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Archive for the ‘TAK’ Category

Tough Stump University Offers TAK U for both MIL & CIV Versions

Sunday, January 21st, 2024

• Does your unit use ATAK and need a refresher of the basics?

• Could your team benefit from a mass basic ATAK course?

• Do you want your personnel to be both competent & confident in the tools ATAK has to offer?

Tough Stump University offers TAK U for both MIL & CIV versions.

The course can be licensed out to a large group of students or taken on an individual basis! Both options are available to ensure ATAK users are building their teams’ situational awareness with confidence.

For more information, visit university.toughstump.com

For custom packages or questions, email tstu@toughstump.com

Dominus Technological at SHOT Show

Monday, January 8th, 2024

Meetings are by appointment only – email SHOTshow@oksi.ai

TAK Stak from VK Integrated Systems

Thursday, November 30th, 2023

TAK Stack is the one stop shop for all things TAK related! Our application has multiple free features and resources to let users download the full CIV TAK api, the most updated Map Imagery, the latest versions of the most popular plugins, and how-to user guides. Along with the ability to subscribe to your own encrypted private server and access to the Mission After-Action Review System (M.A.R.S.)

No longer will users have to source all the additional add-ons from across the web to get the maximum use of ATAK, everything is conveniently located in one location!

Download TAK Stack from the Playstore.

SOFWERX – Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Pre-Release for Visual Augmentation Systems (VAS) Range Finder

Monday, July 10th, 2023

The USSOCOM Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program will soon be accepting submissions for the technology area of interest below.

Special Area of Interest

PHASE I:
SOCOM234-003: Visual Augmentation Systems (VAS) Range Finder

SOF ground forces require an improved capability for situational awareness allowing reliable and effective day/night observation and range measurement in a small, low-cost, easy to use device in primarily urban or near- urban environments with ambient light sources.

Current observation and range measurement solutions possess the following requirements:

• requires digital integration

• requires low-light or night capability

• Too large

• Cost prohibitive

• Require active emission of laser energy

• Lack user-assistance, limiting the effective range

• Lack feedback mechanisms that allow the user to be sure of their measurement

Potential solutions should hyper enable the SOF operator by interrogating a potential target with its integrated sensors, organizing that gathered information in a useful manor, and reliably disseminating it via Tactical Assault Kit (TAK) interface to the End User Device (EUD).

Potential solutions include integrated sensing solutions capable of aiding the user in detecting human sized targets at the maximum possible distance for both day and night urban environments. Solutions must enable the user to gather range measurements to target types that include, but are not limited to humans, vehicles and buildings. Solutions utilizing a laser transmitter for range measurement must maintain user safety by using a laser with wavelength greater than 1400 nanometers and also by not exceeding the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Class 1 laser hazard classification.

Potential solutions shall be capable of surviving all environments that SOF encounters, including immersion, transportation vibration, high and low temperatures, high humidity, high altitude, drops and shocks, rain, ice, sand and dust, salt fog, and electromagnetic radiation. Participants are encouraged to outline the design trades associated with surviving immersion at 1 meter for 30 minutes.

The innovative research should focus on solutions that can be adapted to meet the size, weight, and power (SWaP) constraints listed below.

• Less than 18 oz. (1.125lbs) with power source(s) installed.

• Less than 64 cubic inches in volume, and not exceed 6 inches in either length, width, or height.

• Potential solutions must provide the operator with the following runtime profile before requiring a change of power source.

o Daytime: 30 minutes of observation including 75 range measurements; and

o Nighttime: 30 minutes of observation including 75 range measurements; and

o 20 Rapid Ranging Events: A Rapid Ranging Event can be described as follows. User detects an object of interest while not using the device. User then picks up the device and utilizes its range measurement capability until user is confident, they have an accurate range measurement to the object of interest.

Clarifying Information: The purpose of this effort is not to generate precise target coordinates. For any target coordinates that the integrated sensing solution can generate, it should be able to communicate those digitally into TAK with all associated errors.

Submissions Open 20 July 2023 12:00 PM ET (Noon). On 20 July, SOFWERX will host a virtual Q&A session for the area of interest. RSVP to the Q&A session at events.sofwerx.org/sbir23-4r3.

