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MATBOCK Tarsier Eclipse Issued NSN

March 11th, 2024

Exciting news coming from our partners in Australia, S8 Products Group, as they assisted us in getting the Tarsier Eclipse an NSN. This was particularly important as we started to outfit Australia SOCOM with them but also other global units.

We have been supplying  them for nearly a decade now, but now it will be part of a larger procurement strategy. S8 Products Group has been a great partner in helping us to grow the MATBOCK brand globally and the addition of the Tarsier Eclipse for their forces continues to help that. 

If you aren’t familiar with the Tarsier Eclipse and how it works, here is a great side-by-side video taken at Freedom Outdoors in Virginia Beach.

The MATBOCK Tarsier Eclipse NSN is 6650-01-718-0894. Please reach out to sales@matbock.com or check www.matbock.com if you have any more questions.

Army Enters into Development Phase of the Joint Targeting Fires Product

March 11th, 2024

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. — The Army has officially started development of a new software that will automate the fires targeting process, giving commanders rapid data, situational awareness, and visualization to successfully deliver fires.

The software, known as Joint Targeting Integrated Command and Coordination Suite, or JTIC2S, will replace the Joint Automated Deep Operations Coordination System, JADOCS, and provide fires targeting capability and a joint fires targeting common operational pictures across forces.

Now in the engineering and manufacturing development phase, the Army will develop the software’s first iteration known as the minimum viable product, conduct testing in the field, incorporate Soldier feedback and then look to industry to further develop the software’s capabilities.

“Entering this phase of development is an exceptional achievement and a critical step to consolidating safety-critical fires software onto a single baseline,” said Col. Matthew Paul, project manager for Mission Command at Program Executive Office, Command, Control, Communications – Tactical, known as PEO C3T. “While JADOCS has served the Army well for more than 30 years, moving to JTIC2S will allow us to keep pace with the speed of technology, evolving Army priorities, and help us deliver a product that is effective for the warfighter.”

PEO C3T has determined the JTIC2S and the Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System Artillery Execution Suite and collective capabilities/development effort is considered a Fires Safety Critical Baseline. This capability will leverage a common back-end architecture, an open application programming interface and a common/intuitive role-based user interface shared by all fire support command and control and mission command systems using Tactical Assault Kit software.

As a software-only program, JTIC2S will link sensors to shooters without the need for specific hardware. It will provide rapid target engagement, near real-time access to friendly and enemy unit data, and be fully interoperable with Army, joint, intelligence community and coalition forces systems. Military service branches across echelons will utilize the functions within JTIC2S to support combined joint all-domain command and control and joint all-domain operations against a near-peer adversary.

Data, once tracked through Excel and PowerPoint files, will now be automated and displayed through 4D visualization to help commanders see themselves in time and space. The new system will utilize Tactical Assault Kit, a situational awareness web application that provides quick access to a common operating picture. JTIC2S will also be able to process varying data formats and leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning to aid commanders and forces in the decision-making process.

“Modernizing this software means the Army will be agile and responsive to the needs of the operational force,” said Lt. Col. Timothy Godwin, product manager for PEO C3T Fire Support Command and Control. “It will also be backwards compatible with JADOCS so that joint forces that continue to use JADOCS will still be able to communicate effectively. We know that theaters fight differently. Developing JTIC2S as a software only program will help us integrate into any network, and as technology enhances, we can make changes without a lot of time and money.”

The Army plans to use a multi-vendor approach for contracting and will be seeking various industry partners later in the fiscal year to help build this iterative software in addition to Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System Artillery Execution Suite and the Fires Safety Critical Baseline.

By Danielle Kress, PEO C3T Public Affairs

GeoCue Welcomes The LiDAR Pros to Its Distribution Network

March 10th, 2024

The New Partnership Expands LiDAR Coverage Throughout the Western United States

Huntsville, Alabama – GeoCue, a leading provider of drone LiDAR mapping hardware and software, is pleased to announce the addition of The LiDAR Pros (TLP) to its growing distribution network. Based in Las Vegas, Nevada, The LiDAR Pros will serve as a key distributor covering Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Southern California, and Western Arizona providing TrueView 3D Imaging Sensors, fully integrated LiDAR systems from Microdrones, and LP360 LiDAR Processing Software.

The LiDAR Pros, a startup powered by Sundance Media Group (SMG), brings over 50 years of industry expertise to the table. Specializing in NDAA-compliant UAS products and offering a “white glove” experience with LiDAR and photogrammetry workflows, The LiDAR Pros caters to clients in the Departments of Transportation, AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction), and public safety organizations seeking precision measurement aerial technologies.

“We aim to provide a seamless experience for our customers, from training to final delivery,” said Douglas Spotted Eagle, head of Marketing/Client Relationships at The LiDAR Pros. “With a focus on NDAA-compliant products, we proudly offer the full Microdrones and GeoCue lineup. Teaming up with Sundance Media Group allows us to provide unparalleled training expertise. Through this collaboration, we will offer a ‘try-before-you-buy’ approach, providing actual paid services and full deliverables. LP360 processing software will serve as the backbone of our offerings, ensuring efficiency and accuracy in our workflow.”

