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USAF Pararescue Specialists & Astronaut/Entrepreneur Larry Connor Announce World-Record Skydive to Raise $1 M for Special Operations Warrior Foundation

August 11th, 2023

Alpha 5 Project Announces World-Record Skydive to Raise $1 Million for Special Operations Warrior Foundation

Alpha 5 Team Will Use Michigan Created Balloon– the Largest in America for 35,000 Transport Before Jump

[Melbourne, Fla.–August 10, 2023] – Operator Solutions, a leading provider of specialized search and rescue solutions to the commercial spaceflight and private sectors, and Larry Connor, pilot of the Axiom Space Ax-1 Mission and Founder and Managing Partner of The Connor Group, a nationally recognized real estate investment firm, are proud to announce the launch of the Alpha 5 Project, a mission to set a new world record for the highest HALO (high altitude, low opening) formation skydive and raise $1 million for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF) through donations at specialops.org/alpha5.

To break the existing unofficial world record for the highest HALO formation, skydive, the five jumpers will ascend to an altitude of 35,000 feet in a specially designed hot air balloon along with a balloon pilot and O2 Tech while following HALO safety protocols and wearing full oxygen equipment. From there, the jumpers will exit the balloon, link arms, and form a five-person formation before safely separating and landing. A representative from Guinness World Records will be present to assess and validate the record-setting achievement.

The Alpha 5 Project mission is to highlight the invaluable work carried out by SOWF, while also serving as a tribute to the remarkable skills and technical prowess of U.S. Air Force Special Warfare Pararescue Specialists known as “PJs.” SOWF honors fallen Special Operations Personnel, and all Medal of Honor Recipients, by providing comprehensive educational opportunities to their children, “cradle to career,” from preschool through college, as well as immediate financial support to wounded, ill, and injured Special Operations Personnel.

Impressed by Operator Solutions’ commitment to excellence during the Ax-1 Mission to the International Space Station, Connor approached Founder and CEO Brandon Daugherty to collaborate on a high-altitude jump for a purpose. Daugherty, a PJ, and Chief Master Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, assembled a team of four current and former PJs (including himself) to perform the jump alongside Connor, as well as a full support team to ensure its safe and successful execution.

“The Alpha 5 Project combines the challenge of setting a world record with the purpose of raising awareness for an incredible organization that honors the legacy of Special Operations Personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our Nation,” said Connor. “I’m proud to be able to shine a light on these unsung heroes and the incredible technical expertise and dedication of the PJs and the Special Operations community. They are the best of the best.”

“Special Operations Warrior Foundation is an incredible organization that cares for the children and the legacy of America’s Special Operations Personnel and, as someone with seven overseas deployments to combat zones, it’s a cause that is near and dear to my heart and to everyone in the Special Operations community,” added Daugherty. “We’re excited to make this jump to shine a spotlight on this great organization and raise the funds that will allow them to continue their mission.”

“We invite the Nation to join us in celebrating the exceptional capabilities of America’s PJs and the enduring mission of the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. Together, we can make a significant impact on the lives of our country’s heroes and ensure a bright future for their children,” shared Major General (Ret.) Clayton M. Hutmacher, President & CEO of Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

The Alpha 5 Project will take place at the New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell, NM, within the jump window of September 15 to October 15 (due to weather conditions and restrictions).

100% of funds raised will go directly to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

Learn more and donate at specialops.org/alpha5.

Posted in Charity, Fundraising, Nonprofit, Parachuting, Press Release | Comments Off on USAF Pararescue Specialists & Astronaut/Entrepreneur Larry Connor Announce World-Record Skydive to Raise $1 M for Special Operations Warrior Foundation

TacJobs – Knights Armament

August 11th, 2023

Multiple positions are currently open at Knight’s Titusville facility.

Please feel free to look under the Employment Opportunities’ page at www.knightarmco.com/careers

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Wilcox Industries 2023 Catalog

August 11th, 2023

Download it here.

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T8 ANTHEM from Garmont Tactical

August 11th, 2023

Made in the USA, the T8 ANTHEM is an athletic, comfortable style, with lightweight soles and uppers assembled in Tennessee. Utilizing a traditional 1.8mm suede leather upper, and an abrasion resistant and breathable nylon fabric insert offering an athletic fit and feel. Additional features include Zama alloy hooks that provide a safe and reliable closure system. The Garmont® PU Footbed, combined with an injected PU outsole creates needed flexibility and lightness as well as comfort. MSRP $215.

Available now in size 7-14 in medium and wide widths.

garmonttactical.com/product/26378694/t-8-anthem-regular

Posted in Boots, Guest Post | 2 Comments »

FirstSpear Friday Focus – Limited Edition Spicy Uber T-shirt

August 11th, 2023

Embrace your rowdy side with the Limited Edition Spicy Uber T-Shirt! This edgy shirt is a nod to the clandestine air support dedicated to SOF units It’s comfortable fit and lightweight fabric make it perfect for every occasion. With a wicked MH-47G design that packs a punch, this shirt will turn heads and get a conversation going.

Not for the faint of heart — it’s the fiercest way to show your pride for our rotary wing warriors. Own the night and show them who’s boss with the Spicy Uber T-Shirt, while supplies last.

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

Posted in Advertiser, Clothing, FS Friday Focus, Guest Post, Morale | 2 Comments »

Army Modernizes Batteries to Boost Supply Chain, US Manufacturing

August 11th, 2023

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. — Army researchers are advancing the capabilities of tactical batteries as a critical piece of the military’s comprehensive effort to improve U.S.-based manufacturing and strengthen the industrial supply chain.

Engineers at the Army’s Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Center are focused on integrating advanced cell chemistry into batteries as the next generation of modernized Soldier electronics are fielded. The team is focused on developing standardized form factors for use in Soldier-worn and handheld equipment such as radios, GPS, night-vision devices, and weapons.

“By standardizing battery form factors, the Department of Defense aims to aggregate demand throughout the services and improve buying power among the industry’s battery cell manufacturers,” said Dr. Ashley Ruth, a C5ISR Center research chemical engineer. In addition, standardization avoids the old model of fielding a proprietary battery for each piece of gear, as technology developers have historically delivered unique batteries for new capabilities.

The Center is an element of the Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, known as DEVCOM.

“The Army is working on forecasting a fully developed demand signal for a range of Soldier batteries,” said Dr. Nathan Sharpes, a research mechanical engineer with the Center. “This provides an incentive for industry to onshore battery manufacturing to the United States and support the domestic industrial base and secure the supply chain. The overall DoD goal is the ability to procure cutting-edge batteries affordably and reliably with a coordinated strategy.”

The C5ISR Center’s latest R&D effort in support of battery standardization is the Operational Single Cell for Accessory Readiness, or OSCAR. The program’s benefits include safety, performance, and cost, according to Sharpes.

OSCAR research originated from the need to develop a AA form-factor military battery capable of recharging.

New electronics in the Army’s R&D pipeline can require higher instantaneous power draw than current AA form-factor batteries can provide, according to Sharpes. OSCAR will be capable of performing like a AA battery in legacy applications but also enter a high-power mode to satisfy next-generation enabler devices such as night-vision scopes that are typically mounted to a rifle or helmet.

With the capability for recharging more than 100 times, OSCAR batteries represent significant cost savings compared with existing single-use options. The C5ISR Center anticipates prototypes available for lab and safety testing in the near future.

OSCAR follows the team’s successful development of the Small Tactical Universal Battery, or STUB, which is a standard family of batteries for handheld and small form factor devices, with eight sizes that share a common mechanical and electrical interface — the key to unlocking interoperability, Sharpes said. Each battery size provides a different amount of energy, from which Soldiers could choose, depending on their mission needs. This interoperable battery system seamlessly delivers the correct voltage and power level needs to any device.

Army project managers can now procure these batteries for integration into fielded Soldier-worn and handheld systems. The STUB program’s current emphasis is to mature manufacturing to ensure the Army has sufficient and consistent demand for industrial production.

These C5ISR Center’s research projects support the broader effort within the Defense Innovation Unit’s Family of Advanced Standard Batteries program, along with DEVCOM’s Ground Vehicle Systems Center and the Navy.

“We’ve committed our R&D to the collective goal of building a robust U.S.-based battery supply chain that incorporates the latest technological advancements,” Ruth said.

By Dan Lafontaine, DEVCOM C5ISR Center Public Affairs

Posted in Army, Guest Post, Power | 5 Comments »

Intel Federal, Qorvo, Ayar Labs, and Lockheed Martin ATL Win Co-Packaged Analog-Drive High-Bandwidth Optical Input/Output (KANAGAWA) Prototype Project

August 10th, 2023

(Arlington, VA) – The Strategic and Spectrum Missions Advanced Resilient Trusted Systems (S²MARTS) OTA announced Ayar Labs, Intel, Lockheed Martin ATL, and Qorvo are the prime awardees of the Co-Packaged Analog-Drive High-Bandwidth Optical Input/Output (KANAGAWA) prototype project. This significant achievement was made possible through the utilization of the Other Transaction Authority (OTA).

The KANAGAWA project aims to revolutionize optical input/output technologies by developing advanced solutions that provide unprecedented data transfer speeds and enhanced performance for next-generation computing systems. By leveraging the expertise and cutting-edge capabilities of Ayar Labs, Intel, Lockheed Martin ATL, and Qorvo, this collaborative effort will unlock new possibilities for high-speed data communication.

Ayar Labs, known for its innovative solutions in silicon photonics, will leverage its expertise to develop optical input/output systems that enable high-bandwidth data transfer at ultra-low power consumption. Ayar Labs’ unique approach to silicon photonics will pave the way for more efficient and sustainable computing systems.

Intel, renowned for its leadership in advanced computing technologies, will contribute its extensive experience in chip design and manufacturing. The company’s expertise in developing highly efficient and high-performance processors will play a crucial role in achieving the project’s objectives.

Lockheed Martin ATL, a leading provider of advanced technologies and solutions, will contribute its expertise in system integration and security to ensure the successful deployment of the KANAGAWA project. Their proven track record in delivering complex projects to the DoD will be instrumental in the success of KANAGAWA.

Qorvo, a global leader in RF solutions, will bring its extensive expertise in radio frequency systems to the KANAGAWA project. Their advanced technologies and proficiency in signal processing will enable seamless integration of optical input/output with existing computing architectures.

The use of the Other Transaction Authority (OTA) to award the KANAGAWA prototype project highlights the commitment of the United States Government to foster innovation and collaboration within the private sector. The S²MARTS OTA enables rapid acquisition of cutting-edge technologies, fostering public-private partnerships that accelerate the development and deployment of critical capabilities.

Through this collaboration, Ayar Labs, Intel, Lockheed Martin ATL, and Qorvo will collectively address the challenges associated with high-bandwidth optical input/output technologies, leading to advancements that can transform the computing landscape. The KANAGAWA project holds immense promise for achieving breakthroughs in data transfer speeds and establishing new standards for computing systems of the future.

Posted in Contracts, Industry, Press Release | Comments Off on Intel Federal, Qorvo, Ayar Labs, and Lockheed Martin ATL Win Co-Packaged Analog-Drive High-Bandwidth Optical Input/Output (KANAGAWA) Prototype Project

DroneShield Launches Area-Specific Satellite Denial Systems

August 10th, 2023

DroneShield Ltd (ASX:DRO) (DroneShield or the Company) is pleased to announce launch and initial order from a Defence customer for its target area-specific Satellite Denial Systems.

There are multiple Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) used around the world – the U.S. GPS being the most known, alongside of the Russian GLONASS, the Chinese BeiDou and the European Galileo system.

DroneShield has used GNSS denial against drones/UAVs for number of years as part of smart defeat capability within its products. The Company has developed a number of unique techniques during that time and has a growing reputation as experts in this domain. Importantly, DroneShield systems work on focussing the disruption on a specific targeted area.

A FVEY government (FVEY, or Five Eyes, refers to U.S., UK, Canada, Australia and NZ) has requested that DroneShield develops this capability to the next level with a paid R&D project, expected to be followed by a series of further projects, each project including more advanced development of the system. The dollar value is not material for the initial project, but it is an area of expansion that is likely to become material in the next 24 months.

DroneShield’s CEO, Oleg Vornik, commented: “DroneShield has proven a successful ability to rapidly innovate and deliver on defence R&D contracts, as recently demonstrated in our Electronic Warfare domain efforts, where the Company has progressed from the initial $600k project, to $3.8 million, to $9.9 million, all within a 3-year period.”

“Both Electronic Warfare and Satellite Denial represent closely adjacent areas to our core C-UAS space, with the learnings able to be channelled into our C-UAS work, in addition to the contracts on their own representing value for the business.”

Posted in EW, Press Release | Comments Off on DroneShield Launches Area-Specific Satellite Denial Systems