Guest Post | Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

Archive for the ‘Guest Post’ Category

Senior Leaders Chart Course for Future Force

Friday, July 17th, 2026

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFNS) —

More than 60 Air Force senior leaders gathered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, June 10-12, for the semiannual Corona summit, a strategic planning forum focused on policy development, force readiness and future force initiatives.

Formalized by Gen. Curtis LeMay in 1961, Coronas serve as a venue for the Air Force’s top echelon to foster collaboration and refine strategic decisions on an array of topics as diverse as training, deterrence and air warfare doctrine. This recent iteration provided a decision-making forum designed to build upon recent policy modifications and address key areas essential for maintaining a ready and capable future force.

“I have traveled to our installations worldwide, meeting face-to-face with the Airmen who execute our mission every day,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach. “They share their real, day-to-day challenges with me, and Corona is where we turn that feedback into strategic action – making decisions to dismantle barriers, modernize our capabilities, and build a better Air Force from the bottom up.”

The three-day summit provided a decision forum to build on recent policy changes and discuss key areas to ensure a ready and capable force for the future.

Joining the traditional cadre of Major Command commanders and Headquarters Air Force senior leaders were their respective Command Chief Master Sergeants, alongside a diverse group of general officers representing various operational and functional directorates.

The group agreed on a host of policies and changes, including those related to basic military training, the use of AI and protecting bases from drones and other threats.

BMT Next (Modernizing Basic Military Training)

To better prepare incoming personnel for the complexities of future conflicts, a comprehensive curriculum update will be implemented for BMT by 2027. Under this revitalized model, training will more closely align Airmen with the broader Air Force mission. The curriculum will heavily emphasize “Airmindedness,” military professionalism and the Air Force Core Values.

Pairing those three skills with the specialty training that follows, Airmen will arrive at their first duty stations equipped with the foundational skillsets essential for modern warriors.

Not only will what they learn change, the physical training environment will undergo a significant transformation, too. There are plans to construct a dedicated Air Force Training Range, which will serve as the centerpiece of the BMT compound. This facility is designed to orient the trainees’ mindset around the Air Force’s primary power projection platform: the air base.

Point Defense of Air Bases

Recognizing the evolving threat environment, the decision was made to establish Point Defense Flights at select Air Force installations. Initially, these specialized units will be composed of personnel drawn from multiple career fields.

Concurrently, a dedicated new Air Force Specialty Code is being developed to formalize and sustain this base defense capability.

Artificial Intelligence

To harness the strategic advantages of emerging technologies, Wilsbach announced forthcoming Headquarters Air Force-level guidance regarding AI integration. This initiative aims to institutionalize proven AI best practices currently utilized across the enterprise.

A primary objective includes developing programs that leverage AI to automate repetitive administrative tasks, thereby freeing up Airmen for mission-critical duties.

Emphasizing a forward-looking approach, the summit also highlighted the ongoing efforts of the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force’s task force dedicated to AI innovation.

The Future of Guardian Angel & Tactical Air Control Party Weapon Systems

The Air Force will not combine its Guardian Angel (GA) and Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) weapon systems into a single unit. Each will retain its distinct identity and core, specialized competencies.

GA remains focused on personnel recovery, while TACP continues its role in precision strike, distributed command and control and integrating airpower with ground combat. The two may train together periodically to be interoperable in conflict, with MAJCOMs setting the training standards.

Building on TACP’s existing expertise in airpower integration, it was designated as the lead weapon system for One-Way Attack missions for employment by the Joint Forces Air Component Commander.

Leaders also moved to bring greater discipline to how the Air Force uses the term AFSPECWAR (Air Force Special Warfare) for the GA and TACP communities. Over recent years, the term has increasingly been used in an operational context, and the summit reaffirmed that AFSPECWAR is neither a mission nor a weapon system. It remains a term of enduring value for recruiting, accessions, initial skills training and the shared warrior ethos that unites communities of extraordinary Airmen.

To ensure clear command relationships, distinct capabilities, accurate authorities, preserved community identity and specificity in combat employment, the Air Force will use precise terms for specific weapon systems. This decision ensures operational clarity and honors the valor of the Airmen in the GA and TACP weapon systems.

