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USSOCOM Awards Accrete Contract for AI Agent Argus to Detect Disinformation Threats from Social Media

September 5th, 2023

Anomaly detection AI software, Argus, analyzes social media data to predict emergent narratives and generate intelligence reports at a speed and scale that empowers military forces to neutralize viral disinformation threats.

New York, NY, August 29, 2023 – Accrete AI, a leading dual-use enterprise AI company, deployed its AI software for open-source threat detection, Argus, with the U.S. Department of Defense in 2022. Today, Accrete is excited to announce that it has been awarded a new contract by the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) to deploy Argus to enable intelligence analysts and special operators in USSOCOM to predict real time disinformation threats from social media.

“Synthetic media, including AI-generated viral narratives, deep fakes, and other harmful social media-based applications of AI, pose a serious threat to U.S national security and civil society,” said Prashant Bhuyan, Founder and CEO of Accrete. “Social media is widely recognized as an unregulated environment where adversaries routinely exploit reasoning vulnerabilities and manipulate behavior through the intentional spread of disinformation. USSOCOM is at the tip of the spear in recognizing the critical need to identify and analytically predict social media narratives at an embryonic stage before those narratives evolve and gain traction. Accrete is proud to support USSOCOM’s mission.”


Argus Social, An Interactive AI Agent for Disinformation Threat Detection

Accrete will also launch an enterprise version of Argus Social for disinformation threat detection later this year called Nebula Social. Nebula Social will address urgent customer pain points pertaining to AI-generated synthetic media, including heightened risk from viral disinformation and deep fakes. Managing AI-generated synthetic media risk requires an AI agent capable of autonomously learning what is most important to an enterprise and predicting the most relevant emergent social media narratives across modalities, including language, image, video, and audio, before they influence behavior. 

Nebula Social not only aims to help enterprise customers manage synthetic media risk, such as AI-generated smear campaigns from competitors, but also to autonomously generate timely and relevant content that matches the most influential emergent narratives with authentically engaged audiences to drive more efficient product innovation and go-to-market strategies. Nebula Social has the potential to significantly expand the traditional social listening market by satiating latent enterprise demand for more intelligent and predictive social media tools for a variety of use cases, including crisis management, product innovation, recruiting, marketing, and political strategy. 

According to Bhuyan, “Government agencies and enterprises alike have an urgent need to manage a plethora of risks and opportunities posed by AI-generated synthetic media.” Bhuyan goes on to say, “Companies are already experiencing significant economic damage caused by the spread of AI-generated viral disinformation and deep fakes manufactured by competitors, disgruntled employees, and other types of adversaries. We believe that the market for AI that can predict and neutralize malign AI-generated synthetic media is about to explode.”

?Contact Accrete to learn more about our latest social media AI solutions.

SIG SAUER P320 Now Available in California

September 5th, 2023

NEWINGTON, N.H., (August 31, 2023) – SIG SAUER, Inc. is pleased to announce the first-ever release of a California-compliant P320 – hailed for its unmatched modularity, unprecedented accuracy, and uncompromising reliability, the P320 is one of the most sought-after firearms on the market today.  The P320-M18 (P320-M18 CA) was recently added to the California roster and is now available at California retailers. 

“The California P320-M18 is an exciting, long-waited, new release from SIG SAUER as it’s the very first opportunity for California enthusiasts to finally own a P320,” said Tom Taylor, Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President, Commercial Sales.  “Additionally, Californians can now own the sidearm of the U.S. Military.  The P320-M18 CA shares the same features as the firearm that was awarded the U.S. Army contract for the Modular Handgun System (MHS), and is in service with the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines.”

The P320-M18 California Compliant (P320-M18 CA) is a 9mm, striker-fired modular pistol featuring the P320 Fire Control Unit (FCU), a coyote carry length grip module, a coyote-tan PVD coated optics-ready stainless-steel slide with SIGLITE front night sights and removable night sight rear plate, coyote-tan colored controls, and ambidextrous manual safety.  The P320-M18 CA FCU can be exchanged between grip modules, slides, and other accessories, and ships with three 10-round magazines.  

