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Archive for the ‘weapons’ Category

Delivering an On-Demand Sensor to Shooter Warfighting Capability

Tuesday, May 5th, 2020

The Army Modernization Strategy describes the future battlefield as high-tempo and contested, with greater weapons lethality, persistent observation, increased speed of human interaction, and proliferation of weapons of mass effects. As the operating environment changes, U.S. military forces and coalition partners will be required to sense and engage enemy targets with greater speed, better accuracy and at longer ranges to ensure overmatch. Keeping up with this new operating environment is the responsibility of the Assured Positioning, Navigation and Timing (APNT) Cross-Functional Team (CFT), who is enhancing the Army’s ability to detect, identify, process, and engage targets at a more rapid pace.

To do this, the APNT CFT has initiated a Sensor to Shooter (S2S) Campaign of Learning (CoL), a process by which the Army will learn the best way to employ the S2S capabilities in an operationally relevant way. The S2S CoL will support the automation of the S2S process, to support the development of capabilities that are scalable, trainable, repeatable, and sustainable. This also gives the Army the opportunity to enhance and discover new capabilities so that processes and connections are fielded and implemented immediately as new sensors and shooters become available to the force.

“Working with our partners, we are finding ways to utilize innovative resources, such as machine learning and artificial intelligence, to automate sensor to shooter operations,” said Mr. Ben Pinx, S2S Lead for the APNT CFT.

“Doing this will shorten the time it takes to turn intelligence data into actionable targets, giving us the most accurate data and targeting information so that we can effectively disintegrate enemy forces.”

Reducing the S2S timeline will ensure the Army’s ability to prosecute more targets in a shorter time despite the complexity of future operating environments. To be successful, the Army must operationalize the S2S process to enable an “all sensor to all shooter” approach. Today, the APNT CFT is working closely with partners across the Army, to include the Army Futures Command, the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology, the Fires Center of Excellence, the Intel Center of Excellence, the Network, Long Range Precision Fires (LRPF), Future Vertical Lift, and Next Generation Combat Vehicle CFTs, the HQDA G2 Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Task Force, the Army Tactical Exploitation of National Capabilities Program, and the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Task Force to increase the S2S process in order to target more effectively and efficiently.

To assess the S2S CoL, the APNT CFT and its partners are performing a sequence of exercises in U.S. Army Europe (USAREUR) and U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC) this year.

“Operationalizing S2S will not only shorten the time it takes a sensor to identify targets, select the appropriate effects platform, and generate a coordinated fire order,” said Mr. Nelson, APNT CFT Director. “It will also create a scalable, trainable, repeatable, and sustainable process that can be used at any echelon, on any network and any fires platform [lethal and non-lethal], within any operational environment.”

EXPLOITING THE TARGET

Multi-domain fires requires predictive, accurate, timely collection, sharing, and assessment of large amounts of data. Advanced technologies, such as machine learning and AI, have the power to drastically change the way Soldiers operate in the battlefield, reducing response time, simplifying or expanding cognitive processes, and enabling faster decision making, all of which are essential to create convergence and allow the joint force to achieve overmatch. The collective S2S process must detect and prioritize targets, conduct fires planning, and establish appropriate and permissive fire support coordination measures to enable a timely fire order to the shooter. Reaction time is critical, as this all takes place before the target moves or becomes stale. The more important the target, the more it will be protected. Deep or well protected targets in an anti-access and area-denial region will pose significant challenges to the ability to identify, track, and engage targets. All this in consideration, the CFT is finding new ways to employ deep sensing beyond the current reach of operational and tactical sensors.

The APNT CFT is integrating new space-based sensors as part of the S2S capability, which can enhance Soldier access to targets, providing responsive and resilient capabilities to the commander in the field. Additionally, the CFT is working closely with its partners to deliver a global, operationally relevant, space-based capability to provide deep sensing, which can be tasked at the operational and tactical level to produce prompt, accurate, and persistent data enabling precision fires at range.

“Space enables the processing, exploitation and dissemination of data at a rapid pace,” said Mr. Nelson. “It gives Army forces the ability to deliver accurate, effective, and predictive multi-domain fires in all areas of operational warfare.”

ASSESSING SENSOR TO SHOOTER

In February and March, the APNT CFT partnered with USAREUR personnel along with its CFT, military and Department of Defense partners, successfully conducted a series of S2S Live Fire Exercise (LFX) demonstrations in Grafenwoehr Germany.