Audit

In compliance with congressional directives, the enterprise-wide comprehensive financial audit continues. To ensure effective execution and accountability, Wilsbach directed all MAJCOM commanders to provide bi-monthly progress updates, emphasizing that audit readiness must remain at the forefront of their daily operational workflows.

In addition to the key decisions listed, other priorities were discussed at the forum to include readiness, both aircraft and personnel, along with streamlining enterprise-wide logistics-informed command and control (C2). Leaders focused on taking care of Airmen with talent management discussions, mission focused assignments and developmental opportunities.

Other operational discussions included a renewed focus on Camouflage, Concealment and Decoys, as well as the speed of information and the ability to make tactical adjustments in dynamic threat environments with a Digital Fires Report.

As the Air Force’s senior leaders gathered in Dayton to tackle the most complex challenges facing the force, the above decisions impact not only the 665,000 Airmen, but also allies, partners, industry and supportive local communities. Some of the initiatives are internal to the Air Force, while others are further reaching.

“This summit was a resounding success because we didn’t just talk about the future – we made concrete decisions to shape it,” Wilsbach said. “Whether we are modernizing our training, fortifying our defenses to guarantee readiness, or leveraging AI to return valuable time to our Airmen and their families, we are building a force postured to win.”

By TSgt William A. O’Brien

Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

Posted in AFSW, AI / ML, Air Force, C-UAS, Guest Post | No Comments »

GoTAK Offers RIDAR ATAK Plugin for Free

Thursday, July 16th, 2026

We just turned every Android EUD into a drone detector for free. No cost, no licensing, no credit card required. RIDAR ATAK Plugin by GoTAK is our solution for airspace awareness on the TAK ecosystem and beyond. It is the same plugin that powers our RIDAR-FM drone detector that integrates with the MAAK Tactical ecosystem for public safety and law enforcement.

The RIDAR plugin is free to download at getgotak.com/ridar and does not require our hardware to be attached in order to pick up drones emitting in your AO. We are also working on iOS solutions with a standalone app and a native TAK Aware integration.

Obviously, direct EUD sensing has limited range, hence the RIDAR-FM for long-range detection, optional ADS-B tracking, and unified BLE/WIFI passive radar.

Download RIDAR today and integrate airspace awareness right now. When you’re ready for a long-range purpose-built sensor, place your order at getgotak.com/ridar and equip yourself with the most advanced RID detection tooling that is native to TAK.

Thanks to all of our community members who have placed orders, performed beta testing, and have supported the mission GoTAK has set out to solve by developing plug-and-play awareness tools for every mission.

V/r

Matthew

CEO GoTAK LLC

Posted in C-UAS, Drone, Guest Post, TAK | Comments Off on GoTAK Offers RIDAR ATAK Plugin for Free

BEYOND Presents: Trail Jager vs Mountain Jager Jackets

Thursday, July 16th, 2026

Trail Jager (left) and Mountain Jager (right) shown together, illustrating two insulation approaches built around the same WINDSTOPPER® shell foundation.

Beyond Clothing’s Jager Series features two standout coldweather insulation layers: The Trail Jager Jacket and the Mountain Jager Jacket. While the jackets share an underlying construction philosophy and materials pedigree, they are designed for distinctly different activity levels and mission profiles and feature different insulation types and thermal intent.

Both pieces are built to integrate cleanly into modern coldweather layering systems, are Made in the USA, Berry Amendment compliant, and designed for professional end users.

Shared features include:

• WINDSTOPPER® by GORETEX LABS shell fabrics

• Helmetcompatible insulated hoods

• Glovefriendly hardware

• Chest and hand pockets accessible while wearing armor or packs

• Lowbulk profiles intended for modular layering

Trail Jager Jacket: HighOutput Active Insulation

The Trail Jager is optimized for sustained movement, using a hybrid construction to balance wind protection and breathability.

