Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

Four Additional Schiebel Camcopter

December 18th, 2020

Vienna, 14 December 2020 – Naval Group, on behalf of the French Navy, has accepted for operational use two further CAMCOPTER® S-100 Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) with a total of four Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs). They will be deployed on the Mistral-class amphibious helicopter carriers (Porte- Hélicoptères Amphibie – PHA) Tonnerre and Mistral.

The acquisition comes after the successful integration of the CAMCOPTER® S-100 on the French Navy Mistral-class vessel Dixmude, which was finalised in 2019. This was the first time in Europe, that a rotary wing UAS had been connected to the combat system of an amphibious helicopter carrier.

The acceptance tests of the two systems took place in the last week of October with representatives of Naval Group and the French Navy in attendance.

Over the next few months the newly acquired CAMCOPTER® S-100 UAS will be integrated on the French Navy’s vessels Tonnerre and Mistral, significantly enhancing the helicopter carrier’s Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.

The CAMCOPTER® S-100 VTOL UAS operates day and night and can carry multiple payloads up to a combined weight of 50 kg. Due to its minimal footprint, reliability and airworthiness pedigree, it is ideally suited for maritime operations around the globe.

Hans Georg Schiebel, Chairman of the Schiebel Group, said: “After the successful integration on the Dixmude, we are very proud of the confidence the French Navy has in the proven and reliable CAMCOPTER® S-100 and we are looking forward to the integration on the Tonnerre and Mistral and their operational deployment.”

LCDR Serge D., UAS program officer, French Navy: “The S-100 on Mistral-class will be the first operational tactical UAS for the French Navy and this is a major step towards the Mercator plan.”

Porte Hélicoptère Amphibie Maintenance Architect at Naval Group, Philippe V., said: “We participated in the successful factory acceptance test, which was an important milestone for this acquisition, prior to the global integration onboard conducted by Naval Group.”

Posted in Aviation, Contracts, International, ISR, Maritime, Navy, Press Release, UAS | Comments Off on Four Additional Schiebel Camcopter

DroneShield Releases US DoD Compliant DroneSentry-C2

December 17th, 2020

DroneShield Ltd (ASX:DRO) (“DroneShield”, or “Company”), is pleased to release a US DoD MIL-STD-2525 compliant version of its DroneSentry-C2TM command-and-control system, as part of its continued work with the US Department of Defense.

MIL-STD-2525 refers to a standard structured set of symbology for the display of information in command and control systems and applications, by use by the US Department of Defense, and non-DOD entities such as other Federal agencies and NATO partners. DroneSentry-C2 TM now provides users with industry leading enterprise features and MIL-STD-2525 compliance.

DroneSentry-C2 TM is a common operating picture for the Counter-UxS mission. DroneSentry-C2 TM enables its users to visualize their operational space, integrate with existing perimeter security and C2 systems, and leverage multi-sensor fusion capabilities unique to DroneSentry-C2TM. As a sensor agnostic, open architecture platform, DroneSentry-C2 TM brings advanced interoperability and flexibility to users.

Oleg Vornik, DroneShield’s CEO, commented, “DroneShield has continued to rapidly scale our US efforts. In support of that, we work closely with our customers and partners to incorporate real-world feedback into the continuous development of our solutions. The specific shaping and standardizing of our offerings to meet the requirements of the US Department of Defense and MIL-STD-2525 is an important part of this work and a testament of our commitment to our customer and their mission.”

For enquiries, please contact info@droneshield.com.

Posted in Comms, Digitization, Press Release, UAS | Comments Off on DroneShield Releases US DoD Compliant DroneSentry-C2

Virtual Reality Battlefield Technology Designed to Train Military Leaders

December 17th, 2020

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – A new and modern approach to understanding battlefield history may soon help prepare future military leaders in the U.S.

Purdue University innovators have developed battlefield simulation technology that they used to produce a virtual reality tour of the D-Day beaches in Normandy, France.

