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3rd MDTF Cyber Defenders Partner with Allies During Keen Sword 25

Saturday, December 28th, 2024

SAGAMI DEPOT, Japan — A Cyber mission element from the Multi-Domain Effects Battalion (MDEB), 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force’s, partnered with joint and allied forces to conduct defensive cyber operations as part of Keen Sword 25 from Oct. 23 to Nov. 1, 2024.

A MDEB Defensive Cyber Operations (DCO) Mission Element partnered with Japanese and Canadian cyber professionals to defend mission critical infrastructure from adversary intrusions on a live cyber range. Using various cyber tools, the teams successfully mapped the network, discovered red team intrusions and then conducted hunt operations to restore full network operability.

“Cyber mission elements are a key component of multi-domain effects battalions that provide allies and the joint force additional cyber capability able to protect key infrastructure, enhance overall mission readiness across the full spectrum of military operations, and counter emerging digital threats in today’s complex operational environment,” said Lt. Col. Pablo Diaz, Commander of the 3rd MDEB.

The mission element executed multiple training iterations against a live adversarial red team alongside their allied partners.

The training objectives for the MDEB cyber mission element were to validate the readiness of the DCO mission element, refine standard operating procedures, and to build relationships with allied partner cyber units.

“My team integrated with our partners, leveraged cyber tools, and defended several critical infrastructure networks against a dynamic red team on a live network. It was a great training event where we were able to apply our skills and collaborate with our allies,” said MDEB Cyber Officer in Charge 2nd Lt. Lucas Bires.

Keen Sword is a biennial, joint, and bilateral field-training exercise involving U.S. military and Japan Self-Defense Forces personnel, designed to increase readiness and interoperability while strengthening the ironclad U.S.-Japan alliance.

Keen Sword 25 is the latest iteration of the exercise which was first conducted in 1986. Keen Sword provides realistic, relevant training that increases the Joint Force’s abilities to plan, communicate, and conduct complex multi-domain operations.

By SGT Perla Alfaro

Posted in Army, Cyber, Guest Post | Comments Off on 3rd MDTF Cyber Defenders Partner with Allies During Keen Sword 25

USASOC Year In Review

Tuesday, December 24th, 2024

Soldier/Journalist Sarah Blake Morgan spoke with United States Army Special Operations Command, Command Sergeant Major JoAnn Naumann about what the command has been up to this year.

Posted in Army, SOF | Comments Off on USASOC Year In Review

U.S. Army Takes Delivery of Textron Systems’ MK 4.8 HQ Aerosonde System for Future Tactical Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Program

Tuesday, December 24th, 2024

Redstone Arsenal, AL – The U.S. Army’s Future Tactical Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (FTUAS) Product Office has officially taken receipt of the Textron Systems’ MK 4.8 HQ Aerosonde system, marking a significant milestone in the program’s rapid prototyping effort. This achievement follows a comprehensive two-year development and testing process, which included extensive technical testing, ground and flight acceptance testing, and a joint effort between the vendor and the United States Government (USG).

The delivery of the system, formalized through the DD-250 process, transfers ownership to the USG. The FTUAS team will now proceed with New Equipment Training (NET) to qualify instructors and operators at the Redstone Test Center on the MK 4.8 HQ Aerosonde system. This training is expected to be completed by late January 2025.

Upon completion of NET, the FTUAS team will embark on a USG-led developmental testing cycle, which will culminate in the program’s capstone event. This testing effort will occur in parallel with the ongoing efforts to evaluate production proposals for award, anticipated in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2025.

The FTUAS program will provide Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs) with an organic capability for reconnaissance and surveillance operations, enabling them to collect, develop, and report actionable intelligence. This will allow BCT commanders to maintain dominance during Multi-Domain Operations. The FTUAS system boasts transformational capabilities, including vertical take-off and landing, on-the-move command and control, and Soldier-led, field-level maintenance. Its Modular Open Systems Approach enables rapid capability insertions, ensuring the system keeps pace with evolving technology.

The Program Executive Office (PEO) for Aviation, located at Redstone Arsenal, AL, is responsible for modernizing the Army Aviation fleet of crewed and uncrewed aircraft. PEO Aviation’s Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Project Office is dedicated to rapidly fielding innovative UAS capabilities to Army formations, maintaining the Army’s asymmetric advantage over peer adversaries in large-scale combat operations.