The Trail Jager Jacket is designed for continuous movement under load. It pairs WINDSTOPPER shell panels with 2.5 oz Polartec® Alpha Direct® insulation and Polartec® Power Grid™ fleece stretch panels.

Alpha Direct’s openloft structure allows moisture vapor and excess heat to escape during sustained movement, reducing sweat accumulation during patrols, ascents, and extended maneuver operations.

Polartec® Power Grid™ side panels provide airflow and stretch in highperspiration zones.

The Trail Jager aligns closely with ECWCS Level 3 (Active Insulation) concepts as defined within the CTAPS activeinsulation context, and is intended to function as either a breathable outer layer or an insulated midlayer beneath a shell.

Best suited for:

• Highoutput movement

• Patrol and reconnaissance missions

• Users prioritizing breathability over static warmth

• Cold wet and shoulderseason environments

• ECWCS Level 3 & 5 bridging roles

Mountain Jager Jacket: Increased Static Warmth

The Mountain Jager increases insulation density for cold exposure during reduced movement or static positions.

The Mountain Jager Jacket includes the WINDSTOPPER shell used across the Jager Series, and its use of the Climashield® APEX 360™ synthetic insulation provides more uniform thermal coverageand balanced heat retention, best for pauseandmove cycles, observation, overwatch, and coldweather exposure where wind and heat loss are missionlimiting factors.

Continuous synthetic insulation improves thermal consistency during extended static exposure.

A 40D lightweight nylon ripstop liner supports durability while keeping bulk manageable for integration into layered coldweather systems with a more tapered fit, designed to be worn under body armor or a chest rig.

A grid fleece–lined chin guard reduces abrasion and improves comfort when fully zipped in cold, windy conditions.

Best suited for:

• Mixed activity and static use

• Cold, windy, and alpine environments

• Observation and overwatch tasks

• ECWCS Level 5 & 7 bridging roles

SidebySide Comparison

Although shell materials and patterning are similar, insulation type and breathability separate the Trail Jager [Left] from the Mountain Jager [Right].

System Approach

Beyond Clothing’s Trail Jager and Mountain Jager arecomplementary options within a modular coldweather system. Both jackets address distinct operational needs by managing wind as a constant while tuning insulation to expected activity level, exposure duration, and environmental conditions.

Rather than prescribing a single insulation configuration, the system acknowledges natural variation in individual thermal regulation, movement intensity, and mission role. This approach allows users to select the appropriate Jager variant based on how they generate and retain heat in realworld use—whether during sustained movement, pauseandmove cycles, or extended static exposure—while maintaining compatibility within the same layering architecture.

Together, the Trail Jager and Mountain Jager reflect Beyond Clothing’s systemdriven design philosophy: enabling adaptable insulation choices that respond to changing conditions and user physiology, rather than enforcing a onesizefitsall coldweather solution.

Availability

Both jackets are available directly from Beyond Clothing in MultiCam, OCP, Ranger Green and Coyote with men’s and women’s fit, and are supported by government and unit purchasing programs.

• Trail Jager Jacket: $719.99 USD

• Mountain Jager Jacket: $749.99 USD

More information is available at beyondclothing.com.

Posted in Advertiser, Clothing, Guest Post | No Comments »

MATBOCK Visiting Ramstein Air Base This August

Thursday, July 16th, 2026

Founded by Navy SEAL veterans, MATBOCK specializes in engineering ultra-lightweight, mission-specific gear designed to reduce operator load and improve durability in the field. Leveraging proprietary materials like their water-shedding “Ghost” fabric, they develop advanced solutions in load-bearing armor, prolonged field care medical packs, maritime assault gear, and specialized K-9 handler equipment.

Attn: Units and Individuals in Germany

The MATBOCK team will be visiting Ramstein Air Base the week of August 19th.

If your unit is located at Ramstein or within the surrounding area and you would like to see their latest ultra-lightweight gear, medical packs, or multi-mission equipment solutions firsthand, please reach out to schedule a private meeting.

To set up an appointment, contact sales@matbock.com.

