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Archive for the ‘USMC’ Category

Belleville Boot Releases New USMC Combat Boot

Wednesday, July 24th, 2024

Belleville Boot Co., a leading manufacturer of military and tactical footwear has announced the arrival of an all new USMC certified combat boot. The 520 MOTO is one of the lightest available options for Marines built on Belleville’s exclusive VIBRAM Incisor outsole with a strobel-stitch construction that feels more like an athletic shoe with the durability and support you expect from Bellevilles. 100% USA genuine cattle-hide leather and 1000D nylon with cool mesh lining for enhanced breathability.

Now available on Bellevilleboot.com and the MCX. 

Marines Seek Dismounted Counter small Unmanned Aircraft System (CsUAS) for Squads and Platoons

Thursday, July 18th, 2024

Under a request for information from industry entitled, “Dismounted Counter small Unmanned Aircraft System (CsUAS)” Marine Corps Systems Command’s Program Manager (PM) Ground Based Air Defense (GBAD) Dismounted Counter small Unmanned Aircraft System (CsUAS) has announced its on the lookout for systems to support “every” Marines’ ability to conduct self-defense against threat Groups 1 and 2 small UAS (sUAS).

Photo: LCpl Christian J Robertson/Marine Corps

Specifically, capabilities for the Squad and Platoon organizations across the MAGTF that are capable of detecting, tracking, identifying and defeating Group 1 and Group 2 UAS.

The Squad-level solutions need to be carried by dismounted Marines with little to no impact on their primary mission.  The Platoon-level solutions may be transported in light tactical vehicles, assembled without the use of material handling equipment and operate on battery power.

They explain the reasoning behind the requirement below:

With the proliferation of UAS as a threat on the modern battlefield, Marines require the ability to maintain awareness of friendly UAS and conduct self-defense against threat UAS.  Every unit down to the individual Marine, regardless of geographic location on the battlefield, is vulnerable to reconnaissance and, more dangerously, attack from threat sUAS.  To facilitate freedom of movement, Marines require the ability to conduct self-defense against the threat.  This has been proven through multiple Department of Defense (DoD) experiments, training exercises, and has been proven during real-world operations.  

Each phase of the kill-chain requires a different component making dismounted CsUAS more difficult in terms of Size, Weight and Power (SWaP).  The dismounted CsUAS capability will be employed and support all elements of the Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF), not just professional air defenders.  The dismounted CsUAS solution will need to be easy-to-use, easy-to-train, light-weight and use systems currently organic to the Marine Corps to the maximum extent possible.

The Joint CsUAS Office (JCO) has identified dismounted CsUAS capabilities as a vulnerability to the Joint force.  The Marine Corps Warfighting Lab (MCWL) identified the need for dismounted CsUAS throughout multiple experiments.  Additionally, Tactical Training and Exercise Control Group (TTECG), Infantry Officer Course (IOC), both Schools of Infantry (SOI), and other units continue to fly threat UAS against Marine units during field exercises and training events.  Each experiment and training exercise shows Marines are vulnerable to threat UAS and require the ability to defend themselves from the threat. 

Without a CsUAS capability to employ at lower echelons in an integrated and layered defense, every unit and every Marine will be vulnerable to reconnaissance and attack from threat UAS, risking mission success and loss of life. 

The solutions may include capabilities described below:

Detect / Track / Identify

• Squad level.  Passive detection system that can detect UAS using acoustic or radio frequency (RF) detection.  Sensor should be body worn with limited impact on primary mission equipment.  Components may include a Handheld tablet, bracelet, earpiece, and/or glasses that receives alerts, warnings, notifications from an external sensor(s) (i.e. radars and/or passive detection systems).

• Platoon level.  Passive detection system that can detect UAS using acoustic or radio frequency detection.  Sensor can be vehicle, mast or tripod mounted.  Components may also include a handheld tablet, bracelet, earpiece, and/or glasses that receives alerts, warnings, notifications from an external sensor(s) (i.e. radars and/or passive detection systems).

