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Unity Tactical Launches Modular Attach Rail Kit 2.0

Tuesday, February 9th, 2021

Unity Tactical is excited to announce the launch of MARK 2.0. The Modular Attach Rail Kit 2.0 replaces the original MARK kit and improves upon the design and manufacture.  It features more compatibility compared to its predecessor. The MARK line of helmet rail mounts for communications headsets is the smallest, lightest, and most modular system for attaching currently fielded headsets to helmets. The MARK 2.0 improves upon the original by expanding the list of helmet rails with which it is compatible.

The Modular Attached Rail Kit (MARK) 2.0 allows the end user to seamlessly integrate their hearing protection and/or integrated communications into their headborne systems and improve the consistent seal of ear protection. The MARK 2.0 is compatible with most major helmet types and the most popular electronic hearing protection.  The MARK 2.0 Kit will work with 3M Peltor™ Headsets right of the package.  If attaching to Sordin/MSA™ style headsets, use the SARA Adapters (sold separately).

The MARK 2.0 Kit comes with all hardware for attachment to Ops-Core ARC™ (and similar) and Team Wendy EXFIL™ Gen 2 and 3 rails.  An M-LOK™ Adapter Kit is sold separately for compatibility with MTEK and Hard Head Veterans brand helmets.  The wider ARC™ backers allow for more compatibility with non-standard ARC-type rails than the previous model.

MARK 2.0 is the lowest profile headset helmet mount on the market.  Rather than using a traditional pop-in/pop-out mechanism, MARK2.0 is simply pulled away from the ears and rotated backwards for stowage.  The aggressive wire forms ensure the strongest ear cup seal when engaged.

Constructed of impact-resistant polymer, the MARK 2.0 is designed for use in the most austere environments.

Available now!

Army Spectrum-Sensing Technology to Help Units Avoid Detection

Tuesday, February 9th, 2021

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. (Feb. 3, 2021) – The Army is improving situational awareness of the electromagnetic battlefield by developing spectrum-sensing capabilities that provide Soldiers with greater awareness of their own radio emissions.

Soldiers currently cannot “see” their own radio emissions within the radio frequency spectrum, putting them at risk of detection by adversaries. The Army’s spectrum awareness effort provides intuitive graphic overlays that enable Soldiers to visualize the energy emitting from their radio frequency systems, said Jonathan Lee, an engineer with the Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) Center – a component of Army Futures Command’s Combat Capabilities Development Command.

“Knowing what we look like to the enemy from an electromagnetic perspective is a critical capability at all echelons of the Army,” said Lee. “This technology improves one’s situational understanding of the electromagnetic environment. It will enhance units’ ability to determine if a signal is friendly or malicious, and it will aid in planning maneuvers.”

Spectrum awareness is one of eight promising Army-developed science and technology efforts the Network Cross-Functional Team (CFT) has prioritized to receive research, development, test, and evaluation prototyping funds to move from early research and development to the demonstration and validation phase.

“Today, we need to be more judicious in order to increase survivability, specifically for our command posts where technology that transmits is most dense,” said Chief Warrant Officer 5 Chris Westbrook, N-CFT chief of marketing research and senior technical advisor. “This effort is going a long way to informing network design and our capability sets.”

Fiscal year 2020 is the first year the Network CFT requested and received prototyping funds aligned to science and technology integration efforts in support of future network capability sets.

“The funding is allowing the science and technology community to take the next step in developing spectrum awareness capabilities that will address capability gaps for the Army,” said Lee. “We believed this technology could be further matured to support additional complex propagation environments and support the identification of new and complex signal types. More work has to be done to further improve our situational awareness and understanding capabilities, but this funded effort is a key step in enhancing those for our Soldiers.”

Lee and his team were able to continue growing the capability from a Department of Defense technology readiness level (TRL) 4– which represents component or breadboard validation in a laboratory environment – to a TRL 6, which is a prototype ready for demonstration in an operationally relevant environment. This included further maturing capabilities for actionable intelligence and improved mission planning, such as Electronic Attack Effects Simulator (EAES) and Real Time Spectrum Situational Awareness (RTSSA).