Courtesy Story from Program Executive Office, Aviation

Photos by David Hylton

Posted in Army, Guest Post, UAS | Comments Off on U.S. Army Takes Delivery of Textron Systems’ MK 4.8 HQ Aerosonde System for Future Tactical Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Program

New Initiatives Drive Momentum at Largest-Ever Army Modernization and Equipping Conference

Monday, December 23rd, 2024

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. – As the Army pushes forward with its modernization agenda, the Army Modernization and Equipping Conference provided the sustainment enterprise a critical opportunity for leaders to align efforts, prioritize resources and drive momentum behind the equipment initiatives that will shape the Army’s future.

The conference, held at Redstone Arsenal Dec. 9-12, 2024, serves as a semi-annual opportunity for equipping stakeholders to review, confirm and plan equipment displacement over the next three fiscal years.

“The solutions to the problems we are going to talk about this week will help us maintain combat power in an Army that’s tier modernized,” said Lt. Gen. Chris Mohan, deputy commanding general and acting commander of Army Materiel Command. “We can’t be afraid to try and do something different to help our units.”

The AMEC kicked off with opening remarks from leaders at AMC; U.S. Army Forces Command; the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology; and Training and Doctrine Command. Attendees were briefed on updates to a variety of initiatives impacting equipping, including Rapid Removal of Excess, an update on equipment cascade process, an overview on the Operational Readiness Program, and a preview of changes coming to demand planning prediction.

“The magnitude of change the world is facing is staggering,” said Lt. Gen. Stephen Smith, deputy commanding general of FORSCOM. During his opening remarks, he emphasized that his focus for the conference was to support 2-year-out supply and equipping predictability for company commanders who need to concentrate on building and maintaining their unit’s readiness.

One year since the kickoff of the R2E pilot program, leaders at the AMEC agreed that it has been a vital addition to the Army’s divestiture efforts. More than 435,000 pieces of equipment — ranging from tactical vehicles to computer monitors and printers — have been collected at the Army’s 14 Modernization Displacement and Repair Sites alone since October 2023.

Earlier this year, R2E became a global program available to Soldiers of all components at each Army installation.

“We want every Soldier to have the opportunity to participate in R2E, but more importantly, we want their units to take steps to prevent needing to use R2E again,” Mohan said.

With hundreds of thousands of pieces of equipment on their hands, AMC’s R2E team’s next step is to determine what needs to be repaired, disposed or demilitarized; if they can harvest parts from turned in equipment; the cost and timeline for repair; and their plan to prioritize these efforts.

AMC turned over the floor to Tank-automotive and Armaments Command for a brief on ORP, a new initiative aimed at ensuring units have the highest level of operational readiness as they leave training rotations to head into deployment. The process flow starts with using data and analytics to predict equipment that will fail while units are training; then AMC will send experts from the Organic Industrial Base, called fly-away teams, to both fix equipment and train Soldiers how to better maintain it.

“There’s a lot on the shoulders of our young maintenance Soldiers to keep their unit’s equipment ready,” Mohan said. “Our fly-away teams and the ORP algorithm are informing the future of maintenance and how we will fight and win wars.”

Leaders from FORSCOM also emphasized that commanders appreciate the extra hands for repair, but the training that the fly-away teams provide is invaluable. Although it’s a new initiative, data has shown that participating units have held steady operational readiness since ORP began.

AMC plans to use data collected from ORP to better inform Class IX equipment demand planning, a concept briefed to AMEC attendees by AMC’s Supply Chain Management Division.

In the past, the Army has forecasted equipment demand using only historical data. Between the COVID-19 pandemic, a surge in operations and presidential drawdowns for support to Ukraine and an increase in operation tempo, supply chain vulnerabilities were exposed.

The Army has implemented a variety of solutions aimed at reducing lead time of equipment and better predicting demand. Recently, a demand planning workshop was held with action officers from across the Army sustainment enterprise to develop an all-encompassing model that predicts demand and incorporates equipment cascading as determined by the AMEC.

“We’re taking a wholesale approach to this change in supply availability,” said Mohan.

AMC plans to use artificial intelligence and machine learning, as well as historical data and input from unit commanders and supply Soldiers to predict demand of Class IX parts moving forward. Another workshop will be held in the new year aimed at presenting current findings and refining the existing concept.

