Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

American Suppressor Association Endorses Senate Introduction of the PARTS Act

March 23rd, 2025

WASHINGTON, DC – On Thursday, March 13th, Senator Tim Sheehy (R-MT), joined by seven colleagues in the Senate, introduced the ASA-supported Protecting Americans’ Right to Silence (PARTS) Act as S. 1039. This bipartisan proposal will reform the outdated definition of “firearm silencer” in the Gun Control Act.

“We applaud Senator Sheehy for standing up for the rights of millions of law-abiding gun owners,” said Knox Williams, president and executive director of the American Suppressor Association. “No one should have to have a law degree to understand the technical serialization requirements for a simple hearing protection device. Senator Sheehy has done gun owners a great service by introducing this bill.”

The PARTS Act is co-sponsored by Senators Mike Lee (R-UT), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Pete Ricketts (NE), Ted Budd (R-NC), Steve Daines (R-MT), Jim Justice (R-WV), and John Cornyn (R-TX). Representative August Pfluger (R-TX) introduced the companion bill in the House of Representatives.

Background

PARTS Act refines the definition of a suppressor, narrowing it to cover complete devices or a single essential component, such as a frame or receiver. This shift eliminates the ambiguity of broader terms that have been used in the past, such as “combination of parts,” which has led to regulatory confusion.

The PARTS Act eliminates unnecessary paperwork that the ATF requires upon the purchase of consumable suppressor parts, such as wipes. This would be similar to the process during the purchase of other non-serialized firearm components. The PARTS Act will ensure greater access to these parts for legal suppressor owners.

The bill also addresses and heads off regulatory concerns that were raised in an open letter to the ATF in November 2023, to prevent plans to classify certain suppressor parts as regulated suppressors.

As suppressor wait times reach historic lows, the PARTS Act will better ensure that the growing popularity of suppressed shooting remains accessible and protected under clear, common-sense regulations.

This legislation intends to protect access to the market for everyday people while avoiding the regulatory reversals which have historically hurt consumers across industries.

amsuppressor.com

Posted in 2A, Press Release, Suppressors | Comments Off on American Suppressor Association Endorses Senate Introduction of the PARTS Act

Air Force Awards Contract for Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) Platform, F-47

March 23rd, 2025

WASHINGTON (AFNS) —

The Department of the Air Force announced today the contract award for the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) Platform, marking a major milestone in the advancement of air superiority. The contract, awarded to Boeing, will lead to the development of the F-47, the world’s first sixth-generation fighter aircraft.

“I’m thrilled to announce that, at my direction, the United States Air Force is moving forward with the world’s first sixth-generation fighter jet,” said President Donald J. Trump during a press briefing at the White House. “Nothing in the world comes even close to it, and it’ll be known as the F-47.”

This decision follows a fair and thorough source selection process conducted by the Air Force, reaffirming the NGAD Platform as the most capable and cost-effective solution to maintain air superiority in an increasingly complex and contested global threat environment. The decision reflects the Air Force’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology to the warfighter while optimizing taxpayer investment.

“In terms of all of the attributes of a fighter jet, there’s never been anything even close to it, from speed to maneuverability, to what it can have, to payload. And this has been in the works for a long period of time,” Trump added. “America’s enemies will never see it coming.”

In May 2024, the Air Force conducted a strategic pause in the program to ensure it was making the right decision for its warfighters and for the security of the nation. During this time, the Air Force continued collaborating with industry to aggressively mature critical technologies and accelerate innovation.

“Now we have the F-47, which sends a very direct, clear message to our allies that we’re not going anywhere… and to our enemies that we can, and we will be able to project power around the globe, unimpeded, for generations to come,” said Secretary of Defense, the Honorable Pete Hegseth.

Hegseth stated the F-47 represents a significant advancement over the F-22, which is currently the U.S. Air Force’s primary air superiority fighter.

“This is a historic investment in the American military, in the American Industrial Base, that will help revive the warrior ethos inside our military, which we’re doing–rebuilding our military,” Hegseth added. “We know this is cheaper, longer range and more stealthy.”

As the cornerstone of the NGAD Family of Systems, the F-47 is designed to integrate next-generation stealth, sensor fusion, and long-range strike capabilities to counter the most sophisticated adversaries in contested environments. Its adaptability and modular design ensure seamless integration with emerging technologies, positioning it as a dominant platform for decades to come.

“With this F-47 as the crown jewel in the Next Generation Air Dominance Family of Systems, we believe that this provides more lethality,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin. “It provides more capability, more modernized capability, in a way that is built to adapt, along with our Collaborative Combat Aircraft.”

Over the past five years, in strong partnership between the Air Force and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, X-planes have been laying the foundation for the F-47. These experimental aircraft have flown hundreds of hours, advancing stealth, range, and autonomous systems while refining operational concepts.

