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The XM919 Individual Assault Munition

Wednesday, September 27th, 2023

During yesterday’s briefing by Joint Program Executive Office Ammunition at the Future Forces Capabilities conference in Huntsville, Alabama, they mentioned the XM919 Individual Assault Munition, a new close combat lethality capability which seems to have flown under the radar.

Turns out, Picatinny issued a request for proposal (RFP) in August for the production of the XM919 Individual Assault Munition (IAM), utilizing Full and Open Competition (F&OC) procedures.

Intended to replace the M72 LAW, M136 and M136A1 AT-4 anti-tank weapons, and M141 Bunker Defeat Munition, the XM919 IAM tactical munition is a disposable, lightweight, single shot, multi-target, and Fire from Enclosure (FFE) capable Shoulder Launched Munition (SLM).

The XM919 IAM is for combat units at the squad level, employed by an individual Soldier. This will reduce the Soldier’s need to carry multiple systems, as they will no longer have to choose between an anti-armor or an anti-structure capability.

According the the Army the full XM919 IAM system consists of the XM919 IAM tactical munition and training devices to include the XM922 Sub-Caliber Trainer, associated Sub-Caliber Tracer Cartridge, Field Handling Trainer (FHT), and spare parts.

Due to the Full and Open competition aspect of the Army’s effort, they are relying on industry to deliver the desired effect. Market surveys in previous years have led the Army to believe that industry is more than capable of making this happen.

For example, General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems division released this video of their Individual Assault Munition during last year’s AUSA.

We will keep you up to date as the Army continues to pursue this new capability which is expected to begin fielding in FY26.

Posted in Army, Munitions, NDIA | 1 Comment »

Groundbreaking Laser Prototype Systems Delivered to 4-60th Air Defense Artillery Regiment

Tuesday, September 26th, 2023

FORT SILL, Okla. — The U.S. Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office, known as RCCTO, announced the successful delivery of four cutting-edge Directed Energy Maneuver-Short Range Air Defense, or DE M-SHORAD, prototype systems to the 4th Battalion, 60th Air Defense Artillery Regiment at Fort Sill. Delivering the platoon of prototypes marks a pivotal milestone for RCCTO’s DE M-SHORAD Project Management Office, led by Col. Steven D. Gutierrez, and represents a major landmark accomplishment for the entire team involved.

This momentous delivery coincides with the historic reactivation of the 4-60th ADAR in March of 2022 and the subsequent reactivation of its Delta Battery in June of this year. It signifies the continued smooth transition of the 4-60th ADAR from the 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command to the 1st Armored Division, which took place in November 2022.

To prepare for the integration of these groundbreaking laser weapon systems, 4-60th ADAR commenced training in fall 2022. Drivers underwent rigorous training utilizing a surrogate M-SHORAD vehicle specially constructed to replicate the DE M-SHORAD prototype’s size, weight, and power. Additionally, the crews skillfully simulated the execution of the structure of an attack or “kill chain” on the Virtual Crew Trainer Operating Systems provided by the RCCTO.

In March 2023 at Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona, crews from 4-60th ADAR and the DE M-SHORAD prototype team came together to conduct a highly successful capability demonstration during a Live Fire Exercise. The event showcased the remarkable potential of these prototypes and left a lasting impression on participants and viewers.

“The delivery of DE M-SHORAD prototypes to the 4-60th ADAR represents a transformational milestone in the Army’s modernization campaign. It is an achievement that adds what was often thought of as a next generation capability, now,” stated Col. Gutierrez. “These high energy laser systems will be a game-changer on the contemporary battlefield, a critical component of an integrated, layered, and in-depth air missile defense for division and brigade maneuver formations.”

Col. Gutierrez continued, “I couldn’t be prouder of our team. The Directed Energy Project Office took nascent technologies and accelerated their maturation and development to put hardware in the hands of Soldiers in record time. This will prove to be a deterrent as well as an effective weapon system against relevant threat sets that requires minimal logistical support versus traditional and legacy systems.”

Receiving these groundbreaking systems enables the 4-60th ADAR Delta Battery to embark on collective training with kinetic variants of the DE M-SHORAD, as they were concurrently received in June 2023. This opportunity allows for enhanced evaluation of the integration and employment of these systems within the Army’s integrated and layered air missile defense architecture, as well as their structural alignment within division formations.

Lt. Col. Alex Corby, former 4-60th ADAR battalion commander, notes, “The delivery of the DE M-SHORAD prototypes marks an extraordinary advancement in our military capabilities. Today, Delta Battery etches its name in the annals of military history as the Army’s first-ever tactical Directed Energy capable unit. With cutting-edge technology at their disposal, they are pioneers, forging a path towards a more formidable and agile future for our forces.”

Looking ahead, in partnership with the Army Test and Evaluation Command, the Army plans to employ these prototypes in a Soldier Touchpoint in FY24. This assessment will provide invaluable insights into the capabilities and limitations of these cutting-edge systems, aiding the Army in its ongoing quest for innovation and progress.

The RCCTO, alongside its dedicated partners and 4-60th ADAR, remains steadfast in its commitment to innovation and excellence. Together, they forge a path towards a future where cutting-edge technologies like the DE M-SHORAD prototype system pave the way for an enhanced and robust national defense.

