Warrior Leader Rear Adm. Sean A. Pybus

World’s Largest Distributed Special Ops Magazine
Warrior
Leader
Rear Adm.
Sean A. Pybus
www.SOTECH-kmi.com
Commander
Naval Special Warfare
Command
Night Vision Review O Jordanian Center
IED Detection/Defeat O Tactical Comms Systems
July 2012
Volume 10, Issue 5
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Special Operations Technology
July 2012
Volume 10 • Issue 5
Features
Cover / Q&A
Tactical Comms Systems
The adage that knowledge is power is especially true for
warfighters, who must have accurate, up-to-the-second
information on enemy locations, plans, movements,
armament and more. Mobile communications can provide
the winning edge.
By Henry Canaday
4
IED Detection/Defeat
Take a close look at the best, most advanced means of
countering the number one killer of U.S. and coalition
forces: the roadside bomb.
By William Murray
16
Rear Admiral Sean A. Pybus
10
Commander
Naval Special Warfare
Command
Special Section
Night Vision
We look at the newest hardware that allows special
operators to own the night and stay ahead of an enemy
that also is acquiring night vision capabilities.
By Peter Buxbaum
Departments
2 Editor’s Perspective
3 Whispers/People
19
14 Black Watch
27 Resource Center
King Abdullah II Special Operations
Training Center
25
This state-of-the-art center in Jordan provides the ultimate
for special operations warriors from around the world to
hone their skills and demonstrate their extreme proficiency.
The center recently hosted the 4th Annual Warrior
Competition, where SOF from across the globe tested their
mettle.
By Jeff McKaughan
Industry Interview
28
Richard Cheek, DSL
Director
Business Development
Deployed Resources
Special Operations
Technology
Volume 10, Issue 5 • July 2012
World’s Largest Distributed
Special Ops Magazine
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Dave Ahearn [email protected]
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Harrison Donnelly [email protected]
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Laura Davis [email protected]
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Correspondents
Christian Bourge • Peter Buxbaum
Henry Canaday • Jeff Goldman • William Murray
Leslie Shaver
Art & Design
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Jennifer Owers [email protected]
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Jeff McKaughan [email protected]
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EDITOR’S PERSPECTIVE
The latest congressional move to slash defense funding is both baffling
and alarming: It would whack funds for a SOCOM program that lessens
chances of combat operations—meaning the program actually helps to lessen
military outlays. A third of the $251.6 million needed to support this work in
fiscal year 2013 could be cut.
Special Operations Technology asked Admiral Bill H. McRaven, SOCOM
commander, if cutting spending for military information support operations
(MISO) could result in SOCOM having to resort to using combat operations
to attain U.S. goals.
McRaven’s thoughtful and compelling answer is instructive. “Frankly, I’m Dave Ahearn
Editor
concerned about that,” he said. But the cuts aren’t final, and there still is an
opportunity for them to be abandoned on Capitol Hill in favor of full and adequate funding.
“We are working [with members of Congress] on the Hill to explain to them … why information
operations are important,” he said. “There is this belief that … we are somehow conducting … nefarious
operations to influence people,” McRaven noted. “And frankly, that’s not the case. Military information
operations are about the truth.”
An important point here is that MISO efforts aren’t conceived and executed in a vacuum, he continued.
Rather, MISO work dovetails with broader U.S. policy, especially diplomatic efforts.
The critical point here is, if MISO is harmed and reduced, then the United States may have to use kinetic
force. And that would mean special operators would be placed in harm’s way, perhaps needlessly.
Lawmakers should think long and hard before cutting funds for MISO.
Separately, McRaven was asked about reports that assistance was provided to film makers Kathryn
Bigelow and Mark Boal, who are making a movie about the brilliant raid that took out September 11
mastermind Osama bin Laden.
The trouble with those reports is, McRaven observed, no one from SOCOM spoke with the filmmakers.
But what if they did? A movie about military success can provide priceless armed forces recruiting
opportunities. And such assistance has gone to other films and TV series: Act of Valor, Strategic Air
Command, Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo, Victory at Sea and
myriad others.
Operations, Circulation & Production
Circulation & Marketing Administrator
Duane Ebanks [email protected]
Data Specialists
Arielle Hill [email protected]
Tuesday Johnson [email protected]
Summer Walker [email protected]
Raymer Villanueva [email protected]
Donisha Winston [email protected]
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WHISPERS
Compiled by KMI Media Group staff
SOCOM, State Department Work
Together in Overseas Areas
SOCOM Receives Proposal for
Ground Mobility Vehicle 1.1
General Dynamics Land Systems submitted its proposal for the
Special Operations Command (SOCOM) Ground Mobility Vehicle
(GMV 1.1) program.
The proposal was delivered to SOCOM headquarters in Tampa,
Fla. A sample vehicle in support of the bid was delivered on May 30.
The vehicle was designed and developed primarily at the General
Dynamics Land Systems-Force Protection facility in Ladson, S.C.
The GDLS GMV 1.1 vehicle is optimized to increase operator
and occupant protection and survivability. It meets the diverse and
challenging missions that special operations demand, including
transportability, mobility, modularity and technology.
The GDLS GMV 1.1 is designed for internal fixed- and rotarywing transport with a center-mounted engine that provides optimal
weight distribution on the ground and inside an aircraft. It is a
mission-ready, high performance vehicle that can be driven off an
aircraft ready for use. The vehicle’s modular technology is rapidly
configurable for a variety of special operations missions and operating environments.
General Dynamics Land Systems performed extensive testing
over a two-year period to validate the vehicle’s design and performance. The vehicle passed user trials at the U.S. Army’s Yuma
Proving Ground in Arizona and the Nevada Automotive Test Center,
and demonstrated its systems reliability during summer trials in the
United Arab Emirates.
The GMV 1.1 program includes plans to acquire up to 1,300
vehicles for special operations missions with requirements for air
transportability, weapons capabilities and high mobility. Contract
award is expected by January, with production expected to begin in
2013 and ending mid-2020.
Special Operations Command and the State Department are working well together in
emerging nations, Admiral Bill H. McRaven, SOCOM commander, said.
This can include working with special operations forces of other nations, forging ties
of trust in times of peace that can be critical if conflict erupts.
SOCOM coordinates its actions in each nation with the U.S. diplomats that work
there, McRaven said during a news conference at the Special Operations Forces Industry
Conference in Tampa, Fla.
As well, SOCOM builds relationships with special ops forces around the globe during
events such as the Special Operations Forces Exhibition & Conference in Amman, Jordan.
Jordan Armed Forces Command and
Control Center Activated
Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) announced it has successfully
completed its contract to provide command, control, communications, computers and
intelligence (C4I) support to the Jordan Armed Forces (JAF) Joint Special Operations
Command (JSOCOM). As part of the two-year contract, SAIC designed and equipped
a new command and control (C2) center, and integrated C4I system upgrades for JAF
JSOCOM.
“We are honored to be part of this very important milestone. SAIC’s C4I engineering
and integration capabilities will enhance JAF JSOCOM’s mission effectiveness in theater,”
said Tom Baybrook, president of SAIC’s Defense Solutions Group.
These upgrades streamlined JSOCOM’s ability to control and communicate with
military assets during field operations. The C2 center will be a central location for JAF
JSOCOM command officers to meet and evaluate real-time events.
His Majesty King Abdullah II Bin Al-Hussein attended the official opening ceremony,
where he viewed a practical application carried out by a Joint Special Operations unit
through a live broadcast to the new center. He was also briefed on the center’s capabilities
and given a tour of the facility.
PEOPLE
Major General Bennet
S. Sacolick,
commanding general,
U.S. Army John F.
Kennedy Special Warfare
Center, Fort Bragg, N.C.,
was named director,
force management and
development, U.S.
Special Operations
Command, MacDill Air
Force Base, Fla.
Brigadier General
Christopher K. Haas,
www.SOTECH-kmi.com
Compiled by KMI Media Group staff
commander, Combined
Forces Special Operations
Component Command Afghanistan, Operation
Enduring Freedom,
Afghanistan, was named
commanding general,
U.S. Army Special Forces
Command (Airborne),
Fort Bragg, N.C.
Brigadier General
Sean P. Mulholland,
deputy director of
operations, J-3, U.S.
Special Operations
Command, MacDill Air
Force Base, Fla., was
named commander,
Special Operations
Command South, U.S.
Southern Command,
Homestead Air Reserve
Base, Fla.
Brigadier General
Edward M. Reeder
Jr., commanding
general, U.S. Army
Special Forces
Command (Airborne),
Fort Bragg, N.C., was
named commanding
general, U.S. Army
John F. Kennedy Special
Warfare Center, Fort
Bragg, N.C.
Army Colonel Clayton
M. Hutmacher has been
nominated for the rank
of brigadier general.
Hutmacher is currently
serving as commander,
U.S. Army Special
Operations Aviation
Command, Fort Bragg,
N.C.
Brigadier General
Steven W. Duff, Army
National Guard, deputy
commanding general,
U.S. Army Special
Forces Command
(Airborne), Fort Bragg,
N.C., was named chief
of staff, Kosovo Force,
Pristina, Kosovo.
SOTECH 10.5 | 3
Special operators gain a galaxy of vital information at the edge.
By Henry Canaday, SOTECH Correspondent
U.S. ground forces are moving toward communication networks
that will connect headquarters, small units and even individual warfighters very flexibly. Voice, data, pictures, videos and locations will be
shared as needed, in or near real time, for a much clearer picture of
both friend and foe.
That’s the destination, but there are challenges. For example, there
are the issues of security and doing without the infrastructure that
makes civilian networks so powerful. And the gear to do it all must be
rugged enough for combat, affordable under tight budgets and light
enough to move nimbly in the field. Vendors are working hard to meet
all these tough requirements.
Iridium now has 66 low-earth orbiting satellites that provide
complete pole-to-pole coverage, noted Scott Scheimrief, vice president
of Iridium’s government division. The satellites’ altitude, 475 nautical miles above the surface, reduces delays and enables lower power
and smaller form factors for ground equipment, compared with the
20,000- to 25,000-mile altitude of other satellite systems. The transceiver is about the size of a postage stamp.
Iridium launched the Distributed Tactical Communication System
(DTCS) in 2009 to enable push-to-talk, point-to-point voice and data
communication in Afghanistan. DCTS now supports 6,000 tactical
radios there. The next phase of DTCS, expected to be completed toward
the end of 2013, will take the system globally.
Scheimrief said Iridium works closely with several hundred communication partners, including the major manufacturers of military
radios, to ensure its satellite network will continue to interoperate
with both current and future communication devices, including multimode devices and commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) smartphones using
Android operating systems.
4 | SOTECH 10.5
Harris CapRock provides end-to-end solutions for comms on the
move and on handheld devices, explained Jim Tran, vice president of
defense and federal solutions. “We do en-route planning for satellite
communication on the move, from aircraft, helicopters and vehicles,”
Tran said. “They want to put as much as possible on iPhones, and we
have applications for these to provide secure voice and other data.”
The aim is to make communication lighter and leaner. “For
example, instead of a 12-meter satellite communication antenna, we
have an 18-inch one that weighs 31 pounds,” Tran said.
The firm’s compact terminal offers a lightweight, portable manpack satellite solution for government and military users deployed in
remote areas of operation. The innovative, user-friendly terminal is
designed for highly mobile incidental operators and easily connects
to the company’s CommandAccess network. Setup and operation are
simple, and communication is ensured in adverse conditions. The terminal has advanced cooling, auto-assist pointing using logical frontpanel display and an internal compass and GPS.
Harris CapRock’s CommandAccess is the industry’s first military-grade commercial satellite subscription service designed for
deployment in remote areas, according to the company. Developed
to augment the Wideband Global Satellite (WGS) program, CommandAccess gives customers with portable and man-pack terminals
two-way broadband subscription services at guaranteed speeds up to 1
megabyte per second. It is available by site or as a private network, and
start-up time is minimal.
The company is distinguished by its end-to-end approach and loyal
customers. “We are very good at service,” Tran said. “They never have
to ask twice for assistance.” He said his company provides 98 percent
of African Command’s bandwidth and all Marine Corps reach-back.
www.SOTECH-kmi.com
AR Modular RF makes amplifiers that extend the range of tactical
radios, explained Chris Heavens, vice president and general manager.
“All of these are moving toward networked devices, and we can amplify
any wave form, such as ANW2 [an ad-hoc, self-forming, self-healing
networking waveform] and SRW [Soldier Radio Waveform].”
“Firms that make radios do not always make the best amplifiers,”
Heavens noted. “And customers want choices.”
AR’s KMW1031 is a man-portable, 20-watt amplifier that doubles
the range of a 1-watt amplifier on the radio. The 50-watt AR-50 is used
on vehicles and has a satellite communication antenna.
AR will introduce a new version of its portable 20-watt amplifier, smaller and lighter, including a port for a satellite antenna. “The
soldier can carry the satellite antenna across his shoulders,” Heavens
explained. “Then he just turns a switch … to go from line of sight to
satellite with the same radio.”
AR’s new high-power AR-125 will be a 125-watt amplifier approved
for use with Harris radios for satellite communication.
