View ballistic coefficients, velocity, energy trajectories and more for all bullet types.
Download your copy at www.sigsauer.com
2020 SIG Ammunition Ballistics Chart
March 16th, 2020New Error Correction Method Provides Key Step Toward Quantum Computing
March 16th, 2020
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — An Army project devised a novel approach for quantum error correction that could provide a key step toward practical quantum computers, sensors and distributed quantum information that would enable the military to potentially solve previously intractable problems or deploy sensors with higher magnetic and electric field sensitivities.
The approach, developed by researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology with Army funding, could mitigate certain types of the random fluctuations, or noise, that are a longstanding barrier to quantum computing. These random fluctuations can eradicate the data stored in such devices.
The Army-funded research, published in Physical Review Letters, involves identifying the kinds of noise that are the most likely, rather than casting a broad net to try to catch all possible sources of disturbance.
“The team learned that we can reduce the overhead for certain types of error correction on small scale quantum systems,” said Dr. Sara Gamble, program manager for the Army Research Office, an element of U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command’s Army Research Laboratory. “This has the potential to enable increased capabilities in targeted quantum information science applications for the DOD.”
The specific quantum system the research team is working with consists of carbon nuclei near a particular kind of defect in a diamond crystal called a nitrogen vacancy center. These defects behave like single, isolated electrons, and their presence enables the control of the nearby carbon nuclei.
But the team found that the overwhelming majority of the noise affecting these nuclei came from one single source: random fluctuations in the nearby defects themselves. This noise source can be accurately modeled, and suppressing its effects could have a major impact, as other sources of noise are relatively insignificant.
The team determined that the noise comes from one central defect, or one central electron that has a tendency to hop around at random. It jitters. That jitter, in turn, is felt by all those nearby nuclei, in a predictable way that can be corrected. The ability to apply this targeted correction in a successful way is the central breakthrough of this research.
The work so far is theoretical, but the team is actively working on a lab demonstration of this principle in action.
If the demonstration works as expected, this research could make up an important component of near and far term future quantum-based technologies of various kinds, including quantum computers and sensors.
ARL is pursuing research in silicon vacancy quantum systems which share similarities with the nitrogen vacancy center quantum systems considered by the MIT team. While silicon vacancy and nitrogen vacancy centers have different optical properties and many basic research questions are open regarding which type(s) of application each may be ultimately best suited for, the error correction approach developed here has potential to impact both types of systems and as a result accelerate progress at the lab.
By U.S. Army CCDC Army Research Laboratory Public Affairs
MATBOCK Monday – GRAVEROBBER Series
March 16th, 2020Happy MATBOCK Monday! This week our focus is on the GRAVEROBBER Series.
The GRAVEROBBER Series includes a combination of various bags and pouches that can be configured for your expeditionary and operational needs. All bags and pouches in the GRAVEROBBER Series are made using MATBOCK’s exclusive Ghost and Ghost Light material, making them the lightest and toughest bags on the market.
GRAVEROBBER Sustainment Kit
The GRAVEROBBER Sustainment Kit is a joint CRO Medical and MATBOCK project to bring a prolonged field care pack to the operational medic. It features the Sustainment bag, 4 x sustainment pouches, 4 x sustainment panels, and the GRAVEROBBER Drug Box. All made from MATBOCK Ghost and Ghost Light materials.
GRAVEROBBER Technical Mountain Ruck
The Technical Mountain Ruck is a combination of the GRAVEROBBER Assault Medic (GRAM) Kit and the GRAVEROBBER Sustainment Kit. The GRAM easily zips to the outside of the sustainment bag to give the medic everything needed for both assault and prolonged medical operations. Made from MATBOCK’s Ghost and Ghost Light materials for superior water resistance, durability, strength and weight savings.
GRAVEROBBER Assault Medic
The GRAVEROBBER Assault Medic bag is the result of years of needed improvement in bags specifically designed for the team medic. CRO brings a multi-mission approach to the design with their well-thought-out adaptability, including a panel insert that converts to a skeleton med panel which can be clipped or slung using the thin padded shoulder straps. Remove to design a custom panel that is interchangeable for different packing requirements, or easily change bags with the versatility of a panel insert.
Lighter Faster Warriors, The MATBOCK™ ethos, is realized by the GRAM.
MATBOCK Ghost® material is used throughout with Tegris reinforcements, giving the inside contents protection to allow for narcotics to be set up using a soft case.
A few of the highlighted features include:
• Jumpable
• Waterproof
• Mounts on ALICE frame
• Hangs in vehicles
• Ultralight 2.9 lbs
• 1.2 lbs skeletonized setup (if you clip it on, less)
• Mitigates shrapnel hazards
• Thinnest med bag ever created
The GRAVEROBBER™ Assault Medic bag is designed to be mounted to an ALICE frame, giving the medic a slim assault bag that can be configured in many ways to enhance medical load carriage. This jumpable, water resistant bag bridges the gap between assault bags and en-route care, due to its expandable design and ability to hang.
This versatile, meticulously designed med bag was created with everyday medic load carriage in mind.
GRAVEROBBER Surgical
Lightweight ruck designed to carry surgical medical equipment for expeditionary and operational professionals. Available both with and without frame.
The complete kit includes:
• Ventilation Pouch
• Drug Roll
• IV Pouch
• Multifunction Pouch
Click the link below to see our full series!
www.matbock.com/collections/grave-robber
5th Annual Whiskey & War Stories – April 24, 2020
March 16th, 2020
What: Whiskey & War Stories is an annual Silent Warrior Foundation fundraising event which features a silent auction, dinner, drinks and a moderated presentation of military veterans discussing a significant military event which they were first person participants in.
Past events have featured participants of the Ranger’s air assault during the Grenada Invasion and the last POW rescue attempt of the Vietnam War, Operation Thunderhead.
We are extremely proud and excited to announce that the focus of this year’s presentation will be the Son Tay Prison Raid of November 20, 1970.
Who: The event is once again organized by the Silent Warrior Foundation. Several Son Tay Raiders (up to 8 at present count) and several former American POWs of the Vietnam War will be in attendance.
Why: To raise funds for the SWF scholarship program, and other assistance provided to SOF and other military veterans through the Silent Warrior Foundation and to honor the Son Tay Raiders during the 50th Anniversary Year of their daring rescue attempt.
Where: The Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch, Scottsdale, AZ. 7700 E McCormick Parkway, Scottsdale, AZ 85258.
When: 5:00-10:00 pm, doors open at 5:00 pm, cocktails and silent auction from 5:30-6:30 pm, dinner at 6:30 pm, onstage program begins at 7:00 pm and ends at @ 9:30 pm.
Amplifying information: Many of the auction items this year reflect the focus of the evening’s discussion. Examples of the donated auction items this year include but are not limited to: a smaller detailed recreation of “Barbara”-the scale model planning table used to study the Son Tay POW camp before the raid, as well as a package that includes Son Tay Raid rigged GAU-5 assault rifles and a trip to the range to shoot them in a Huey helicopter provided by Dillon Aero on Sunday, April 26th with several SOF combat veterans as guides.
Current List of Sponsors:
BCM, TYR Tactical, Dillion Aero, Star Roofing, Swarovski Optik, Winkler Knives, Independence Training , Coatings Technologies, Shamrock Foods, Sanderson Lincoln – Sanderson Ford, HB Fuller, SAP, Magpul, FiberTite, GAF, RMJ Electric, Vortex Optics, Youngs Market, Armor Coat, Timney Triggers, Caspian Arms, Scottsdale Gun Club, Langdon Tactical, Cylinder & Slide
Individual tickets or sponsored tables can be purchased online at www.silentwarriorfoundation.com. Follow the link there for event rates to also stay at the Scottsdale Resort, if you wish.
You can also follow us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/SilentWarriorSF
We hope to see you there!
Sincerely,
Dave Hall
President, Silent Warrior Foundation
Ruck March Keeps Airmen Mission Ready
March 16th, 2020
Airmen assigned to the 820th Base Defense Group perform a ruck march Feb. 21, 2020, at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. Members of the 105th Base Defense Squadron from Stewart Air National Guard Base, New York, and 820th BDG participate in a ruck march as part of the Initial Qualification Training for Base Defense Group Airmen to ensure readiness in a deployed environment. Ruck marches allow Airmen to understand the feeling of carrying mission essential items to better pace themselves and stay fit.
SCUBAPRO Sunday – Quick Release Adapter for the Frameless Mask
March 15th, 2020SCUBAPRO’s FRAMELESS mask is diving’s original frameless mask. The Frameless was the first mask to use the lens as its structural support, which significantly increased the field of vision for divers. Twenty-one years later, it is still the first choice of military and technical divers.
Its distinctive rectangular single-lens shape is classic, providing an excellent field of view on the periphery as well as straight ahead. By eliminating the frame, you create a mask that sits closer to your eyes. This provides a broader field of view to better take in the underwater sights, plus it reduces volume, which makes it easier to clear. Also, since there is no frame, the buckles attach directly to the skirt. This enables the mask to fold relatively flat for packing or for slipping into a BC cargo pocket. The soft silicone skirt on the FRAMELESS is comfortable yet durable, and the double-edge seal feels good against the skin. Buckles attach to flexible tabs on the skirt; this optimizes strap angle when dialing in the fit.
SCUBAPRO wanted to give it an update without taking away from its already iconic features. We also wanted it to work with our newest dive computer, the Galileo HUD. So, we develop a way to mount the HUD to the mask as the mount needs a hole drilled through the lens, which can only be done before the glass is tempered.
SCUBAPRO is always trying to innovate for the working divers and set the standard for new gear. The latest features for the Frameless/ Frameless Gorilla mask are the addition of the comfort strap adapter. They can be added onto existing masks, and this allows the user to add several new features to one of the most iconic masks ever made. We have new accessories for the classic Frameless mask. The latest version of the Frameless that is available with an integrated HUD Arm that allows you to mount the SCUBAPRO HUD hands-free dive compute.
SCUBAPRO has also been working with some military units to make the Frameless mask non-magnetic. To do this, we decide to develop a conversion kit so it could use our comfort straps. With this, we removed the springs and pins in the mask straps. QR kit Part Number 24.340.039
The Frameless adapter kit includes two quick clips and the roll pins. The adapters also allow you to use the SCUBAPRO Odin Helmet Straps. Ops-Core is the primer brand when it comes to helmet innovation. The Odin system allows any mask with quick clips to be attached to any helmet that has the Ops-Core ARC rail systems. The Odin straps are perfect for any time you have to wear a helmet when diving or in the water. Like using a DPV, Wearing Jet-boots, Search and Rescue Operations, or working in Fast Moving Water. The Comfort Strap is similar to a ski goggle strap in design. It clips right into the mask buckle adapter and offers a wide adjustment range. It also is a lot less likely to break mid-dive as it is a nylon strap and not rubber or silicone. The adapter also makes the mask non-magnetic for EOD use, as it removes all metal parts.
Federal Sponsored Shooters Earn Spots to Represent the US in Tokyo
March 15th, 2020ANOKA, Minnesota – March 10, 2020 – Federal Ammunition sponsored shooters Kayle Browning and Vincent Hancock will chase Olympic glory in the shotgun sports at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. Kayle Browning will be one of the women trap shooters to represent the U.S. and Vincent Hancock will make up half of the men’s skeet team.
Browning recently won her division at the two-stage U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Shotgun which wrapped up on Monday March 2 in Tucson, Arizona. “I started competing in sporting clays when I was 8 years old. My dad, Tommy Browning, was a competitive shooter. He got me into it,” said Kayle. “It’s been a crazy ride!”
A 2012 Olympic alternate, Browning did all she could to finally secure her Olympic debut in 2020. She secured an Olympic quota for the U.S., then led after the first stage of trials and finally sealed the deal with a great finish. The 27-year-old from Wooster, Arkansas, is coming off top-13 finishes in the last two world championships.
“We are excited for Kayle,” said Federal Marketing Director Jason Nash. “Her skills have already racked up a long resume of accomplishments, including two Pan American medals, a 2018 World Cup bronze medal, 2017 World Cup silver medal, 2016 National Championships silver medal and much more. We know she will do an excellent job representing the U.S. this summer in Tokyo.”