Jennifer Pidgen, Owner, and COO of Sundance Media Group, commented on the strategic importance of the collaboration, saying, “We believe that there’s significant opportunity in the industry right now because not everyone understands LiDAR. Our goal is to address challenges, fears, concerns, and elevate the understanding of LiDAR and the opportunities that aerial data capture can provide.”

Aaron Beach, the Western Representative for GeoCue has worked with Douglas for many years and praises the new approach. “They’ve brought together a team of seasoned experts with extensive backgrounds in the LiDAR industry, many of whom have also excelled in complementary fields,” said Beach. “Their collective experience spans over 80 years across various verticals, allowing The LiDAR Pros to bridge the knowledge gap for their clients, and show them how to leverage LiDAR and photogrammetry to their fullest potential.”

Douglas shared further insight stating, “As industry professionals, we’ve extensively evaluated various LiDAR manufacturers and providers. Our experience has unequivocally shown that no one matches the innovation and excellence brought forth by GeoCue. From hardware to software, GeoCue’s integration sets them apart, offering unparalleled ease of use and quality of deliverables.”

The LiDAR Pros Brady Reisch, whose responsibilities include LP360 processing, AutoCAD outputs, and mission operations has been working directly with end-users for a decade, growing his experience out of his background in architecture and drafting. “I’ve been very happy working with the TrueView 535 on our mid-lift UAS, capturing data that until recently, was very expensive and somewhat complicated to capture. Today, managing LiDAR data in LP360, we’re able to provide an extremely high-quality product with unbelievably fast turnarounds.”

GeoCue’s partnership with The LiDAR Pros emphasizes its commitment to providing high-quality LiDAR solutions to customers across various industries. With The LiDAR Pros’ extensive experience and dedication to client satisfaction, this collaboration will drive innovation and streamline workflows for aerial data capture and analysis.

Saab Starts Construction of New Carl-Gustaf Factory in India

March 10th, 2024

Saab has today marked the start of the construction of its new Carl-Gustaf® manufacturing facility in India with a ground breaking ceremony. The factory will be located in the state of Haryana.

After receiving approval of 100% foreign direct investment, Saab has established a new company, Saab FFVO India Pvt Ltd, which will fully own the new manufacturing facility and produce the Carl-Gustaf M4 weapon.

“I am proud to start constructing our first facility outside Sweden for Carl-Gustaf, a product that has a long history with the Indian Armed Forces. We look forward to starting production of our excellent product, now engineered and made in India”, says Görgen Johansson, Senior Vice President and Head of Saab’s business area Dynamics.

“Today is an important milestone for Sweden and India. Saab’s factory will be the first foreign fully-owned defence production facility in India. It is a testament to the strong bilateral relationship between our countries,” says Håkan Jevrell, State Secretary for Foreign Trade, Sweden. 

The facility is being built in the state of Haryana at the MET City at Jhajjar. The state has a strong industrial base of good potential partners and skilled employees.

Saab will partner with Indian suppliers and will fully meet the requirements of “Make in India” for the systems manufactured in the facility. At the new factory, Saab will deploy complex technologies including the latest sighting technology and advanced carbon fibre winding to manufacture Carl-Gustaf M4 for the Indian armed forces, and components which may be included in other users’ systems. 

The Carl-Gustaf system has been in service with the Indian Army since 1976 and is established as the main shoulder launched weapon in the Indian Armed Forces.

US Army Special Operations Museum Launches New Exhibit

March 10th, 2024

WASHINGTON — On March 14th, 2024, the U.S. Army Special Operations Museum will launch an exciting new exhibit, “Opening the Vaults” at Fort Liberty, North Carolina, formerly Fort Bragg.

Opening The Vaults: Treasures of the Fort Liberty Museums is a temporary exhibit that will present rare and never-before-seen artifacts from the Fort Liberty Museums and historical holdings.

The exhibition is a collaborative effort with the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Museum, 82d Airborne Division War Memorial Museum, U.S. Army Reserve Command History Office, and the 503d Military Police Battalion (Airborne).

ASOM, constructed in 2000, is the first U.S. Army Museum built outside the perimeters of an Army installation. Artifacts from the Fort Liberty Museum Enterprise as well as assets from the U.S. Army Center of Military History (John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Museum) will be housed together and accessible to the public, in the heart of downtown, Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Jim Bartlinski, Director of the Fort Liberty Museum Enterprise, said, “we thought that this would be a good opportunity not only to showcase rare artifacts, and never before seen artifacts, that we have here at ASOM, but also to give folks who necessarily don’t know about the museums on Fort Liberty the chance to see what those museums offer.”

This exhibition tells the story of the Army Reserve, Special Forces, and the 82d Airborne Division.  “So, it is a great collaborative effort for all of us.”