L-3 Communication Systems has fielded more than 10,000
ROVER [Remotely Operated Video Enhanced Receiver] 3, 4, 5 and
6 devices, noted George Hill, vice present of business development.
ROVER 3 and 4 receive only, while 5 and 6 transmit and receive. The 4
version added a band to receive from the ScanEagle unmanned aerial
vehicle while the 5 made other improvements.
ROVERs can work with any manned or unmanned intelligence,
surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) platform that uses standard
frequencies and wave forms. L-3 uses industry standards and publishes
PS_MPU4_ad.indd 1
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these for other firms to work with. The most common use of ROVERs
is for full motion video and the latest models receive 10.7 megabytes
per second.
L-3’s Soldier ISR Receiver (SIR) is a tactical ROVER, designed to
integrate into modular soldier systems to provide secure digital and
analog reception from a variety of ISR assets. The ROVER 6 is the
most capable device but best suited for vehicle mounting. Dismounted
soldiers prefer the ROVER 5 or SIR, Hill said.
L-3’s Network-Tactical (Net-T) is an internet protocol-based, fullduplex, wireless communication architecture that provides networking service and collaboration to tactical-edge users. “You can use this
software to network together lots of different sensors,” Hill said.
“We will develop tactical ROVERs, including transmit and receive,
in much smaller form factors,” Hill predicted. “Soldiers do not want
more weight or more batteries. SIR uses the same batteries as Thales
or Harris radios.”
Communications can be as critical in helping special operators
to prevail on the battlefield as weapons and body armor. Knowledge
is power, and comms systems can provide warriors with access to a
database explaining how something the combatants just encountered
is a threat. Or a link to nearby warfighters can provide a warning that
an enemy is massing in an area ahead.
A key point here is that not all SATCOMs are created equal, according to Tony Janetta, chief technology officer with L-3 Communications GCS, maker of the Panther manpack satellite terminal used by
SOCOM personnel.
8/23/11 1:52 PM
SOTECH 10.5 | 5
It’s one thing to link to a satellite, Janetta observed. But it’s
another matter to be able to download large amounts of data, video or
other items swiftly, thanks to sufficient bandwidth.
“The basic advantage … of the Panther from a tactical perspective
is the data rate is much higher than [combatants] are used to seeing,”
Janetta explained. “I don’t know of any other system that can get
megabits literally to a foxhole. Tac Sat clearly doesn’t have that kind
of bandwidth.”
And, of course, in combat, speed can be critical, enabling warriors
to access critical knowledge, “so you can start looking at pulling down
things like real-time video, other ISR-type” assets, Janetta noted.
The Panther is a true tactical comms instrument because “it’s
run from batteries and can be carried by a soldier,” Janetta observed,
“whereas most of the other terminals are too large to really be considered tactical.”
This capability provides warfighters with “voice access to the
NIPR and SIPRNet,” or Secret Internet Protocol Router Network “and
higher classified networks,” Janetta said.
As well, “the Panther terminal is capable of operation on the existing … Ku-band network, and also capable of certified operation on the
WGS” Wideband Global SATCOM satellite system, he concluded. It can
provide voice, video, data, emails and more.
There are some 4,000 terminals in the field now.
Persistent Systems LLC adhered to the maxim that more knowledge is critical in combat. In creating its Wave Relay mobile ad hoc
network (MANET), the company believes that the more people that
receive the information, the better.
“[Wave Relay] is a network for tactical use that provides more
bandwidth and throughput for the dismounted and mounted operators,” said Persistent Systems Director Adrien Robenhymer.
With many current military comms systems, there can be only one
transmitting radio and one receiving radio in a given communication,
while other personnel have no access to that transmission.
With Persistent Systems’ Wave Relay, multiple personnel can
simultaneously receive information from a single warrior, a UAV or a
satellite dish at the same time.
“It doesn’t require any servers or back end infrastructure,” Robenhymer said. “It can be used with as little as two nodes up to an unlimited number of nodes.”
“Even better, the individual units carried by personnel automatically form this network that brings critical information to the tactical
edge,” he explained.
“With Wave Relay you can bring in the information and distribute
it to everyone, so that if you only have one video from an ISR asset,
with one receiver, you can now bring that into the network, and it
becomes distributed to everyone that’s in the network. So it gives you
… a force multiplier,” he continued.
“Many special ops organizations are using the system,” he said.
“The system also can go on unmanned platforms, either ground robots
or aircraft,” he added.
If a link from one node to another is disrupted, the Persistent
Systems solution automatically reroutes through other units in the
self-forming network mesh. “At any point, our routing technology
picks the best route to all the different nodes in the network.”
This system is scalable and affordable, since it can provide a force
multipler effect, taking information from just one point and providing
it to multiple personnel.
“SOF has expensive radios and transceivers, but they may only
have one of them,” Robenhymer said. “So when they bring it in to the
6 | SOTECH 10.5
network, everyone has that capability. They are getting a multiplication of that asset to all the different operators.”
Thales is showcasing its Modular Universal Battery Charger
(MUBC), a man-portable solution that simultaneously charges multiple battery types and reduces weight, size, cost, complexity, repair,
maintenance and logistics support. MUBC charges a wide range of military batteries and can add new batteries through software upgrades.
The unit weighs less than 6 pounds, is small enough to be carried in a
rucksack and rugged enough to be vehicle-mounted. Combined with
an identical unit, it doubles charging capability from a single power
source. MUBC allows charging in heavy rain without cover or in other
harsh environments and can harvest power from solar panels or scavenge it from batteries and other sources.
Thales’s AN/PRC-148 Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) Multiband Inter/Intra Team Radio (MBITR) JTRS Enhanced MBITR (JEM)
hosts all core waveforms and enables integration of enhancements,
additional modes of operation, future wideband waveforms and
capabilities available through software downloads. Thales said JEM is
the smallest, lightest and most power-efficient multi-band, tactical,
handheld radio covering the 30- to 512 megahertz frequency range
currently in use. Programmable cryptography supports the National
Security Agency’s (NSA) crypto modernization program and is certified to protect confidentiality of voice and data through top secret. JEM
enables interoperability with legacy systems and rapid fielding.
Thales’s AN/PRC-154 Rifleman Radio, co-developed with General
Dynamics C4 Systems, is a low-cost, lightweight, rugged, networking
handheld radio with SRW, embedded encryption and GPS. In January,
Rifleman demonstrated networked communications and situational
awareness to improve mission effectiveness in an operational assessment by the 75th Ranger Regiment in Afghanistan. Rangers liked
the size, weight and transmit range of the Rifleman, which typically
provides battery life up to 10 hours and better communication despite
obstacles such as buildings and rugged terrain.
TrellisWare Technologies offers a family of software-defined mobile
ad-hoc network (MANET) radio products that are used in a wide range
of applications. Vice President of Wireless Systems Jeff Harris said
almost all TrellisWare equipment is very small but gives a squad the
same abilities that are available on commercial devices. “They can
handle messages, voice, data, video and locations,” Harris said. “The
military does not care what wave form is used, they care what applications are enabled. They do not want to carry four different devices.”
TrellisWare provides an infrastructure-less network that does not
need towers, WiFi access points or fixed repeater stations. “It’s true
MANET; it needs no infrastructure,” Harris stressed. “There is no fixed
point where all the data has to [enter and exit].”
Harris acknowledged that “there is no such thing as a Swiss Army
knife in communications. But we enable certain kinds of applications
based on your mission. So the mission optimizes the network, rather
than the network dictating the mission.”
Harris said MANET success depends on focusing on three basic
elements: waveform, input-output and the physical layer. TrellisWare
can handle Ethernet or Bluetooth WiFi. “And if there are new kinds of
input-output, we can add interfaces.”
The solution is also highly scalable. Previously, ad-hoc networks
were limited to 30 to 50 nodes, due to management issues. But TrellisWare’s approach allowed use by 215 radios in exercises in 2010. “I do
not know what the ideal size is: 200, 400 or 1,000,” Harris said. “But
it is good to have choices.” All TrellisWare devices are rugged and use
advanced 256-bit encryption.
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Connections made simple.
Whether connecting with a single unit deep in the field or a large contingent back at base, defense
and intelligence operations need more from their communications solutions. More innovation to
support new applications and changing missions. More cost-effective solutions to weather tightening budgets.
Harris CapRock makes getting more from your communications simple.
We believe every customer mission is a Harris CapRock mission. That’s why we take pride in pioneering the
latest in military-specific communications. Offering X-band managed services, quick-deploy man-pack terminals
and even Ultra-High Frequency-based solutions, we anticipate our clients’ needs. And as the world’s largest
commercial buyer of satellite capacity we’re even helping to shape the design of next-generation spacecraft.
Leveraging more than a dozen self-owned and -operated international teleports and customer support centers
and a global backbone network with more than 80 convenient points-of-presence, we put it all together to
deliver global communications you can always count on.
Connecting your operations just doesn’t get easier than that.
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© 2012 Harris CapRock Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.
(U.S. Army photo by Spc. De’Yonte Mosley/Released)(100429-A-6285M-020)
ReLiAbiLiT y NeveR ReACHed SO FAR ™
Harris said the military increasingly focuses on convergence of
radio communication and ISR sensors. “Traditionally, they had different devices doing each, but if you can solve the network problem, you
can do both on one device. Now you can use same device for voice and
for pulling in sensor data.”
TrellisWare has handled convergence for individual elements, for
example linking with robots and relays. “Now they are doing experiments to see how this fits in with tactics, techniques and procedures,
to see where they can do this,” Harris explained.
What makes TrellisWare different? Harris said his company’s waveform, Tactical Scalable MANET, includes a very robust physical layer.
The company began with signal processing in harsh environments,
and looked at the data problem differently. Other firms sought more
efficiency and faster data rates. TrellisWare focused on robustness that
works in closed spaces. The result is a highly scalable networking layer,
capable of transparently reconfiguring itself as users move around,
whether on foot, in vehicles or in aircraft.
Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems Sector has two key systems for mobile network communication, according to John Stanfill,
director of ground communication systems. These are the Vehicular
Intercom System (VIS) and the Smart integrated Vehicle Area Network
(SiVAN).
VIS is now in about 100,000 Army vehicles, where its active noise
protection enables occupants to function for hours amidst interior
noise that can reach 115 decibels and would, without suppression, be
hazardous over more than a few minutes. VIS permits occupants to set
up separate networks, for example between commander and gunner
or between driver and squad leader. “It can also communicate with a
tactical radio network to the outside world at the press of a button,”
Stanfill said.
SiVAN moves data among work stations and sensors in the vehicle
according to VICTORY requirements. With new-generation radios,
SiVAN will also be able to export data to command and control stations outside the vehicle. “SiVAN is plug-and-play,” Stanfill stressed.
“When a new device is plugged into it, a self-discovery capability will
self-install the new device.” This plug-and-play function may enable
commanders to install one set of sensors for daytime missions, and
then easily change to a different set for night-time duty.
Windmill International developed and manufactures the KA-10
Suitcase Portable Receive Suite, explained Laura Dion, vice president,
Specialty Products Division. The KA-10 offers automatic-acquire and
automatic-positioning in less than three minutes in a small, lightweight and rugged package. It accesses the Global Broadcast Service
(GBS) and can receive information at 45 megabytes per second.
According to Dion, the KA-10 can access a wide variety of data:
unmanned aircraft system video and imagery; weather, terrain, geospatial and mapping information; forward-looking infrared images;
streaming video, web content and other large files. It runs on batteries for 10 to 14 hours all week with a solar kit. The highly portable
KA-10 thus brings command-center information to combat teams
or individual warfighters, especially in the austere locations where
information is needed most. Dion said competitive terminals weigh
about 60 pounds and require more power than the 32-pound KA-10.
Moreover, the GBS satellite system the KA-10 accesses is governmentowned and “users do not have to pay per bit as with commercial
satellite systems.”
KA-10 systems are popular with special operations forces because
they are low-profile, lightweight and easy to set up, with no tools
or loose parts necessary. The KA-10 requires no communication
8 | SOTECH 10.5
specialist to set up. About 100 KA-10 systems are being used in fixed
locations in Afghanistan now, and Windmill has fielded over 200 commercially.
Windmill also makes the Solar Panel Power Accessory Kit for
the KA-10. This light and portable kit weighs less than 11 pounds
and its panel provides 110 watts at 24-volt output. It can recharge a
2590-series battery in eight hours or two in 10 hours and automatically recharges up to two 2590-series batteries powering the KA-10.
A smart system switches power from solar to battery and back for
continuous operation. Provided the panel is exposed to direct sunlight
for at least 10 out of every 36 hours, the kit will power an unattended
KA-10 for 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Development of the KA-10 started in 2001 and Windmill sold its
first unit to the Air Force. Since then it has won a Warfighter Rapid
Acquisition Award to develop the KA-10 into the KA-20, which will be
even lighter, weighing less than 20 pounds.
Dion said Windmill’s KA-20 Rucksack Portable Receive Suite
has completed environmental testing and will be available for
government purchase next fiscal year. The KA-20 is an even more
compact version of the KA-10, but still enables rapid set up and short
signal-acquisition time and has a simple user interface. Also built
combat tough, the KA-20 is ideal for use in low-visibility or urban areas
where satellite-dish technology is unsuitable.