“Hopefully, these magnificent planes will be built and in the air during my administration. It’s ready to go. They’ve already built much of what has to be built in terms of production, including the sheds.” Trump added. “We will ensure that the USA continues to dominate the skies.”

By leveraging cutting-edge digital engineering techniques and government-owned architecture, the F-47 benefits from a streamlined and accelerated development timeline compared to previous fighter programs. These advancements enable rapid technology integration, ensuring the F-47 remains adaptable and upgradable to meet future mission requirements and counter emerging threats.

“Air dominance is not a birthright, but it’s become synonymous with American airpower, but our dominance needs to be earned every single day,” said Allvin. “Since the earliest days of aerial warfare, brave American Airmen have jumped into their machines, taken to the air, and they’ve cleared the skies. That’s been our commitment to the fight, and that’s really been our promise to America, and with this F-47 we’re going to be able to keep that promise well into the future.”

The contract award funds the engineering and manufacturing development phase, which includes maturing, integrating, and testing all aspects of the F-47. This phase will produce a small number of test aircraft for evaluation. The contract also includes competitively priced options for low-rate initial production.

Future basing decisions and additional program elements will be determined in the coming years as the Air Force advances the F-47 toward operational deployment.

Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Aviation, Contracts, Press Release | 8 Comments »

Disabled Veterans Overcome Obstacles Through Adaptive Sports

March 22nd, 2025

Winter Sports Clinic offers “Miracles on a Mountainside”

SNOWMASS VILLAGE, Colo. – Veterans with disabilities often face significant challenges after military service, including traumatic brain injuries (TBI), spinal cord injuries, vision loss or amputations. For some, recovery can be incredibly difficult. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recognizes the value traditional and recreational therapy-based models play in the healing process. During the week of March 31 – April 5, 2025, VA and DAV (Disabled American Veterans) will co-host the 39th National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic (NDVWSC), also referred to as Miracles on a Mountainside.

This premier rehabilitative and adaptive sports event allows disabled Veterans with traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, orthopedic amputations and visual impairments explore recovery through participation in downhill and cross-country skiing, sled hockey and other adaptive sports.

This year, approximately 400 disabled Veterans will participate and work to overcome real and perceived limitations.

Below are a few of the countless story opportunities waiting for you to tell.

Ryan Garza, a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, did four tours in Afghanistan – and it was on that fourth tour that Lance Corporal Garza’s truck drove over an improvised explosive device (IED), severely injuring his right leg. Doctors tried for several years to save Ryan’s leg; however, he eventually decided to amputate in 2015. After the amputation, Ryan then went on to deal with thoughts of suicide, depression, and hopelessness.

In 2022, Ryan joined us for the first time at the Winter Sports Clinic. He shared, “I never thought I’d be able to snowboard. You feel the wind, you hear the ice and it gets me excited. It’s an awesome feeling!”

Mariela Meylan, a U.S. Army Veteran, was struck by a truck while serving in Kuwait. She suffered a TBI, collapsed lung, and severed liver; then had a stroke and slipped into a coma – for eight months. Meylan can offer her perspective about the ways the Winter Sports Clinic has helped her heal over the years by showing her she can still participate in adaptive sports.

Physical Therapist Kendra Betz has served for years as the Winter Sports Clinic Seating and Prosthetics Coordinator. “The Winter Sports Clinic is a premier and unparalleled adaptive sports event that provides outstanding support for Veterans to face and overcome challenges as part of a multi-faceted rehabilitation program,” she said. “Our goal is to optimize Veteran participation, well-being, and quality of life, as they breathe life to the catchphrase, ‘Miracles on a Mountainside,’ here in Snowmass every year.”

For the past decade, Betz’s daughter, Maddie, who works in a technology industry that supports people with disabilities, has volunteered with her mom in Snowmass, helping Veterans get out on the slopes, properly outfitted with their adaptive equipment. This dynamic duo provides insight into the role therapists, instructors, volunteers, and others play in helping Veterans reach their highest potential.

U.S. Air Force Reserve Citizen Airman Maj. Monica Riggs attended her first Winter Sports Clinic in 2024. The former Mrs. Kansas 2018 flew more than 100 combat missions during her 18 years of service, but in 2019, she received a diagnosis of neurosarcoidosis that changed her life.

Although life post-diagnosis comes with its challenges, Riggs remains determined not to let her chronic inflammatory disorder define her.

Riggs and many others can expand on these sentiments and share how the clinic earned the nickname “Miracles on a Mountainside.”

For more information contact our team at wintersportsclinic@va.gov, or 303-619-1145.

