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Voting Open Now for Department of the Air Force Spark Tank 2023 Finalists

March 12th, 2023

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) —

The Department of the Air Force’s capstone innovation campaign, Spark Tank, recently concluded submissions — and Airmen and Guardians may now vote for one of the top six selected ideas.

Visit the links in the titles of the selections for more details on each idea. To vote for your favorite, visit the Guardians and Airmen Innovation Network website. First-time users will need to sign up for a free account using their government email addresses and Common Access Cards. Then click “Vote now” next to your favorite idea, limit one idea only. Voting ends March 8.

The semi-final round of Spark Tank completed December 19, with six of 235 ideas advancing to the finals. Finals are scheduled to take place at the Air and Space Forces Association Warfare Symposium March 8 in Aurora, Colorado. Department of the Air Force senior leaders and two celebrity judges will review the ideas and select the winner in a live event.

Spark Tank 2023 Finalists:

Accelerated Development of Multi-Capable Airmen/Guardians
Maj. Caitlin Harris
351st Special Warfare Training Squadron
Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico
Air Education and Training Command

The Special Warfare prototype project will provide linkages between human systems and operational tasks across a spectrum of skillsets that will accelerate training, learning, and retention while developing Airmen/Guardians in multiple competencies. This aggressive modernized training focuses on training the Airmen and Guardians in an efficient and dynamic way, preparing them for wartime situations requiring them to step outside their occupational specialty and operate as expert multi-disciplinarians.

Advanced Maintenance and Troubleshooting System
Master Sgt. Aaron Cordroch
1st Special Operations Maintenance Group
Hurlburt Field, Florida
Air Force Special Operations Command

Imagine a world where we leverage cyber threat and intrusion/anomalies hardware detection and diagnostic mapping tools to take a snapshot of clean data and systems to build a picture of maintenance issues that can be monitored for changes.

Infrastructure in an Augmented Reality World
Tech. Sgt. Sarah Hubert and Tech. Sgt. Raymond Zgoda
353rd Special Operations Wing and 374th Civil Engineer Squadron
Yokota Air Base, Japan
Pacific Air Forces

Realizing the potential of augmented reality enables precise determination of what and where our underground infrastructure is located without digging it up. Scanning installations and using Augmented Reality drastically reduces resources to repair after attack or natural disaster.

Project Kinetic Cargo Sustainment
Capt. Andrew Armor, Master Sgt. Brandon Allensworth, Master Sgt.
Peter Salinas, Master Sgt. Jet Nesle and Tech. Sgt. Justin Sprinkel
18th Logistics Readiness Squadron
Kadena AB, Japan
Pacific Air Forces

Dramatically accelerate mobility cargo processing capacity and throughput by means of operating outside of analog mobility processes and tools for port operations.

Real-Time Asset Management System
Michael Dolan
Space Base Delta 3
Los Angeles AFB, California
Space Systems Command

Imagine leaders and employees optimizing office space, minimizing modernization construction costs and enable tracking and evolution continuity of every location and asset from unclassified to Special Access Programs. This Space Management tool provides real-time assessment and data mining capability for every square foot of buildings and every office space to include IT configurations down to the chip level.

Project Oregon Trail
Staff Sgt. Michael Sturtevant
353th Special Operations Support Squadron
Kadena Air Base, Japan
Air Force Special Operations Command

Reimagined and reduced Time-Phased Force and Deployment Data are afforded because there are smaller, lighter, and faster-to-deploy mechanisms to move cargo and equipment wherever needed, on the spot without the need for pallet jacks or forklifts.

By Crystal Ortiz, Secretary of the Air Force Management and Business

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post | Comments Off on Voting Open Now for Department of the Air Force Spark Tank 2023 Finalists

Elistair Introduces ORION HL, A Tethered Drone Designed For Tactical Communications

March 11th, 2023

Lyon, France / Wilmington, North Carolina, March 8th, 2023 – Elistair is pleased to announce the launch of Orion Heavy Lift (HL), to support growing demand for variable height antennas from military, public safety and homeland security customers.

As tactical communications evolve to match the rapidly changing needs of operators on the ground, tethered drones offer significant benefits when flexibility and mobility are critical. With the need of highly effective ground units to have increased mobility, tethered drones are enabling the establishment and extension of secured mobile networks, thanks to their rapid deployment time and persistence in the air.