Windmill is working to bring both the KA-20 and KA-10 under a
Program of Record. The firm is also developing a lightweight, two-way
dish system for first responders using auto-acquisition, to be introduced in September 2012.
For the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) Handheld Manpack
Small Form Fit program, General Dynamics C4 Systems provides the
AN/PRC-154 Rifleman Radio and the AN/PRC-155 Manpack Radio.
These two networking programs of record completed operational testing at the Network Integration Exercise 12.2 at White Sands Missile
Range, N.M., at the end of May.
The PRC-154 forms secure, mobile, wireless networks over which
warfighters can talk, text message, chat and send pictures. Weighing
just 2 pounds, including battery and antenna, the PRC-154 is 20 percent smaller than current tactical handheld radios. The PRC-154 was
recently used by elements of the 75th Ranger Regiment in Afghanistan.
The PRC-155 is a two-channel networking radio that connects
line-of-sight legacy radios and modern JTRS radios using government
waveforms including Soldier Radio Waveform (SRW). The PRC-155
can thus link dismounted soldiers at the tactical edge with commanders both at regional headquarters and around the world. Weighing 9
pounds without the battery, and handling two channels, the PRC-155
can replace up to three legacy radios. It supports five waveforms now
and there are plans to add another six.
General Dynamics Fortress Technologies offers a set of products
for the new mesh networks on the battlefield. In wireless mesh networks, links between the wireless nodes are formed with little or no
user intervention, and optimal paths carry data from any point to
another. Mesh networks can also reroute around failed nodes as long as
a path is available. And mesh can scale up to very large network sizes.
“Today’s high-bandwidth mobile communications depend on
a resilient extended network, coupled with security and optimized
ruggedization for use in mission critical environments,” stressed
Janet Kumpu, business unit director of Fortress. Fortress’s “highperforming mesh architecture is highly scalable and able to connect
to hundreds of nodes.”
www.SOTECH-kmi.com
SOTECH_Real_Heavyweight:Layout 1
Fortress’s mesh products include the ES210 Tactical Mesh Point,
which brings secure wireless communications to dismounted soldiers
in a self-forming, self-healing, mesh network. The ES210 offers FIPS
140-2 compliant security and can be upgraded to NSA Suite B security.
Worn by individuals or used with devices like cameras, unmanned
vehicles and sensors, the ES210 is lightweight and delivers long battery life. Small and rugged, the ES210 has industry-leading radio
range, delivers dependable performance and functions as both a wireless access point and bridge. The ES210 weighs just over two pounds,
including battery, and is designed for a mean time between failure of
100,000 hours.
Fortress’s larger ES520 Deployable Mesh Point provides secure
voice, video and data communications for rapidly deployable kits
and vehicle-based mesh networks. The ES520 delivers wireless communications in environments with no infrastructure through a selfforming, self-healing mesh network. Like the ES210, it has FIPS 140-2
security, upgradeable to NSA Suite B. Weighing less than 5 pounds,
the ES520 can be mounted on walls or on masts.
Fortress’s DS310 is a driverless PC plug-in card that delivers secure
voice, video and data communications to users. A personal wireless or
wired encryptor, the DS310 enables communication on the user’s own
commercial off-the shelf device while users are on the move, up to
Secret level. The 6-ounce DS310 can thus enable secure networks to
stretch to tactical edges both efficiently and cost effectively by flexibly
supporting COTS communication equipment.
Rockwell Collins offers the TacNet Tactical Radio (TTR), a small
form-factor Link 16 terminal. “Typically, users do not think of Link 16
for the individual soldier on the battlefield,” noted Tom Schamberger,
principal marketing manager, Communications and Navigation Products, Rockwell Collins. “Link 16 used to be available only to large airborne and tactical fighter platforms or infrastructure-intensive ground
stations. However, as Link 16 capability expands to non-traditional
users, its operational utility grows. It remains the airborne data link
which is jointly used across all services and available to coalition partners to provide a common operating picture. Soldiers need solutions
that tie them directly to the platforms that provide them with close
air support.”
Rockwell’s TTR provides soldiers with access to the Link 16 network and the overall battlefield picture. It is small, light and requires
no external cooling. It can fit and function inside a mobile ground
vehicle, providing soldiers with direct access to the airborne network.
“This enables command and control and coordinated fire power from
airborne assets,” Schamberger said.
Schamberger emphasizes TTR’s small size (182 cubic inches) light
weight (10 pounds), and ability to function with no external fan cooling. With Ethernet interfaces it can interface with standard ground
radios via gateways to the Link 16 network and vice versa.
Rockwell is also delivering a sister product, TacNet Weapon Data
Link, for air-to-ground weapons, which brings Link 16 digital capability to soldiers and enables them to direct weapons where needed as
battle conditions change.
Schamberger said Rockwell continues to miniaturize technology, embed more capabilities requested by users and reduce risks by
exploiting commonality with certified and proven products in its communications portfolio. O
For more information, contact SOTECH Editor Dave Ahearn
at [email protected] or search our online archives
for related stories at www.sotech-kmi.com.
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SOTECH 10.5 | 9
Page 1
New anti-IED technologies emerge to counter cunning enemy.
By William Murray
SOTECH Correspondent
security advisor in the George W. Bush White House, Crouch has
Improvised explosive devices used by the Taliban in Afghanistan
served in his QinetiQ position for nearly three years.
may be less sophisticated than those used in Iraq, but vendors are
Vendors working with U.S. military customers say there are sigcontinuing to meet a growing military need for lighter-weight and
nificant differences between IED threats in Afghanistan and Iraq. In
more mobile products and services to detect and destroy IEDs, which
Afghanistan, one of these threats has “little to no metallic signature
are responsible for a majority of U.S. casualties in Afghanistan and
to detect,” Wald said. “They rely on simple pressure onto a wooden
Iraq. U.S. military officials appear to be open to a variety of solutions
plunger that detonates the device.” As the U.S. military becomes more
from vendors.
sophisticated in detecting and defeating IEDs, so do insurgents. “For
With the remnants of a former military, the Iraqi resistance moveexample, the enemy is placing HME materials in a trash bag, then
ment used IEDs that were sometimes triggered by infrared sensors,
emplacing the package into a standard cooler and wrapping it in
according to Mark Wald, vice president of business development for
plastic in order to defeat some of our detection sensors,” Wald said.
the National Security and Defense Division of Parsons Government
“The IED threat between Iraq and Afghanistan is like comparing
Services in Pasadena, Calif. In Iraq, IEDs have been primarily used as
apples to oranges,” said Leon Ellul, training developer for
a standalone insurgent threat, but in Afghanistan
Tactical Electronics of Broken Arrow, Okla. “The Iraq IED
the Taliban and other adversaries usually follow
fight was mainly a military grade ordnance fight, meaning
up on IED attacks with small arms fire or rocket
the enemy modified large numbers of Iraqi military ordpropelled grenades, he said.
nance into IEDs,” he said.
An IED is a bomb fabricated in an improvised
The insurgents’ roadside bombs clearly got the Penmanner using destructive, lethal, noxious, pyrotagon’s attention, since JIEDDO, formally launched in
technic, or incendiary chemicals and designed to
February 2006, transformed what was initially a 12-perdestroy or incapacitate personnel or vehicles. An
son Army homemade bomb task force into a 1,900 perIED is composed of a switch (activator), an initiator
son organization that has spent more than $20 billion.
(fuse), container (body), charge (explosive), and a
JIEDDO’s job is to help quickly develop and fund ideas
power source (battery). “Whether high tech or low
Mark Wald
for new technologies that could save military personnel
tech,” Wald said, “These devices are deadly.”
lives, although a Government Accountability Office report
In fact, low tech measures have usually proven
faulted JIEDDO officials for hiring too many contractors and not
more effective at detecting and defeating IEDs before they cause harm,
sufficiently measuring their performance. One of the organization’s
according to published reports: trained dogs, local informants, and a
challenges is that there are more than 100 anti-IED groups in DoD,
trained Marine or soldier’s eye. No high tech tactic appears to have
and it’s nearly impossible not to duplicate efforts.
undisputedly emerged as a reliable means, in contrast, to consistently
“With the exception of some high-end state-sponsored IEDs,
detect and defeat IED attacks. Dogs that are trained to recognize fermeaning the explosively formed projectiles, the IED fight in Iraq was
tilizer smells can help detect IEDs in Afghanistan, for example, since
also focused on targeting U.S. personnel in the vehicles,” Ellul said.
Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO)
Some have also contended that the Iranian government is supplying
officials estimate that 83 percent of IEDs used in Afghanistan are made
IEDs to the Taliban in Afghanistan, but such assistance appears to be
with calcium ammonium nitrate fertilizer smuggled in from Pakistan.
limited, since most IEDs in Afghanistan are homemade, with most
“There’s no silver bullet in the counter-IED fight,” said William
fertilizer materials coming from Pakistan.
Delaney, vice president of business development at Sierra Nevada
“The IED threat in Afghanistan … is a fight focused on the soldier
Corp., a Sparks, Nev.-based provider of electronic warfare and range
that is dismounted on a foot patrol. The enemy uses IEDs to draw U.S.
instrumentation services since 1983. “We think it’s evolving and
forces into complex ambushes. Most of these IEDs are low tech and
becoming more sophisticated,” he said, noting the use of radio-condifficult to detect and disarm,” Ellul said. “The difference from Iraq to
trolled IEDs and the involvement of Iran in the Iraq theater. In some
Afghanistan is that Iraq is somewhat of a modernized country with
cases around the world, insurgents use initial IED attacks to distract,
paved roadways, and soldiers were able to use large heavily armored
disrupt and delay opposing forces, leading the way to further attacks
vehicles to conduct C-IED [counter-IED] operations from a relatively
to produce more casualties, destruction and fear.
safe vehicle,” he added. “Afghanistan for the most part does not have a
“There is no magic bullet,” echoed J.D. Crouch II, Ph.D., president
highway system or roadways, which forces soldiers to get out of their
of the Technology Solutions Group at QinetiQ North America in Resvehicles to conduct C-IED operations, placing them in a vulnerable
ton, Va. “A layered defense is needed,” he said, adding that he thinks
unprotected position.”
the JIEDDO mission is “the right thing to do.” His company produces
In addition to forensics investigation assistance to the U.S. milithe anti-IED Talon robot, with 3,000 units deployed in theater, with
tary, Sierra Nevada provides electronic countermeasures to help take
route-clearing missions being a top priority. A former deputy national
10 | SOTECH 10.5
www.SOTECH-kmi.com
down bombers’ networks so that they are unable to finance their terror
attacks and fulfill the logistics needs that such attacks usually require.
Taking down IED networks is a major goal of JIEDDO’s Strategic Plan
for 2012-2016.
Sierra Nevada played a leading role rapidly developing and
fielding the Air Force Gorgon Stare Wide-Area Airborne Persistent
Surveillance program, which has become a leading tactical ISR capability for U.S. ground forces. In the next phase of this successful program,
Sierra Nevada will integrate processes of tracking algorithms from the
ARGUS-IS [Autonomous Real-Time Ground Ubiquitous Surveillance
Imaging System]. ARGUS is a system of tools developed by the Defense
Advanced Research Projects Agency.
One IED detection and defeat trend that Sierra Nevada officials
are observing is the growing need for U.S. military operators to have
standoff IED detection and the continued development of sophisticated
countermeasures, according to Delaney.
Since its 2005 founding, Thermal Matrix International has helped
the U.S. military avoid the perils of the person-borne IED. Through
infrared (IR) technology, Thermal Matrix’s technology helps operators with security needs detect the temperature of persons within a
parameter of 50 to 100 meters so that the operator can have a better
understanding of who within his parameter would be carrying a bomb,
according to Chris Jadick, vice president of communications for Thermal Matrix International. Thermal Matrix’s system, designed for use by
a single operator with setup in less than 10 minutes, can detect plastic,
powder, liquid or gel explosives, which metal detectors do not reveal.
Person-borne IED “attacks appear to be on the rise,” Jadick said.
“It is the terrorist’s weapon of choice, [because] it’s relatively low cost,
occasionally lethal, and insurgents can easily replicate it,” he said.
“It’s an asymmetric attack: inexpensive, doesn’t require them
to use a lot of human assets,” QinetiQ’s Crouch said. “IEDs can do
a lot of damage, resulting in loss of life and psychological effects,”
he said.
“Terrorists will go to any length to achieve their objectives,” Jadick
said. “Until we stop them, they will continue to do that.” An operator
can carry the Thermal Matrix ACT Threat Detection System in an
18-pound rucksack, and operators need two or three days of training
to understand how to use it. In addition, operators can set up the IR
sensor, the companion computer and a cable in about 10 minutes,
according to Jadick.
“Our ability to look out before a person can cause harm to the
intended target” is a critical element of Thermal Matrix International’s
value to the U.S. military, since the company’s services can help operators detect dangerous individuals before they can strike, Jadick said.
“The feedback we’re getting [from operators] is that it’s easy to use and
holding up extraordinarily well,” he said.