Day two of the AMEC saw attendees dive deep into the nuances of equipment cascade of tactical vehicles while days three and four had attendees organized into breakout groups on equipping and Transform in Contact activities.

This iteration of the AMEC had the largest number of participants from the most commands and equipping stakeholders across the Army to date – an indicator to senior leaders of the importance of maintaining momentum toward solutions to rising equipping problems across the total force.

“What I see today is that we are making incredible progress on solving these problems across the Army,” said Lt. Gen. Robert Collins, principal military deputy to ASA ALT and director of the Army Acquisition Corps. “It’s more important than ever that we stay synced.”

By Lindsay Grant

Posted in Army, Guest Post | Comments Off on New Initiatives Drive Momentum at Largest-Ever Army Modernization and Equipping Conference

All Americans to Host Innovation Dropzone 4.0

Wednesday, December 18th, 2024

Join us for the next round in All-American innovation as Innovation Dropzone 4.0 will be held Feb. 20, 2025. Doors open at 12:45pm. We are a Division that exemplifies continuous transformation, so if you have an idea of how to improve your fox-hole scan the QR code and begin preparing for IDZ 5.0!

Posted in Army, Disruptive Tech | 1 Comment »

Adversarial Convergence Raises Alarm, Warns USSOCOM Commander at Reagan Defense Forum

Wednesday, December 18th, 2024

WASHINGTON — U.S. Army Gen. Bryan P. Fenton, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, highlighted the cooperation among adversarial nations and nonstate actors, and called for decisive action in the face of increasing complex global security threats at the Reagan National Defense Forum in Simi Valley, California on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024.

Fenton detailed how partnerships between Russia, Iran, North Korea and China are reshaping the international security landscape — specifically with regard to the present conflict in Ukraine. Fenton explained how these alliances provide adversaries with a dangerous synergy. “This is not just Russia fighting Ukraine,” Fenton said. “It’s Russia, backed by Iranian drones, North Korean personnel and indirect Chinese contributions.”

The general cited Iran’s transfer of “material solutions” — like its Shahed 136 drones and Fath 360 ballistic missiles — to Russia as a prime example. The Fath 360 missiles, which can strike targets up to 75 miles away, enhance Russia’s ability to sustain its war effort while preserving its long-range arsenal.

Fenton’s example echoed similar concerns voiced by the Defense Department in recent months. In October, Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder confirmed that Iran has trained Russian personnel to operate its munitions, solidifying the growing military ties between the two nations.

“The concerning aspect of this,” Ryder said, “is the developing relationship between Russia and Iran. It’s reasonable to expect that this missile delivery will not be a one-time event.” He continued, noting that Russia’s partnerships with nations like Iran and North Korea often involve exchanges of intelligence and technology, further deepening their strategic alignment.

North Korea’s increasing role in the conflict adds another dimension to this adversarial convergence. During a Nov. 4 press briefing, Ryder reported that more than 12,000 North Korean troops deployed to Russia’s Kursk Oblast, to train in combat tactics alongside Russian forces. These troops replaced Russian personnel depleted by heavy casualties in Ukraine.

Fenton expanded on the implications of these alliances, stressing that the convergence of state and nonstate actors represents a fundamental shift in the character of warfare. He noted that Ukraine’s innovative use of drones and artificial intelligence to counter these threats represents a “revolutionary” approach worth emulating. The general urged the department to scale similar technologies, emphasizing the need for affordable and scalable solutions.

“We need tools that impose costs on adversaries without draining our resources,” Fenton said, pointing to Ukraine’s production of millions of drones as a model for how smaller systems can effectively challenge larger forces.

Fenton also called for stronger collaboration between the military and private industry. He praised Socom’s ability to quickly adapt to battlefield needs through partnerships with defense companies but emphasized the need to expand these efforts across the department. “Our modernization priorities must be clear, and we need to bring industry closer to the problem,” he said.

Despite these challenges, the general expressed optimism in America’s ability to counter these emerging threats through its own global partnerships. He highlighted multinational military exercises like the Rim of the Pacific Exercise, which integrates allied forces to enhance readiness and interoperability. “Our allies bring unique capabilities that, combined with ours, create a powerful force multiplier,” he noted.

