Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

SOFWERX – Air-Launched Loiter Munition Collaboration Event

September 26th, 2023

SOFWERX, in collaboration with USSOCOM Program Executive Office – Fixed Wing (PEO-FW), Stand-Off Precision Guided Munitions (SOPGM) Program, will host a Collaboration Event (CE) on 2 November 2023 to demonstrate and integrate Air-launched Loiter Munition (ALM) capabilities.

The SOPGM Program Office currently supports Special Operations Forces (SOF) aircrews with short range munitions that are employed directly to known targets, visually identified by the shooter aircraft before launch, and utilize Global Positioning System (GPS) or Semi-Active Laser (SAL) for terminal guidance. The dependencies for this employment method will place SOF Operators at an unacceptable risk during engagements in highly contested areas. New solutions are required to provide identification, tracking, and engagement of moving or mobile targets in a time compressed environment. SOF aircraft must be prepared to efficiently engage moving targets on the time scale it would face during any potential conflict with a well-resourced peer or near-peer adversary attempting an act of aggression. Traditional airborne moving target intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) sensors currently employed by SOF will be inadequate for such a scenario due to deficiencies in survivability, speed, range, or sensor performance. Considering these capability gaps, USSOCOM is looking for ALMs to decrease the engagement time from minutes to seconds, improve targeting solutions, and increase the survivability of SOF.

Event Objectives
1) Explore potential ALM solutions with Industry, Academia, and Labs based upon an understanding of current SOCOM use cases and operational landscapes for future conflicts. Recent conflicts in Ukraine and elsewhere have demonstrated mature ground-launched loiter munition capabilities. This, combined with the emergence of Air Launched Effects (ALE), should provide a shorter path to viable and mature ALMs.

2) Investigate the trade-space, to include:

a) Endurance, Range, Cruise and Max Airspeeds
b) Payload Capacity
c) Sensors/Seekers, Semi-Active Laser (SAL), Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR), Radio Frequency (RF), Automatic Target Recognition (ATR), Automatic Target Detection (ATD)
d) Command and Control (C2) Data-Link, Telemetry, Transponder, Flight Termination System
e) Counter Detection
f) Warhead and Fusing
g) Employment from various SOCOM aircraft (ex: AC-130J, MQ-9, MQ-1, MH-60, and others)
h) Aircraft Integration standards such as MIL-STD-1760/1553, Universal Armament Interface (UAI), Battle Management System (BMS), Common Launch Tube (CLT), and 14-inch lug racks.

3) Future proof the system for technology upgrades, with considerations for Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA), Weapons Open Systems Architecture (WOSA), and Weapons Government Reference Architecture (GRA), as well as producibility concerns.

4) Identify Risks, Issues, and Opportunities.

Request to Attend NLT 12 October 2023 11:59 PM ET.

events.sofwerx.org/loiter

Posted in Aviation, SOF, weapons | Comments Off on SOFWERX – Air-Launched Loiter Munition Collaboration Event

NDIA Future Forces Conference 23 Poster #2 – Bullet Tip ID Updated

September 26th, 2023

This is the second installment of a daily effort to share examples of posters which were presented during the Future Force Capabilities Conference presented by the National Defense Industrial Association in Huntsville, Alabam. I’ll let them speak for themselves.

Contact info is on the poster.

Posted in Ammo, NDIA | Comments Off on NDIA Future Forces Conference 23 Poster #2 – Bullet Tip ID Updated

KONGSBERG Awarded NOK 1 Billion CROWS Order

September 26th, 2023

Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS (KONGSBERG) has received an order from the US Army to deliver an additional 409 CROWS remote weapon stations, spares and support. The order has a value of USD 94 million or approximately NOK 1 billion.

The order is part of the IDIQ* frame contract awarded in October 2022, the fourth consecutive five-year contract awarded KONGSBERG for the delivery and support of the US Army Commonly Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS).

“We are very pleased for the opportunity to deliver additional CROWS systems to the US Army and with the confidence our customers place in our products and our organization,” says Eirik Lie, President of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.

The deliveries will be manufactured and assembled at the KONGSBERG facility in Johnstown PA.

Over the past 25 years, KONGSBERG has delivered more than 22,000 Remote Weapon Systems to customers in more than 28 different nations.

*indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity

Posted in Contracts, International, Weapon Accessories | Comments Off on KONGSBERG Awarded NOK 1 Billion CROWS Order

High Ground Gear Releases NEW Drop Down PRC-163 Radio Pouch

September 26th, 2023

Philadelphia, PA.- High Ground Gear (HG), an exclusive product line of Ehmke Manufacturing Company, Inc., proudly announces the launch of its highly anticipated Drop Down PRC-163 Radio Pouch. The Drop Down PRC-163 Radio Pouch compliments HG’s mission-specific line of tactical and outdoor gear.

In collaboration with the US Army CE units and the US Navy Helicopter Sea Combat Weapons School, High Ground Gear has devoted months to development, Field testing and gaining approval for the innovative Drop Down PRC-163 Radio Pouch.

The introduction of the PRC-163 Radio Pouch by High Ground is an enhancement to our comprehensive portfolio of radio and technology pouches. Operators depend on HG’s legacy of exceptional, high-quality pouches that offer unparalleled flexibility and modularity,” stated Mike Runella, High Ground’s Executive Vice President. He further emphasized, “Our existing family of legacy radio and technology pouches— such as the PRC-148, PRC-152, and both versions of the 117—has been well-received by our end-users for years. Now, our customers have turned to us for a turnkey solution featuring the new radio pouch that is currently being issued to our forces.”

The Drop-Down PRC-163 Radio Pouch embodies the principle of “head up, eyes on the enemy.” Unlike other drop-down radio pouches, this innovative design allows for effortless one-handed opening and closing, enabling users to maintain one hand on their weapon at all times. This feature provides unrestricted access to the radio screen, buttons, and battery. Additionally, an opening at the bottom facilitates seamless battery changes without the need to disconnect from cables and headsets. By utilizing the cable retention points for routing cables, users can prevent the radio from getting tangled in cables when viewing the screen. In essence, this is the epitome of a smooth handheld radio pouch.

The Drop Down PRC-163 Radio Pouch will be available for ordering starting October 1, 2023, through High Ground’s extensive dealer network or directly via www.highgroundgear.com. The first deliveries are scheduled for December 2023, promising an enhanced experience for operators requiring advanced radio and technology pouch solutions.

High Ground; We Make Every Stitch Count…

For more information visit www.highgroundgear.com

Posted in Advertiser, Comms, Load Carrying, Press Release | Comments Off on High Ground Gear Releases NEW Drop Down PRC-163 Radio Pouch

Groundbreaking Laser Prototype Systems Delivered to 4-60th Air Defense Artillery Regiment

September 26th, 2023

FORT SILL, Okla. — The U.S. Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office, known as RCCTO, announced the successful delivery of four cutting-edge Directed Energy Maneuver-Short Range Air Defense, or DE M-SHORAD, prototype systems to the 4th Battalion, 60th Air Defense Artillery Regiment at Fort Sill. Delivering the platoon of prototypes marks a pivotal milestone for RCCTO’s DE M-SHORAD Project Management Office, led by Col. Steven D. Gutierrez, and represents a major landmark accomplishment for the entire team involved.

This momentous delivery coincides with the historic reactivation of the 4-60th ADAR in March of 2022 and the subsequent reactivation of its Delta Battery in June of this year. It signifies the continued smooth transition of the 4-60th ADAR from the 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command to the 1st Armored Division, which took place in November 2022.

To prepare for the integration of these groundbreaking laser weapon systems, 4-60th ADAR commenced training in fall 2022. Drivers underwent rigorous training utilizing a surrogate M-SHORAD vehicle specially constructed to replicate the DE M-SHORAD prototype’s size, weight, and power. Additionally, the crews skillfully simulated the execution of the structure of an attack or “kill chain” on the Virtual Crew Trainer Operating Systems provided by the RCCTO.

In March 2023 at Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona, crews from 4-60th ADAR and the DE M-SHORAD prototype team came together to conduct a highly successful capability demonstration during a Live Fire Exercise. The event showcased the remarkable potential of these prototypes and left a lasting impression on participants and viewers.

“The delivery of DE M-SHORAD prototypes to the 4-60th ADAR represents a transformational milestone in the Army’s modernization campaign. It is an achievement that adds what was often thought of as a next generation capability, now,” stated Col. Gutierrez. “These high energy laser systems will be a game-changer on the contemporary battlefield, a critical component of an integrated, layered, and in-depth air missile defense for division and brigade maneuver formations.”

Col. Gutierrez continued, “I couldn’t be prouder of our team. The Directed Energy Project Office took nascent technologies and accelerated their maturation and development to put hardware in the hands of Soldiers in record time. This will prove to be a deterrent as well as an effective weapon system against relevant threat sets that requires minimal logistical support versus traditional and legacy systems.”