P320-M18 California Compliant Specs:

Overall Length: 7.2 in
Overall Height: 5.5 in
Overall Width: 1.6 in
Barrel Length 3.9 in
Sight Radius: 5.8 in
Weight with Magazine: 28.1 oz

The SIG SAUER P320-M18 California Compliant is now shipping and available at California retailers. To learn more about the pistol visit sigsauer.com.

MATBOCK Raider Line

September 5th, 2023

The Raider Line, a cutting-edge waterproof low-profile pouch system meticulously designed to seamlessly integrate with your plate carrier. Say goodbye to waterlogged gear and sandy inconveniences – our Raider pouches form an impenetrable barrier, ensuring your essentials remain pristine in even the harshest conditions.

Innovation takes center stage as the Raider Line allows for swift and efficient access. With a single, fluid motion, operators can unzip the pouches, granting them unfettered access to their gear. What once took an eternity can now be accomplished in a fraction of the time – a true revolution in tactical efficiency.

The numbers speak for themselves: a staggering 60% reduction in time when comparing the Raider Line to legacy waterproof solutions. This isn’t just an upgrade; it’s a leap into the future of tactical gear management. Embrace the advantage that MATBOCK brings to the table and elevate your mission-readiness.

Reach out to sales@matbock.com for more information.

www.matbock.com/collections/maritime/raider

DAF Unveils Art Commemorating 75 Years of Air and Space Power

September 5th, 2023

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) —  

Department of the Air Force senior leaders presided over a ceremony unveiling commemorative wall art titled, “A Shared Foundation; Celebrating 75 Years of Air and Space Power,” at the Pentagon Aug. 29.

DAF celebrated the 75th Anniversary of Air and Space heritage in September 2022 and commissioned the art to help tell the stories of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force, which required nearly 18 months to complete due to the artist’s extensive research into each of its numerous elements.

The artist, Warren F. Neary, focused the content of the piece on the contributions of Airmen and Guardians throughout the eras. Beginning with the earliest airpower innovators in the Army Air Corps, the art highlights significant milestones and achievements.

“[Neary] met with DAF leadership and visited bases around the country to capture the range of the missions and the people that compose our Air and Space Forces,” Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall remarked. “The people you see in the painting are depictions of real Airmen, real Guardians; both are part of our heritage and those who are currently serving … [This artwork shows] people who helped build our organization, the aircraft and equipment that shaped our experiences and the missions that drove it all.”

In addition to depicting Airmen and Guardians, the artwork features various Air Force and Space Force platforms and systems. In total, 114 unique visual elements are incorporated into the piece.

Each group of elements in the artwork is designed to form the shape of the delta or infinity symbols. The delta symbol carries a deep, historic meaning for both the Air Force and Space Force and signifies upward trajectory and rapid advancement. The infinity symbol represents the ever-present requirements for adaptation, improvement, innovation and vigilance.

“Our heritage is incredibly important — it tells our story. It reminds us of who we are and where we have come from, and why it all matters. The images that surround this piece are powerful. They shape our culture, our sense of purpose and our warfighter mindset.”

-Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall

Neary has created many works of art throughout his career depicting subjects of air and space power. He has received national-level recognition, and his artwork has been exhibited in the National Museum of the Air Force, the Museum of Aviation, the U.S. Air Force Art Collection and the U.S. Army Center for Military History, in addition to private collections.

Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

U.S. Air Force photos by Eric Dietrich

Vortex Introduced the Razor HD 13-39×56 Spotting Scope

September 4th, 2023

Built to seamlessly fit the packs of today’s weight-wary, backcountry hunters.

BARNEVELD, Wis. – When every ounce counts, this tag-filling machine gives advanced hunters every tool they need in the compact package they demand. Sacrifice nothing with the Razor® HD 13-39×56.