EAES provides near-real time modeling and simulation to compute and visualize the impact of an adversarial electronic attack on a proposed course of action, thus aiding commanders in determining how best to maneuver assets within the battlespace.

RTSSA senses and compares detected spectrum against authoritative assignment data in the Joint Spectrum Data Repository to discriminate between “friendly” and adversarial communications emitters and other unauthorized radio frequency emitters, thus improving the quality of spectrum assignments and command decision support.

The C5ISR Center is partnering with the Network CFT and program executive offices (PEOs) to ensure these maturation efforts are properly vetted early for a viable and smooth transition to a program of record.

EAES, RTSSA and other C5ISR Center spectrum awareness capabilities are slated to be integrated with current and future increments of the Electromagnetic Warfare Planning Management Tool (EWPMT) – a capability under Project Manager Warfare and Cyber of PEO Intelligence Electronic Warfare and Sensors (IEW&S) that supports the commander’s military decision-making process.

“The EWPMT helps mitigate a critical vulnerability gap across most Army formations today: the ability to understand a unit’s friendly ‘foot print’ in the electromagnetic spectrum,” said Lt. Col. Jason Marshall, PEO IEW&S’s product manager for Electronic Warfare Integration (EWI). “This enables electronic warfare officers and electromagnetic spectrum manager Soldiers to inform their commander on how to conduct emission control, which ultimately enhances force protection and command post survivability in near-peer conflict.”

According to Marshall, the capability of widespread spectrum sensing contributes to a more accurate, timely, and tactically relevant understanding of the radio frequency spectrum, providing Soldiers with enhanced mission planning and the ability to inform multi-domain operations.

The C5ISR Center is working with PdM EWI to identify additional capabilities and demonstration needs. Spectrum awareness technologies are slated to be included in the first capability drops scheduled for fiscal years 2022 and 2023.

“The collaboration between the user community, research and development and acquisition is key to identifying what technologies are within the realm of possibility while refining the Soldier’s requirements as the current tactics, techniques, procedures and doctrine evolve,” Marshall said.

By Jasmyne Douglas, DEVCOM C5ISR Center Public Affairs

RE Factor Tactical – Flexible Antenna Mast

Saturday, February 6th, 2021

RE Factor Tactical’s Flexible Antenna Mast is great for those who need more flexibility and longevity from their current antenna system.

It can be woven into PALS webbing on a vest and will accept most manpackable SATCOM antennas. It is flexible, but will retain the shape you select.

www.refactortactical.com/products/flexible-antenna-mast

Silynx Launches Rugged, Adaptable FORTIS

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2021

The smart multi-radio tactical headset system—the new gold standard for elite military teams

Irvine, CA — January 25, 2021 — Silynx Communications is excited and proud to announce the launch of FORTIS, a smart, modular tactical headset system that offers users the flexibility to utilize almost any headset and communication device to fit most any operating profile. It is the long-awaited successor to Silynx’s flagship C4OPS and is ideal for elite military teams all over the world. Acting as a central communications hub, the ambidextrous Fortis push-to-talk (PTT) control box offers a two-radio solution with an onboard power, and a three-radio/four-channel solution that also offers an in-line battery option. All models include interface ports to connect FORTIS to a variety of headsets from Silynx or other manufacturers – in-ear, over-the-ear, acoustic tubes, music earbuds – as well as to many communications devices, radios, smartphones, intercom systems, and mesh radios via secure onboard metal connectors. Fortis adapts to virtually any operational profile and team preference.

Silynx Communications not only called upon its vast engineering expertise but also its industrial- design experience to create a unique, modern fluted design that is slightly tapered to conform to a user’s grip. And Fortis’ protective outer housing can be easily changed out—an industry first—and fitted with most any custom color, pattern, or team insignia. Or it can be easily changed out in the unlikely event that the housing gets damaged.