Receiving these groundbreaking systems enables the 4-60th ADAR Delta Battery to embark on collective training with kinetic variants of the DE M-SHORAD, as they were concurrently received in June 2023. This opportunity allows for enhanced evaluation of the integration and employment of these systems within the Army’s integrated and layered air missile defense architecture, as well as their structural alignment within division formations.

Lt. Col. Alex Corby, former 4-60th ADAR battalion commander, notes, “The delivery of the DE M-SHORAD prototypes marks an extraordinary advancement in our military capabilities. Today, Delta Battery etches its name in the annals of military history as the Army’s first-ever tactical Directed Energy capable unit. With cutting-edge technology at their disposal, they are pioneers, forging a path towards a more formidable and agile future for our forces.”

Looking ahead, in partnership with the Army Test and Evaluation Command, the Army plans to employ these prototypes in a Soldier Touchpoint in FY24. This assessment will provide invaluable insights into the capabilities and limitations of these cutting-edge systems, aiding the Army in its ongoing quest for innovation and progress.

The RCCTO, alongside its dedicated partners and 4-60th ADAR, remains steadfast in its commitment to innovation and excellence. Together, they forge a path towards a future where cutting-edge technologies like the DE M-SHORAD prototype system pave the way for an enhanced and robust national defense.

By Venetia Gonzales

Posted in Army, Guest Post, weapons | 1 Comment »

NutSof – Cable Canal

September 25th, 2023

New from NutSof is the Cable Canal, a wire management system for helmets and soft gear.

Attaching via hook and loop backing, the Cabal Canal features two 1″ elastic retention straps to easily fit multiple cables and cables with 90 degree connectors.

Sold in pairs, the bungee retention holes on both ends can be used as a lanyard or to provide tension to devices.

www.nutsof.com

Posted in Helmets, Load Carrying | 2 Comments »

Shop Show Raeford – October 17th

September 25th, 2023

Shop Show Raeford is coming up soon, on Tuesday, October 17th, 1000- 1600 at Skydive Paraclete. Proceeds benefit the Unit Scholarship Fund.

Posted in SHOP Show | 1 Comment »

Tardigrade.Industries Wins Contract to Develop Cutting-Edge Ballistic Resistant Eyewear from the US Department of Defense

September 25th, 2023

[Skowhegan, ME, 05/20/23] — Tardigrade Industries, a leading innovator in advanced protective solutions, is proud to announce its success in winning a contract to design and manufacture state-of-the-art projectile and bullet resistant eyewear. This significant achievement further solidifies Tardigrade’s position as the innovator in the industry, dedicated to enhancing the safety and protection of those serving in high-risk professions.

The contract, awarded by the Irregular Warfare Technical Support Directorate (IWTSD), under the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict (ASD(SO/LIC), signifies a significant milestone for Tardigrade Industries in its pursuit of delivering unparalleled quality and innovation to protect today’s warfighters and peacekeepers against the ever-evolving threats around them. Tardigrade’s expertise in protective equipment and technologies, combined with its commitment to rigorous research and development, has resulted in a breakthrough product that sets new benchmarks in armored ballistic eyewear. The IWTSD contract will fund its development of ballistic eyewear capable of stopping substantially higher threats than current standards, and set the standard for all future military eyewear.

Designed to withstand the most demanding environments, Tardigrade’s offering offers exceptional protection against ballistic threats, including projectiles, fragments, and other potential hazards, as well as offering scratch and fog resistance for all operations. The cutting-edge materials and advanced manufacturing processes employed by Tardigrade ensure the highest levels of performance, durability, and wearer comfort, without compromising on style while enhancing visual clarity over previous materials.

As a company at the forefront of innovation, Tardigrade Industries remains committed to pushing boundaries, investing in research and development, and collaborating with industry partners to advance the field of protective eyewear. Through this contract win, Tardigrade is set to revolutionize the way soldiers approach safety in high-risk environments, offering them peace of mind and enhanced performance.

About Tardigrade Industries: Tardigrade Industries is a leading provider of advanced protective solutions, committed to delivering industry-leading products that ensure the safety and well-being of professionals operating in high-risk environments. With an unwavering focus on innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction, Tardigrade continues to set new standards in protective technologies in the Tactical and Military world.

Posted in Contracts, Eyepro, Press Release | Comments Off on Tardigrade.Industries Wins Contract to Develop Cutting-Edge Ballistic Resistant Eyewear from the US Department of Defense