Defeat:

• Squad level.  Non-kinetic – Directional RF and/or Global Positioning System (GPS) jammer, ideally able to mount on organic rifle.  Kinetic – A rifle / rifle optic capable of tracking and defeating small UAS.  Enhanced ammunition for existing firearms (buckshot-like 5.56, 7.62, .50, .40mm).

• Platoon level.  Non-kinetic – Omni-directional RF/GPS jammer and/or spoofer.  Kinetic – A rifle / rifle optic capable of tracking and defeating small UAS.  Enhanced ammunition for existing firearms (buckshot-like 5.56, 7.62, .50, .40mm).

If you’ve got a solution, the Marines want to hear from you. Responses shall be submitted no later than 1700 Eastern Time on 2 August 2024.  Telephone replies will not be accepted.

The RFI specifies how submissions must be formatted and where to send them, so be sure to check it out.

Engineer Charged with Obstructing a Criminal Investigation into the Cause of the USMC Yanky 72 Plane Crash

Tuesday, July 9th, 2024

OXFORD, MS – A former Robins Air Force Base employee has been arrested for making false statements and obstructing justice during a federal criminal investigation into a 2017 military plane crash that claimed the lives of 16 service members.

On July 10, 2017, a United States Marine Corps KC-130 transport aircraft known as “Yanky 72” crashed near Itta Bena, Mississippi, resulting in the death of fifteen Marines and one Navy Corpsman. On Tuesday morning, JAMES MICHAEL FISHER, formerly of Warner Robins, Georgia and currently residing in Portugal, was arrested on an indictment issued by a federal grand jury in the Northern District of Mississippi charging him with obstruction of justice and false statements during a criminal investigation into the cause of that crash.

According to the indictment, FISHER, 67, a former propulsion engineer with the C-130 program office at Robins Air Force Base, engaged in a pattern of conduct intended to avoid scrutiny for his past engineering decisions related to why the crash may have occurred. Specifically, the indictment alleges that FISHER knowingly concealed key engineering documents from criminal investigators and made materially false statements to criminal investigators about his past engineering decisions.

FISHER is charged with two false statements and two obstruction of justice charges. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge would determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner of the Northern District of Mississippi; and Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI), Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), and Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) made the announcement.

AFOSI, DCIS, and NCIS are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott Leary and Philip Levy are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Mississippi

MCA Releases its First Video Series and Feature Length Film on Battle of First Manassas

Sunday, July 7th, 2024

Quantico, VA, Jun 28, 2024: The Marine Corps Association released its first video series and feature length film on the Battle of First Manassas. The project, part of the Association’s professional military education initiative, completed the production to augment one of a number of battle studies offered by the non-profit organization for use by Marines attending any training and education programs, units seeking additional sources for battlefield staff ride programs, and Civil War enthusiasts.

The project took ten months to complete led primarily by Marine Corps Gazette Assistant Editor William Treuting. Staff from the Marine Corps Gazette magazine contributed to every aspect of the film, including the narration and video editing. Treuting intended to provide a tactical analysis of the battle while utilizing Manassas National Battlefield Park as the primary setting to tell the story.

“This film is primarily intended for military leaders preparing to conduct a staff ride of the Manassas battlefield; however, it is also meant to be viewed by anyone with enthusiasm for Marine Corps history, American Civil War history, or military history in general,” said Treuting. “I hope this film will encourage the viewers to further explore the Battle of First Manassas, whether that be visiting the battlefield, reading historical accounts, or wargaming the battle.”

The video will be released in a three-part series on the Marine Corps Association YouTube channel starting June 30th. The full-length feature will be released on the anniversary of the battle on July 21st.

www.youtube.com/@MarineCorpsAssoc

MCA is a (501(c)(19)) Military Service Association charted in 1913 as the professional association of the Marines. MCA is dedicated to leadership development, recognition of professional excellence and expanding the rich traditions, history, and spirit of the United States Marine Corps.

