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Red Cat Announces Production Selection for U.S. Army Short Range Reconnaissance Program

Thursday, November 21st, 2024

Red Cat’s next generation Teal system will be the Army’s Program of Record SRR sUAS, concluding the rigorous, multi-tranche competitive process

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Nov. 19, 2024 — Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: RCAT) (“Red Cat”), a leading American drone technology company, has been selected as the winner of the U.S. Army’s Short Range Reconnaissance (SRR) Program of Record. The production selection was made after a test and evaluation process of Teal’s next generation sUAS, completed by the Army Project Management Office for Uncrewed Aircraft Systems, Army Maneuver Battle Lab, Army Test and Evaluation Command, and Army Operational Test Center.

“This is a powerful moment in time, coming after five years of blood, sweat, and tears put into SRR by our incredible team. The long-awaited production selection marks a new era for our company and the future of American drones,” said George Matus, founder of Teal and CTO of Red Cat. “We were selected based on soldier feedback, technical performance, volume manufacturability, and system cost. Our top priority now is to start ramping production of the next generation system, recently announced as the Black Widow and WEB, and give warfighters the tools they need to be successful on the modern battlefield.”

“Warfare has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past two years, with a significant shift towards drone technology, exemplified by the SRR Black Widow. It is an honor to support the U.S. Army by delivering the Black Widow to our warfighters. We believe this advanced technology will enable the Army to shape the battlefield, save soldiers’ lives, and serve as a powerful tool in their arsenal,” said Jeff Thompson, CEO of Red Cat. “This long-term contract will give us the capability to continue to improve the Black Widow, scale production and improve margins.”

“Both the operational and tactical levels of war and maneuver of combat elements have evolved significantly over the past couple of years,” said Paul Edward Funk II, retired Four-Star Army General and Red Cat board member. “Operational success today depends on the ability to seamlessly move data across the battlefield. From a tactical perspective, small unmanned aerial systems that are rucksack portable are playing a vital role in Intelligence Surveillance & Reconnaissance, as well as surgical strike capabilities based on the real-time needs of the warfighter.”

The SRR contract selection builds on significant momentum for Red Cat, with the acquisition of FlightWave Aerospace, the announcement of the ARACHNID™ family of systems, and the creation of the Red Cat Futures Initiative. The company is focused on ramping production of Teal’s next generation system to meet the Army’s currently stated acquisition objective for 5,880 systems, which is subject to change over the 5 year period of performance. Red Cat is also preparing to meet increased demand across the rest of the U.S. DoD, federal government, and allied countries, to support operators and warfighters globally.

For more information about Red Cat and the U.S. Army’s Short-Range Reconnaissance Program of Record, please visit www.redcat.red.

Posted in Army, Contracts, Press Release, UAS | 2 Comments »

Meet the Paratrooper Who Jumped Out of a Plane 100 times — and He’s Just Getting Started

Thursday, November 21st, 2024

AVIANO, Italy — Jumping out of an airplane is a feat that demands both courage and trust. Now imagine doing it 100 times. That’s exactly what 1st Sgt. Jovon Propst, Spartan Company, 54th Brigade Engineer Battalion, achieved on October 9, 2024, when he made the jump, earning the prestigious title of centurion paratrooper.

“I get asked all the time, ‘How did you make it that far?’ I say, ‘My jumps don’t get scratched. It’s just my luck,” Propst said.

Born in Concord, North Carolina, and raised in the vibrant heart of New York City, Propst’s journey to becoming a centurion paratrooper is as dynamic as his personality.

“When it comes to the weather or a mission, it’s always a go for me,” he said. “I’ve had a very intriguing career.”

Propst’s military career began with the now disbanded 307th Engineer Battalion at Fort Liberty. From there, his dedication and skill led him to 3rd Special Forces Group, where he earned the coveted jumpmaster title.

His journey didn’t stop there; he continued to make his mark in the 425th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 11th Airborne Division, stationed in Alaska. It was in Alaska that Propst served as a drop zone safety officer under Col. Joshua Gaspard, who was a squadron commander at the time. Their time together solidified Propst’s reputation as a calm and dependable leader, especially in high-pressure airborne operations. Propst is now serving under Col. Gaspard for the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Italy.

Propst’s love for adrenaline doesn’t end with the Army. He once volunteered as a firefighter in Bell County, Texas — a role that allowed him to continue serving others while feeding his need for action.

For now, Propst remains committed to the Army, calling it home. However, when the time comes to hang up his uniform, he’s already looking ahead to his next adrenaline-fueled mission. After retirement, he plans on becoming a smokejumper so he can fight forest fires from the sky. Propst’s journey from paratrooper to potential smokejumper shows that for some, the sky isn’t the limit — it’s just the beginning.

By CPT Jennifer French

Posted in Army, Guest Post, Parachuting | 3 Comments »

Registration Now Open for the 2025 U.S. Army Small Arms Championships

Monday, November 18th, 2024

Soldiers from across the U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserve, National Guard and Air National Guard are invited to attend.

