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SOFWERX – Handheld Kinetic Defeat of UAS

Wednesday, January 24th, 2024

The USSOCOM Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program will soon be accepting submissions Handheld Kinetic Defeat of UAS. Submissions Open 31 January 2024.

The objective of this topic is to develop a handheld defeat capability to defeat Unmanned/Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS). Low size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C) solutions that can kinetically defeat Group 1-3 UAS (DoD defined) are desired. Defeat range is important, but reliability and a high probability of kill (Pk) are higher priority.

Visit events.sofwerx.org/sbir24-4r3 for details.

Posted in SOF, UAS, weapons | 4 Comments »

371st Special Operations Combat Training Squadron Increases Reach, Brings Training to Audience

Saturday, January 13th, 2024

AIR FORCE SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND —

Members of the 371st Special Operations Combat Training Squadron Mobile Training Team (MTT) brought the new Special Operations Task Unit-192 course to a mission sustainment team assigned to Cannon Air Force Base last quarter.

Over the course of a month, 371st SOCTS executed two iterations of SOTU-192, training fifty Air Commandos for deployment. This specialized ground combat training included instruction in land navigation, combatives, practical weapons training, tactical combat casualty care, and active shooter/care under fire scenarios. Additionally, they covered Special Operations Task Group and Joint Task Force awareness in preparation for operations in each echelon’s respective future operating environment.

“The planning for this course, which started in November 2022, provided learning through realistic hands-on training and adaptive scenario-based exercises to reinforce learning,” said Colonel Robert Johnston, Air Commando Development Center-Provisional commander. “The training objectives are designed to sharpen their skills and encourage critical thinking to adapt to operations before the adversary can react.”

The 371st SOCTS, which falls under the ACDC-P, is the formal training unit responsible for conducting Programmed Ground Training of Air Force Special Operations Forces on behalf of all core-SOF and non-core SOF personnel.

The SOTU-192 is one of several formal training courses offered by 371st SOCTS that uses an attribute and scenario-based training model to deliver combat ready airmen who can think and operate in all domains.

“Our goal is to provide the training our Air Commandos need to operate competently and confidently,” said Johnston. “By bringing this training to Cannon, we’re developing empowered leaders with the skills to impose dilemmas for our adversaries and ultimately deliver the lethality needed to win.”

The mission of 371st SOCTS is to enable AFSOC Force Generation development by providing SOTU, Special Operations Task Group, Mission Sustainment Teams, and Theater Air Operations Squadron elements combat ready airmen who can think and operate in the air, land, and human domain. Contact the Air Commando Development Center for more information concerning Education, Training, and Experiential opportunities.

By 1st Lt. Cassandra Saphore

Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, SOF, Training | Comments Off on 371st Special Operations Combat Training Squadron Increases Reach, Brings Training to Audience

Understanding AFSOC’s Adaptive Airborne Enterprise

Thursday, January 11th, 2024

CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. —

The 27th Special Operation Wing’s Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) community and industry partners completed several capability demonstrations throughout December 2023 as part of Air Force Special Operations Command’s Adaptive Airborne Enterprise (A2E) development.

As directed in the 2022 U.S. National Defense Strategy, AFSOC has shifted its priority from Counter-Violent Extremist Organization operations to also being capable of countering near-peer and peer adversaries in contested or denied environments. A2E is a result of that shift, marking an evolution beyond using the MQ-9 exclusively for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) and strike operations.

“Adaptive Airborne Enterprise is vital to thickening the Joint Force kill web throughout the spectrum of conflict and continues to be AFSOC’s #1 acquisition priority,” said Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, AFSOC commander. “Our Air Commandos are incredibly innovative, capable, and driven…they are bringing A2E to life. We will continuously develop the concept to full capability through multiple demonstrations over the next few years.”

A2E is broken into five phases, with the first three phases currently underway.

In phase one, AFSOC aims to transition to a government-owned Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) command and control interface, replacing the stationary RPA control system. The new A2E interface will shrink a traditional RPA crew’s deployed footprint and provide operators with the flexibility and mobility to fly various aircraft from austere locations – whether operating from the back of an AC-130, home station, or even urban environments.

“In the future, we’d like to take this from where we’ve fought in the past, a more permissive environment, to contested and denied spaces,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Lindsay Scott, AFSOC Headquarters Rapid Capabilities Development Chief of Autonomous Capabilities. “Our goal is to ensure we are always bringing effects to the battle space.”