Corps Collaborations: Industry Innovations in Textiles and Medical Tech on Display in North Carolina

Friday, May 31st, 2024

Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va. —

Earlier this month, MCSC’s Program Manager Combat Support Systems, or PM CSS, was on the ground on Tobacco Road for the 2024 FEDTEX Summit– a yearly symposium that connects the DOD’s acquisition community with industry leaders in textiles and tactical equipment—and the 2024 Special Operations Medical Association Conference, a forum that showcases the latest in expeditionary medical technologies.

Hosted at North Carolina State University’s McKimmon Conference Center in Raleigh, FEDTEX provided the team an opportunity to engage with existing industry partners in the textile sector, tour the Wilson College of Textile facilities, and connect with graduate students interested in entering federal service.

According to Col. Paul Gillikin, CSS program manager and NC State alum, “Connecting with the textile community is essential to meet Force Design’s modernization goals and support Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations, or EABO. Strengthening supply chains and integrating advanced textiles and manufacturing techniques are crucial to mitigating the growing risks in the electromagnetic spectrum. It was important to discuss Marine Corps and Joint warfighter needs and then hear industry feedback on that direction.”

Although the Pentagon’s strategic return to the Indo-Pacific has led to a renewed focus on the fielding of expeditionary capabilities meant to dominate the global littorals, experts have warned a future war against our nation’s pacing threat could be decided—in large part—on the electromagnetic spectrum.

Exposing this emerging reality, the Pentagon recently warned that China has developed advanced electromagnetic spectrum monitoring technology, making it difficult for Marines to conceal their presence on the battlefield. From heat signatures to electromagnetic emissions from their gear, the warfighter risks revealing critical information that adversaries can detect and exploit.

With high-end weapon systems dominating the headlines, PM CSS is actively pursuing technology to protect individual Marines and small units. Along with its Joint clothing partners, the team is focused on the visible and non-visible portions of the electromagnetic spectrum to increase capability against emerging sensor threats, particularly in the thermal realm.

Although clothing has historically been seen as a source of comfort and protection from varying weather conditions and ordnance, developments in military technology from our adversaries have forced experts to reimagine the role of textiles on the modern battlefield, viewing them as personal protective equipment– much like body armor– that enhances the warfighter’s lethality and reduces detectability from peer and near-peer adversaries.

According to Ed Howell, Product Manager for Combat Service Support Equipment, “The FEDTEX conference provided an excellent opportunity to explore the state of the art in domestic textiles for Marine Corps tactical uniforms. It was particularly eye-opening to witness the mannequin, PyroMan, undergo a flame test while wearing clothing at the Thermal Protection Laboratory in the Wilson School of Textiles at NC State University. Flame resistance, along with signature management, is one of the key attributes we are seeking in the next generation of Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniforms.”

Similarly, team members from PM CSS’ Expeditionary Medical team were at SOMA to meet with American and international industry partners to explore the latest advancements in field medical technology.

Under Force Design’s strategic blueprint for modernization, collaboration with industry is pivotal for enhancing medical support and operational readiness in contested environments. These efforts aim to improve Marines’ survival while awaiting evacuation, significantly boosting their resilience and effectiveness in challenging situations.

EABO has fundamentally changed field medical operations,” said Navy Cmdr. Kellye Donovan, EMS Team Program Analyst-Pharmacist. “We have shifted from the GWOT’s ‘Golden Hour’ for patient movement to extended patient holding, providing 96-hour patient care in the field. We are looking for industry assistance to push care to a lower level, make medical capabilities more agile and maneuverable, and reduce logistical constraints in a distributed, contested environment.”

Yet, while creating a forum for collaboration with industry is crucial, connecting with students is equally essential to CSS’ mission as engaging the next generation of innovators ensures a continuous flow of fresh ideas and talent, driving the development of critical textile and medical capabilities for the Corps.

