TYR Tactical

Archive for the ‘Digitization’ Category

ORSM 21 – Juggernaut.Case Forearm Phone Mount

Friday, August 13th, 2021

Juggernaut has updated their ForeArm Phone Mount for their cases with an enclosed Boa construction. The previous version had an exposed line for the Boa tightener which could snag.

ORSM 21 – Grip.Kit

Wednesday, August 11th, 2021

This is a great upgrade for your Juggernaut.Case. The Grip.Kit is a self adhesive sticker set to keep your device from sliding around.

ORSM 21 – Juggernaut.Case

Tuesday, August 10th, 2021

This is Juggernaut’s first commercial tradeshow, but I’ve got to show you two awesome products that are assembled together and as much military as civilian.

The Inductive Charge PALS Armor Plate Carrier Phone Mount features charging embedded into the mount arm with the cable terminating to a USB-A connector for use with standard external battery packs. It’s PALS compatible for direct mounting.

It’s paired with the PALS Pack Platform which is built by Mystery Ranch specifically for Juggernaut to offer a mounting option for those who don’t have a standard PALS platform like an armor vest. The PALS Pack Platform mounts at the chest area of a pack and takes the place of the sternum strap.

Warrior East 21 – Tomahawk Robotics

Thursday, August 5th, 2021

Tomahawk Robotics displayed several technologies at Warrior East but the one that caught my eye is the Grip S20 Controller. It is based around the Samsung Galaxy S20 End User Device and offers controls for unmanned systems. This protective case also incorporates an integral USB hub.

Another item is the Mimic Spatial Controller which is a tactile trigger-style device many in EOD prefer to use. It is Intra Soldier Wireless compatible and provides haptic feedback of payload control.

Additionally, Tomahawk Robotics offers the MXC Family of Micro Datalinks which can be had as a stand-alone battery powered model or a more streamlined version which uses radio battery juice. With this datalink, the user can not only receive ISR feeds but also retransmit them to others in their network.

Units and agencies can procure Tomahawk Robotics products shown during Warrior East by contacting Atlantic Diving Supply.

Kestrel Ballistics Firmware Update

Thursday, July 15th, 2021

Kestrel Ballistics announced its newest firmware updates, including the Kestrel 5 Series – 1.47, the Kestrel HUD – 1.03, and the Kestrel LiNK Ballistics App – iOS/258, Android.

New HUD features include:
• Hold Over Predial

New K5 Series Features include:
• Improved Zero Offset direction and battery icon
• Ability to re-order gun profiles
• Various bug fixes for K5 and KLB app

For more info, click here.

Army Launches IVAS Integration Into Aircraft

Monday, July 12th, 2021

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. — Army researchers are expanding the reach of the high-tech Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) to deliver capabilities to Soldiers onboard aircraft.

IVAS integrates next-generation situational awareness tools and high-resolution simulations to enable Soldier sensing, decision making, target acquisition and target engagement. The device provides Soldiers with a single platform to fight, rehearse and train.

During the research and testing phases, the Army initially focused on bringing the technology to dismounted Soldiers. During the next step, scientists and engineers developed a capability for Soldiers to maintain situational awareness using IVAS during transport in ground combat vehicles such as the Bradley and Stryker.

Now, Army Futures Command (AFC) and Project Manager IVAS are testing the system to deliver the technology for aircrews and paratroopers in Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters.

“The Army is investing in resources to broaden the emerging capabilities of IVAS to improve effectiveness and safety of airborne Soldiers en route to their mission,” said Dr. Navin Mathur, IVAS platform integration project engineer with the Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) Center — a component of AFC’s Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM).

The first aircraft integration operational test with paratroopers using IVAS occurred in May at Experimentation Demonstration Gateway Event (EDGE) 21 — a precursor to Project Convergence 21 — with the 82nd Airborne Division aboard two Black Hawks. The same Soldiers finished testing IVAS weeks earlier during Soldier Touch Point 4 at Fort Bragg and incorporated what they learned in preparation for EDGE 21.

They received real-time video feeds to their IVAS headsets, from a camera mounted to the bottom of helicopters, while flying to the objective site. By pushing a button on the headset, they could toggle among the screens, making the images larger or smaller. Two squad leaders in separate Black Hawks also coordinated a mid-flight change of mission plans using the system.

Research is now focused on providing video feeds from Air-Launched Effects (ALE), small unmanned aerial vehicles released in flight from helicopters, to paratroopers and aircrew wearing IVAS. Soldiers could also use the headsets to control ALE instead of carrying a tablet.

“During the development phases for these current and future ground and air platforms, we’re focused foremost on the putting together the user experience,” Mathur said. “The team is getting their feedback during exercises like EDGE and making quick upgrades. We’re continually refining designs to meet their needs.”