Vincent Hancock will chase his third Olympic title in Tokyo after winning golds in Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012. The four-time World Champion won the qualifying skeet trials on Sunday, March 8 in Tucson, Arizona. “It’s a big relief,” said Hancock. “I’ve put a lot of effort into being here and being at the top of my game at the right time.”
“Federal couldn’t be prouder of these competitors,” said Nash. “Vincent has been a wonderful example of dedication to hard work, determination, and a desire to reach the top of the podium again and we are anxious to follow him through the rest of his journey.”
Federal is the official shotshell ammunition sponsor and supplier of USA Shooting, a non-profit organization that promotes the shooting sports and prepares American athletes to bring home Olympic gold. Learn more about USA Shooting and Kayle Browning at: www.usashooting.org.
The USA Shooting logo is also proudly displayed on boxes of Federal Premium Gold Medal Grand. Federal ammunition can be found at dealers nationwide or purchased online direct from Federal. For more information on all products from Federal or to shop online, visit www.federalpremium.com.
Army Researchers Imagine Devices Without Cords or Batteries
March 15th, 2020ADELPHI, Md. — Imagine if you could wrap a small, thin piece of transparent material around any surface and it would charge electronic devices such as your phone or laptop. Thanks to Army researchers, this idea could be a reality for future warfighters in combat.
A team led by Professor Tomás Palacios at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Dr. Madan Dubey, a research physical scientist at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command’s Army Research Laboratory, conducted game-changing study describing an antenna that can absorb Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and cellular signals and efficiently turn it into usable electrical energy. Their work is published in the high-impact journal Nature.
“Today, Wi-Fi is becoming increasingly omnipresent in both indoor and outdoor environments and provides an abundant source of always-on radiofrequency energy,” Dubey said. “What’s missing is an efficient, flexible and always-on energy-harvesting solution to power devices, which is indispensable for self-powered systems. We have discovered a way to potentially fill this gap and to make it useful for Soldiers on the battlefield.”
Dubey said the invention has proven the potential for a conformal atomically thin layer of material for generation of power without any power cords using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and millimeter wave that is used in some 5G wireless communication systems.
“It has the potential to revolutionize Soldier’s situational awareness and readiness as these materials and devices can be integrated into health and monitoring systems, displays, communication and sensing systems for the Soldier,” Dubey said.
At the center of all of these components is a new revolutionary material, molybdenum-di-sulphide, or MoS2, which is only a few atoms thick. Its extreme thinness allows the electronics systems made out of it to be transparent, and only become visible when designed for displaying information.
“The technology is a game changer for the Army and Department of Defense as it will enable a transparent, flexible/conformal, self-powered, atomically thin system-on-chip embedded in smart textile that has never been realized before,” Dubey said. “These future systems will feature micron size, light-weight, optical transparency and state-of-the-art transistors and sensors to provide the Soldier with real time information, prepare for planning/action and security in all terrain. If the team’s radio wave-absorber succeeds, it will power those ever-present electronics 24/7, no battery needed.”
“The enabling technology is very critical for Army modernization formulation in Multi-Domain Operations,” Dubey said. “It will be a game-changer technology to power devices that will enable higher Soldier lethality, improve cognitive neuroscience and the novel engineered materials required for Next Generation Combat Vehicle.”
According to Dubey, this technology is a key building block to create, for example, an Alexa-like device that is 1,000 times smaller in size, but much more powerful in performance, while being flexible and conformable to meet mission requirements.
For Dubey, this research would not be as successful if it weren’t for the collaboration between the laboratory and MIT.
“MIT has been and continues to be a true and trusted partner with several successful proven achievements through the Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies,” Dubey said. “ARL has established a very strong collaboration and partnership through the visit/exchange of researchers and scientists participating at the bench level.”
The Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies is a team of MIT, Army and industry partners working together to discover and field technologies that dramatically advance Soldier protection and survivability capabilities.
The demonstrated energy harvester discussed here will have a huge impact in future systems, and is one of the several components that the MIT-Army team is jointly developing to transform the electronic microsystems that provide situational awareness and intelligence to the Soldier.
By CCDC Army Research Laboratory