Every ounce matters on long backcountry hunts, where the terrain and the elements can make each step a slog. But hunters are not willing to sacrifice exceptional performance to save on weight. For them, the Razor® HD 13-39×56 spotting scope is the ideal solution, blending premium optics and a compact form factor.

Glassing on the move doesn’t get any better. At just 10.4″ long and 28.6 oz. for the angled model (11.1″ and 29.5 oz. for the straight), the Razor® HD 13-39×56 fits your pack and the way you hunt. Rapid deployment is a snap thanks to a compact, snag-free design highlighted by a helical focus wheel, giving you total control over this spotter’s wide field of view.

•  HD Optical System Delivers brilliant edge-to-edge color and clarity in all light conditions.

•  Compact Design Incredibly packable without sacrificing optical performance.

•  Helical Focus Snag-free for faster, easier packing and mounting.

•  Arca-Swiss Compatibility Fits most tripods out-of-the-box for mount-and-go convenience.

•  Wide Field of View Perfect for covering vast landscapes.

The Razor® HD 13-39×56 also advances the premium optical experience hunters expect from the Razor® HD line. The HD optical system is further augmented by XR™ Plus lens coatings, which provide maximum light transmission for peak clarity and the very best low-light performance. All of that is protected by a rugged build to stand up to the bumps and bruises of backcountry hunts.

Razor® HD 13-39×56 Spotting Scope Angled 
MSRP: $1,299.99
MAP: $999.99

Razor® HD 13-39×56 Spotting Scope Straight
MSRP: $1,299.99
MAP: $999.99

DTC Showcases The Sentry 6161 Soldier Radio at DSEI 2023

September 4th, 2023

Ashburn, VA, Aug. 30, 2023 — Sentry 6161

Domo Tactical Communications (DTC), a CODAN company based in Southampton, UK, is excited to announce that is showcasing the Sentry 6161 Soldier Radio at DSEI 2023.

The Sentry 6161; a rugged, lightweight, military grade radio that incorporates DTC’ robust MIMO MANET Mesh IP technology is designed to meet the requirements of the modern dismounted solider.

The compact radio features DTC’ MeshUltra™ tactical waveform in a frequency range of 1.2 – 1.7GHz, 2W adjustable power output and Ethernet & USB connectivity for plug & play MOTS/COTS peripherals. Weighing only445 grams, with a low power consumption, the Sentry 6161 is the latest generation ‘best in class’ MANET Mesh Soldier Radio.

DTC’ unique MeshUltra™ waveform operates in narrow channels within a single, robust and scalable network. This technology is proving effective in real-time environments where interference avoidance is critical for deployment teams who require rebroadcast, high-speed, long-range, reliable video, audio, and data.

Unmanned Systems

DTC continues to expand the BluSDR family range of radios for Unmanned Systems and is showcasing several new features and hardware variants at DSEI. The BluSDR range is built on DTC’s renowned SOL8 software defined radio platform and provides both OEM and boxed radio solutions tailored specifically for UXV applications. The outstanding Size Weight and Power advantages of the platforms, together with DTC’s unique software functionality,provide a proven and fit for purpose communication solution for UXV platforms.

Driven by market demand for Unmanned Systems solutions, DTC has designed a 2x5W sled as a lightweight 620g addition to the BluSDR™-90 family that provides the same capabilities as the 2.5kg boxed product. This is a great alternative for UAV integration when long-range communications of up to 90km is required.

For customers who wish to evaluate our lightweight BluSDR™-6, we now offer a boxed evaluation kit with all necessary components for a user to integrate in their UXV system. This product offers up to 2x200mW output power, using DTC’s MeshUltra™ waveform technology.

A comprehensive range of Video and IP products will be on stand H2-218 during DSEI 2023. For more information, please visit domotactical.com or email info@domotactical.com.

TNVC Welcomes Ian Gilchrist to the TNVC Team

September 4th, 2023

Redlands, California

TNVC is proud to announce that Ian Gilchrist has joined the TNVC Team as our newest Training & Sales Associate! Ian is joining TNVC after a thirteen-year career in the U.S. Navy, including twelve years as a member of Naval Special Warfare (NSW).