Like Thermal Matrix International, Tactical Electronics officials
are responding to a growing need for lightweight portable equipment
for IED detection and defeat technologies, according to Ellul. “Most
counter-IED operations taking place are dismounted foot patrols. A
soldier can only carry so much equipment, food and water on his back,”
he explained. “DoD has requested lighter and lighter equipment from
the industry over the past few years.”
Exelis Visual Information Systems, meanwhile, provides hyperspatial data to help U.S. military users with IED detection and defeat,
according to Beau Legeer, vice president of product management at
Exelis Visual Information Systems of Boulder, Colo., capitalizing on
an increased demand for hyper-spatial imagery during the last 10
years.
“Customers are looking to solve many problems using hyper-spatial
imagery, including IED detection,” Legeer said. “We want to help them
detect and solve their most complex problems,” including the need to
form a common operating picture, working with many different types
of sensors, such as drones, satellites and UAVs, he said.
During a forensics investigation, for example, the firm can help
operators and commanders better understand where an IED was
placed, if it was buried, if it has any unique features and other key information, according to Legeer. The company has added new data types
and technologies in recent years to help detect and defeat IEDs, and its
application usually runs in the rear and moves to the front of a unit, as
potential threats present themselves.
Using technology that was commercialized in 1994, the company
assists its military customers in coming up with a “signature analysis” for persons, animals and things, presenting the unique spatial
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SOTECH 10.5 | 11
properties such as body temperatures, contrasted against the natural
background. “The algorithm is created in almost real time,” he said.
Parsons provides the U.S. Army Counter Improvised Explosive
Device–Defeat (CIED-D) training and training support to soldiers on
23 installations, specifically supporting the Army’s home station training in IED-D tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) employed in
Iraq and Afghanistan. Parsons assists Army units as they plan their
training scenarios and tailor IED-specific training aids and devices,
simulators and simulations to support each Army unit’s overall training objectives. Parsons provides training support by setting up IED
simulations that train and test unit IED-D skills using the most current TTPs (both friendly and enemy) while assisting the installation
with the layout, operations and maintenance, and reset of home station training lanes that support IED-D live training.
“Incorporating UAV and robotics into home station training programs ensures the units are proficient in their use and [cognizant of]
their respective capabilities,” Parsons Wald said. “The increased use of
route clearance patrols (RCPs) has located and removed many IEDs,
which has undoubtedly saved numerous lives and increased our ability to maneuver in the battlespace. RCPs have the ability to detect and
neutralize threats they encounter (staying left of the blast), clearing
routes designated by the commander in order to facilitate freedom of
movement of coalition forces. With the new and emerging technology,
all patrols and units have increased IED detection and defeat capabilities.”
Parsons’ Zeus Laser Neutralization System, usually positioned on
top of a HMMWV, is capable of neutralizing IEDs through focusing a
laser on the outer casing of the target munition. The laser heats the
explosive filler until ignition, resulting in rapid combustion or deflagration of the explosive material, which disables the target munition,
regardless of the type of fusing used. The low-order explosion that
results leads to less collateral damage and protects explosive ordnance
disposal personnel and equipment, according to Parson. The U.S.
military has used the Zeus Laser Neutralization System for area and
route clearance missions in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Zeus Laser
Neutralization System completed missions on more than 2,000 miles
of roadways during these deployments.
In addition, Parsons claims a 98 percent success rate with its Zeus
II system, with more than 2,200 ordnance items neutralized, according
to T. Wilson, director of business development for Parsons Government
Services’ National Security and Defense Division. The Zeus II functions
well for operators in maintaining a secure parameter from 25 years to
300 yards away. “It’s affordable and uses less power,” he said. The Zeus
system has been in development for more than 20 years.
“The enemy has observed U.S. operations for many years now and
is very adaptive to our operations,” Tactical Electronics’ Ellul said. His
company has been in business for more than 13 years, providing wireless camera systems, EOD detection tools, and high level counter-IED
training. The typical enemy in “Afghanistan uses simple materials and
items we as Americans would not recognize as IED components—for
example, the use of a simple AA battery core as a non-metallic IED firing contact. The use of extremely long command wires and nearly no
metallic IEDs has proven to be a very difficult problem in locating and
detecting IEDs in Afghanistan.”
Tactical Electronics is deeply rooted in the counterterrorism
field, and the firm is active in special operations and IED/weapons
of mass destruction. “As a company, we have grown by maintaining strong relationships with the special operations forces and
explosive ordnance disposal communities while continuing to foster
12 | SOTECH 10.5
relationships with first responders at the federal, state and local levels,” Ellul said.
Just as insurgents can engage in innovations, so can organizations
such as JIEDDO and contractors help U.S. operators test and deploy
new technologies and approaches to detect and defeat IEDs. “There
will always be innovation coming from the enemy. They are always
looking for innovative ways—how to make the IED, how it explodes
and how they are triggered,” QinetiQ’s Crouch said.
“We rapidly innovate 80 percent solutions to give us better speed
to the customer,” said Crouch. “The last 10 percent of engineering is
usually 25 percent of the cost,” and can lead to deployment delays,
he added. Putting new technologies and approaches in the hands of
operators, such as robots that weigh less than 10 pounds, allows those
users to test the anti-IED technologies. “If you’re going to deploy
smaller forces, it doesn’t make sense to deploy technologies that
involve a lot of time and cost.”
In one initiative with anti-IED applications, QinetiQ had supplied Bobcat loaders to the U.S. military and converted them into
unmanned vehicles.
Another potential example of innovation could be the Lockheed
Martin-supplied Squad Mission Support System (SMSS), deployed in
Afghanistan by the U.S. Army Rapid Equipping Force, but the convoy
vehicle took more than a decade to develop. The largest autonomous
vehicle deployed with infantry, the SMSS has the promise of reducing
soldier loads. The 11-foot long unmanned ground vehicle can haul a
half-ton worth of soldiers’ gear, according to Lockheed Martin’s Craig
Vanbebber.
The SMSS Block I variant has a range of 125 miles and features
three control options: supervised autonomy, teleoperation or manually driven. The SMSS sensor suite allows it to lock on and follow
any person by recognizing their digital 3-D profile (captured by the
onboard sensors), and it can also navigate terrain on its own by following a trail of GPS waypoints. The Army can transport the SMSS with
CH-47 and CH-53 helicopters, and the SMSS can also supply portable
power. The Army Expeditionary Warrior Experiment Spiral G plans to
conduct further tests on the SMSS in November.
IEDs are clearly not a challenge restricted to Afghanistan and
Iraq. Officials have noted that 2011 IED attacks in Kenya, Nigeria
and Somalia conducted by al-Qaida-affiliated groups have shown
an increased sophistication, including trying to create greater force
through an explosion to penetrate armor.
According to JIEDDO’s 2012-2016 Strategic Plan, between January 2011 and November 2011, IEDs killed 12,286 people in 6,832
bombing incidents in 111 countries. Of those, 28 people died in 490
incidents inside U.S. borders, according to the plan. IED use has
expanded to Norway, Thailand and the United States in incidents such
as the Oklahoma City bombing of the Murrah Federal Building in
1995 and the failed Times Square bombing in May 2010.
It would be easy, if one focused exclusively on news reports about
coalition casualties in Afghanistan and Iraq, to think that U.S. military
forces weren’t making progress in detecting and defeating IEDs. “You
normally only hear of the IEDs that are effective against coalition
forces, and you don’t hear about the ones that are found and safely
removed,” Parsons’ Wald said. “Units are becoming more involved
in the entire process, in large measure due to the frequency of unit
deployments over the past decade, creating a better understanding of
how to detect IEDs, where to look, and what to anticipate.”
U.S. military forces are adopting different approaches in Afghanistan and Iraq. “In Iraq, IED detection is focused on change-in-yourwww.SOTECH-kmi.com
environment detection, observing what has changed in the area
which potentially reveals where IEDs could be located,” Wald said.
This would seem to play into the strengths of UAVs as sensors that
collect data and note changes in areas of focus.
“In Afghanistan, change detection in the environment is not the
biggest factor. Soldiers quickly acclimate to their area of operations
and become familiar with the terrain, but understanding of the
enemy, their strengths, weaknesses and tactics is more important in
detecting and countering the IED threat,” Wald said. “Soldiers who
have multiple deployment experience are ensuring those that don’t
are well trained, alert, observant and take the initiative when countering the IED threat.” In Afghanistan, military personnel training
is clearly a key issue in defeating IEDs, and there are distinct differences in approach between Afghanistan and Iraq.
“The threat is ever evolving and changes between areas of operations (AO),” Wald said. “What we see as the norm in one AO may be
totally different than what we see in another, from the composition
to the method of initiation of the device. We use current threat TTPs
in our training using information from sources such as: Center of
Army Lessons Learned, Real-time Analysis and Publishing of IED
Data, and first-hand information from the soldiers to enhance our
training, making it as current as possible while tailoring it to the
unit’s specific mission,” he said.
“We use both current theaters of operations and areas where
emerging threats and TTPs are being used. Working closely with
CI2C [Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Integration Cell] and
unit leadership, Parsons C-IED defeat professionals assist units by
clarifying the FORSCOM [Forces Command] task units include in
their training plans,” Wald said. “We are staying engaged with Fort
Leonard Wood’s IED Defeat Directorate as well, and share lessons
learned, the most current TTPs, and the experiences of soldiers
and units returning from theater. We assist the commanders [in
developing] training scenarios in an effort to allow them how to
accomplish their mission while operating in an IED environment.
We research changes to TTPs, equipment, new training requirements, training aids, any other information we can use to improve
their training.”
Regardless of technological advances or contractor contributions, defeating IEDs comes down to well-trained soldiers and
Marines, according to Wald. “Whatever tactics, techniques and procedures, or advanced technology is used today, it still comes down
to the individual soldier’s ability to detect the device,” Wald said. “A
soldier that is well trained on target detection and IED-D is our last
line of defense left of the blast. The upgrades of our weapons platforms, detection equipment (employment and use), and personnel
protective equipment have saved countless lives.” O
For more information, contact SOTECH Editor Dave Ahearn
at [email protected] or search our online archives
for related stories at www.sotech-kmi.com.
Defense • Security • Intelligence
Infrastructure • Energy • Environment
www.parsons.com
www.SOTECH-kmi.com
SOTECH 10.5 | 13
BLACK WATCH
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and efficient performance, the Mark 6 3-18x44 mm M5B2 riflescope
comes in a small, light package well-suited to military, law enforcement and
competitive shooting applications.
Less than 12 inches long, the scope has a powerful 6x zoom range that
provides an expansive field of view and rapid target acquisition at lower
magnifications, as well as long-range target engagement at higher powers.
Reticle options include the new CMR-W 7.62, which enables both speed
and long-range precision for shooters using 7.62 carbines and other battle/
patrol rifles.
The Mark 6 3-18x44 mm riflescope also features new M5B2 adjustments:
•
•
•
0.1 mil-per-click elevation adjustments (M5) that allows for easy
and precise corrections
Auto-locking pinch and turn (B) to eliminate accidental
movement in the field
Two-turn (2) zero stop elevation dial with a tactile revolution
indicator, providing 20 mils of travel (10 mils per revolution)
while eliminating under- or over-rotation of the dial
“Our new Mark 6 3-18x44 mm riflescope sets a new benchmark for size
and performance. It’s all about smaller, lighter, faster with this scope,” said
Kevin Trepa, vice president, tactical division for Leupold & Stevens Inc.
Other key features:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Leupold’s Xtended Twilight Lens System delivers superior
light transmission and edge-to-edge image clarity throughout
the entire zoom range; DiamondCoat 2 further enhances light
transmission and provides scratch resistance that exceeds
mil-specs
Quick-change bullet drop compensation rings allow the scope
to be matched to virtually any ammunition for long-range
shooting precision
Locking fast-focus eyepiece
Rugged 34 mm maintube creates more than 28 milliradians of
total elevation adjustment
In addition to the CMR-W reticle, the Horus H-58 reticle is available
as an option.
Mark 6 3-18x44 mm riflescopes have a matte black finish and are
filled with an Argon/Krypton gas blend, making them secondgeneration waterproof, fog proof and shock
proof. Covered by the Leupold Mark 4
Warranty, the scopes undergo arduous
environmental and impact testing
to ensure they meet the highest
quality standards for durability
and dependability. Small and light: 11.9 inches long; weight is 23.6 ounces
Wide field of view (linear): 36.8 feet (3x)—6.3 feet (18x) at 100 yards
Guided Rocket Performs Well in Testing
BAE Systems
The BAE Systems Advanced Precision Kill
Weapon System (APKWS) scored its first-ever
penetrating guided-rocket shots with the M282
warhead during recent tests at Eglin Air Force
Base, Fla., the company announced.
Army and Navy representatives deemed the
shots successful. APKWS can engage targets
at close range and penetrate complex targets,
according to the company.
“This weapon, now deployed in Afghanistan,
continues to prove it is a precise, rapid-fire
missile system, available at one-third of the
cost and one-third of the weight of the existing
inventory of laser-guided weapons,” said John
Watkins, director of precision guidance solutions
for BAE Systems. “These tests demonstrated
APKWS’ ability to hit targets at close range and
penetrate complex targets in urban terrain, which
is vital when supporting troops on the ground.”