AFRL Technology Aids Operators During Afghanistan Evacuation

Saturday, April 29th, 2023

ROME, N.Y. (AFRL) — Engineers from the Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, refined a fielded tool called the Tactical Awareness Kit, or TAK, to aid operators in the fall 2021 Afghanistan evacuation. The kit has also been adapted to fit the missions of local, state and federal agencies in fighting wildfires and responding to natural disasters.

TAK is a technology developed by AFRL scientists and engineers that has been transitioned to and used by numerous U.S. and international warfighters, including special operations and civilian users.


A U.S. Air Force security forces raven, assigned to the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, maintains security aboard a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft in support of the Afghanistan evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Afghanistan, Aug. 24, 2021. Support from Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, systems like Tactical Awareness Kit, or TAK, helped facilitate safe extractions of families and US civilians. (U.S. Air Force photo / Master Sgt. Donald R. Allen)

As U.S. warfighters completed the main evacuation effort in Afghanistan in 2021, many Afghan allies and U.S. civilians still needed to get to safety. AFRL’s Information Systems Division, part of the lab’s Information Directorate at Rome, New York, employed the use of TAK to connect evacuees safely and securely with operators.

“AFRL’s unique system ensured that only the sender and recipient could access the needed information for the extractions,” said Capt. Landon Tomcho, an AFRL program manager. “Furthermore, the TAK system is already established in the operator community. The agile development principals integrated into the TAK ecosystem since its transition allowed the AFRL teams to apply their expert knowledge to rapidly create and employ a scenario-specific solution.”

AFRL’s Information Directorate monitored the efforts in Afghanistan and worked to understand the operating environment and situations before planning the implementation of changes needed for use. However, getting to delivery and implementation of TAK took tenacity, development, and dozens of phone calls, said Tomcho. These efforts resulted in AFRL connecting with the proper entities to put the TAK secure communications tool into the hands of the warfighters conducting the extractions to help direct individuals to safety and keep them safe.


A U.S. Marine with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command escorts a family during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 21, 2021. U.S. service members assisted the Department of State with a non-combatant evacuation operation in Afghanistan. Support from Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, systems such as the Tactical Awareness Kit, or TAK, helped facilitate safe extractions of families and U.S. civilians.

“Having a flexible and secure means of communication would be critical to the former special operators who joined the extraction missions,” Tomcho said. “These operators had all the right tactical skills; they just needed a bit of extra technology to provide greater situational awareness.”

Ryan McLean, director of TAK product center, said his team is proud to support the Information Directorate by tackling issues such as humanitarian assistance.

“As the Allied information dominance platform, TAK delivers world-class situational awareness through a family of networked geospatial products,” McLean said. “Capt. Tomcho’s successful efforts show how the TAK products enable a rapid convergence of innovation, initiative and impact when lives are on the line.”

Additionally, instead of using an app on a dedicated device to track critical assets, the platform was re-tasked to a web portal environment, said Tomcho. The access portal allowed operators to see specific location coordinates for the extractions from any device with an internet connection. Since the platform was secure, it was the optimal solution for communication between operators and the extraction parties. It provided greater access to ensure they could receive communications and critical information in limited access environments. Because of the security, hackers are unable to decipher information.


Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, researchers and technical teammates re-tasked a current fielded tool called Tactical Awareness Kit, or TAK, to directly assist extraction efforts by operators in Afghanistan in the Fall of 2021 and increase the chances of success. USAF tactical air control warfighters demonstrated the capabilities of the TAK system — similar to those used during operations to evacuate U.S. citizens and allies in Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo)

“In the end, AFRL researchers deployed a highly successful secure communications solution to operators that saved numerous lives,” Tomcho said.

AFRL’s application was leveraged to communicate information only the sender and recipient could securely verify, facilitating efficient and safe extractions.

www.afresearchlab.com

By Marc Denofio, Air Force Research Laboratory Public Affairs

Introducing MARS: Web Application for After-Action Reports

Monday, April 17th, 2023

Clarksville, TN- VK Integrated Systems (VKIS), a leading provider of innovative technology solutions, is excited to announce the creation and launch of MARS (Mapping After-Action Review System). MARS is a revolutionary web application that is designed to work in conjunction with TAK servers; this enables users to access and view historical location and shot date through an interactive timeline.

MARS empowers users to easily play, pause, and rewind mission data based on the date it was collected. Utilizing data stored in a secure database, MARS incorporates the intormation into its playback tool, including shot location and direction when paired with compatble equipment.