“We have worked with military education partners to refine our virtual reality technology to provide a useful tool for future military leaders,” said Sorin Adam Matei, a professor of communication and associate dean in Purdue’s College of Liberal Arts. “We apply what we know from the field of physics and treat the virtual soldiers almost like liquids that are interacting on the battlefield. Military educators can use this tool to teach future leaders lessons learned from historic battles in a visually exciting way that brings them to life for the students.”

Their work is part of the FORCES (4S) – Strategy, Security and Social Systems Initiative in Purdue’s College of Liberal Arts. More information is available at purdue.university/forces.

The initiative supports the use of social scientific research in strategy and security activities to shape long-range and global military, political and organizational decision-making for a just, stable and secure world. Other members of the team are Jonathan Poggie, a professor of engineering; Robert Kirchubel, an educator and retired Army lieutenant colonel; and Matthew Konkoly, a research assistant.

The team at FORCES is working to bring the project to partners at the U.S. Air Force Air War College, located at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. Each spring, the Air War College holds an annual Grand Strategy Seminar, usually traveling to Normandy as part of the curriculum.

“We’re exploring a new approach to group behavior that has the potential to significantly change wargaming and crisis management,” Poggie said. “I’m enthusiastic about bringing to bear some of the techniques we’ve developed in aerodynamics and high-performance computing on military decision making.”

Purdue University innovators have developed battlefield simulation technology that they used to produce a virtual reality tour of the D-Day beaches in Normandy, France. (Image provided)

The FORCES team also is working on a battlefield simulation of the Civil War battle of Gettysburg. They have formed a startup called FORCES Inc. to help commercialize the technology.

“A key aspect is creating and sharing new ways to teach military history, plus to further study and understanding of the military arts and sciences,” Kirchubel said. “I’m most excited about the project’s potential: to turn the clock back, yet display a famous battle in a technologically leading-edge fashion in order to bring military history alive to a new generation of students and scholars.”

The team worked with the Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization to patent this technology.

The researchers are looking for partners to continue developing their technology. For more information on licensing and other opportunities, contact Matt Halladay at OTC at mrhalladay@prf.org.

Posted in Guest Post, Training | Comments Off on Virtual Reality Battlefield Technology Designed to Train Military Leaders

Tasmanian Tiger TT Modular Range Bag

December 17th, 2020

Designed by professionals as an all-around bag for law enforcement, security, target shooters, and even photography enthusiasts.

Miramar, Fla. (December 2020) – Tasmanian Tiger®, a tactical nylon line of products distributed exclusively for the US market by Proforce Equipment, Inc., announce the arrival of the TT Modular Range Bag, an all-around, must-have tactical and training bag for professionals, target shooters, and even camera buffs.

Large enough to organize duty gear, tools, and ammo as a go-bag for patrol vehicles, it is versatile enough to keep other types of professional gear organized and protected. Its smart design incorporates an adjustable and detachable inner compartment, detachable magazine and inner pockets, and modular and detachable interior dividers for mission and gear-specific organization. Additionally, the TT Modular Range Bag includes a large accessory pouch, a flat accessory pouch, two TAC Pouch Round VL pouches, and Tasmanian Tiger’s Internal Holster VL.

Organization continues on the outside of the TT Modular Range Bag with three external compartments for rapid acquisition of gear, and an exterior pocket with a MOLLE hook-and-loop field for additional storage options.

The TT Modular Range Bag measures 12-inches by 17.25-inches by 9-inches and sports 2,197 cubic inches of organized opportunity. Weighing in at around 5 lbs., the TT Modular Range Bag also features padded handles for a comfortable carry and a detachable, length-adjustable carrying strap. The YKK zippered sliders are all lockable for secure storage and the lid also features a zip compartment for easy access.

Made from highly durable 700 denier Cordura®, the TT Modular Range Bag is available in Black and Olive with an MSRP of $349.00.

For more information on the TT Modular Range Bag, click here and find a local dealer here.

All sales inquiries can be directed to tt@tasmaniantigerusa.com.

Posted in Load Carrying, Press Release | Comments Off on Tasmanian Tiger TT Modular Range Bag

SB Tactical: Proposed ATF Regulations Nothing More Than Registration Scheme

December 17th, 2020

Bradenton, Fla. (December 17, 2020) – SB Tactical® learned on December 16 of the ATF’s plan to publish their proposed ‘Objective Factors for Classifying Weapons with Stabilizing Braces’ guidance on www.federalregister.gov/d/2020-27857, which will be open for comment on Friday, December 18, 2020 until January 1, 2021.

Our hope was that ATF would finally take transparent action to provide clear criteria for brace equipped pistols, that would give manufacturers and consumers a way to see if products met ATF’s shifting expectations. Instead, the document is a thinly veiled blueprint for the largest firearm registration–and ultimately potentially confiscation– scheme in U.S. history.

The factors identified by the ATF for its possible use in classification include type, caliber, weight and length, how the gun is marketed, length of pull, sights and scopes, peripheral accessories mounted, and rear surface area of the brace, among others. While the factors listed are arbitrary and open-ended, the truly onerous part of the proposal is that no definitions of the factors are provided.

The grotesque inadequacies of this document render this “guidance” worse than meaningless. By stating that “no single factor or combination of factors is necessarily dispositive,” the regulated public is left guessing. Which calibers are ok? What is the weight or length of pull limit? What accessories can be mounted on a pistol? By failing to define the criteria, the ATF is codifying its holistic “we’ll know it when we see it” approach to determinations that create confusion and serve as little more than a power grab. It does nothing other than create uncertainty and confirm that ATF does not want to be held accountable. It claims limitless power to assess products under a “holistic” approach that gives the agency maximum discretion and Americans minimum protection.

This proposed guidance says that it does not have the effect and force of law . . . yet. SB Tactical®, in conjunction with the Firearms Regulatory Accountability Coalition, Inc., (FRAC), and the National Rifle Association, will continue to work tirelessly with congressional leadership, the White House, and the Department of Justice to ensure that legal gun owners’ rights and the rights of manufacturers are not in jeopardy. We believe that the White House is considering weighing in on this issue, but they will not do so unless we make our voices heard. The time is now to come together as a community of gun owners, retailers, and manufacturers to demand that President Trump preserve our Second Amendment rights.

This is our last chance to get this administration to intervene. We strongly urge you to contact the White House to demand they take swift action to stop and reverse ATF’s efforts to issue arbitrary and capricious decisions affecting millions of legal gun owners.

• One-Click Link to Contact the White House, DOJ, and your Congressional representatives:

o www.fracaction.org/contact-officials

• White House Comment Line:

o (202) 456-1111 / Email

• Donate to FRAC, the organization that is standing up against the ATF’s arbitrary and capricious determinations:

o secure.fracaction.org/donate

Additionally, once the guidance formally posts to the Federal Register on Friday, December 18, we encourage you to submit commentary to the ATF and express your frustration and confusion. This is important to ensure a full record before the agency and any later court that reviews this issue. But, because the ATF seems to want to limit participation in this proceeding, it has created complicated rules and deadlines. To submit comments in the DOJ proceeding you will need to follow the instructions below. Comments that do not follow the below instructions, will not be considered.

DUE DATE: Written comments must be postmarked by, and electronic comments must be submitted on or before January 1, 2021 by midnight Eastern time.

INSTRUCTIONS: All submissions received must include the agency name (ATF) and docket number (ATP 2020R-10). All properly completed comments received will be posted without change to the Federal eRulemaking portal, www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. Comments must have a full name, mailing address, and signature.

Commenters who do not want their name or other personal identifying information posted on the Internet should submit comments by mail or facsimile, along with a separate cover sheet containing their personal identifying information. Both the cover sheet and comment must reference this docket number (ATP 2020R-10).

Comments that contain excessive profanity will not be considered or responded to.

SUBMISSIONS: Starting December 18, you may submit comments in one of three ways:

1. Online-Federal eRulemaking Portal: ATF recommends that you submit your comments to ATF via the Federal eRulemaking portal at www.federalregister.gov/d/2020-27857 and follow the instructions. Please keep the comment tracking number that is provided after you have successfully uploaded your comment.

2. Mail:

Written comments must:

a. Appear in minimum 12-point font size (.17inches)

b. Include the commenter’s first and last name and full mailing address

c. Be signed

Send written comments to the following address:

Office of Regulatory Affairs, Enforcement Programs and Services, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives

ATTN: ATF 2020R-J0

Mail Stop 6N- 518

99 New York Ave. NE

Washington, DC 20226

3. Facsimile:

Faxed comments must:

a. Be legible and appear in minimum 12-point font size (.17 inches) b. Be on 81?2″x11″paper

c. Include the commenter’s first and last name and full mailing address

d. Be signed

e. Be no more than five pages long

Posted in 2A, Industry, Press Release, Weapon Accessories | 9 Comments »

The Army’s Official Face Mask to be Issued to New Soldiers in 2021

December 17th, 2020

The official Army-designed, -tested, and -refined face mask – the Combat Cloth Face Covering (CCFC) – will be provided to new Soldiers during the second quarter of FY2021. This was one of the updates provided to the Army Uniform Board (AUB) during its 152nd meeting, which occurred on Nov. 18.

In response to the current pandemic, the Army has largely provided disposable or reusable, solid color masks to Soldiers who have also been permitted to use neck gaiters and other cloth items, such as bandanas and scarves, as face coverings. This past summer, the Army Uniform Board recommended and General James C. McConville, the U.S. Army Chief of Staff, approved issuing CCFCs to Soldiers at Initial Entry Training (IET) as part of their clothing bag. At the 152nd AUB, Army officials said that the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) will begin issuing two CCFCs to each new Soldier during the second quarter of FY2021. The CCFCs will likely be available for purchase at the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) uniform stores later in FY2021. (Note: Existing guidance on face coverings for current Soldiers remains unchanged and can be found at the end of this article.)

The CCFC was designed, developed, and produced along an expedited timeline. It normally takes 18–24 months for DLA to have the item available for order once the technical description, design, and components are approved and submitted. The CCFC, from inception to issuance, is slated to take less than one year.

The AUB also received updates on the implementation status of four other uniform changes from the 151st AUB, which took place in June 2020. A summary of these follow:

Improved Hot Weather Combat Uniform-Female (IHWCU-F): Expected to be added to the clothing bag in the fourth quarter of FY2021 and available for purchase in the second quarter of FY2022.

Hot Weather Army Combat Boot-Improved (HW ACB-I): Expected to transition to DLA Troop Support for new contracting action in the second quarter of FY2021 and be available for purchase by FY2024.

Black Athletic Socks: DLA estimates the sock will be available in the clothing bag in second quarter of FY2022.

Army Physical Fitness Uniform-Maternity (APFU-M): Prototypes are in development. The Army is working with the Air Force and Marines on their past maternity uniform efforts in order to expedite pattern development. Form, fit, and function evaluations are expected to occur in the third quarter of FY2021.

The AUB also discussed additional clothing articles, including items for new and expecting mothers. More information will be provided about these discussions in 2021 after Senior Leader decisions are made.

*************************

EXISTING FACE COVERING GUIDANCE:

SOLDIERS ARE AUTHORIZED TO WEAR THE NECK GAITER AND OTHER CLOTH ITEMS, SUCH AS BANDANAS AND SCARVES, AS FACE MASKS. TO PROTECT THE FACIAL AREA, THE CLOTH ITEM MUST COVER THE MOUTH AND NOSE AND EXTEND TO THE CHIN OR BELOW AS WELL AS TO THE SIDES OF THE FACE. THE ITEM MUST ALSO BE SECURED OR FASTENED TO THE FACE IN A MANNER THAT ALLOWS THE SOLDIER TO BREATHE WHILE ALSO PREVENTING DISEASE EXPOSURE OR CONTAMINATION.

SOLDIERS WILL NOT WEAR MASKS THAT HAVE PRINTED WORDING, PROFANITY, RACIST, DEMEANING OR DEROGATORY LOGOS, SCRIPT OR IMAGERY. SOLDIERS MUST NOT ATTEMPT TO CUT UP CLOTHING MATERIALS SUCH AS ARMY COMBAT UNIFORMS TO USE FOR FACE MASKS AS THESE MAY HAVE BEEN TREATED WITH CHEMICALS. IF AVAILABLE, CLOTH COLORS SHOULD BE SUBDUED AND CONFORM TO THE UNIFORM. LEADERS SHOULD APPROACH THIS AS A FORCE PROTECTION ISSUE; THEY ARE ASKED TO USE THEIR BEST JUDGMENT REGARDING THE CLOTH COLOR AND DESIGN OF FACE MASKS AND MUST ALSO CHECK FOR THE SERVICEABILITY OF FACE-SHIELDING MATERIALS. SOLDIERS SHOULD REPLACE ITEMS THAT BECOME SOILED, DAMAGED, OR DIFFICULT TO BREATHE THROUGH.

By Kinsey Kiriakos

Posted in Army, Clothing, COVID-19 Pandemic, Guest Post | 11 Comments »

TacJobs – 3 Positions Open at Nightforce HQ

December 17th, 2020

Are you searching for an exciting career opportunity with a great company? A fast-paced, fun work environment with a full complement of benefits and some great employee perks? We are a benchmark for high quality, high-performance products, and our employees are hard-working, dedicated individuals. If you fit that description and meet the qualifications for our position, we’d love to meet you!

Nightforce Optics is hiring for 3 positions at their Orofino, ID headquarters.

-Project Coordinator

-Production Laborers

-Facilities Custodian

For full details and to apply, visit nightforceoptics.applicantpro.com/jobs.

Posted in Advertiser, TacJobs | Comments Off on TacJobs – 3 Positions Open at Nightforce HQ

Dutch Marine Corps Fields New Pulk Transport Sleds for Arctic

December 17th, 2020

This release was provided by the Korps Mariniers or Dutch Marine Corps.

During the upcoming Joint Arctic Training on the Northflank in Norway, the first new Pulks will be deployed at the squadron level. Pulk is the English term for a short low-hanging small sleigh and is pronounced ?? pooluk” The Pulk offers good opportunities for Marines to take their equipment.

Arctic

Marine Corps units take in arctic conditions a lot of equipment such as (extra) clothing, fuel and tents. They need these items to survive at low temperatures. As a result, Marines are now carrying a heavy backpack while moving on skis in snowy areas. An additional disadvantage of a complete package on the man is that the function of the worn clothing is not fully utilized (breathing capacity).

Trials

After various tests, during previous winter training with Pulks, 4 different types have been chosen. The 120 cm General Purpose Machine Gun Pulk is directly suitable as a weapons platform. The 135 cm is the operator Pulk and suitable for every sierra operator, a 150 cm Pulk for every MAG helper and a 170 cm variant for general use of the various troops of a squadron.

Cooperation and guarantee

In collaboration with the Weapons System Management (WSM) section of the Group Commander Operational Units Marines (GC-OEM), the Clothing and Equipment (KL & OUT), and the Assortments Manager, have now been purchased for a squadron Pulks. Next year two more extraditions will follow, so that a fully Marine Combat Group will be equipped with new Pulks from then on.

Posted in Guest Post, International, Mobility, Mountaineering | 7 Comments »