Members of the Air Force Special Warfare Human Performance Support Group’s Research Flight recently published an article in a peer-reviewed journal, “Force plate vertical jump scans are not a valid proxy for physical fitness in US special warfare trainees.”
The Research Flight is the only embedded research team in the DoD, tasked with supporting the Special Warfare Training Wing with data driven decisions to identify trends, maximize the effectiveness and reduce injuries within the pipeline.
The technology enterprise Rheinmetall AG has taken a further step on the path to achieving climate neutrality by 2035, its stated goal. Thanks to the Group’s strong commitment and the support of local authorities, last summer a large solar power plant was successfully installed on the roofs of factory halls at Rheinmetall subsidiary Pierburg SA in Abadanio, Spain.
The 1,635 solar modules installed on the roof are now producing solar power. Annual output is expected to be in the region of 730,000 kWh. According to company calculations, this sustainably generated energy will cut the plant’s climate-harmful CO2 emissions by 175 tons annually.
For the past twelve years, the company has been systematically pursuing a long-term action plan in Spain to reduce its climate footprint, having conducted its first energy audit in 2009. Ever since, the company has done its utmost to be an efficient producer while simultaneously protecting the environment and reducing emissions. Over the years, in addition to the latest installation, the company has successfully implemented measures that have also enhanced the efficiency and sustainability of other industrial processes. These include the introduction of a geothermal exchange system, the insulation of pipes, automatic control systems for fan heaters, automatic compressed air control systems and compressed air systems for leak detection, LED technology and intelligent lighting systems (KNX), as well as coolant filtration and briquetting systems.
This year, the plant has won acclaim from various private and public sector bodies for its commitment and ongoing successful implementation of measures to optimize the reduction of CO2 emissions. In 2014 Pierburg in Spain received special recognition from the Energy Department of the Basque Government, and a year later its energy management system was recognized for good practice as part of the EFQM award. And in 2016 the plant won special recognition from the CEBEC, the confederation of the most important companies in the Province of Bizkaia.
Large seaplane concept envisions extended operations, affordable production, advanced controls
DARPA has launched the Liberty Lifter project to demonstrate a leap in operational logistics capabilities by designing, building, and flying a long-range, low-cost X-plane capable of seaborne strategic and tactical lift. The new vehicle concept seeks to expand upon existing cargo aircraft by proving revolutionary heavy air lift abilities from the sea.
The envisioned plane will combine fast and flexible strategic lift of very large, heavy loads with the ability to take off/land in water. Its structure will enable both highly controlled flight close to turbulent water surfaces and sustained flight at mid-altitudes. In addition, the plane will be built with a low-cost design and construction philosophy.
Although current sealift is very efficient in transporting large amounts of payload, it is vulnerable to threats, requires functional ports, and results in long transit times. Traditional airlift is much faster, but has limited ability to support maritime operations. Additionally, today, such aircraft suffer payload limitations or require long runways.
There is a history of attempting to develop aircraft created to fly with “wing-in-ground effect,” which means the aircraft is flying no more than the length of its wingspan above ground or water. The most well-known examples are the Soviet “ekranoplans.” These vehicles were high speed and runway- independent, but were restricted to calm waters and had limited maneuverability.
“This first phase of the Liberty Lifter program will define the unique seaplane’s range, payloads, and other parameters,” said Alexander Walan, a program manager in DARPA’s Tactical Technology Office. “Innovative advances envisioned by this new DARPA program will showcase an X-plane demonstrator that offers warfighters new capabilities during extended maritime operations.”
To address the shortcomings of existing vehicles and operational concepts, the Liberty Lifter program focuses on addressing three main challenges.
Extended Maritime Operations: Emphasis will be placed on operating in turbulent sea states by creating high-lift abilities at low speeds to reduce wave impact load during takeoff/landing, and innovative design solutions to absorb wave forces. In addition, the project will address risks of vehicle collision during high-speed operation in congested environments. Finally, the aim is for the vehicle to operate at sea for weeks at a time without land-based maintenance activities.
Full-Scale Affordable Production: Construction will prioritize low-cost, easy-to-fabricate designs over exquisite, low-weight concepts. Materials should be more affordable than those in traditional aircraft manufacturing and available to be purchased in large quantities.
Complex Flight and Sea Surface Controls: Advanced sensors and control schemes will be developed to avoid large waves and to handle aero/hydro-dynamic interactions during takeoff/landing.
During the nation’s westward expansion after the Civil War, the U.S. Army fought a series of Indian Wars against the Native American Nations with whom white settlers had come into conflict.
Instrumental to Army success in the post-bellum Indian Wars were the Indian Scouts, an enlisted cadre of Native American scouts often drawn from Nations with longstanding antagonisms toward the Nations at war with the United States.
First formed in 1866, the Indian Scouts were a force of up to 1,000 men (although this slowly declined as the years passed) whose members were be compensated the same as a white cavalryman.
The Indian Scouts supplied desperately needed knowledge of the terrain and enemy belligerents to an Army short on expertise and struggling to accomplish its mission. Indian Scouts were essential to Army’s efforts across the greater frontier and played crucial roles in iconic conflicts like the Great Sioux War and the Apache Wars.
The settlement of the frontier by the close of the 19th century spelled the end for the Indian Scouts and their unique place in Army history; the service slowly declined until coming to a practical end by the beginning of World War One.
During their time in Army service, Indian Scouts earned 16 Medals of Honor; a small part of their legacy has been carried into the present day by U.S. Army Special Forces, whose crossed arrows insignia was originally designated for use by the Indian Scouts in 1890.
Fork Union, VA – Red Arrow Weapons is excited to announce Dwayne Phillips as the growing company’s latest hire.
In his role as Sales & Customer Manager, Phillips will create and execute sales strategies, develop and grow retail partner relationships, and manage customer service communication between retailers, customers, and the manufacturing team. He’ll also help Red Arrow Weapons achieve its goal of selling as many guns as possible to put the best AR platform firearm in the hands of patriotic Americans for a price that fits everyone.
“We’re thrilled to bring Dwayne on board as an integral part of Red Arrow Weapons,” said Kip Campbell, ??Founder of Red Arrow Weapons. “We’re confident his strong background and shared passion will help us better serve our partners and customers.”
To learn more about Red Arrow Weapons and browse the full lineup of products, visit redarrowweapons.com.
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As part of another backfill activity commissioned by the German government, Rheinmetall is supplying Marder 1A3 Infantry Fighting Vehicles to Greece. The first units of these Marder Infantry Fighting Vehicles were presented as part of the parade of the Hellenic Armed Forces on the occasion of the national holiday on October 28th in Thessaloniki.
The Hellenic Armed Forces, for their part, are giving Infantry Fighting Vehicles of Soviet design and other military equipment for support to Ukraine and are receiving Marder 1A3 Infantry Fighting Vehicles in exchange. In addition to the delivery of the Infantry Fighting Vehicles, an ammunition package, an integrated service package including training services and a spare parts package will also be provided by the Bundeswehr and Rheinmetall. Deliveries should be completed by the end of 2023.
The vehicles provided are overhauled Marder 1A3 from former Bundeswehr stocks. These Marder 1A3s have been repaired at Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH at their own expense since spring 2022 at the Unterlüß site so that they are ready for immediate use. The first vehicles were loaded on October 11 at the Rheinmetall site in Unterlüß and transported to Greece.
The Marder Infantry Fighting Vehicle, which was developed for the German Armed Forces and is still in use, is one of the most proven weapon systems of its kind in the world. The vehicle was modernized several times in the course of its use and its combat value increased.
The backfill activity is a procedure developed by the German government to support Ukraine in its efforts against the Russian invasion in cooperation with its European neighbours and NATO partners. NATO partners hand over equipment from former Soviet production to the Ukraine and receive available systems from Western production in return. Rheinmetall is already involved in ring exchanges with the Czech Armed Forces as well as with the Slovak Armed Forces, here with Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks.
The new ROMEO4XT-PRO Red Dot Sight is the latest addition to SIG’s ever-growing optics line.
They’ve moved the Illumination control to the top, providing easy access with either hand while staying clear of chest rigs and plate carriers when slung. A dedicated night vision override switch makes short work of drastic changes in lighting conditions and by combining MOTAC with a common AAA battery, the ROMEO4XT-PRO is rated for 50,000 hours of runtime.
Like its predecessor, the ROMEO4XT-PRO is IPX8-rated for waterproof and fog proof performance and is tested to MIL-STD-810 to ensure reliable service.
Fans of Finnish M05 camouflage rejoice! Finland-based Varusteleka Oy has released their range of basic load-carrying gear in the aforementioned camo pattern, including their PC18 plate bag, and CP15 combat pack, as well as various pouches and other products.
You can order direct from Varusteleka via their website, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised on how fast your gear gets to you.
