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NSWC Crane Launches Rapid Capabilities Cell to Accelerate Solutions for the Fleet

Tuesday, July 21st, 2026

CRANE, Ind. – Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) launched the Crane Rapid Capabilities Cell (CRC2) to accelerate the delivery of critical technology to the warfighter. This new initiative will serve as a direct pipeline for identifying and delivering solutions to meet the most urgent and emerging needs of the U.S. Navy.

CRC2 is intended to be aligned with the Navy Rapid Capabilities Office as well as the PAE Rapid Capability Cells, which were established over the last year to maintain U.S. maritime supremacy by ensuring swift assessment and transition of urgent solutions. CRC2 bridges operational needs with NSWC Crane’s robust technical capabilities and collaborates across Warfare Centers to bring a broad range of solutions to the warfighter.

“This initiative is about one thing: delivering a decisive advantage to our sailors at the speed of relevance,” said Dr. Angela Lewis, SES, Technical Director at NSWC Crane. “The Crane Rapid Capabilities Cell is our commitment to the Fleet. We are streamlining access to our world-class experts, capabilities, and facilities to ensure that when a critical need arises, we will answer the call with innovative and effective solutions.”

CRC2 monitors Fleet demand, coordinates response options such as rapid acquisitions, supports problem curation efforts such as with Warfighter Driven Challenges, and facilitates proposal development, partnerships, and outreach.

Adam Parsley, the Rapid Prototyping, Experimentation, & Demonstration (RPED) Lead at NSWC Crane, said the core concept of CRC2 is to act as a “technical force multiplier,” leveraging NSWC Crane’s extensive network of industry, government, and academic partners to develop solutions for the Fleet.

“We are looking forward to working with the Navy RCO and various Rapid Capability Cells as they go through their process of rapid development and deployment, ensuring we focus NSWC Crane’s technical capabilities where appropriate and where we can help bring solutions to Navy problems,” said Parsley. “We want to leave no stone unturned as we strive to bring solutions forward as quickly as possible. CRC2 is about innovating to find immediate, creative solutions for the Fleet.”

CRC2 creates opportunities for NSWC Crane to evolve with the rapidly changing threat environment.

“Modern naval challenges are complex and multi-domain—our solutions must meet those demands,” said Stacey Mervyn, the Rapid Mission Integration and Interoperability Department Director at NSWC Crane. “The Crane Rapid Capabilities Cell provides the perfect framework for my team to integrate our specialized technologies with the broader expertise across NSWC Crane. It’s about creating a unified, rapid response that ensures our warfighters have a comprehensive advantage, no matter what the mission.”

CRC2 operates across NSWC Crane’s mission areas—Strategic Missions, Electromagnetic Warfare, and Expeditionary Warfare. Parsley said their team’s strength lies in its ability to integrate diverse technologies to solve complex, multi-faceted problems.

“We work in the seams, so to speak, to bring several technology offerings at NSWC Crane to bear on a given problem, with technologies such as sensors, electro-optics, and software,” said Parsley. “We have a focus on integration and interoperability from the technology standpoint. Using rapid acquisition tools, whether it’s FAR or non-FAR authorities, OTAs, Prize Challenges, the use of our different partnership authorities, whatever we can do to broaden the solution set for the Fleet.”

By NSWC Crane Corporate Communications NSWC Crane

Posted in EW, Guest Post, Navy | No Comments »

BFG Monday: The Sling Has Changed. The Mission Hasn’t.

Monday, July 20th, 2026

A sling has always had a simple job.

Carry the firearm when the hands are needed for something else.

That was true when early American fighters moved across rough ground with long guns. It remained true through two world wars and every conflict that followed. It is still true today.

For 250 years, the firearms have changed. The equipment has changed. The materials have changed. But the problem has remained familiar:

How does a user carry, control, and keep a firearm ready while doing everything else the mission requires?

In the nation’s earliest conflicts, shoulder straps and simple leather slings gave fighters a practical way to carry long guns over distance. They were not highly adjustable or complicated. They reduced the burden of carrying the firearm by hand every step of the way.

As the firearm evolved, so did the sling.

By the early 20th century, designs such as the M1907 had expanded the sling’s role. Used with rifles including the M1903 Springfield and later the M1 Garand, it could carry the firearm and, in trained hands, help stabilize the shooting position.