By Venetia Gonzales

Posted in Army, Guest Post, weapons | 1 Comment »

Next Generation Squad Weapons – First Unit Issued

Monday, September 25th, 2023

The Close Combat Lethality Task Force released this photo of Soldiers from the 101st AASLT DIV’s 2nd Battalion, 502nd IBCT, as they received their new XM7s and XM250s last week at Fort Campbell.

The unit will conduct extensive training and testing over the next few weeks. See our update for details.

Posted in Army, Guest Post, weapons | 6 Comments »

Soldiers Use IVAS for Collaborative Mission Planning

Sunday, September 24th, 2023

Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division , conduct mission planning operations during the Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) 1.2 Phase One User Assessment held by Program Executive Office (PEO) Soldier on Fort Drum, August 23. The user assessment was designed to collect Soldier feedback on the IVAS 1.2 prototypes.

(U.S. Army photo by Jason Amadi, PEO Soldier Public Affairs)

Posted in Army | 2 Comments »

Army Announces Plans for M1E3 Abrams Tank Modernization

Saturday, September 23rd, 2023

DETROIT ARSENAL, Mich. – The U.S. Army announced today the path forward for the M1E3 Abrams Main Battle Tank modernization program.

The Army will close out the M1A2 System Enhancement Package version 4 effort and develop M1E3 Abrams, which will focus on making the capability improvements needed to fight and win against future threats on the battlefield of 2040 and beyond.

“We appreciate that future battlefields pose new challenges to the tank as we study recent and ongoing conflicts” said Brig. Gen. Geoffrey Norman, director of the Next-Generation Combat Vehicle Cross Functional Team. “We must optimize the Abrams’ mobility and survivability to allow the tank to continue to close with and destroy the enemy as the apex predator on future battlefields.”

“The Abrams Tank can no longer grow its capabilities without adding weight, and we need to reduce its logistical footprint,” said Maj. Gen. Glenn Dean, Program Executive Officer for Ground Combat Systems. “The war in Ukraine has highlighted a critical need for integrated protections for Soldiers, built from within instead of adding on.”

The Abrams Main Battle Tank is a full-tracked, low-profile, land-combat assault weapon that enables Soldiers to dominate their adversaries through lethal firepower, unparalleled survivability and agile maneuvering. It closes with and destroys the enemy using mobility, firepower and shock effect.

Years of testing, analysis, Soldier feedback and maturing technology culminated in this strategic decision. The new approach balances costs with the Army’s needs and invests in the nation’s defense industrial base.

The development of the M1E3 Abrams will include the best features of the M1A2 SEPv4 and will comply with the latest modular open systems architecture standards, allowing quicker technology upgrades and requiring fewer resources. This will enable the Army and its commercial partners to design a more survivable, lighter tank that will be more effective on the battlefield at initial fielding, and more easy to upgrade in the future.

This modernization will enhance the efficacy and maneuverability of armored brigade combat teams in conflicts across the globe through a reduced sustainment footprint and increased operational and tactical mobility.

The Army will continue to produce the M1A2 SEPv3 at a reduced rate until production transitions to the M1E3 Abrams, and the Army will carry technologies forward into the SEPv4 Abrams modernization effort.

“The M1E3 Abrams nomenclature is a return to the Army’s standard use of its type classification and nomenclature system for our combat vehicle fleet,” said Dean. “The ‘E’ designation represents an engineering change to an existing platform that is more significant than a minor modification and serves to designate the prototype and development configuration until the vehicle is formally type classified and receives an ‘A’ designation. This is distinct from the ‘XM’ designation used for new prototype systems.”

Initial operational capability is anticipated in early the 2030s. As longer-range threats increase in both lethality and survivability, the M1E3 Abrams will be able to defeat those threats. The Abrams Main Battle Tank remains the most lethal, protected tank in the world.

By U.S. Army Public Affairs

Posted in Army, Guest Post, Mobility | 16 Comments »

Texas National Guard, Chile Partner for Cyber Training

Thursday, September 21st, 2023

AUSTIN, Texas – The Texas National Guard and the Chilean Army conducted a joint cybersecurity exercise in Santiago, Chile, Aug. 28-30, as part of the State Partnership Program.

Col. Christopher Howell, chief of the Cyber Operations Branch, Joint Force Headquarters, Texas Military Department, said exchanging knowledge is a valuable tool to improve cybersecurity in both countries.

“We want them [Chile] to further understand how Chile’s cyber operations and organizational capabilities employ tactical responses at a military level. Also, we discussed the communications within their country,” Howell said.

As cyber threats become more common, supporting both countries’ relationships and strengthening the bonds between the military and their civilian counterparts is crucial, Howell said.

First Lt. Jose Pantoja with the Chilean Navy said these long-term partnerships are critical for international security.

“I think keeping this relationship between Chile and Texas is fundamental to develop our capacities and our apprenticeships to improve our defenses,” said Pantoja. “With this experience, the Texas National Guard shares with us their knowledge and training for maintaining our systems. We are also learning how they coordinate with their citizens.”

