Whispers

2d3 Inc., a provider of vision science solutions for the defense, entertainment, life science and engineering industries, recently participated in the test and evaluation environment known as Tactical Network Topology (TNT), a joint operation between USSOCOM and the Naval Postgraduate School at Camp Roberts in central California.

2d3 successfully deployed to TNT with its TacitView, TopoMax and AltiMap products, and was able to complete many experiments involving the interoperability between 2d3’s products and USSOCOM’s test unmanned platforms, including the Raven, ScanEagle, Rascal and Maveric. Using TacitView, 2d3 was able to directly connect to the unmanned platforms to record, enhance and exploit motion imagery data and create intelligence reports from live and recorded motion imagery. 2d3’s stabilization, super-resolution, and contrast enhancement capabilities were brought to bear on typical scenarios encountered in flight.

Special Ops Aviation Support

The Air Force has awarded DynCorp International a delivery order under the Contract Field Team program to support special operations aviation. The delivery order has a potential value of $45.2 million over two years.

DynCorp International will provide aviation support for the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. Work will include organization- level, intermediate, and depot-level aviation maintenance, special repairs, and servicing of electronic components. A total of 184 helicopters are supported under this delivery order, including the MH/ AH 6 series, MH-60 and MH-47, based at Fort Campbell, Ky., Hunter Army Airfield, Ga., Fort Lewis, Wash., and other locations worldwide. In addition, DynCorp International will maintain training aircraft for the Special Operations Aviation Training Company.

The delivery order is firm-fixed-price, with a value of $22.6 million per year for two years. DynCorp International was the incumbent.

Weapons Systems Development

The Weapon Systems Technology Information Analysis Center (WSTIAC), operated by Alion Science and Technology, was awarded a $4.3 million task order to identify and explore new and emerging technologies on behalf of the Joint and Special Operations Program ( JSOP) at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Navy Crane in Crane, Ind.

Under the three-year Special Operations Forces Technology Transition (SOF T2) task order, Alion will perform system modeling and simulations, component design review and improvements. Additionally, the company will test equipment and techniques, implement data collection software and perform materials studies. The JSOP Program Management Office is utilizing Alion’s research and simulation expertise in night vision, ammunition, accessory power, material replacement and noise/flash suppression.

The technologies are being developed at commercial, industry, academia and DoD research facilities. SOF T2 will focus on facilitating increased communication between the technology developers and end users, ensuring that new technologies suit end-user needs.

“JSOP is being proactive in developing weapons systems for special operations forces warfighters,” said Chris Amos, Alion senior vice president and manager of the Technology Solutions Group. “Alion is supporting this effort by identifying new and emerging technologies to enhance the capabilities of SOF weapons and weapons systems accessories. This critical work will help give our warfighters a great advantage on tomorrow’s battlefield.” The contract runs until September 1, 2011. Subcontractors supporting Alion include Advanced Automation Corp. and the Wexford Group International, a CACI company.

528th Sustainment Brigade

Effective February 2, 2009, the Sustainment Brigade (Special Operations) (Airborne), of Fort Bragg, N.C., was officially re-designated as the 528th Sustainment Brigade (Airborne). Along with the name change, the brigade will be assuming the lineage of the 528th Support Battalion (Special Operations) (Airborne), which was activated December 15, 1942. The battalion has a long history, seeing service in World War II, Vietnam and the Gulf War.

The brigade will continue to serve in its previous role as the only organic sustainment and support unit within the U.S. Army Special Operations Command. ♦

Compiled by KMI Media Group