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AUSA 24 – FN Lightweight Intermediate Caliber Cartridge (LICC) Individual Weapon System (IWS) Update

Monday, October 28th, 2024

We initially showed you the FN Lightweight Intermediate Caliber Cartridge (LICC) Individual Weapon System (IWS) just before SHOT Show 2023. Since then, it’s undergone some improvements. FN America exhibited version 2.2 of the IWS at this year’s AUSA.

Here we see the 11.5″ Close Quarter Battle version with the 2.1 selector (it has been modified slightly more based on user feedback) and slightly larger charging handles as well as an improved buttstock mount. Changes to the operating system have also improved the feeding of the carbine.

This is the latest version of the dedicated magazine, produced by Magpul.

The carbine and machine gun are both chambered to fire the Lightweight Intermediate Caliber Cartridge (LICC) in .264 USA which was initially developed by the the Army Marksmanship Unit. As you can see, the case is steel.

Here’s a look at the stock which both folds and is collapsible.

Seen here is the latest suppressor, from HUXWRX.

In mid-November, FN will join the Irregular Warfare Technology Support Directorate (IWTSD) program office in delivering carbines, machine guns, and ammunition to the SOF user community for evaluation.

Posted in Ammo, AUSA, weapons | 16 Comments »

AUSA 24 – Norotos Updates Lo-Sto Mount

Thursday, October 24th, 2024

Norotos has updated their popular Lo-Sto mount for night vision goggles. It accepts both horn and dovetail style NVGs, now including ball and detent goggles (4949, 5050, and ANVIS-6).

Here you can see that it allows power plug into the mount to facilitate automatic shutdown when raised.

Features:

-Ergonomically Optimized Vertical, Tilt, and Fore/Aft-Eye-Relief Adjustment Levers for a custom-fit user experience
-Helmet Mount Release Button allows quick one-handed release from Helmet Bracket or Shroud
-Break Away Button permits user set breakaway or locked mode depending on operational needs with user adjustable tension release
-Push Button Deploy/Stow Release enables single-handed smooth & quiet NVG flip-up/flip-down
-Low Stow minimal visual aspect in stow position
-Horn & Dovetail NVG Interchangeability with dual sockets for quick-change conversion

norotos.com/products/lo-sto-helmet-mount-push-button

Posted in AUSA, Helmets, Optics | Comments Off on AUSA 24 – Norotos Updates Lo-Sto Mount

AUSA 24 – EXTRAGUARD by GORE-TEX Defense Fabrics

Thursday, October 24th, 2024

Imagine a lightweight, highly durable footwear upper material with very low water absorption. Meet EXTRAGUARD.

This boot is from German manufacturer Meindel.

I first became aware of the EXTRAGUARD material at Enforce Tac and was pleasantly surprised to see a couple of boots featuring this new footwear technology from GORE-TEX Military Fabrics at AUSA. I immediately considered it for hot, wet aka jungle boots, but it looks like a couple of European brands are creating new temperate models.

This boot is by Slovak brand BOSP.

EXTRAGUARD isn’t a membrane like you’d expect from WL Gore & Co. Instead, it’s a stand alone material that looks like leather. It is sealed with GORE Seam Tape and may be used in conjunction with a GORE-TEX lining (inner bootie construction) for additional environmental protection.

Its durability and low water absorption means it doesn’t wrinkle, crease, warp, or fade. It’s also 40% lighter than leather and has low conductive heat loss when wet. It also dries faster than leather and doesn’t look worn out once it’s dry.

Posted in Advertiser, AUSA, Boots, Materials | Comments Off on AUSA 24 – EXTRAGUARD by GORE-TEX Defense Fabrics

AUSA 24 – MG Technologies LMG-A-GP

Thursday, October 24th, 2024

I ran across the belt-fed machine gun mentioned in a recent NDIA poster in the RD USA booth.