Military Academy, College ROTC cadets and OCS candidates are also eligible to compete.

Soldiers will have the opportunity to learn from USAMU instructors before competing in rifle, pistol, and multi-gun matches.

Posted in Army, Profession of Arms | 1 Comment »

TacJobs – Army MOS 51C Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology Contracting Noncommissioned Officer

Monday, November 18th, 2024

Did you know the Army is looking for NCOs to reclassify into MOS 51C, Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology Contracting Noncommissioned Officer?

The MOS was established in December 2006 to meet the Army’s need for contingency contracting officers

Applicants must be in the ranks of promotable sergeant, staff sergeant, or sergeant first class with less than 10 years of service. Those with 13 years’ service may receive waivers.

If selected, you will attend the nine-week Army Acquistion Transition Course (AATC) at The Army Acquisition School (TAAS) located on the University of Alabama, Huntsville campus.

To learn more, visit asc.army.mil/web/topics/51c-rec.

Posted in Army, TacJobs | 2 Comments »

Red Dragon Snipers Showcase Skill at Finnish Championship

Saturday, November 16th, 2024

RICHMOND, Va. – For the third consecutive year, snipers from the 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team traveled to Finland to compete against their international peers at the HÄYHÄ 2024 Sniper Shooting Championship.

Three Red Dragon snipers — Staff Sgt. Joshua Johnson, Sgt. James O’Connell and Spc. Jonathan Farrar — competed Sept. 20-22 at a training site near Imatra, Finland.

“Being a sniper is the privilege of a lifetime,” O’Connell said. “It is something I’ve wanted to do since before I joined and something I’ve earned through hard work and a genuine love of country. Competing internationally is an honor I hope to earn again.”

The multiday event included numerous stages designed to test the snipers on their craft.

“While shooting was the central focus of the event, the Finnish cadre clearly demonstrated an understanding that our jobs are more than just being good behind the rifle,” O’Connell said.

Competitors had to prove their competency with skills, including tactical casualty care and calling in air support, and numerous physical challenges. O’Connell said those skills and the ability to conquer challenges using “raw physical strength” are all “critical to a sniper’s role” and part of what sets the sniper apart from the basic marksman.

“The competition was very dynamic and each event would require you to create a plan in less than 5 minutes and execute the plan,” Farrar said. “Events were timed and would require you to stealthily set up your shooting positions prior to engagements.”

To prepare for the competition, the three first trained independently. Farrar said he focused on “running, rucking and doing calisthenics” to face the physical challenges. Then, the snipers came together at Fort Barfoot for several days of more focused training.

“We trained on shooting in various positions, making simultaneous shots, stress shooting and stalking,” Farrar said.

O’Connell said the team focused on tackling targets at unknown distances and firing from the standing position.

“On my own time, I studied formulas I would use, focused on my physical exercise routine and on endurance cardio, and got trigger time on my personal rifle to stay sharp,” he said.

The snipers finished 9th out of 14 teams. Each Virginia sniper expressed appreciation for the work put in by their Finnish hosts and left the competition with a few valuable lessons.

“I learned that there’s a surprising amount of overlap in the way that we and the rest of NATO do things as snipers,” O’Connell said. “I feel confident that if I had an English-speaking Finn as my spotter, we would have no trouble working together and getting a good effect on target.”

Farrar called the HÄYHÄ 2024 Sniper Shooting Championship his best military experience to date.

“I enjoyed the competition because it was challenging [and] I was able to build relationships with the other competitors,” Farrar said. “Our community is small and we are always looking for ways to become better and more lethal.”

By SFC Terra C. Gatti, Virginia National Guard Public Affairs Office

Posted in Army, Guest Post | Comments Off on Red Dragon Snipers Showcase Skill at Finnish Championship

1st Security Force Assistance Brigade Soldiers Validate Critical Skills

Friday, November 15th, 2024

FORT MOORE, Ga. — U.S. Army advisors assigned to the 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade successfully completed the Training Readiness Assessment Program held from Oct. 28 to Nov. 1, 2024, on Fort Moore, Georgia, validating their critical skills to support foreign security force partners across Central and South America.

The Training Readiness Assessment Program, known as TRAP, is a comprehensive and rigorous gated training program, assesses each advisor’s proficiency in key skills needed for their deployment missions. Throughout the week-long program, advisors in the unit’s Force Package 25-2 were evaluated on various tactical and technical competencies, including calling for artillery fire, conducting casualty treatment and evaluation, operating communications equipment, and qualifying with the M4 and M17 weapon systems.

“Leaders need to understand the current skills and fitness of their formation. Due to the work we do, in the organization we do it, success or failure comes down to individual Advisors in the field. TRAP provides a venue for assessing each Advisor’s strengths and shortcomings in a standardized, mission-focused exercise. The insight gained from TRAP helps command teams determine future training requirements and organizational priorities,” said Capt. William Romine, a U.S. Army advisor assigned to 1st Battalion, 1st SFAB.

