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Thales Awarded Major Order to Deliver handheld IMBITR Radios for US Army’s Leader Radio Program

October 12th, 2022

• Thales has just been awarded its fifth order, valued at $100M to deliver 4,000 handheld Improved Multiband Inter/Intra Team Radios (IMBITR) for the US Army’s Leader Radio Program under the second full-rate production order (FRP-2), bringing the total number of IMBITR to be deployed by the US Army to 14,000.

• The radio forms a critical element of the US Army’s modern, resilient tactical network, giving warfighters increased flexibility in multi-domain operations through enhanced communication capabilities.

• The IMBITR is the first handheld radio to use the US Army’s latest Warrior Robust Enhanced Network waveform, and is able to operate in challenging radio frequency (RF) environments, enhancing situational awareness and faster decision-making.

Thales AN/PRC-148D IMBITR Photo Credit: Thales

Thales announces its fifth order for the US Army Leader Program, valued at up to $100 million, demonstrating continued success within the US Army’s Handheld, Manpack, and Small Form Fit (HMS) Army Leader Radio Program.

In September, awards were made under the FRP-2 contracting effort and existing competitive, Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. This most recent award represents an additional 4,000-plus AN/PRC-148D 2-channel IMBITR (Improved Multi-Band Inter/Intra Team Radios), bringing the total of IMBITR radios ordered by the US Army to more than 14,000.

This contract demonstrates Thales’ ability to deliver mission critical capabilities into the Army’s Integrated Tactical Network (ITN) and Capability Set formations. As a critical component of the Army’s unified network strategy, the Thales IMBITR system extends advanced networking capabilities to the tactical edge, allowing warfighters increased flexibility in multi-domain operations.

In partnership with the U.S. Army, Thales is delivering the latest WREN-TSM Mobile Ad-Hoc Networking (MANET) waveform, as well as the simultaneously critical narrowband, tactical line-of-sight and beyond-line-of-sight communications capabilities. Together, these provide cryptographically modernized assured, simultaneous networked voice, data and video communications for improved situational awareness and real-time decision-making.

The Thales AN/PRC-148D IMBITR is the first handheld radio to field the U.S. Army Warrior Robust Enhanced Network (WREN-TSM™) waveform, which is a Type 1 robust, reliable, and scalable networking waveform capable of 800-plus nodes and operating in challenging radio frequency (RF) environments.

Currently, 8,400 IMBITR radios are operationally deployed, highly successful, and a preferred solution for the Security Force Assistance Brigade and Infantry Brigade Combat Team/Stryker Brigade Combat Teams.

“Thales is proud to continue as a key contributor to the Army’s Leader Radio Program of Record, and the first to field the WREN-TSM waveform in support of the Integrated Tactical Network. With the new Thales IMBITR radio, Soldiers will experience continued benefits from a decisive tactical advantage that comes with using the most capable radio on the market.”

Mike Sheehan, CEO, Thales Defense & Security, Inc.

www.thalesgroup.com/en/markets/defence-and-security

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Poster #3 – 338 Armor Piercing

October 12th, 2022

This is the third installment of a multi-week effort to share examples of posters which were presented during the recent Future Force Capabilities Conference presented by the National Defense Industrial Association in Austin, Texas. I’ll let them speak for themselves.

As always, the contact info is on the poster.

Posted in Ammo | Comments Off on Poster #3 – 338 Armor Piercing

From the “AFSOC We Have” to the “AFSOC We Need”

October 12th, 2022

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. —

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. – This month, Air Force Special Operations Command, AFSOC, is transitioning the way Air Force Special Operations Forces, AFSOF, present to the joint force.

Following September 11, 2001, AFSOC’s force presentation focused heavily on providing crisis response capabilities and countering violent extremist organizations, or CVEO, through the Joint Special Operations Air Component, or JSOAC, deployment model.

This model, while historically successful in conducting crisis response and countering violent extremist organizations during more enduring operations, does not provide the necessary attributes required to succeed in the new operational environment.

AFSOC’s focus on C-VEO and crisis response has evolved to also include campaigning in the gray zone, employing SOF-peculiar capabilities, and developing and advancing relations with our international partners and allies.