Fortis is the most advanced, adaptable communication system on the market. Its durability— including integrated onboard connectors—flexibility, and quality are simply unmatched, and it is water- submersible up to 20 meters. And, when paired with Silynx in-ear earpieces, it also boasts superior hearing protection, both passive and active, to keep users safe.

“FORTIS does have it all. We brought together all our expertise to pack it full of technology that functions effortlessly, dependably, and integrates with most any device and configuration imaginable. We have always stood alone in our attention to function and form. The FORTIS control box has a unique industrial design, which incorporates an industry-first user-changeable external housing. Our customers for Fortis are primarily elite military teams who operate to adjacent commands with multiple radios. We take that responsibility seriously and are proud of what we provide to them. They do the hard, important work.” said Matthew Hemenez, President of Silynx Communications.

Elite Naval Special Warfare Group Takes the First Look

A revered Naval Special Warfare group was first in line to put Fortis to the test. The excellence of their team—and the demands of their operations—are legendary. That said, we know all operations are filled with the high stakes and this made us thankful to be put to the test with their great team. In the coming months, if permitted, we’ll share more of their stories and feedback, so everyone can learn from their initial experiences with Fortis.

Fortis Availability

Fortis models are now available for Testing & Evaluation (T&E).

Send requests to info@silynxcom.com or visit www.silynxcom.com/product/fortis to learn more.

For more information or interviews, press only, contact:

Theresa Nguyen, Sales Operations Manager, theresa.nguyen@silynxcom.com

INVISIO’s Acquisition of Racal Acoustics Completed, Management Group Expanded

Friday, January 29th, 2021

INVISIO’s acquisition of Racal Acoustics is now completed. This strengthens INVISIO’s position as global market leader in advanced systems for communication and hearing protection for professional users.

The acquisition of Racal Acoustics, which was announced on 22 December 2020, means that INVISIO is broadening its offer with a complementary product category consisting of advanced and robust hearing protection and communications headsets for environments with constant high noise. This type of environment is found for example in large military vehicles and around aircraft.

The acquisition creates several attractive growth opportunities, both through combining Racal Acoustics’ market leading offer with INVISIO’s global sales organization and through giving INVISIO access to customers relevant to the Intercom system.

Racal Acoustics has recently completed a successful restructuring and in 2021 is expected to make a considerable contribution to INVISIO’s continued growth journey, as well as having a positive impact on profits. No material integration costs are expected.

Racal Acoustics, with its 55 employees will constitute the Group’s High Noise Excellence Center and be responsible for developing new solutions specially adapted to challenging environments with constant high noise. Products will continue to be marketed under the Racal Acoustics brand.

INVISIO’s Executive Group Management will be expanded

James Ewing, Managing Director Racal Acoustics, is now a member of INVISIO’s Executive Group Management. James has many years’ international experience from the defense and aviation industries as well as the electronics sector. He has held several executive positions in Esterline Advanced Sensors, within engineering, program management, IT and business development. James reports to INVISIO’s President and CEO.

”We welcome James to the Executive Group Management and look forward to benefiting from his wide experience. He is a natural leader for Racal Acoustics and in a short space of time has implemented a successful restructuring of the company, the results of which we can already see”, says Lars Højgård Hansen, INVISIO’s President and CEO.

Tomahawk Robotics Brings its Kinesis “Universal Robotic Controller” App for Unmanned Systems to MPU5 Networked Radio

Wednesday, January 27th, 2021

Tomahawk Robotics, developer of the Kinesis common control system, joins other industry partners using Persistent’s Wave Relay® mobile ad hoc network and associated hardware.

NEW YORK, Jan. 19, 2021 // — Persistent Systems, LLC (“Persistent”) announced today that Tomahawk Robotics has joined the Wave Relay® Ecosystem, a rapidly growing industry alliance of unmanned system and sensor companies that use Persistent’s Wave Relay® mobile ad hoc network (MANET) as their preferred network.

As part of this agreement, Tomahawk Robotics will make its Kinesis, an Android™-based common control system for leading unmanned ground vehicles and unmanned aircraft systems, available for Persistent’s MPU5 Android™-based MANET radio and Rugged Display and Controller (RDC).

