500 km above the Earth’s surface.

“This deployment and same day launch of two separate Gunsmoke-J satellites is a major step toward demonstrating what we believe will be enabling tactical warfighter capability,” said Wheeler “Chip” Hardy, division chief, USASMDC Technical Center Space Directorate’s Space Applications Division. “We are excited to be at this point after five years of development. This is the culmination of a lot of hard work by a lot of people to get to this point. We look forward to the verifying demonstrations and a possible future transition of the technology to the tactical forces.”

The Gunsmoke-J science and technology effort will provide new and advanced capabilities to tactical warfighters in a satellite about the size of a loaf of bread. Its experiments will show how its sensors can provide critical data and information key in multi-domain operations. The effort will also help inform future acquisition decisions.

“We are very excited because now we can begin our checkout and mission operations as our work is part of a science and technology demonstration effort,” Nagurney said. “If the Gunsmoke experiments are successful, then this work could lead to future systems, which would enhance long-range precision fires in support of the warfighter.”

Gunsmoke and potential follow-on small satellite systems are designed to provide information or sufficient data relative to tactical decision-making that is delivered in a timely manner.

“The team has worked extremely hard on this effort so it was thrilling to watch a successful launch,” Nagurney said. “It is very rewarding to work on a program like Gunsmoke where our work is going to impact future technology and Army acquisition decisions to help support the warfighter.”

By Jason Cutshaw (USASMDC)

Posted in Army, Guest Post, Space | Comments Off on Army Gunsmoke Satellites Successfully Deploy from Mojave Desert, International Space Station

US Army Test Facility Recreates Space on Earth

Thursday, July 15th, 2021

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. — Just exactly how cold is it in space?

The unofficial answer: really cold. The official answer: typically -460 degrees Fahrenheit. So how exactly would you operate a space-based sensor, which needs to detect and track very faint infrared signatures when operating in the cold vacuum of space?

That is where the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center’s space-based sensor test facility comes into play. Its two independent space chambers, which operate under the center’s Software, Simulation, Systems Engineering and Integration Directorate, utilize cryogenic refrigeration systems to achieve the required low temperature and pressure environment. The sensor under test is installed within the space chamber, allowing it to observe a multi-spectral target generation source, with all other elements within the chamber conditioned to space-like temperatures and pressures.

“This is the closest you get to a flight test without actually being in space,” said Space Chamber team member David Riesland.

But how exactly would a sensor’s projection system survive and operate within the chamber’s lower temperature/pressure environment? A high-fidelity scene generation system provides radiometrically precise dynamic scenes to the projectors, depicting the threat engagement from the perspective of the sensor field of view. The system presents a TV-like image to the sensor under test, which changes based upon the sensor viewpoint within the simulated battlespace. This allows evaluation of the optical, photon collection, and image processing functions of the sensor under test.

Just because the facility is only two years old doesn’t mean the team gets to rest on its laurels. “We are constantly trying to keep up with the sensors,” said Space Chamber’s Daniel Saylor.

These types of chambers are very rare, which is why it is highly unusual that another space chamber exists down the road at Air Force facilities on Arnold Engineering Development Center in Tullahoma, Tennessee. But there are significant differences.

AvMC’s chambers were specifically designed for Missile Defense Agency testing, including features to extend the operational duration of test events with reduced operational costs. Their state-of-the-art technology allows AvMC’s chambers to heat and cool faster than previous capability increments. They are more limber and can operate for months at a time to allow extended duration testing for large-scale scenario studies.

Just how long of an extended duration?

“We haven’t found the limit yet,” Riesland said.

By Katie Davis Skelley, DEVCOM Aviation & Missile Center Public Affairs

Posted in Army, Guest Post, Research, Space | Comments Off on US Army Test Facility Recreates Space on Earth

PROOF Research Awarded Contract for Future Weapon Systems Development

Tuesday, July 13th, 2021

PROOF Research®’s latest contract award builds on their small caliber barrel technology already in service with U.S. Military Forces.

Columbia Falls, Mont. (July 2021) – PROOF Research®, has been awarded a $12.7 million contract for the development and delivery of prototype advanced composite medium caliber barrels and components for next generation weapon systems. PROOF Research is the leading manufacturer of advanced high-temperature composite aerospace/defense materials and components, cut-rifled steel and carbon-fiber composite precision rifle barrels, and custom rifle systems that deliver extreme accuracy and enhanced performance with up to a 50% weight reduction.

The program builds on PROOF Research’s successful small caliber barrel technology already in service with U.S. military forces, and will enable medium caliber weapons with increased performance that provide overmatch capability on tomorrow’s battlefield. “This project demonstrates the scalability and performance advantages of PROOF’s technology in any weapon system,” stated PROOF Research CEO, Larry Murphy. John Clements, PROOF Research VP of Business Development and Military Programs, underscores the importance of the program to defense, “It is a progression of our commercial and military small caliber products that will generate a tactical advantage in larger weapons. We are extremely excited about this opportunity to improve the tools available to our Warfighters.”

“PROOF’s composite materials technology is unique in that it opens up the weapon design space to enable performance advantages that cannot be achieved with traditional materials and techniques. We design and build medium caliber weapon system barrels and components with characteristics previously not attainable,” said PROOF Research Advanced Composites Division General Manager and project Principal Investigator, David Curliss, PhD.

This effort is sponsored by the U.S. Government under Other Transaction number W15QKN-09-9-1001/W15QKN-12-9-0001/W15QKN-14-9-1001 between the National Armaments Consortium and the Government. The views and conclusions contained herein are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as necessarily representing the official policies or endorsements, either expressed or implied, of the U.S. Government.

Posted in Army, Contracts, Press Release, Research, Weapon Accessories | Comments Off on PROOF Research Awarded Contract for Future Weapon Systems Development

Army Launches IVAS Integration Into Aircraft

Monday, July 12th, 2021

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. — Army researchers are expanding the reach of the high-tech Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) to deliver capabilities to Soldiers onboard aircraft.

IVAS integrates next-generation situational awareness tools and high-resolution simulations to enable Soldier sensing, decision making, target acquisition and target engagement. The device provides Soldiers with a single platform to fight, rehearse and train.

During the research and testing phases, the Army initially focused on bringing the technology to dismounted Soldiers. During the next step, scientists and engineers developed a capability for Soldiers to maintain situational awareness using IVAS during transport in ground combat vehicles such as the Bradley and Stryker.

Now, Army Futures Command (AFC) and Project Manager IVAS are testing the system to deliver the technology for aircrews and paratroopers in Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters.

“The Army is investing in resources to broaden the emerging capabilities of IVAS to improve effectiveness and safety of airborne Soldiers en route to their mission,” said Dr. Navin Mathur, IVAS platform integration project engineer with the Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) Center — a component of AFC’s Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM).

The first aircraft integration operational test with paratroopers using IVAS occurred in May at Experimentation Demonstration Gateway Event (EDGE) 21 — a precursor to Project Convergence 21 — with the 82nd Airborne Division aboard two Black Hawks. The same Soldiers finished testing IVAS weeks earlier during Soldier Touch Point 4 at Fort Bragg and incorporated what they learned in preparation for EDGE 21.

They received real-time video feeds to their IVAS headsets, from a camera mounted to the bottom of helicopters, while flying to the objective site. By pushing a button on the headset, they could toggle among the screens, making the images larger or smaller. Two squad leaders in separate Black Hawks also coordinated a mid-flight change of mission plans using the system.

Research is now focused on providing video feeds from Air-Launched Effects (ALE), small unmanned aerial vehicles released in flight from helicopters, to paratroopers and aircrew wearing IVAS. Soldiers could also use the headsets to control ALE instead of carrying a tablet.

“During the development phases for these current and future ground and air platforms, we’re focused foremost on the putting together the user experience,” Mathur said. “The team is getting their feedback during exercises like EDGE and making quick upgrades. We’re continually refining designs to meet their needs.”

By Dan Lafontaine, DEVCOM C5ISR Center Public Affairs

Posted in Army, Aviation, Digitization, Guest Post, Optics | 1 Comment »

USAMTEAC Test Rapid Opioid Countermeasure System at Camp Bullis

Friday, July 2nd, 2021

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, TX – The U.S. Army Medical Test and Evaluation Activity (USAMTEAC) conducted a customer test for the Rapid Opioid Countermeasure System (ROCS) auto-injector at the Deployable Medical System Equipment for Training (DMSET) site in Camp Bullis, TX. USAMTEAC, formally called the Army Medical Department Board (USAMEDDBD), is part of the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence (MEDCoE), and provides independent operational testing and evaluation of medical and medical-related materiel and information technology products in support of the Army`s Department of Defense acquisition processes.

The ROCS test was requested by the product manager at the Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical Biological Defense (JPEO–CBD), Medical Countermeasures Systems (MCS) to assess the functionality and usability of the ROCS auto-injector within the operational environment. Soldiers who are the typical users of the ROCS served as test players for the event. The ROCS auto-injector report is relevant and provides JPEO–CBD MCS a report and data for their evaluation and possible future fielding throughout the Army.

Army test players participated in self-aid and buddy-aid scenarios using the ROCS, a single-use auto-injector pre-filled with 10 mg of Naloxone. The ROCS auto-injector provides the capability to deliver an intramuscular injection with a 22-gauge needle and be used in a suspected opioid environment with Soldiers wearing Mission Oriented Protective Posture (MOPP) Level 4 protective gear. During the test at Camp Bullis, test players also donned MOPP Level 4 gear in a simulated field environment.

“With the humanitarian missions we’re supporting our Soldiers may walk into a hot spot and unknowingly get exposed. The ROCS auto-injector will help if they are experiencing symptoms of opioid exposure with better medical care for the front line troops,” said Charles Lohsandt, one of the USAMTEAC Test Officers. “It’s a very small single-use cartridge that can easily fit in a gas mask carrier or inside one of the protective suit pockets, for example.”

Col. Mark Plooster, Executive Director, USAMTEAC, discussed the collaboration with other organizations in conducting this test. “What we do is bring in a capability developer from CDID (Army Futures Command Capability Development Integration Directorate), people from the FFID (Field Force Integration Directorate), the MRDC (U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command), and Weapons of Mass Destruction – Civil Support Teams to bring in the whole team to make sure that everybody who has a piece of the pie is involved,” said Plooster. “At the end of the day the real customer is the Soldier on the battlefield. We try to make this test as realistic as we can using Soldiers in the actual unit that will be using the equipment.”

“The test players are the most important and valuable part of the test,” said Col. Roberto Marin, Chief, Materiel Test and Evaluation Branch, USAMTEAC. “Although we have the capability developers, the material developers, and us, the USAMTEAC test team, as the lead test agency, test players, also known as the end users, they provide us with honest feedback that is required to provide better medical care for the warfighter, the ultimate customer.” Said Marin. “Test player data feedback includes an after action review detailing the ROCS auto-injector strengths and weaknesses, a survey, and recommendations. We analyze all the data points and send a report to the material developer for higher level decision authority.”

To learn more about the USAMTEAC mission, visit their website at medcoe.army.mil/usamteac.

By Jose E. Rodriguez, MEDCoE Public Affairs

Posted in Army, Guest Post, Medical | 4 Comments »

US and UK Communicators Conduct Electronic Warfare Training, Boost Interoperability

Monday, June 28th, 2021

(CUMBRIA, United Kingdom) — United Kingdom Signal Regiment and Special Operations Command, Europe (SOCEUR) Signal Detachment (SSD) conducted combined communications training at Royal Air Force Station Spadeadam April 19-22. Spadeadam is the only electronic warfare tactics facility in Europe where aircrews can practice maneuvers and tactics against a threats and targets that they face in contemporary warfare.

The exercise, designed to increase interoperability between the two NATO allies, facilitated mutual understanding of the combined tactical communication used by the U.K. and U.S.

“The training we conducted with the U.K. communicators was beneficial and realistic to battlefield operations as interoperability between allies is critical to the success of NATO missions,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Dayson Lindsay, a senior satellite communication system operator-maintainer.

Participants validated communication systems by troubleshooting software and hardware errors, implementing combined radio networks and training on international radio protocols to communicate effectively.

“Enabling an effective mission command requires combined communications in today’s complex military environment,” Sgt. Lindsay continued.

During the combined training event, the communicators explained and demonstrated each other’s communications equipment capabilities and functionality. This was followed by bridging solutions to facilitate secure communications between U.S. and U.K. radios.

“Working with the U.K. communicators has helped us improve communications interoperability by developing tactics and procedures that we can carry forward to future combined operations,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Andrew Reyes, a senior radio operator-maintainer from 112th Special Operations Signal Battalion (Airborne), assigned to SSD.

The SOCEUR communicators regularly conduct combined communications training throughout Europe to bridge partner radio systems between NATO allies and implement secure radio solutions for combat units.

SOCEUR employs Special Operations Forces across the United States European Command area of responsibility to enable deterrence, strengthen European security collective capabilities and interoperability, and counter transnational threats to protect U.S. personnel and interests.

By U.S. Special Operations Command Europe

Posted in Army, Comms, Guest Post, SOF | Comments Off on US and UK Communicators Conduct Electronic Warfare Training, Boost Interoperability

Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition Supports the Future of Engineering

Tuesday, June 22nd, 2021

ROCHESTER, Mich. — Student engineers got a feel for real-world robotics challenges at the 28th annual Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition (IGVC) here at Oakland University June 4-7.

The IGVC, hosted by the U.S. Army Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC), is the oldest and largest autonomous vehicle competition in the nation and provides students with their first professional projects as engineers.

The student competitors represent every Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)-related major, and there are also opportunities for business majors to become involved.

IGVC event sponsors frequently recruit students into full-time positions upon finishing their degrees, said Bernard Theisen, GVSC’s Division Chief for Ground Vehicle Robotics, and a long-time supporter of the competition.

“If these students can use this capability to build these unmanned systems, they are the perfect recruits,” said Theisen. “Some of the teams here are taking advantage of some of our core products such as our Robotic Technology Kernel (RTK) software and Warfighter Machine Interface (WMI), used to control their vehicles.”

The competition offers students a glimpse of what it means to be an engineer for the Army. “I think IGVC has been a good catalyst for robotic development,” said Theisen.

Many GVSC engineers were recruited at previous competitions they participated in as students.

“I would say probably 30 percent of everybody in GVSC Ground Vehicle Robotics competed in the competition at one time or another,” said Theisen.

Unmanned systems allow the Soldier to operate technology from a distance, providing better protection, said Theisen. “Our primary customer is the Soldier, and robotics and autonomy help take the Soldier out of harm’s way.”

Engineers for the Army provide Soldiers with the most cutting-edge products that give them the most security on the frontlines.

“My primary goal as an engineer for the Army is to save Soldiers’ lives,” said Theisen. “I want to give them the best technology and the best capability.”

Engineers for the Army use their versatility and determination to work around the constantly changing needs of the Warfighter and it isn’t always easy, said Theisen.

“There’s a lot of ups and downs” said Theisen. “We are focused on the technology and it changes often.”

Andrew Kosinski, a mechanical engineer for GVSC Ground Vehicle Robotics, said IGVC gives students a chance to use flexibility and quick thinking to solve complications that occur before and during the competition.

“Having to be flexible is the biggest challenge that comes with being an engineer for the Army,” said Kosinski. “You have to work with a lot of different situations and people and need to be able to think on your feet.”

IGVC also provides an environment full of positivity and diversity. There are countless opportunities for networking.

“I love seeing all the teams show off from all around the world,” Kosinski said. “I love being able to talk to all sorts of unique people.”

What’s more, while IGVC gives many students a chance to learn more about Robotics Technologies and develop a passion for it— the competition is a venue for student engineers to pursue professional careers in engineering.

“The competition is the best type of job interview because you get to see people in action,” said Kosinski. “That’s why Army and various sponsors support it each year.”

More information on the Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition can be found at www.igvc.org.

By Kennedy Thomas

Posted in Army, Guest Post, Mobility, Research | Comments Off on Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition Supports the Future of Engineering

Elbit Systems of America Awarded $29 Million in Orders Under ID/IQ Contract to Upgrade US Army Pilots’ Night Vision Systems

Thursday, June 17th, 2021

FORT WORTH, TEXAS – JUNE 17, 2021 – United States Army active duty and National Guard rotary-wing aviation units will receive an upgrade to their AN/AVS-6 Aviator’s Night Vision Imaging Systems (ANVIS) with high performance white phosphor image intensifier tubes to be provided by Elbit Systems of America – Night Vision. The upgrade comes through recent orders with an aggregated value of approximately $29 million by the U.S. Army’s Program Executive Office (PEO) Soldier under an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (ID/IQ) contract issued in 2020. The orders will be executed from the Elbit Systems of America facility in Roanoke, Virginia with deliveries through September 2021.

Under the orders, Elbit Systems of America will upgrade the U.S. Army active duty and National Guard rotary-wing aviation units’ AN/AVS-6 Aviator’s Night Vision Imaging Systems (ANVIS) with high performance white phosphor image intensifier tubes. The night vision upgrade to the U.S. Army fleet’s legacy ANVIS goggles will replace the existing green image intensification with high performance white phosphor image intensifier tubes. White phosphor enhances the ANVIS goggles as it presents visuals in black and white detail, which may appear more natural to the eye. The new image intensification tubes will also provide better contrast, along with high image resolution at greater distances for Pilots.

“Our U.S. Army Pilots can successfully achieve their mission and fly with confidence in any light conditions. Upgrading the U.S. Army aviation fleet’s goggles to high performance white phosphor provides improved clarity,” said Raanan Horowitz, President and CEO of Elbit Systems of America. “Whether Soldiers are on the ground or in the air, our team is committed to providing advanced capabilities to the U.S. Army to suit their evolving night vision needs.”

More on Elbit Systems of America – Night Vision: www.elbitsystems-us.com/night-vision.

Posted in Army, Aviation, Contracts, International | Comments Off on Elbit Systems of America Awarded $29 Million in Orders Under ID/IQ Contract to Upgrade US Army Pilots’ Night Vision Systems