Using inert M282 warheads with unmodified
flight software, APKWS engaged six targets
14 | SOTECH 10.5
from airborne helicopters at ranges of 1.5 to 4
kilometers. All six shots hit the target less than
two meters from the laser spot. During two live
warhead ground shots, APKWS rockets with the
M282 warheads penetrated a triple brick wall
and an M114 armored personnel carrier.
Using standard M151 warheads, APKWS
engaged targets from airborne helicopters
at ranges of 1.1 and 1.2 kilometers. APKWS
engaged four additional targets with M151
warheads at various ranges and off-axis angles
from 0 to 14 degrees. All six APKWS shots with
M151 warheads hit the target less than 2 meters
from the laser spot. Based on these results, the
system’s off-axis performance was verified and
its short-range performance expanded from the
threshold specification of 1.5 kilometers down to
1.1 kilometers.
The weapon was fired for the first time in
combat operations in Afghanistan from AH-1W
and UH-1Y helicopters supporting U.S. Marine
Corps ground forces in March. The system’s
semi-active laser guidance section integrates
with existing 2.75-inch (70 mm) rocket motors
and warheads to provide precision engagement
of soft and lightly armored targets and very low
collateral damage.
This highly-precise, cost-effective weapon
system can be fired from any helicopter or
fixed-wing aircraft that can launch 2.75-inch
rockets. BAE Systems fired its first APKWS
from a fixed wing aircraft, a Hawker Beechcraft
AT-6C, in January. APKWS is qualified on
the AH-1W and UH-1Y helicopters, and BAE
Systems anticipates that the U.S. military will
expand its use to other platforms, including
the MQ-8B Fire Scout and the armed MH-60B.
Special operations units use many of these
aircraft.
APKWS was fired against both stationary
and moving targets prior to operational use in
theater.
www.SOTECH-kmi.com
Compiled by KMI Media Group staff
Thermal Device Weapon
Sight Simulator Launched
American Technologies Network
American Technologies Network
launched an interactive thermal device
simulator for its Thor thermal weapon
scopes, available for use on the ATN
website.
The idea for the thermal device
simulator was propelled by the 2012
Shot Show and was the brain child of
ATN’s technology and product guru,
Scott Henry, who wanted the ability to
demonstrate the Thor weapon sight
beyond the confines of the show. He
envisioned something that could be
viewed online, while portable enough for
dealers to install or link from their own
websites.
The simulator allows anyone to try
out the Thor weapon sight on their own
computer or iPad. Future plans for the
simulator include various Android devices
and smartphone applications that will be
available to stores that sell ATN products.
Marc Vayn, ATN’s CEO, has called
the simulator and its future models a
cutting edge sales tool that, until now,
has not existed within the industry.
Fused Reality Sim System Provides Safe Training
Systems Technology Inc.
Systems Technology Inc. (STI) released Fused
Reality, a mixed reality visual system providing
fusion of augmented reality, virtualized training,
haptics and gesture technologies.
Fused Reality bridges the gap between the
physical world and a custom virtual environment
used for cabin crew training, portable gun
training, ground vehicle training, in-flight training/
evaluation and other military training and evaluation
environments.
STI launched Fused Reality publicly following
a successful in-flight simulation evaluation system
recently tested by pilots from the USAF Test Pilot
School at Edwards Air Force Base and NASA
Dryden Flight Research Center.
“We are very excited to be able to offer the
U.S. armed forces a more technologically advanced
alternative in military and in-flight training without
risking the safety of the pilot and disruption of the
aircraft vehicle or surrounding ecosystem,” said
David R. Landon, STI CEO. “The Fused Reality
technology has proven to be a game-changer
with its advanced engineering and deployment of
one of the most disruptive technologies offered
to the military and aerospace industry, all at a
Foldable Combat Litter
QinetiQ North America
QinetiQ North America is developing a lightweight, compact, foldable
personnel litter for tactical casualty evacuation. Weighing only 8 pounds, the litter
is a substantial improvement in portability. It folds to a compact package with
dimensions of 18.6 by 8.7 by 3.5 inches and can be carried in a rucksack. These
dimensions are half the folded volume of existing designs. Folding out to a full 78
by 22.7 by 6.5 inch litter, the lift has a design payload of 900 pounds. This QinetiQ
North America innovation has
rapid folding and unfolding
easy-to-lock hinges for
quick deployment and
efficient storage. very significant cost savings over currently fielded
systems.”
The Fused Reality technology can be used
with equal effect in both ground based simulation
and in-flight. While airborne, the Fused Reality
system allows pilots to perform difficult and risky
flight maneuvers such as aerial refueling with a
refueling tanker, close formation flying, precision
offset landing, and more. By utilizing this innovative
technology, pilots can perform operational tasks in a
safe environment, since the other aircraft and/or the
physical environment is simulated. In addition, the
system is more cost effective as there is no need
to fly additional aircraft for the in-flight evaluation
mission and multiple tasks can be performed during
a single sortie.
Fused Realty is a flexible and extensive system
that can be used and adapted to any training
scenario. From mechanics to medics, from pilots
to ground crew, the technology has the power to
increase the effectiveness of any training scenario.
New applications in development for Fused Reality
include ambulance interior simulators, In-flight
refueling simulators and motorcycle simulators,
amongst other industry initiatives.
Gun Pod Being Introduced
for Close Air Support
Dillon Aero
Dillon Aero is introducing a new, one-of-a-kind minigun
pod specifically designed for use on small fixed wing aircraft,
such as the Embraer Tucano or Hawker Beechcraft AT-6,
and rotorcraft that fly close-air support missions. Engineering
development will continue through 2013. Customer deliveries
are slated to begin in 2014.
The minigun pod is easily installed with minimum integration
required. Other key features and capabilities include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
3,000 rounds per minute
7.62 mm NATO ammo
100 percent self-contained gun, unit, magazine
and battery power
Mounts on standard 14-inch NATO rack
Integral bore sight adjustment
Estimated total weight is 190 kg
(380 pounds fully loaded)
“Dillon miniguns are known for their ability to achieve more
bullets on target and are a more effective alternative to .50
caliber gun pods,” said company Vice President Chris Dillon.
“The new minigun pod offers this capability to more operators.”
www.SOTECH-kmi.com
SOTECH 10.5 | 15
Warrior Leader
Q& A
Special Ops Quality is High, Set to Improve Further in Coming Decade
Rear Admiral Sean A. Pybus
Commander
Naval Special Warfare Command
Rear Admiral Sean A. Pybus assumed command of Naval Special Warfare Command on June 30, 2011.
He is a career Naval Special Warfare (NSW) SEAL officer with
multiple joint special operations duty assignments. He graduated
from the University of Rochester in 1979 with a Bachelor of Arts
in economics and received a regular Navy commission through
Navy Reserve Officers Training Corps.
Pybus has served in SEAL, underwater demolition, special
boat, and SEAL Delivery Vehicle tours within NSW, and has held
operations positions at Joint Special Operations Command and
Special Operations Command (SOCOM). Command tours include
units in Panama, Germany and Bahrain, as well as duty as commodore, Naval Special Warfare Group 1, San Diego. As a flag officer, he has served as J-3, Center for Special Operations, SOCOM,
2007-2009. He reported to Naval Special Warfare Command from
his previous assignment as commander, Special Operations Command Pacific.
He has participated in special operations in Latin America,
Europe, Africa and Asia.
His decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal
(2), Legion of Merit (2), Meritorious Service Medal (3), and various other awards. He is also a 1998 Distinguished Graduate of the
Naval War College with a master’s degree in strategic studies.
Q: How has your first year in command been?
A: We have an experienced, capable team at NSW headquarters.
Among the force, the quality of our commodores and commanding
officers has never been better, and the same goes for our senior
enlisted advisors. Our operational elements continue to excel in
their missions in Central Asia and around the world. Enablers
such as electricians, logisticians, cryptologists and intelligence
analysts are some of the best the Navy has to offer. So, the quality and performance of NSW has made it easy for me to represent
this force in 2011 and 2012. We’ve made process adjustments to
reduce uncertainty and anxiety, such as firming up deployment
lengths; issuing PCS [permanent change of station] orders sooner;
and communicating with the force and families more frequently.
These measures have been well received by the community, and I
16 | SOTECH 10.5
feel good about where we are and where we’re going. On the other
hand, we’ve grieved for 24 men who gave their lives on deployments over the past year. We experienced the largest-ever loss
of SOF operators in one event on August 6, 2011 [when a CH-47
Chinook was shot down]. Stress and fatigue have to be monitored
closely after so many deployments. But I’ve never been more
proud of NSW, the way our people step forward for their teammates, families and the families of the fallen. Then they re-focus
on their missions. The bottom line for me, there is no place I’d
rather have been the past year than right here, representing NSW.
Q: How is NSW different today than 10 years ago, pre-9/11?
A: When then-Rear Admiral Eric Olson commanded NSW in 2000,
he changed our deployment paradigm from SEAL platoons to an
NSW squadron model, with organic C2 and enablers organized
under SEAL O-5 leadership. This was prescient. Soon after 9/11,
NSW was sending versatile, capable NSW squadrons forward
quickly to meet or deter the al-Qaida threat. We’ve retained
this effective model over the past decade. However, the selection, depth and quality of pre-deployment training has improved
dramatically. The level of experience throughout the force today
www.SOTECH-kmi.com
also has increased our mission readiness and effectiveness. There
is no question that today’s SEAL teams and our special warfare
combatant-craft crewman [SWCC] detachments are much better
prepared and more capable than 10 years ago. It helps, too, that
NSW has always encouraged innovation and experimentation—I
think this has accelerated changes in the force for the better. A
prime example of this was the establishment of two support activity commands six years ago, with a primary mission to find and
follow targets of interest in support of NSW squadrons fighting in
Iraq and Afghanistan. These commands are now providing exponential increases in capability for us by exploiting high-technology
and deep analysis, and connecting that with more traditional SEAL
finish skills. Ninety percent of NSW finish operations today are
cued up by support activity cross-functional teams working with
their assigned squadrons. We’re much more capable today than
10 years ago, and we’ve added modest capacity. But we haven’t
changed who we are. And the quality of new operators coming
from our training center is extremely high. All of this bodes well
for the next decade.
Q: How do you assess the future of undersea mobility for SEALs?
A: Naval Special Warfare is the maritime component of SOCOM,
and the special operations force of the Navy, so we’re uniquely
obligated to always have the ability to conduct special operations on or under the water. Our current platforms and future
investments reflect this obligation. Although much of the force
has been operating far inland for a number of years, NSW has
kept its underwater skills sharp, and has maintained strong
interoperability with the Navy’s submarine fleet. Our wet-boat
SEAL delivery vehicles have been improved and should remain our
workhorse platform into the 2020s. We and SOCOM remain very
interested in dry-boat technology. Costs are prohibitive in new
undersea systems, however, and funds are scarce in today’s tight
fiscal environment, so we’re still in research and development, not
procurement. But if movie director James Cameron can dive five
miles into the Marianas Trench in a man-pod, I think technology
is moving very fast, and will ultimately get less expensive. What
I’m most excited about in the undersea SOF realm is a series of
discussions that senior leaders of NSW and the submarine force
are having, to consider what we want to be doing together 10-15
years from now. Agreement and commitment among community
leaders will drive teaming and solutions at all levels, for future
capability.
Q: How about maritime SOF surface mobility—are you concerned about the age of your craft or the physical pounding that
crews have endured on their missions?
A: We are nearing SOCOM approval of a maritime mobility
roadmap for NSW, which will focus on several lines of craft and
capability, and stabilize our maritime mobility spend plan. This
THAT WAS THen. MobiliTy noW.
Roger.
Troops are
advancing
by sea.
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is good news. Unfortunately, we’re several years late getting to
this point. Our 80-foot MK-V patrol craft retire this year, and
there are no craft ready to take their place. We’re just beginning
a combatant craft-medium program that will deliver mission
boats beginning three years from now. In the interim, NSW will
use high-speed assault craft bought from an existing program to
mitigate the MK-V loss and add multi-mission capability in selected
deployment areas around the world. Rigid hull inflatable boats are
still the mainstay of our deployed surface mobility, and their versatility, reliability and air delivery capability will keep them in the
mix for many more years. As it regards the health of our combatant
craft crewmen, we’re absolutely committed to using technology
and designs that minimize pounding and g-forces in the cockpit or
crew compartment. Human factors will be part of any selection criteria for craft we purchase, and we’ll upgrade shock absorption and
performance in the craft we currently have to minimize adverse
physical effects for our crews and troops. Our sports trainers and
physiologists are also doing a great job preparing SWCCs for superior and sustainable physical service on our craft.
Q: What other platforms or equipment would allow SEALs to
more easily perform missions?
A: ISR systems remain critically important for find-fix-finish and
force protection. NSW elements are using the Aqua-Puma as our
small, organic system and it performs well. But we lack a program
of record for a medium UAV that can operate higher, longer and
farther with multi-sensor payloads. Scan Eagle is a system we’re
using year-to-year and sometimes under contract, and we really
like its versatility and capability. In my opinion, it’s literally the
bird in the hand that I want to turn into a program. Scan Eagle is
a good expeditionary medium ISR system that can work from land
or afloat, with a variety of ever-developing sensor payloads. I’m
going to continue to advocate for proven systems like Scan Eagle
that should be moved into a program line for funding.
