Sotech 13 5 final

World’s Largest Distributed Special Ops Magazine

special section: Persistent Surveillance

Partnership Builder Michael D. Lumpkin Assistant Secretary of Defense Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict

Small UAVs O SOF Protection O Mobile SATCOM SOF Shelters O Boots

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June/July 2015 Volume 13, Issue 5

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Special Operations Technology

June/July 2015 Volume 13, Issue 5

Features

Cover / Q&A

Special Section

5

Persistent Surveillance

When it comes down to the subject of persistent surveillance, one can simply quote the words of a supremely authoritative voice on the subject: the 25th Air Force.

By Chris McCoy

11

Small UAV Breakthroughs Just in the last few years, UAVs have made remarkable breakthroughs in the lives and work of U.S. special operators and other U.S. and international military personnel.

By Peter Buxbaum

16 Michael D. Lumpkin ASD SO/LIC

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The various units of Special Operations Command take on some of the most brutally challenging missions in warfare, so it is reasonable that SOCOM has usually been the first to receive better equipment, including better protection for heads, bodies, eyes and ears.

By Henry Canaday

SOF shelter requirements are varied. Some needs are common to the other services; some are very specific to their operational environment.

By Chris McCoy

Better Protection for Special Operations

Advanced Shelters for Special Operators

Departments

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Every special operator realizes the importance of protecting their feet.

SOTECH reached out to several major manufacturers of tactical-grade boots and accessories and challenged them to prove how their products are designed to meet the needs of U.S. special forces.

Satellites provide warfighters with beyond line-of-sight communications, allowing small units of special operators performing missions in isolated locations to maintain contact with each other and with headquarters.

By Peter Buxbaum

Protecting the Sole and Other Important Things

Highly Mobile SATCOM Terminals

P OW ERF UL ERFU P ORTABL E P RECI SE

Industry Interview

2 Editor’s Perspective 4 Whispers 14 BLack WAtch 27 Resource Center

Robert P. Jacobson President L-3 Tactical Satcom Sector President L-3 GCS and 3Di Divisions

FLIR RECON 5

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The Authoritative Word on Special Operations Defining Current and Future SOF Technologies

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7/23/15 3:12 PM

Special Operations Technology Volume 13, Issue 5 • June/July 2015

World’s Largest Distributed Special Ops Magazine Editorial Editor-In-Chief

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EDITOR’S PERSPECTIVE No matter where the conversation starts, whenever people talk about the most valuable asset, technology, tool or weapon of special operations, it always comes down to the warfighter. Humans are more important than hardware—one of the basic SOF truths.

In Fiscal Year 2001, there were about 42,800 military positions (combat and support) within special operations available to SOCOM. By FY2014, that number had grown to about 62,800, about a 47-percent increase. Of the total SOF force allocation, about 91 percent represent military positions, with civilians making up the remaining 9 percent.

Jeff McKaughan In relative terms, the 62,800 still represented only about 3 percent of the Editor services’ authorized force levels (up from about 1.9 percent in 2001). Special operations force levels are expected to remain relatively stable at about 63,000 through 2019. By simple math, the percentage of SOF personnel as a percentage of the total authorized force is expected to increase as the services face personnel reduction over the coming years.

Forgetting for a minute that the operational demand for special operations forces was through the roof during the growth years, there were also structural and organizational expansions, including the addition of Marine Corps Special Operations Command and theater special operations commands to support AFRICOM and NORTHCOM. In 2014, Army special operations had the lion’s share of personnel with about 54 percent. The Air Force followed with 25 percent, the Navy with 16 percent and the Marine Corps with about 5 percent.

SOCOM headquarters grew by about 117 percent from 1,885 in 2004 to 4,093 in 2013. Playing a significant role in the headquarters growth was an increase for the Special Operations Research, Development and Acquisition Center.

Now turning back to the operational demand, in 2001 roughly 2,900 personnel were deployed weekly.

Compare that to about 7,200 per week in 2014—with a peak in 2010 of 8,700 per week being deployed.

Although the geographic/regional distribution of where those deployments take place is expected to vary, the overall pace of deployment is not expected to slow down in the near future.

Earlier this year, during testimony before the House Armed Services Committee, Michael Lumpkin, assistant secretary of defense, special operations and low-intensity conflict (and this issue’s cover Q&A), acknowledged that SOF have sustained unprecedented levels of stress during the preceding few years. General Joseph Votel, SOCOM commander, has also testified that the high pace of deployments has resulted in increased suicide incidents among the force and effects on operational readiness and retention due to a lack of predictability.

Before focusing just on the personnel numbers and the increases (real and percentage) over the past 14 years, DoD needs to better understand what it wants it special operations forces to do and how often it wants to deploy them. Only then will it be possible to understand how big SOF needs to be.

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WHISPERS

Compiled by KMI Media Group staff

Air Commandos Bid Farewell to MC-130P Combat Shadow The final two MC-130P Combat Shadow aircraft in the Air Force landed for the last time in front of more than 400 people during an MC-130P Heritage Flight on May 15.

Aircrafts 66-0217 and 69-5819 dropped members of the 7th Special Forces Group, 24th Special Operations Wing and joint partners, who performed high-altitude low-opening jumps. Aircraft 66-0217 performed a fly-by with two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters from the 41st Rescue Squadron assigned to Moody Air Force Base, Ga., and aircraft 69-5819 performed a fly-by with two CV-22 Ospreys assigned to the 8th Special Operations Squadron.

“As we get ready to retire a venerable war horse … today is bittersweet,” said Colonel Sean Farrell, 1st Special Operations Wing Command. “We are truly saying goodbye to a legend. The Shadow’s been a war horse for AFSOC and SOCOM and the nation for over 25 years, and the airframes are even older. It is a legacy of valor that we are honoring today.”

Since Desert Storm, the MC-130P has been involved in many operations: Northern and Southern Watch, Deny Flight in Yugoslavia, Restore Democracy and Uphold Democracy in Haiti, Deliberate Force and Joint Endeavor in Bosnia, Assured Response in Liberia, Guardian Retrieval from Zaire and Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, as well as Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn and Odyssey Dawn.

“As a wing commander whose task is providing combat-ready forces, I hate to see the Shadow go,” said Farrell. “The capability it brings is nearly irreplaceable. As we say a somewhat bittersweet goodbye, we’ll never fully replace what the Shadow has done—what the planes, the crews, the maintainers brought to the fight. The legacy of valor, persistence and tenacity will carry on in our force for the next generation of helicopter and tilt-rotor refueling.”

Built with 1960s technology, the MC-130P began its special operations career in the mid-1980s and went on to conduct critical air refueling missions in the late 1980s during Operation Just Cause in Panama and the early 1990s during Operation Desert Storm.

From the aircrew who execute the mission to the maintainers who enable it, the old airframe comes with a long history that inspires and motivates those who contribute to its mission today.

4 | SOTECH 13.5

“The Combat Shadow’s accomplishments are legendary, and I am sad to see them go,” said Senior Master Sergeant Rebecca Shelley, 1st Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron AC-130J superintendent. “Seventeen years of taking care of them have defined who I am today as an airman as much as taking care of my kids defines me as a mother. We would keep them flying for another 20 years if you let us.

It has been an honor serving with the MC-130P for half of its life and nearly all of its special operations life.”

Since the early 1990s, the Air Force Special Operations Command looked to replace the aging aircraft with cutting-edge technology, but the Combat Shadow managed to prove its worth within the special operations community time and again.

“This is a testament to the hard work and ingenuity of the thousands of maintainers who put their blood, sweat and tears into keeping these planes airworthy and safe,” said Farrell. “We talk about what the Shadow brought to the fight; those guys kept going until the very end.”

After the heritage flight, an informal reception was held for the members of Det. 1, their families and past Combat Shadow airmen.

“Thank you to the men and women of Det. 1 and attached flyers,” said Lieutenant Colonel Sam Kwan, 1st SOG Det. 1 commander. “It has been the privilege of my life to command this unit. It is bittersweet, but there is no better way to go out.”

Additionally, Chief Master Sergeant Matt Caruso, Air Force Special Operations Command chief, gave remarks regarding his time as a Combat Shadow flight engineer.

“We were there regardless of condition. Call us, we’ll go no problem,” he said. “We never complained; leadership wouldn’t have it. We are simply strong and tough Air Commandos. The spirit lives on with each of you. Be proud of what you have done and how you have done it.”

Aircraft 66-0217 and 69-5819 were built in 1969 and received their MC-130P designation in 1996. They are the last two MC-130P Combat Shadow aircraft in the Air Force to be retired. On June 1, 217 and 819 will take their last flight to the boneyard at DavisMonthan Air Force Base, Ariz.

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special section

A constant watch requires a comprehensive assortment of technologies.

By Chris McCoy

When it comes down to the subject of persistent surveillance, one can simply quote the words of a supremely authoritative voice on the subject: the 25th Air Force.

Lieutenant Colonel Karen Rolirad, chief, Operations Division, 625 Operations Center at 25th Air Force, stated that “persistent surveillance is best defined as all-weather, day/night surveillance of the target through the efficient utilization of all appropriate ISR assets.”

Persistent surveillance is critical in the counterinsurgency fight since it helps determine patterns of life and behavior. It can also be crucial in ensuring force protection around friendly forces.

When speaking of ISR platforms designed to perform the role of persistent surveillance, Rolirad spoke of two distinct forms and their uses.

“Remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) were designed to ensure extended [surveillance] hours. MQ-1/MQ-9 and RQ-4 have long loiter times, allowing them to be most effective at conducting this type of surveillance.

Aerostats were designed to provide surveillance and early warning against attacks as well,” she said.

Persistent surveillance is crucial to special operators, especially when operating in www.SOTECH-kmi.com

austere environments and the information gleaned through that surveillance is crucial.

“Persistent Systems provides a critical component to SOF persistent surveillance needs by transmitting high-bandwidth high-definition video, voice and positionlocation information to tactical operators,” said Defense Strategy Officer Dave Roddenberry. “Wave Relay mobile ad hoc network (MANET) products are incorporated on manned and unmanned platforms, as well as carried by mounted and dismounted operators.”

This creates a networked battlespace that extends situational awareness capabilities, such as the Android Tactical Assault Kit, video transmission, audio communications and transmission of intelligence products and files, to the tactical edge on Android user displays.

“The Wave Relay 5 platform incorporates MANET networking, audio, highdefinition video and onboard computing into a single device,” said Roddenberry.

“This greatly reduces individual batteries, cables and extra hardware and software that would typically be required to achieve this system capability.”

The networking bandwidth at 150Mbps is an improvement that allows all this

content to flow over the wireless network and is proven to excel in RF environments where legacy radios fail, such as dense urban canyons, tunnels, ships and caves.

“Due to the flexibility of the MANET wireless network, our systems are used by all branches of special operation forces and conventional military forces both domestically and internationally,” said Roddenberry.

“With the onboard Android user space, the capabilities of the system will grow beyond situational awareness and video.”

Payload manipulation, unmanned system C2, collaborative sensor algorithm and GPS-denied tools are all in development by Persistent Systems. Also, like personal smart devices, the Wave Relay 5 platform will allow each user to customize their app space with tools to enhance their particular mission “Special forces operations also depend on the timely sharing of critical information. Getting rid of latency is a critical piece to ensure it does not decrease the sensorto-shooter timeliness for decision-makers,” said Jerry Mamrol, director of Strategic and Tactical Solutions for Lockheed Martin.

“We’ve developed cross-domain guards that facilitate secure sharing of sensitive data between unclassified and classified SOTECH 13.5 | 5

special section security domains by ensuring that data transferring from one network domain to another undergo extremely high levels of scrutiny, protecting against compromises in the integrity of the information,” said Mamrol.

Mamrol also explained how his company is making advances in devices that can seamlessly transition between tactical and strategic, service component or joint infrastructures.

“As the mission evolves, there must be a way to process collected data into intelligence. Additionally, SOF operations require secure ‘Communications-on-the-Move’ to provide intelligence and operations support to those in theater,” said Mamrol.

“Our focus is on facilitating high-speed transmission capacity for voice and data communications for forces that are mobile and need untethered secure access from across the globe.”

“SOF missions are evolving in line with changing military doctrine and concepts of operation. They find themselves embarking on expeditionary missions in small, distributed teams, often deep into hostile, bandwidth-austere territory and far from support and supplies,” said Vice President of Business Development Doug Rombough of Logos Technologies. “Consequently, they have very pronounced and particular situational awareness needs.”

Rombough explained that the collection of multi-source data using sophisticated sensors, coupled with the exploitation of that data, helps produce the situational awareness and actionable insights that are critical to successful operations.

“The more that SOF can know about their environment, the more that they can conclude with confidence about realtime developments around them, the more instrumental they are in successfully executing their missions,” said Rombough.