Jacqueline Sewell, a Textile Technologist at the Army Combat Capabilities Development Command and matrixed to the Clothing & Equipment Team under CSS, holds both undergraduate and graduate degrees from the Wilson College of Textiles, or WCOT.

“NC State’s programs have provided me with a foundational knowledge of textiles and an avenue to tangibly contribute to increasing our warfighter’s comfort, capabilities, and mission success through their DoD-issued gear,” she said. “Working for the DoD has allowed me to apply the knowledge gained through my education at WCOT to research, develop, test, and evaluate textiles with active-duty Marines stationed across the US (from Mountain Warfare Training Center to Kaneohe Bay) in leading to the acquisition and sustainment of items such as combat uniforms and extreme cold weather base layers.”

Ultimately, the capabilities being developed by CSS in collaboration with the Joint Force and industry partners are helping modernize and strengthening our military forces. Advanced textiles are enhancing protection and reducing detection risks, while emerging medical technologies are improving field treatment and increasing survival rates. These innovations help maintain operational readiness and effectiveness in contested environments, ensuring that our warfighters are equipped with the best possible tools to succeed on the modern battlefield.

By Johannes Schmidt, MCSC Office of Public Affairs and Communication | Marine Corps Systems Command

Marine Corps Set to Receive New Light Assault Weapon System

Tuesday, May 21st, 2024

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. — Marine Corps Systems Command is pleased to announce the acquisition of the M72 Light Assault Weapon Fire from Enclosure Munition. The M72 LAW Fire from Enclosure (FFE) is a compact, lightweight, single-shot weapon system.

It incorporates an improved launcher featuring an enhanced in-line trigger mechanism and improved sling design. The M72 FFE comprises two configurations: the M72A8 anti-armor and the M72A10 multi-purpose, anti-structure munition. The M72A8 contains a high-explosive charge warhead that improves armor penetration, while the M72A10 provides Marines with increased capability for eliminating structures.

The M72 FFE is designed to deliver versatility and reliability, enabling Marines to counter threats effectively in close-range combat. Its performance is optimized for urban environments, vehicles, and complex terrain, ensuring operational effectiveness in these challenging scenarios.

The M27A FFE variants will replace the current LAW weapon system capability. The new system
allows Marines to fire multiple shots daily from inside a room and has less flash and back blast than an M9 pistol. The reduced visibility increases the lethality and safety of Marines.
“This new capability removes the Marine from exposure to enemy engagement by introducing the FFE capability, said Mr. Scott Adams, Product Manager, Ammo.

“The FFE and the reduced thermal signature provides the Marine with an added layer of protection.”

The MCSC team worked closely with their Army counterparts to procure this new capability. All
shoulder-fired rocket ammunition is procured through the U.S. Army Joint Munitions Command,
the Single Manager for Conventional Ammunition. This enables the services to combine orders to realize cost savings by leveraging economic order quantity prices.

The M72 FFE rocket underscores the Marine Corps’ ongoing efforts to lighten the warfighter’s load and increase lethality. PdM Ammo expects to begin fielding the M72A FFE in calendar year 2024.

GA-ASI and USMC Complete MQ-9A WTI Training with SkyTower I Pod

Friday, May 17th, 2024

SAN DIEGO – 16 May 2024 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) and the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) teamed up to conduct flight training on the operation of the MQ-9A Block 5 Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) for the Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) at Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma, Arizona. The students participated in Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) Course 2-24, which is a comprehensive course designed for select pilots and enlisted aircrew that incorporates Marine Corps planning along with implementation of advanced air and ground tactics.

The seven-week course, which was completed on April 20, 2024, for the first time included the employment of GA-ASI’s SkyTower I pod, which is a USMC-specific payload for MQ-9A that provides airborne communication extension capabilities in various waveforms. SkyTower I provides an Airborne Network Extension to the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) that is a commercial-quality WiFi network, as well as a relay/repeater function connecting geographically disconnected teams.