Q: Concerns have been expressed about fraying around the edges,
after high op tempos for special operators over the past decade.
What steps have you taken to help reduce stress on NSW and
their families?
A: Pressures and stresses in our SOF communities and their
families are real. Recognition of this fact is the first step towards
delivering better physical, mental and moral fitness for our warriors. NSW is strongly aligned with [SOCOM Commander Admiral
Bill H.] McRaven’s priority to preserve our force and families,
and we’re investing people, programs and facilities into our effort
to keep SEALs, SWCCs and enablers totally fit and formidable
for years to come. I mentioned previously several of the process
changes we’ve made in NSW to bring more predictability to our
men and women. We’re being very careful not to over-commit
the force. Simultaneously, we’re working hard to make professional counselors available for those who could benefit from
assistance. The Navy has given NSW more medical professionals
such as psychiatrists and psychologists, and additional chaplains
are providing spiritual guidance. SOCOM is also supporting all
of their components with care coalition liaisons and access to VA
resources. In addition, NSW has a family support program with
full-time employees to steer resiliency resources and information
18 | SOTECH 10.5
to our operational teams and their families. A password-protected
family website keeps the community posted on important happenings and contacts. With Force Master Chief Stephen D. Link, I try
to visit our geographic concentration areas several times a year
to talk and listen to our members and their families. I think that
frank and frequent discussion reduces anxiety, gives voice to particular issues that we can confront, and builds trust and strength.
With all the work that lies ahead for NSW and SOF, it is imperative
that we do everything we can to not only preserve our people, but
enhance them for the long run. We’re going to continue to build
resiliency and deliver assistance, and improve our people to do
more, know more, and be healthier in mind and body.
Q: We have seen lots of media attention focused on SEALs this
past year. Could you give us your thoughts about this?
A: I’m very proud of what NSW has accomplished, and I’m absolutely mindful that we don’t do anything by ourselves—other
components and agencies and partners deserve much of the credit
for operational successes. But the media has turned a bright spotlight onto the SEALs in particular, and in response, we’re trying
to be polite and poised, but prefer to move back into the shadows.
The opening of Act of Valor, a movie made to help Navy and NSW
recruiting, came out recently, which added to the SEAL frenzy,
and too many of our former operators are choosing to write books,
raising our public profile even higher. It’s been a perfect storm of
sorts for SEAL media exposure. In an effort to reduce our media
profile, I’ve asked commanders to carefully consider each of their
engagement opportunities, and do those that are necessary and
proper, but step away from public events that may have little
return for NSW. When Force Master Chief Link and I talk to our
warriors, we remind them of their professional obligation to protect classified information, in and out of uniform. We talk about
the vulnerability of our families, and how important the protection
of personal data is to this community. My staff and I are riding out
the media storm as best we can, and attempting to return to a lessvisible, quietly professional posture. Much of my concern with this
SEAL fixation from the public is its effect on NSW’s relationships
with our sister SOF components—I don’t want those relationships
to suffer. NSW cannot be seen to devalue humility and secrecy
within the SOF community—we must maintain the trust of our
fellow joint warriors. But we must also understand that the nature
of today’s communications environment has radically changed in
coverage and complexity. I’m grateful to our public affairs staff
that helps us work through these challenges in respectful and
credible ways.
Q: Do you have closing thoughts about NSW or command?
A: I’d like to acknowledge my fellow component commanders at
USASOC, AFSOC, MARSOC and JSOC, as well as their command
teams, for the advice, assistance and camaraderie they share with
NSW. It’s the highest privilege to serve in SOF with such leaders
and organizations, and we want to pull our share of any requirements set before the joint SOF team. I also want to thank Admiral
Bill and Mrs. Georgeann McRaven, and Command Sergeant Major
Chris and Mrs. Lisa Faris, the SOCOM command team, for their
leadership specifically directed towards preservation of the force
and families. O
www.SOTECH-kmi.com
Special Section
Rapid innovation means special operators own the night.
By Peter Buxbaum
SOTECH Correspondent
The purpose of both of these capawarfighter's view to be transmitted to the
U.S. forces, together with their indusbilities, said Wesley Motooka, president,
rear for instant evaluations and subsequent
try partners, must constantly enhance war
integrated sensor systems at L-3 Commuanalysis. Improvements have also come in
fighting capabilities in order to keep ahead
nications, is to be “able to find potential
the areas of size, weight and power, making
of adversaries and potential foes. Back in
threats, identify them positively, establish
the equipment easier to carry and operate.
the 1990s, the night vision capabilities of
what their intent is, and provide informaToday’s night vision technologies provide
the U.S. military were unmatched. U.S.
tion for follow-up action.”
warfighters with the ability to detect and
forces were able to track and engage tarMost night vision devices provided to
identify potential threats, regardless of
gets after the sun went down, while the
today’s special operators are image intenthe weather or environmental conditions,
adversaries were unable to respond. Since
sifying technologies that must use some
helping to ensure they comthen, night vision equiplight source, according to Motooka. Howplete their missions and come
ment has become increasever, thermal technologies are progressing
home safely.
ingly common among
to the point where they too can be incorNight vision encompasses
militaries and other armed
porated into equipment toted by individual
two capabilities and two techgroups around the world.
warfighters.
nologies. Electro-optical senThe ability of U.S.
This is being brought about by
sors—similar to the kind used
forces to own the night
enhanced performance of less-expensive,
in commercial digital camwith night vision technoluncooled thermal devices. Until recently,
eras—allow warfighters to
ogies has been upgraded
high-performance infrared detectors
discern threats in lighted and
in recent years to make
required their own cooling apparatus to be
low-light situations. Infrared
sure that the good guys
Clay Wild
carried with them. These were expensive,
sensors pick up the heat proare ahead of the game.
bulky, and consumed a great deal of power,
file emitted from the objects
Advances in electro-optimaking them inappropriate for soldier sysbeing viewed and display images without
cal (EO) and infrared (IR) technologies,
tems. Uncooled systems were less expenthe aid of any light at all.
and their early and rapid adoption by
sive and easier on power,
There are advantages and
organizations such as Special Operations
but also less sensitive.
applications for the image
Command, enable U.S. forces to identify,
These infrared detecintensifying, or low-light, systrack and engage targets by day and night,
tors are now being
tems as well as the thermal,
and in difficult environmental conditions,
integrated with image
or infrared, sensors, depending
quicker and more accurately than ever
intensifying night vision
upon the mission. “Thermal
before and in ways that shield warfighters
products. “When you
sensors are very good at detectfrom harm. Above all, these capabilities far
combine the two you
ing people or vehicles,” said
outstrip anything that can be fielded by
have the capability of
Clay Wild, director of business
U.S. adversaries.
exacting more informadevelopment at Sofradir-EC.
Recent innovations in night vision
tion to find threats and
“The contrast of a person or
technology have included the fusion of
Steve Shimer
where they are hiding,”
vehicle against the background
electro-optical and infrared sensors to prosaid Motooka.
is extremely high. But you can’t
vide warfighters with enhanced data on
“We typically break down these caparecognize a face or make out the details
their surroundings and on potential tarbilities into refractive or reflective techor license plate or markings on a vehicle.
gets. Today’s night vision goggles allow
nologies,” said Steve Shimer, advanced
Thermal and image intensification are
information overlays to be transmitted
systems manager for tactical solutions at
complementary technologies.”
to the eyepiece, as well as permitting the
www.SOTECH-kmi.com
SOTECH 10.5 | 19
Special Section
Ball Aerospace & Technology. Reflective
capabilities refer to the visible or near-IR
that requires external illumination, while
refractive technologies, such as mid-wave
and long-wave infrared, capture the natural heat emitted by bodies, vehicles and
other objects.
“Refractive technologies don’t need
illumination and work similarly whether
it is day or night,”
said Shimer. “But if
you want to see what
a target really looks
like, if you want to
determine facial features, for example,
you need to be working more in the visible than the IR light
bands.”
Chris Adams
In the last few
years, there has been
a trend toward developing systems that
fuse both capabilities. “Thermal night
vision tubes were once analog devices
and now have become digital,” said Chris
Adams, president of Adams Industries.
“That makes it possible to combine them
with electro-optical sensors. It also enables
data gathered by IR devices to be transmitted and stored. That is where everyone is
headed right now.”
Digital night vision applications have
become more sensitive in recent years and
have become more accepted by U.S. military forces. “They were originally eschewed
by the military because they were not as
sensitive as analog night vision tubes,” said
Adams. “The advantage of digital is that
you can transmit the data to a hard drive.
There is still a loss in performance with
the digital devices but they are catching
up. The digital systems make up for that by
being electronic.”
At the same time, there have been
improvements to the size, weight and
power of night vision devices. “We have
made our night vision goggles a little
smaller and a little lighter and have made
improvements to power consumption,”
said Nick Bobay, vice president and general
manager of the ITT Exelis night vision
business area.
Ball Aerospace’s night vision products
are used on platforms such as the Predator drone for surveillance and targeting.
Ball’s products fall in the visible, near-IR
spectrum.
20 | SOTECH 10.5
The SENVG is designed to accommodate
“Determining the intent of a potential
enhancements for future network integratarget is a big thing,” said Shimer. “If
tion.”
someone is observed out there you just
The SENVG was designed with feedcan't shoot him. You need to observe his
back from soldiers, according to Bobay.
actions to understand what he is doing.
“We made them smaller and lighter and
Once you determine he is a threat or has
with a better interface to the helmet,” he
hostile intent then you can take him out.
said. “The fused image has a color display
Surveillance mode is used to determine
so the operator can see a more lifelike picintent. Once you determine hostile intent
ture. In addition, the goggles can be conthe device can also be used for
nected to the battlefield network so that
targeting.”
the operator can have color display overThe difference in the use of
laid on top of the IR and image intensified
night vision devices for surveilfused image. The goggles can also import
lance or targeting is a question of
video footage from the network so that the
accuracy. “It has to be much more
soldier can have a display in front of him.”
accurate when it is tied to a weapNetwork connectivity also allows input
ons system,” said Shimer.
from a shot detector to be displayed inside
The U.S. Army recently qualithe goggles, so the solider doesn’t have
fied an ITT Exelis goggle that
to remove the goggle and look at another
allows soldiers to detect and idendevice. “All of this provides warfighters
tify potential threats while mainwith increased lethality and survivability,”
taining a secure position in various
said Bobay.
environmental conditions during nightThe SENVG also uses less power. “This
time missions. The Army awarded Execan save the Army $100
lis the first of two production
million in battery costs
options for the Spiral Enhanced
alone,” said Bobay. “Less
Night Vision Goggle (SENVG).
batteries also mean less
This contract award is valued at
weight the soldier has to
approximately $49.5 million for
carry.” Exelis is also in
over 3,800 units.
the process of developThe SENVG contract is the
ing applications to make
follow-on iteration to the ENVG
the display and solider
contract first awarded to Exelis
awareness better.
in 2005. Since 2008, the comA major advancepany has delivered the majority
Nick Bobay
ment in visible, nearof the 9,000 ENVG goggles and
IR spectrum technology
is scheduled to complete delivhas been in the development of solid
eries this summer. “Exelis was the first
state detectors. Older image intensicompany to field sensor fused night vision
fier technologies applied high voltage
technology,” said Bobay. “The ENVGs have
to incoming photons and projected
given Army soldiers enhanced situational
those emissions against a phosphorous
awareness during challenging operations.”
screen. The newer solid state technolSENVG features the company’s latest
ogy using complementary metal-oxide
night vision technology that fuses thersemiconductors cuts down on the noise—
mal and light amplification. This system
that is, the extraneous photon activity
combines an image intensified tube and
characteristic of the image intensifyinfrared micro-bolometer into a compact
ing devices. The solid state devices have
monocular that weighs less than 2 pounds.
been in the market for around two years.
“We have proved our sensor fused capa“This technology allows devices to work
bility in the field, and we are ready to deliver
with lower levels of light and it makes
the next round of enhanced night vision
the accuracy of the device better,” said
goggles to the U.S. Army,” said Bobay. “The
Shimer.
night vision team leveraged our design
In addition to enhancing the perforand manufacturing experience to create
mance of night vision devices, compaa sensor fused goggle that provides the
nies have also been working at making
soldier with greater situational awareness
them more rugged and efficient. Adams
and improves command execution and
Industries recently introduced a new night
rapid decision-making on the battlefield.
www.SOTECH-kmi.com
Special Section
vision goggle called the Sentinel, which,
made of solid aluminum, is lighter and
tougher than its predecessors. The company has also introduced a new aviation
mount for night vision goggles that can
withstand significantly more abuse than
previously, as well as ruggedized battery
packs for the night vision equipment.
“We can’t design these devices to be
indestructible,” said Adams. “But we try to
get as close as possible. That is almost as
valuable to the warfighter as the technology itself. You can have the best technology in the world, but if the device breaks
on the second day you may as well have
left it at home.”