Rombough explained that Logos Technologies is involved at every stage in the cycle from data collection to processing and analysis.

“We build wide area motion imagery (WAMI) sensor systems such as the aerostat-based Kestrel, a new lightweight, exportable variant of Kestrel called Simera, UAS-based systems such as Redkite, and unmanned/manned aircraft multi-INT sensors systems,” he said. “Logos sensor systems are designed for wide-area persistent 6 | SOTECH 13.5

surveillance in all light conditions, and incorporate multispectral imaging, fullmotion video, acoustic sensors and platform/pod-mountable capabilities.”

However, according to Rombough, the sensor is just the first part of the system.

The company also provides data processing systems and advanced analytics processes to exploit multisource data and help identify patterns of life, relationship networks and anomalies and trends.

“Activity-based analytics (ABA) is about seeing the big picture, layering intelligence collected from a range of sources and creating a complete and up-to-date analysis of an operational environment,” said Rombough.

Kestrel, the company’s flagship sensor system, has protected forward-operating bases in Afghanistan since 2011.

With more than 150,000 operational hours since its first deployment in September 2011, Kestrel is the only imagery-based aerostat-mounted persistent surveillance system that provides 360-degree geographically- and temporally-tagged area coverage.

The sensor system continuously collects and records over a 360-degree view of a city-sized area with resolution optimized to track vehicles and detect moving dismounts. Motion imagery, captured by the sensor, is tagged, indexed and archived for up to 30 days.

“At 150 pounds, Kestrel is the only operational EO/IR WAMI system light enough to fly on tethered aerostats. Our rapid prototyping, development and deployment of a system that meets these specifications (over the course of 12 months) was a significant challenge and a great success,” said Rombough. “Our Simera aerostat-based sensor was developed for smaller aerostats and exportability.”

At 40 pounds, the Simera EO only sensor has nearly the same coverage area as Kestrel, with greater platform flexibility.

New and better sensors systems are a part of addressing the so called “data overload” problem. By using real-time processing to integrate and coordinate the tasking of multiple sensors, one can make it more likely that the correct data are collected, thereby making it easier to handle large data flows and shortening the time it takes to draw actionable conclusions.

“A common position in the research, development, test and evaluation community is that we don’t need new sensors—

that we’re swimming in sensors and drowning in data—and that we need better tools for analysis,” said Rombough.

“While Logos agrees that we do need better tools, this position implicitly accepts that all data must be viewed equally; that, like sand, data is undifferentiable and must be consumed and processed grain by grain.

This viewpoint fails to recognize that limitations in the design and application of the sensors themselves can lead to data overload by collecting unnecessary or redundant data with low-information density. This data then must be transported, data-linked, analyzed and stored at significant cost (in money and system impact) almost independent of its actual value.”

Next-generation, smart-sensor architectures are an important contributor to addressing the data overload problem.

They can provide more complete, higherdensity data sets that are engineered to speed the transition from data to actionable information.

For example, Logos is proposing a tightly integrated system that combines an affordable, highly functional WAMI capability and an agile narrow field-of-view “inspection” system that may include imaging sensors, LiDAR or even a hyperspectral sensor with real-time processing and data links to offboard “tips and cues.”

“This system allows real-time datadriven allocation and optimization of collection capacity and bandwidth. This approach greatly reduces the quantities of raw WAMI and full-motion-video data to be collected and processed (up to a factor of 100) while ensuring a much better data product that can be more easily utilized,” said Rombough. “Because of this reduction in sensor bandwidth, all the processing can easily happen at the sensor, leading to savings in data link bandwidth, reductions in latency, and reduced system size, weight and power.”

Since this architecture allows the collection to respond to many system inputs, the data can be appropriately and reliably prioritized for compression and storage.

In closing, Rombough explained that the company is strongly focused on lowering the size, weight and power and cost considerations for their sensors in order to make them applicable to new types of scenarios.

“We are also pursuing pod-based, multiINT solutions. One such capability is what www.SOTECH-kmi.com

Logos calls Hermes, a platform-agnostic, multi-sensor wide-area persistent surveillance pod,” said Rombough. “The Hermes system is designed to offer compatibility with a variety of manned and unmanned platforms. It will feature significant onboard processing, allowing large and mid-sized UAS to carry it at full endurance, as well as other operational payloads.”

A Closer Look Inside Aerostats With the capability to provide panoramic day/night surveillance in extremely challenging weather, aerostats have been very successful in supporting the U.S. and coalition forces in a wartime environment.

As the United States brings back aerostats from their use in theater, these aerostats have the opportunity to be used for other military and civilian uses.

“Reusing these aerostats is an excellent way to leverage and maximize existing capital assets for a multitude of missions,” said Mamrol. “As such, Lockheed Martin worked with the Army to provide operational support for a Persistent Threat Detection System (PTDS) that is being used by the Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for surveillance along the southern border of the United States.

“The system can also be equipped with multiple sensors, which can be easily and quickly interchanged in order to support different types of CBP missions,” Mamrol added. “PTDS offers a persistent surveillance capability not possible with manned and unmanned aircraft, which encounter surveillance-time limitations dictated by fuel consumption and payload capacity.”

Inside RPAs General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI), the creator of both MQ-1 and MQ-9 RPA platforms, offered a closer look into their technologies.

“The Predator B/MQ-9 Reaper RPA system offers a persistent ISR capability that satisfies unique SOF requirements to conduct irregular warfare missions,” said Jason Ehret, manager, strategic development at GA-ASI. “Reaper’s camera sensor provides surveillance imagery over days, or sometimes even weeks, for intelligence analysts to assess and exploit. This analysis www.SOTECH-kmi.com

Kestrel has protected forward-operating bases in Afghanistan since 2011. [Photo courtesy of Logos Technologies]

supports intelligence collection, operational missions, targeting and post-strike battle damage assessments.”

The Reaper also assists ground force commanders in overcoming challenges of time-sensitive targeting.

“The persistence and multi-role ability of MQ-9 to conduct both ISR and strike dramatically reduces the time between target identification and target prosecution. As a result, warfighters receive an ‘unblinking eye’ for continuous battlefield situational awareness that enables rapid kinetic response when a time-sensitive target is identified,” said Ehret.

The Reaper is unique due to its multimission capability and modularity for multiple payload configurations. It is capable of carrying a variety of mission payloads, including electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR), Lynx multi-mode radar, multi-mode maritime surveillance radar, electronic support measures, laser designators and various weapons packages.

Moreover, the Reaper has an endurance of more than 27 hours, operates up to 50,000 feet and has a 3,850-pound payload capacity. It also meets SOCOM, AFSOC and USASOC mission requirements for persistent multi-INT ISR, irregular warfare and precision strike.

The Royal Air Force, Italian Air Force and French Air Force are among the international customers that make use of the Reaper.

Significant technological enhancements are also under development at GA-ASI.

“We are developing a sense-and-avoid/ due regard radar system to enable RPA to operate in domestic and international airspace. DRR is an air-to-air radar being developed under company funding to meet airspace integration requirements. Flight tests of a pre-production DRR are under way on both a manned aircraft and a Reaper,” said Ehret.

Moreover, GA-ASI is developing the HELLADS high-energy, lightweight and compact high-energy laser weapon system under a U.S. government contract.

“HELLADS seeks to demonstrate a 150-kilowatt laser weapon that can be mounted to military platforms as small as patrol ships, fighter and surveillance aircraft, armored combat vehicles and perhaps even RPA,” said Ehret. “AFSOC is interested in a high-energy laser for its AC-130 gunship, and SOCOM is reviewing this capability for other applications.”

Conclusion Altogether, RPA platforms such as the MQ-1, MQ-9 and aerostats offer the ability to stay aloft for significant periods of time; however, the sensors and information processing technologies that they are outfitted with are a significant part of the equation when it comes to the task of performing persistent surveillance. O For more information, contact Editor-in-Chief Jeff McKaughan at jeffm@kmimediagroup.com or search our online archives for related stories at www.sotech-kmi.com.

SOTECH 13.5 | 7

Significant advances continue to be made in protective gear.

By Henry Canaday, SOTECH Correspondent

The various units of Special Operations Command take on some of the most brutally challenging missions in warfare, so it is reasonable that SOCOM has usually been the first to receive better equipment, including better protection for heads, bodies, eyes and ears.

The past decade of severely challenging missions has seen significant improvements in the personal protection gear issued to SOCOM units, some of which have been later issued to regular units of the Army and Marines.

Under less intense pressure now, SOCOM appears to have stabilized most of its equipage, at least for the short term. For the long term, the command has set an extraordinarily ambitious goal in protection that, if successful, could revolutionize all infantry warfare.

The Marine Corps Special Operations Command currently uses Special Operations Eye Protection, the Maritime Integrated Communication Helmet Communications and the Adaptive Vest System, explained MARSOC spokesman Captain Barry Morris. All this equipment is issued through the Special Operations Personal Equipment Advance Requirements program.

Morris said MARSOC protection capabilities meet or exceed requirements, based on current threat assessments. In the short to medium term, MARSOC will continue working with the U.S. Special Operations Command on any emerging threats and technology improvements to provide the best protection based on any future threat assessments.

For the longer term, MARSOC will continue to work with SOCOM on the Tactical Assault Lightweight Operator Suit (TALOS) to provide the best protection for all MARSOC personnel.

Even in the short term, there may be some desirable improvements for SOCOM. For example, in July 2013, the Program ManagerSpecial Operations Forces-Survival, Support and Equipment Systems (PM-SOFSSES) began a market investigation of improved eye protection for special operators. The PM was interested in a package of technologies that would protect against ballistic fragmentation, ultraviolet light, impacts and laser threats. Different lenses in the package would have to be easily interchangeable without tools, and the entire package should be easily attachable to special operations load-carriage systems. The system should also be easy to don and doff and be compatible with prescriptions, current helmets, communications and weapons.

And in spring 2015, PM-SOF SSES began seeking information on a possible new modular glove system. It is looking for a system that can protect against cold, wind and wet weather down to at least -20 degrees Fahrenheit but ideally -40 degrees Fahrenheit for 60 minutes and be versatile enough to allow operation of radios, computers and weapons. And the PM is seeking all this with no more than six 8 | SOTECH 13.5

glove layers. Other objectives involve waterproofing, breathability and expedited drying.

SOCOM hopes the big leap forward in head-to-toe protection from common battlefield threats will come from TALOS. The command is now in Phase Two of the four-phase TALOS project, having chosen Ekso Bionics to continue work on an exoskeleton through 2015. The first operational TALOS suits are expected in August 2018.

Apart from its exoskeleton, TALOS would include many other elements, including capabilities for monitoring vital signs, real-time battlefield information and load carrying. Eventually, TALOS might even include fabrics that can stop bleeding and much better sensors.

Private firms are attentive to SOCOM requirements and are active on short-term needs, even as they keep an eye on the long term.

For example, Oakley has supported SOCOM’s SOEP (Special Operations Eye Protection) with innovative eyewear since 2007, noted Erick Poston, director of the company’s military and government business. “Oakley products feature cutting-edge technologies, patented innovations and world-class manufacturing to ensure uncompromised performance,” Poston stressed. The company is currently the only approved provider for SOCOM’s SOEP. Oakley provides protective eyewear systems in both goggle and spectacle configurations.

Oakley’s SI Ballistic Goggle 2.0 weighs just 3.7 ounces, yet complies with military requirements for resistance to high-mass and high-velocity ballistic impacts and blocks long-wave ultraviolet A, shortwave ultraviolet B and harmful violet-blue light up to 400 nanometers in wavelength. This model has advanced anti-fog and anti-abrasion performance, resists flame and is compatible with night vision goggles (NVGs). A laser-protective lens is also available for the 2.0 model.

The company’s SI Ballistic M Frame 3.0 offers the same protections against light, has a secure fit with a nose pad and fog-free lenses.

Its thin-stem design is compatible with over-ear hearing protection and communication devices. The M Frame meets requirements for protection against ballistic fragments and weighs slightly more than an ounce.

Mounted on the M Frame, Oakley’s enhanced Prizm lenses offer marksmen greater clarity and contrast in targets. Prizm lenses block specified wavelengths of the color spectrum to maximize contrasts for shooters. The company also makes a laser strike lens for use with the M Frame.

Poston said Oakley eyewear is issued across SOCOM units. He said his company has significant advantages in patented high-definition optics lens geometries, Prizm contrast-enhancing lens tints, scratchresistant hard coatings, anti-fog backside coatings and the availability www.SOTECH-kmi.com

of laser-protective lenses. The Prizm lenses are among Oakley’s most recent innovations.

Another top manufacturer, Revision Military, started out 10 years ago making eyewear for ballistic protection. Brian Dowling, director of program management, said Revision then turned its attention to protection of the head, neck and face and now makes Army combat helmets. And Revision is currently looking at protection in a holistic way. For example, by taking a systemic approach to eye and helmet protection, it is possible to achieve both aims while reducing total weight and making the protective gear more comfortable.

