Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

ACC Activates 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing

June 30th, 2021

JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. (AFNS) —

Recognizing an operational need to dominate the electromagnetic spectrum, Air Combat Command activated the 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing June 25, which is temporarily located at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, while the Air Force conducts an environmental review for the permanent location.

A first of its kind, the 350th SWW will enable, equip and optimize fielding capabilities to give the U.S. and its allies a sustainable, competitive advantage over adversaries in the electromagnetic spectrum.

The new wing will provide maintenance, operational and technical expertise for electronic warfare in support of the Combat Air Forces.

“The competition in the electromagnetic spectrum is more important than ever before. The joint force is connected by and delivers effects in and through the EMS,” said Col. William Young, 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing commander. “If we lose the fight in the EMS, we will lose the fights in all other domains. We’re here to help make sure that doesn’t happen. Standing up this unit emphasizes the Air Force’s commitment to consolidating and modernizing our entire enterprise so that joint warfighters have freedom to attack, maneuver and protect themselves at the time, place and parameters of our choosing.”

The EMS is a sovereign national resource that exists as part of an intangible world, yet manifests itself through everyday items. The EMS includes everything from radio waves to visible light and affects almost every aspect of life from personal cellular phones and Wi-Fi to advanced technology used in military applications.

The EMS as a warfighting battlespace is not a new concept, but according to Young, advances in technology have created a critical need for Airmen to better understand their role within this intangible domain.

“The activation of the 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing is the latest step the Air Force has taken to maintain our competitive advantage in electromagnetic warfare,” said Maj. Gen. Case Cunningham, United States Air Force Warfare Center commander. “Placing this critical mission under a wing commander dedicated to this mission set is fundamental to accelerating needed change and ensuring our warfighters can continue to fight and win in the EMS.”

The standup also ensures all Air Force electronic warfare and EMS capabilities are consolidated at one location. The 53rd Electronic Warfare Group will move from the 53rd Wing to the 350th SWW.

In order to remain competitive and in line with the National Defense Strategy, the 350th SWW will help the Air Force rethink its EW capabilities and plan for future requirements. Over time, the wing will mature, evolve and expand its EMS capabilities to provide spectrum warfare capabilities.

The Air Force will conduct further environmental analysis before making a final basing decision for the wing’s permanent location, expected in spring 2022.

By TSgt Emili Koonce, Air Combat Command Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, CEMA, Guest Post | 2 Comments »

Billion-Euro Contract for Rheinmetall – Bundeswehr Upgrading Puma Infantry Fighting Vehicle to New Design Status

June 29th, 2021

Rheinmetall has won a major order from the German Bundeswehr in the armoured vehicle domain, representing sales volume of well over half a billion euros. Issued through the joint venture company PSM GmbH, the contract encompasses the upgrade of the first lot of the Bundeswehr’s Puma infantry fighting vehicle, bringing them up to a uniform enhanced design status. PSM GmbH is co-owned by Rheinmetall and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, each of which holds a 50 percent share in the company.

The contract for modernizing Germany’s fleet of Puma IFVs was signed on 28 June 2021 at the Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) in Koblenz. In awarding this contract, the Bundeswehr remains on track toward an operationally ready, fully digitized fleet of infantry fighting vehicles. Work is slated to begin immediately in July 2021 and is expected to be complete in 2029.

Now official, the initial phase of the order encompasses 154 vehicles, generating sales for the consortium of €1.04 billion. Rheinmetall’s share here comes to €501 million (with value added tax), which will be booked as an incoming order at the start of the third quarter of 2021.

For Rheinmetall, anticipated consortium-internal subcontracting, e.g., in the electronic vision systems domain, is expected to mean additional orders in the three-digit million-euro range.

The contract also contains an option for modernization of a further 143 Puma infantry fighting vehicles, which for the PSM consortium would mean additional sales volume totalling €820 million, once again including VAT. Well over half this amount would be allotted to Rheinmetall.

The major refit now being embarked on is intended to bring the majority of the first lot of the Bundeswehr’s existing fleet of 350 Puma vehicles up to S1 enhanced design status. In preparation for the NATO High Readiness Joint Task Force VJTF 2023, which will be furnished by the Bundeswehr, forty Puma IFVs have already been upgraded to S1 status. Of Germany’s 350 Pumas, the only ones not included in the modernization programme are the 13 driver training vehicles.