By Dan Lafontaine, DEVCOM C5ISR Center Public Affairs

Kägwerks Dock-Lite Galaxy S20

Monday, June 7th, 2021

During last weeks FR Roadshow near Fredericksburg, Virginia, I got a chance to check out the new Dock-Lite from Kägwerks for the Galaxy S20 which will begin fielding as PRT of the Army’s Nett Warrior system.

The biggest thing about the Dock-Lite is that it integrates intra-soldier wireless (ISW) protocol into the 3-port hub. Additionally, there’s no EUD cable, relying instead on a single USB-C interface which is engaged when docked. At the front of the case, there are three programmable buttons. The USB-C cartridge is also replaceable and the whole thing is rated for dust, shock and immersion.

Kägwerks products are available for unit and agency purchase through Federal Resources.

USSOCOM PEO-SOF Digital Applications Update

Wednesday, May 19th, 2021

Under the helm of COL Paul Weizer, USA, PEO-SOF Digital Applications serves as USSOCOM’s “One-Stop-Shop” for SOF software intensive digital applications. This new office was just announced during last year’s SOFIC and they’ve hit the ground running.

To set up this new PEO, they sought out “digital natives,” according to SOCOM’s Acquisition Executive Mr Jim Smith, who oversees all of the Command’s acquisition efforts. Bringing in the right talent, they assembled government personnel, contractors and so-called reimbursables, which are personnel who belong to outside organizations but accomplish work for SOCOM based on interdepartmental transfers of funds. That happened fairly quickly while they simultaneously looked at the Command’s acquisition portfolio to determine what exactly belonged in PEO-SDA.

They brought in programs that include Mission Command Systems, SOF Digital EcoSystem, Special Operations Mission Planning and Execution, and Tactical Assault Kit.

Mission Command Systems: Intelligence and Operations analytics systems that provide a unified SOF Common Intelligence Picture and Common Operating Picture (CIP/COP) and decision support to USSOCOM Commanders/Operators at all echelons. Delivers interoperability and integration required for synchronized SOF Global Situational Awareness. COL Weizer referred referred to this program as the, ” ring that binds them all.”

SOF Digital EcoSystem: Data Analytics Services and Tools

Special Operations Mission Planning and Execution: Mission planning & execution software tools (SOF Air, Ground & Maritime)

Tactical Assault Kit (TAK): Suite of Map-Based, Situational Awareness (SA) Software Applications across multiple platforms to include Android, iOS, Windows, Linux and HTML, that provides Tactical Capabilities for Military, Federal Government, and Civil 1st Responder operations

PEO-SDA has breathed new life into long-term programs such as mission prep which date back almost to the founding of USSOCOM. They look at the programs with a new set of eyes and move away from stovepipe approaches to capabilities to a more holistic operating environment.

With USSOCOM’s transition from looking at software as a component of a program to the glue that binds multiple capabilities together, they’ve taken charge of software development efforts on their own behalf rather than living with the software that comes on a system.

One of the challenges PEO-SDA is facing, is articulating what is “SOF Unique” about Software. This can be a sticking point of whether USSOCOM’s MFP-11 funds can be used to pay for a program. COL Weizer explained that use of and individual requirements for software can be SOF unique, but the code itself isn’t.

Even more challenging, is the lack of a current DevSecOps strategy which offers challenges when interfacing with other organizations within DoD and industry. However, it seems to be happening, if only because SOF personnel tend to get things done.

For those unfamiliar, DevSecOps is getting the developers, security and operators to work together from the outset of a software effort. Generally, it requires an integrated development environment.

The goal is to field new software every six months or faster. Although SOF are well known for their speed at fielding solutions, they have had to adapt to such an ambitious schedule. Already, they’re working with vendors to speed to integration of new SOMPE software from 18-24 months down to as little as four months. COL Weizer mentioned how the software acquisition pathway is adapting to commercial practices for development, which regularly rolls out software in support of their wares. Understandably, this faster process means that changes will become less substantial with incremental upgrades. Additionally, to mitigate configuration management issues across the enterprise which can come with frequent software updates, COL Weizer explained that his office is automating the process.

As part of instituting DevSecOps, the team has formalized a relationship with the user community, and Mr Smith tells us he is “most excited about the focus on the user,” which he went on to describe as, “a fanatical focus on the user.” Likewise, PEO SDA cuts across the entire SOF enterprise, including all of the other PEOs. Additionally, they look outside of the Command itself with customers at all of the SOF components as well as the Theater Special Operations Commands. In fact, they regularly utilize SOCCENT, co-located at MacDill AFB as a test element for new software before they release it to the field.

PEO-SDA has already made improvements on how quickly user software requirements are satisfied and it has only been a year.