Posted in Guest Post, Veterans | Comments Off on Disabled Veterans Overcome Obstacles Through Adaptive Sports

Blue Force Gear Presents: How MARCO Literally Changed the Game of Tactical Marking

March 22nd, 2025

Whether you’re military, law enforcement, or security personnel, the ability to quickly and reliably mark people, places, and things during operations is non-negotiable. In this video, Chris Sizelove and Jared Reston discuss tactical marking and how MARCO allows them to do things they would otherwise not be able to do.

Chris and Jared both have stories about the frustrating inefficiencies of traditional chemlight marking methods. The approach before BFG’s revolutionary MARCO design involved bundling together ten 6-inch chemlights with 550 cord or something equivalent. But each light was too bright, so the SOP was to partially tape the individual lights to dim them. This ridiculous process still didn’t solve the problem that these bundles were heavy, clunky, and impractical in other ways they discuss in the video.

Blue Force Gear’s MARCO Marking Light Dispenser radically changed tactical marking by addressing the vast deficiencies of traditional marking using chemlight bundles. It’s lighter, holds thirty chemlights per dispenser, optimizes brightness, can protect the lights from UV exposure, and doesn’t present a snag hazard. It’s all that you need and nothing you don’t and “you’re not giving anything up to have them” as the guys mention in the video.

Jared and Chris discuss the numerous applications for marking. In a professional setting, marking is essential for room clearing and the chemlights are also useful in various ways in training environments or range use. MARCO is one of those BFG products that literally changed the game and allowed operators to greatly improve their abilities and techniques. Watch the full video to learn more about lighting philosophy and the MARCO Dispenser from Blue Force Gear.

Jared is a seasoned law enforcement veteran with over 20 years of service at Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. Since retiring in 2020, he now travels the nation teaching firearms and tactics to prepared citizens, military personnel, and law enforcement agencies. For more information on Jared or to take a training course from him, visit his website.

Posted in Advertiser, Guest Post | Comments Off on Blue Force Gear Presents: How MARCO Literally Changed the Game of Tactical Marking

Cobra Gold 25 | Royal Thai Army, U.S. Special Operations Forces Subject Matter Expert Exchange

March 22nd, 2025

Lop Buri, Thailand – Royal Thai Army 1st Special Forces Division and U.S. Special Operations Detachment – Pacific shared staff insights on the Joint Planning Process and combined operations during the 2025 Cobra Gold academic week subject matter expert exchange, February 17-21, 2025.

Facilitated by Joint Special Operations University, the bilateral exchange for Royal Thai Army Special Forces and U.S. Special Operations participants focused on knowledge of best practices through candid dialogue and iterative demonstrations of processes through hands-on exercises.

CG25 has three primary events: a command and control exercise, humanitarian civic assistance projects, and a field training exercise to enhance readiness and foster responses to security challenges and natural disasters. Approximately 30 nations participate, with 3,200 U.S. personnel directly involved, underscoring the importance of cooperation and goodwill.

JSOU’s focus is joint special operations education and has the mandate to support U.S. Special Operations Command Pacific. SOCPAC serves as the operational component command for all SOF missions throughout the Indo-Pacific region.

The JSOU JPP academic SMEE prepared participants for aspects of special operations forces’ integration during the Cobra Gold command and control event. JPP is a method to determine the use of military capabilities in time and space to achieve objectives within an acceptable level of risk.

“Having this academic SMEE as part of Cobra Gold 2025 demonstrates the importance both Thai and U.S. leadership place on cognitive warfare,” said JSOU senior mentor retired U.S. Army Col. Scott Malone. “As part of its Joint SOF charter, the university is uniquely positioned to facilitate operational collaboration and the exchange of strategic thought amongst Special Operations partner forces.”

JSOU’s academic engagements enhance operational collaboration and strategic thinking among partner forces, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and adaptive thinking. Class discussion and group exercises were the primary means for the intellectual exchange.

“The special operations professionals from Royal Thai Army 1st Special Forces Division and SOD-P collaboration nurtures a culture of continuous improvement and highlights adaptive thinking where knowledge transference and removing barriers to learning is paramount.” said Malone. “This SMEE on day one placing Thai and U.S. participants together in working groups heightens learning and promotes intellectual exchange. This immediate placement allows for each individual to gain a sense of ownership as the combined team is built and fosters unbiased exchanges of best practices as the week progressed.”

SOD-P provides trained, prepared, and equipped augmentation to the U.S. Army Special Operations Command and SOCPAC.

“This is an unparalleled opportunity for us to share our expertise with each other,” said U.S. Army Col. David Coughran, commanding officer of SOD-P. “Our focus is on strengthening our combined operational proficiency and leadership acumen, ensuring we are all prepared to handle any eventuality.”

CG25 is a visible symbol of the U.S.-Thai defense alliance, demonstrating the U.S.’s steadfast commitment to maintaining the conditions for peace and prosperity. Enhancing critical capabilities and readiness enables each force to jointly address regional stability in the Indo-Pacific.

