Although the Marines have been fielding the Gen III Plate Carrier many still use the older Gen II model. Shaw Concepts produced this video on cost effective solutions as well as their own after market products as well as those from others.
Advancing Cyber Warfare Training with Escape Room
December 4th, 2021KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. —
Accelerating and changing the possibilities of learning, the 333rd Training Squadron implemented a new cyber escape room to test knowledge and sharpen the skillsets of cyber warfare students.
The students are put into a simulated hostile scenario, requiring them to think critically and apply their skills under pressure to “escape” the exercise.
“Our students approached this challenge with no plan,” said 2nd Lt. Kendra Perkins, 333rd TRS cyber warfare officer and escape room project manager. “This forces them to adjust to the environment, preparing our students for any complex or uncertain situations they might face.”
From decoding cyphers and packet tracing to programming and networking, the room provides students with a hands-on training experience. Throughout this cyber warfare class iteration, only one team was able to complete the challenge, which included 2nd Lt. Ethan Isaacson, 333rd TRS cyber warfare officer.
“Most of our tests have been in a controlled environment, focusing on the most recent concepts we learned,” said Isaacson. “The escape room required us to apply all of our curriculum we’ve learned. We had to put trust in ourselves and each other and we came out of this room more confident in our skillset.”
Capt. Luke Thornton, 333rd TRS cyber warfare instructor, provided his perspective as the class instructor, overseeing how the teams took on the challenge.
“We are able to test the team dynamics, communication and camaraderie of our students,” said Thornton. “Our students were put into a new situation with a lot of pressure and they had to really think outside the box. We were able to test our students to the best of their capabilities.”
Perkins said the inspiration for the escape room was derived from Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr. and his action orders to accelerate change across the Air Force through the direction of transforming the way we learn across all facets of Air Force education and training curricula including but not limited to professional military education to reflect renewed emphasis on competition and warfighting.
“Our goal was to create an environment that highlighted gamification to stray away from the initial Q&A or multiple choice and have something hands-on that was able to apply critical thinking, teamwork and communication as well as creating scenarios built on high standards for competition,” said Perkins.
By SrA Seth Haddix, 81st Training Wing Public Affairs
Milrem Robotics Led iMUGS Consortium Demonstrates Deployment of Unmanned Systems
December 3rd, 2021The iMUGS Consortium, in charge of a 32,6 MEUR project developing the European standard unmanned ground system (UGS), demonstrated how defence forces can use tactical 4G/5G communications networks and UGS’ equipped with ISR and signal intelligence payloads, jammers, acoustic sensors, and various other technology to conduct missions.
The demonstration that was performed in September in Latvia, was led by LMT, a member of the integrated Modular Unmanned Ground System (iMUGS) consortium, with the support of the project coordinator Milrem Robotics and featured an ensemble of different technology.
Latvian National Armed Forces used two Milrem Robotics’ THeMIS Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGV) during two scenarios to display the benefits of teaming up manned units with unmanned systems.
One THeMIS UGV was equipped with an Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) payload, Signal Intelligence antenna (SIGINT) provided by The Electronic Communications Office of Latvia, Rheinmetall’s Rapid Obscuring System (ROSY) Smoke Grenade Launcher, Bittium’s Vehicular Software Defined Radios (Tough SDR Vehicular), and FN Herstal’s deFNder Light Remote Weapon Station (RWS). The RWS integration was part of the demonstration, but not of the iMUGS project itself.
The second THeMIS, used as a mule for transporting the squad’s equipment, was equipped with Rantelon’s Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Jammer and Bittium’s Tough SDR Vehicular.
The units and UGVs used Bittium’s tactical communication network TAC WIN combined with LMT’s commercial 4G and a tactical 5G-SA bubble provided by Bittium and Cumucore.