The sling was becoming more than a carrying strap. It was becoming part of the firearm system.

Photo credit: eBay seller Forest Nook

By World War II, leather slings remained widely used while simpler web designs entered broader service. In the decades that followed, synthetic materials improved durability, reduced weight, and allowed slings to perform more reliably across harsh environments. Historical references support the continued use of the M1907 through World War II and the increasing fielding of web and fabric alternatives by the war’s end.

Each generation changed the materials and refined the hardware, but the standard remained largely the same:

Can the sling help the user carry the firearm, control it, and keep it ready?

From Carrying the Rifle to Managing It

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ruby Centeno

A modern two-point sling does more than place a rifle across the shoulder.

The firearm is carried during movement, communication, vehicle operations, casualty care, climbing, kneeling, and countless tasks that require the use of both hands. In those moments, the sling determines where the rifle sits, how securely it stays against the body, and how quickly it can be brought back into action.

That is where quick adjustment changed the role of the sling.

A fixed carrying strap may support the weight of the rifle, but a quick-adjust sling allows the user to actively manage it. The rifle can be tightened against the body when greater control is needed, then loosened immediately when the user needs to move, shoulder, or employ the firearm.

The Vickers Sling™ was built around that reality.

Developed with Larry Vickers, the Vickers Combat Applications Sling did not change why a sling exists. It changed how quickly the user could move between carrying, controlling, and employing the rifle.

The concept is straightforward because it needs to be.

A sling must work around armor, load carriage, vehicles, confined spaces, changing positions, and unpredictable movement. It cannot require the user to stop and solve the sling before addressing the problem in front of them.

That is why the Vickers Sling has earned the trust of military, law-enforcement, and professional end-user communities. It does not try to reinvent the purpose of the sling. It refines it for the realities of the modern user.

Carrying the Idea Forward

As America marks its 250th Anniversary, Blue Force Gear® created the SPECIAL-1776 Vickers Sling to recognize that history.

The SPECIAL-1776 carries the story forward on the combat-proven Vickers Sling platform. Its dedicated 250th Anniversary label and military-inspired colorways recognize America’s legacy of service without turning the sling into a museum piece. The product remains what it was designed to be: working equipment. Available in Digital Woodland, MultiCam, Navy, and Ranger Green, the four colorways were selected to reflect the proud traditions of the primary branches of the U.S. military.

The first American fighters used simple straps because they needed a practical way to move with their firearms. Later generations used leather and web slings for both carry and shooting support. Modern users rely on quick-adjust slings to move between retention, movement, stability, and employment without losing control of the rifle.

The equipment has evolved because the mission has evolved.

The underlying need has not.

Carry the firearm.

Control the firearm.

Keep it ready.

That is the problem the sling has been solving for 250 years.

And that is the legacy carried forward by the SPECIAL-1776 Vickers Sling.

Learn more about the SPECIAL-1776 Vickers Sling and Blue Force Gear’s complete line of firearm slings.

About Blue Force Gear

Blue Force Gear® is a leading innovator in lightweight tactical equipment, best known for producing some of the world’s most trusted weapon slings. The company continues to redefine load carriage with its Ten-Speed® multi-use pouches, MOLLEminus® platforms, and patented Helium Whisper® attachment system.

Driven by a commitment to performance and weight reduction, Blue Force Gear® engineers its products using proprietary ULTRACOMP® high-performance laminate materials, delivering durability without unnecessary bulk. This relentless focus on innovation, combined with precision manufacturing and attention to detail, has positioned the brand at the forefront of modern tactical gear.

Blue Force Gear® is a Great Place to Work® Certified company, reflecting its dedication not only to the warfighter, but to the people behind the mission.

For more information, visit www.blueforcegear.com.

Posted in Advertiser, Guest Post, Weapon Accessories | No Comments »

Morocco and AFRICOM Seek to Establish the Africa Multidomain Training and Experimentation Center

Monday, July 20th, 2026

The Kingdom of Morocco Royal Armed Forces and U.S. Africa Command signed a memorandum of understanding at AFRICOM Headquarters July 13, 2026, seeking to establish the Africa Multidomain Training and Experimentation Center.

