Special Operations International June 2016

June 2016 • Volume 14 • Issue 5

The most widely distributed special operations magazine in the world

Inside ...

This Issue NAVSCIATTS Page 14

SOF Vehicle Mobility Page 18

Breaching Capabilities Page 24

Leveraging Advanced Technology Page 28

International Vector Major General Grégoire de Saint-Quentin Commander, French Special Operations Command

Q&A With

Major General Gregory L. Lengyel Commander, Special Operations Command Europe

SOPHISTICATED EQUIPMENT FOR

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Special Operations International Features

14

Building International Small Craft Capacity Organizationally, NAVSCIATTS falls within Naval Special Warfare Command and works closely with Defense Security Cooperation Agency and the Department of State, providing training for international military students.

By Jeff McKaughan

18

24 28

Special Operations Vehicles

As special operations forces continue to develop concepts of operation to tackle a constantly evolving contemporary operating environment, increasing emphasis is being placed upon the utility of mobility platforms capable of providing range, lethality and protection to small units conducting direct action and reconnaissance missions at reach.

By Andrew White

June 2016 • Volume 14 Issue 5

Table of Contents Departments

Cover/Q&A with Major General Gregory L. Lengyel Commander Special Operations Command Europe

2 6 27

BlackWatch People Resource Center

Busting Through

Getting past physical obstacles quickly and safely is one of the oldest challenges of soldiering and often a major portion of special operations.

By Henry Canady

Helping SOF Leverage Advanced Technology

An interview with Insitu’s Suzanne McNamara, vice president, business development, on the company’s goal of leveraging technology, advancing UAS capabilities and helping to further network the individual operator.

10

International Vector

Exclusive interview with: Major General Grégoire de Saint-Quentin Commander French Special Operations Command

Special Operations International Bringing the international special operations community together recent senior leader interviews from the following countries

BlackWatch Tactical Battery Power System for Extended MEDEVAC Revision Military Inc., has received a firm fixed price contract, in the award amount of $58,609, to develop and provide a lightweight, robust, flexible tactical battery power system that can power extended MEDEVAC devices during an extended CASEVAC scenario in conjunction with identified transport systems. The contract period of performance is six months starting May 12, 2016. The primary place of performance is Essex Junction, Vt. This contract was awarded in response to the USSOCOM Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) No. USSOCOM-BAAST-2015, Appendix F, dated 30 April 2015.

New Diesel Powered Off-Road Vehicle

off-road performance that Polaris and the MRZR are trusted for in peacetime, security operations and conventional military missions.”

“Throughout the last three years, we’ve had an open dialogue with Polaris about how we were using the MRZRs, and enhancements that would help us complete our missions more effectively. This has been very beneficial to us in the program office and the warfighters as Polaris has incorporated our requests. In the case of the MRZR-D, we suggested changes to improve sightlines and ergonomics which were incorporated.” said Brendon Reedy, LTATV acquisition program manager, PEO-SW/FOSOV, USSOCOM. “It’s nice to see commercial companies such as Polaris continue to invest in the defense industry and we’re happy those investments have resulted in a turbo-diesel MRZR.” During the recent Special Operations Industry Conference, USSOCOM acquisition chief James “Hondo” Geurts explained that they were able to order MZRZ-D4s without needing a new program by using the “catcher’s mitt” approach to planning and budgeting.

Russian Special Forces to Receive Countermeasure Resistant Radios On May 18, Polaris Defense, a division of Polaris Industries Inc., announced the addition of a highperformance MRZR turbo diesel (MRZR-D) to its MRZR off-road vehicle lineup.

To be as expeditionary as the warfighters that use them, MRZR vehicles are transportable and can be configured a number of ways, including two-, four- and six-person. The turbocharged diesel engine in the new MRZR-D has been engineered to meet the performance and physical specs of the original MRZR vehicles.

While many key features—like the dimensions, payload, towing, ground clearance, accessories, handling and other features—remain the same, Polaris incorporated feedback from the field in the new product, including updated occupant seating space, ergonomics and sightlines. The MRZR-D also provides increased auxiliary power and greater range, making it even more effective.

“The new turbo diesel powertrain is significant in reducing the logistics burden for select U.S. services and many foreign militaries that have strict requirements for diesel fuel,” said Jed Leonard, senior manager, Polaris Defense.

“And as importantly for our military customers, we’ve engineered this diesel powertrain to meet the same mission requirements and extreme 2 | SPECOPS 14.5

Russian Special Forces have started receiving radio stations resistant to countermeasures 10,000 times stronger than the friendly signal, the press office of Russia’s United Instrument-Manufacturing Corporation told TASS on May 25.

“These systems can ensure stable radio communications amid countermeasures 10,000 times stronger than the friendly signal. The adaptive interference canceller allows selecting the friendly signal from the noise thanks to its unique digital processing,” the press office said.

“The radio station retains communications even during the operation of remote-controlled explosive device jamming systems, for example, when a vehicular convoy is on the move,” the press office said.

According to the press office, the new mobile radio station will have man-portable and vehiclemounted versions and will make part of the Argon-E communications system.

“Radio stations of this type can be submerged and are resistant to high and low temperatures.

Russia’s Special Forces have already started receiving such radio stations. Their delivery to border guard forces is under consideration now,” the press office said.

The Argon-E system is a set of man-portable, vehicle-mounted and stationary radio stations. The

Argon-E system can ensure stable digital radio communications in the ultra-short band and allows going to mobile and urban telephone nets. Voice information can be transmitted both via secure and open lines.

The Argon-E system has a complex that can determine the coordinates of subscribers and their routes in real time.

As reported by the TASS Russian News Agency

McRaven Named 2016 NFF Distinguished American Award Honoree

The National Football Foundation (NFF) and College Hall of Fame recently announced that William H. McRaven, chancellor of the University of Texas System and retired U.S. Navy four-star admiral, will be honored with the organization’s 2016 Distinguished American Award during the 59th NFF Annual Awards Dinner at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City on December 6.

“William McRaven is one of our nation’s most distinguished leaders and a champion of freedom and education,” said NFF President and CEO Steve Hatchell. “He has secured his place in history by tracking down some of the world’s most notorious terrorists, and he has impacted military lives at home through the creation of the Preservation of the Force & Family initiative. He now brings those exceptional leadership skills to the University of Texas System, and we take great pride in honoring him and his outstanding record of achievement.”

One of the most prestigious honors presented by the NFF, the Distinguished American Award recognizes an outstanding person who has maintained a lifetime of interest in the game and who, over a long period of time, has exhibited enviable leadership qualities and made a significant contribution to the betterment of amateur football in the United States.

“William McRaven has been a leader all his life with impeccable values,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning. “Whether handling life and death situations in the military or ensuring the highest caliber of education within one of our nation’s top university systems, he has distinguished himself www.SPECOPS-dhp.com

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Colombian Team Takes Fuerzas Comando 2016 Competition

U.S. SF at Eager Lion 2016

U.S. Air Force Special Tactics teams trained with Jordanian special operations forces in personnel recovery techniques during Eager Lion 2016. This is one of the first times Special Tactics provided command and control of an exercise joint-task force, directing U.S. Army and Jordanian SOF teams in Air Force ground missions such as personnel recovery and precision strike. Exercise Eager Lion 2016 consisted of simulated real-world scenarios to facilitate a coordinated partnered military response to conventional and unconventional threats. The addition of this SOF asset enhances U.S. and Jordanian effectiveness and capability to respond to real-world crises and threats.

However, this year’s bi-lateral exercise showcased the lesser-known SOF ground component in a big way, providing valuable insight into Air Force Special Tactic’s unique air/ground capabilities and background.

While Special Tactics airmen have built partnership capacity at Eager Lion in the past, this is one of the first times Special Tactics provided command and control of an exercise joint-task force. With an O-5 jointly led with a Jordanian commander, Special Tactics directed U.S. Army and Jordanian SOF teams in Air Force ground missions such as personnel recovery and precision strike.

“Special Tactics teams are training side-byside with our U.S. and Jordanian SOF counterparts to execute personnel recovery, precision strike and global access missions. These exercises fuse air power to ground special operations in joint, combined, and unilateral teams,” said Lieutenant Colonel Mike Jensen, the commander of the 26th Special Tactics who led the joint command with the Jordanian commander of the 101st Special Forces Battalion.

As reported by Major Tiffany Collins 4 | SPECOPS 14.5

Colombia won this year’s competition involving 20 special operations teams from across the Americas, with Honduras and Peru coming in second and third place, respectively, military officials said.

At the close of the competition on May 12, the Colombian team had accumulated 2,990 points for its eighth trophy, followed closely to the end by Honduras with 2,945 points and host Peru with 2,880 points.

The remaining finishers, in order, were Mexico, the United States, Guatemala, Argentina, Chile, Panama, Uruguay, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Jamaica, Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago, Belize, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Haiti and Suriname.

At the closing ceremony of the “Fuerzas Comando 2016” contest, Peruvian Defense Minister Jakke Valakivi said it served to strengthen ties of friendship among the armed forces of the Americas and improve their preparedness to battle terrorism, drug trafficking and other regional threats.

Admiral Kurt Tidd, commander of U.S. Southern Command, hailed the competition for bringing together 160 members of military and police special operations teams from 20 countries and praised the Colombian team in particular.

The competition, begun in 2004 at the initiative of the U.S. Southern Command, will take place next year in Paraguay.

As reported by the Latin American Herald Tribune

South Korean SOF Take Part in Maritime Exercise Some 330 South Korean special forces troops took part in a regional anti-piracy exercise in the South China Sea region with 17 other countries, the defense ministry said May 17.

The maritime security exercise, which ran from May 1-12 in the waters between Singapore and Brunei, brought together special army and navy forces from the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus.

ADMM-Plus is a gathering of 10 ASEAN nations plus eight dialogue partners including South Korea, Japan, China, Russia and the United States.

South Korea’s Navy destroyer Choe Yeong also joined the regional exercise on its way back from a mission with South Korea’s anti-piracy troops, the Cheonghae Unit, stationed in the Gulf of Aden in the Arabian Sea off Somalia.

The latest joint exercise simulated a rescue mission on a merchant ship hijacked en route from a Brunei port to Singapore, the ministry said in a statement.

The simulation involved maritime and ground rescue operations to free hostages held in a hijacked vessel and a pirates’ base, it said.

“Our military boosted its anti-piracy capabilities, necessary in securing maritime traffic routes around the South China Sea and the enhanced interoperability of the combined forces’ anti-terror operations,” the ministry said.

As reported by The Korean Herald

Laser Rangefinder Optics

The Seeker Series of mountable laser rangefinders has been introduced by Newcon Optik, a Canadian manufacturer and distributor of electro-optical devices. The series consists of the Seeker S and Seeker M—versatile, lightweight and MIL-SPEC laser rangefinder modules that are capable of being boresighted to practically any optical system, including spotting scopes, binoculars, and thermal imagers, as well as mounted onto rifles and integrated into complex fire control systems. Both devices acquire accurate distance, azimuth and inclination target data out to several kilometers.

The Seeker M has a 3,000 m NATO target measurement range and utilizes a 1550 nm laser while the Seeker S measures out to 2,000 m and utilizes a 905 nm laser.

“We have successfully tailored the Seeker Series to satisfy and exceed the needs of professional users and consumers, packing high-performance features into rugged, compact and reliable devices,” said Aaron Buckstein, vice www.SPECOPS-dhp.com

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“The devices are suitable for a variety of applications, including tactical, law enforcement and special forces missions.”

The company also introduced the Spotter LRF Series—the first of its kind combined spotting scope and long-distance laser rangefinder.

Both models in the series—the Spotter LRF PRO and Spotter LRF—allow rapid and accurate target acquisition with 15-45x variable magnification and have etched mil-dot reticles and OLED displays. The Spotter LRF utilizes a 905 nm laser that can range a NATO target to 2,000m, and the Spotter LRF PRO features a 1550 nm laser capable of ranging 3,000 m. Both have numerous mounting options for additional accessories, and are compatible with a number of periphery devices through their USB output.

Up-Gunned AC-208 Combat Caravan

for anti-access/aerial denial environments.

AeroVironment developed the Blackwing system as part of a 2013 Navy and USSOCOM-sponsored JCTD called Advanced Weapons Enhanced by Submarine UAS Against Mobile Targets. This JCTD was completed in September 2015 with a strong recommendation to transition the capability into the fleet. Blackwing employs an advanced, miniature electro-optical and infrared payload, Selective Availability Anti-spoofing Module GPS and AeroVironment’s secure Digital Data Link, all packaged into a vehicle that launches from manned and unmanned submarines.

“AeroVironment’s new Blackwing unmanned aircraft system is a valuable new capability that resulted from our team’s close collaboration with, and responsiveness to, the Navy’s undersea warfare community and the Special Operations community,” said Kirk Flittie, AeroVironment vice president and general manager of its unmanned aircraft systems business segment.

Battlefield Effects Simulators The 27th Special Operations Contracting Squadron located at Cannon Air Force, N.M., is

seeking sources interested in a possible award to provide Hostile Fire Cartridges (M34), 1,000 each, LA47 Stinger Cartridge, 1,400 each and Target Hit Cartridge (M35) White Star, 2,000 each for Cannon AFB.

Ugandan President Promotes Commander of Special Forces—His Son Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has promoted his son Kainerugaba Muhoozi to the rank of major-general in the army.

He is seen as the most powerful soldier in Uganda’s army. He heads the Special Forces Command which is considered to be an army within the army. It has all units of the military such as an infantry and Air Force. Plus it’s in charge of the president’s protection and key government installations including the country’s oil fields.

Some have questioned the speed with which Maj-Gen Muhoozi has been promoted. It was only four years ago when he was made brigadier.

As reported by Catherine Byaruhanga for the BBC. 

PEOPLE At SOFEX in Amman, Jordan, Orbital ATK displayed a scale model of an upgunned AC-208 Combat Caravan. The aircraft is fundamentally the same as the currently operational AC-208 gunship, the difference coming from the ability to carry two Hellfire missiles or twin 2.75-inch rocket pods on the hard point of each wing.

Doubling the firepower does not take away from any of the ISR capabilities built into the original and existing AC-208.

Tube-Launched UAS for Navy On May 16, AeroVironment announced that the U.S. Navy plans to deploy its Blackwing, a small, tube-launched unmanned aircraft system that deploys from under the surface of the sea, on manned submarines and unmanned underwater vehicles.

Blackwing builds on AeroVironment’s extensive operational experience with small unmanned aircraft systems and its Switchblade Lethal Miniature Aerial Missile System to provide the Navy with a low cost, submarine launched unmanned aircraft system optimized 6 | SPECOPS 14.5

Brigadier General Richard K. Sele, U.S. Army Reserve, deputy commander, Troop Program Unit, 108th Training Command, Initial Entry Training, Charlotte, N.C., has been assigned as deputy commanding general, Troop Program Unit, U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command, Fort Bragg, N.C. Brigadier General Christopher W. Stockel, U.S. Army Reserve, deputy commanding general, Troop Program Unit, U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command,

Fort Bragg, N.C., has been assigned as commander, Troop Program Unit, 351st Civil Affairs Command, Mountain View, Calif.

Major General Richard D. Clarke, commanding general, 82d Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C., has been assigned as vice director, strategic plans and policy, J-5, Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.

Colonel Sean M. Farrell, who has been selected to the grade of brigadier general, from commander, 1st Special Operations Wing, Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Fla., has been assigned as director, strategic plans, programs and requirements, Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field.

Colonel William G. Holt II, who has been selected to the grade of brigadier general, from commander, 352d Special Operations Wing, Air Force Special Operations Command, RAF Mildenhall, England, has been assigned as director of operations, Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Fla.

www.SPECOPS-dhp.com

Q&A Since this interview was conducted, Major General Lengyel was replaced as commander of U.S. Special Operations Command Europe by Major General Mark Schwartz. Major General Lengyel is now the deputy commander of Joint Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Major General Gregory J. Lengyel was the commander of Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR). SOCEUR is a subordinate unified command of U.S. Special Operations Command, OPCON to U.S. European Command, exercising operational control of theater Army, Navy, and Air Force special operations forces. Lengyel is responsible for SOF readiness, targeting, exercises, plans, joint and combined training, and execution of counterterrorism, peacetime and contingency operations.

Lengyel earned his commission in 1985 as a distinguished graduate of the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Texas A&M University. He is a career special operations pilot who has flown the UH-1H/N, MH-53J/M and CV-22B operationally, and has participated in contingency operations in Haiti, the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan. He has commanded the 21st Special Operations Squadron, U.S. Central Command’s Combined Joint Special Operations Air Component (CJSOAC), 1st Special Operations Wing, and the United States Air Force Academy Cadet Wing. He has also completed joint staff tours at U.S. Special Operations Command, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe.

His awards and decorations include: Defense Superior Service Medal with oak leaf cluster; Legion of Merit; Bronze Star Medal; Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters; Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters; Aerial Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster; Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster; Joint Service Achievement Medal; and Air Force Combat Action Medal.

Q: As Russia has reemerged as a military force that it not in sync with virtually all of Western Europe, how has that affected the size and structure of SOCEUR? What is the command doing different today from two years ago?

A: The new security environment in Europe created by Russia’s actions in Crimea and other parts of Ukraine has not increased the size of U.S. Special Operations Command Europe’s in any significant way. We did make adjustments to our team and some of our activities, we have focused solely on the European theater, where in the past, we were split between Europe and Afghanistan, assisting partners as they prepared and deployed in support of the ISAF mission.

I don’t know if any of us would have predicted the current security environment that we face in Europe. If you would have asked that question only two years ago I suspect the answer would have been much different.

This year we also assumed the mission of the Special Operations Component Command for the NATO Response Force which has given us an opportunity to strengthen and improve our interoperability with ally special operations forces and develop long-lasting relationships throughout NATO. Q: With the terrorist attacks in parts of Europe—in particular in Paris and Brussels recently—has that caused any changes to the routine business of SOCEUR? www.SPECOPS-dhp.com

Major General Gregory J. Lengyel

Commander Special Operations Command Europe

A: These recent attacks have added emphasis to this important mission, but countering terrorism has been an enduring command priority which our team pursues with vigor and dedication. SOCEUR work and train with many partner counterterrorism forces, and we support many of the U.S. country teams in Europe with their efforts to counter the conditions that cause the spread of violent extremism.

Q: What is the relationship of SOCEUR to NATO Special Operations Headquarters? What is the level of communication and coordination taking place between the two?

A: NATO Special Operations Headquarters was created in 2010 as an outgrowth of the former NATO Special Operations Coordination Centre. With 26 NATO member nations and three non-NATO partner nations contributing personnel, the NSHQ facilitates training and planning among its participating countries, and acts as the coordinator for all special forces across NATO. The United States played a lead role in establishing the command, and as SPECOPS 14.5 | 7

such, SOCEUR maintains a strong relationship, with numerous collaboration and coordination linkages, with NSHQ at all levels.

1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (A) breach a doorway as they prepare to enter and raid the objective during Exercise Flaming Sword in Panevėžsy, Lithuania. Since 2012, Lithuanian SOF has organized Exercise Flaming Sword with NATO SOF and allied partners. (U.S. Army photo)

Q: With a general mission to build capacity among allies, how do you approach special operations forces that are more emerging and younger in their developmental process and those countries that have very mature special operations elements?

A: We work with each of our partners and allies on an individual basis to assist them in reaching their goals. For our emerging SOF partners we base our partnership development programs on their assessed abilities and assist them in developing plans and conduct training with them to reach their desired capacity from the tactical to the institutional level.

Over the past decade the capabilities and capacity of European SOF writ large has grown exponentially. Some countries didn’t have SOF capabilities in their military, and now they export special operations capabilities in support of bilateral and multinational missions overseas.

Other partners and allies poses peer or near peer capabilities, with these countries we conduct joint, combined training to maintain interoperability and build long-lasting relationships.

The mature SOF units across Europe are also involved heavily in the development of the emerging SOF partners.

A French Air Force EC-725 Caracau helicopter assigned to the 1/67 Pyrénées Squadron Cazaux, France connects to the refueling pod of an MC-130J Commando ll assigned to RAF Mildenhall while conducting a training mission. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Q: In particular tell me about the level of partnership and exchange with France Special Operations.

A: Our relationship with the French Commandement des Opérations Spéciales is a mature relationship and it is a partnership that has grown much closer in the last few years and crosses multiple COCOMs. The French have taken a lead in counter-terrorism in the African Trans-Sahel and our efforts have been to enable their SOF efforts with intelligence collaboration and support; operational assistance and integration, and integrated operational planning.

Additionally, the French have been an effective and integrated partner where the U.S. has taken the lead in the Levant. SOCEUR has been integral to this relationship through efforts such as the support of AFSOC elements to conduct training and operational support in Africa to develop French Air Force Special Operations helicopter air-to-air refueling.

contribution to counter-terrorism efforts in Europe is done through partnership development, which we accomplish with advisors and trainers working with partnered forces at their request in order to develop tactics, techniques and procedures at the tactical level.

At the staff level, training and sharing occurs through subject matter expert exchanges and through combining staffs during bilateral and multilateral exercises.

All of these different venues, whether on a range or in a command post, provide all the participants with an opportunity share experiences and learn from one another and to build bonds that are vitally important.

Q: Do you have a role in the security process surrounding the massive influx of immigrants coming to Europe through the southern frontier countries?

Q: SOCEUR does not have a MARSOC component. Why, and do you expect that to change or stay as is?

A: The migrant/refugee flow is definitely a concern for all of Europe and NATO and is something that SOCEUR is monitoring. SOCEUR’s key

A: While we don’t have a MARSOC component we do have Marines on the SOCEUR staff as well as representation from all of the other

8 | SPECOPS 14.5

www.SPECOPS-dhp.com

services from our military to include the Coast Guard. As far as the reason for not having a MARSOC component it is my understanding that it is due to their focus on the African and Pacific theaters and for that reason I don’t believe that we will see a MARSOC component.

Maintenance crews from the 352nd Special Operations Maintenance Group prepare to launch MC-130J Commando ll for a training mission in Cazaux, France. The SOMXG provides all operational maintenance on the MC-130J Commando II and the CV-22B Osprey aircraft assigned to the two special operations flying squadrons of the 352nd Special Operations Wing.

(U.S. Air Force photo)

Q: Is there anything unique about SOCEUR’s approach to support of the operator and their family, during all phases of the operator’s deployment—during and after?

A: SOCEUR and our components support our operators and their families before, during and after deployments.

We rely on a diverse resilience team to identify trends for the command and provide for the needs and gaps facing our special operations forces community. The team is comprised of an imbedded medical unit, a chaplain, multiple SOF-designated military and family life consultants which include a personal financial consultant, a family readiness coordinator, headquarters’ commandant and first sergeant and master resilience trainers.

This team is the initial touch point for all our servicemembers and their family members when SOCEUR prepares for, responds to and recovers from deployments. The team is capable of addressing every domain identified by the U.S. Special Operations Command and provides

integrated care and support to members and their families in the areas of human, psychological, spiritual, and social performance.

The command also leverages community resources at each of the instillations we are based at and relies on a network of spouses who meet on a monthly basis and train quarterly to maintain a strong support framework in conjunction with deployments. The focus and care of our joint community is a priority at SOCEUR; individually we bring great talent and together we achieve immeasurable accomplishments. 

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International Vector An Exclusive Special Operations International Q&A with

Major General Grégoire de Saint-Quentin Commander French Special Operations Command

Q: Could you explain the organization structure and authorities that your command works within? With all of your mission responsibilities, are you staffed at the right levels? Does the command need to become bigger or smaller to be more efficient? de Saint-Quentin: The general officer in charge of the Special Operations is under the direct command of the French CHOD. Working at the strategic level, he is supported by the Special Operations Headquarters (French SOCOM) where the overall Special Operations Forces (Air Force, Navy and Army) are federated and represented. French SOCOM prepares specific SOF plans, courses of action (CoA). It also ensures the deployed SOF command and control. Simultaneously, it maintains the closest relationship within the inter-agencies and international areas.

The 2013 “Livre Blanc” brought-out the decision to reinforce the special operations capabilities by increasing the SOF operators number, including the headquarters, enabling them to cope with the recent increase of French SOF commitments abroad.

Nevertheless, French SOCOM remains a light structure, coherent with the French SOF laydown. One requirement remains with the safeguarding of a strong and reactive C2 chain, able to manage the French Special Operations within a short decisional loop, and always maintaining an ops momentum which gives us the initiative facing complex and impervious adversaries.

Q: How is your budget arranged (do you have your own procurement and research and development budgets for example)? Do the services (Army, Navy and Air Force) assume some responsibility for equipping their forces with your command providing the specialized equipment for their specific missions? de Saint-Quentin: Equipment, recruitment, education and training, remain the responsibilities of the three services. French SOCOM is responsible to make sure that these forces are together full interoperable and that their equipment is coherent. In addition, French SOCOM R&D Branch works in coordination with the SOF three services on some common system developments.

French SOCOM also works in close coordination with DGA (French Ministry of Defense Procurement Agency) on the equipment major programs.

Moreover, it builds up the reactive acquisition processes enabling it to respond in a short time to some the specific needs that could come-up 10 | SPECOPS 14.5

from the operation theaters.

Q: How does your budget for the current year compare to the previous year and what are you expecting for next budget cycle? de Saint-Quentin: The established budget with special operations has been in constant rise for four years, in particular with the development and acquisition integration of new equipment not specifically belonging to the SOF but that makes a fundamental contribution to special operations, as for example the UAVs program.

Beyond this comment is the interest of the business model profitability, since, should the Special Forces need cutting-edge technologies and equipment, their defense budget share remains modest in comparison with their level of employment.

Q: Do French special forces have a role in domestic security? Can you provide some examples? de Saint-Quentin: In France, the role of the armed forces is mainly to serve on the external theaters of operations. However, the armed forces can also be deployed over the national territory and following the terrorist attacks in Paris, they had to deploy a sensitive sites major safety plan of action.

In terms of homeland counter-terrorism, SOF dedicate a transportation helicopter squadron at the disposal of the Ministry of Interior intervention units, which do not own any of these assets on their own. In the same way, the Navy SOF are now prepared to act as maritime counter-terrorism specialists in the vicinity of the national coast since the Ministry of Interior doesn’t have any equivalent capability. www.SPECOPS-dhp.com

Q: What does the SOF Global network mean to you and French special operations forces? de Saint-Quentin: It is always necessary to adapt to your adversary.

There is one thing I want to make perfectly clear, and in doing so I am following on from what General [Stanley] McChrystal said when he evoked the need for fighting a network, you need to be organized in network.

It is even truer today while facing a trans-regional adversary which demands to a comprehensive approach, initially by the sharing of our visions of the situation. This current trend is positively contributing to the dynamic of operations.

Q: Can you give some tangible examples of how you collaborate and partner with other allied special forces to increase interoperability and be able to operate in the same battlespace with a partner? de Saint-Quentin: From a simple advice up to a joint commitment on the ground under the enemy fires, there do exist a great range of possible partnership actions, and the French Special Operations Forces are capable to be engaged overall the full spectrum of actions. Whatever the partnership type, the key-point to get positive results is that each one knows the limitations of its partner before engaging in a collaboration, and that the shared goals are fully identified.

Q: What are some of the technology areas (types of equipment/ gear) are you particularly interested in? de Saint-Quentin: French SOCOM currently works on several projects which are significant for the success of its operations. It is obviously a question of continuing to follow all the innovations to keep our technological edge within the framework of the night combat: complementarity of sensors, reduction of devices, etc. In the same way, all that contributes to the acceleration of the decision process enabling a centralization of the information and a decentralization of the action, is crucial.

In this direction, the connectivity and the coordination in network of all actors are fundamental. Thus we must develop without delay some command and information systems dedicated to the Special Forces. We must also monitor as closely as possible what the digital revolution, in which our companies have been committed for a few years, can bring into the control of a special operations both within that it can offer through innovating courses of actions, and in terms of reducing our footprint.

In a more concrete way, we work to enable in the short run the armament of our C-130 (missiles and C4ISTAR). We also follow very closely the evolutions in the domain of UAVs. If the MALE (medium altitude long endurance) unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) became an essential tool, the micro-UAVs should also take a primary role.

Furthermore, SOF air-mobility constitutes a major challenge, in particular on the helicopters segment.

Lastly, from my perspective, I am convinced of the potential of certain new technologies such as the 3D printing that will bring-up in a future which is not so far away. Eventually, in the domain of the reduction of our logistic footprint, inherent characteristic of the SOF, I can see a considerable potential of evolution and ways of improvements.

All these are only some examples … In a global perspective, all that contributes to improve our readiness, to enable our adaptability to the most complex and unforeseen situations, to the globalization of our operational approaches, deserve that anyone is interested in technologies. www.SPECOPS-dhp.com

Whatever the partnership type, the key-point to get positive results is that each one knows the limitations of its partner.

Q: Virtually every special operations command will say that the man is the most important weapon in the arsenal. Tell me about the process to recruit the best into French Special Forces, about their initial training to become part of the team, and recurrent training? de Saint-Quentin: There are two ways to become a SOF operator, by direct recruitment from the civilian world for the youth or through a recruitment within the conventional forces. After years experiencing those two ways, I can say that they prove to be very complementary. In both cases, recruitment becomes effective after a physical and psychological selection phase.

The filter is particularly severe, but the motivation of the candidates related to the commitments of our SOF on operations, makes it possible to maintain a very satisfying rate of selection. Today, the human resources model for French SOF is mature, and the operator profile in each service component (average age, experiment, marital status, etc.) is largely comparable with the ones of our allies—in particular U.S. SOF operators.

I must admit that I am always very struck by the very great maturity which characterizes the SOF operators that I regularly meet in our various theaters. They carry very heavy responsibilities and often face extreme situations where their intellectual agility and their control of the use of SPECOPS 14.5 | 11

force are strongly challenged. They brilliantly fulfill their missions. It proves the quality of our selection process which also makes it possible to support the emergence of a common SOF culture overlapping with the cultures of armed forces.

Q: Is there a need to upgrade training facilities (improve shoot houses/live fire ranges, simulation facilities, etc.)? de Saint-Quentin: Our units have installations enabling them to commit themselves with training situations dramatically close to reality and in total autonomy. They also benefit from overseas sites to train their operators or to prepare the units before a deployment. This system is satisfactory today. The only regret is for the phases of operational preparation including UAVs, fixed wing and rotary wing assets, because most of these means are strongly deployed on real operations. However, we rely on the capabilities offered by simulation as for example for the tactical training of our crews of helicopters in Pau. It brings a real tactical added value. In the same way, within the framework of air support, the realism brought out by simulation, makes today possible to train our operators to reach an excellent level, and allows us to avoid overtasking to combat aircrafts heavily committed elsewhere.

Q: From all accounts SOFINS (Special Operations Forces Innovation Network Seminar) 2015 was a great success. From the perspective

Major General Grégoire de Saint-Quentin was born in Paris in 1961 and joined the French Military Academy of Saint Cyr in 1981. He chose to serve within the French “Troupes de marine.”

His carrier path is punctuated of various assignments within prestigious Airborne Marine infantry regiments (3rd RPIMa, 1st RPIMa) and overseas postings such as 2nd RPIMa (Reunion Island) and Rwanda (1992-1994).

Upon graduation from the French War College in 1998, he assumed the duties of 1st RPIMa’s operations officer. Promoted to colonel in 2003, he was given command of that same regiment a year later, after having been posted in Senegal during two years as head of the Operations Division in the Joint Staff.

De Saint Quentin joined the Prospective Studies Division in the Army General Staff in Paris in 2006, where he participated in the various working groups dedicated to the Army Strategic and

12 | SPECOPS 14.5

of technologies, capabilities and/or networking, what were the big takeaways from SOFINS for you? What made the event worth the time? de Saint-Quentin: The participating companies were matched completely with the current and future requirements of the SOF operators. Several new technologies at the SOFINS are today under development and other prospects are considered to equip the French SOCOM in the short and medium terms. In addition, the success of the SOFINS was embodied by the presence of a great number of international partners.

The great implication of French companies and SOF operators made it possible to support a rapprochement between the industrial and military components, ensuring effectiveness and sustainability of collaborations.

This strengthening of the link between armed forces and companies has been greeted by the highest ranked leadership of France and in particular our Minister of the Defense who said at the SOFINS conference: “Our objective is clear: it aims at shortening the innovation/development/acquisition loop […] because the SOFINS, and I repeat it here, has authority to address the challenges of the SOF equipment by creating a direct contact between professionals. The demonstrations of equipment, the tests of equipment, the exchanges with the operators, pilots or commandos, are concrete illustrations.”

Q: Will there be a 2017 edition?

Organizational Review. He graduated from the Center of High Military Studies (CHEM) and Institute for National Defense High Studies (IHEDN) in 2009 and held the position of Chief J5 of the Joint Operations and Planning Center (CPCO) in Paris.

De Saint-Quentin was promoted brigadier general in 2011 and appointed as regional commander of the French Forces in Senegal.

As such, he is given command of the “Serval” operation in Mali on January 11, 2013.

On August 1, 2013, he assumed command of French Special Operations and the French Special Operations Command (C.O.S.), AFB 107, in Villacoublay. In 2014, he is appointed major general.

Decorations include Commander of both the Legion d’Honneur and the Ordre National du Merite, Croix de la Valeur Militaire with six quotations. De Saint-Quentin has been awarded the Bronze Star (U.S.) and various other awards.

www.SPECOPS-dhp.com

de Saint-Quentin: Yes, the success and the exceptional partnerships of the first two editions of this seminar naturally led to the willing to organize a third edition. The News show us how much it is essential to find innovating solutions to our problems on the battlefield. It is the Cercle de l’Arbalète (Crossbow Circle) which organizes the SOFINS whose next edition will take place in 2017, the March 28-30, near Bordeaux.

This next edition will continue to carry out the SOF essential values which are adaptability, endurance, inventiveness, and technological and human excellence, and will stress on the concept of seminar workshops. Therefore, each day will be opened by a conference for the attention to all the public present there: members of the French and foreign special forces, companies, consultants and staffs. all must be able to work together along these three days.

Q: Any closing thoughts on French Special Operations Command, its people and its mission? de Saint-Quentin: We continue to consolidate the French SOF enterprise and step up its dynamic ability to face complex and expanded threats which requires as much innovating know-how as determination and endurance. In this fight, the quality of our men is a force and their capacity to

be adapted permanently appears critical. We clearly crossed a new level in 2013 with our commitment in the Sahel. From that time, other operations came in to reinforce this very strong dynamics.

For a few years now, our Special Forces have expanded their defense capabilities—which has been essential as the threats they confront daily are ever changing. 

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OCTOBER 13-14,2016 VILNIUS, LITHUANIA GlobalSOFSymposium.org/Europe www.SPECOPS-dhp.com

SPECOPS 14.5 | 13

Naval Small Craft Instruction and Technical Training School emphasizes international partnering.

By Jeff McKaughan

The Naval Small Craft Instruction and Technical Training School (NAVSCIATTS) traces its roots back nearly 53 years to May of 1963 when the U.S. Coast Guard formed the Small Craft Instruction and Technical Training School (SCIATTS) at U.S. Naval Station, Rodman, Panama. The school was officially designated NAVSCIATTS nearly 47 years ago in June of 1969 when the Coast Guard transferred SCIATTS to the U.S. Navy.

NAVSCIATTS’ mission is to train and educate foreign security force and other international students on small craft strategy, operations, 14 | SPECOPS 14.5

communications, weapons, maintenance and instructor development. More than 11,000 students from 107 partner nations have graduated since 1963, with an average of 400-500 students graduating each year.

Organizationally, NAVSCIATTS falls within Naval Special Warfare Command and works closely with Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) and the Department of State (DOS), providing training for international military students.

“Given the unique relationships with DSCA and DOS, we also have a unique budgetary structure,”

said Commander Clay Pendergrass, NAVSCIATTS commander. “NAVSCIATTS receives an annual appropriation to maintain mission operations, along with funding derived from student tuition, which depends on the length and type of training received.

“Like many in DoD during this time of widespread budgetary constraints, we prioritize. We adjust to the challenges each year, and work to ensure we sustain and/or improve the quality of training we provide each student who graduates from NAVSCIATTS,” said Pendergrass. www.SPECOPS-dhp.com

In the big scheme of things, NAVSCIATTS is a small organization. Yet despite its size, it has an evolving mission, one that is proving to be a critical and cost-effective enabler to U.S. defense strategy and U.S. Special Operations Command’s approach to building partnerships. “Recent highlevel engagement and renewed emphasis on the NAVSCIATTS mission has been very encouraging in terms of wider support with the potential to make us more successful in the future,” according to Pendergrass.

With a heavy emphasis of international partner training, it’s important to get the word out about the training. “The majority of our students are programmed during the different Security Cooperation Education and Training Working Groups and others are ad hoc requests from countries via and through country teams to us and/or Naval Education and Training Security Assistance Field Activity,” explained Pendergrass.

“Our strategic plans and policy shop also does a great job of advertising our courses during various country visits, generating many training requests.”

Most of NAVSCIATTS’ quotas are filled by training programs for counter-drug, training support, international military education and training, foreign military sales (FMS), international narcotics and law enforcement, counter-terrorism, etc.

Not being able to gauge the skill and education level of students before they arrive, NAVSCIATTS has designed courses for the average individual at the basic level. There are no minimum skill levels required, similar to a U.S. military occupational specialty. There are, however, minimum requirements for all courses, e.g. language, reading, writing, medical and physical screenings, etc.

“For example, in our diesel systems overhaul and maintenance and outboard motor maintenance courses, we consistently have students attending with no prior engine maintenance experience, and some from administrative backgrounds,” said Pendergrass. “Yet, at the end of the nine-week course, they will have disassembled, trouble shot, reassembled, and ran an engine successfully which is a requirement for their graduation.”

When a course is developed, NAVSCIATTS’ Learning Standards Office compiles all course requirements and establishes an end state working with the Future Operations Department that engages all theater special operations commands (TSOCs) to meet their requirements and their partner nations’ specific training and operational objectives. The course is then created taking into account the most basic requirements and time proven training principles. NAVSCIATTS takes into consideration that not all counwww.SPECOPS-dhp.com

International students in NAVSCIATTS’ international tactical communications course (ITCC) learn about antenna theory and wave propagation during a classroom discussion. The course provides students with the required knowledge and field training to plan and conduct programming and operation of HF, VHF and UHF communication equipment in all environments and situations. (U.S. Navy photo)

Small craft operations are not just about boating, here students are working their way through a communications course. (U.S. Navy photo)

tries are familiar with the latest technologies, especially in computers and software, which is needed to perform basic skills covered in some of the courses. For example, when the schoolhouse ran a pilot course on unmanned aerial systems (UAS), the entire first week focused on computer use.

By setting a solid course baseline and recognizing the students’ strengths and weaknesses upon arrival at NAVSCIATTS, the instructors can assess the class throughout its term, advancing or slowing the pace to meet course objectives.

Courses are reviewed routinely to maintain the

standard and update the material amidst always changing technology, training, tactics, procedures and country requirements.

When asked what tools were important to their training efforts, Pendergrass was quick to point out that the single most important tool is their active duty and civilian instructor staff.

“Not only are they the most qualified individuals in their fields, but they are professional instructors and ambassadors as well, teaching students from many different nations at one time and doing it efficiently and effectively,” he explained.

SPECOPS 14.5 | 15

He also stressed location. “The area in and around John C. Stennis Space Center, possesses some of the finest riverine and littoral training areas in the world,” he noted.

However, he explained that the quality instructors they currently have, the newer courses they’ve added in operational and strategic level instruction, and the courses in development, along with their great location isn’t enough to maintain the high level of maritime training that has been synonymous with NAVSCIATTS over the past 50 years.

“Before 2003, we supported one theater of operations—SOUTHCOM,” Pendergrass said. “Over time, we will be looking to add more instructors, additional classrooms, new training aids and materials to keep pace with emerging training demands from all the theaters; the use of new mobility platforms with more advanced technologies; and the need to support global missions with global partners.”

NAVSCIATTS trains individual but they also run train-the-trainer programs as well. Most courses are taught at the basic to intermediate course levels and focus on teaching individual skills and developing technical knowledge. At the end of every course semester, an instructor development class is offered. This course teaches the graduates how to train their own personnel when they return home. They also conduct a waterborne instructor course both in the riverine and coastal environments.

Practicing the pointy end of the stick operations. (U.S. Navy photo)

International students conduct a training evolution as part of the waterborne instructor course riverine at NAVSCIATTS. The course allows students to master the skills needed to provide training to members of their armed forces or civilian equivalent organizations. (U.S. Navy photo)

Not Just Naval and Not Just Special Operations “Here at NAVSCIATTS, we always brief that we are more than ‘naval’ and ‘special operations,’” said Pendergrass. “While NAVSCIATTS supports the TSOCs, we know that not every partner nation has a robust naval or SOF force, yet they still support the TSOC mission objective. This makes it especially difficult to help train students to those SOF standards and requirements.”

NAVSCIATTS is currently looking into different simulators whether boat, UAS, weapons, ground maneuvering, etc., that enhance training and alleviate some of the higher training costs as well.

“There are always advances in boat or waterborne craft technology which will always have us chasing the next best craft,” said Pendergrass.

“But it’s not always about the best. Unfortunately, we can’t train to every craft, engine, UAS, etc., used by every partner nation, so we take into consideration the training aids that meet the current training requirements and that serve as the basis of training for all partner nations. This is an area where Assistance to Foreign Nation Funding grants for equipment can be most help16 | SPECOPS 14.5

ful, as those costs then don’t have to be paid for by international military student tuition.”

Mobile Training Teams The mobile training teams (MTT) are designed to help those countries that have invested in NAVSCIATTS and TSOC support. When students come to NAVSCIATTS, their training and support doesn’t just end with a graduation. Theaters, countries, embassies and units can request an MTT to support training objectives and/or exercises overseas.

“Our MTT trainers will then work with the hosts to identify past NAVSCIATTS graduates to help facilitate the MTT with our oversight,” explained Pendergrass. “Not only does this enable

our instructors to teach current practices and procedures to those graduates and assess the post training effectiveness, it ensures the training remains relevant to resolving the real-world issues and challenges our partners face.

“Our success is built not just on training for the sake of training, but to build and strengthen the relationships we have with our students, their units, countries and other organizations in their regions,” he continued. “In fact, three years ago we established the Distinguished Alumni Award to recognize those long-standing partner relationships. One of the most recent recipients was a junior officer who attended NAVSCIATTS 30 years ago and is now a rear admiral.”

Recently NAVSCIATTS deployed two personnel to the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility to www.SPECOPS-dhp.com

assist in the review of one country’s riverine schoolhouse training. Specifically, they looked at the course curriculum for its non-commissioned officer/junior officer courses involving riverine planning and operations, and riverine staff support. They also responded to strategic-level questions about expanding its schoolhouse, e.g. how to articulate manpower and resourcing needs, establishing procedures that could lead to formal assigned training staff; implementing curriculum development and reviews; developing high risk training procedures and controls; and establishing doctrinal training procedures that would affect the future selection of instructors.

NAVSCIATTS was also instrumental in assisting a partner nation in developing a Joint Maritime Security Training Center (JMSTC.) The JMSTC is the focal point for this country’s maritime security training activities across its armed forces and assists in enhancing their effectiveness in conducting joint littoral, riverine and maritime operations. “NAVSCIATTS synchronization of efforts directly supported the combatant commander, TSOC, NSW unit and the U.S. embassy in the theater by using available training opportunities and leveraging the Security Cooperation Office while methodically developing the JMSTC capabilities,” explained Pendergrass. “We augmented with unit and special boat team personnel to conduct outboard motor repair and maintenance training and instructor development training in an effort to build partner capacity.

Boats and operators are put through their paces during the waterborne instructor course. (U.S. Navy photo)

Meeting the Demand “We have worked very hard in supporting the theaters and partner nation global initiatives and do not want to turn anyone away,” said Pendergrass. “Partner nation funding issues and fiscal year funding shortfalls do impact our ability to support additional course offerings. While NAVSCIATTS cannot offer every course consecutively, it staggers them over five semesters allowing them to flex during peak seasons. Additionally, most NAVSCIATTS instructors are cross-trained, so if a course is not filled to capacity, instructors can be shifted to teach other courses based on the demand. Equipment availability can also limit its ability to offer some courses consecutively, as equipment is shared among some courses.

“We are finishing a formalized requirements study that will ultimately help us to identify staff, structure and equipment gaps that need to be resolved to create the additional capacity for anticipated future demand,” Pendergrass explained.

Since its inception, NAVSCIATTS has doubled its input, offering 20 formal courses of instruction www.SPECOPS-dhp.com

International students conducting a training evolution as part of the Waterborne Instructor Course Riverine at NAVSCIATTS. The course allows students to master the skills needed to provide training to members of their armed forces or civilian equivalent organizations. (U.S. Navy photo)

in both Spanish and English throughout the year and deploying MTTs around the globe. They are also currently the only SOF schoolhouse offering students real-world foreign security forces SC/SA training in its realistic, safe and controlled training environments. NAVSCIATTS is also moving to meet the demand for new and advanced training courses. It is looking to establish a junior officer/ senior enlisted mission planning and leadership course and a SOF tactical patrol leaders’ course for the platoon-sized unit.

NAVSCIATTS is a critical enabler in helping partner nations build capabilities and capacities to counter threats to their security themselves and prevent regional threats from becoming

global threats. NAVSCIATTS’ contributions bridge a gap by improving interoperability between U.S. and partner nations and alleviating the need for forward deployed operators to train international forces in basic skills, which frees NSW’s forces to focus on the operations at hand.

“There is a growing demand signal for what NAVSCIATTS offers and we don’t anticipate that changing any time soon,” said Pendergrass.

“Our ability to expand will enable NAVSCIATTS to better support current and future partner nation training requirements, and align those demand signals with the efforts of the various operational commanders’—combatant commands, TSOCs and fleet commands—in every theater.”  SPECOPS 14.5 | 17

Photo courtesy of Nimr

Tactical ground mobility is crucial to mission effectiveness for SOF operators.

By Andrew White, SpecOps Correspondent As special operations forces (SOF) continue to develop concepts of operation (CONOPS) to tackle a constantly evolving contemporary operating environment, increasing emphasis is being placed upon the utility of mobility platforms capable of providing range, lethality and protection to small units conducting direct action and reconnaissance missions at reach.

Such a requirement was clearly illustrated by a broad section of representatives from across the international SOF community at the Middle East Special Operations Commanders conference in Amman, Jordan, on 9th May, where the head of the French Special Operations Capacities Development Division, Colonel Andre Harivongs explained how “Soldier Modernization of SOF” out to 2020 and beyond, required operators to maintain the technological advantage over non-state actors capable of conducting transnational operations.

This, Harivongs explained, included requirements for SOF operators to have better protection, target acquisition, precision and lethality with such thoughts reiterated by Lieutenant Colonel Michal Cymbalista, commander of the Polish Special Forces Command who discussed the balancing act between agility and mobility versus protection and firepower.

It is precisely these capabilities which are now being provided in the form of special operations vehicles with the market witnessing a particular trend towards internally transportable vehicles (ITVs) capable of being forward deployed inside the holds of rotary-wing aircraft such as CH-47 Chinook; V-22 Ospreys; as well as larger fixed-wing options including the C-130 and C-130, C295, C-27J and A400M aircraft.

Such a capability allows a special operations task force to offset an assault team or special reconnaissance unit far enough away from an enemy position or area of operation to remain undetected (generally 10 kilometers for rotary wing platforms), before progressing onto target much more quickly than on foot and with the added capability of ISTAR (intelligence, surveillance, 18 | SPECOPS 14.5

target acquisition and reconnaissance), firepower and protection integrated into the vehicle itself.

During a decade of special operations in Iraq and Afghanistan during the 2000s, conducted by NATO and non-NATO entity (NNE) SOF task forces in partnership with indigenous security forces, such a CONOP was routinely used to approach target areas although assault teams would often progress by foot after being dropped at offset distances in order to maintain the element of surprise.

Speaking to Special Operations International, General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GDOTS), business director for lightweight tactical vehicle programs, Mike Iacobucci, explained how these current trends continued to concentrate on the delivery of interoperable options (for closer cooperation with NATO and NNE partners) as well as capability to travel long distances organically and without any requirement for resupply.

Referring to the contemporary operating environment, he explained: “Most places where enemy forces are operating, tend to be much further away and on purpose in some cases. So, in order to get SOF onto a target, they need an ITV capability so that when the aircraft hits the ground, generally offset by some distance, it can rapidly move to a point on the ground where the enemy are located and employ special operators.

“The international SOF community recognizes the need to employ some kind of mobility platform from the back of an aircraft which allows a SOF team to rapidly move to an objective. If a vehicle is configurable and can accommodate significant payload including a suite of weapons, then that’s all the better,” