Fischer Connectors offered a sneak peek of their new six port hub which showcases their cables with NETT Warrior standard connectors. This hub features dedicated ports for radio, EUD, and battery as well as three additional ports for the personal area network. It is IP68 rated and PALS compatible.
FORT BELVOIR, VA – The Army decided to shift the IVAS Operational Test and fielding to a date later in FY22. The Army is fully committed to its partnership with Microsoft to advance specific technologies to meet operational requirements and maximize warfighter impact. The Army conducted an Adversarial Electronic Warfare and Cybersecurity Test in September 2021, and plans to execute testing regularly throughout FY22. This decision allows the Army and Industry team to continue to enhance the IVAS technology platform ensuring Soldiers achieve overmatch in Multi Domain Operations. The Army intends to continue developing and fielding this revolutionary, first-of-its-kind technology in FY22.
Project Timeline:
• OCT / NOV 2020: Soldier Touchpoint 3 (STP 3) & Distinguished Visitor Days
• DEC 2020: Rapid Fielding Decision
• JAN 2021: Vehicle Integration VE2 – Stryker & Bradley
• FEB 2021: Cold Weather Test
• MAR 2021: Production Award
• MAR 2021: Tropical Weather Test
• APR 2021: Soldier Touchpoint 4 (STP 4)
• JUL 2021: OT Entrance Criteria User Jury
• SEP 2021: Vehicle Integration VE3 – Bradley
• SEP 2021: Adversarial Electronic Warfare & Cybersecurity Test
• MAY 2022: Operational Test (IOT)
• SEP 2022: First Unit Equipped (FUE)
– PEO SOLDIER PM IVAS
You may have heard of a Picatinny Smart Rail or Powered Rail which is the NATO STANAG 4740/AEP-90.
The T-Worx Intelligent Rail offers centralized weapon enabler power and control. The intelligent rail is Mil Std 1913 compatible but features an embedded, ruggedized printed circuit board (PCB). The battery is located in the butstock and connects to the rail via jumpers which follow contours of the lower receiver. Alternatives include a pistol grip battery or a mount directly to the rail.
Technically, it’s a power AND data rail but most users have concentrated on the ability to centrally power their enablers. The new Gateway Node seen in this photo, attached to the 3 o’clock rail position allows all of the enablers attached to the rail to communicate with other item’s in the Soldier’s network like an End User Device. It is compatible with the U.S. Army’s Intra-Soldier Wireless (ISW) protocol.
Cervello Global is offering Chiron-X1 CQC Armor with training by Redback One.
Chiron-X1 CQC Armor is made from carbon fiber and padded, allowing the wearer to train at full speed, protecting the wearer from injury due to strikes from blunt force weapons along with punches and kicks as well as the use of marking rounds. Additionally, it provides head, neck, throat and cervical spine protection against compression, hyperextension and whiplash.
To the left of this photo you see a full ensemble while to the right Redback One’s Jason Falla demonstrates that you can scale the armor to the level needed for the type of training being conducted.
The Lynq PRO from OTTO Communications uses Global Navigation Satellite System data to provide GPS in austere environments. Compatible with TAK, location data and waypoints can be shared amongst the network nodes (up to 24). You can also send messages via the network. This is a frequency hopping, encrypted line of sight system which has a range of about 10 km.
Mil-Spec Monkey sent us this note and video of John Noveske to share with our readers.
Back when we did a Noveske Rifleworks tour, John also did an interview style video with us. He was always a bit camera shy so never got around to telling us to publish the video, however we feel there never was anything to worry about in the footage. Finally deciding to release, we hope folks will appreciate learning more about John’s personality and philosophy on a range of subjects. The footage is lightly edited to let his character and knowledge points shine.
We were fortunate enough to be able to hang out with John for a solid day where he showed great hospitality and being an all around great dude. It was clear we lost an industry great when he passed in 2013.
May John’s legacy live on!
POPE ARMY AIRFIELD, N.C. —
NASCAR driver, Erik Jones, visits the 352nd Special Warfare Training Squadron to better understand how Special Warfare Airmen are trained and developed at Pope Army Airfield, September 29, 2021. The visit is part of the U.S. Air Force Recruiting Service’s sponsorship of Richard Petty Motorsports with a presence on the NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) No. 43 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE, established early January.
“This is my first time coming around Special Warfare, I met some great men and women, here [352nd SWTS],” said Jones. “It’s cool to see the history of the program, where it started from, and how it was built into what it is today.”
The 352nd SWTS trains, mentors, and develops Special Tactics Officer (STO), Combat Control Team (CCT), and Special Reconnaissance (SR) students in foundational skills to prepare for global employment across the range of Special Warfare.
Jones toured the Chief Master Sgt. “Bull” Benini Heritage center and Museum, training facilities, and donned AFSPECWAR gear used by STOs, CCTs, and SR Airmen, to include weapons and protective vests used in combat operations.
“We’re proud to showcase the history and capabilities of the 352nd SWTS to Erik Jones,” said Maj. Nate Smith, 352nd SWTS commander. “In the SW training community we train Airmen to project Airpower for the USAF. We project our nation’s capability around the world, anytime, anyplace for global access, personnel recovery, precision strike, and humanitarian missions.”
Jones met with Human Performance Squadron strength coaches and took part in an operational-stress workout that incorporates functional fitness into SW Airmen’s fitness skillsets. Events like this combined workout and stress shoot test SW Airmen’s ability to move, shoot, and perform tactical skills in a simulated high-stress environment. It consisted of a warm-up, a five-exercise circuit followed by firing a M249 light machine gun loaded with paint-simulation rounds, and executing a simulation course of fire with an M4 and 9mm pistol for time.
“The coolest part was taking part in the physical training and shooting. Obviously the PT was tough, but just getting a small glimpse of what these guys go through in physical training, but also just getting to be part of it side-by-side with these guys was really cool,” said Jones.
Lastly, leaders, instructors, students, and Jones gathered at the fallen hero memorial outside of the squadron building to conduct memorial push-ups honoring the 11th anniversary of Senior Airman Mark Forrester’s death and other fallen SW Airmen. SrA Forester was killed in action while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Uruzgon Province, Afghanistan, September 29, 2010 and posthumously awarded a Silver Star and Purple Heart for his actions.
“We do memorial pushups as a unit together sounding off, loud and proud, to honor our fallen and remember them,” said Smith. “Jones participated in the event where we told Mark Forester’s story by reading his medal citations and telling his story to the team and students so we can always remember his legacy and sacrifice for liberty, and our nation.”
Jones will have a Special Warfare inspired paint scheme at his next race in the Superspeedway held at Talladega, Alabama, Oct. 3, 2021.
“Number one, thank you for your service,” said Jones. “It’s brutal. It’s not something every person can do. I respect anybody that gets in the [SWTW] pipeline and completes the training and comes out the other side. That’s a huge honor and something that I don’t think anyone can take lightly, so thank you.”
Additionally, AFRS will deploy the Activate: Special Warfare, a virtual reality trailer, during the race to give users an opportunity to experience an intense firefight in a deployed location between Special Warfare operators and enemy combatants. The trailer features five identical user bays, each equipped with technology for the visitors to use, that assess the user’s composure, observation, reaction and effectiveness while playing the game.
Candidates interested in learning more about U.S. Air Force Special Warfare career opportunities, can go to: www.airforce.com/careers/in-demand-careers/special-warfare.
By Nicholas J. De La Pena, Special Warfare Training Wing
