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MKS Announces Ophir SWIR Lens, Industry’s First Compact, Low SWaP, Continuous Zoom Lens for 5µm and 10µm SXGA SWIR Detectors

May 5th, 2023

Widest SWIR spectral range in the industry, designed for the newest 5µm detectors, with a detection range exceeding 26km

May 2, 2023 – Andover, MA – MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ: MKSI), a global provider of enabling technologies that transform our world, has announced the Ophir® SWIR & NIR 25-250mm f/5.5 (NFOV) f/4.0 (WFOV) continuous zoom lens at SPIE Defense and Commercial Sensing 2023. This is the industry’s first compact, rugged, low SWaP (Size, Weight, and Power) lens for the newly introduced 5µm and 10µm SXGA, as well as the 15µm VGA SWIR detectors. An innovative opto-mechanical design delivers a lens that is approximately 60% lighter than similar SWIR lenses – with a weight of only 860g and length of 224mm – while enabling a high-quality image with a detection range exceeding 26km. In addition, the lens features a unique coating that is able to withstand harsh environments. This makes the Ophir SWIR & NIR 25-250mm lens a disruptive enabler of advanced drones, coastal search and rescue, tactical UAV IR cameras, and micro/mini tactical payloads in the commercial, homeland security, and defense markets.

“The Ophir SWIR zoom lens redefines the market for industry’s newly introduced small pixel detectors,” said Dr. Kobi Lasri, General Manager, Ophir Optics Group. “With its highly compelling combination of extended wavelength, reduced SWaP, high reliability, and attractive cost, the Ophir SWIR lens enables new applications and major advances in long-range day observation with laser spot detection in poor visibility and harsh environmental conditions.”

The Ophir SWIR & NIR 25-250mm lens is chromatically corrected to support a broader shortwave IR range, from 700nm to 1700nm, covering both NIR and SWIR bands, and to operate with minimal distortion, with an optional configuration for a narrow wavelength from 1100nm to 1700 nm. The lens also provides a 10X zoom ratio; a 25-250mm EFL range; an F/5.5 to support both 5µm and10µm pixel pitch detectors, including SXGA format; a low SWaP athermal design; and high MTF performance over both the zoom range and a wide temperature range.

Data sheet

Posted in International, Optics, Press Release | 1 Comment »

Spirit UAV Now Available Through GSA

May 5th, 2023

Wilmington, MA – Ascent AeroSystems, a leading unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) solutions provider, is pleased to announce that the Blue UAS-approved Spirit UAV is now available for purchase through the General Services Administration (GSA) Advantage website.

The Spirit UAV is a high-performance, multi-role aircraft designed and manufactured in the United States for a wide range of applications, including intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), search and rescue, border patrol, disaster relief and more. The industry-leading Spirit provides operators with an all-weather platform equipped with best-in-class integrated EO/thermal sensor payloads so personnel can reliably dispatch the surveillance asset they need whenever and wherever they need it.

The Spirit UAV is available in a range of configurations to meet specific mission requirements and is designed for easy transport and deployment, with a rugged, lightweight airframe that is backpack portable and can be quickly assembled and disassembled for storage and transport.

“Government operations require drones for a variety of reasons, including ISR, target acquisition, monitoring and inspection, rogue gas detection, etc.,” said Paul Fermo, VP of Business Development at Ascent AeroSystems. “Most drones are designed for single mission type, or worse, are restricted by a closed ecosystem, which limits their usefulness and subjects the government to obsolescence. Not Spirit. Spirit has a modular open architecture that allows government operators to customize the platform to meet any operational requirement, all from one common airframe.”

The Blue UAS-approved Spirit UAV is a trusted, versatile, secure platform for mission-critical operations. As the world’s most rugged and versatile coaxial drone, the Spirit is uniquely suited to serve the needs of mission-critical operators anytime, anywhere.

For more information on the Spirit please visit www.ascentaerosystems.com.

Posted in Press Release, UAS | 1 Comment »

Spectra Group Successfully Delivers Live SlingShot Demonstrations to US DOD and Deepens its US Engagement

May 5th, 2023

Spectra Group, a specialist provider of secure voice, data and satellite communications systems, in partnership with Inmarsat, has this spring successfully demonstrated cross-country, multi-site tactical communications of Inmarsat’s L-TAC service to the US Department of Defence (USDOD) using their award-winning SlingShot system, which follows on from previous successful Battlelab and end-user experiments outside USSOCOM.