The advisors also demonstrated physical readiness by completing several physically demanding events, including ruck marches and a station-based fitness event. The latter challenged advisors to move from station to station, performing individual tasks to reinforce their ability to operate under pressure and validate their skills before advancing.

This emphasis on physical fitness and stamina is integral to the advisors’ roles, ensuring they’re prepared for the high-stakes environments they may face while deployed.

“TRAP is essential because it ensures advisors have the individual skills necessary to advise and support our partner forces. From combat skills to physical capability to military professionalism, TRAP provides the final check of each advisor’s attributes prior to moving into team-focused, collective training,” said Romine.

“I particularly enjoyed the combination of physical tests and marksmanship. These two facets of soldiering are significant to me, and it has been a while since I had the opportunity to focus on my proficiency in these areas,” he added.

Each skill demonstrated by the advisors during TRAP is closely aligned with the mission requirements they will face in their assignments abroad, if they were to deploy in a large-scale combat operation.

The ability to effectively call for artillery support is critical in joint operations with partner forces. Similarly, their training in medical response and casualty treatment helps advisors remain self-sufficient and responsive in unpredictable situations. Effective communications skills, tested during the program, further enable advisors to coordinate and integrate with foreign security partners seamlessly.

The TRAP signals the end of their individual training phase, and the advisors will now advance to collective training where they will receive further training on assess, liaise, support, and advise operations in competition, crisis, and conflict scenarios.

As Force Package 25-2, the 1st SFAB advisors are preparing to deploy to Central and South America, equipped and validated to support partner nation forces across Central and South, strengthening alliances and building partner capacity to address regional security challenges.

By MAJ Jason Elmore

Posted in Army, Forces Focus, Guest Post | Comments Off on 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade Soldiers Validate Critical Skills

Calling All Active Duty 1st AD Females

Sunday, November 10th, 2024

The 1st Armored Division is conducting a field hygiene and urogenital study.

If you wish to participate, contact the POC on the image.

Posted in Army, For the Ladies, Guest Post, Medical | 4 Comments »

Army Experiments with Capabilities, Multi-Domain Integration at Vanguard 24

Saturday, November 9th, 2024

FORT HUACHUCA, Ariz. — The 3rd Multi-Domain Effects Battalion, 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force, partnered with the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence, Joint and Allied forces, and industry partners to execute the Vanguard 24 experiment from September 8-24, 2024.

Mission-tailored teams of 3rd MDEB Soldiers operated from the 1st Lt. John R. Fox Multi-Domain Range, the Buffalo Soldier Electronic Test Range and other training areas in the Southwest. Vanguard provided a venue for 3rd MDEB Soldiers to experiment with and assess various cutting-edge sensors, high altitude platforms and data transport solutions that are not yet Army programs of record.

“Multi-Domain Task Forces are the signature formations for the Army’s continual transformation. The emerging capabilities our Soldiers are training on help inform the Army on which capabilities should be pursued and possibly developed further and integrated at scale across the Army and DOD,” said Col. Michael Rose, 3rd MDTF commander.

These teams executed training and experimentation focused on integrating cyber, electronic warfare, extended range sensing and data transfer. The distances between training areas and teams replicated the distances required to operate in the Indo-Pacific Command theater, where 3rd MDTF is assigned.

“The challenge with extended range multi-domain sensing comes down to several problem sets — platforms, payloads, data backhaul and analysis. Vanguard provided the venue for the MDEB to tackle each of these problem sets at operationally relevant distances,” said Rose.

“My team was able to effectively locate signals of interest, aggregate the sensor data, pass it back to the MDEB tactical command post at Fort Huachuca, then integrate the data into mission command systems to include the Army Intelligence Data Platform, and send the data to the TF level All Domain Operations Center back in Hawaii,” said MDEB Commander Lt. Col. Pablo Diaz. “We met our key training objectives and look forward to taking the lessons learned to keep pushing the envelope.”

Objectives for 3rd MDEB were to experiment with high altitude and persistent platforms such as high-altitude balloons and unmanned aerial systems, various electronic warfare and cyber payloads, long range data backhaul solutions and validate defensive cyber capabilities

Vanguard 24 is an annual capstone experiment that provides a venue to explore, integrate, and test emerging technologies, tools, and concepts that address specific capability gaps and future warfighting requirements.

Vanguard provided capabilities development, testing, and training elements, with an INDOPACOM operational scenario that expanded the scope and scale of the experiment, which spanned from Fort Huachuca’s Buffalo Soldier Electronic Test Range and 1st Lt. John R. Fox Multi-Domain Operations Range, as well as across the Southwestern U.S.

By MAJ Stephen Page

Posted in Army, Cyber, EW, Forces Focus, Guest Post, ISR, UAS | Comments Off on Army Experiments with Capabilities, Multi-Domain Integration at Vanguard 24