The LFX consisted of three demonstration events. During these events the team successfully sensed and hit targets at ranges beyond line of sight using satellite capabilities that have not been responsive to ground forces until now. This shows the Army’s ability to leverage space-based sensors to pursue deep targets. As the LRPF CFT fields capabilities with far greater ranges than were previously capable, these types of sensors will be able to accurately and reliably find the targets for engagement.

“The success of the sensor to shooter live fire exercises with USAREUR shows the tactical benefit of an integrated sensor to shooter capability that can see beyond line of sight,” said Mr. Nelson. “This new capability will enable multi-domain operational forces to engage and defeat time sensitive targets and provide a robust and resilient reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition capability that will shorten S2S timelines for long-range precision fires.”

Mr. Pinx explained the benefits of the exercises. “The APNT CFT is looking for technologies in the ground, air, cyber, or space domains that will provide sensor to shooter as well as APNT, situational awareness and navigation warfare capabilities. During the live fire exercise we were able to use realistic conditions to show the readiness of a unit to conduct an operation using the weapons and ammunition associated with their mission.” These demonstrations gave insight to the current capabilities of the available sensors and shooters and their ability to link in novel ways to provide a capability down to the division operational level of combat.

During the demonstrations, the CFT used high explosive rounds equipped with the precision guidance kit fuze. Soldiers used the M777 155 millimeter lightweight howitzer system as the fires platform and the Advanced Miniaturized Data Acquisition and Dissemination Vehicle to gain access to the various sensors.

Target data was transmitted through the Joint Automated Deep Operations Coordination System and the Advanced Field Artillery Database System for the technical and tactical fire direction processes.

“These demonstrations provide critical data and analysis as part of our sensor to shooter campaign of learning,” said Mr. Nelson.

“What we learn through these demos will influence how we introduce these new capabilities into larger exercises like Project Convergence and Defender Pacific 20. And eventually, we’ll understand how we can utilize machine learning and artificial intelligence to pair sensors and shooters in real time.”

The LFX demonstrations were a training exercise for Soldiers as they prepare for the upcoming Pacific 20 demonstration this summer and Project Convergence in the fall.

CONCLUSION

The LFX demonstrations exhibited the Army’s ability to engage and defeat time sensitive targets with timely and accurate fires anywhere on the battlefield. Through continued experimentation and prototyping of individual capabilities within the S2S construct and the connection of assets from across joint, interagency, and multi-national sensors to any shooter (kinetic and non-kinetic), the APNT CFT will enhance the Army’s ability to approach targets and effects at a more rapid pace, improving the S2S process to ensure effective and efficient targeting and overall overmatch. This unification is the goal of the APNT CFT S2S effort and is required for a targeting process multi-domain operational strategy.

Story by Caitlin O’Neill

Photos by Spc Denice Lopez

FN America and Colt Awarded M16A4 Foreign Military Sales Contract by DoD

Thursday, April 30th, 2020

Yesterday, the Department of Defense made the following announcement.

FN America LLC, Columbia, South Carolina (W56HZV-20-D-0024); and Colt’s Manufacturing Co. LLC, West Hartford, Connecticut (W56HZV-20-D-0025), will compete for each order of the $383,311,941 firm-fixed-price contract to provide M16A4 rifles for Foreign Military Sales (Afghanistan, Grenada, Iraq, Lebanon and Nepal). Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of April 28, 2025. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity.

TTS: New Modular Sniper Rifle System in Bullpup Design

Thursday, April 16th, 2020

Dietingen/Nagold (ww): Tec Target Schneider – TTS – and their sales partner I-E-A Mil-Optics GmbH recently presented a new modular sniper rifle system in bullpup design at the GPEC show.

Several barrel lengths and calibers (currently 6 x 47 Lapua, 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Win, .300 Win Mag and .338 Lapua Magnum) as well as fore-ends of different lengths are available. The rifle can be operated from both sides and can be individually adapted to the shooter. It has a three-position safety (single shot, safe/lock chamber movable, safe/lock chamber locked), a match trigger, a rear monopod and is suspended on the adjustable bipod below the center of gravity. Stainless steel barrels and surfaces are mainly DLC-coated. The magazine capacity is five cartridges.

The modular design of the rifle allows the user to change barrels in different calibres and barrel lengths himself in a few minutes.

The advantage of the bullpup system is especially obvious in the precision shooting sector. The weapon retains compact dimensions despite its precision-suited barrel length. This allows the precision shooter to transport it more inconspicuously and to reach his position undercover. Furthermore, it is easier to shoot from cramped positions or vehicles.

TTS Managing Director Hubert Schneider learned his trade in the former Mauser factories in Oberndorf. In the Swabian cradle of German hand weapons technology, he was employed in the development department of Rheinmetall Waffe und Munition GmbH until his retirement.

Sales partner for the innovative TTS weapon systems is IEA Mil-Optics GmbH from Nagold. Orders can be placed now.

The TTS Xceed  is the result of many years of experience in the development and production of sports and precision rifles. A sniper system with a wide range of technical features, modular design and extensive adjustment options.

· Toolless adjustable ergonomics
· Longitudinally adjustable shoulder rest with height-adjustable recoil pad
· quick and fine adjustable monopod
· quick adjustable cheek piece
· Glove suitable trigger
· travel, force, pressure point and trigger force adjustable
· Change of barrel (various calibers) within minutes
· Locking directly in the liner via six lugs in two rows
· Three-position safety blocks the chamber and trigger
· Adaption possibilities through MLOK at the bottom of the barrel jacket
· Single row steel magazine for five cartridges
· Muzzle flash hider made of DLC-coated titanium
· Scope mount especially suitable for long range
· Fixed mounting of optics and NATO rail to carry a night vision intensifier in front of riflescope
· Height and length adjustable bipod suspends the rifle’s weight below the bipod mount, can be operated with one hand and silently
· High quality special coating of all weapon parts
· System housing made of high-strength aluminium
· Special coated barrel in stainless steel

Compact rifle all calibres Including .338: Length 875 mm barrel length 515 mm

Standard rifle: Length 1.030 mm, barrel length 670 mm

i-e-a.de/news/das-neue-tts-xceed

B&T Provides Miami Beach Police Department with APC9K PRO Models

Thursday, April 16th, 2020

Tampa, FL (April 9, 2020) – B&T, Inc. is proud to announce the City of Miami Beach Police Department has purchased B&T APC9K PRO platforms equipped with SIG Sauer P320 magazine compatible lower receiver groups, B&T three-lug QD suppressors, and Aimpoint sighting systems. These ultra-compact weapon systems are destined for specialized service within the department, which serves a growing community of nearly 100,000 full-time residents, swelling to over 3 million during peak visitation. The City of Miami Beach joins a rapidly growing list of agencies choosing to rely on B&T products.

“B&T has a long history of supplying local, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies with top-tier products, and we are honored to provide Miami Beach Florida Police Department with B&T’s specialized equipment to help them with their challenging assignments,” stated Tim Nickler, President and CEO, B&T USA.

The City of Miami Beach Police Department is the first agency to purchase SIG Sauer P320 magazine compatible lower receiver groups for the APC9-series platform.

bt-arms.com

New Ownership at Chey Tac USA

Thursday, April 16th, 2020

Huntington TN, – Campbell Arms Manufacturing as of April 14th 2020, has acquired the full rights to Chey Tac USA. Campbell Arms Manufacturing is a preferred DoD vendor providing unique small arms solutions to the Department of Defense. Campbell Arms Manufacturing is a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business providing these solutions from its DoD Secure Facility located in a Hub Zone in western Tennessee.

Chey Tac USA is known the world over for its innovative technology in precision rifles. The Chey Tac 408 and 375 are known as premiere solutions for extreme long range target engagement. Campbell Arms Manufacturing seeks to enhance this history by adding new innovations and enhancing Chey Tac USA’s strengths. Campbell Arms Manufacturing’s capabilities will also add tighter development cycles and shorter lead times on Chey Tac USA’s products.

Campbell Arms Manufacturing is a company led by Special Operations combat veterans, that adheres to the highest level of business ethics. Campbell Arms Manufacturing seeks to ensure the shooting enthusiasts, hunters, competitors, and uniformed professionals who use their products, they are still the ultimate priority.

Any questions can be directed to info@cheytacusa.com

ZRODelta Announces Partnership with Victrix Armaments and ROME

Wednesday, April 15th, 2020

Rutherford College, NC – ZRODelta is excited and proud to announce that it has been selected by Victrix Armaments and ROME, members of Rottigni Officina Meccanica SRL, of Bergamo, Italy, to serve as exclusive distributor of Professional and Sporting products for all commercial applications in the United States.

