SOF Week | Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

Archive for the ‘SOF Week’ Category

SOF Week 23 – Mystery Ranch Cold Weather Packs

Tuesday, May 16th, 2023

The Mystery Ranch “Arctic Ruck” was a case study under their Special Projects Service. Formally named the All-Terrain Maneuver, Cold Weather First (ATM CWF) Pack, it was developed in conjunction with Arctic Explorer and Cold Weather Expert John Huston who founded consulting firm and school Skadi Group. In the niche world of extreme cold weather operations, you couldn’t find a better participant in the design process. John has trained US, Canadian and Norwegian SOF.

One of the innovations John brought to the project is the Pull frame developed for pulling sleds. It features pull loops on both sides and is built to pull large loads without creating stress points on the body.

The yoke also has a quick release buckle. Additionally, all of the fasteners and zipper pulls were designed with wearing mittens in mind in operations down to -60 deg F.

Features:
-Removable flap lid with zippered pocket and pass throughs to accommodate jump systems
-Top-loading spindrift collar to main bag
-Zipper port at top of body panel opens from either side for antennae, cables, and/or hydration
-Fully adjustable, toolless Futura yoke telescopes to fit any torso length
-Yoke has quick-release buckle with backup ladderlock
-Side pass through sleeves accommodate skis, rifle butts or other long items
VELCRO on lid for identification and patches
-Removable flap lid with zippered pocket and pass throughs to accommodate jump systems
-Loops for included accessory straps
-Three MOLLE attach, removable, zippered pockets with toggle pulls
-Three lower external pockets with drawstring spindrift collars
-Grommeted pockets and main bag
-Two compression straps on each side
-Six rows of PALS web for MOLLE attach accessories
-Interior radio sleeve

Weighing 8.8 lbs empty, the Arctic Pack has a capacity of 5535 cu in. Naturally, it’s offered in MultiCam Arctic pattern.

Posted in Advertiser, Packs, SOF Select, SOF Week | Comments Off on SOF Week 23 – Mystery Ranch Cold Weather Packs

SOF Week 23 – Ryvid Next Gen Combat Vehicles

Monday, May 15th, 2023

There were quite a few vehicles on display at SOF Week, including several motorcycles. The Ryvid offering caught my eye due to their approach. They offer their electric vehicles as bikes but have developed a Quad concept as well.

This US brand’s base bike is the Anthem which features a clutchless direct drive transmission and a top speed of over 80 mph and range of up to 200 miles per charge.

Submersible up to 1 meter, the bike offers 200 Nm (148 ft-lbs) of max torque from a 50 kW (67 hp) electric motor.

USSOCOM plans to evaluate the bike during the upcoming Technical Experimentation (TE 23-3) event in June.

Posted in Mobility, SOF, SOF Week | 14 Comments »

SOF Week 23 – Crye Precision G4 Aviation Uniforms

Monday, May 15th, 2023

Although Crye Precision‘s new G4 Aviation Uniforms were unveiled during SHOT Show, they’ve been working on them for awhile. In fact, they’ve already started delivering them to the SOF aviation unit they developed them for. Like with all things Crye, once other units saw them, they had to have them as well meaning these are becoming quite popular.

Since the uniform is intended to be worn for flight duties, it’s made from the same FR Commando Twill used in the FR G4 uniforms.

While outwardly looking like the G4 uniforms they are based on, you’ll find some aviation unique features like dual entry shoulder pockets, center front zipper and loop placement to accommodate ID. The pants also have a double seat, oversized patch pocket on the calf, zipper pulls, vertical zippered entry on thigh pockets, and a multi-tool pocket.

The G4 Aviation Uniform is offered in both Combat and Field cuts in male and female fits, in MultiCam, Black, and Ranger Green.

Posted in Advertiser, Aviation, Clothing, FR, SOF Week | 3 Comments »

SOF Week 23 – DefendTex DRONE40 Update

Monday, May 15th, 2023

I first wrote about the DRONE40 during SOFIC 2019. Since then Australian manufacturer DefendTex has continued development.

Above is the latest version. Although it is designed to be launched from a side opening grenade launcher like the M320, it can also be hand launched after delpoying the four rotors which keep it aloft via an internal battery (10W). Playloads include ISR as well as kinetic options.

Below is the original model I mentioned in 2019. As you can see, the updated model is a bit longer.

It weighs around 190 grams depending on payload. Max loitering time is up to 30 minutes with a max flight distance of 20km and a max dash speed of 20m/s. It can be controlled via various apps on an EUD along with ISR downlink. However, it also offers autonomous flight characteristics (GPS-based) which also allow use of swarm tactics. Although there are explosive payload options, the DRONE40 can be reused for distraction, ISR, and EW missions. Below is the new stored form factor for safe transport.

DefendTex also developed a cassette launcher for the DRONE40 called HIVE, for up to six systems, which can be deployed as a stand-alone launcher or mounted to other platforms like the BANSHEE I wrote about during last fall’s Land Forces exhibition in Brisbane, Australia.

Posted in ISR, Munitions, SOF Week | 2 Comments »

First Look – Aimpoint FCS14

Friday, May 12th, 2023

Aimpoint unveiled the latest iteration of their Fire Control System line of sights for use with crew served weapons at SOF Week in Tampa, Florida.

The FCS14 Dynamic Universal Reflex Sight (DURS) is designed to be used on multiple weapon platforms such as M240, M2, Mk19 and even M3 Carl Gustav as well as future systems.

FCS14 is a Direct View Optic which and incorporates a laser range finder and can be used in concert with helmet mounted Image Intensification (I2) night vision systems for low light work. However, you may notice something new on the FCS14 not seen on previous models and that is the Dual Sensor Attachment mounted to the top which is a thermal and CMOS day camera unit. The DSA is powered by FCS14. The DSA offers optical zoom and ranging and firing reticles based on the system’s ballistic calculations. This firing solution compensates for speed, tilt, terrain angle, target range, atmospheric pressure / temperature, and propellant temperature.

Posted in Advertiser, Optics, SOF Week | 4 Comments »

SOF Week 23 – Ghost Robotics Vision QUGV-60 Complex Terrain Demo

Thursday, May 11th, 2023

I’ve heard a lot of questions about the ability of the Ghost Robotics Quadruped Unmanned Ground Vehicle (Vision 60) to negotiate complex terrain like stairs. I asked the operator at SOF Week to give me a short demo of its capability.

The operator simply gave it a direction command and the Vision-60 analyzed the path with visual and force feedback cues.

Posted in Advertiser, Robotics, SOF Week | Comments Off on SOF Week 23 – Ghost Robotics Vision QUGV-60 Complex Terrain Demo

SOF Week 23 – Mini Claymore from Benchmade Knives

Thursday, May 11th, 2023

Benchmade has released a smaller version of their Claymore Automatic Opener knife.

Seen here above the original model, the Mini Claymore features an oversized knurled push-button, integrated red-dot safety, ball-bearing matrix texturing, and 3″ CPM-D2 blade.

Posted in Knives, SOF Week | Comments Off on SOF Week 23 – Mini Claymore from Benchmade Knives

Sneak Peek – Reptilia Magclip 2.0

Thursday, May 11th, 2023

Working under license from Crye Precision, Reptilia is developing the Magclip 2.0 for use with the Magpul PMAG, Magpul Glock magazine and the OEM Glock Magazine.

The MagClip 2.0 is a polymer, user add-on to the magazine which allows it to be directly attached to a belt or PALS channel.

Coming soonish.

Posted in Advertiser, SOF Week, Weapon Accessories | Comments Off on Sneak Peek – Reptilia Magclip 2.0