Among other things, the new S1 version of the Puma is characterized by standoff-capable effectors like the MELLS multirole lightweight guided missile system; additional sensors such as the new driver’s vision system; and an improved command-and-control architecture. The parabolic and driver vision system heralds the end of the periscope era. For the first time, the entire crew will be able to “see through” the armour, day and night.

The fusion mode combines daylight vision with a high-quality thermal image, enabling early detection of camouflage targets around the clock. The S1 version of the Puma version is the first western combat vehicle that includes a system of this type as a standard feature.

Teamed with the VJTF 2023 version of Rheinmetall’s Future Soldier – Expanded System infantry (IdZ-ES) system, the S1 version of the Puma forms the System Panzergrenadier. For the first time in Germany, the System Panzergrenadier links a digitized platform – the advanced S1 version of the Puma IFV – to a soldier system featuring digital radio technology. On 18 March 2021, speaking on behalf of the Bundeswehr, Lieutenant General Alfons Mais, the German Army chief, declared the system “ready for action”.

Posted in Advertiser, Contracts, Press Release | Comments Off on Billion-Euro Contract for Rheinmetall – Bundeswehr Upgrading Puma Infantry Fighting Vehicle to New Design Status

SKYDEX and Helmet Comp Team Up to Launch Revolutionary Helmet Protection System

June 29th, 2021

New SKYDEX IsoFit Helmet Protection System improves operational effectiveness with industry leading protection and unique custom fit liner

CENTENNIAL, Colo. (June 2021) – SKYDEX, a global leader in advanced impact mitigation and energy absorption solutions, today announced that the company has partnered with Helmet Comp to design the next generation of helmet protection and introduce the new, state-of-the-art SKYDEX IsoFit Helmet Protection System.

The combined expertise of SKYDEX and Helmet Comp will benefit the tactical helmet industry, as they partner with best-in-class technologies to improve user fit and impact protection for those in the military and law enforcement communities. With incredible energy absorbing capability and an unrivaled fit system, together these innovators aim to reshape the future of helmet protection.

“By combining the impact protection expertise of SKYDEX and the fit expertise of Helmet Comp, we will help solve the challenges tactical helmet users have faced for years and improve operational effectiveness,” said Collin Metzer, Director, Blast & Ballistics at SKYDEX. “We shared a vision with Helmet Comp to create a new helmet protection system that offers users comfort without compromising protection. The early reception from industry end users has been overwhelmingly positive.”

The SKYDEX IsoFit Helmet Protection System features superior impact protection with an industry-leading energy-absorption pad system that can be easily integrated into any tactical helmet. With a patented system and 8-points of adjustment, the IsoFit line provides a customized fit and unmatched helmet stability to minimize distractions while users are in action. An added benefit includes open-airflow, designed to keep heads cool and dry in hot environments, combined with superior protection and fit, all of these elements offer users a safer and more comfortable experience, improving operational effectiveness. SKYDEX has launched limited quantities of this new Helmet Protection System for pre-order, and will announce additional details in the coming weeks.

“Collaborating with the passionate team at SKYDEX on the new SKYDEX IsoFit Helmet Protection System has been a rewarding project,” said Brad Maloney, CEO & Founder at Helmet Comp. “Our partnership of shared ideas and technologies will help the company continue its mission of protecting people across the globe. We’re grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the future of helmet protection with SKYDEX and to revolutionize a design that makes it not only safer, but easier for users to do their job while in action.”

To learn more about SKYDEX’s early adoption program and to sign up for the limited release of the new IsoFit Helmet Protection System available fall 2021, please visit www.skydex.com/product/skydex-isofit-helmet-protection-system.

Posted in Helmets, Press Release | Comments Off on SKYDEX and Helmet Comp Team Up to Launch Revolutionary Helmet Protection System

Maritime Tactical Systems, Inc Selects Blue Sky Network’s SkyLink Solution for Its Unmanned Surface Vehicles

June 29th, 2021

Blue Sky Network’s SkyLink delivers low-latency, dual-mode connectivity for MARTAC’s Devil Ray and MANTAS

San Diego, CA, June 29, 2021 – Today, Blue Sky Network, industry leader in mission-critical fleet management, business continuity, and operational analytics solutions, announced that it has been selected by MARTAC, an innovative provider of Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs), to equip their USVs with Blue Sky Network’s device and data management solution: SkyLink.