In phase two, AFSOC’s objective is creating the capability for a single crew to fly multiple MQ-9s. According to the director of the 27th Special Operations Group’s RPA Operations Center, U.S. Air Force Maj. Joshua Radford, AFSOC plans to evolve past the historical standard of one crew operating one aircraft, the status quo for MQ-9 operations.

“We’re moving towards a crew or a single operator controlling multiple aircraft,” Radford said. “And it doesn’t necessarily need to be the same platform.”

Phase three entails a single crew controlling multiple types of UASs, ranging from Group 1 small uncrewed aerial systems (sUAS) like the RQ-11B Raven, to larger Group 5 UASs like the MQ-9A Reaper.

In phase four, a single crew will control formations of UASs from mobile and austere locations, leading into the final phase: creating new effects-based ISR units. These units could be comprised of UASs, forward deployed ground forces, cyber operators and space operators that can collaboratively employ UAS capabilities in permissive, contested or denied environments.

The A2E demonstrations conducted in 2023 at Cannon AFB successfully validated many of the capabilities described in phases one through three. In June, the 27th SOW hosted Exercise Talon Spear, AFSOC’s first A2E sUAS collaboration exercise.

“The goal of Talon Spear was to build a continuous improvement exercise,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Mitch, the exercise coordinator assigned to the 27th SOG. “Throughout the exercise, several industry and DOD partners integrated various systems, to include weapon systems, specific cameras, onboard computer systems and tactical situational awareness tools.”

During December’s demonstrations, a single 27th SOW RPA crew successfully exhibited two novel capabilities: controlling three MQ-9s utilizing a single common control interface and attaching and air-launching a Group 2 sUAS from an MQ-9A. The next A2E demonstration is planned for Summer 2024.

As the MQ-9 and its crews acquire the capability to direct sUASs carrying standoff sensor payloads, crews will be able to control swarms of air vehicles from anywhere. Additionally, AFSOC aims to continue developing and procuring A2E-compatible platforms, allowing the MQ-9 to act as a “mothership” for sUAS and loitering munition command and control, as well as a data transport node for mesh networks.

These mesh networks, in concert with Artificial Intelligence technologies and an advanced Human Machine Interface, will allow AFSOC crews to operate multiple large and small UASs simultaneously, covering more terrain and prosecuting more targets in environments that are not currently accessible.

“We depend on our innovative Air Commandos and industry experts to develop, experiment and grow this concept,” said Bauernfeind. “AFSOC is committed to advancing this capability and we appreciate the support of our defense partners and decision makers in prioritizing this acquisition.”

By collaboratively pathfinding alongside defense industry partners and innovative Air Commandos, A2E will transform the current AFSOC MQ-9 enterprise into the robust UAS architecture required to deliver specialized airpower to current and future fights: any place, anytime, anywhere.

By Senior Airman Alexcia Givens

27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Aviation, Press Release, SOF, UAS | Comments Off on Understanding AFSOC’s Adaptive Airborne Enterprise

SOFWERX – Science and Technology Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) 24.4 Release 2 – Water Tester at Point of Need

Thursday, January 4th, 2024

USSOCOM leverages the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program for a variety of innovative capabilities. SBIRs strengthen the role of innovative Small Business Concerns (SBCs) in federally-funded research or research and development (R/R&D).

Currently, SOCOM is seeking an innovative capability to improve water surveillance at point-of-need. The goal is to develop a field instrument that is rugged, compact, and able to provide microbiological and metal detection capabilities as far forward as possible to reduce both short- and long-term health risks to personnel.

This capability will incorporate a durable and small-scale piece of equipment that is able to withstand travel and ground movement while simultaneously providing rapid results on microbiological health threats and metal exposures. As a part of this feasibility study, the proposers shall address all viable overall system design options with specifications on the following key equipment attributes:

Able to complete analysis for total coliforms and Escherichia coli.

The capability to receive a result in less than 4 hours for total coliforms and Escherichia coli.

Able to complete analysis for arsenic, lead, copper, and cyanide.

The capability to detect arsenic, lead, copper, and cyanide is not limited to presence and absence, but will provide a definitive numerical result (milligrams per Liter).

Results must be accessible to allow for future processing within the Defense Occupational and Environmental Health Readiness – Industrial Hygiene (DOEHRS-IH) system of record.

Equipment (water tester) must be compact and able to fit in a carry-on piece of luggage for transport.

Equipment (water tester) must not exceed 25 pounds.

Equipment (water tester) must be durable to withstand transport on aircraft, rucks, tactical boxes, ground movement.