The exercise included a simulated cyber attack on a Chilean government website. Partners from both countries worked together to overcome challenges and address vulnerabilities.

Sgt. Maj. Darla Wright, senior noncommissioned officer for the Cyber Operations Branch, Texas Military Department, said building junior Soldiers’ knowledge benefits the military and the individuals.

“We wanted to share the different aspects that have been key to retain and recruit cyber personnel within the organization, and that is making every person understand their contribution and their effort is recognized, and this will create growth within the cyber-intelligence field now and for the future,” Wright said.

The Texas National Guard leaders also discussed the importance of rewarding hard work, developing individuals’ skills, and allowing each member the opportunity to advance within the Chilean Army.

“Often, the best recruiter is the person who is already doing that job. They have those skill sets, so the different things that we can help is to interview the talent within and train Soldiers to become instructors,“ Wright said.

The Texas National Guard and the Chilean Army have been partners under the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program since 2008. They will continue to work together to share information, develop personnel, and respond to cyber threats and guidance for the future.

The 30-year-old SPP program has grown to include 88 partnerships with 100 nations.

By Sarah Snedden, Texas Military Department

Posted in Army, Cyber, Guest Post, International | Comments Off on Texas National Guard, Chile Partner for Cyber Training

Army Announces Terrestrial Layer System – Brigade Combat Team (TLS BCT) Manpack Prototype OTA Agreement

Wednesday, September 20th, 2023

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, MD – After more than six months of competitive white papers and technical evaluations for the Terrestrial Layer System – Brigade Combat Team (TLS BCT) Manpack, the U.S. Army entered into an Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreement through the Consortium for Command, Control, and Communications in Cyberspace (C5) with Mastodon Design, LLC to support Phase 1 – Prototype Build and Demonstration. The agreement totals $1,521,490 for a 9-month Period of Performance.

The TLS BCT Manpack system will be a tailorable, modular, terrestrial capability that allows the integration of Signals Intelligence and Electromagnetic Warfare collection, processing, exploitation, reporting, and effects capabilities for SIGINT Collection Team and Electromagnetic Warfare Team elements. TLS BCT Manpack will provide the Brigade Combat Team commander a tactical advantage with agility and improved intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting in Multi-Domain Operations.

“The TLS BCT Manpack compliments the TLS BCT and TLS Echelons Above Brigade (TLS EAB) family of systems with a shared and open systems approach that creates the flexibility and efficiencies needed against a highly adaptive threat,” said Kenneth Strayer, Project Manager, Electronic Warfare and Cyber (PM EW&C). PM EW&C plans to transition the TLS BCT Manpack from prototyping to production in FY2024.

Posted in Army, CEMA, Contracts, EW, Guest Post | Comments Off on Army Announces Terrestrial Layer System – Brigade Combat Team (TLS BCT) Manpack Prototype OTA Agreement

DSEI 23 – British Soldier 2025

Monday, September 18th, 2023

As part of the new SoldierWorks, the British Army booth at DSEI displayed a mannequin outfitted with equipment which would be at home with any allied SOF unit.

Here is the plate at the mannequin’s feet.

What struck me was how soon 2025 is, barely 16 months away. Generally, such displays depict a vision of a decade or more in the future in order for the acquisition system to create requirements and industry to fulfill them. It also gives enough time that when nothing happens, most of us have forgotten about the broken promises of a shiny future.

This near-future set up was in contrast with the current issue kit. Some of where they’d like to be is already there, like ATAK and new binocular night vision. Other systems such as the L85A3 rifle, Virtus armor, load carriage and helmet, are deeply entrenched in the British Forces.

I also met several members of B Coy, 2nd Bn, Special Operations Brigade, aka the Ranger Regiment, during the symbolic signing of the L403A1 Alternative Individual Weapon System contract at the Edgar Brothers’ booth. Between the adoption of AIWS for certain units like the Ranger Regiment and Royal Marines and upcoming Project Graeburn to replace the SA80 wholesale, the bullpup is on its way out.

The Rangers were equipped with the new Knights Armament produced rifle along with Ops-Core FAST helmets, and Crye Precision uniforms and AVS vests which are issued to members of British SOF. When I discussed the kit with the men they echoed the aspirational aspects of the equipment for rapid fielding in pursuit of the Army’s Soldier 2025 efforts. The question is how the British Army will be able to quickly procure new high cut ballistic helmets and improved armor and load carriage without a requirement.

The answer seems to be SoldierWorks which promises provide the exploitation path from UK centres of experimentation, such as BattleLab, ARIEL, and the Army Warfighting Experiment.

It will act as an accelerator for modernising new soldier system capabilities by being involved from experimentation through to in-service capability.

Here are some examples of equipment the programme has facilitated:

Night vision sights for a variety of different rifles to improve the soldier’s ability to identify enemy targets earlier at night.

Binocular night vision goggles with a thermal clip-on system to enable a fused (thermal and image intensified) image.

Handheld medium-range target locator and ballistic calculator for sniper pairs

A range of improvements to combat clothing and equipment so that it fits individuals better and makes life easier for the user.

Posted in Army, DSEi, International | 9 Comments »