The night vision products that Sofradir-EC supplies to the special operations
community are add-on image intensifying and thermal components that can be
integrated into standard Canon, Nokia,
Panasonic, and other still and video photography equipment. “These allow users
of photo equipment to adapt to nighttime
conditions,” said Wild.
www.SOTECH-kmi.com
Sofradir-EC’s image intensifying components are integrated into commercially
available photography equipment by controlling communications between the
lens and the body of a digital camera.
This method of night vision amplifies the
available light to achieve better vision by
focusing available light on the photo cathode of an image intensifier. This process
energizes electrons on the cathode and
they are then transmitted to a green phosphor screen. The energy of the electrons
makes the phosphor glow and the image
is displayed on the attached photographic
camera or video device.
Sofradir-EC’s primary product for the
military night vision market is called AstroScope, which has been on the market for
several years. The AstroScope is a 3.5-inch
attachment that connects the camera body
to the front lens. The adapter maintains continuity with lens functions such as zoom,
image stabilization and focus. “So you’ve
added a 3.5-inch device between the lens and
the camera body but the other features of
the camera are maintained,” said Wild. “And,
of course, you can operate in darkness.”
Sofradir-EC upgrades AstroScope
continually as camera manufacturers
upgrade their capabilities. “AstroScope
needs to integrate with existing … still
and video cameras that are being used
to gather intelligence,” said Wild. “Camera manufacturers are highly competitive and introduce upgrades to optics
and reductions to size and power …
on their cameras every year. We have
to refresh the adapters so we can fit all
of the digital SLR [single lens reflex]
cameras as well as the video cameras.
We maintain adapters that will fit all the
camera bodies that are used in services.
As DoD operators upgrade their cameras
we have to make sure that we have the
attachment so that they can embrace the
night vision capabilities. We are trying
to continue to upgrade AstroScope to
[accommodate] combat cameramen and
intelligence gatherers who need to record
video and imagery at night.”
SOTECH 10.5 | 21
Special Section
The AstroScope system relies on a
Gen III Central Intensifier Unit (CIU) that
produces bright green images that can
be recorded by the attached host digital platform. The CIU improves low-light
performance by eight to 10 F-stops. “We
have upgraded the image intensification
core as the core technologies have been
upgraded,” said Wild, noting that Sofradir
doesn’t manufacture the core technology.
“We buy that and we have embraced the
latest Generation 3 Pinnacle technology
like that used in night vision goggles,” he
said. An invisible infrared laser illuminator is also available as an accessory for
capturing scenes in complete darkness.
“The AstroScope system is the highest
performance design available for night
vision photography,” said Wild. “It requires
no special setup, calibration, or operator
training. AstroScope enables high-performance lenses to shoot full-frame images at
distances beyond 1,000 meters.”
The AstroScope night vision system is
available for use on a variety of common
professional and consumer camera plat-
forms such as Canon and Nikon digital SLR
cameras, many Canon, Sony and Panasonic
camcorders including HD models, as well as
C-mount security cameras. The AstroScope
can also be used as a handheld pocket scope
for quick nighttime viewing.
“We have come up with a pretty versatile system that installs in about three
minutes and maintains all the capabilities of the lenses,” said Wild. “For those
that have embraced it working in combat
zones, [they] have given us rave reviews
and have said terrific things about it. As
the image intensification cores continue
to improve we will integrate those into our
products. We will adjust to any new camera
technologies that are introduced each year.
Camera manufacturers continue to evolve
in capabilities and lens improvements; we
will make sure we are compatible with
those upgrades.”
Night vision equipment is not limited
to devices that allow warfighters to see in
the dark. They also include products that
allow them to be seen. These include active
devices such as strobe lights and passive
devices such as reflective patches and panels worn by troops and applied to vehicles.
“Strobe systems are placed on individuals or vehicles and broadcast a signal
not visible to the human eye,” explained
Steve Bronson, director of business development, Cejay Engineering. “Viewing the
signal requires an infrared device which
detects the heat signature of an object.”
Passive markers include reflective
materials in the flag patch worn on a soldier's shoulder or on the infrared reflective
sheeting with which vehicles are equipped.
“An infrared viewer detects the cool image
conveyed by the reflective material,” said
Bronson.
There are a number of advantages
to the use of reflective material on the
battlefield, according to Bronson. “You
need to give deploying troops quick and
easy instructions,” he said. “It needs to
be failure-proof and it needs to be supported in a number of different environments.”
The system is also conducive to coalition operations. “Not all of our allies are
SYSTEMS IN THE NIGHT
Aero Dynamix
C-23 Sherpa Illuminated Cockpit
Systems: NVIS-compatible edge lit panels,
instrument overlays, internal instrument modifications,
and external lighting
View: A balanced cockpit optimized for both
nighttime and daylight readability performance
Shown: The NVG cockpit for the C-23 Sherpa
Concept: Integrated night vision lighting solution
2
1
Adams Industries
Sentinel Night Vision Goggle
Weight: 570 grams
Dimensions: 11.5 cm L x 8 cm T x 10 cm W
Effective Range (km): Dependent on image
intensifier tube choice
Wide Field of View: 40 degrees standard; 50
degrees WFOV model
Power Supply: 3V L onboard and/or remote
battery pack
Intensifier: Various options available for both
domestic and export markets.
22 | SOTECH 10.5
4
ITT Exelis
Spiral Enhanced Night Vision
Goggle—SENVG
Weight: Less than 2 pounds (907 gm)
including helmet mount and batteries
Endurance: Over 7.5 hours of fused
operation life on 3 AA lithium batteries
System: 18-mm image tube
Field of View: 320 X 240 microbolometer
- I2 ≥38O - IR ≥28O Diagonal
Power: I2 Resolution (1E-3 fl), 1.14 cy/mr
Intevac
Digital Fused Binocular Goggle
3
Field of View: Minimum of 40° horizontal per eye (100% overlap)
Focus Range: 41 cm to infinity
Battery Life: ≥ 4 hours
Weight of Binocular: 600 grams
Video Overlay: Accept RGB or DVI video input
(40° FOV maximum)
Zoom: 2X and 4X electronic zoom capability
Multi-spectral Fusion: A+B, adjustable by user
www.SOTECH-kmi.com
Special Section
The latest Cejay innovation is the Phoeon the same page with technology,” said
nix Junior 123 beacon, so named because
Bronson. “Many of them don’t have the
it uses a CR123 battery. “It is arguably the
budgets to invest in the kind of technology
smallest infrared marking
that the U.S. does.”
beacon on the market,”
Infrared beacons were first
said Bronson. “It has the
developed after Operation Dessame intensity and brightert Storm in order to reduce
ness of the original Phoenix
fratricide. Cejay Engineering
Junior but it comes in a
produces a number of differmuch smaller package.”
ent beacons that use different
The Phoenix Junior 123
kinds of batteries and that feameasures 2.25 inches by 7/8
ture different characteristics.
inch and comes equipped
For example, the Neptune is
with a clip so that it can
operational as deep as 100 feet
be fastened to warfighters’
of salt water. Others include
Steve Bronson
equipment. The beacon is
different color lights and varialso innovative in that the battery is stored
ous flashing frequencies and/or steady beam
inside the unit itself, for ease of activation.
transmissions.
For storage, the battery is placed upside
Cejay’s original model, the Phoenix
down. To activate the beacon, the battery is
Junior, is the size of an ice cube, uses a
reversed.
nine-volt battery, and can be pocketed by a
“The beacon can last 400 hours on just
warfighter. Bronson said he has seen warone battery,” said Bronson. “For a SERE
fighters use cord, Velcro and duct tape to
[survival, evasion, resistance, escape] kit
attach the beacon to their helmets, vests or
there is nothing as small or as covert as the
other gear. These days, most Cejay beacons
Phoenix Junior 123.” A SERE kit consists of
come with their own carrying cases.
7
N-Vision Optics
NVPR Night Vision Platform Rotated
5
Waterproof: 66 feet submersible
Dimensions: Reduced silhouette
Mounting: Integrated helmet mounting system
Handling: Ergonomic design in stowed and
deployed positions
Modes: Greater operational flexibility
Power Usage: Automatic shut-off in stowed position
L-3 Warrior Systems
BNVD
Weight: 450 g (1 pound) including AA battery
Dimensions: 4.2inches L x 4.2 inches W x 3.4 inches H
Field of View: 40° ± 2° (horizontal & vertical)
Objective Focus: 18 inches to infinity
Eyepiece Diopter: -0.5 ± 0.1 (factory setting) adjustable from +2.0 to -2.5
Battery Type: (1) AA lithium
Image Intensification: U.S. manufactured MX-10160 Gen III variable gain tubes
Waterproof: 66 feet immersion for 2 hours
6
8
Night Vision Depot
Binocular Night Vision Device
Weight: 598 grams
Dimensions: 5 inches L x 5 inches W x 3 inches H
Human Detection Range (on green grass): 325 meters (starlight conditions)
Field of View: 40 degrees
Power Supply: (1) AA Battery for 40 hours average
Intensifier: Gen III ITT Exelis Pinnacle
www.SOTECH-kmi.com
the survival, evasion, resistance and escape
apparatus assembled by special operations
personnel.
Cejay will soon be introducing a beacon that will feature flashing infrared as
well as standard red, white, blue, amber
and green lights. The beacon will be powered by either AA or CR123 batteries. “No
other jump zone or drop zone marking
device will have that kind of versatility,”
said Bronson.
Next generation uncooled thermal
devices will boast significantly increased
range and resolution, according to Motooka. “With the old generation of devices,
you could see somebody there and something dark in front of him,” he said. “With
the emerging technology, you will definitely be able to tell it is a rifle.”
These advances have been accomplished
by cramming greater numbers of pixels into a
smaller package that is more power efficient.
“You need something that is small enough
and light enough to work with,” said Motooka. “We are working on ways of optimizing
performance, weight and battery life.”
Sofradir
AstroScope 9350
Weight: 1 pound
Dimensions: 7 inches x 2 inches
Effective Range (km): >1-10 km
Wide Field of View: Variable
Power Supply: Integral
Intensifier: High performance thin
filmed third generation
SOTECH 10.5 | 23
Special Section
working to reduce
the costs of these
items from $30,000 to
$7,000. We are basically taking the SWIR
image from the 150
nanometer
range
and converting it to
another range that can
be viewed with a much
less expensive sensor.”
At Exelis, future
night vision devices
will be like smartA squad of U.S. Navy SEALs participate in special operations urban combat training. The training
exercise familiarizes special operators with urban environments and tactical maneuvering during phones today: they
night and day operations.
will have apps available to be downloaded
to
them.
The
apps
could
run on the goggles
Adams Industries is working on reducthemselves or on a smartphone-like device.
ing the cost of short-wave infrared (SWIR)
“These apps will have the capability to
devices, which are best used immediately
maximize the flow of information to and
before dawn when other night vision
from the warfighter,” said Bobay. “The idea
equipment is less effective.
is to give the war-fighter usable real-time
“SWIR is a big thing in the miliinformation to make actionable decisions
tary right now because the best time to
instantly.”
attack is pre-dawn,” said Adams. “We are
24 | SOTECH 10.5
FLIR Systems announced it has been
awarded an indefinite delivery, indefinite
quantity contract from the Army to support the medevac program. The contract
is valued at $38 million and is for spare
components for Star SAFIRE II stabilized
multi-sensor systems that are installed on
the Army’s fielded medevac Blackhawk helicopters.
An initial delivery order of $1.7 million
was received.
Work under this contract is expected to
be performed out of FLIR’s facility in Wilsonville, Ore., with deliveries expected to be
completed within five years.
“The Army’s medevac program has saved
countless lives and we are proud to continue
as a key element of its mission,” said Earl
Lewis, president and CEO of FLIR. O
For more information, contact SOTECH Editor
Dave Ahearn at [email protected]
or search our online archives for related stories
at www.sotech-kmi.com.
www.SOTECH-kmi.com
Training with the best in a world-class facility.
By Jeff McKaughan
KMI Media Group Editor-in-Chief
The King Abdullah Special Operations Training Center
(KASOTC) in Amman, Jordan, was founded on the basis of Jordan’s King Abdullah II’s vision for an international counterterrorism center of excellence. Himself a former commander of
Jordanian Special Operations Command, King Abdullah II was
the driving force behind the concept becoming reality.
The 25-square-kilometer site that KASOTC occupies offers an
incredible array of training opportunities for just about any direct
action you could imagine. There are specific facilities constructed
for urban combat and aircraft assault (with a full scale Airbus
A330), a method of entry building and site, a five-story close
quarter combat building, numerous firing ranges, a commando
tower, and a driving track. Support facilities include on-site housing for up to 800, a full-service dining facility, conference and
after action, and classrooms, laundry, 300-seat auditorium, gift
shop—basically, a fully contained small base.
“This is an amazing facility; I’ve never seen anything like it,”
said Captain Ryan Cooper, U.S. Marine Corps and team leader of
one of the 24th Marine expeditionary units’ teams. “The quality
of the ranges with the different facilities and scenarios offered, all
in one location, is really remarkable. I’d love to have something
like it to use in the States.”
Most recently, the special-operations-focused Eager Lion exercise was held in Jordan, with KASOTC being the focal point. The
www.SOTECH-kmi.com
exercise brought together more than 12,000 participants from more
than 19 countries on five different continents. In reality, although
this was perhaps the largest exercise that KASOTC has been a part
of, the facility rarely has down time.