Equipment item must be dual voltage with battery pack capability.

Equipment item water resistant and able to withstand temperature fluctuations for heat (minimum 100o Fahrenheit (F) and cold (minimum 32o F).

Optional: Able to test for Cryptosporidium species.

Interested parties must submit by 06 February 2024. For full details visit events.sofwerx.org/sbir24-4r2.

Posted in SOF, Sustainment | Comments Off on SOFWERX – Science and Technology Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) 24.4 Release 2 – Water Tester at Point of Need

5th SFG (A) Engineer Course Looks to Cut Cost, Familiarize Force

Thursday, January 4th, 2024

Engineers from 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) created a force multiplier that eventually spread across the Special Forces footprint. The “18C Construction Course” provides the Special Forces Engineer Sergeants (18C) and other Special Operations Forces (SOF) personnel, the opportunity to sharpen their construction skillset, and benefits the individual as well as the Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA).

The Group Support Battalion’s (GSB) engineers instruct one to two classes quarterly depending on the demand signal, with eight to twelve Soldiers per class. The Engineer shops’ youngest Private First Class all the way through Staff Sergeants give expert electrical, carpentry, and plumbing instruction that can be tailored to individual or team needs.

The genesis of this course started in 2021. Dan, a Construction Engineer Supervisor (12H) with 5th SFG (A) saw the need for a class during his time as the platoon sergeant. He developed slides, training material, and a basic outline for how the course would run. He said he saw a need for the teams to get training and showcase what the Engineers can do for the 5th Special Forces Group. To date, Dan has trained 60 personnel for five Special Forces Groups, and spent over 500 hours as the lead instructor for the course. The skillsets taught to the personnel impact the command-and-control network nodes for SOF operations by upholding electrical grid and support for SOF personnel, influencing five Combatant Commands battlespace integration across six continents. By training the enabler population, he magnifies the small Engineer footprint across the Group’s area of responsibility by creating trained personnel able to implement solutions with the crucial knowledge learned throughout the course.

“While the 18C course enables team members to execute construction skills and drills required for their mission sets in austere environments, the real benefit is its ability to link the Special Forces Teams to a whole host of Engineer enablers, building the network for reach back support, increasing awareness and ultimately pushing capabilities to the Teams where they need it most, the front lines,” said Dave, the lead Group Engineer for 5th SFG (A). “Resourcing these classes is a no-brainer, even with the rising costs of Class IV. The engineer trades get sets and reps, the Special Forces Soldiers get skills to refresh while improving their reach back networks, and a whole number of additional enablers get cross-trained, adding to their enabler skill pool. Ultimately, it allows us to reduce contract costs, CONUS (Continental United States) and OCONUS (Outside Continental United States), and leverage existing DOD (Department of Defense) and Army supply networks to enable success in support of the ARSOF (Army Special Operations Forces) mission set.”

The Engineers of the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) continue to refine and showcase the hallmark vision of Dan, the Non-Commissioned Officer who created the course. They’re looking at the curriculum to include project management, concrete, and concrete masonry units into a new curriculum. The course of instruction can be tailored to implement other Engineers or enablers to ascertain the knowledge needed for future projects that can enable the appropriate amount of resourcing of staffing needed to accomplish missions and projects expediently and overcome hurdles. The ability to quickly train Soldiers with basic skills they can perfect with on-the-job training has the potential to enable the Group to reduce million-dollar construction projects to a fraction of the price. It will save money, enable cross-functional teams to emerge and execute a construction portfolio quicker and cheaper while completing construction projects sooner.

Courtesy of 5th SFG(A)

Posted in Guest Post, SOF, Training | 1 Comment »

Airman of GUNDAM 22 Posthumously Promoted

Sunday, December 31st, 2023

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. —

The Secretary of the Air Force posthumously promoted Captain Terrell “Terry” K. Brayman to the rank of Major, with an effective date of December 15, 2022 reflecting when Terry was selected for Major following the conclusion of the Air Force promotion board.

The posthumous promotion is in recognition of Terry’s outstanding service and in acknowledgment of the ultimate sacrifice he made in the line of duty.

Terry was one of the eight Airmen of GUNDAM 22 that died in a CV-22 mishap off the shore of Yakushima Island, Japan on Nov. 29, 2023.

“Major Brayman’s legacy will forever endure in the hearts and minds of those who served alongside him, as his commitment to his country will continue to inspire current and future generations of Air Commandos,” said Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, AFSOC commander. “The AFSOC community continues to stand with the families, friends, and teammates affected by this devastating loss.”

By Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, SOF | 1 Comment »

USSOCOM Seeks Extreme Long Range-Sniper Rifle System

Friday, December 29th, 2023

During the NDIA Future Forces Capabilities conference in September, USSOCOM’s Program Manager for SOF Lethality, LTC John M (Tosh) Lancaster (USA), mentioned that the command would be seeking a Extreme Long Range-Sniper Rifle System.

Just before Christmas SOCOM issued a sources sought notice to industry for this capability.

United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) is seeking to replace older anti- materiel and anti-personnel rifles such as the M107 and MK15 with a newer system. This Sources Sought Notice will provide valuable market research on state-of-the-art sniper systems.

They are seeking a modular, magazine-fed, multi-caliber capable system which will include barrel configurations with required bolts and barrels of each caliber, required magazines of each caliber, stock, receiver, sound suppressor, ballistic computer, operator manual, cleaning kit, tool kit, bipod, and Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) approved locking hard carrying case.

As envisioned, the ELR-SR weapon system will have a precision fire capability of 2500m. The primary caliber of the system shall be sub-sonic and supersonic capable and if the primary system caliber is not a current DOD-approved munition, system shall be capable of transitioning to a current .300 Norma Magnum DOD-approved munition with a quick- change kit.

In early December Barrett Firearms launched the MRADELR in .416 Barrett which features the MRAD quick barrel change capability to other calibers. Of note, the MRAD serves as the Mk22 Advanced Sniper Rifle which features a .300 NM option.

Responses are due Jan 23, 2024 10:00 am EST.

Interested parties should visit sam.gov/opp/66418ecd71f5498ba4544d889459a6b2

Posted in SOF, weapons | 7 Comments »

Blast from the Past – The Digital Message Device Group

Wednesday, December 27th, 2023

Not long after “ET” used a modified Speak & Spell to phone home*, select units within the US Army were using the OA-8990/P Digital Message Device Group (aka KY-879/P) to communicate.

I used the DMDG from the late 80s up until the mid-90s while assigned to both 3rd ID LRS and in 3rd SFG(A) on a SOT-A.

Manufactured by Racal Communications, it was a burst transmission device. Messages were formatted and encrypted via one-time pad and then entered into the device via the keyboard. The dot matrix screen could be backlit but was used only with caution so as not to give away the user’s location at night. Although, the nylon cover could be configured to partially conceal the screen from three sides, the glow reflecting off of the user’s face was noticeable, especially if he was wearing glasses.

The DMDG sent a digital burst signal when used primarily in conjunction with HF radios. Initially these were the AN-PRC-74 and 70, but I only ever used the device with the AN/PRC-104A and AN/PRC-132 SOHFRAD (Special Ops High Frequency Radio). It could also used with SATCOM systems such as the AN/PSC-3, AN/LST-5 and AN/MST-20.

In the photo at the top, you can see the cables used to connect the DMDG to the radio as well as an external battery such as the Magnesium BA-4386 (also used in the AN/PRC-77) which only provided about four hours of power.

The combination of burst transmission and HF comms was intended to thwart threat radio direction finding efforts but the baud rate was so slow (266.6 baud), messages took a really long time to transmit. At that speed, you could only transmit 27 characters a second on HF. For SATCOM shots, you could speed it up to 1200 baud but satellite time wasn’t as prevalent during the 80s and 90s.

During an International (NATO) LRRP exercise in the late 80s, I learned that the Dutch 104th Reconnaissance Co used the MA-4450 Message Entry and Read-Out Device. The MEROD looked like the DMDG, but offered onboard encryption.

By the mid-90s we began to transition to the AN/PRC-137 Special Mission Radio System which was much smaller and lighter than earlier radios and used a palmtop Data Messaging Device to transmit messages via a radio which could be queried by a base station for message traffic. When used for Special Reconnaissance missions this allowed to communicator to leave the radio a safe distance from the element. This combined with much faster data transfer rates greatly lowered the risk of threat direction finding.

The DMDG is now a relic of the Cold War. Today, handheld cellular devices provide more capability than we could carry just two decades ago. Communicators use a variety of multi-band devices which offer onboard encryption as well as data transfer rates high enough to provide live video feeds using waveforms which boast low probability of detection and intercept.

* “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” was a 1982 movie by Steven Spielberg. A famous line is “E.T. phone home.”

Posted in Cold War, Comms, SOF | 9 Comments »