SlingShot has been widely adopted and is operationally proven by USSOCOM with over 4000 units deployed. Over the last year, Spectra Group has been broadening and deepening its engagement with the US military, demonstrating the wide range and utility of the SlingShot system when combined with existing in-service radios and the Inmarsat L-Tac service. Spectra Group participated in the US Army’s Fires Center of Excellence Battle Laboratory “MFIX 2022” in late 2022. This experiment utilized the currently fielded SINGARS VHF radios, AFATADS digital transmission devices and paired with Spectra’s SlingShot system using the Inmarsat L-TAC service. The LRPF Battle Lab conducted hundreds of digital “Calls for Fire” in 2 days over vast ranges. The experiments proved that Forward Observer teams over 600miles away could still rapidly deliver precision fires over existing VHF radios, with SlingShot fitted, delivering lethal effect within 90-120 seconds. The addition of the operationally proven SlingShot’s system as a bolt on capability enhancement, allows traditional manoeuvre formations to engage threats at vast ranges previously unimagined without replacing its communications infrastructure.

The recent USDOD multi-site demonstration was conducted from Reston, Virginia, as well as locations in Colorado Springs, Colorado and Fort Liberty, North Carolina. The L-TAC service combined with SlingShot delivers global, satellite-based beyond line of sight (BLOS) communications at fixed sites and on the move (COTM) for Ultra High Frequency (UHF) and Very High Frequency (VHF) radio users. A key component of the demonstration was to prove the ability of SlingShot, fitted to existing radios and using L-TAC, to augment existing DOD UHF SATCOM capabilities globally by scaling to many users over a vast coverage area. This included the ability to extend all L-TAC nets to dislocated, major headquarters locations that could be anywhere in the world utilizing digital, RF-Over-IP technology.

The enthusiasm to trial the SlingShot system extended to 1st Marine Division based in California, when they wished to exercise the vast ranges associated with their Indopacific area of operations, by combining the exercise with one of their new littoral regiments based in Japan. Again, this experiment proved the ability of SlingShot fitted to existing in-service radios to allow Commander’s to communicate securely while on the move and well beyond line of sight of others. Additionally, the employment of SlingShot provided un-paralleled interoperability of tactical UHF and VHF frequency radios with a minimum training burden.

Simon Davies, CEO of Spectra Group said: “We are very proud of Slingshot’s operational pedigree and how successful it has been in solving the communications challenges faced by both specialist and regular forces when deployed globally in austere locations. These experiments continue to prove the true ease and utility of SlingShot combined with the Inmarsat L-TAC service to deliver secure voice, data and text at scale on any legacy system for the USDOD anywhere in the world.”

Posted in Comms, Press Release | 1 Comment »

CG Strategic To Unveil Modular Deployment Panel System During SOMSA

May 5th, 2023

CiloGear is launching CG Strategic, a purpose built brand for our military customers. The first product that CG Strategic is launching is the Modular Deployment Panel System. Pioneered for use by SMU organizations over two years ago, the MDP System will launch at the Special Operations Medical Association’s Scientific Assembly, May 15-19 in Raleigh, NC.

Reduce cube space, weight and increase operational speed. Inventory and class 8 resupply become almost as fast as grabbing magazines of 556.

Available for sale & shipping 15 May.

Program sales, kitting and shipping through Bloodstone Division.

Posted in Medical | 6 Comments »

Catch Up with Ghost Robotics at SOF Week

May 5th, 2023

Fresh off of a CAPEX last week at Fort Bragg, Ghost Robotics has just participated in multiple operational scenarios for Senior Army Leaders.

Featured in this exercise were VISION 60 Quadruped Unmanned Ground Vehicles controlled by special operators which provided a platform for specialized ISR capabilities.

Ghost Robotics is a manufacturer of ground robots which mimic how mammals move across urban and natural environments offering access to areas denied to other ground vehicles and even humans.