The 44th iteration of this exercise exemplifies the longstanding alliance with Thailand and reflects the shared commitment to preserving a peaceful, prosperous, and secure Indo-Pacific region.

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Joseph Rolfe

U.S. Special Operations Command Pacific

Posted in Army, Guest Post, SOF | Comments Off on Cobra Gold 25 | Royal Thai Army, U.S. Special Operations Forces Subject Matter Expert Exchange

GA-ASI Releases New TacSit-C2 for Payload Command and Control

March 21st, 2025

New Product Builds on Extensive Experience in Controlling UAS Payloads;

Part of GA’s Quadratix Software Enterprise

SAN DIEGO – 19 March 2025 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has released its latest evolution of the company’s payload command and control (C2), and tactical situational awareness software called TacSit-C2®. The new version builds on GA-ASI’s more than 25 years of experience in developing and deploying C2 for various payloads that are integrated onto GA-ASI’s world-leading Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). TacSit-C2 is part of General Atomics’ Quadratix software enterprise.

TacSit-C2 provides tactical situational awareness so that UAS operators can plan and execute missions. Operators will use TacSit-C2 to view all sensor data concurrently, allowing them to cross-cue payload capabilities. GA-ASI’s development team of experienced payload C2 veterans used intuitive user experience (UX) to simplify payload operations. The new version of TacSit-C2 is expected to be fielded before the end of the year.

“As part of the Quadratix set of software solutions, TacSit-C2 seamlessly integrates Multiple Intelligence Signal Processing (Multi-INT) C2 into a single application that includes radar, Electronic Intelligence (ELINT), Communications Intelligence (COMINT), and Electro-optical/Infrared (EO/IR) sensors,” said Darren Moe, GA-ASI senior director for Automation, Autonomy and Artificial Intelligence. “We anticipate that implementation of TacSit-C2 will significantly reduce manpower requirements.”

TacSit-C2 features GA-ASI’s Multi-Mission Controller (MMC), which enables one user to control multiple heterogeneous unmanned vehicles at the same time.

TacSit-C2 is scalable, easily accommodating the addition or removal of workstations depending on the mission. The system runs on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) computer hardware from a laptop to a server. TacSit-C2’s Software Development Kit (SDK) empowers third parties to add additional capabilities such as new payloads.

Posted in Press Release, Sensors, UAS | Comments Off on GA-ASI Releases New TacSit-C2 for Payload Command and Control

Bunker and GoTAK Team Up in Support of US Air Force Maintenence Teams

March 21st, 2025

BUNKER has partnered with GoTAK to enhance Air Force maintenance teams situational awareness and operational effectiveness within the MAAK ecosystem. This collaboration integrates GoTAK’s plug-and-play solutions from EUDs, LTE Trackers and TAK Servers with MAAK’s rugged on-body equipment, ensuring seamless connectivity between end user devices and asset tracking technologies.

Identify Problems, Introduce Solutions:

BUNKER and GoTAK conducted an extensive testing exercise at Fairchild AFB with the 92nd Air Refueling Wing, focusing on logistics optimization. By testing leading technologies, the team worked to create a common operating picture (COP) for enhanced situational awareness across various devices including standalone TAK trackers and vehicle TAK trackers.

Through this partnership, critical insights were gained on how ATAK can benefit Air Force maintenance teams from the unit level to group level. Our collaboration will accelerate the development of next-generation situational awareness capabilities for the warfighter.

Learn more about GoTAK at the link below:

getgotak.com

Posted in Press Release, TAK | Comments Off on Bunker and GoTAK Team Up in Support of US Air Force Maintenence Teams

New Arctic & Extreme Cold Weather Ops Pub ATP 3-90.96 MCTP 12-10E

March 21st, 2025

The Army and Marine Corps have released a new Arctic & Extreme Cold Weather Ops publication.

The Arctic is simultaneously an arena of competition, a line of attack in conflict, a vital area holding many natural resources, and key terrain for global power projection. As such, a ready and capable land force in arctic operations serves to deter threats to the U.S. homeland, its allies, and interests in the Arctic.

As an expeditionary force, the U.S. military stays prepared to meet the challenges of the Arctic and to fight and win in any environment, regardless of home station. Leaders and individuals must understand the effects of the Arctic and extreme cold weather environments and must have the training, stamina, and willpower to take the proper actions.

This manual provides the doctrinal foundation for Soldiers/Marines to understand the Arctic’s operational environment and conduct arctic and extreme cold weather operations. The fundamentals of this manual are also applicable to all cold weather environments. This manual also informs DOTMLPF-P (doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership and education, personnel, facilities, and policy) improvements as the Army/Marine Corps regains arctic dominance.

armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN43089-ATP_3-90.96-000-WEB-2

Posted in Arctic, Army, Profession of Arms, USMC | 1 Comment »