Revision continues to work on improving its current protective equipment. For example, it is working on a polyethylene helmet that would give the same level of protection as Kevlar helmets but with 25 percent less weight. This effort is intended to support requirements of both SOCOM and the Army’s Program Executive Office Soldier.

Another Revision project is more complete protection for soldiers’ eyes. Traditionally, eye protection has been aimed against ballistic threats. But there are other threats that soldier may not even be aware of.

One example is the laser weapons that are becoming more common, affordable and accessible. Some of these can even be purchased on the Internet. So Revision has been working on eyewear that would combine protection against ballistic threats with security against easily purchased laser weapons.

Much of Revision’s and other firms’ efforts in the last decade have gone into providing the same or higher levels of protection at

a reduced weight. Indeed, a good deal of weight has been removed through these efforts, even if it is often replaced by poundage of other gear. But the TALOS program looks at protection “from a different azimuth,” Dowling said. Revision has been active here as well.

TALOS starts by trying to provide a given level of protection, managing the weight required to achieve this protection and preserving the soldier’s mobility. Exoskeletons, spines and offloads are some of the techniques for managing or redistributing weight.

For example, the weight of a highly protective helmet and NVGs might be vertically offloaded to the shoulders. “The aim is to get the load off the acute points like the neck and lower back,” Dowling explained. Another technique could be to shift some vest weight off the shoulders and toward a lower-body structure better able to bear it.

Revision made a first-year deliverable for TALOS, a prototype of a system that could redistribute armor weight, and continues to work on the program. Dowling noted that other firms have been tasked with looking at the protection required for specific threats and estimating the total weight necessary to meet these requirements.

3M is another major manufacturer of protection for several vulnerable areas of the body. It makes Peltor’s ComTac headset for hearing protection and communication and has delivered thousands of the devices to both SOCOM and other services since 2009. Thomas Lavalle, business development manager of 3M’s Personal Safety Division, said the Peltor ComTac has three basic functions. It supports two-way communication on tactical radios, offers hearing protection

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SOTECH 13.5 | 9

against both steady and impulse noises and, uniquely, affords auditory situational awareness.

“The two microphones allow environmental listening to the sounds around the soldier, who can maintain face-to-face communication and hear at a safe level,” Lavalle explained. “But if there is an impulse noise, it will be depressed to a safe level.”

This feature is especially important to special operators because these warfighters are usually working in a very quiet environment which may be interrupted by a random, hazardous noise. Most equipment for ear protection is designed for industrial environments where it protects against steady noise levels.

The Peltor ComTac has a microphone that connects to many types of tactical radios and provides clear, intelligible, reliable communication in transmission. The ComTac headset offers clear reception as well along with a noise isolator. “It provides unique auditory situational awareness,” Lavalle said. “You are aware of the surrounding sounds and you can talk to someone who is in front of you.”

3M and Peltor now have developed a new maritime-grade ComTac that will operate at 33 feet underwater for up to 10 hours. It has the same features as the above-ground version and works under both fresh water and sea water.

3M has just launched a tactical ear plug, a ruggedized, portable, digitized hearing protector. This high-tech ear plug offers environmental listening and hearing protection like ComTac, but does not support radio communication.

3M is also working on a new line of eye protection against laser threats that will use the firm’s own multi-layer optical film.

Cheryl Ingstad, business manager for Advanced Ceramics Platform for Defense, noted that 3M also makes helmets of a very distinctive kind. It is now launching an ultralight-weight (ULW) Ballistic & Bump Helmet (BBH) that Ingstad said has the best performance for its weight in this protective class. Light weight also makes the 3M ULW-BBH more comfortable.

This is a two-in-one helmet combining protection against both ballistics and bumps. Without attachments, the ULW-BBH weighs less than a pound, or about 550 grams. It will be offered to both SOCOM and international customers. Ingstad said prospective customers are incredulous at the light weight when they hold the ULW-BBH in their hands. “It has really impressed our NATO allies, and even SOCOM is impressed.”

The ULW-BBH is made of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene composites and molded by Ceradyne’s proprietary seamless ballistic technology. It has a higher cut than the United States’ Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH), and modular mounting platforms can be attached to it without holes, enabling use of Picatinny rails. The ULWBBH is compatible with most common helmet suspension systems.

The ULW-BBH helmet’s flexible rail is compatible with all standard accessories; the helmet is compatible with most standard oneand three-hole mounts for NVGs. The new helmet will stop multiple 9mm full metal jacket rounds travelling at 1,400 feet per second and a 17-grain fragment simulating projectile traveling 650 meters per second more than half the time.

The ULW-BBH does not offer the highest level of ballistic protection, just the best protection for its weight. But 3M will soon be launching more ULW helmets for higher levels of protection.

Ingstad said the new 3M headgear is the first ultralight-weight tactical helmet, but she believes her company has been the largest U.S. military helmet contractor for the last two years. 3M makes the Enhanced Combat Helmet (ECH) for both the Army and Marines.

10 | SOTECH 13.5

“We are delivering the ECH every day; now we have launched the ULW-BBH and we will make more ULW helmets.”

Some firms specialize in sourcing, rather than manufacturing, the best in protective equipment. For example, ADS works with SOCOM units from all the services, noted Ray Diaz, the company’s SOCOM sales manager. “Our customers expect ADS to maintain the highest degree of operational security,” Diaz noted.

For eye protection, ADS typically provides multiple models of ballistic eyewear that enhance warfighter capabilities in various environments for both training and actual combat.

For body protection, ADS typically provide vests systems that range from low-visibility to full load-bearing systems. “The systems can be modified to meet specific mission sets or unit special operating procedures,” Diaz explained.

Diaz stressed that his company is not a manufacturer of protective equipment but offers SOCOM and other customers products from industry-leading manufacturers. “ADS is partnered with some of the leading manufacturers of personal protective equipment.”

For security purposes, Diaz declined to describe any specific future technologies or capabilities ADS would offer. “The best I can tell you is that many upcoming and innovative technologies are developed as a direct result of investigating capability gaps within our customer base and developing solutions to fill those gaps or needs.”

All this sophisticated protective gear is great, but only if it works. And one kind of protection, against chemical and biological threats, could be critical in emergencies, but is difficult to validate in normal circumstances.

Enter Battelle Memorial Institute. Battelle’s Man in Simulant Testing (MIST) is performed at a testing facility near its Columbus, Ohio, headquarters. Battelle uses human test participants to evaluate the protective capabilities of gloves, masks, suits and boots while a person is performing physical activities that would occur in combat situations, such as jumping, running or shooting. Additionally, Battelle tests doffing procedures to make sure operators know the correct way to remove contaminated gear while avoiding exposure.

During MIST, 25 sensors are placed on a person’s body to collect any simulated chemical agent that might permeate the fabric or seep through a gap between, for example, the glove and wrist. The person then enters the MIST chamber, where a simulated chemical agent is circulated in a controlled environment. The person performs repetitive physical activity for two hours while his or her body temperature is monitored. Afterwards, sensors are removed and analyzed to see if any exposures occurred.

“It’s important in a laboratory setting to figure out what works and what doesn’t work so that when we put our warfighters out there, we know we’re doing the best we can to protect them,” said Battelle spokeswoman Katy Delaney.

Another unique Battelle test facility, the Ambient Breeze Tunnel, evaluates doffing procedures. A person in protective equipment is sprayed with a simulated agent in the controlled environment that mimics weather conditions. Then the person is decontaminated using standard procedures, removes clothing and gear and steps inside a room with a black light. If he’s been exposed, those areas will light up because of a special florescent material used in the test. O

For more information, contact Editor-in-Chief Jeff McKaughan at jeffm@kmimediagroup.com or search our online archives for related stories at www.sotech-kmi.com.

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The thirst for capabilities at the squad level influences the designs of the UAV industry.

By Peter Buxbaum, SOTECH Correspondent Just in the last few years, UAVs have made remarkable breakthroughs in the lives and work of U.S. special operators and other U.S. and international military personnel. Ten years ago, UAVs were regarded as ISR assets. Their operation required highly trained personnel who were often attached to units as UAV experts.

But the UAV was of little use to the unit if the UAV person was incapacitated. A military requirement came about to be able to use the UAVs out of the box and make them more capable.

Since then, UAVs have become much smaller and yet more capable. They are easier to operate with minimal training so that anyone in the unit can deploy it. Their payloads have become smaller and more precise, allowing more valuable information to flow to individual, far-forward warfighters. Some small UAVs are becoming platforms for satellite communications as technology providers have overcome technical barriers, providing users with beyond line-of-sight communications and ISR capabilities.

These developments are reflected in new requirements for small UAVs that the Army has developed over the last few years in a new capabilities production document (CPD): “Increment II Rucksack Portable UAS.” These requirements are built around the current Raven and Puma programs. The Raven is a 4-pound sysNick Kioutas tem with a 5-foot wingspan built by www.SOTECH-kmi.com

AeroVironment, carries electro-optical and thermal payloads and has an endurance of 90 minutes. The Puma, also built by AeroVironment, is a 13-pound unmanned aerial system that can remain aloft for three hours. It carries electro-optical and infrared cameras on a gimbaled payload and is capable of landing in the water or on land.

“The CPD leverages the previously procured Raven RQ11B aircraft to be utilized to meet the medium-range mobile requirement,” said Lieutenant Colonel Nick Kioutas, product manager for small unmanned aircraft systems within the Army’s Program Executive Office, Aviation. “It leverages previously procured Puma RQ-20 aircraft to meet the long-range reconnaissance surveillance requirement.”

The CPD also codified a requirement for a future new system known as short-range micro (SRM) to address the need for close-in missions with little weight burden.

“The SRM completes the family of systems,” said Kioutas. “The shortrange micro system is ostensibly a quad copter with a perch and stare capability.”

“We are seeing a lot of different use cases for UAVs, especially the smaller units,” said Jay McConville, Jay McConville director of business development for SOTECH 13.5 | 11

near term and will replicate the current controllers in the field with Lockheed Martin Unmanned Integrated Systems. “There has been limited additional training required for the SRM when it is fielded.” great deal of interest in a varied set of capabilities. All defense com“We are working hard to provide to the special operations munities want small systems that can be rapidly deployed, that are community a common control environment so they can use these small enough to carry and that, at the same time, present increasing systems in various use cases and potentially in the future in combicapabilities of their payloads and especially of endurance.” nation,” said McConville. “In the future, a common ground control “We have seen requirements to reduce training time on UAVs,” system will be able to control different systems. For now, we have said Derek Lyons, director of sales and business development at a common architecture so that a new architecture doesn’t have to Prioria Robotics, Inc. “The military wants operators to be able to be developed for each new platform. Lockheed Martin is the largest learn quickly so that operations can be set up fast, and you don’t provider of ground control hardware and software to the UAV comhave to be a specialist to operate the system.” munity. We ensure commonality in software and interoperability “The trend going forward is for the output of UAV payloads to be and interchangeability in hardware.” pushed to a variety of networked devices such as handheld devices Interchangeability of hardware means, at least in and wearable video monitors and control systems,” part, that payloads can be removed from one system Lyons added. “That way, a group on the ground that and snapped on another. “Non-modular sensors are is organized together but not necessarily collocated falling out of favor, except for some highly specialcan get the same video feed at the same time and have ized applications,” said Lyons. “There is going to be situational awareness without having to take control a push toward applying the kind of modularity we of the system.” already see in large systems to all systems.”

Most currently deployed small UAVs have line-of“We want to be able to change payloads dependsight communications links from the aircraft down ing on what the user needs, whether it is EO, IR or to the ground but don’t have satellite communicaboth, or whether missions require laser illuminators tions. Companies like Hughes Network Systems are or signals intelligence payloads. That also includes working to change that situation. “There are some Derek Lyons payloads from other vendors. We want to accomevolving requirements, including from the special modate all those to meet the need of the customer,” operations community, that may have some of them said McConville. start moving to SATCOM,” said Rick Lober, vice presiPayloads for smaller UAVs are beginning to dent and general manager of the company’s defense emulate those of the larger systems with, for examand intelligence systems division. ple, higher definition and improved stabilization of Moving SATCOM onto UAVs would provide them images, McConville also noted. Commercial off-thewith beyond line-of-sight communications so that shelf data links have also been outfitted on smaller they could reach over mountains, buildings and UAVs, enabling higher bandwidth capabilities on other obstacles. “The challenge for small UAVs is smaller platforms. the antenna size,” said Lober. “We are working on a The Army’s future SRM requirement could couple of different approaches to use advanced wave possibly be answered by Lockheed Martin’s Indago forms to get the antenna size down.”