This endanced report visual provides the reviewer with a beter undersancine of the on-ground action, improving potential gaps in existing technology, and enabling better planning for the future.

Our scalable and customizable technology solution is tailored to meet the unique needs of any user or organization, offering real-time data analytics and reporting for valuable insights and information. Let VK Integrated Systems handle the back-end data while you complete the mission.

For more information on sensor technolooy and warfighter innovations. visit sat.vkintsys.com.

Freedom Atlantic – Universal PD Cable

Tuesday, April 4th, 2023

Freedom Atlantic’s Universal PD Cable is designed to connect your EUD to your radio and be compatible with all radio configurations, keeping your radios alive longer.

Features:

• 5, 9 and 12V power to EUD (USB Power Delivery 3.0)

• 100mA to 2A configurable current output

• Adjust charge rates real-time using PD protocol messaging

• Real time power role swapping

• Reconfigurable USB Type C interface: swap between host and
peripheral modes

• *Peripheral connector options for legacy radios: Glenair 6-pin, Fischer, ODU

freedom-atlantic.com

New Fischer KEYSTONE 6-port Hub Delivers Easy Connectivity and Efficient Power Management for Soldier-Worn Digital Equipment

Wednesday, March 29th, 2023

Fischer Connectors, the Swiss-based global leader in high-performance connectivity solutions, announces the launch of the Fischer KEYSTONE™ 6 wearable power and data hub for dismounted soldiers.

• The Fischer KEYSTONE™ power and data hub developed by Fischer Connectors is an innovative wearable solution to the tactical connectivity challenge.

• Fischer KEYSTONE™ allows dismounted soldiers to connect and manage multiple communications and digital devices through a single hub.

• Fischer KEYSTONE™ is designed to meet the requirements of soldier modernization programs and new soldier-worn digital systems.

The new tactical connectivity solution comprises a 6-port tactical hub, Fischer KEYSTONE™ 6, a power management app plug-in for the Android Team Awareness Kit (ATAK), and customized cable assemblies with connectors designed to meet Nett Warrior and NATO STANAG 4695 standards.

Fischer KEYSTONE™ is an easily deployable MIL-spec solution to the tactical connectivity challenge presented by digital modernization programs, i.e., more data, higher speeds, greater power and less weight in harsh environments.

Fischer KEYSTONE™ enables soldiers to connect and power their digital gear easily and reliably, and to efficiently manage the flows of data (USB 2.0 and SMBus) and power (100 W – 5 A max) through a single source controlled from an easy-to-use app on their EUD.

“The soldier is the center of the digital transformation in armed forces,” highlights Jonathan Brossard, CEO of Conextivity Group, parent of Fischer Connectors. “Our experts have tackled the soldier connectivity challenge with a Swiss-engineered hub which meets tough military standards. Soldiers already know how to use it – they wear it, connect it, and go.”

Fischer KEYSTONE™ provides military OEM integrators with a competitive solution comparable to the U.S. Army’s Next Generation Hub (NGH). Olivier Thormann, Fischer KEYSTONE™ Product Manager, explains: “Fischer KEYSTONE™ is a complete connectivity solution that meets the performance requirements of soldier modernization and digital transformation programs such as U.S. Army 2030.”

Fischer KEYSTONE™ is a complete connectivity solution. (Image: Fischer KEYSTONE™ brochure available on Fischer Connectors’ website)

Fischer KEYSTONE™ is Swiss-engineered for MIL-spec digital connectivity with Fischer Connectors’ world-renowned technologies in ruggedness, sealing, miniaturization and data transmission. Main technical specifications include:

Featured for tactical digital connectivity:

– Manages power (100 W – 5 A max) and data (USB 2.0 and SMBus)

– Meets MIL-STD 810 and 461

– Secure firmware

– ATAK plug-in

– USB-C bidirectional power delivery

Chosen for soldier modernization requirements:

– Connects to Nett Warrior / NATO STANAG 4695 standard components

– Simple operation with no training required

– No maintenance or repair parts

– Competitive multiport tactical hub

– Manages all digital equipment for soldiers

Fischer KEYSTONE™ features cable assemblies with Nett Warrior / NATO STANAG 4695 compatible Fischer UltiMate™ 80 connectors.

Full technical specifications in Fischer KEYSTONE™ Tactical Connectivity Solution.