In his closing remarks, Fenton urged policymakers to adopt a whole-of-nation approach to security. He emphasized the importance of innovation, bipartisan support and public understanding of the threats posed by adversarial blocs. “We’re in a decisive decade,” he said. “The convergence of threats demands a convergence of our own capabilities.”

MAJ Wes Shinego

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US Army Marksmanship Unit Prepares Soldiers with New Weapons System

Tuesday, December 17th, 2024

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii — The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit’s Instructor Training Group recently trained Hawaii-based Soldiers on the fielding of the Next Generation Squad Weapon system, Nov. 7-22, 2024, at Schofield Barracks. The training introduced Soldiers to the advanced capabilities of the NGSW, a weapon system designed to give U.S. troops a decisive edge on the battlefield.

Staff Sgt. Joseph Enloe, a Weapons Squad Leader with the 25th Infantry Division, expressed his enthusiasm for the training, describing it as “phenomenal” and a key factor in shaping future combat tactics.

The NGSW system, which includes the XM7 rifle, XM250 automatic rifle and the XM157 fire control system, is designed to enhance a Soldier’s lethality and survivability by providing precise targeting, improved range and advanced optics. However, as with any new technology, its effectiveness relies heavily on proper training and the integration of that technology with foundational marksmanship skills.

The integration of the XM157 Fire Control Unit is one of the most notable features of the NGSW. The system provides real-time range data and a corrected aim point for the shooter, significantly improving accuracy and engagement speed, said Staff Sgt. Jacoby Fannon, an instructor/shooter assigned to the USAMU. The technology is not a substitute for basic marksmanship training, it is designed to augment and enhance a Soldier’s existing skills.

“Soldiers are given increased capabilities to achieve overmatch when leveraging NGSW technology with continued outcome-focused training,” said Fannon. “The purpose of NGSW technology is to augment, not replace, a Soldier’s training. This approach ensures that even when the technology is unavailable or inaccurate, Soldiers can still rely on their basic skills, such as range estimation and manual targeting, to engage the enemy.”

“Training is very important, and we always have to train as we fight,” said Sgt. 1st Class Austinnick Rosario, a Platoon Sergeant assigned to Apache Troop, 3rd Battalion, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, “If we do it right, our jobs will be easier.”

The training structure included preliminary marksmanship instruction and evaluation to more advanced marksmanship tables that progressively build a Soldier’s skills. This layered training is designed to reinforce the basics while allowing Soldiers to fully integrate the advanced features of the NGSW system.

Marksmanship training remains consistent, regardless of the weapon system. The Army’s marksmanship tables are structured to provide all Soldiers, regardless of experience level, with the tools needed to develop proficiency. The training starts with the fundamentals and builds to more complex exercises that simulate real combat scenarios.

Throughout the training, Soldiers were guided by expert instructors from the USAMU. These instructors are not only experts in weapons systems but also in the science of teaching marksmanship.

“USAMU instructors were invaluable during the training, providing a lot of knowledge to share, and offering tips and feedback to help Soldiers maximize their effectiveness with the new system,” said Staff Sgt. Joseph Enloe, a weapons squad leader assigned to B. Co, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division.

The USAMU’s role goes beyond simply teaching Soldiers to shoot well. They also emphasize the mental and strategic aspects of marksmanship.

“Qualification should be a confidence booster for both the operator and their leadership, underscoring the importance of mental readiness in addition to physical skill,” said Fannon.

Fannon’s insights into marksmanship training highlight how critical it is for Soldiers to develop the ability to think strategically.

“Practice will challenge the operator to trust their skill set by forcing the quick acquisition of stable firing positions,” he said. “Engaging targets at limited exposure times furthers the development of the mental chess match, a necessary skill when facing a well-equipped enemy.”

The fielding of the NGSW is a critical step toward ensuring that the U.S. Army remains at the cutting edge of combat technology. However, as these recent training exercises demonstrate, success in battle is not solely about the weapons you carry. The real key lies in the integration of new technologies with ongoing training, mental preparation and an emphasis on marksmanship fundamentals.

“The weapon system’s capabilities alone are impressive, but it’s the Soldiers’ ability to effectively use those capabilities that will determine success on the battlefield,” said Rosario.

By embracing a holistic approach to training that combines advanced technology with foundational skills, the U.S. Army is preparing its Soldiers for the future warfare.