Rick Lober small quad copter UAV. “Indago has been getting a “The terminals which are connected to X-band lot of use,” said McConville. “Its 45 minutes-plus satellites are getting smaller and stronger all the of endurance represents a significant increase in a time,” said Andrew Ruszkowski, vice president for quad copter weighing 5 pounds. It has a great capaglobal sales and marketing at XTAR, a provider of bility for stable surveillance and reconnaissance X-band satellite capacity. X-band is a frequency band imagery. It carries variable payloads of electroset aside for government use. U.S. government assets, optical and infrared cameras, together or separately, such as the Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) sateland other payload opportunities also exist. It is easy lite, operate on X-band. The technical attributes of to use and small enough to pack up and put it in a X-band allows for successful communications using cargo pocket.” smaller antennas, such as those that can be outfitted Lockheed Martin’s newest small UAV is the Vecon smaller UAVs. tor Hawk, introduced last year. “The Vector Hawk As smaller UAVs become more ubiquitous, their addresses a broad set of unique missions and operatutility will be enhanced with the development of comAndrew Ruszkowski ing needs within a single system,” said McConville. mon ground controls systems and payloads. Although The aircraft has a gross takeoff weight of 4 pounds, a vertical profile these systems are still in development, some UAV vendors have of 4 inches and a wingspan of 44 inches. moved toward developing interoperable architectures and interfaces “The Vector Hawk can be reconfigured in the field to multiple for their small unmanned aircraft. missions including fixed wing, vertical takeoff and landing [VTOL], The Army CPD requirement for a common and open architecand tilt-rotor enabling vertical takeoff and landing with transition ture for UAVs is a step in that direction. “To date, we have not had to fixed wing flight,” said McConville. “Our fixed wing variants may common ground controls or payloads that affect small unmanned be hand- or tube-launched, and VTOL and tilt-rotor variants may be aerial systems,” said Kioutas. “The government is developing a launched from land or water surfaces. Each of the variants uses the tactical open government architecture (TOGA) controller that will same center body, the same avionics and the same ground control facilitate the quick and less costly integration of new capabilities station. It’s just a question of swapping out the wings.” and platforms. The TOGA will allow for reduced training time in the 12 | SOTECH 13.5

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reach geostationary satellite constellations which provide broadVector Hawk features fully autonomous flight, landing and failband service. The size of the antenna is related to its power, thus safes. “It is inaudible at operational slant ranges,” said McConville. limiting the options of small UAVs to exploit SATCOM. “The data link features a high-bandwidth software-defined radio, One of the advantages of X-band SATCOM is that less powerful mesh networking, including 3G, 4G and Long Term Evolution celand therefore smaller antennas can be used to reach the satellites, lular, over-the-air reconfiguration, and is capable of employing a thus opening the opportunity to load SATCOM on smaller UAVs. variety of waveforms. The Vector Hawk and the larger Desert Hawk,” “X-band can achieve higher data rates and throughput and greater at 8 pounds and a 54-inch wingspan, “are run on the same ground efficiency in use of frequency spectrums,” said Ruszkowski. “This control station even though they are different aircraft with different can result in better performance and lower costs.” capabilities and use cases.”

Currently available antennas that can be used for broadband Lockheed Martin’s approach is to offer a portfolio of systems frequency bands such as X-band and Ku-band are now as small as comprised of multiple vehicles of different types. “The Stalker 6 inches square. “There are many different antennas and terminals and Desert Hawk are larger and not as portable but can be broken operating on XTAR today,” said Ruszkowski. “We down and carried in a rucksack,” said McConville. get data rates to support the transmission of high“The Desert Hawk has proved to be very stable and definition video. X-band is a fantastic environment good for use in high winds. It is easy to deploy and to support systems that support special operators.” very rugged.”

As special operators move to deploying smaller The Stalker XE (extended endurance) can weight airborne systems, the technology and communicaas much as 26.5 pounds, has a wingspan of 12 feet and tions paradigms also shift. Larger UAVs require an endurance of up to 4.8 hours. Lockheed Martin their own takeoff, landing and communications has experimented with fuel cell technology to power infrastructures and were deployed on highly spethe Stalker, a development which could extend its cialized, often siloed and stand-alone, missions. endurance as long as 12 hours. “We have interest “You can’t afford that with smaller UAVs,” said Dan from a number of different defense customers in the Dan Losada Losada, senior director of the Defense and IntelUnited States and worldwide in the fuel cell capabililigence Systems division at Hughes. “Now we have to find a way ties,” said McConville. to network small UAVs in ways which were never done with the At Prioria Robotics, the priority is to build intelligent capabililarger platforms.” ties into its UAVs. Prioria is the maker of a micro unmanned aerial Hughes has developed a special waveform that enables the system, the Maveric, a single-person portable system weighing 2 networking of smaller UAVs. “It allows multiple accesses to the pounds and measuring 28 inches. Maveric is equipped with bendwaveform,” said Losada. “Each unit only uses the bandwidth that able carbon fiber wings, allowing it to be stored in a 6-inch tube and it needs when it needs it and hands back the rest to the network.” deployed in less than two minutes with no assembly. Payloads for Future military UAVs will be heading in two separate direcMaveric include analog and digital gimbaled electro-optical camtions, Lyons predicted. “It’s going to be moving toward the nano eras, a fixed side-look infrared camera, analog and digital zoom camsize, possibly in the form of a quad copter,” he said. “It will also be eras and a digital fused EO/IR sensor. The system comes equipped moving to the larger Puma-size UAV. We are interested in workwith Prioria’s processing platform, called Merlin, which provides ing on our Maveric technology to make it more modular so that Maveric on-board collision avoidance capabilities. it accommodates the various requirements the military may have “The goal is always to provide the information the operator in upcoming years. Future UAVs must be modular and have the needs without information overload,” said Lyons. “We are working ability to plug into any ground station and work from the beginwith a company called Irvine Sensors to integrate a camera onto our ning. That’s going to be behind any vehicle we introduce in the platforms that sees the way the human eye operates.” The camera next couple of years.” has the capability of scanning a wide area and then jumping to a “The future for small unmanned aerial vehicles will be in satsmaller area of interest. ellite communications and in improved available bandwidth and “The Irvine payload looks at an image cognitively rather than data links for greater throughput,” said McConville. “All of this will spatially,” Lyons explained. “The system is able to assess multiple support a greater variety of payloads. We will build UAVs so that targets at the same time and then make a decision as to which is the they can be continually updated to accommodate new payloads. All biggest threat without having the operator get into it.” Prioria and of this is going to give end-users a lot more flexibility. Endurance Irvine are working on the project on behalf of a U.S. Army customer. will also increase. It will be very exciting to see small UAVs with the The sensor incorporates artificial intelligence which mimics capability of remaining aloft for eight to 10 hours.” how the human brain processes images. “Current IR sensors can “Increased autonomy and miniaturization will allow the show operators heat sources,” said Lyons. “This new system will be operators at the tactical edge to access the Global Information able to identify objects and search for targets.”

Grid and non-organic fires,” said Kioutas. “It will also hasten the The Irvine project is part of a larger trend within Prioria to operational tempo, reduce the operator overhead and provide situprovide more processing power at the sensor point. “Among other ational enhancement beyond the line of sight.” O things, this provides advantages in access-denied areas and in locations where sensors are vulnerable to spoofing,” said Lyons.

“We think this has great implications, especially for the special For more information, contact Editor-in-Chief operations community.”

Jeff McKaughan at jeffm@kmimediagroup.com or search our online archives for Deploying satellite communications on small UAVs involves related stories at www.sotech-kmi.com. the challenge of developing antennas with sufficient power to www.SOTECH-kmi.com

SOTECH 13.5 | 13

BLACK WATCH $81.8 Million Contract to Supply SATCOM Terminals L-3 Communications announced that it has been awarded an $81.8 million contract from Raytheon Australia to supply the Australian Defence Force (ADF) with 236 Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs), additional support equipment and training as part of Joint Project 2008 Phase 5B1.

This program will further enable the ADF to utilize the Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) system, significantly increasing their satellite communications capabilities. Two L-3 business units, Global Communications Solutions (GCS) and Linkabit, will perform on this contract, with hardware deliveries expected to be completed this year.

The contract will deliver L-3 GCS’s Hawkeye and Panther family of VSAT terminals, integrated with L-3 Linkabit’s MPM family of modems, and includes the option to purchase additional terminals and equipment.

These terminals will enable ADF troops on the ground to benefit from increased data rates and a higher level of network performance.

This award comes as a follow-on to the $35 million Joint Project 2008 Phase 3H contract awarded to L-3 in 2013 for 54 Hawkeye III Lite VSATs and support equipment.

“The L-3 GCS SATCOM terminals are attractive to the Australian military for a number of reasons, including their certification for use on the WGS and their reputation within the U.S. Department of Defense for quality, performance and reliability. Australia is an emerging market for WGS-certified terminals and we look forward to building on the valued relationship we share with our Australian partners,” said Bob Jacobson, president of L-3 GCS and L-3’s Tactical SATCOM sector.

“This contract is a significant international win for L-3 and demonstrates the crossdivision synergies that enhance our expertise at L-3 GCS and L-3 Linkabit,” said John Mega, president of L-3’s Communication Systems group. “As we expand these product lines and increase L-3’s footprint in the international SATCOM market, we will continue to collaborate with our customers to develop benchmark communication systems that anticipate and exceed their well-defined needs efficiently and affordably.”

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Helicopter Achieves Successful First Flight Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a United Technologies Corp. subsidiary, announced the successful first flight of the S-97 Raider helicopter, a rigid coaxial rotor prototype designed to demonstrate a game-changing combination of maneuverability, hover ability, range, speed, endurance and survivability. The first flight was conducted at Sikorsky’s Development Flight Center (DFC) where the two-prototype Raider helicopter test program is based.

During the first test flight, which lasted approximately one hour, Raider pilot Bill Fell and co-pilot Kevin Bredenbeck took the aircraft through a series of maneuvers designed to test the aircraft’s hover and lowspeed capability. With first flight achieved, the Raider helicopter now moves into more progressive flight testing to demonstrate key performance parameters critical to future combat operations, including armed reconnaissance, light-assault, light-attack and special operations.

The Raider helicopter program is part of the portfolio of Sikorsky Innovations, the technology development organization within Sikorsky Aircraft’s Research & Engineering division.

Sikorsky launched the S-97 Raider helicopter program in September 2010, with objectives of maturing the CollierAward winning X2 rotorcraft configuration and demonstrating a helicopter that meets current U.S. Army special operations and armed reconnaissance needs, while maturing technologies for Future Vertical Lift. The program is 100 percent industryfunded by Sikorsky Aircraft and its 53 industry partners.

Based on the X2 coaxial rotor design, the Raider helicopter is capable of being developed into a unique multi-mission configuration that is able to carry six troops and external weapons. The coaxial counterrotating main rotors and pusher propeller are expected to provide cruise speeds up to 276 mph.

“Based on the capabilities that were demonstrated, Sikorsky is positioned to develop the S-97 Raider helicopter’s gamechanging capabilities to enable helicopter forces to outperform on the battleground of tomorrow,” said Samir Mehta, president of Sikorsky Defense Systems & Services.

Marianne Heffernan; mheffernan@sikorsky.com

Technology Development Program Completed BAE Systems has successfully completed a key milestone in the competition for the U.S. Army’s Common Infrared Countermeasure (CIRCM) program. This achievement, known as the Technology Development Bridge Program, further positions the company as a provider of lightweight, low-cost and

modular laser-based aircraft protection systems to protect U.S. Army aircraft from infrared guided missiles. The 12-month, $11 million undertaking was awarded by the U.S. Army to enable further development following the two-year CIRCM technology demonstration phase.

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Compiled by KMI Media Group staff

Improved Wide-Area Airborne System Exelis has improved the way its CorvusEye 1500 wide-area airborne system processes and analyzes the data it collects, which is crucial in helping customers make critical decisions. From an altitude of 15,000 feet, CorvusEye 1500 provides color and infrared imagery of a city-sized area unavailable with comparable airborne systems.

Another new capability in CorvusEye is the ability to cue a second sensor, such as a hyperspectral sensor, to scan a location for certain spectral “signatures” indicating the presence of a material or gas. Analysts also can easily integrate full-motion video sensors into the cueing capability.

Processing CorvusEye data post-flight provides analysts with a database of all moving objects in the entire scene, allowing them to gather critical forensic intelligence and enabling a better understanding of behaviors and patterns across the region.

At 15 inches in diameter and weighing less than 95 pounds, the CorvusEye turret and sensor package can fit on most midsize unmanned and manned aircraft and uses standard interfaces to swap into virtually any 15-inch airframe mounting location.

CorvusEye is exportable to many military, intelligence and security customers around the world.

Ellen Mitchell; ellen.mitchell@exelisinc.com

$10,919,060 for Firm Fixed-Price Delivery Order Insitu Inc., Bingen, Wash., is being awarded $10,919,060 for firm fixedprice delivery order 0008 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement.

