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Archive for the ‘weapons’ Category

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.

OKSI’s Seeker Technology for Guided Munitions & CUAS

Wednesday, July 17th, 2024

Lately we’ve been talking about Artificial Intelligence and ways it can make a difference in warfighting. To illustrate our points, we’ve discussed the capabilities of the OMNISCIENCE AI/ML portfolio from OKSI. But that’s not all OKSI does; they also put a lot of effort in enhancing existing warfighting systems with new capabilities.

In addition to the OMNISCIENCE AI/ML portfolio we’ve already mentioned, OKSI also provides seeker technology for guided munitions and unmanned aerial systems defeat. Once again, the technology isn’t taking over, but rather enhances existing capabilities to make them faster, more accurate, and more capable, even in electromagnetically contested environments.


OKSI Booth at AUVSI 2024 (left: ARMGDN Seeker right: 81mm Mortar with PGK)

OKSI has many Passive Seeker Technologies, some examples are their 81mm Precision Guidance Kit, a screw-on EO/IR guidance system for the 81mm Mortar and the ARMGDN, a bolt-on intelligent EO/IR seeker for Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS). These systems provide the ability to accurately employ precision munitions and effects even in the absence of GPS or laser guidance.

OKSI’s seeker technologies provides multi-role capability (air to ground, air to air, ground to air, and ground to ground) and adds passive EO/IR guidance to existing munitions that previously only had GPS or laser guidance. They can also be used to provide detection, tracking, and terminal intercept.

The screw-on 81mm PGK allows warfighters to precisely guide mortars onto the desired impact point or predesignated target via OKSI ATAK targeting plug-in. The mortar’s guidance system is able to find, fix, and lock onto target then uses control surfaces to steer the mortar down onto the tracked target. It transforms an inaccurate area weapon into a precision munitions with first round effects.


81mm PGK Test Launch

ARMGDN is a capability enhancement to BAE Systems’ APKWS laser-guidance kit, providing passive target acquisition and tracking for precision engagements. APKWS is a guidance kit for the 2.75 inch Hydra-70 rocket. This fire-and-forget capability is also effective, via proximity fuzing, for hard kill of UAS threats.


BAE Systems’ APKWS® laser-guidance kit integrated with OKSI’s ARMGDN launch during a test demonstration.


Photo courtesy of NAVAIR

These mature technologies have been around for the past couple of years and are ready to employ today with capabilities validated via recent contracts with USSOCOM and USAF.

For more information, visit OKSI.ai.
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Smith & Wesson Elevates Performance with New M&P Carry Comp Series

Tuesday, July 9th, 2024

MARYVILLE, TN., (7/9/2024) – Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc.

(NASDAQ Global Select: SWBI), a leader in firearm manufacturing and design, announces today the release of the Performance Center® M&P9 Carry Comp Series pistols.

Whether you’re looking for a new everyday carry, home defense, or training pistol, this new series has you covered. Built across full-size, compact, and micro-compact frames, Carry Comp Series pistols are chambered in 9mm and come in a variety of capacities. The Shield Plus 4-inch barrel model ships with 10-round, 13-round, and 15-round magazines that allow the user to choose their preferred combination of size and capacity, making it a versatile personal defense carry option. The M&P 2.0 4.22-inch barrel models are offered in metal and polymer frame configurations, come in a 15-round or 17-round capacity depending on your frame-size of choice, and are trusted platforms for any training or personal defense application.

The M&P9 Carry Comp Series was developed with key features to improve the overall shooting experience of the user. The strategically designed Power Port™, located at the end of the barrel at the twelve o’clock position, diverts gas upwards, reducing felt recoil, which improves overall control. With optics-ready slides, if a user chooses to utilize a red dot, the new ClearSight™ Cut is designed to divert gasses away from the optic allowing the user to maintain an unobstructed view. If iron sights are preferred, these models also include a tritium front night sight and blacked-out serrated rear sight out of the box for an enhanced sight picture. Boasting a new aesthetic, M&P9 Carry Comp slides were developed with aggressively angled front and rear serrations to increase reliability and improve manipulation against tougher elements. All new Carry Comp models include flat-face trigger designs, grey Armornite© finished slides, and ship with a Performance Center Cleaning Kit.

Stay on target with the new Performance Center M&P9 Carry Comp Series pistols! Now available in Shield Plus, M&P 2.0 Compact, and M&P 2.0 Full-size models. For more information, visit www.smith-wesson.com.

SIG NEXT Opening Night

Monday, July 1st, 2024

Last week SIG SAUER launched a year’s worth of new product during a two-day event called SIG NEXT. This video is a great summary of launch night which was attended by hundreds of media, top SIG dealers, and SIG employees.

The launch includes:

P365-FUSE

P320-FLUX Legion

– ROMEO-X Enclosed optic

– MCX-SPEAR 6.8

– .277 FURY Ammunition

– CROSS-MAGNUM Sawtooth @ Signature Meateater Ammunition

– P226-X5 Reserve

– P226 40th Anniversary

– P320-X5 SX

– ECHO family of thermal sights

Several items are already shipping to dealers like the P365-FUSE and P320-FLUX Legion. Even then, expect a few more surprises throughout the year.

GA-ASI and Lockheed Martin Developing Net-Enabled Weapons Capability for MQ-9B SeaGuardian

Friday, June 28th, 2024

SAN DIEGO – 27 June 2024 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) and Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) are collaborating to provide Net-Enabled Weapons (NEW) capability for GA-ASI’s MQ-9B SeaGuardian® Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). The addition of NEW capability for SeaGuardian will bolster the Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Targeting (ISR&T) capability for the aircraft.

The NEW technology provides expanded sensor targeting applications for the precision targeting of long-range weapons. SeaGuardian’s demonstrated persistence coupled with its vast array of precision targeting sensors enables more efficient kill chains, especially in contested environments. GA-ASI’s MQ-9B SeaGuardian® UAS, and SeaVue multi-role radar from Raytheon, an RTX business, will effectively leverage Lockheed Martin’s extensive NEW expertise to further refine targeting capabilities for future theater deployments. Initial testing was completed on June 5, 2024, with F/A-18s on the U.S. Navy’s W-289 test range in Southern California.

GA-ASI and Lockheed Martin have been developing Link 16 messages to communicate with weapons inflight using the SeaGuardian Systems Integration Lab (SIL) in preparation for overwater range test flight.

“This is a very important system attribute for SeaGuardian to enable naval long-range targeting CONOPS against high-end threats at much less risk to manned platforms,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. “We appreciate Lockheed Martin’s support in helping us prove out the NEW technology, which is an important component of our ISR&T capability.”

MQ-9B SeaGuardian is a medium-altitude, long-endurance UAS. Its multi-domain capabilities allow it to flex from mission to mission. SeaGuardian has been used by the U.S. in several recent demonstrations, including Northern Edge, Integrated Battle Problem, and Group Sail.

SIG NEXT – P226 X5 Reserve

Wednesday, June 26th, 2024

Looking for a new Tuxedo gun? Then the P226 X5 Reserve is for you. Featuring a Black polished DLC coating, it weighs in at 48.1 oz to keep you on target, shot after shot. Part of that is thanks to the brass grips for added weight.

The trigger is adjustable in three ways:

Position of Shoe
Take up
Poundage

Finally, the P226 X5 Reserve features a suppressor height XRAY3 front sight with removable, adjustable rear sight making an easy set up for red dot optics like the new ROMEO3 MAX PRO with a 3 or 8 MOA red dot.

Coming soon from sigsauer.com

LEGION Series Expands to Include SIG SAUER P320-FLUX LEGION

Tuesday, June 25th, 2024

NEWINGTON, N.H., (June 25, 2024) – The SIG SAUER®LEGION® has joined forces with industry innovator FLUX Defense to create the SIG / FLUX factory built P320-FLUX LEGION collaboration.  Designed with feedback from the Special Operations Community, the P320-FLUX LEGIONdelivers on innovation and enhancements that have become the trademark features of SIG SAUER LEGION Series designs.

“The P320-FLUX LEGION takes a 9mm handgun, using the SIG SAUER P320 Fire Control Unit, and transforms it into an easily concealed PCC style platform, with the stability of a carbine and loads of LEGION upgrades to bring more speed, maneuverability, and control to conceal carry,” said Robby Johnson, Chief Marketing Officer, SIG SAUER, Inc.  “This build has a long list of features including a single-finger fast deploying spring brace for rapid deployment, 30-round capacity, an integrated compensator in the custom LEGION slide, and a dual-mag release system to get you started.  Add to that the endless amounts of customization that can be achieved with thefront and rear picatinny mounts and an ambidextrous safety we are sure that the P320-FLUX LEGION is destined to be a LEGION fan favorite.”

The P320-FLUX LEGION is a complete SIG Factory build using a P320 Fire Control Unit (FCU) with a LEGION skeletonized trigger, a full-size LEGION Gray slide with integrated compensator housed in the LEGION Gray FLUX Defensechassis with rapid-deploying Stabilizing Brace.  Build features include XRAY3 Day/night sights, an ambidextrous dual magazine release system, front picatinny mount, rear non-reciprocating picatinny optic mount, an integrated flared magwell, and ambidextrous safety.  The full build ships fully assembled with (2) extended 30-round P320 magazines.

“A collaboration of this scale is an exciting first for us, but given the reputation SIG has for quality, innovation and disrupting the industry, which FLUX Defense also shares, this partnership came naturally to everyone,” added Arrius Sorbonne, FLUX Defense Co-Owner.

P320-FLUX LEGION:

Caliber: 9mm

Capacity: 30

Grip Module: LEGION Gray FLUX Chassis

Overall length: 10.9 inches (collapsed)

Overall height: 6.1 inches

Overall width:  1.6 inches

Barrel length: 3.9 inches

Sight Radius: 5.9 inches

Weight (w/magazine): 49.2 ounces

SKU: 320FLUX-9-LEGION

The LEGION® Series pistols is an exclusive product line developed by SIG SAUER® based on input from elite shooting professionals and designed to exceed the expectations of the serious shooter.  The SIG SAUER LEGION is an exclusive members-only access program available to owners of the SIG SAUER LEGION Series of firearms. Upon registration of any LEGION Series firearm, members receive a complimentary case, exclusive access to LEGION gear and merchandise, and receive exclusive communications from SIG SAUER and the LEGION.

To learn more about the SIG SAUER P320-FLUX LEGION, the full SIG SAUER product line, or locate a SIG SAUER authorized dealer visit sigsauer.com.

The P365-FUSE: The Fusion of Capability and Concealment

Tuesday, June 25th, 2024

NEWINGTON, N.H., (June, 25, 2024) – The P365-FUSE is the ultimate fusion of full-size capability that delivers a 21 + 1 round capacity featuring a long slide, 4.3” barrel, and the LXG (laser engraved X-grip) grip module that doesn’t compromise on capacity, shootability, or concealability.

“Born from the iconic roots of the game changing P365, the true crossover handgun has finally arrived; the P365-FUSE is the ultimate in full-size capability and micro-compact concealment for unmatched versatility,” said Robby Johnson, Chief Marketing Officer, SIG SAUER, Inc.  “With an optics-ready slide and barrel longer than any other compact in its class, combined with the ultra-thin LXG grip, the P365-FUSE delivers on accuracy, performance, and reliability.”

The SIG SAUER P365-FUSE is a striker-fired, 9mm pistol with the polymer laser engraved LXG grip module, 1913 accessory rail, removable magwell, interchangeable small, medium, and large backstraps, and a nickel-plated flat-faced trigger.  The optics-ready stainless steel slide features aggressive serrations with fiber optic front sight and with black serrated rear sight and houses a 4.3” carbon steel, DLC finished barrel.  The P365-FUSE ships with (2) 21-round and (1) 17-round magazines; in states with magazine capacity requirements the P365-FUSE ships with (3) 10-round magazines.

The SIG SAUER P365-FUSE ROMEO-X features a factory installed ROMEO-X compact sight crafted from 7075 aircraft-grade aluminum, machined anti-reflection grooves on shooter-facing surfaces, distortion-free aspheric glass, with a patent-pending Beryllium Copper flexure-arm adjustment system.  ROMEO-X series optics incorporate a high-efficiency point source red LED emitter with 2 MOA dot / 32 MOA circle reticle, side independent brightness adjustment buttons, 15 brightness settings including night vision settings, and a side-mounted CR1632 battery compartment with a threaded battery cap so the optic does not need to be removed from the pistol for battery changes.  Additionally, the ROMEO-X offers a low deck height for standard-height iron sight co-witness, has a minimum continuous runtime of 20,000 hours at medium brightness setting and utilizes MOTAC™ (Motion Activated Illumination), MAGNETAC™ (Magnetic Activation), and D.A.R.C™ (Dark Adaptive Reticles & Coatings) technologies. 

P365-FUSE:

Caliber: 9mm

Capacity: 21 / 17 / 10

Overall length: 7.2 inches

Overall height: 5.1 inches

Overall width: 1.1 inches

Barrel length: 4.3 inches

Sight Radius: 6.0 inches

Optics Slide Cut: Compact

Weight (w/magazine): 23.1 ounces

SKU: 365XF-9-BFO

SKU (State compliant): 365XF-9-BFO-10

P365-FUSE ROMEO-X:

Caliber: 9mm

Capacity: 21 / 17

Overall length: 7.2 inches

Overall height: 5.7 inches

Overall width: 1.1 inches

Barrel length: 4.3 inches

Sight Radius: 6.0 inches

Optics Slide Cut: Compact

Weight (w/magazine): 24.8 ounces

SKU: 365XF-9-BFO-RXX

ROMEO-X Compact:

Footprint: P365 and Compact

Magnification: 1x

Reticle: 2MOA Dot / 32 MOA Circle

Objective Lens Diameter: 24 mm

Illumination Settings: 12 Daytime, 3 Night Vision

The P365-FUSE is now shipping and available at retailers.  To learn more about the P365-FUSE and ROMEO-X optics visit sigsauer.com.