In addition, Krauss-Maffei Wegmann’s (KMW) Dingo infantry mobility vehicle was used as the command centre from where UGVs were operated in Line of Sight (LOS) and Beyond the Line of Sight (BLOS) mode using Bittium’s SDR radios and to where the ISR and Signal Intelligence sensor feed was relayed and incorporated into LMT’s Battle Management System Viedsargs.
“The displayed scenarios showed that unmanned systems, enhanced with innovative communication systems and various defence technology, can be used for collecting and sharing tactical information, improve situational awareness, decrease troops physical load, and increase force protection,” explained Kuldar Väärsi, CEO of Milrem Robotics.
”For the first time ever, in a special network, a tactical network was connected with a stand-alone 5G network. This allowed communication between units and robots, as well as collecting information from sensors and placing this information into LMT’s Battle Management System “Viedsargs”,” said Ingmars Pukis, Vice President and Member of the Management Board of LMT.
Additional equipment used in the demonstration included: SRC Brasa’s NATRIX UGV used for CASEVAC, high-speed First-Person View drone, Vertical Take-off, and Landing UAV STAR, and a gunshot detection and source recognition audio sensor by Riga Technical University (RTU).
The iMUGS project was launched in 2020 to develop a modular, cyber secure and scalable architecture for hybrid manned-unmanned systems. Its goal is to standardize a Europe-wide ecosystem for ground platforms, command, control and communication equipment, sensors, payloads, and algorithms. Addressed operational challenges include enhanced interoperability, increased situational awareness and faster decision-making.
The system will use an existing UGV – Milrem Robotics’ THeMIS – and a specific list of payloads.
The project’s progress is displayed during six demonstrations. „So far Milrem Robotics and LMT Innovations have set the bar very high. Which means we have some great things to wait for as the main results of the iMUGS projects are yet to be seen,“ said Martin Jõesaar from the Estonian Center for Defence Investments, the representative of the participating Member States in the iMUGS Project. The next demonstration will take place in Q1 of 2022 in Finland.
iMUGS is a cooperation between 13 parties: Milrem Robotics (project coordinator), Bittium, Diehl Defence, dotOcean, GMV Aerospace and Defence, Insta Advance, Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, Latvijas Mobilais Telefons (LMT), NEXTER Systems, Royal Military Academy of Belgium, Safran Electronics & Defense, Sol.One and Talgen Cybersecurity.
Watch the Demo 2 Scenarios here:
Team Federal Shines at the 2021 Fort Benning Multigun Challenge
December 3rd, 2021
ANOKA, Minnesota – December 1, 2021 – Team Federal sponsored shooters finished strong at the recent 2021 Fort Benning Multigun Challenge in Fort Benning Georgia. Every fall, the U.S. Army hosts this event at the fort’s recreational shooting complex. Federal supported this year’s match as a Gold Sponsor. Team Federal shooters Tucker Schmidt, Alysia Burrows and Todd Jarrett all performed well among the 234 shooters on hand. Schmidt earning a second-place finish for the match shooting in the Open division, Burrows with second place in the Tac Ops division for the Ladies’ category, and Jarrett finishing in eighth place for the Tac Ops division also earning “Top Senior” for the match.
“Congratulations to all our shooters at this match. The Army Marksmanship Unit are famous for running fun, innovative matches. From all I’ve heard, this one was no exception,” said Federal Ammunition Shooting Sports Promotions Manager Jason Spradling. “Our Team Federal shooters always do a great job representing our brand and I’m proud of their achievements this weekend.”
“It was a close and heated competition. It came down to the very last stage and it didn’t go my way. I’ll be working hard to come back next year and get the win,” said Schmidt. “My go-to ammo is The Federal Gold Medal line of shotgun and precision rifle ammo, as well as the American Eagle 55-grain for the go-fast rifle portions.”
“In a stiff competition environment like Benning, there really isn’t any margin for error. That’s why knowing your guns and knowing your ammo is a big part of preparation for an event like this,” said Burrows. “Feeding high performance guns with questionable ammo isn’t an option. I’ve always used Federal, even before I was on the team. I know each round is going to perform the same as the last.”