Posted in Advertiser, Guest Post | No Comments »

Army Announces Project Convergence-Capstone 6: A Milestone in Modernization

Thursday, July 16th, 2026

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army will execute Project Convergence-Capstone 6 from July 20 to July 29 at Fort Irwin, California. Directed by Lt. Gen. Michael McCurry, commanding general of the Army Futures and Concepts Command, PC-C6 aims to rigorously experiment with future technologies by significantly expanding the scope, scale and complexity of operations previously tested at the 4th Infantry Division’s Ivy Sting and Ivy Mass exercises.

The central focus of PC-C6 is the continued validation of the Next Generation Command and Control architecture, designed to ensure U.S. and allied forces can achieve and maintain decision dominance in complex, high-threat environments.

“PC-C6 is the largest experiment in the history of the program, delivering a critical opportunity to continue validation of NGC2 architecture at operational scale,” McCurry said. “By leveraging an Army division, we are not only testing over 100 emerging technologies in a realistic environment, and we are actively enhancing the future capabilities of our operational forces.”

Underscoring the importance of international partnerships in modern conflict, PC-C6 will feature robust multinational participation. The 4th Infantry Division will train and operate alongside allied forces from the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. This combined effort will test tactical system interoperability and strategic alignment among coalition partners.

“The Soldiers of the 4th Infantry Division will incorporate the newest ideas and technologies into their movements at Fort Irwin, providing Soldier feedback on Army command and control,” said Brig. Gen. Daniel Hibner, commander of the Army Joint Modernization Command and PC-C6 deputy director.

The data and insights gathered during this intensive 10-day event will serve as a foundational element for the Army’s modernization trajectory. Outcomes from PC-C6 are expected to directly inform acquisition decisions to ensure the Army is prepared for future threats.

U.S. Army Public Affairs

Posted in Army, Guest Post | No Comments »

Rangers Assess Bumblebee V2 at Fort Benning for Homeland Defense

Wednesday, July 15th, 2026

FORT BENNING, Ga. — Joint Interagency Task Force 401 and the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, completed a comprehensive five-day operational training exercise July 6-10, 2026, at Fort Benning to evaluate and employ the Bumblebee V2 counter-drone system in defense of military installations and domestic critical infrastructure. This training represents the latest tactical integration of low-cost, low-collateral air-to-air interceptors designed to secure domestic airspace and installations from drone threats.

The training at Fort Benning marks a major step forward in transitioning cutting-edge, artificial intelligence-enabled drone technology into the hands of elite rapid-response warfighters. Developed under an initial $5.2 million agreement in early 2026 and scaled under a landmark three-year, $500 million contract awarded in May 2026, the Bumblebee V2 is a next-generation, first-person-view multi-rotor drone designed specifically to hunt and neutralize hostile small unmanned aircraft systems.

“Our Rangers train to deploy rapidly and operate under the most challenging, high-stakes conditions in the world,” said Lt. Col. Jon Peterson, commander of the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. “The Ranger Regiment has a long history of pioneering the integration of advanced technologies and operational concepts that can then be rapidly proliferated across the Army and the joint force. Developing top-tier counter-UAS is a priority that requires our immediate action.”

Unlike traditional battlefield kinetic effectors that utilize energetic or explosive payloads, the Bumblebee V2 operates via a pure physical-collision mechanism. The system uses high-speed, direct kinetic energy upon physical contact to render both the interceptor and the threat inoperable, providing a safe, low-collateral solution. This precision-impact capability is optimized for domestic homeland defense under Title 10, Section 130i authorities, allowing commanders to protect critical military installations and national infrastructure without risking lives or property on the ground.

The Bumblebee V2 features an advanced three-camera array with improved gimbal rotation and artificial intelligence-driven automated target recognition. This feature reduces the cognitive load on operators, allowing soldiers to maintain full situational awareness while the drone autonomously tracks and executes hard-kill intercepts in mid-air with operator oversight.

“Securing our domestic airspaces and safeguarding critical infrastructure is both a modern battlefield reality and a vital homeland defense imperative,” said Army Brig. Gen. Matthew Ross, director of JIATF-401. “The Bumblebee V2 gives installation commanders a cost-effective, reliable interceptor that can neutralize threats without endangering our own forces or surrounding infrastructure. As the threat of drones continues to evolve, having a low-collateral kinetic option is essential for homeland defense.”

