As USSOCOM refines the requirement for the follow on to the Precision Sniper Rifle, we have been told this new requirement will be called Advanced Sniper Rifle.
Archive for the ‘SOF’ Category
The Follow On To PSR Is ASR
Thursday, April 21st, 2016OSS Manuals
Tuesday, April 19th, 2016The United States Army Special Operations Command is a descendent of World War Two’s Office of Strategic Services. This secretive organization of specially selected men and women combined intelligence gathering and unconventional warfare functions across both European and Pacific theaters of war. The OSS was organized functionally, by branch. Like any military organization, manuals were produced.
In addition to the manuals, the OSS also produced briefing materials, used to explain the organization to policy makers. Although it doesn’t resemble any current SOF organizations, the Operational Group was the standard unit of the OSS.
As this was a joint organization long before being joint was a thing, the OSS also had a Maritime Unit with specialized equipment to carry out its unique mission.
A few years ago, their manuals were declassified and released publicly. USASOC has been gracious in sharing some of these manuals for their historical value. Operationally, you may learn a thing or two, as well. They are well worth the read.
Feel The SURG – USSOCOM Seeks Suppressor Upper Receiver Group for M4A1 Carbines
Wednesday, April 13th, 2016On 12 April, USSOCOM’s Directorate of Procurement released a solicitation for the long anticipated Suppressor Upper Receiver Group.
According to the government, “The SURG weapon upgrade of the M4A1 Lower Receiver Group will allow the Warfighter’s weapon to be optimized for continuous suppressed use.” Interestingly, there’s no requirement that the upper feature an integral suppressor, just that it is suppressed.
Vendors have been working on this project for quite sometime as SOCOM has collected data in order to dial in the requirement. As you can imagine, most of the major players have all teamed up which explains the relatively short lead time until submissions are due.
Potential offerers have until July 13th to answer. Specific information requires an account with Fed Biz Opps.
Visit www.fbo.gov.
Daniel Defense Rifle Featured on Cover of ‘Popular Mechanics’ Special Forces Issue
Tuesday, April 12th, 2016Black Creek, GA – April 12, 2016 – Daniel Defense, engineer and manufacturer of the world’s finest firearms and accessories, is pleased to announce that its MK18 Factory SBR rifle will appear on the cover of the upcoming issue of Popular Mechanics. In the May 2016 “Tough Guys”-themed issue, the magazine highlights “The Future of Special Forces,” and its cover features a model decked out in gear typically used by Special Forces operators, including a conspicuously held DD MK18 rifle.
“This is a major accomplishment for us and our Team,” said Daniel Defense Chief Marketing Officer, Cindy Daniel. “Both in terms of prestige and in exposure of our rifle, and our company, to a whole new audience—one not necessarily part of the tactical or hunting communities.”
Daniel Defense leveraged its extensive media relations to get the MK18 featured on the Popular Mechanics cover in order to reach a “more mainstream” audience. While Daniel Defense rifles and products have been featured in various publications over the years, most of those publications were tactical- and/or hunting/outdoor-themed. Popular Mechanics, part of Hearst Direct Media, promotes itself as “the essential handbook for curious, active people” and operates under the tagline “How Your World Works.” Its circulation is 1.2 million, and the magazine is most popular with men between the ages of 35 and 49.
The DD MK18 rifle features the RIS II Rail System Daniel Defense currently provides to US SOCOM, and a 10.3” Cold Hammer Forged Barrel. It has an MSRP of $1749 and is available directly from Daniel Defense (www.danieldefense.com) or authorized retailers. Along with the DD MK18, several other best-selling tactical products are featured on the PM cover and within the issue, including a SureFire SOCOM Series 5.56mm suppressor, a Tactical Night Vision Company Tactical Application Pressure Switch (TNVC TAPS), and an Insight ATPIAL-C (AN/PEQ-15) Advanced Target Pointer/Illuminator Aiming Laser.
The May 2016 Popular Mechanics issue hits newsstands the week of April 11, 2016. To learn more about the magazine or to read highlighted stories, visit: www.popularmechanics.com.