“While the JSOAC model was effective for conducting command and control, or C2, of SOF air assets in recurring fixed deployment locations, the JSOAC was manned through an individual augmentee approach that didn’t properly allow commanders and staff to train, certify and deploy specifically for their deployed mission,” said Maj. Gen. Wolfe Davidson, AFSOC deputy commander. “The JSOAC was not trained or equipped to conduct the joint warfighting functions necessary for effective and adequate mission command. We had to take a look at how we were presenting forces and ask ourselves, ‘Does this look right?’ And if it doesn’t, what does?”

Enter the Special Operations Task Group, or SOTG.

“This change in how we present forces is transformative and drastically enhances AFSOC’s ability to present options to compete with and deter our adversaries below the threshold of armed conflict and add more strategic options for our nation’s leaders,” said Davidson.

Adhering to the U.S. Special Operations Command Comprehensive review, as well as Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown Jr.’s, “Accelerate Change or Lose” priorities, these squadron-based, task-focused groups take a significantly different approach than their JSOAC predecessors in a variety of ways.

While deployed, the JSOAC previously provided impromptu support on an “as needed basis.” The SOTG, unlike the JSOAC, will instead offer forces designed uniquely for each mission.

Additionally, the JSOACs provided operational staffs who relied on spontaneous manning that didn’t train or prepare teams for deployments whereas the SOTGs are tactical units that are manned through the force generation cycle, meaning Air Commandos are training together as they prepare for deployments.

“This new construct will allow us to not only accurately articulate our forces but will also enable us to deliberately develop a more credible, capable, and precise force with these purpose-built teams.” said Lt. Col. James Caldwell, AFSOC C2 Implementation Planning Team lead. “Airmen and their families will have much more predictability regarding deployments and the training that’s required before deploying.”

This predictability is due to the design of force generation model, which consists of four, 150-day phases – individual training, unit training, collective training and validation, and the deployment phase. Commanders will also have more deliberate oversight on deployment preparations which ultimately will increase mission success and drive down the risk to mission.

In addition to this predictability, this new structure of force presentation will enable commanders to more effectively accomplish mission command, which is key as the operational environment continues to shift.

The SOTG at its core, will be a squadron-based, O-5-led unit that will focus primarily on integrating multi-domain SOF air power into joint operations. Once forward, the SOTG will command flight-based echelons called Special Operations Task Units, or SOTUs. Each SOTU will have a unique capability tailored to that AORs requirement. These units may offer but are not limited to AC-130J, MC-130H, Special Tactics, U-28 or even agile combat support.

“This restructure will bring us in alignment with how all other SOF tactical units present forces,” said Lt. Col. Shawnee Williams, AFSOC C2 Implementation Planning Team lead. “It also ensures that AFSOFs unique multi-domain contributions give the Joint SOF community a competitive advantage.

With the first SOTG set to replace a JSOAC this month, the offerings of SOTG capabilities will likely evolve, as they’re structured to support Theater Special Operations Command’s tailored needs in their respective area of responsibilities.

Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, Profession of Arms, SOF | Comments Off on From the “AFSOC We Have” to the “AFSOC We Need”

Elite Tactical GAP Grind Celebrates 10th Anniversary of PRS Competition

October 11th, 2022

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – October 10, 2022 – Bushnell®, an industry leader in performance optics, recently wrapped up the 10th annual GA Precision/Elite Tactical “GAP Grind” Pro/Am. The largest and most sought-after PRS match in the world, the GAP Grind drew 400 amateur and pro shooters from across the U.S. and globe. Internationally recognized as the only long-range precision rifle match of its kind, the competition has been the catalyst of introducing thousands of new shooters to the sport since its inception.

As part of this year’s competition, Elite Tactical, in conjunction with Bergara Rifles and Lapua® rimfire ammunition, sponsored a side stage where shooters had the opportunity to try out the new Elite Tactical DMR3 riflescope with new EQL reticles. Shooters also competed for the side stage’s awards for the top pro and amateur.

In the main competition, Elite Tactical, Hoppe’s and RCBS pro Robert Brantley won Top Tactical and Elite Tactical pro Ryan Kerr won Top Production. Sponsored shooter Troy Livesay also placed 13th overall combined score (6th place Pro) and finished in fifth place as part of the team competition with his teammate Rick Lovely. Throughout the competition, Brantley, Kerr and Livesay ran the Elite Tactical XRS3 riflescope.