This training exercise builds directly on earlier operational assessments. These include tests conducted by paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg in April 2026.

As part of the evaluation event, JIATF-401 assessed a UAS target management capability from DRACOE. Based in North Carolina, DRACOE is a veteran-owned and operated business providing low-cost UAS components paired with a flight software management system that automates representative targets for counter-UAS training. Reducing the training cost and time is a pivotal aspect of JIATF-401’s approach to delivering state-of-the-art counter-UAS capability to warfighters.

By partnering with the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, JIATF-401 leverages a formation uniquely suited to rapidly evaluate emerging technologies under realistic operational conditions. The Ranger Regiment’s ability to integrate, refine and validate new capabilities helps accelerate the transition of promising technologies into operational use across the Army and the broader joint force. Through this collaboration, JIATF-401 continues to systematically expand the joint force’s capacity to employ layered, non-explosive kinetic defenses against evolving drone threats at home and abroad.

By LTC Adam Scher

Posted in Army, Drone, Guest Post | No Comments »

Space Force Aligns for Wartime Footing with Third Tranche of PAEs

Tuesday, July 14th, 2026

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) —

In the latest milestone of the ongoing Department of War-driven Acquisition Transformation, the Space Force has designated its third tranche of mission areas that will be assigned Portfolio Acquisition Executives including: Advanced Capabilities, Electromagnetic Warfare and Cyber, and Space Combat Power.

“Moving our portfolios into the PAE model completes a vital shift in our culture and operations,” said Thomas Ainsworth, performing the duties of the assistant secretary of the Air Force for space acquisition and integration. “By pushing accountability and authority down to the mission level across every single capability we field and all our acquisition avenues, we are cutting through legacy bureaucracy. The Space Force is now positioned to design, acquire, and field integrated systems at the speed of relevance.”

The portfolios are broadly arranged by mission area to minimize cross-organizational seams and dependencies while strengthening integration.

Posted in Acquisition, Guest Post, Space | No Comments »

Joint Interagency Task Force 401 Publishes Counter-Drone Handbook

Monday, July 13th, 2026

Joint Interagency Task Force 401 recently published a practical handbook designed to aid audiences across government, industry and academia in building a shared understanding of the drone threat and the basic principles of protecting against illicit drones.

The task force developed the guide, titled “Small Drones, Big Problems: A First Principles Approach to Countering-UAS,” as part of its mission to synchronize counter-unmanned aircraft systems efforts across the War Department and federal interagency partners.

The handbook also establishes a common vocabulary and incorporates the latest information about UAS, including lessons learned from operations in the Middle East and on battlefields in Europe. It explains how adversaries can use drones, outlines the key components of a layered drone defense and examines the factors that enable successful counter-UAS operations.

“It is crucial to build a common foundation for counter-drone efforts as we work with the entire government and interagency partners to respond to this growing threat,” said Army Maj. Joe Amoroso, deputy chief of strategic initiatives for JIATF 401. “This guide shares vital first principles and direct feedback from warfighters employing [counter]-UAS systems so the entire community has the means, methods and concepts for countering the defining threat of our time.”

The handbook emphasizes a layered approach as the most effective defense against illicit drones, with a variety of tools available to counter threats. It reinforces the importance of capabilities that go beyond technological solutions, including training for warfighters that equips them with the knowledge and permissions they need to respond to drone threats in real time.

Through this publication, JIATF 401 continues its mission to expand counter-UAS capability to warfighters at home and abroad.

“While there is no silver bullet to protect against drones, the threat can be mitigated if we are proactive, work with partners across the government and build a layered defense,” said Army Brig. Gen. Matt Ross, task force director. “We have faced novel challenges before, and we should not be intimidated by this one. We should lean in and take every possible step to prepare ourselves to dominate on the modern battlefield.”

By Joint Interagency Task Force 401

Posted in C-UAS, Guest Post | No Comments »