AMTEC will be comprised of three primary elements: a Multidomain Training Area, a Drone Academy and an Innovation and Experimentation Center located in Tan-Tan, Morocco by 2030.

“Morocco’s readiness—demonstrated by our existing facilities and skilled personnel—ensures rapid progress from concept to operational reality and provides the Morocco and U.S. industries with a reliable and capable partner for joint innovation and export opportunities,” said Gen. Mohammed Berrid, Inspector General of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces and Commander of the Southern Zone.

The MDTA range complex will provide dedicated physical space to ensure forces and systems are prepared to operate effectively in any environment. A key feature of the MDTA is the ability to operate in the full electromagnetic spectrum as well as contested environments.

The Drone Academy will train operators, planners, and instructors from Morocco and African partner nations to enhance their counter-terrorism capabilities against threats in West Africa. This will give students the knowledge and skills to integrate sUAS into the broader scheme of maneuver, with a focus on airspace deconfliction, multidomain integration, strike capabilities and intelligence, and surveillance and reconnaissance synchronization.

The Innovation and Experimentation Center will rapidly develop, test and evaluate emerging capabilities with a focus on low-cost, scalable solutions for counterterrorism and regional security operations. Collaboration efforts will seek to partner with academia, embedding academic experts and institutions into cross-functional design teams.

“The Africa Multidomain Training and Experimentation Center will increase readiness and advance capabilities of both nations,” said General Dagvin Anderson, commander of U.S. Africa Command. “This partnership represents a great opportunity for U.S. and African defense industrial bases as well as academic institutions to experiment, innovate and develop scalable, adaptable solutions across emerging technologies.”

This initiative opens the door to pioneering new network capabilities in remote and underserved areas, supporting security and economic development, as well as offering U.S. and Moroccan industry developers low-cost opportunities for testing and experimentation. AMTEC will serve as a testbed for future wireless and sensing technologies, ensuring U.S. investments in innovation translate into operational capabilities that protect both nations and drive joint industrial growth.

African Lion 2027 will serve as a proof of concept for AMTEC. The annual African Lion exercise, hosted in Morocco, is a proving ground for integrating cutting-edge technologies directly into operational environments. Industry partners work alongside service members to test AI-enabled systems, autonomous platforms, and advanced communications tools, accelerating the transition from concept to capability.

Posted in Guest Post, Training | No Comments »

New Marine Corps Uniform App

Sunday, July 19th, 2026

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. —

U.S. Marine Corps Education Command has launched the official Marine Corps Uniform App, a free mobile application that provides Marines with convenient, on-the-go access to uniform and grooming guidance, June 29, 2026.

The app announced in MARADMIN 299/26, is developed as a companion to Marine Corps Order 1020.34,Marine Corps Uniform Regulations, providing a streamlined reference for Marines to quickly locate commonly used uniform and grooming guidance while away from the official publication.

The application organizes uniform regulations by officer and enlisted personnel, as well as by sex. It also includes basic grooming standards, allowing Marines to quickly reference appearance requirements while traveling or preparing for official duties.

“The Marine Corps Uniform App gives Marines immediate access to the guidance they use most often. It is designed to make existing standards more accessible while reinforcing the professionalism and attention to detail that define our Corps.”

– Brig Gen Matthew W. Tracy, commanding general, Education Command

The application is intended to supplement, not replace, MCO 1020.34. While it answers many of the most common questions regarding uniforms and grooming, Marines should continue to consult the order for comprehensive policy and detailed guidance.

By placing essential information in a mobile format, the Marine Corps is improving access to resources that help Marines maintain the highest standards of military appearance and discipline, regardless of location.

The Marine Corps Uniform App is available free of charge through the Apple App Store. An Android version is expected to be released during Department of War Fiscal Year 2027.

Users are encouraged to submit feedback through the Marine Corps Uniform Board organizational mailbox identified within the MARADMIN.

By Maj Hector Infante | Marine Corps Training and Education Command

Posted in Clothing, Guest Post, Profession of Arms, USMC | No Comments »

Cyber Soldiers Collaborate on Drone Dominance

Saturday, July 18th, 2026

FORT GORDON, Ga. – Developers from the Hardware Section of Cyber Solutions Development-Maryland, 780th Military Intelligence Brigade (Cyber), recently collaborated with developers from the 11th Cyber Warfare Battalion’s CSD-Tactical on a project to increase the Army’s drone warfare capabilities.