As a Training and Sales Associate, Ian will join TNVC’s expert Mobile Training Team, adding to their already considerable real-world experience, as well as being an integral member of TNVC’s Business Development and Government Sales Teams.

After joining the Navy in 2009, Ian attended Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) in 2010 as well as attending the demanding Special Operations Combat Medic course (SOCM) before being assigned to SEAL Team 7 in 2012. During his time at SEAL Team 7, Ian has deployed multiple times to Middle East, and was most recently assigned to Naval Special Warfare Training Detachment Group One from 2017 to 2022 as an Assault Cell and Close Quarters Combat (CQC) Instructor.

“We’re extremely excited to have Ian on board at TNVC. Our mobile training team is one of the best in the industry, with decades of experience in both the military as well as SWAT and domestic law enforcement,” said Victor DiCosola, President, CEO, and founder of TNVC, adding: “TNVC has always been an end-user focused company, so it’s important for us to have people on the team with relevant, recent, real-world experience using night vision and thermal equipment and understand that what’s important is not cost, social media clout, or what looks cool, but that the equipment meets the needs of guys on the ground and providing them with the best capabilities available to do their jobs. We expect Ian to be a huge asset not only to us, but more importantly to our customers as an integral member of our team at TNVC.”

Please join us in welcoming Ian to the team and to the TNVC Family!

Annual Conference Refines Military and Civilian Aviation Safety

September 4th, 2023

DESTIN, Fla. —  

The 492d Special Operations Wing safety office organized the annual Mid-Air Collision Avoidance conference at Destin Executive Airport in Destin, Florida, August 10, 2023.

This year’s MACA conference brought together the 96th Test Wing from Eglin Air Force Base, the 919th Special Operations Wing from Duke Field, the 1st Special Operations Wing and 492nd SOW from Hurlburt Field. Planners refined the event to extend outreach to several civilian airports within the Eglin AFB range of operations, covering the world’s largest U.S. military airspace range. Civilian pilots that fly out of multiple airfields within the range received an integrated brief from the MACA safety team, Federal Aviation Administration officials, and local air traffic controllers.

“A lot of the (civilian) pilots around here have been flying for several years and know the military airspace,” said Ray Mansfield, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety education and training team volunteer. “They don’t always know the changes that occur every year, but this meeting tells us what aircraft are there and what’s going on.”

This annual event aims to bolster the knowledge of general aviation aircrew about operating in and around the military airspace from fields like the Destin Executive Airport and the surrounding area. Every branch of the U.S. military conducts aircraft training in this local area at times. Attendees benefit by gaining an understanding of military aircraft types they may encounter, insights from Air Traffic Control officials and lessons learned from the previous year. Civilian pilots attending the event learn more about the functions and procedures of this unique airspace over the bases in the Florida Panhandle.

“What makes it unique here is the total mixture of airfields,” said Eric Zimmerman, chief of airspace management mission planning at Eglin AFB. “You have everything from Hurlburt’s combat type aircraft to Eglin’s fighters, the fast movers, and then we’re mixing that with civilian air traffic like here at the Destin airport.”

The joint participation raises safety awareness and fosters stronger bonds with the wider area aviation community. Education and awareness learned in the conference also results in stronger cooperation between bases using the shared airspace and operating environment. While existing safety agreements are in place across the wings at Duke, Eglin, and Hurlburt, this collective effort significantly strengthens wing and Air Force safety relationships.

“Public outreach and conversation with the general aviation community about past experiences promotes a mutual exchange for military and civilian aviators, enhancing airspace safety for all,” said Major Brent Dillard, 492nd SOW flight safety officer. “We’re pleased with this year’s achievements and look forward to growth in next year’s event.”

This annual alliance with civilian partners achieves safer skies and fosters a commitment to shared airspace safety. The collaboration solidifies and strengthens the backbone of military air power and general aviation, in dedication to safe flying experiences for all.

By TSgt Jonathan McCallum, 492d Special Operations Wing