The year’s largest PRS match drew hundreds of attendees, and more than 80,000 rounds were fired throughout the three-day event. In addition to competition stages, the GAP Grind featured a vendor area, live music and entertainment. Bushnell gave out $5,000 to the top place finishers and added over $5,000 worth of product to the prize table. The brand also gave out three special awards during the event – the Deserving Amateur Award, the Deserving RO (Range Officer) Award, and the Top Sportsman’s Award, which is given to a competitor who exhibits the “spirit of the Grind” during the match by helping others and showing good sportsmanship.

“Sponsoring the GAP Grind is always a privilege, and this 10-year mark made it especially fun,” said Matt Rice, Bushnell senior media relations manager. “GAP Grind is all about giving both experienced and new shooters a welcoming place to test and hone their skills, and our partners at K&M, GA Precision and PRS have done a fantastic job of making that goal a reality.”

2022 Elite Tactical GAP Grind Winners

Top 5 Pros:

1st – Daniel Hereid

2nd – Francis Colon

3rd – Chad Heckler

4th – Chris Simmons

5th – Nathan Cushman

Top 5 Amateurs:

1st – Toby Phillips

2nd – Tyler Yauch

3rd – Jeff Johnson

4th – Ryder Smith

5th – Caleb Purinton

Top 5 Pro/Am Teams:

1st – Tate Streater and Toby Phillips

2nd – Chad Heckler and Jacob Strutt

3rd – Joey McConnell and Ryder Smith

4th – Daniel Herald and Vince Yarling

5th – Troy Livesay and Rick Lovely

Full Match Results Link

For more information on Bushnell Elite Tactical or to see their full lineup of optics, visit Bushnell.com. For additional information on the GAP Grind, go to kmprecisionrifletraining.com.

Posted in Industry, Press Release, Shooting Sports | Comments Off on Elite Tactical GAP Grind Celebrates 10th Anniversary of PRS Competition

AUSA 22 – New SIG Pistols for Australia and Canada

October 11th, 2022

Over the last few weeks both Australia and Canada have joined Denmark and the US in adopting variants of the SIG P320 pistol. Although the pistols showed to be highly reliable during all four countries’ testing, most were drawn to the modularity of the design. With a common, serialized Fire Control Unit, the military pistols, like their civilian counterparts, be configured in a wide variety of ways.

Shown here is the M18 variant of the US Modular Handgun System opposite the Australian Sidearm Weapon System. When Australia-based Aquaterro set about preparing their entry for Land 159, they looked to the M18 as a baseline. What Australia ultimately got is a SIG P320 XCarry Pro outfitted with the SIG ROMEO2 Red Dot Sight and FOXTROT2- light. This is the first instance I know of that general purpose forces have adopted a pistol outfitted with an optic and light. In other instances, countries have incrementally added enablers to their pistols. Like the US, Australia has also adopted a Safariland holster for their sidearm.

More in line with the US MHS, Canada adopted a P320 as the C22 full frame modular pistol. Seen in these photos beside the Australian pistol, you’ll notice a slightly lighter shade of Brown. This is because the Canadian guns are cerakoted. This also provides a more information shading across the different materials of frame and slide.

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AUSA 22 – Danner Resurgent

October 11th, 2022

Currently exclusive to US Patriot, the Danner Resurgent is a lightweight tropical-style boot which features Italian Perspair fabric which is highly breathable and abrasion resistant.

It also features an energy return comfort insole and a Vibram outsole.

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AUSA 22 – DNS Alpha

October 11th, 2022

DNS Alpha is exhibiting in the Mountain Horse Solutions booth. They showed me their new Over Whites which are based on a design they did for a European SOF unit.

They have a version made from a 3 layer GORE-TEX fabric as well as a version in a 40D material printed in MultiCam Alpine.

Posted in AUSA, Camo, Clothing, Multicam | 3 Comments »

AUSA 22 – Camelbak Arctic Canteen Parka

October 11th, 2022

Developed for use with the Ability One produced one quart arctic canteen and canteen cup, the new Arctic Canteen Parka from Camelbak is an issue item. It is MOLLE compatible and will keep water in liquid form for up to 10 hours in temperatures down to -60 F. Although not the intended use, it will also keep water cool for up to four hours in temperatures up to 95 F.

Posted in AUSA, Sustainment | 20 Comments »