Blackheart International has launched a new website intended specifically for communications requirements.
Primarily informational, the new BHI commo site is great for contracting officers and other procurement personnel. It’s easy to use and presents all of the critical information on the top-selling commo brands in one location. The site also includes part numbers and descriptions on those hard-to-find components and sub-assemblies and all part numbers are designated as “GSA schedule” where applicable, so there’s no confusion as to whether an item is on BHI’s GSA schedule or not.
Silynx Communications gave us a sneak peek of their new Mini C4Grip at SHOT Show. Designed at the request of a customer who was looking for a shorter version of the grip, Silynx produced this prototype.
The one thing you do unfortunately lose is the cool multi-tool that is stored in the full-size model. But, you maintain the all of the wireless controls for push-to-talk as well as for an ATPIAL and weapons light. Additionally, it accepts a SureFire light head.
We’ve mentioned the Persistent Close Air Support (PCAS) program in the past. Remember the Vuzix Next Generation Display Technology we wrote about last Spring? It’s a major enabling technology but there’s still a lot going on.
Raytheon is the prime for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) PCAS program which is intended to allow the joint terminal attack controller (JTAC) the ability to rapidly engage multiple, moving and simultaneous targets within his area of responsibility. Additionally, the system will be designed to reduce collateral damage and potential fratricide to friendly forces. What’s more, PCAS is taking a ‘system-of-systems’ approach demonstrating the ability to digitally task a CAS platform from the ground.
DARPA’s been working the software, man-machine interface and JTAC portions of the program hard. The missing piece has been the aircraft in the loop. Recently, Aurora Flight Sciences was chosen to convert an A-10 CAS platform into an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) which may well be the most ambitious element of the program. Despite the Air Force’s long-term goal of retiring the most successful CAS aircraft ever built, ground forces are one step closer to controlling their own CAS. We foresee a day where ground force commanders own purpose-built CAS platforms controlled by non-rated JTACs.
Blackheart International was set up just around the corner from US Night Vision at SHOT Show. Looks like they saw the PVS14 iPhone Adapter we wrote about.
I still think this was one of the best things that came out of SHOT Show this year. The concept is pretty simple and combines the strengths of night vision and digital imagery. The adapter connects the AN/PVS14 to an iPhone. You can use your preferred digital photography app to capture and manipulate stills and full motion video. Then, it’s as simple as transmitting the data via SMS or email.
Silynx Communications Equipment Featured in Relativity Media’s and Bandito Brothers’ Navy SEAL Action-Thriller Act of Valor
Silynx Communications, Inc, is a company that outfits the pointy end of the spear so it was no surprise to hear that they were chosen for use in the upcoming movie ‘Act of Valor.’ If you’ve heard anything about ‘Act of Valor’ you’ve probably heard that they emphasized realism in the production. I mean, they used active duty Navy SEALs. I’m also happy to hear that they insisted on the right gear. For many, comms gear might seem trivial, but for an operator his communications equipment is his lifeline to team mates as well as outside support including fire support, resupply, and extraction.
Produced and directed by former Baja 1000 champion Mike “Mouse†McCoy and former stuntman Scott Waugh, and written by Kurt Johnstad (300), the Bandito Brothers’ ‘Act of Valor’ tells a story that takes audiences on an edge-of-their-seat journey, when a mission to recover a kidnapped CIA operative unexpectedly results in the discovery of an imminent global threat, an elite team of highly-trained Navy SEALs must immediately embark on a secret operation, the outcome of which will determine the fate of us all.
In a press release, Silynx CEO Gil Limonchik said, “Silynx is honored to be part of a film that shows the world just what the men and women in the U.S. military undertake to protect our nation and its citizens. With the film inspired by actual missions, Silynx’s equipment is shown in use by SEALs who depend on communications and hearing protection/enhancement systems for mission success day in and day out. It is our mission to equip the warfighter with the most technologically advanced communications systems that provide flawless and life-saving communications and situational awareness. Silynx works directly with the Special Forces Community to provide continuous improvements to our products, and are honored that our equipment has become such an important part of the SEAL’s combat effectiveness.”