The project, which spanned more than a year, aligns with the Army’s “Transforming in Contact” initiative, which aims to modernize the battlefield by rapidly delivering new technology into the hands of Soldiers. Drone warfare has become one of the most significant battlefield innovations in recent years, with several countries scrambling to develop increasingly advanced drone technology following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.

This project required developers to work across several technical domains, including embedded systems, radio-frequency engineering, 3D printing, networking systems and more. Developers from CSD-Maryland collaborated with CSD-Tactical through shared code repositories, hundreds of remote meetings and numerous TDY trips.

The project culminated with a visit to U.S. Army Cyber Command by the Secretary of the Army, Honorable Daniel P. Driscoll, on March 26. CSD-Maryland’s Hardware Section traveled to Fort Gordon, Georgia, to demonstrate the numerous capabilities developed over the previous year.

The drone demonstration was conducted alongside the 11th CWB’s Expeditionary Cyber and Electromagnetic Activities Teams which showcased their ability to provide battlefield lethality through cyberspace operations. Developers from CSD-Maryland demonstrated to the Secretary Driscoll; ARYCYBER Commanding General Lt. Gen. Christopher L. Eubank and other senior leaders their ability to simultaneously deploy three autonomous 3D printed vertical take-off and landing drone systems and corresponding software solutions developed entirely in-house.

This project, which originated at CSD-Maryland, was fully transitioned to the 11th CWB shortly after the demonstration, enabling the battalion to continue developing and employing the capability. The impact of this effort extends beyond cyber units. The project was designed not only for use by electromagnetic activities teams within the 11th CWB, but also for potential employment by Army brigade combat teams. This demonstrates how the gap between cyber operations and more traditional combat roles continues to narrow as battlefield technology becomes increasingly advanced.

This evolving battlefield environment makes the task of building combat-ready formations more important than ever, whether through the development of new battlefield capabilities by organizations such as CSD-Maryland and CSD-Tactical or through training in cyber warfare tactics by electromagnetic activities teams. By remaining at the forefront of emerging wartime strategies, including drone warfare and expeditionary cyber operations, the Army’s cyber forces are helping ensure that Soldiers remain prepared to face any adversary in an increasingly complex and dynamic operational environment.

By SPC William Perez, 780th Military Intelligence Brigade (Cyber)

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

FirstSpear Friday Focus: Low Visibility Plate Carrier (LVPC)

Friday, July 17th, 2026

Protection doesn’t have to announce itself. The FirstSpear LOW VISIBILITY PLATE CARRIER is engineered for the modern operator who demands maximum performance with minimal presence. Designed for plainclothes operations, undercover roles, and urban environments where stealth is non-negotiable, the LVPC combines a discreet profile with advanced functionality that full-duty carriers are built around. Front-integrated shoulder straps reduce obstruction and keep your silhouette clean, while a compression fit on the user side keeps plates locked in place and out of the way.

Features:

Low-Profile Design for Plainclothes Operations
Placard-Ready with Full Loop Surfaces
Integrated Left/Right Radio Pockets
Infinitely Adjustable Fast Cummerbund

At its core, the LOW VISIBILITY PLATE CARRIER is built around modularity and mission adaptability. Available in SAPI and Swimmer cut configurations to fit a range of body types and operational requirements, and offered in Black and Manatee Grey, the LVPC kit includes your choice of front and back panels along with a FAST Cummerbund that adjusts from S to 3XL. Whether you are running an undercover detail or a plainclothes protection assignment, the LVPC keeps you protected without compromising your cover.

Built for military personnel, law enforcement officers, and prepared professionals who demand reliable equipment, the LOW VISIBILITY PLATE CARRIER delivers full-spectrum protection without sacrificing discretion or mobility. Where reliability meets low profile. FirstSpear is the premier source for cutting-edge tactical gear for military, law enforcement, and those who train. For more information visit First-Spear.com.

Posted in Advertiser, Armor, FS Friday Focus, Guest Post | No Comments »

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