“Last year, I can honestly say that there was probably not
one week that the facility was not in use by someone,” said C.K.
Redlinger, KASOTC’s then-manager of business development. “It
was not necessarily always JAF [Jordanian Armed Forces], but we
had European nations, we had Asian, we had African, we had tons
of Western forces here. Our calendar was continuous all the way
through. It was the best year we’d had to date, and I think this year
will probably top it. Summer seems to be our busiest time of the
year, because that’s when the exercises come into play, like Eager
Lion, but throughout the summer it’s very solid all the way through.
The tempo is very high here.”
ViaGlobal has a contract with the Jordanian Armed Forces to
provide the training and also assist in managing the facility. There
is a component cadre of ViaGlobal employees there. “We have about
a dozen instructors who come from a variety of units; we have a lot
of U.S. guys, we have several British guys, we have some Canadians
and our newest guy is from Sweden. Jordanian staff come from various units like the 71st, the Royal Guard for example,” said Redlinger.
As for the actual site, most of the major construction is complete at the facility. “Everything from here on out is value added;
SOTECH 10.5 | 25
it’s new programs, it’s ideas that we have that we graduate into
actually breaking new ground,” said Redlinger. Last year, a lot
of the construction was based on housing and accommodations.
KASOTC found that because they were so busy last year, while the
training grounds were being used, they were frequently running
out of places to house people. As a result, they went from being
able to accommodate 500 people to now more than 1,000.
One recent addition was the start up of a canine training
program. “We plan on it being a phenomenal training program
for the whole region and then branching out to the rest of the
world,” explained Redlinger. Already initially operational with a
small kennel, handlers and trainers, KASOTC is constructing a
larger kennel to further develop the concept.
There are still plans for a maritime facility somewhere along
the Gulf of Aqaba, with the real estate perhaps already identified,
but no real timing has been made available yet.
Warrior Competition
“This year, Warrior Competition has been bigger and better
for us,” said Redlinger. “Last year we had 22 competitive teams
from probably six or seven countries. This year, on the first day of
competition, we thought we had 35 but three of them dropped off
at the last minute, so we ended up with 32 teams from about 17
different nations on four continents. We were very excited about
that.” Redlinger explained that the competition actually limited
the number of teams this year to 35.
On the sponsor side, he estimated that there were 23 or 24
sponsors that had the chance to showcase their products. For
the weapons companies the location was especially good, as they
could not only show their weapons to actual operators from
around the world, but those operators could test fire them on the
ranges right there.
Warrior Competition lasts for six days, with four days of actual
events. The first three days are team based, with the last day being
individual events. Was this year’s competition the same as last
year? “I don’t think we’ve gone two years in a row with exactly the
same program,” said Redlinger. “The foundation remains, but we
will tweak things. We try to improve them. As well as the competition has gone [this year], I think the training staff will have an
AAR [after action review] and say, ‘I think we should do this, it’s
more streamlined,’ and so on. But for the most part, the program
has remained the same since the first year.”
What about Warrior Competition 2013? “I’ve been hit up a
lot in the last couple days by folks who are either interested in
sponsoring next year, or some people that even want to put teams
in next year that didn’t have teams this year,” said Redlinger. “I’m
already looking forward to the after action review that we conduct
so that we can chart this thing forward, start formatting it, get the
dates out, and then start moving forward. Maybe if we expand our
staff, we can take more than 35 teams next year.”
Of the 33 teams this year, there were four from the United
States. The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit Force Reconnaissance
Platoon (and former champions of the Warrior Competition) had
two teams. Separately, a team was fielded by the Alameda [California] County Sheriff’s SWAT, and Team Raptor was a combined
Army Special Forces and Navy SEAL team.
SOTECH asked Captain Cooper how 24th MEU went about
picking the teams to compete. “Because of the extremely physical
26 | SOTECH 10.5
nature of the events and the high level of marksmanship required
to compete, the abilities and training of this group of Marines
made them the natural choice for the competition,” said Cooper.
“Within the platoon, the team leaders [staff sergeants] selected
their teams based on both shooting ability as well as physical
ability.”
Different from some of the teams in the competition, the
Marines did not have the chance to train specifically for the
events of the Warrior Competition. “We actually didn’t train for
the competition specifically at all,” explained Cooper. “All of our
pre-deployment training was focused on skillsets that we need for
the missions we are called on to perform while deployed: amphibious operations, diving, parachuting, recon and surveillance, raids,
and maritime VBSS [visit, board, search and seizure]. While the
advanced shooting skills and physical requirements of these missions, and the associated training, crosses over to a degree, we
weren’t able to focus on event-specific training like many other
teams did. Essentially, once we got to KASOTC we jumped into
the fray and made the most of things.”
“Train as you fight” is a common mantra for U.S. forces.
SOTECH asked for an impression of the event as a reflection of
the types of combat training Cooper and his team were used to.
“Most of the events were centered on competition style shoot
and shooting under physical stress,” he said. “As a Marine Corps
unit focused on combat operation, we train to precision shooting under duress. Climbing a 30-foot caving ladder onto a moving vessel while wearing 50-plus pounds of gear, then having to
engage targets in tight, confined spaces demands such training.
Adapting to situations is something we do well as Marines in general, so adapting to the competition style shooting—as opposed
to combat shooting—wasn’t too hard, although we came into the
competition with different expectations. We thought there would
be more combat style shooting events—greater requirements for
wearing kit and body armor, for example. Our guys, and some of
the other teams, had trouble doing well in timed events as they
were ducking behind cover to reload magazines in pistol events,
while competition shooters from other teams have no such habits.”
Most competitors echoed the same thoughts when asked
about the benefits of special-operations-specific events like Warrior Competition. “It’s not just to compete against the best in
the world, but to interact with them,” said Cooper. “Sharing
tactics and techniques and ideas, and watching how different
teams attacked different events was really terrific. It’s the only
time I’ve seen such a broad mix of war fighting professionals in
one location, and developing relationships with them was a great
experience. Not just during the course of events, but we spent
many nights playing soccer games with participants from 10 or so
different countries; that camaraderie is important.”
Any advice for future teams? “Get fast and be light, and practice shooting small, small targets,” said Cooper. O
For more information, contact SOTECH Editor Dave Ahearn
at [email protected] or search our online archives
for related stories at www.sotech-kmi.com.
www.SOTECH-kmi.com
The advertisers index is provided as a service to our readers. KMI cannot be held responsible for discrepancies due to last-minute changes or alterations.
SOTECH RESOURCE CENTER
Calendar
Advertisers Index
Adams Industries Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
www.adamsindustries.com
AR Modular RF. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
www.arworld.us/propvideo
FLIR Systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C4
www.flir.com/gs
G4S International Training Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . 24
www.g4siti.com
Harris CapRock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
www.harriscaprock.com
L-3 GCS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C2
www.l-3com.com/gcs
LGS Innovations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
www.lgsinnovations.com/mobility
Panasonic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C3
www.panasonic.com/business-solutions
Parsons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
www.parsons.com
Persistent Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
www.persistentsystems.com
Sensors Unlimited-Goodrich ISR Systems. . . 11
www.sensorsinc.com
Next Issue
July 11-12, 2012
Military Vehicles Exhibition and
Conference
Detroit, Mich.
www.militaryvehiclesexpo.com
July 12-13, 2012
Warrior Expo East 2011
Virginia Beach, Va.
www.adsinc.com/warriorexpo
July 23-25, 2012
Night Vision Systems Summit
Washington, D.C. area
www.nightvisionevent.com
August 2012
Volume 10, Issue 6
Cover and In-Depth
Interview with:
Lieutenant General Eric Fiel
Commander
Air Force Special Operations Command
Special Section
Unmanned Aerial Systems
Examine the latest in the myriad unmanned aircraft that can do it all,
from providing intelligence on the enemy to putting steel on targets,
without placing a pilot in harm’s way.
Features
Man Packable UAVs for 2013
These aerial systems are incredibly small and light. But their value
is tremendously outsized, as these ISR platforms send live full-color
video or other data back to special operators.
SOF Training and Mission Readiness
It is critical for special operators to attain peak proficiency before
embarking on the high-risk missions they execute. Advanced training systems provide them with a winning advantage over a dangerous enemy.
Hydration Systems-Potable and Portable
Because special operators often must move through austere terrain
with polluted streams and lakes, they are at risk of contracting
debilitating diseases. But treatment and storage systems ensure
the water they drink is safe and clean.
Shotguns, Grenade Launchers and Smart Ammo
Take a tour of the latest in systems that enhance the basic rifle or
carbine, allowing the special operator to pack an added punch.
Bonus Distribution
TechNet Land Forces • 7th Night Vision Systems
Insertion Order Deadline: July 16, 2012 • Ad Materials Deadline: July 23, 2012
www.SOTECH-kmi.com
SOTECH 10.5 | 27
INDUSTRY INTERVIEW
Special Operations Technology
Richard Cheek, DSL
Director
Business Development
Deployed Resources LLC
long-term lease facilities via O&M [operations and maintenance] funds to enable a
site to be active while waiting for MILCON
funds to become available.
Richard Cheek is the business development director of Deployed Resources and a
demonstrated senior logistician. He retired
from the U.S. Army after serving in infantry, airborne, civil affairs and special forces
assignments throughout his career.
Q: Are there any new services DR is developing that will benefit the warfighter?
Q: Please provide some background on
Deployed Resources.
A: Deployed Resources [DR] is a warfighteroriented, safety based, quality driven, veteran-owned small business that has been
the premier provider of turnkey temporary
life support areas for over 10 years. Our
full time, licensed, certified staff is sourced
from the military, construction, engineering and hospitality industries, designing
and implementing the latest innovations in
temporary life support services. Operating in
strict adherence to our ISO 9001:2008 certification and in concert with Army Net Zero
initiatives, we strive to set industry trends in
safety, performance, and sustainability. Currently performing in compliance with ISO
14001, we will be the first “green” base camp
provider in the fall of 2012. Continuing to
do more by using less, [we are] always on
alert about our environmental impact.
Q: How does DR work with and support
the special operations community?
A: From concept to completion, we provide comprehensive life support services to
include mobile laundries, mobile showers
and restrooms, command centers, billeting facilities, and temporary water, power
and sewer systems to the special operations
community. This augmentation to their
organic life support has kept this highly
skilled, highly specialized community mission focused, increasing warfighter morale
and training retention.
Q: Can you describe some of the unique
products and services DR provides?
A: DR manufactures our equipment based on
the ISO CONEX [shipping container] platform to include showers, kitchens, laundries,
28 | SOTECH 10.5
berthing, latrines, sinks and boiler plants.
This creates a modular, scalable, quickly
deployable approach to whatever our customer’s requirements may be, in whatever
the timeframe, as we organically maintain
assets to accommodate 25,000 personnel,
CONUS-wide. DR can custom-fabricate containerized support equipment to meet our
customer’s ever-changing needs. DR also
provides turnkey support services to handle
all logistical aspects of a mission, such
as operations at FOB Freedom at Camp
Mackall or showers and latrines delivered
to Bagram Air Base to support the facility
build up.
Q: As our military faces the prospect of
significant budget cuts, how can DR help
its customers find cost-saving solutions to
fulfill their mission?
A: We own all of our equipment and selfperform our work; we are not a broker. This
means there are no unneeded layers of cost
or overhead added to our pricing. Additionally, this independence allows our customers to turn us on, turn us off, ramp us up,
ramp us down, only paying for the days used
and numbers served. This organic capability
and organic manufacturing allows us this
flexibility. We have the long-term philosophy of developing sustainable relationships
and we practice this by being proper stewards of our customers’ assets and working
with them in developing cost efficient and
highly proficient support.
Another unique aspect of DR is our ability to be a cost-effective bridge to training
and operations locations MILCON [military construction] delays. We can provide
A: At DR, we enhance the training experience by improving the morale of the warfighter via hot showers, nutritious meals,
climate controlled billets. Our mission as a
company is a simple one, yet an important
one: to be the premier provider of life support services. We handle these needs so
the warfighter can focus on what’s really
important: the mission at hand.
Q: What has DR done to differentiate itself
from your competition?
A: In addition to our personnel and equipment differentiators, at DR we do not hesitate to invest in developing technologies to
integrate into our systems. We have developed a proprietary Integrated Field Reporting System [IFRS] that enables immediate
reporting capabilities from the field to all
management and customer stakeholders via
the internet. IFRS allows selected personnel
to easily monitor staff, suppliers/subcontractors, site weather data, material deliveries,
and facility capacity and occupancy status
of ongoing projects. New directives, requirements, and changes to all staff on both the
contractor and client side are logged here,
ensuring real-time communication with no
lag time. IFRS identifies safety meetings and
incidents [if any] and environmental compliance activities.
IFRS is fully integrated with our asset
tracking software, Deployed Resources
Asset Tracker [DRAT] to provide detailed
information in each daily report regarding
physical assets on site including quantities,
descriptions and individual asset identification codes. Daily interaction with IFRS and
DRAT allows all personnel to stay abreast
of the latest information available and is
truly a communication tool of exponential
value. O
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