‘Act of Valor’ hits theaters this Friday. Who’s going?
You may not be familiar with the name Atlantic Signal but they have a long history of producing specialized communications devices beginning in 1989 as New Eagle. Additionally, they’ve worked with Peltor on headset systems.
The real heart of this waterproof headset is the bone conduction technology which allows the user to “hear” radio communications through the facial bones rather than the ear canals. This can greatly enhance the situational awareness of the user because the ears are uncovered and free to hear ambient sounds. Naturally, the downside of this is that the ears are unprotected. This is why Atlantic Signal integrated the CAE technology.
They’ve taken their popular MH180V bone conduction headset and integrated the US Military approved 4th generation COMBAT ARMS EARPLUGS. The CAE offers an advantage that the wearer can hear ambient low level sounds but through a passive system the CAE blocks high noise including vehicle noises.
The audio transducers which are part of the bone conduction technology are located inside the headset housings positioned in the front of the ears. Incoming radio transmissions are transferred to the transducers, then through the temporal bones of the face and received in the inner ear.
In order to customize the fit, the wearer can choose from one of four different lengths (S-XL) of vertical, stainless steel, head frames. Additionally, the CAE can be stored in a holster on the headset when not needed. This keeps them close at hand, out of the way, and (relatively) clean.
Here, Atlantic Signal shows their Gladiator V Headset with integrated Mil Spec hearing protection. In the video, they not only highlight the salient features of the headset but also show how it can be worn with several standard military helmets.
Units and agencies can procure Atlantic Signal headsets through ADS.
Early this week, the Department of National Defence of Canada released a Request for Proposals for their next generation Soldier system. According to DND, “Integrated Soldier System Project will provide the soldier with an integrated suite of equipment that includes weapon accessories, electronic devices, sensors, individual equipment and operational clothing. This soldier system will significantly increase soldier performance, as soldiers and low-level command centres will seamlessly share data and voice communications through a network. This capability will facilitate effective and timely interaction. As a result, soldiers will have more comprehensive situational awareness, real-time tactical information and greater synchronization of activity.” What we’ve got here is a classic Soldier digitization program straight out of the 90s. It is another attempt to integrate sensors and comms onto the Soldier as a platform in order to increase Situational Awareness which will result increased survivability and lethality.
Diagram – Canada DND
They intend to award two contracts to one successful bidder. According to the RFP these two contracts consist of:
“The first contract, called the ISS Acquisition Contract will be over an approximate period of four (4) years and will consist of a qualification of the ISS and then, if successfully qualified, the purchase of a firm quantity of ISS in pre-determined batches totaling one thousand six hundred (1,600) units as complete system along with associated preliminary Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) such as technical documentation, training and initial provisioning of spares, with the option to purchase, in multiple parts, optional quantities up to an additional five thousand twenty four (5,024) ISS-Suites as complete system or component by component.
The second contract, called the ISS Optimized Weapon System Support Contract, will be for the ISS In-Service Support and Improvement Activities over a period of five (5) years plus 3 two-year irrevocable options allowing Canada to extend the term of the Contract.”
Potential offerors have until 2012-04-18 02:00 PM Eastern Daylight Saving Time EDT to submit their proposals. The ISSP RFP is available on Merx, the Canadian equivalent of FedBizOpps.
At SHOT Show 2012 Silynx Communications introduced their new 20m immersible hearing protection/enhancement headset system; H2Ops. A derivative of their flagship C4OPS, the H2Ops is a modular headset designed for maritime, urban and covert missions. It includes a new 20m immersible low profile micro wireless Push To Talk (PTT) designed to fit on a Picatinny rail or MOLLE vest.
The complete Silynx line is available for unit and agency purchase from www.adsinc.com.