Historical panels were designed for each museum’s section by the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Museum. The 503d Military Police Battalion, the only airborne military police battalion in the U.S. Army provided uniformed mannequins to “guard” the vault, while drawing in visitors to the exhibit.

The exhibit will also feature a “Seek and Learn” activity geared towards interacting with children to learn about the history of the U.S. Army, developed by ASOM’s Volunteer Coordinator, Laura Monk.

ASOM Curator, Jimmie Hallis, said, “The exhibit is a first of its kind at the Fort Liberty Army Museum Enterprise.”

“Everyone (involved in the exhibition) jumped right on board with it. Up until the artifact installation dates, I really didn’t even know what the other museums would bring. The selection of artifacts run the history realm, from the Civil War to the Global War on Terror, there is something for everyone to see,” Hallis said.

To see the exhibit, visit the U.S. Army Special Operations Museum web page for location and operating hours. Go to: history.army.mil and click on the Museums tab.

Story by CPT Janeen R. Phelps

Photos by James Bartlinski

School’s in Session: Report to the Tower

March 10th, 2024

With harnesses on their hips, hardhats on their heads and rope in their hands, soldiers participating in air assault school rappelled off towers at Camp Buehring, Kuwait.

During air assault school, soldiers train on rotary wing aircraft, aircraft safety, aeromedical evacuation procedures, pathfinder operations, principles and techniques of combat assaults, rappelling techniques and sling-load operations. These trainings prepare soldiers to make use of their helicopter skills in combat.

Courtesy DoD News Service

Photos by Army SGT Vincent Levelev

Vigilant Gear Welcomes Ben Fleming as Company President

March 9th, 2024

Ben Fleming joins Vigilant Gear, the parent company of Primary Weapons Systems and Lone Wolf Arms, as the new President. Fleming brings years of industry experience and passion for the shooting industry.

BOISE, Id. March 4, 2024 – Vigilant Gear, owner of leading manufacturers of firearms and accessories Primary Weapons Systems and Lone Wolf Arms, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ben Fleming as its new President.

With an extensive background in the firearms industry, Mr. Fleming is a consummate professional known for his leadership, strategic vision and commitment to excellence. His wealth of industry knowledge and experience will be invaluable in guiding Primary Weapons Systems and Lone Wolf Arms through the next phases of strategic plans.

“We are humbled to have Mr. Fleming join our team and lead our companies,” said Nate Treadaway, CEO of Vigilant Gear. “His belief in our goals and shared values aligns perfectly with our vision for the future. We are confident that under his leadership, Primary Weapons Systems and Lone Wolf Arms will continue to thrive and innovate.”

In his new role, Mr. Fleming will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the companies’ operations, including strategic planning, business development and product innovation. He will play a pivotal role in driving growth and ensuring that Primary Weapons Systems and Lone Wolf Arms remain at the forefront of the industry.

“I am honored to join the team at Vigilant Gear,” said Mr. Fleming. “I am excited to work alongside such talented individuals and contribute to the continued success of the esteemed Primary Weapons Systems and Lone Wolf Arms brands. Together, we will strive to exceed the expectations of our customers and achieve new heights of excellence.”

The teams at Primary Weapons Systems and Lone Wolf Arms welcome Mr. Fleming to the team. With his leadership and expertise, there is a bright future filled with innovation, growth and success ahead.

More information on PWS news and offerings is available at www.primaryweapons.com , and additional details on Lone Wolf Arms can be found at www.lonewolfarms.com.

Mystery Ranch x Bullkelp Wildland Bedroll

March 9th, 2024

This Made in the USA bedroll is a collaboration between MYSTERY RANCH and Bullkelp Bedrolls.

Think of the bedroll as essentially a heavy-duty bivy bag. The Wildland Bedroll is made from two canvas materials, a 100% waterproof 10oz nylon/ polyester blend bottom and a weather resistant and windproof polyester top. Each material was chosen for its technical properties, the polyester canvas top is breathable, preventing condensation common in other sleeping systems. The nylon/ polyester blend bottom protects your sleeping system from moisture and punctures, creating a bedroll that can withstand the harshest elements.

Designed for use by fire service personnel, it will fit in the foot of the MYSTERY RANCH Monster/Flight Monster. Another great use for this would be car camping or overlanding. Yeah, Tankers might like it as well. Talk about the ultimate in overlanding.

Above is the bedroll when it’s all opened up, so obviously, the two images aren’t to scale.

It’s 8″x14.5″x8″ when rolled up and about 4 lbs (empty). When opened up, it will accept up to a 25″ sleeping pad and accommodate sleepers over 6′ tall.

It’s also designed to accomodate all styles of sleeping bags and features a 36″ head flap for additional coverage from rain/wind. Finally, there are 1″ Nylon webbing compression straps with side release buckles for storage.

Offered in any color as long as it’s Black.

www.mysteryranch.com/mystery-ranch-x-bullkelp-wildland-bedroll