This effort is for the procurement of site activation services and field service representative personnel to perform site lead, pilot/operator and maintenance personnel duties to support intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance services program and force protection services for the government of Iraq. It will also www.SOTECH-kmi.com

procure one Mark 4 Launcher, two Full Mission Training Devices and spares kits. Work will be performed in Taji, Iraq (86.5 percent); and Bingen, Wash. (13.5 percent), and is expected to be completed in August 2016. Foreign military sales funds in the amount of $10,919,060 are being obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, N.J., is the contracting activity.

Laser Completes Development General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA ASI), announced that the High-Energy Liquid Laser (HELLADS) completed the U.S. Government Acceptance Test Procedure and is now being shipped to the White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), New Mexico.

At WSMR, the laser will undergo an extensive series of live-fire tests against a number of military targets.

The HELLADS Demonstrator Laser Weapon System (DLWS) is designed to demonstrate the efficacy of a tactical laser weapon in counterrocket, artillery and mortar (CRAM), counter-air and counter-missile applications, as well as a number of special applications. The 150 kW Class HELLADS laser has been developed over a number of years to create a completely new approach to electrically powered lasers with sufficiently low size, weight and power consumption to enable deployment on a number of tactical platforms.

The HELLADS laser was developed through a series of stage/gate phases beginning with a physics demonstration and progressing through a series of laser demonstrators at increasing power levels.

At each stage, DARPA required beam quality, laser power, efficiency, size and weight objectives to be demonstrated. The program also developed the world’s highest-brightness laser diodes and compact battery storage and thermal storage systems, and improved the manufacturing process and size of specialized laser materials and optics.

The HELLADS DLWS holds the world’s record for the highest laser output power of any electrically powered laser. Dr. Michael Perry, vice president of Laser and Electro-Optic Systems for GA-ASI, credits DARPA with a unique capability to foster, nurture and support such a development.

The pioneering HELLADS DLWS represents the first generation of the technology. Through other U.S. government programs separate from the DARPA-supported work, GA-ASI has demonstrated second- and third-generation versions of the technology, which significantly increase the efficiency and reduce the size, weight and power consumption for the system while increasing the beam quality. The third-generation system is currently being incorporated into a Tactical Laser Weapon Module designed for integration into both manned and unmanned aircraft systems.

Kimberly Kasitz; kimberly.kasitz@ga-asi.com

SOTECH 13.5 | 15

Partnership Builder

Q& A

Creating Strategic Solutions and Viable Options for Our Nation’s Leaders Michael D. Lumpkin Assistant Secretary of Defense for SO/LIC Michael D. Lumpkin is currently the assistant secretary of defense for special operations/low-intensity conflict (SO/LIC). Lumpkin was sworn in as the assistant secretary of defense for SO/LIC on December 2, 2013, following his nomination by President Barack Obama and confirmation by the U.S. Senate.

In his role as assistant secretary SO/LIC, Lumpkin is the principal advisor to the U.S. secretary of defense on special operations and lowintensity conflict. He is responsible primarily for the overall supervision, to include oversight of policy and resources, of special operations and low-intensity conflict activities. These activities include: counterterrorism, unconventional warfare, direct action, special reconnaissance, foreign internal defense, civil affairs, information operations and counter-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. In his role as assistant secretary SO/LIC, Lumpkin also oversees the DoD counter-narcotics program, building partnership capacity initiatives and humanitarian and disaster relief efforts.

Prior to his assuming duties as assistant secretary SO/LIC, Lumpkin served as a senior executive at both DoD and the Department of Veterans Affairs. His previous positions include special assistant to the secretary of defense, principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for SO/LIC and deputy chief of staff for operations at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Lumpkin has also significant experience in the private sector where he served as the CEO at Industrial Security Alliance Partners and executive director of business development at ATI. Lumpkin has more than 20 years of active duty military service as a U.S. Navy SEAL, where he held every leadership position from platoon commander to team commanding officer. Lumpkin has participated in numerous campaigns and contingencies throughout the world, including both Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

Lumpkin holds a M.A. from Naval Postgraduate School in national security affairs. He is a recognized subspecialist in special operations/low-intensity conflict and Western Hemisphere affairs.

Q: In the past, you have talked about balancing SOCOM’s organic enabler capabilities. What does that mean in today’s context and what are the metrics you are using to measure progress here?

A: Let me start with the fifth SOF truth: All special operations missions require support from conventional forces. This includes logistics, operational contracting, maritime vessel support and aviation lift, as well as ISR support. We use the Global Force Management Process to manage the balance of SOCOM’s organic and service-provided capabilities, and participate in joint capabilities assessment forums to review SOF and services capabilities throughout the program budget 16 | SOTECH 13.5

review process. We conducted a study last year to review the requirements for service-provided capability support to SOF, and believe we have the balance right, but continue reviewing and assessing requirements. Today, we must balance SOCOM’s organic enabler capabilities by assessing SOCOM’s capabilities against available service-provided capabilities in light of Budget Control Act challenges. Budget Control Act levels of funding reduce the services’ capacities, and this could in turn reduce their support to SOF. Q: The budget request for FY16 includes increases over FY15 levels for procurement, research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E) and operations and maintenance (O&M). Do these funding levels give SOCOM the flexibility it needs to increase its capabilities and readiness at the levels necessary or does it require adjustment to programs in terms of numbers or timeline?

A: The SOCOM FY2016 base budget request includes $1.7 billion in procurement, half a billion in RDT&E and $5.3 billion in operations and maintenance. This funding level provides SOCOM with a budget that will most certainly sustain and increase capabilities and readiness.

Additionally, the Overseas Contingency Funding (OCO) budget of $2.5 billion, nearly a quarter of SOCOM’s annual budget, provides SOCOM the funds required to meet operational requirements and sustain capabilities built after over a decade of war. We cannot overlook the long-term impacts that result from consistently funding a significant portion of the total SOCOM budget using OCO funds. Reliance on OCO www.SOTECH-kmi.com

mortgages our future in terms of modernization, force structure, technology and planning and reflects a short-sighted approach to funding.

Our national security deserves long-term strategic investments.

Q: How would you characterize the budget support for the Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office (CTTSO)?

A: The department has long supported the CTTSO with the resources necessary to deliver unique solutions to our forces on the front lines.

For example, the department asked that resources for CTTSO be increased from $67 million in FY15 to $71 million in FY16. Additionally, the department supported the congressional increases for the past three consecutive fiscal years: 45 million in FY13; 23 million in FY14; and 25 million in FY15. With continued support, the CTTSO will continue to play a unique role in front-end RDT&E to help warfighters rapidly acquire tailored capabilities for combating terrorism. CTTSO identifies and prioritizes the needs of the department and interagency and collaborates to determine capability gaps, find commonality and reduce duplication.

Q: How can your office increase the sharing of technology research and capability enhancements with the other services?

A: SO/LIC participates in several DoD fora designed to integrate research and promote sharing across the department. Last September, for example, I established the Special Operations Policy and Oversight Council (SOPOC) to develop and continuously improve policy, joint processes and procedures that facilitate the development, integration, implementation and sustainment of the department’s special operations capability efforts. In addition to senior-leadership engagement from across the Office of the Secretary of Defense, standing membership includes the undersecretaries of the military departments, commander of SOCOM, director of the Joint Staff and director of cost assessment and program evaluation (CAPE). Additionally, we partner with the undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics through the biannual SOF Acquisition Summit, where technology research and capability enhancement are shared with the service acquisition leaders and the OSD leadership.

Q: What role did your office in specific and SOF in general have in supporting the Ebola response in West Africa?

A: My office was actively involved in the U.S. government’s response to the West African Ebola outbreak. On August 5, 2014, the secretary of defense designated me to lead DoD’s Ebola Task Force to develop the policy and budget guidance that was ultimately approved. I am responsible for organizing DoD’s disaster response policy and oversight of our Overseas Humanitarian, Disaster, and Civic Assistance (OHDACA) funds. In particular, my stability and humanitarian affairs (SHA) team was pivotal in marshalling all of the department’s resources to respond to the growing crisis. They immediately issued $7.5 million of OHDACA funds to U.S. Africa Command for the initial response and secured an additional $22 million just weeks later as the crisis grew.

Ultimately, we were able to effect the reprogramming of $1 billion of OCO funds to support the U.S. government’s Ebola response.

As the scale and scope of the required military assistance became clear, the secretary of defense issued an execution order for Operation United Assistance, directing U.S. Africa Command to establish a Joint Forces Command (JFC) in Liberia to support the U.S. Agency for www.SOTECH-kmi.com

International Development—the lead federal agency for the U.S. government response. At its peak, the JFC comprised 2,549 personnel and provided support along four key lines of effort: command and control, logistics (to include mobile diagnostic lab support), engineering and training support. This task force was conventional, with no specific special operations forces role in the response effort.

As of today, the majority of those forces have redeployed, but a core command element remains in Liberia to oversee the transition of DoD activities to civilian agencies and non-governmental organizations. We also have personnel deployed to provide training to the Liberian military to rebuild some of their capacity lost in the Ebola crisis, as well as to support programs aimed at enhancing regional disaster response capabilities to prevent future outbreaks. The DoD intervention directly contributed to controlling the Ebola outbreak, and as of May 9, the World Health Organization has declared Liberia Ebola-free.

Q: How can SOF look to deepen and broaden its international relationships? Can you discuss any new initiatives that are designed to deliver more to and from our partners?

A: Much of our work today is focused on enabling our partners, an approach that hinges on strong personal and organizational relationships. SOF works to deepen and broaden its relationships with international partners every day through a wide range of engagements and partner capacity-building activities.

Engagements are activities that enable U.S. SOF to interact with foreign counterparts in ways that build defense relationships, promote specific U.S. security interests and develop allied and friendly military capabilities for self-defense and multinational operations, in addition to providing U.S. SOF with peacetime and contingency access to their counterparts. One type of engagement is joint combined exchange training (JCET), which consists of training events conducted overseas, primarily to fulfill U.S. SOF training requirements, but also to facilitate the exchange of information and sharing of skills with foreign counterparts. JCETs also demonstrate U.S. capabilities, reassure allies and partners, promote regional cooperation and trust, deter potential regional aggressors and build interoperability and relationships with host nation personnel. Similarly, counter-narcotics authorities enable SOF counter-narcoterrorism training and other support for foreign partners.

Engagements also include international military education and training (IMET) and combating terrorism fellowship program (CTFP) activities. IMET engagements consist of formal or informal instruction provided to foreign military students, units and forces on a nonreimbursable (or grant) basis by offices or employees of the United States, contract technicians and contractors. Instruction may include correspondence courses; technical, educational or informational publications; and media of all kinds. IMET is used to train future leaders, create a better understanding of the United States among partner nations, establish a rapport between U.S. military and the partner nation’s military to build alliances for the future, and allow partner nations to use their national funds to receive a reduced cost for other DoD education and training. CTFP engagements provide combating terrorism training and education to international military officers, ministry of defense civilians and security officials. CTFP engagements provide unique relationship and building partner capacity opportunities that enable partner nations to address threats of terrorism within their borders and regions; they also strengthen collaboration with, and support for, U.S. and partner nation efforts to defeat terrorism.

SOTECH 13.5 | 17

In contrast to engagements, partner capacity-building activities are designed to build the defense capacity of partner militaries and security forces. We typically conduct these activities through an authority known as Global Train and Equip, which began as a temporary authority under section 1206 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2006, and was codified as a permanent authority in Fiscal Year 2015 under section 2282 of Title 10 of the United States Code. In some cases, we conduct partner capacity-building activities through a similar authority known as the Global Security Contingency Fund, which was established in the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2011. In recent years, Congress has appropriated approximately $350 million per year to support partner capacity-building activities conducted under the auspices of these two authorities.

The most significant new initiative in this area is the Counterterrorism Partnerships Fund, or CTPF. The CTPF is a fund that uses existing authorities to provide DoD increased resources and agility to address the most critical terrorist threats in the U.S. Central Command and U.S. Africa Command areas of responsibility through increased levels of partner capacity-building and U.S. enabling activities. DoD received $1.3 billion to fund CTPF activities in Fiscal Years 15 and 16. Of this, we are using $500 million to train and equip the Syrian opposition and the remaining $800 million to support partner capacity-building and U.S. enabling activities in the Levant, East Africa, the Maghreb/Sahel region of Africa and the Lake Chad Basin.

This $800 million for two years is in addition to the approximately $350 million per year Congress typically appropriates for partner capacity-building activities under the auspices of Global Train and Equip and Global Security Contingency Fund. As a result of this increase in funding, we are increasing both the quantity and the quality of our efforts to build partner capacity this fiscal year and next.

However, the threats we seek to address through the CTPF and its underlying authorities represent a multi-generational endeavor that will take a sustained effort over time.

Q: Could you discuss the section 1206 and 1208 authorities?

A: Section 1206 was a Global Train and Equip authority first provided by the FY2006 NDAA that authorized the secretary of defense, with the concurrence of the secretary of state, to conduct or support a program to: 1) build the capacity of a foreign country’s military forces to conduct counterterrorism operations; or participate in or support military and stability operations in which the United States armed forces are participating; and 2) build the capacity of a foreign country’s maritime security forces to conduct counterterrorism operations. Initially, $200 million was authorized for section 1206, but this amount eventually grew to $350 million.

Since 2006, the section 1206 authority has been used to support building partnership capacity activities in more than six dozen countries around the world, ranging from Lebanon to Kenya to the Philippines to Latvia, with approximately 200 different programs, funded at more than $2 billion.

In the FY15 NDAA, Congress made this Global Train and Equip authority permanent by repealing section 1206 and enacting section 2282 of Title 10 of the U.S. Code. Under section 2282, the Global Train and Equip authority may be used to: 1) build the capacity of a foreign country’s national military forces, national maritime or border security forces, and national-level security forces that have among their functional responsibilities a counterterrorism mission in order for such forces to conduct counterterrorism operations; or 2) build the 18 | SOTECH 13.5

capacity of a foreign country’s national military forces to participate in or support ongoing allied or coalition military or stability operations that benefit the national security interests of the United States. All units designated for Global Train and Equip assistance must undergo Leahy vetting.

Section 2282 is an important aspect of our overall building partnership capacity approach. It allows us to support the development of partner nations’ counterterrorism capabilities so that they can take the lead for their own operations and contribute to regional stability.

We are pleased that this authority is now permanent and look forward to continued building partner capacity efforts with our partners around the world.

In contrast, section 1208 allows for the provision of support to foreign irregular forces, groups and individuals engaged in supporting or facilitating ongoing military operations by U.S. special operations forces to combat terrorism. The phrase “ongoing military operations” is important, as it highlights the authority’s operational nature—one of its most distinguishing characteristics and what sets it apart from a capacity-building authority like section 2282. A second distinguishing feature of the authority is that it enables support to be provided to irregular and regular forces.

Section 1208 provides the secretary of defense with essential authority to combat terrorism in a wide range of operational environments, often where our special operations forces are operating under austere conditions and require specialized support from indigenous forces or persons.

Like section 2282, section 1208 is also a “dual key” authority in that it requires both Department of State and DoD concurrence in order to go forward with a particular proposal. In the case of 1208, that concurrence comes from the chief of mission or U.S. ambassador and ensures that diplomatic and military equities are reconciled as part of the overall process.

Unlike 2282, section 1208 remains a temporary authority, albeit one that Congress has reauthorized every year since it was first provided in the FY2005 NDAA. Section 1208 is also a much more modestly funded authority than section 2282. It was initially authorized for $25 million in Fiscal Year 2005, but Congress has since increased the authority to $75 million in the FY15 NDAA. However, it is important to keep in mind that while Section 1208 does provide the authority to support forces combating terrorism, it does not come with its own appropriation. We execute programs authorized under Section 1208 with funds from SOCOM’s O&M account.

Q: Many of SOFs tactical advantages come from non-kinetic technologies—stealth, cyber, mobility, ISR, comms, etc. What are some additional capabilities you are in search of?

A: SOCOM has several robust research and development programs that are used to develop and integrate new technologies needed to sustain SOF’s decisive combat system superiority across the globe.

For example, the SOF Warrior (SW) program focuses on capabilities down at the unit and individual level. Individual SW programs look at enhancing capabilities in areas such as visual augmentation, laser markers, weapons, counter improvised explosive devices (CIED) and the family of SOF vehicles.

Q: At the DoD level, do you see opportunities to increase the support to the warfighter and their families—whether suffering from seen or unseen combat wounds, or from the sacrifice of deployment? www.SOTECH-kmi.com

SOTECH_Smallest20Watt:Layout 1 6/23/15 9:29 AM Page 1

A: The welfare of our servicemembers and their families is absolutely critical to SOCOM’s readiness and ability to achieve success, mission after mission. While high-tech gear is crucial to the success of special operations missions, every special operations mission relies on the holistic health and well-being of our highly skilled personnel who operate in complex and unforgiving environments.

My office is actively engaged in overseeing SOCOM’s Preservation of the Force and Family (POTFF) programs and ensuring these programs are complementary to those provided by service programs.

The POTFF programs are designed to address the stress that comes with a high number of repeated deployments and the unique nature of SOF deployments. These programs provide services which relieve four domains affected by stress: human performance, psychological performance, spiritual performance and social performance.

Ensuring health readiness has been a priority of the United States DoD, particularly given the extended deployments of the last decade and the increasing security challenges facing our nation and, specifically, our special operators. Our national security depends on the readiness of our military, which in turn depends on the health of our personnel and their families. We take this aspect of our work very seriously.

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Q: Within this era of extreme budget stress and of persistent engagement—meaning persistent deployments—what is the message to those operators that their mission is understood and the level of funding required to do what is asked is also understood?

A: Our people are under enormous pressure. I believe Congress recognizes that by virtue of the expanded authorities they are giving us to do a difficult job. I think DoD recognizes that in the way it has preserved and even increased the SOCOM budget at a time when most funding levels are decreasing. And, I think the command itself recognizes that as it works to implement the POTFF while striving to be innovative in acquiring cutting-edge technologies to put in those capable hands. None of this happened by accident. It took the efforts of many leaders at many levels advocating for the men and women of SOCOM. Recognizing that humans are more important than hardware— our first SOF Truth—we must invest wisely in our people to develop the right skills, attributes and capabilities to meet current requirements, as well as those that will emerge in the future. Meeting today’s challenging security environment puts tremendous stress on the force and challenges the operators and their families more than any other time in our history. The other senior leaders in the department and I are keenly aware of the personal impact on SOF. While we focus on the challenges of today, we must also prepare for an uncertain, dynamic and rapidly evolving future security environment. Through innovative and critical thinking, experimentation and exercises that identify future challenges and opportunities, we will create strategic solutions and viable options for our leaders.

We are focusing on developing ideas, concepts, training doctrine, education and research that are future-oriented and challenge our current operational constructs. Ultimately, preparing for the future is about ensuring we match the right people and capabilities with the very best ideas to address our most urgent and demanding problem sets.

Along with senior SOF leaders, I am committed to advocating for investment in our human capital to ensure we continue furthering our national security objectives. O www.SOTECH-kmi.com

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SOTECH 13.5 | 19

Shelter is a basic need; shelters are deployed to austere locations to fill that need.

The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Troop Support provides significant support for U.S. special forces.

“The military shelters purchased by DLA Troop Support provide a variety of functions to our military customers, including billeting, housing, command post, medical facilities, field feeding and lightweight repair shelter for tracked and wheeled vehicles,” said Jason Kaneshiro, public affairs specialist for DLA Troop Support.

With increased budgetary constraints being experienced by the military services, in general, demand for shelters has declined.

However, requirements are being received for the Modular General Purpose Tent System; the Improved Combat Shelter; the Two-Man Combat Tent; the Tent, Frame Type Expandable, 16 x 16; and the Soldier Crew Tent.

“In addition to demands for the military-specification tents, demand is being received for commercial shelters, which provide customers with shelter options that offer the latest technology and can meet their changing needs. However, demand has decreased for the commercial shelters as well,” said Kaneshiro.

Typically, shelters are developed due to a need identified by military service customers.

“Requirements for shelters are dictated by the intended use of the tent. Certain types of shelters are specifically designed to be utilized in various geographical locations taking into account climate, which also requires accessories including, but not limited to: power distribution panels, environmental control units (ECUs), lighting, flooring, tent liners and generators,” said Kaneshiro.

Expeditionary Infrastructure HDT is the leading provider of expeditionary infrastructure— including shelters, heaters, environmental control units, CBRN protective filtration and containerized weapon systems to U.S. and allied militaries.

20 | SOTECH 13.5

By Chris McCoy

“Our shelters are available in two variants: Base-X shelters and DRASH shelters are folding frame shelters, while our AirBeam shelters are air-supported structures,” said Bill Gergely, marketing manager at HDT. “Most HDT AirBeam, Base-X, Base-Xpress and DRASH shelters can be deployed in 15 minutes or less with as few as four individuals.”

Larger shelters, such as an AirBeam shelter measuring 40 feet by 56 feet, are big enough for vehicle maintenance and repair operations.

These take only hours to deploy, depending on the size of the large shelter configuration.

The company offers three comprehensive command center packages: company, battalion and brigade. Each package consists of a shelter, environmental control unit, transportable power generator, lighting, flooring, a selection of video display and support equipment, tactical furniture, cables and cable management items necessary to create a complete integrated command center solution.

“Only HDT manufactures and integrates all of these key components into a turnkey solution,” said Gergely.

HDT systems are scalable, supporting operations centers ranging from small tactical units to large combat command levels.

“The systems are built with efficiency in mind to reduce fuel consumption and the required delivery of fuel,” said Gergely. “They are user-maintainable with technical manuals, training and spares provisioning available through the services that acquired them.”

According to Gergely, HDT’s military heaters and Environmental Control Units (ECUs) maintain climate conditions regardless of deployment in environments with extreme heat or extreme cold.

These systems have been in continuous use during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom for both personnel and equipment cooling applications.

ECUs range in size from 9,000 to 120,000 BTU per hour. HDT provides the United States Marine Corp Family of ECUs for all expeditionary shelter applications, and HDT’s F-100 60,000-BTU-per-hour ECU is used in Force Provider base camps. www.SOTECH-kmi.com

“HDT is always refining its products with feedback from users in the field. Improvements in materials and structures are routinely investigated to reduce size, weight and power consumption,” said Gergely. “HDT also develops other systems in support of expeditionary warfighting capability, including the Containerized Weapon System.

In 2013, this system went through a Forward Operational Assessment, and is now used by U.S. Special Forces.”

CONUS-Wide Maintained Assets Deployed Resources (DR) is a veteran-owned small business that specializes in the design, construction, operation and management of temporary life support facilities for a variety of federal and state agencies. This includes providing support for special operations forces.

“DR projects these assets to austere locations, providing turnkey base camps (a.k.a., life support areas and contingency operating locations) to support the surge population for both trainings and real-world mission support,” said Victor L. DeMasi, director of strategy. “DR also provides ‘wrap-around’ support that is enhancing existing infrastructure with components of this modular, scalable life support system.”

The company organically maintains assets to support 25,000 personnel. The assets are staged across the contiguous United States.

“Typical engagements are brigade-size support, but DR does have a SOF-specific camp called the ‘Small Expeditionary Camp’ that

delivers a turnkey package of life support, including showers, restrooms, a laundry, a kitchen, a gym tactical operational center, a dining facility, all potable and non-potable water storage, a pump system, power generation and distribution, and a forklift for set-up, operation and removal, all on two truck beds,” said DeMasi. “This camp is also capable of air and sea transport using commercially available transport assets.”

The company’s containerized showers, restrooms, laundries, kitchens, sinks and soft-wall engineered tents are used to provide temporary augmentation of a training site or sustaining support for an enduring mission. When a site lacks the organic infrastructure to support that rotational force, DR is tasked to provide necessary life support, leaving no footprint behind when the mission ceases.

“One of the more commonly procured items from DR’s suite of products is the Containerized Kitchen Unit (CKU). Available in multiple configurations and footprints, these are complete plug and play units,” said DeMasi. The CKU’s include commercial-grade cooking equipment, exhaust systems, Ansul fire suppression, diamondplate flooring, prep space, refrigeration and freezer space, and full sanitation bays.

“Like all of our containerized equipment, DR can custom-fabricate to the end-user’s specific requirement,” said DeMasi. O For more information, contact Editor-in-Chief Jeff McKaughan at jeffm@kmimediagroup.com or search our online archives for related stories at www.sotech-kmi.com.

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SOTECH 13.5 | 21

Every special operator realizes the importance of protecting their feet. SOTECH reached out to several major manufacturers of tactical-grade boots and accessories and challenged them to prove how their products are designed to meet the needs of U.S. special forces.

Sandy Longarzo Marketing Administration Manager Haix North America Inc.

Currently operating across the globe, Haix is a leading-edge manufacturer of footwear for military task forces, law enforcement and fire and rescue services, and has also increased its presence in the forestry and outdoor market. Under the 22 | SOTECH 13.5

management of CEO Ewald Haimerl, each Haix boot reflects innovative technical design, the highest-quality materials and the maximum protection needed to protect today’s service professionals. Born of experience, Haix knows the demands put on today’s professionals and directly addresses the challenges they face in their day-to-day jobs.

Haix takes its Mission boots to the next level in comfort and technology. There are many unknown variables that you may encounter, such as hours on

your feet, adverse weather and harsh terrain. You need footwear that will give you the support and protection you need. Keeping you at the top of your game is mission-critical. Mobility and stability begin at the feet. With the Haix Mission boot, we’ve got you covered.

Haix Mission boots feature built-in arch support and exceptional shock absorption along with a waterproof Gore-Tex inner liner to keep you not only comfortable, but also dry no matter what. The unique Haix

Climate System keeps your feet cooler in warmer temperatures and warmer in cooler temperatures by circulating air with every step you take. Moist air is released and fresh air comes in through the vent holes at the top of the boot. The drier your feet, the better they are able to maintain a comfortable temperature balance.

The all-new rugged Vibram sole was especially developed for military applications, offering exceptional grip and stability while protecting your feet www.SOTECH-kmi.com

from feeling every loose rock and stone. The sole is heat-resistant, antistatic and self-cleaning.

Long-lasting durability is the benchmark of a Vibram sole.

These boots also feature a twozone smart-lacing system to independently adjust the lacing between the foot and the lower leg and lock the lower lacing so

that it will not work loose during long hiking missions. The Velcro on the tongue also prevents the tongue from slipping to the side.

German-engineered and produced with European craftsmanship, Haix Mission boots have what it takes to go the distance.

pronation control and a Vibram MVS outsole for traction and grip on a variety of surfaces.

Elites, originally built in a desert color, are now also available in brown to work with darker uniform colors currently in favor and with Gore-Tex liners to keep moisture out and still remain breathable. Elites are available in extend sizing up to US 16 in narrow, medium and wide widths and in a full range of women’s sizes.

Lowa’s second category of boots for active forces is our “Z” Series. “Z’s” are ideal boots where the support and durability of a boot is necessary, but in a lighter-weight package with the comfort of a day hiker or sport shoe.

“Z’s” are available in 6- and 8-inch heights (hence the names Z-6 or Z-8) and come in breathable constructions or Gore-Tex waterproof and breathable constructions. The unique injected construction of a “Z” Series boot allows for a Monowrap frame for added support and protection around the foot, a second density of PU underfoot for shock absorption, a full-length and width stabilizer for support underfoot and a Lowa Cross Duty sole with an incorporated rappelling arch. This arch allows for added durability when descending rapidly with high friction and heat build-up. “Z’s” also have closed hooks and eyelets for lacing that will not get caught

in uniforms or other gear. “Z’s” are made in men’s and women’s sizing up to size 16.

In 2015, Lowa introduced our lightest boots for active use: the Innox GTX. The Innox is an all-fabric upper built on an injected PU midsole with Monowrap frame for added midfoot support, a second PU density under the heel and ball of foot for shock absorption and rebound and a durable Lowa Evo sole. Innoxes are very light and flexible and ideal where weight is a paramount factor.

Innoxes are available in coyote and black in mid- and low-cut shoe versions in both men’s and women’s sizes. A completely breathable version will be available in spring 2016.

cracking. In addition, Freesole provides tremendous chemical and abrasion resistance and is unaffected by heat or cold (-20 degrees to 200 degrees F).

This is important, as special forces soldiers are subjected to some of the harshest and most extreme environments in the world. With that said, they need an adhesive that’s just as tough as they are and won’t fail, no matter what. Freesole offers the permanency required to get the job done.

Take the case of replacing soles. A special forces soldier needs a dependable glue to keep the soles in place. In addition, removing toe or heel cups require that the boots

be re-sealed. Again, the special forces soldier must be confident that the glue they are using is strong, permanent and dependable. Freesole is the only boot repair adhesive that will typically outlast the life of the boot it is applied to and won’t fail when it counts.

Not only can special forces personnel use Freesole to modify boots and make repairs, but it can also be used to add abrasion resistance, create durable toe caps and rebuild worn heels for added shock absorption. In addition, apply a small dab of Freesole to fraying stitching for

a little bit of preventative maintenance as well. With clear or black color options, the repairs will always match. Just like a special forces soldier, there’s no limit to what it can do.

So what else do special forces personnel and Freesole have in common? They’re both made in the United States, are as tough as they come and are ready for whatever comes their way. When an SF soldier needs a reliable boot repair glue that’s resilient, flexible, permanent and unaffected by solvents, heat or cold, only Freesole will do. O

Peter Sachs General Manager Lowa Boots LLC

Lowa boots maintains our “Task Force” category of boots for those serving in active duty military and police units globally. There are three primary groups of products that fill this category. The first is our Elite Series, originally developed as the British MOD boot for their multinational forces. Elites are built with split-leather uppers and breathable fabric panels in the mid-foot area for ventilation and comfort. There is a rubber toe cap for added durability and closed hooks and eyelets for lacing that will not get caught in uniforms or with other gear, including chute cords.

Elites are built on our trekking platform with a polyurethane midsole with SPS inserts for

Gerald Craft Consumer Marketing Director McNett Corporation

Inevitably, the time will come when a U.S. special forces soldier needs to perform boot work to help lengthen the lifespan of their footwear or to perform special modifications. Whether removing toe and heel cups or replacing soles, special forces soldiers need a strong and durable glue that will withstand the rigors of combat and harsh field environments.

Freesole by Gear Aid allows special forces personnel to make permanent modifications and repairs to boots. Unlike its gooey competitors, Freesole utilizes a patented urethane rubber formula, which provides an elastic bond that flexes with the boot as opposed to www.SOTECH-kmi.com

For more information, contact Editor-in-Chief Jeff McKaughan at jeffm@kmimediagroup.com or search our online archives for related stories at www.sotech-kmi.com.

SOTECH 13.5 | 23

A quiet and continuing revolution is taking place in satellite

communications that affects the capabilities of special operators.

Satellites provide warfighters with beyond line-of-sight communications, allowing small units of special operators performing missions in isolated locations to maintain contact with each other and with headquarters.

In today’s warfighting environment, and even more so in future ones, the need for information is critical, as is the requirement to be constantly connected to networks.

Special operators represent a global rapidly deployable force, and their need for information is immediate.

The United States Special Operations Command created the SOF Information Enterprise (SIE) to satisfy the requirement for voice, video and data at multiple classification levels. The creation of a global satellite network and portable satellite terminals enables special operations forces to achieve the goal of reaching the SIE from anywhere.

Satellite communication provides the high bandwidth necessary virtually anywhere.

Besides the ubiquity of SATCOM coverage, several interrelated technology developments have contributed to making global broadband communications possible.

Mobile satellite terminals are no longer merely portable; they are becoming handheld devices of the dimensions and capabilities of today’s smartphones. Developments in satellite technology and communications waveforms and advances in the capabilities of antennas have all contributed to the miniaturization and mobility of today’s satellite terminals.

“In my previous job, the biggest limitation we had was passing enough data to small and mobile teams through legacy communications systems to allow them to make decisions with strategic impact,” 24 | SOTECH 13.5

By Peter Buxbaum SOTECH Correspondent

from the SIE by an individual warfighter said Lieutenant Colonel Joel Babbitt, prodduring a mission, thus providing the best uct manager for Warfighter Information available data.”

Network-Tactical Increment 1.

“These developments carry innumerable “Once on the ground during initial entry benefits for warfighters,” said Karl Fuchs, to a hostile airfield, soldiers must be able vice president of engineerto move immediately with ing at iDirect Government. initial communications and “We are able to bring greater expand operations as addibandwidth and more reletional forces arrive,” added vant digital information to Lieutenant Colonel Leonard the soldier without increasNewman, product manager ing the amount of gear he for satellite communicahas to carry. Warfighters can tions at the Army’s Program get live-action situational Executive Office Command awareness video of the batControl Communicationstlespace in real time they Tactical (PEO C3T). “That Karl Fuchs never dreamed of only three requires early entry capabilito five years ago.” ties that are lightweight, mobile and adaptThe Global Response Force (GRF) of able to swiftly changing circumstances.” the XVIII Airborne (ABN) Corps has the Paratroopers, after all, are equipped unique mission of deploying a brigade on a only with what they can strap to their very short timeline anywhere in the world backs or airdrop from the plane, making as called upon. “These are the first Army the economy of size and weight of paraforces in theater and they have to secure mount importance. “They need to secure the area and establish a landing zone for all the airfield and set the stage for follow-on the rest of the forces to follow,” said Babforces who will bring larger infrastrucbitt. “Because they are first in, they need ture,” said Newman. “Follow-on operations as much situational awareness as possible.” also require small, mobile satellite termiTo facilitate these capabilities, the Army has nals with greater throughput to support validated a number of Operational Needs forward teams and small units at the edge of Statements (ONS) for the unit’s communithe battlefield.” cations requirements. These ONS led to two “Thirty years ago satellite communicatransforming capabilities, an en route mistions was limited to high-ranking officers sion command capability and small tactical at command centers,” noted Tony Jannetta, network satellite terminals that support CTO, L-3 Global Communications Soluearly entry operations. tions (GCS). “Over time, satellite comSOCOM’s Satellite Deployable Node– munications has migrated through the Light program laid the groundwork for military echelons and is now to the point the Army’s emerging tactical transportable where man-portable systems have been satellite effort. “The concept was to provide designed. With a man-portable satellite, small teams with large amounts of data, terminal information can be obtained direct www.SOTECH-kmi.com

access to the larger strategic resources such as full motion video, biometrics and full mission command capabilities to enable them to make the types of decisions at their level that in the past would have traditionally been made an echelon or two above them,” said Babbitt.

The technology enablers for these types of capabilities have always revolved around issues of bandwidth and size, weight and power (SWaP) requirements. The challenge has been to field mobile SATCOM in a small package and provide the needed throughput to support complex warfighting missions.

“The good news is that as commercial technology advances, capability is inherently getting smaller and capacity is greatly improving,” said Newman.

“The latest generation of satellite modems and terminals are much more bandwidth efficient,” added Babbitt. “So it really becomes a balance of how many services do you want at the point of use with those small teams, and how much in the way of services do you want back in the rear that they can reach back into. When there are a lot of small teams on the battlefield, it comes down to management of the network and how to provision for all of those small capabilities.”

Central to the issue of SWaP reduction is the selection of components such as modems and antennas. “The modem forms the core of the satellite terminal as well as the satellite ground entry point,” Jannetta explained. “The size, weight and power of the modem drive the terminal design.”

Modem developers, in turn, want to be able to integrate their products with a range of antenna solutions. “There is no one-sizefits-all solution,” said Fuchs. “There has to be the flexibility to choose the right type of modem for frequency, range and communications band. Over time, things have gotten more complex and require a great deal of integration. Integration between the modem and the antenna has become more important.” iDirect Gov has developed protocols for integration that is gradually being adopted by industry. “The idea is to enable industry to operate on open standards and develop best-of-breed solutions,” said Fuchs. “One technology can be married to another to build a complete terminal that meets the needs of end-users. Without this open capability, the rush toward the development of ultra-small terminals would have been greatly delayed.” www.SOTECH-kmi.com

device,” said Jannetta. “This Antenna capabilities have software has been field-proven grown in recent years, but in over 10,000 portable VSAT their size still bears some terminals. The software can relation to their power and guide a minimally trained capabilities. The Inmarsat operator through the process constellation of satellites of satellite acquisition.” helps reduce the size of terL-3 GCS’s manpack terrestrial terminals by placing minals include the Hawkeye, huge, 12-meter antennas on measuring 1.2m through the satellites themselves.

2.4m, and Panther, 60 or “Larger antennas in space Peter Dingley 96cm terminals which have enable smaller antennas on enjoyed success within the special operaEarth,” said Peter Dingley, vice president tions communities in the United States and of offer development, global government abroad. “L-3 GCS has made great strides in at Inmarsat. “This minimizes the size and driving modem design, integrating hardpower of the terminals that special forces ware, and creating control software,” said carry when they deploy. As recently as five Jannetta. “We also have designed ruggedyears ago, mobile terminals were the size of ness into all of our products and they all are a large backpack. Today, we are talking about certified to MIL-STD-810G, which means accessing SATCOM with pocket devices. The warfighters are able take them into austere SATCOM architecture now almost mimics locations with the confidence that they have that of a mobile telephone network.” gone through intense testing to prove they Specialized SATCOM terminals are now will work within those environments.” being developed specifically for the kinds The Army is taking advantage and will of covert missions that special operators continue to take advantage of advancecarry out. These can be buried for periods ments in commercial technology to provide of time without damage and utilize fivesmaller terminals in smaller packages that inch square flat-panel antennas. “Usually, can support the myriad of unexpected miswhen covert activities are set up, satellitesions that may arise. “Commercial capability pointing antennas are placed on poles or in has come a long way in developing lightertrees and tend to be kind of obvious,” said weight SATCOM capability, data radios that Dingley. “This new technology provides a use advanced waveform applications and powerful covert communications capabildesigning mission command software as ity. Using equipment that doesn’t look like easy-to-use applications,” said Paul Mehney, a communications terminal allows them to the PEO C3T spokesperson. “We are quickly communicate safely.” moving away from the military developing L-3 GCS has focused on working with long-term network programs to working modem vendors to make smaller, more with industry to quickly take advantage of power-efficient designs which are ruggeoff-the-shelf capability and integrating that dized for tactical use. “We have seen siginto our network.” nificant reductions in SWaP from modem A major step toward providing smartvendors and more rugged designs have been phone-like capabilities to mobile warfighters produced,” said Jannetta. “Power efficiency comes with the continuing deployment of the allows for smaller power conversion cirMobile User Objective System (MUOS) satelcuitry and requires smaller heat sinks. Both lite constellation. Lockheed Martin develdrive SWaP in the right direction. L-3 GCS oped the satellites and previously launched has also invested in high-efficiency power the first two MUOS satellites. MUOS-3 was conversion where we can approach 95 perlaunched in January of this year, while cent efficiency. This leads to less dissipation MUOS-4 will be launched this summer. and heat sink weight.”

When the fourth satellite is operational, The integration of all of the satellite the constellation will have global coverage. functions into a single rugged outdoor unit The MUOS satellites also carry a legacy UHF (ODU) has led to a significant decrease payload to help with transition from one in interconnect cables and has completely system to the other. The MUOS constellaeliminated some of the cabling and assocition will provide 16 times the capacity of ated bulky rack-mounted hardware. “The legacy ultra-high-frequency (UHF) satellites. integrated systems are controlled by our MUOS terminals providers include Rockwell ViewSAT-e software which is hosted in the Collins and General Dynamics.

ODU and available on any Web-enabled SOTECH 13.5 | 25

MUOS waveform software which is loaded “MUOS was built for users in the field on MUOS terminals and facilitates the and under cover and on the move with smartphone-like MUOS services. “The wavesmartphone capabilities and extra militaryform is based on 3G cellular technology,” oriented features,” said Amy Sun, advanced said Scott Blanchard, vice president of innoprograms lead for Lockheed Martin’s Milivation at General Dynamics tary Space System. “ComMission Systems. “It is a pared to legacy systems, spread spectrum wideband MUOS provides dramatically waveform that can provide greater coverage capabilities bandwidth on demand. It is and capacities. It is a jump also able to set up different ahead from currently fielded connections over the same legacy systems.” radio frequency link to difOne of the benefits MUOS ferent qualities of service users will soon see is global depending on the work the routing. “You can make a user is doing. So users comcellphone call from anywhere Amy Sun municating by voice will get to anywhere and expect that nice low latency; if they are working on the call to be properly routed on the cellphone Secret Internet Protocol Router Network, network,” said Sun. “MUOS will provide they can tolerate a little more latency but that capability for tactical users.” with good data throughput.”

Also like modern smartphones, MUOS Much of what went into MUOS leveraged will provide a high degree of voice clarity technology investments in the commercial along with data exchange, email and chat. cellular world. The MUOS waveform was “These services will be available simulhardened to comply with military security taneously,” said Sun. “Military features requirements. “There is still the requireinclude built-in Type One encryption as ment to do a full NSA certification of the well as netted communications so that waveform,” said Merrigan. “There is no users can participate in groups without a waiver of that requirement when porting a bridging service.” commercial waveform.”

In December 2014, Lockheed MarGeneral Dynamic’s mounted PRC155 tin opened a facility to help developers version is expected to go into full rate test their terminals for compatibility with production by the end of this year. As for MUOS. The test center is designed to allow the dismounted manpack, issues have been terminals to be tested for compatibility with raised over its weight, heat, battery life and the MUOS waveform. “Radios found to be range. “The Army is relooking at requirecompliant with the system by definition will ments for the dismounted manpack,” be interoperable with each other,” said Sun. said Merrigan.

“The MUOS waveform also has the effect The Army’s new Enroute Mission Comof managing power consumption so that mand Capability (EMC2) enables Global radios that can run UHF and MUOS waveReponse Force soldiers to connect to the forms will have significantly longer battery Army’s tactical communications network lives just by changing waveforms.” backbone while in flight.

General Dynamics Mis“GRF soldiers receive realsion Systems is currently time mission planning working on two MUOS terupdates through applicaminals for the U.S. Navy, tions such as chat, voice and the manpack PRC155, in video teleconferencing,” said mounted and dismounted Babbitt. “They will have the versions, and the Digital capability to maintain comModular Radio (DMR) for munications with subordishipboard applications. “Both nates through intra-aircraft are software-defined radios,” data and voice capability.” said Kevin Merrigan, vice Kevin Merrigan Most transformative will president of General Dynambe the commander’s and soldier’s ability ics Mission Systems. “They will be the first to see live full motion video feeds from to port the MUOS waveform and both will ISR assets. “This gives commanders sitube used in tests of MUOS test this fall.” ational awareness of the objective that they General Dynamics, along with Lockheed are about to jump into that is nearly equal Martin, was instrumental in developing the 26 | SOTECH 13.5

to the understanding of the enemy on the ground,” said Babbitt. “EMC2 eliminates those initial hours of planning on the ground during the most vulnerable time in an airborne operation, by enabling commanders to plan in the air so soldiers are immediately effective upon landing.”

To fill an early entry ONS, the Army initially fielded five small X and Ku band satellite dishes to the XVIII Airborne Corps to use as their immediate command post communication capability on the drop zone and immediately after airborne operations. “That capability provides the equivalent bandwidth of what is normally provided to a brigade command post today in essentially two pieces of carry-on luggage,” Babbitt said.

“Once the air field is secure, larger Secret Internet Protocol Router Network/ Nonsecure Internet Protocol Router Network access point terminals are flown in to support early entry command posts,” added Newman.

The Army is looking at commercial terminals for early entry follow-on units that require less SWaP while increasing throughput and more efficiently managing satellite resources and capabilities. That effort will benefit from the continued miniaturization of equipment that will progress in the next five to ten years to the point that satellite antennas will disappear as a separate piece of equipment, said Inmarsat’s Dingley.

“SOCOM will likely see those future developments before the big Army does just because of the tyranny of size,” said Babbitt.

“It takes much longer to field anything to the entire Army than to SOCOM.” Future developments to come out of SOCOM, according to Babbitt, will include on-the-move communications using small satellite dishes, some of which may actually be soldier-wearable. “Also, there are a lot of satellite networks coming on board such as Global Express and the thickening of the Wideband Global SATCOM network that will bring a plethora of small terminals because of the much increased bandwidth that they have available to them,” he added. O

For more information, contact Editor-in-Chief Jeff McKaughan at jeffm@kmimediagroup.com or search our online archives for related stories at www.sotech-kmi.com.

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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 Advertisers Index

Calendar

AR Modular RF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 http://arww-modularrf.com AUSA Annual Meeting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C3 www.ausameetings.org/2015annual meeting/ Insitu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 www.insitu.com/suntzu Deployed Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 www.deployedresources.com

Flir Systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1, C4 www.flir.com/sot L-3 GCS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C2 www.l-3com.com Trijicon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 www.trijicon.com

September 14-16, 2015 Air & Space Conference & Technology Expo National Harbor, Md. www.afa.org/airspaceconf

October 12-14, 2015 AUSA Annual Meeting Washington, D.C. www.ausameetings. org/2015annualmeeting

September 22-24, 2015 Modern Day Marine Quantico, Va. www.marinemilitaryexpos.com

October 20-21, 2015 Close Air Support Conference Reading, UK www.omconf.com

Celebrating AFSOC’s 25th Anniversary

Next Issue

August 2015 Vol. 13, Issue 6

World’s Largest Distributed Special Ops Magazine

Cover and In-Depth Interview with:

Maj. Gen. Eugene Haase

Vice Commander U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command

special section

Theater Insight

Evolving AFSOC Celebrating AFSOC’s 25th Anniversary, SOTECH looks back with the AFSOC historian at key moments of technological advancement for AFSOC. This special section also includes a commemorative look back at all the past AFSOC commanders.

SOCSOUTH An exclusive interview with Brigadier General Kurt L. Sonntag, commander of Special Operations Command South.

Features Rotary Wing Update Vertical lift has critical responsibilities in the delivery of SOF warfighters and their protection. The technology needs to keep pace with the mission.

Cyber SOF Increasingly, there is a greater emphasis on cyber capabilities within the conventional forces and Special Operations Command.

Small UAVs The defense industrial base continues to invest in novel smaller UAV platforms for the use of SOF.

Non-lethal Devices A special operator’s objectives are sometimes accomplished through the use of non-lethal force.

UAV Firepower Arming UAVs originally used for ISR alone is a constant consideration within the UAV community.

Insertion Order Deadline: August 7, 2015 | Ad Materials Deadline: August 14, 2015 Contact Ron Mayne at 301.670.5700 x157 or ronm@kmimediagroup.com www.SOTECH-kmi.com

SOTECH 13.5 | 27

INDUSTRY INTERVIEW

Special Operations Technology

Robert P. Jacobson President L-3 Tactical Satcom Sector President L-3 GCS and 3Di Divisions Q: What is your technology focus over the next 12-18 months?

L-3 Global Communications Solutions (GCS), located in Victor, N.Y., is part of the Tactical SATCOM Sector led by Bob Jacobson. GCS designs, develops and manufactures state-of-the-art SATCOM solutions, specializing in end-to-end communications solutions from VSAT design and production to managed network services.

Q: What types of products and services are you offering to the military and other government customers?

A: With more than 11,000 terminals fielded, L-3 GCS is the largest supplier of satellite communication terminals to the U.S. military and government organizations. Our terminals range in aperture size from .6M to 2.4M and are available in Ka-, X-, Ku- and C band frequencies. All of our terminals are interoperable, requiring only the swap out of a band kit to switch frequency on a single system.

Our Field Service organization supports 16 teleports and 31 VSAT networks worldwide. We are truly a “one-stop shop,” as we are able to provide our customers with hardware and airtime services.

GCS was the first company to obtain I-5 Type Approvals and be named a satellite land terminal manufacturing partner and Value-Added Reseller (VAR) for Inmarsat’s Global Xpress (GX) satellite service.

Global Xpress (GX) is the first global Ka-Band network, delivering secure, endto-end wideband connectivity for mobile operations worldwide.

Q: Why is the special operations community an important customer base for you?

A: Our satellite communication terminals are designed to be rugged and durable, small and lightweight, and ARSTRAT-certified.

These attributes make them dependable communication tools for special missions.

SOCOM has been working with us for many years and the feedback we get from them allows us to continue to improve upon our 28 | SOTECH 13.5

product while meeting their very specific requirements. Our team is acutely aware of how important and sometimes life-saving it is to provide them with reliable communications equipment in the field.

Q: Given the demand of the military for smaller, more powerful, lighter, less expensive, etc., how are you innovating to meet those demands?

A: We continue to work with modem manufacturers to make smaller, more powerefficient designs that are ruggedized for tactical use. The integration of all satellite functions into a single rugged outdoor unit has allowed us to decrease the number of interconnect cables and eliminate some of the cabling associated with rack-mounted hardware. For example, our Panther II manpack terminal has just one interconnect cable allowing for quicker setup and less bulk.

The innovative design of our Hawkeye auto-acquire tri-band terminals allows the user to switch bands on a single system with the simple swap out of a band kit, thus reducing costs and the need for an entire system when switching frequency bands.

Q: What are some of the most significant programs your company is currently working on with the military?

A: Notable programs of record include SDNLite, SDN-FoT and CSS Satcom. We are also working on significant programs in the Middle East and Australia.

A: L-3 GCS is constantly evolving its products. The focus for the next 12-18 months will be on new frequency bands for all products, ARSTRAT certification for our Panther II manpack and adding features to ViewSAT-e, our Web-based GUI. We are also constantly looking to expand our product lines with new aperture choices, which pack smaller and are lighter than current models.

Q: What unique benefits does your company provide its customers in comparison with other companies in your field?

A: We are able to provide a complete solution to our customers. Our VSAT terminals are interoperable between bands with the quick-and-easy swap out of a band kit comprised of a few components, not an entire system.

ViewSat-e, our proprietary Web-based GUI, allows our users to easily control our terminals. We provide not only equipment, but also network management and support.

We have an exceptional 24/7 network operation center, in-field support and voice, data, video and broadband Internet services from a network of 8 DIACAP-accredited teleports.

Q: Are you currently developing new products and services relevant to military and government customers that you hope to bring to the market in the future?

A: Our innovative engineers are constantly developing new features and packaging that obsolete our current products in order to deliver the best technology available to our customers. We have embedded several new modems which are currently in the certification process. We will be introducing new families of mid and large terminals in the upcoming months. We anticipate each of these terminals will be new market leaders, just as our Hawkeye, Cheetah and Panther terminals have been. O www.SOTECH-kmi.com

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