By MSG Kulani Lakanaria

Posted in Army, Guest Post, Training, weapons | Comments Off on US Army Marksmanship Unit Prepares Soldiers with New Weapons System

New Dismounted Spectrum Warfare System Rapidly Addresses Critical Army Need

Monday, December 16th, 2024

Fueled by the tailored use of acquisition pathways, Program Executive Office Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors (PEO IEW&S) greatly accelerated the timeline to field the Terrestrial Layer System – Brigade Combat Team (TLS BCT) Manpack. Soldiers and Army units received the system this past summer, marking the first unit issued milestone in providing an asymmetric advantage in the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS).

The TLS BCT Manpack is a fully configurable system capable of conducting radio frequency (RF) surveying, signals collection and direction-finding operations, electromagnetic attack and force protection operations, as well as EMS visualization and scanning/surveying operations. The system provides both mobile electronic attack (EA) and electronic support (ES) capabilities to inform the Commander’s decision-making process.

As the rebirth of the Electronic Warfare Corps within the Army is still recent, having a system that allows the pairing of non-kinetic options with the pre-existing kinetic weapons is key to fighting in a Multi-Domain environment.

“The TLS BCT Manpack system is providing the BCT Commander a tactical advantage with a robust state-of-the-art mobile EW capability for Multi-Domain Operations,”

said Maj. Austin Knighton, Assistant Product Manager for TLS BCT Manpack. The system is the Army’s first tailorable, modular, terrestrial capability that allows the integration of signals intelligence (SIGINT) and EW collection, processing, exploitation, reporting, and effects capabilities within the SIGINT Collection Team and Electronic Warfare Team elements.

“The TLS Manpack is a proven EW technology based on a design originally fielded to Army Special Operations Forces. It leverages existing COTS (commercial off the shelf technology) equipment that provides direction-finding capabilities to the tactical edge,” said Col. Leslie Gorman, Army Capability Manager – Electronic Warfare (ACM EW) Director. “Its smaller form factor and relatively light weight add to its functionality, important features for EW Soldiers supporting light infantry units.”

Getting the new EW capability into Soldiers’ hands was due in large part to the efforts of Project Manager Electronic Warfare & Cyber (PM EW&C), ACM EW, ACM Intelligence Sensors (ACM IS), the Army Test and Evaluation Center, and Electronic Warfare Officers (EWOs) in multiple operational units, to include the new Transform in Contact (TIC) units.

“This expeditious and near record turnaround was made possible by rapid prototyping and rapid fielding — underscoring the utility of Middle Tier Acquisition (MTA) to quickly bring a capability to fruition,” said Ken Strayer, PM EW&C. “Such focused urgency and execution to demonstrate, test, and rapidly procure this modular and mobile system is making a significant contribution to winning the EMS fight.”

In just a year, the TLS BCT Manpack program received requirements and achieved a production and fielding decision from the Army Acquisition Executive (AAE) with an initial fielding quantity award.

“The reason why we leaned forward to expedite TLS BCT Manpack fielding was to get the capability out to Soldiers, foremost the designated TIC units,” said Gorman. “This enables the ACM EW team to conduct immersive experimentation and operational feedback opportunities with EW Soldiers using TLS BCT Manpack and the PM. The feedback from these sessions will directly impact capability improvements.”

Specifically, the Soldiers provided human systems integration feedback through surveys and hands-on events. They looked at the size, weight, and power of the systems as well as the safety, survivability and usability of the user interface in both at the halt and on the move configurations. User feedback and recommendations were captured, vetted, and prioritized. EW Warfighters are now directly involved in designing systems that allow them to accomplish their mission.

“The system is going to be deployed to every brigade combat unit in the Army,” said Strayer. “This is exciting because we are finally getting program sensor data within an enduring capability out and into the hands of our electronic warfare officers, something we have been on a glide path for the last two years.”

The system has already been fielded to two TIC units with a plan to field up to two BCTs a month over the course of the next three years. PEO IEW&S delivers capability now through affordable and adaptable programs that pace the threat. The TLS BCT Manpack is part of the PM EW&C Portfolio with the mission to develop and field integrated capabilities for spectrum warfare.

By Brandon Pollachek | PEO IEW&S

Posted in Army, EW, Guest Post | Comments Off on New Dismounted Spectrum Warfare System Rapidly Addresses Critical Army Need