Designed under a Cooperative Research And Development Agreement (CRADA) with United States Special Operations Command as a demonstrator to improve the capabilities of the current Mk48 Machine Gun, the LMG-A-GP from MG Technologies has dropped the weight to about 15 lbs. The weight is dependent on selected barrel length with quick change barrels available in 12.5″ to 18″.

Like the Mk48 it is chambered in 7.62 NATO, but convertible to 6.5 Creedmoor and 300 BLK. The operating system relies on continuous recoil with no rearward bolt carrier impact on the receiver.

While it wasn’t designed specifically for SOCOM’s current Lightweight Machine Gun – Assault program, it certainly could be a contender.

For more info, contact info@mgtech-usa.com.

Posted in AUSA, SOF, weapons | 10 Comments »

AUSA 24 – DefendTex Vengeance FPV Drone

Thursday, October 24th, 2024

One of my personal missions at AUSA was to seek out truly attritable drones. One of the things I’ve taken away from the war in Ukraine is that with a consumption rate in excess of 10,000 per month, the attritable drone is the 155 shell of the future. These small, low-cost, disposable unmanned aerial systems are upending how we will conduct warfare. They are highly adaptable and are under constant revision as enemy TTPs adapt to their use. We’ve got to have something just as robust. In the hands of innovative American troops like SOCOM’s new robotics specialists, drones will be devastating.

Attritable, or consumable, apparently means a lot of things to a lot of people. For instance, when the Defense Innovation Unit’s Replicator initiative went to industry seeking out attritable drones they ended up buying AeroVironment Switchblade-600 loitering munition. A fine weapon to be sure, but our nation can hardly afford to expend them at the rate seen in Ukraine. If anything, our future adversaries are going to throw an order of magnitude more at us and we’ll need to be able to respond in kind.

One of the examples I ran across is from Australian small business DefendTex. They first impressed me years ago with their innovative Drone40.

The Vengeance is a First Person View drone manufactured in Australia and has been submitted to the US for Blue certification.

Offered in 7″, 8″, 10″, and 13″ models, it can carry up to 10kg of explosive ordinance over a distance greater than 20kms.

It is built with a goal of around $1000 per copy in mass production and features simple construction using zip ties in some instances and a single circuit board integrating flight control, ESC, OSD, VTX connector and servo output.

Although it is an FPV drone, it can be configured for autonomous terminal guidance as well as swarm tactics.

Posted in AUSA, Disruptive Tech, UAS | 2 Comments »

AUSA 24 – Danner Sonic Boot

Tuesday, October 22nd, 2024

While many of the items you’ll see at AUSA are ready to go right now, Danner gave us a sneak peek of the upcoming Sonic.

This lightweight boot is TAA compliant and features the Resurge high-density EVA midsole for comfort with an upper made from Perspair textile which is abrasion resistant and breathable. Inside there’s a moisture wicking air mesh lining.

It’s AR 670-1 and AFI 36-2903 compliant. Coming February 2025 from Danner.

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AUSA 24 – Deloitte Robotic Concept

Tuesday, October 22nd, 2024

Not all robots on the battlefield are going to look like the Terminator. In fact, few will. Take for example this model from Deloitte which looks like a remote control car minus the body. The vast majority of uncrewed systems of the future will be attritable, essentially one-time-use affairs with specific missions in mind. They’ll also be configurable with difference payloads and we will likely see swarming of ground systems to overwhelm an enemy’s ground forces with targets that may not be what they seem on a screen. Imagine creating a mini task force of robots with ISR, EW, and kinetic payloads on a platoon of robots and unleashing them on the flank of an enemy vehicle column. You can get the desired effect without ever putting a human at risk.

Posted in AUSA, Robotics | 1 Comment »

AUSA 24 – Optics 1 SURF Laser Rangefinder

Tuesday, October 22nd, 2024

The new SURF Laser Rangefinder from Optics 1 features an eyeshade laser and a more ergonomic form factor, more akin to the popular golf-style models, gripped vertically.

Coming soon from Optics 1.

Posted in Advertiser, AUSA, Lights, Optics | Comments Off on AUSA 24 – Optics 1 SURF Laser Rangefinder