“Congratulations to the newest graduates of WTI,” said GA-ASI Vice President of DoD Strategic Development Patrick Shortsleeve. “GA-ASI is proud to support the training of the MAWTS-1 aircrews in the use and utility of the MQ-9A platform, especially now with our SkyTower capabilities.”

The WTI course is renowned for its advanced graduate-level training, particularly in refining tactical skills and strategies for aviation operations. It is an integral part of developing and implementing cutting-edge aviation weapons and tactics, both in terrestrial and maritime settings.

In recent training scenarios, the Marines had the opportunity to hone their skills using a GA-ASI-supplied MQ-9A. The platform provides valuable hands-on experience in operating advanced UAS, enhancing their proficiency in utilizing MQ-9A effectively for various missions.

Graduates of the WTI program are poised to become go-to experts within their squadrons for the employment of MQ-9A Block 5, leveraging their comprehensive training and specialized knowledge. The program ensures that graduates are well-prepared to lead and execute missions utilizing this sophisticated platform with precision and efficiency.

This training is a critical part of the MAGTF Unmanned Expeditionary (MUX) Medium-Altitude, Long-Endurance (MALE) program meeting Full Operational Capability (FOC). GA-ASI is a committed partner in helping the USMC meet this critical program milestone.

GA-ASI has delivered 13 MQ-9A UAS to the USMC so far. The USMC awaits delivery of seven additional aircraft, which will fulfill their goal of three squadrons by 2025.

Hiding in Plain Sight: ULCANS and the Future of Expeditionary Logistics

Saturday, April 20th, 2024

Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va. —

The global security situation is rapidly changing, and the international order established by the United States and its allies following the fall of the Iron Curtain is presently being challenged by adversaries who seek to shift the long-established balance of power.

The Pentagon has called on the joint forces to shift their strategic focus from the land wars in the Middle East to the growing challenges along the global littorals, while at the same time, experts have warned that the next global conflict will be fought and won—in large part– on the electromagnetic spectrum– the electromagnetic frequencies used for military communications, intelligence, and combat operations.

On this rapidly evolving battlefield—naked to the invisible eye– securing the electromagnetic spectrum extends beyond merely keeping the warfighter safe; it is about defending the very capabilities that render them lethal. This encompasses protecting both the warfighter and the advanced technologies and systems that amplify their effectiveness and lethality in combat. Ultimately, this helps protect lives and ensure the survivability of systems under observation and attack.

“Due to advances in peer competitor technologies, operating securely in the electromagnetic spectrum is foundational to contested logistics operations. It ensures our ability to sustain forces in adversarial environments, enhancing both our resilience and tactical flexibility,” said Col Paul Gillikin, Program Manager for Combat Support Systems, or PM CSS.

ULCANS: an Invisibility Cloak?

Within this challenging geopolitical context, Marine Corps Systems Command’s PM CSS’ efforts to enhance our forces’ ability to operate undetected in contested spaces—namely thru the modernization of the Corps’ netted camouflage capability—are rendered pivotal.

Recognizing the mounting threat posed by our stated adversaries, the 2018 National Defense Strategy laid the foundation for the Department of Defense’s 2020 Electromagnetic Spectrum, or EMS, Superiority Strategy—a document that emphasizes the EMS as a critical battleground where invisible waves and frequencies become pivotal in modern warfare.

Adapting to this strategy, PM CSS is dedicated to advancing mobile camouflage solutions through the development of the Ultra-Lightweight Camouflage Net System Increment I, or ULCANS INC I, of the Corps’ revolutionary netting capability. This initiative focuses on enhancing visual and electromagnetic concealment across a broad spectrum, including Ultraviolet, Visual, Near-IR, Shortwave-IR, Thermal-IR, and radar, ensuring forces (and their gear) remain undetected in diverse environments.

With the inclusion of both scattering and non-scattering variants, ULCANS offers adaptable stealth solutions to meet diverse operational demands. This system, initially aimed at camouflaging artillery, is exceptionally effective in blending into various terrains, rendering it virtually undetectable. With the new nets weighing about 20 percent less than their predecessors, this bleeding-edge capability enhances both deployment ease and mobility.