Leveraging the original Orion platform used by military forces and security forces in over 30 countries for ISR missions, the Orion HL benefits from the same level of automation, ruggedization and safety architecture as its parent. Able to carry payloads of 4 kgs at 90 meters and 5 kgs at 50 meters height, for flight durations of 50 hours, Orion HL is deployable in minutes and easily transportable.

“We have put the Orion 2 tethered UAV system, provided by Elistairs’ Norwegian partner Northcom, through several tests during the last years experiment to test its limits. During these tests, the system has proven to be a flexible and reliable solution capable of handling the challenging operational environment and conditions above the Arctic Circle in Norway. The introduction of the Heavy Lift version also provides us with a very useful tool for lifting communication equipment to create temporary communication coverage in challenging areas of operation.” Experiment Manager “Tor” from the Norwegian Army Combined Arms Battle Laboratory.

Along with Elistair’s new Payload Development Kit, partners can now seamlessly integrate their payloads and sensors to widen the capabilities of the platform for the end-users. A beta-testing program with selected partners allowed the successful integration of a CORDIS Array II from Radionor, a 5G relay and a SIGINT payload.

First deliveries are planned for end of May 2023.

elistair.com

Posted in Press Release, UAS | Comments Off on Elistair Introduces ORION HL, A Tethered Drone Designed For Tactical Communications

Helikon-Tex 2023 Preview

March 11th, 2023

The Helikon-Tex booth at IWA was festooned with new gear. We’ve already shown you a few items, and here is the balance.

First up is the Guardian Plate Carrier System, a modular and scalable armor carrier system which Helikon-Tex tells me will be a flagship product going forward.

Guardian will include an assault pack option.

Next, we’ll go over the multiple mannequins which showcase new products.

On this Assaulter you’ll find:

-MCDU Combat Shirt

-MCDU Pants

-Mirage Carbine Sling

-Guardian Plate Carrier

Next is Law Enforcement equipped with Black versions of the same gear worn by the Assaulter.

-MCDU Combat Shirt

-MCDU Pants

-Mirage Combat Sling

-Guardian Plate Carrier

Prepared for a workout, this mannequin sports:

-Tactical T-shirt Topcool Lite

-Utility Light Shorts

-Guardian Plate Carrier

-Urban Training Bag

All set for a day on the range:

-Squall Hardshell Jacket

-MCDU Pants

-Rangemaster Gear Bag

-Competition Multigun Rig

-Mirage Carbine Sling

-Traveler Enlarged Lightweight Chair

Get ready for some undercover work:

-Greyman Jacket

-Greyman Shirt

-Greyman Jeans

-Urban Merino Beanie

-Rat Waistpack + Pistol Holder Insert

Take a walk in the wild side:

-Patriot Jacket Mk2

-Urban Tactical Pants

-EDC Backpack

-All Round Tactical Gloves

Here’s a lady on a hike:

-Marigold Women’s Shirt

-Women’s OTP Shorts 8.5″

-Possum Waist Pack

Hanging out down the pub:

-Reversible Wolfhound Hoodie

-Alpha Hoodie Jacket Grid Fleece

-Hybrid Outback Pants

-Summit Backpack

-Winter Merino Beanie

Here’s a closeup of that Mitchell Camo Wolfhound Hoodie.

Here’s a great outfit for a lady out and about in the spring and fall:

-Gunfighter Women’s Jacket

-Marigold Women’s Shirt

-Women’s UTP Resized

-Raccoon Mk2 Backpack

Here’s a great setup for spring and fall hiking:

-SAS Smock Jacket

-Woodsman Pants

-Bergen Pack

-Wanderer Cap

A closeup of the SAS Smock which is based on an early 50s anorak but with a full zip.

And finally, another women’s ensemble:

-Squall Women’s Hardshell

-Women’s Cumulus Jacket

-Women’s Outdoor Tactical Pants

-Raccoon Mk2 Backpack

These new products will roll out throughout 2023.

Posted in Clothing, IWA | 7 Comments »

Be All You Can Be

March 11th, 2023

The Army has launched a “new” PR campaign.