“Todd Jarrett’s Top Senior trophy and top-ten finish certainly was a highlight of the event for Team Federal,” continued Spradling. “Todd is a seasoned competitor and is well respected in the community. We’re excited to have him on board representing our brand with solid performances like this one.”
For more information on all products from Federal or to shop online, visit www.federalpremium.com.
Interactive Guide on Small Arms and Light Weapons
December 3rd, 2021
SSD reader JP shared this link with us and it’s a great resource. The Interactive Guide on Small Arms and Light Weapons is an open source database based in Germany, that provides information on the global distribution of, and how to identify commonly used small arms and light weapons (SALW).
Go for Gold with Andro Corp’s AR15/M16 TiN Gold BCG
December 3rd, 2021Back by popular demand, Andro Corp’s gold-polished titanium nitride hard-coated bolt carrier group.
Winter Garden, Fla. (November 2021) – Andro Corp., a Florida-based designer and manufacturer of quality AR platforms, uppers, lowers, and AR parts, announce the popular ACI gold polished titanium nitride hard coat BCG for AR15/M16’s is back in stock.
The gold polish adds more to the ACI BCG than just gun bling; it actually lengthens the life of the TiN nitride BCG by providing additional lubricity while combating friction. ACI’s full auto-profiled AR15/M16 TiN BCG is machined from 8620 alloy, heat-treated, and ultrasonically cleaned. The hard chrome bore is Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) coated gold and polished. The PVD coating is a technique by which a solid material is converted into a vapor to coat the subject product. This PVD process condenses the material into a vapor and turns it into a very thin, solid coating covering the piece. The benefits of PVD coating include better resistance to environmental conditions such as corrosion and abrasion and will not wear off or fade out. ACI’s gold-polished BCG is meant to accept the punishment of continuous use in any environment while maintaining optimal performance.
Additionally, the 9310 alloy bolt, machined 4140 Tool steel alloy extractor, 4130 chromoly steel alloy gas key, and 4340 chromoly steel alloy camp pin are all PVD coated and polished for additional lubricity and corrosion resistance.
ACI’s AR15/M16 TiN Gold Polished BCG is HP proof tested without evidence of failure 100 percent by using a high-pressure M197 or SAAMI commercial equivalent. MPI testing occurs after the successful HP proof test, using the ASTM E1444 inspection standard five-turn magnetizing coil.
ACI’s AR15/M16 TiN nitride BCG is 100 percent made in the USA and fully backed by ACI’s Lifetime Warranty. Available through Optics Planet with an MSRP of $199.00 (on sale). Dealers/Distributors interested in carrying Andro Corp. Industries products, contact info@androcorpind.com for more information.
C2R FAST – Fortuna Jacket Pre-Order
December 3rd, 2021During DSEi we previewed the new Fortuna jacket from the UK’s C2R FAST. The jacket features 180gsm insulation, fleece lined collar and a DWR coating, Velcro ID panels at the sleeves as well as multiple pockets including 2 mesh pockets to assist with drying damp items in the field.
It’s offered in Ranger Green, Wolf Grey and Electric Blue in sizes Small – Extra Large.
You’ll find the pre-order in the Rural section of C2R’s new website.
Varusteleka Särmä TST Alpina Recon Boots
December 3rd, 2021
Built for Varusteleka by Alpina, this high leg, leather combat boot incorporates an upper made from black hydrophobic Box leather with a reinforcement piece on the toes and the heel. The lining is hydrophobic Napa leather. The outsole is rubber and the midsole injected polyurethane. The exchangeable anatomic insole has antibacterial treatment. The round black shoelaces are made from polyester/polyamide.
Get yours at www.varusteleka.com/en/product/sarma-tst-alpina-recon-boots.