“Basically, this provides a ‘universal controller’ for unmanned systems that resides on the MPU5 and is accessed with the RDC, both of which the dismounted warfighter would already be carrying,” said Brian Mcdonald, Field Operations Director at Persistent Systems. “So, you eliminate the weight and cost of extra hardware, and you bring Tomahawk’s all-encompassing Kinesis capability to everyone on the tactical team, not just the UxV operator.”

The MPU5 runs the Android operating system, enabling apps like Kinesis to be loaded directly onto the radio, while the RDC provides the touch screen, joysticks, and gamepad buttons in a formfactor the size of a commercial smartphone.

“With the intuitive, easy-to-use Kinesis, you can operate any unmanned system on the land, in the air or on the water,” said Matt Summer, CTO at Tomahawk Robotics. “You don’t need specialized controllers or training for each individual system.”

Should the mission require, as in the case of finely manipulating the arm of a bomb disposal robot, the MPU5 and RDC can operate seamlessly with the Tomahawk Robotics Mimic spatial controller.

“We look forward to collaborating with Tomahawk Robotics because, together, we are bringing the warfighter incredible capabilities in a small, lightweight package, making it easier on the user and more affordable for the customer,” Mcdonald said. 

Safariland Debuts Enhanced Liberator HP 2.0 Hearing Protection

Tuesday, January 26th, 2021

Safariland®, a brand of The Safariland Group, a leading global provider of safety products designed for the public safety, military, professional and outdoor markets, is excited to announce the release of the latest evolution of their Liberator HP Advanced Hearing Protection Headset. Liberator HP systems compress and reduce hazardous sound to safe levels inside the headset without muting other ambient sounds or audio.

“The new Liberator HP headset is the clear choice for hearing protection in environments with impulse/gunfire noise and high-decibel, constant background audio,” stated James Imhoff, VP & GM of Diversified Products at Safariland. “Safariland has built a headset that delivers unparalleled capabilities, performance and comfort. The Liberator HPs combat distracting sound with active noise cancelation while simultaneously enhancing atmospheric sounds that are crucial for effective communication and situational awareness.”

Safariland’s Liberator HP include active noise cancelation and the ability to provide a full spectrum of environmental sounds simultaneously. The multi-mode dual processor also protects against steady state noise. With up to 29 dBa of attenuation, the headset compresses harmful sound levels to approximately 82 dBa.

Liberator HP headsets provide 360 degrees ambient sound reproduction for accurate environmental sound replication, threat identification and threat localization. In speech isolation mode, end users can easily communicate face to face without the need for an intercom. Liberator HP headsets support operator concentration, safety, mission completion and help prevent user fatigue. The ability to maintain peripheral hearing and amplify potential danger signs and audio clues from the environment are unique features of Liberator HP systems and necessary for tactical missions.

Liberator HP Advanced Hearing Protection Headset System

• First of its kind, multi-mode adjustability providing Active Noise Reduction (ANR), Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and both simultaneously
• Digital Threat Compression Technology, Advanced Digital Processor, and Digital Situational Awareness Enhancement
• 160 – 300 Hour Run Time
• Firmware Updateable Electronics
• Black with red buttons (TAN499 Earcup and OD Green with black buttons also available)
• Dual Fuel Battery Compartment (either two AAA batteries or one CR123 battery)
• Adaptive Headset Suspension, easily adjustable to be worn Over-The-Head, Behind-The-Head or Rail-Mounted.
• Designed, Engineered, and Made in California, USA

Safariland’s Liberator HP Hearing Protection (Starting at $299.99) cuts up to 33dB.

goTenna Tech Talk – Remote Situational Awareness for Special Operations Forces

Wednesday, January 20th, 2021

Wes Bryant, goTenna’s SOF Business Development Lead recently presented a Tech Talk at the DSI SOF & Worldwide Operations Symposium entitled, “Remote Situational Awareness for Special Operations Forces.”

To watch the video, visit thelastmile.gotennapro.com/remote-situational-awareness-for-special-operations-forces.