Posted in Army | 22 Comments »

GA-ASI Continues Longshot Support

March 10th, 2023

Selected by DARPA to Continue With Phase 2 of Program Development

SAN DIEGO – 06 March 2023 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) is pleased to continue supporting the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) LongShot program. LongShot changes the paradigm of air combat operations by demonstrating an unmanned air-launched vehicle capable of employing air-to-air weapons.

Current air superiority concepts rely on advanced manned fighter aircraft to provide a penetrating counter air capability to effectively deliver weapons. It is envisioned that LongShot will increase the survivability of manned platforms by allowing them to be at standoff ranges far away from enemy threats, while an air-launched LongShot unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) efficiently “closes the gap” to take more effective missile shots.

After a successful Preliminary Design Review (PDR) in February 2022 at the end of Phase 1, GA-ASI was selected by DARPA to continue into Phase 2 in March 2022. During Phase 2, detailed designs are being completed and ground tests conducted to decrease program risk.

A key test event completed early in Phase 2 was multi-body wind tunnel test, characterizing the LongShot air vehicle and air-to-air weapon separation. Critical Design Review (CDR) for the program is planned for early 2023, which will complete the Phase 2 portion of the program. GA-ASI is currently generating a proposal response for the third phase of the program.

“GA-ASI is committed to the successful flight demonstration of the LongShot air vehicle,” said GA-ASI Senior Director of Advanced Programs Michael Atwood.

Upcoming Phase 2 ground tests will demonstrate the viability of key subsystems. Phase 3 would initiate the prototype manufacturing and flight testing phase of the program. Flight testing would begin in 2024.

Posted in Press Release, UAS | Comments Off on GA-ASI Continues Longshot Support

Ventum Gear – Burrito Multi Pouch

March 10th, 2023

One pouch – every mission! The burrito multi pouch offers versatility.

www.ventumgear.com/en/p/burrito-r-multi-pouch

Posted in International, Load Carrying | Comments Off on Ventum Gear – Burrito Multi Pouch

RCBS Adds Die Sets for Popular New Rifle Calibers

March 10th, 2023

Dies Now Available for 7mm PRC, .360 Buckhammer™ and .338 Weatherby® RPM

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – March 8, 2023 – RCBS®, the leading manufacturer of ammunition reloading equipment for rifles and pistols, has added three new cartridges to its collection of full-length die sets: 7mm PRC, .360 Buckhammer™ and .338 Weatherby® RPM.

Announced late last year, the 7mm PRC is the hottest new rifle cartridge to hit the market for long range shooters and hunters, joining the ranks of other popular cartridges in the PRC family like the 6.5 PRC and .300 PRC. As more riflemen switch to the new 7mm cartridge, demand for handloading equipment is also increasing.

The .360 Buckhammer is a new straight-walled cartridge for lever-guns that’s aimed at the big woods whitetail hunter, while the .338 Weatherby RPM combines fire-breathing magnum performance with modern, heavy-for-caliber bullets.

All three of these two-die sets come with a full-length sizer die with an expander-decapping unit and a seater die with bullet seater plug. Each die comes with standard 7/8″-14 thread and the sets come in a green die set box.

The 7mm PRC die set has an MSRP of $42.99, the .360 Buckhammer die set has an MSRP of $58.99, and the .338 Weatherby RPM die set has an MSRP of $75.99. To learn more about these die sets or to see the full lineup of RCBS reloading gear, head over to RCBS.com.

Posted in Ammo, Press Release | Comments Off on RCBS Adds Die Sets for Popular New Rifle Calibers

Jungle Boots In Stock at McRae Footwear

March 10th, 2023

McRae Footwear has manufactured a run of Green Jungle Boots with Panama Soles. The only cosmetic difference between these and the ones issued from the 60s through the 90s is the inclusion of barrel lacing rather than traditional eyelets.

This is the only U.S. made olive drab jungle boot on the market manufactured with the same equipment used during the Vietnam War.

They have most sizes in stock at www.mcraefootwear.com/product/vietnam-era-jungle-boot/7189, but they’re selling fast! More sizes are coming in the next 2 weeks.

Posted in Boots | 5 Comments »