Watch the 5th SFG(A) Reflashing Ceremony Live
Tuesday, March 22nd, 2016Last December we told you that the US Army’s 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) was going to revert to an older version of the beret flash they abandoned in 1985.
The Army plans to webcast the event so current and former members of the Legion as well as supporters, can watch, no matter where they are. Be sure to visit www.dvidshub.net from Mar 23 2016 10:00 AM EDT to Mar 23 2016 12:00 PM EDT.
USSOCOM Offering Prize For Algorithm for Real-Time Parallax Correction Challenge
Friday, February 12th, 2016If you’ve got a system that will correct parallax in worn (powered) sensors, you could win a prize of up to $50,000. US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) is sponsoring a public prize challenge for a wearable system to correct optical parallax resulting from offset sensors.
Background.
USSOCOM is developing a multi-spectral visual system; however, fusing the inputs of offset optical sources results in parallax – a perceived change in the position of an object due to the offset positions of the optical sensors. To address this issue, USSOCOM is sponsoring the Algorithm for Real-Time Parallax Correction prize challenge. For additional details and to register to solve the challenge, visit www.innocentive.com/ar/challenge/9933759..
Challenge Structure.
Begin Date: 27 Jan 16
Submission Close Date: 29 Feb 16
Phase I winners will be announced approximately 2 weeks later, and invited to participate in Phase II
Phase II will be a live demonstration of the solvers solutions.
Prize Structure.
$50,000 in total prize awards is available.
Phase I winners are eligible for up to $15,000
Phase II winners are eligible for up to an additional $35,000
Get the rest of the details on how to participate at www.fbo.gov..
5th Group Is Bringing Back The Viet Nam-Era Flash
Monday, December 14th, 2015In March, 2016 the US Army’s 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) will hold a ceremony at their home on Fort Campbell, Kentucky to formally transition their beret flash from the current Black version to a type initially adopted during the Viet Nam war. The flash they will begin using again features a Yellow Band with three Scarlet Bands. The 5th Group Flash has always featured a Black background, going back to 1961 when the unit was stood up. In 1962 a White border was added and remains today. In 1964 the flash was redesigned, adding the bands. In December 1984, 5th Group commander COL Jim Guest, requested the Group revert to the older variant in order to disassociate the unit with Viet Nam. Specifically, Guest wrote, “The colors of a foreign flag should not be incorporated into a US Army beret flash.” In his request he went on, “The Republic of Viet Nam and the original purpose for having the Vietnamese colors in the flash no longer exist.” That request was approved on 16 January, 1985 by the Director, Institute of Heradlry although I recall still seeing 5th Group members wearing the “Viet Nam” flash into 1987 while TDY away from Fort Bragg.
While the official story is that these Yellow and Red affectations represent the 1st and 7th Groups which provided augmentation to 5th Group in Viet Nam, it’s impossible to deny that these colors are also from the flag of the Republic of Viet Nam. Isn’t it odd that the color bands perfectly replicate the RVN flag? If they were simply meant to honor the other groups, as in the case of the 3rd Group flash, wouldn’t there just be two stripes?
Naturally, like the decision that switched the flash during the mid-1980s, the move back is not popular with everyone. Reportedly, some Veterans of the “Legion” as it is known, don’t feel a connection to the Group’s Viet Nam roots and have questioned the change. The same thing probably came up in 1964 when they added the bands to the Black flash. No doubt, we’ll see 5th Group members continuing to wear the “war on terror” flash for many years to come.
A Tip Of The Hat To Two Dogs
Friday, December 11th, 2015Today, one of my mentors retires after 51 years of Federal Service (USAF Officer and Civil Service). Joseph “Two Dogs” E Murphy, Jr, Lt Col, USAF (Ret) was my first boss after commissioning in the Air Force. Joe goes way back in AFSOC Intel to the 23rd Air Force days. After retiring, they brought him back as a civilian and Joe created the Special Tactics Intelligence community. I was lucky enough to be selected as one of the first officers to work for him in that capacity at the 720th STG. Not only that, he’s been a great friend and mentor to me these past 18 years.
I want to wish Joe, his wife Sally, children and grandchildren well on this occasion. Two Dogs, I hope you enjoy that retirement. You’ve more than earned it.