Another notable enhancement is the companion mobile application, provided by the vendor, which gives Marines instant access to critical information via their smartphones, further augmenting the system’s utility and ensuring that vital data is always at their fingertips.

Furthermore, in the present security environment—one defined by renewed great power competition– integrating ULCANS is pivotal for enhancing the efficacy of Force Design and operations in contested logistics, particularly within the Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations, or EABO, framework.

“This enhancement significantly improves upon our existing capabilities, offering superior infrared concealment and color matching to operational environments,” said Eric Brown, Deputy Product Manager for Maintenance Support Systems . “It supports the Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) concept through ease of deployment and transport.”

Ultimately, this advanced netting system is crucial for concealing and protecting forward-deployed forces and assets in both littoral and broader operational environments, thereby reducing vulnerability to enemy surveillance and strikes. With lightweight sets—weighing between 35 to 40 pounds each—artillery systems, tactical vehicles and trucks, and other key capabilities (including mobile command posts) can be concealed by a small team in less than 30 minutes.

“This fielding is a leap in camouflage technology, providing nets that conceal equipment and personnel from enemy detection across multiple spectrums, including visible and infrared, and reduce radar visibility,” said Theodore Roach, Senior Program Analyst for Shelters, Combat Field Feeding , and Containers Programs . “These innovations not only improve terrain blending but are also lighter and easier to deploy, enhancing operational efficiency and stealth capabilities in diverse environments.”

Force Design and the Joint Force

Force Design—the Corps blueprint for modernization– reconfigures the Marine Corps into a “stand-in force” composed of “compact yet potent units, tailored to engage across the spectrum of competition within contested zones, serving as the vanguard of comprehensive maritime defense.”

One key pillar of this transformative strategy emphasizes the enhancement of joint force and ally interoperability. In this regard, PM CSS has exemplified an intelligent acquisition approach by capitalizing on existing Army relationships to streamline costs and shorten acquisition timelines—ultimately fielding a capability that is easily used across sister services.

According to Roach, “We aligned our purchasing with the Army’s requirements, finding a perfect match with the Marine Corps’ needs. This ensures that whether it’s EABO, supplies, or equipment sharing, it’s seamlessly integrated. Furthermore, when opportunities allow the USMC to sync delivery orders with the Army’s, we will realize reduced procurement through stepladder pricing discounts.”

The collaboration on ULCANS between the Marine Corps and the Army exemplifies a successful joint force endeavor, highlighting the alignment of requirements between the two services. This synergy has facilitated the expedited acquisition of materials, significantly reducing the timeline from requirements definition to material receipt to within a year.

By leveraging existing Army contracts and the groundwork laid in testing and evaluation, the process was streamlined, allowing PM CSS to rapidly access and deploy the camouflage nets. The review of the Army’s test reports, instead of conducting separate tests, sped up the validation process. Consequently, once a fielding decision was made, the nets were quickly delivered, demonstrating an efficient model for future joint acquisitions and interoperability efforts.

Initial fielding of ULCANS began in October 2023 and concluded on 23 December, with training by the New Equipment Training Team already completed. The focus now shifts to expanding the Area of Operations over the next five years, aiming for full operational capability by 2030.

Conclusion

The advent of ULCANS marks a pivotal advancement in the realm of military camouflage, setting new standards for operational stealth and efficiency as the future fight continues to move into the electromagnetic spectrum. By melding cutting-edge technology with strategic interoperability, this system not only enhances the survivability of forward-deployed forces but also fortifies the broader framework of expeditionary logistics. As the geopolitical landscape continues to shift, the integration of innovations like ULCANS will be crucial in maintaining tactical supremacy and shaping the future force—allowing the warfighter to fight and win whenever our nation calls.

By Johannes Schmidt, MCSC Office of Public Affairs and Communication, Marine Corps Systems Command