SOTECH 2009 Volume: 7 Issue: 8 (October)
Tactical Booster Amplifier
AR Modular RF recently announced the completion of a new 50-watt auto-tuning, multi-band tactical booster amplifier, designed to make it easy for troops to maintain constant, reliable communications in even the worst environments.
The new AR-50 booster amplifier boosts tactical radio signals from handheld and back-pack transceivers operating in the 30–512 MHz band. It provides 50 watts output with as little as 2 watts input and offers two antenna ports dedicated to line-of-sight or UHF satellite. The system also provides a switchable low-noise amplifier and a three-position RF output level control. The small, compact, lightweight unit can run from either 12v or 24v vehicle
power systems.
AR Modular RF has received its initial order for model AR-50 booster amplifiers, and units will begin being shipped shortly.
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Tactical Video
Naval Special Warfare Group 1 recently announced its intention to award a firm fixed price contract to Integrity Data Inc. for 36 complete Special Operations Tactical Video System (SOTVS) kits and parts to complete existing, partial kits for performing surveillance and reconnaissance mission training. Each kit provides still and video camera capability, night vision capability and accessories to facilitate transmitting imagery over SOF-unique communications.
Ma Deuce
The U.S. Army TACOM-Rock Island, Ill., has awarded General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products a four-year indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract for the production of M2 flex machine guns. Production under initial delivery orders valued at approximately $100 million is scheduled to be completed by April 2012.
Dean Gagnon, General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products gun systems senior program manager, said, “The M2 flex is a belt-fed, recoil-operated, air-cooled, crew-served weapon capable of right- or left-hand feed. The weapon’s accuracy, durability and versatility make it ideal for offensive and defensive operations.”
The guns will be produced at General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products’ Saco, Maine, facility, which has delivered more than 35,000 M2 machine guns to the U.S. government since 1979. Program management will be performed at the company’s Burlington, Vt.-based Technology Center.
Combat ID System
BAE Systems and Thales recently demonstrated the newest version of their jointly developed combat identification system to U.S. Army officials at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., marking the first time the system was demonstrated with a large, crew-served weapon on a U.S. vehicle.
The new version of the combat identification, or CID, system prevents soldiers operating machine guns on armored HMMWVs from firing on friendly forces operating in other combat vehicles. During the demonstration, the CID system correctly identified moving and stationary friendly vehicles through smoke and fog and in tree lines.
“The general officers and civilian attendees who took the time to try the CID system all responded positively to its potential for preventing fratricide,” said Sal Costa, head of identification solutions for BAE Systems. “They were uniformly impressed by its simplicity and effectiveness.”
The demonstration tests consisted of a series of tactical vignettes developed to reflect potential real-life situations and how the CID system works with other technologies to reduce friendly-fire events among U.S. and coalition forces.
“Our team’s innovative combat ID systems continue to show their potential to deliver a capability to the warfighter that improves combat effectiveness while minimizing the risk of friendly casualties,” said Merry Michaux, director of Thales’ communications, navigation and identification business.
The CID system consists of transponders that are mounted on vehicles and direct-fire weapon interrogators to help gunners determine if targets are friendly.
The demonstration unit included a palm switch used to conduct the interrogation, a visual warning device mounted near the gun, and headphones for audible warnings that allow the gunner to see and hear the results without having to take his eyes off the target.
Rotor Maximization
As part of an effort to improve helicopter performance, Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. has begun whirl testing a demonstration rotor system with active flaps.The effort is jointly funded by Sikorsky and the Aviation Applied Technology Directorate.
“We have reached full speed of 450 rpm and commenced testing flap integrity and functionality,” said Jim Kagdis, program manager for Sikorsky Advanced Programs. “Now we will investigate rotor reconfiguration capabilities to demonstrate the potential to reduce rotor vibration and noise, and increase blade loading, which enables higher maneuverability and speed.”
Testing is expected to continue through the month of August. Wind tunnel testing at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration is planned in 2010.
“The beginning of active rotor program testing is evidence of Sikorsky’s commitment to design, develop, test, and to ultimately field next-generation technologies that will advance the current state of rotorcraft,” said Mark Miller, vice president, research and engineering.
My Bipod
Fort Benning’s Maneuver Battle Lab recently evaluated handling of a lightweight adjustable bipod for the M-240B medium machine gun to determine whether the new attachment provides an effective platform for stable fire. Sixteen soldiers fired the weapon, hauled it over obstacle courses and participated in movement exercises.
Rusty Schulten, project officer for the Maneuver Battle Lab’s Soldier team, said the current M-240 B bipod does not have adjustable legs capable of leveling the weapon on uneven terrain. The lightweight adjustable bipod features legs similar to the M-240 H machine gun—with an exposable spike at the collapsed-leg position—and can be deployed using one hand, he said. “It stows in the same position as the standard bipod and folds rearward,” Schulten said.
Staff Sergeant LaTrevius White said the bipod currently in use will swivel, affecting the weapon’s balance. The lightweight adjustable version handles more easily, he said. “It has potential [and] seems pretty durable,” he said. “It’s easy to use and looks like it can take a beating. The new bipod gives you more options as far as configuring. ... The taller guys can adjust better because it adapts more to their body type.” Schulten said the Maneuver Battle Lab collected data, while Chris Carstens—a research psychologist with the Human Research and Engineering Directorate—received soldier feedback. The M-240B’s product manager will use the assessment to confirm soldier acceptance of the bipod design and gather information for any needed changes prior to fielding.
If shown to be effective, the lightweight adjustable bipod could be delivered to the field sometime next year, he said.
Force Protection
J&S Franklin recently announced a contract for over $2 million worth of the DefenCell Force Protection System to an unspecified client. The system will be deployed in Africa in support of international operations in the region. The order consists of 9,500 units of DefenCell DC3 and is sufficient to build a blast wall 2 meters high and 6.8 miles long.
The entire order, packed in only 14 20-foot containers, has already been dispatched to the customer from the J&S Franklin manufacturing facility in the United States.
DefenCell can be used in a wide variety of roles from protective walls, bunkers, berms and vehicle crash barriers to temporary roadways and flood barriers. The cellular design with the latest geotextile construction technology provides strength, versatility and simplicity. Significant advances in UV resistance have been tested to show extended durability in extreme conditions. The system is air-droppable and manportable, and its non-metallic structure means it generates no secondary shrapnel and can be safely pushed off the back of a truck with no risk of damage. DefenCell can be laid out quickly and easily and filled with a variety of locally sourced materials, including earth, sand, shingle or rocks up to 20 cm in diameter.
DefenCell is currently on operational deployment in Afghanistan with the British Army, in Chad with the Irish Defence Force, Eurocorps and a number of U.S. bases. It is also deployed in facilities protection roles in the United Kingdom and Italy. ♦