SkyLink by Blue Sky Network leverages the Iridium® Certus network as well as local GSM/LTE services for continuous, end-to-end sensor reporting, two-way messaging, asset utilization, and IoT/M2M monitoring. The device is small-form and low SWAP for use in any location or environment, with demonstrated versatility in both manned and unmanned maritime applications.

“To work with MARTAC is a great honor,” said Tucker Morrison, CEO of Blue Sky Network. “Autonomous missions are becoming more prevalent, and it’s the powerful, cutting-edge solutions like MARTAC’s USVs that inspired us to develop SkyLink.”

“We look forward to partnering with MARTAC to provide real-time command and control (C2) datalink for autonomous and remotely-piloted operations via our SkyLink solution,” stated Jason Hicks, VP of Business Development at Blue Sky Network. “SkyLink is a lightweight, durable, and low-latency solution that enables Iridium Global Line of SightSM for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) performance, supporting the vast needs of MARTAC’s Devil Ray and MANTAS USVs.”

“We are very excited to be working with Blue Sky Network’s leading edge, low SWAP, multi-carrier network for our USVs. Our Devil Ray and MANTAS vessels operate Beyond Human Capability and therefore reliable, robust, low-latency communications anywhere in the world is critical,” said Tom Hanson, COO of MARTAC.

Pre-orders for SkyLink began June 15, 2021, with hardware distribution planned for September 2021. All pre-orders are eligible for early access to the SkyLink Cloud Services portal, live testing data, and training materials. For more information on the SkyLink solution, visit www.blueskynetwork.com/skylink.

Posted in Comms, Press Release | Comments Off on Maritime Tactical Systems, Inc Selects Blue Sky Network’s SkyLink Solution for Its Unmanned Surface Vehicles

GreyManTac Vehicle Seatback RMP Kit Now Available

June 29th, 2021

GreyManTac (GMT) has released a new Vehicle Seatback RMP Kit, a rigid MOLLE panel. The new kit provides for an extremely modular in-vehicle (including boat, helo, and others) way of attaching and organizing gear.

Each GreyManTac seatback MOLLE panel comes with GMT’s 15.25 x 25 Rigid MOLLE Panel (RMP) and headrest and seat bottom straps. The kit is fully compatible with accessory choices from GMT’s most popular attachment categories: gear, medical, and utility.

Grey Man Tactical Vehicle Seatback MOLLE Panel

Each kit allows the user to customize from the following, choosing one option from each of the three categories.

• GEAR: 3” QuickFist Clamp with hardware OR Dual QuickFist Original Clamp with hardware.

• MEDICAL: Tear Away Medical Pouch OR Tear Away Medical Pouch with BaseMED First Aid Kit.

• UTILITY: Large Utility Pouch OR Shockloop Bundle (x2)

Grey Man Tactical Vehicle Seatback MOLLE Panel kit in one of several available configurations.

The 15.25in x 25in RMP is a universal fit for driver or passenger seatbacks and passenger seat fronts on:

• Compact to full-size cars

• Compact to full-size SUVs

• Compact to full-size trucks

• Most helicopters and boats

You can learn more about the vehicle seatback kits online at the GreyManTac website.

Posted in Load Carrying, Mobility | 1 Comment »

Sneak Peak – Spuhr SICS “Spuhr Ideal Chassi System”

June 29th, 2021

This is the first real presentation of the Spuhr Ideal Chassi System (SICS) [sic] and its features — specifically in this instance, a chassis part for a Remington short action. Spur recently advised, “We start on the middle section and more is to come.”

In our opinion, one of the most important parts for high/good accuracy is the rigidity of the action. Mostly people are well aware that a rigid action has much higher accuracy potential than one that is less rigid.

This is heavily improved by the stock or chassi system where good bedding helps to stiffen up the system.

So we made our middle section as stiff as possible. That is why the magwell goes far past the magazine towards the muzzle; this will help stiffen up the last inches of the action under the recoil lug.

The middle section features the Spuhr interface cut to allow one to mount notes, timers, ACI, TV screens, or other accessories/necessities and the chassis will feature a barricade stop in front of the magwell.

Follow up on this sneak peek by watching Håkan Spuhr is on social, @Spuhr, and online at Spuhr.biz.

More Spuhr on SSD.