The VISION 60 is designed to accept a variety of Modular Mission Payloads like the ISR capability demonstrated during the CAPEX. It’s versatility is limited by the imagination of the user. That’s why it’s a great platform for USASOC’s robotics course which instructs students how to integrate expedient capabilities.

Visit Ghost Robotics in their demonstration area in the foyer right outside the north doors to the main floor to the expo to learn more about the VISION 60 and its inherent adaptability to mission and terrain.

www.ghostrobotics.io

Posted in Advertiser, Robotics, SOF Week | Comments Off on Catch Up with Ghost Robotics at SOF Week

FirstSpear Friday Focus – Concealable Vests

May 5th, 2023

This week, we’re focusing on our concealable vest options. The Slick™ and Deceptor™ are durable and lightweight discrete carriers.

Designed for wear underneath garments or load carriage platforms, the Slick is light and comfortable. The soft material can be folded up and stashed on your cargo pocket when not needed. This is a minimalist carrier and not designed to be an outer most carrier for overt tactical operations.

Sizing corresponds to SAPI plate size. Swimmer Cut available here.

Designed to conceal rifle velocity protective plates in hight threat environments, the Deceptor will discretely hold a pair of special threat plates and two 6” x 6” rifle side plates. Our Ragnar pockets can quickly attach to the front or the back of the carrier as well. The Deceptor shines with SAPI cut plates in the 2.2 to 4.5 Ibs medium-sized weight range which are .5” or thinner. For larger, thicker, or heavier plates, you need to consider another capability. This carrier comes with stretch and non-stretch shoulder straps to accommodate user comfort preference.

Check out FirstSpear to find American Made kit and accessories, Built For The X.

Posted in Advertiser, Armor, FS Friday Focus, Guest Post | 1 Comment »

Terrain 365 STS-ATB

May 5th, 2023

Upscale Variant of the Rustproof STS Featuring Integrated Bolster Construction

New for May 2023, Terrain 365™ releases their STS-ATB. An upscale variant of the popular, STS-AT series, featuring their proprietary, corrosion-proof, edge-holding, Terravantium™ super alloy. This precision made framelock features an integrated bolster construction with hand fitted carbon fiber, G10 or canvas micarta scales. Signature design details include a Loveless inspired clip point blade, handle and blade fullers, dive watch-grade glow in the dark cabochons in the dual thumbstuds, fine jimping throughout, and a purpose driven, classic chute knife aesthetic. As with all their “AT” designated knives, these are 100% non-ferrous, non-magnetic, and a completely rustproof build for all terrains.

The STS-ATB is available with Terravantium™ blades and integrated titanium bolsters with carbon fiber, G10 or canvas micarta scales.

Creative Director and Co-Founder Patrick Ma of Terrain 365 states,

“The STS-ATB is an upscale homage to a lifelong love affair with the classic Loveless Chute Knife. This is a superbly made edged tool for the field, made for explorers and adventurers. The original chute knife concept was intended to operate in harsh and unconventional wilderness field conditions, this intention certainly holds true and is mirrored in my design of the STS series of folders.”

The STS-ATB is available for $375-$390 on their website.

Posted in Knives, Press Release | Comments Off on Terrain 365 STS-ATB

16th Annual Emerald Warrior Jumps Into Action

May 5th, 2023

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. —

Air Force Special Operations Command is hosting the 16th Annual Emerald Warrior exercise at multiple locations across Florida, as well as Puerto Rico and will run through May 6.

This joint, combined exercise provides realistic and relevant, high-end training to prepare special operations forces, conventional forces, and international partners in the evolving strategic environment, shifting focus to growing kinetic and non-kinetic effects in strategic competition.

Emerald Warrior applies lessons learned from real-world operations to provide trained and ready personnel to the joint force, while addressing priorities laid out in the 2022 National Defense Strategy. Vital to this effort are effective trained forces and strong international partnerships. Partner force participants for this year are primarily from France, Germany, and Lithuania.

This exercise hones the skills of participating units and is an opportunity to test future concepts in support Agile Combat Employment operating under the new Air Force Force Generation deployment model. In line with AFSOC’s Strategic Guidance, the exercise fuels on-going pathfinding and experimentation efforts within the command.

By Air Force Special Operations Command

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, SOF | Comments Off on 16th Annual Emerald Warrior Jumps Into Action