Victrix Armaments is a prestigious Italian manufacturer of iconic bolt-action rifles, and manufactures elite weapon systems for many of the world’s most highly-decorated Special Operations Forces. After a brief period among the Beretta brands, Rottigni Officina Meccanica repurchased the brand Victrix Armaments, and is excited to begin its own journey in the United States with ZRODelta. And while Victrix rifles are perfectly suited for military and tactical applications, Victrix’s new Professional line of rifles is now available to American consumers. The Professional line consists of the all-new Pugio (caliber 308), Gladio (caliber family 308/260/6.5), Scorpio (caliber family 300 & 338), Tormento (caliber family 375 & 408), and Corvo (caliber 50). Victrix has also bolted onto the Sporting Competition market with the 2020 introduction of the Target & Target Blackbelt (F-TR), Absolute (F-Open), Performance and Challenge (NRL & PRS), and the Crown and Throne (King of 2 Miles). The ROME line of accessories includes optics mounts and rings, bipods, suppressors, chassis, and other must-have rifle accessories.

ZRODelta, primarily known for its OEM parts production service to the firearms industry, also manufactures its own line of Modulus® Modular Pistols, Ready Series™ line of MSRs, and Venator™ precision rifles—the only semi-automatic rifles in the world with a ½ MOA guarantee. It’s the intersection of artistry, attention to detail, and advanced manufacturing in these products that first caught the eye of Victrix founder and chief executive Giuseppe Valtorta. “When I picked up the ZRODelta Venator, it could have been a Victrix product. I knew at that point that the people behind ZRODelta were different, and would be able to deliver and support our products to those in the United States who value the same qualities we value.”

“Our partnership with Victrix will begin a new era for ZRODelta,” said ZRODelta President John Birk. “Just as we build the most accurate semi-automatic platforms in the world, Victrix builds the finest bolt action rifles in the world—period. Giuseppe and I pour our hearts into what we do every day and breathe life into our products for the benefit of our customers and end-users, and we are incredibly excited to bring the new Victrix brand to America for everyone to enjoy.”

The partnership brings streamlined pricing to the United States, designed to make consumer decisions clear when compared to the competition. Additionally, access to Victrix rifles and accessories aren’t the only thing that Americans are going to get to appreciate. In time, the partnership between the companies will develop into Victrix USA and yield the introduction of more exciting products and technologies, jointly developed and manufactured between the companies. Stay tuned for what’s to come.

Please visit www.VictrixArmaments-USA.com for product and ordering details, and dealer opportunities.

M110A1 SDMRs Inbound From H&K

Thursday, April 2nd, 2020

Heckler & Koch just shared this image on social media with the caption:

The first batch of M110A1 Squad Designated Marksman Rifles (SDMR) are headed out of Columbus Georgia HQ by way of Oberndorf HQ. We could not be more proud to deliver this weapons system to the fine marksmen of the @usarmy.

Blackwater Announces Investment In Iron Horse Firearms

Tuesday, March 31st, 2020

For Immediate Release – Concord, NC –  Erik Prince and Blackwater Worldwide are pleased to announce the recent partnership with Iron Horse Firearms.

Iron Horse entered the scene late 2018 with the first of its kind, thumb operated AR15 and their magazine fed shotgun called the Sentry 12.  The patent pending, thumb-operated trigger has been shown to greatly enhance the experience of a large portion of the shooting community and makes shooting possible for those who have limited mobility or severely injured fingers.  The Sentry 12 magazine fed shotgun, gives users the ability to rapidly select various ammo to match the threat level, all within a simple and reliable platform. Both products will be sold under the Blackwater Firearms division of Blackwater Worldwide.

“Ironhorse’s revolutionary trigger system has the potential to be a game changer.  It could not come at a better time as there have been so few impactful innovations in the firearms industry over the past 50 years.” Said Eric Prince, Founder of Blackwater Worldwide “Our in-house testing has shown a significant decrease in shot group size when compared to a traditional AR-15 trigger set.   We think this technology could be totally disruptive in the firearms market and could replace traditional triggers altogether at some point.”

“Blackwater brings much appreciated industry experience to our relatively new company.” Said Ryan McDonald, CEO Iron Horse Firearms “Together, we feel good about our chances of making this Blackwater and Iron Horse partnership very successful.”

Moving forward, Iron Horse Firearms will be “doing business as” Blackwater Firearms.

For more information please visit:

www.blackwaterworldwide.com

www.ironhorsefirearms.com