Posted in weapons | 4 Comments »

MATBOCK Soteria Lanyard

June 29th, 2021

Introducing the Soteria Lanyard, MATBOCK’s first product in a series named after the Greek Goddess of safety and protection. The Soteria Lanyard sets a new standard in personal retention. Made from Sentry LifeLine webbing and corrosion-resistant Kevlar thread, the Soteria Lanyard is 30.5 inches long, weighs only 10 ounces, and is dynamic drop test certified to 3,600 lbs (16 kN).

The double locking snap hook meets NFPA 1983/2017 edition standards and is optimal for helicopter operations. MSRP – $115.

-Sentry LifeLine Webbing

-Corrosion resistant Kevlar Thread

-Passed 3600lbs Dynamic Drop Test

-Weight – 10 ounces

-Length- 30.5 inches

-MSRP – $115

Check it out here.

Want to stay up to date on new products from MATBOCK? Be sure to follow @matbock on Instagram

Other questions on the lanyard or upcoming news? Email sales@matbock.com.

Posted in Advertiser, Load Carrying, Press Release | Comments Off on MATBOCK Soteria Lanyard

Uniform Integrated Protective Ensemble Air 2 Piece Under Garment Completes Testing at Dyess AFB

June 29th, 2021

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AFNS) —

A joint military test team recently conducted ongoing developmental and operational testing of the Uniform Integrated Protective Ensemble Air 2 Piece Under Garment at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas.

UIPE Air 2PUG is a two-piece carbon-based protective undergarment designed to be worn underneath the CWU-27/P flight suit and is intended to provide chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear protection to aircrews in toxic environments.

The test team was made up of members from the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center’s Detachment 2 and the 28th Test and Evaluation Squadron from Eglin AFB, Florida, the Navy’s Operational Test and Evaluation Force, and the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s Agile Combat Support Directorate Human Systems Division.

The new system is intended to offer better mobility, breathability, and a lower thermal burden on aircrews. UIPE Air 2PUG allows aircrews to stay in the suit longer and do their jobs with less heat burden or chances of heat casualties.

During this phase of testing, the UIPE Air 2PUG was tested on C-130J Super Hercules aircrews from the 39th and 40th Airlift Squadrons that are part of the 317th Airlift Wing at Dyess AFB. The aircrew simulated aircraft preflight checks and conducted a ground egress in order to field test the new UIPE Air 2PUG garment. The test event also focused upon the garment’s interoperability and compatibility with current equipment.

“The joint ground test provided critical feedback from the user to the engineering and testing team,” said Lt. Col. Brent Gaylord, 317th Operational Support Squadron commander. “The 317th Airlift Wing utilized a full aircrew complement to include female aircrew members representative of our diverse crew force and ensuring all ergonomic factors are considered. Updating decade’s old equipment is an exciting process to be a part of and is critical to maintaining our qualitative advantage over global competitors as we continually pursue full spectrum readiness.”

“This was the final ground compatibility test event,” said Tech. Sgt. Bryce Gardner, AFOTEC Det. 2 Aircrew Flight Equipment Program manager. “Previous test events were conducted with the KC-135 (Stratotanker) at McConnell AFB, Kansas; the HH-60 (Pave Hawk) at Nellis AFB, Nevada; and the F-15 (Eagle) at Eglin AFB. Multi-Service Operational Test and Evaluation will occur in the first quarter of fiscal year 2022.

“This test event went very well and the test team gathered all the required data because of the outstanding support received from the Dyess Aircrew Flight Equipment team and the participating C-130 aircrew,” Gardner said.

Once testing is completed and UIPE Air 2PUG is approved, it will be fielded to all Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Army aircrews across fixed wing, rotary wing, ejection seat and large frame aircrafts.

AFOTEC’s mission is to inform the warfighter and acquisition through operational tests. AFOTEC evaluates the capability of systems to meet warfighter needs by planning, executing, and reporting independent operational assessments, tests, and evaluations. From concept development to system fielding, AFOTEC evaluates a system’s overall operational mission capability under realistic conditions. AFOTEC’s mission requires lock-step efforts with acquisition partners focused on shortening the combat capability delivery timeline.

By Katherine C. Gandara, Public Affairs Advisor, Headquarters Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center

Posted in Air Force, Aviation, CBRNE, Guest Post | Comments Off on Uniform Integrated Protective Ensemble Air 2 Piece Under Garment Completes Testing at Dyess AFB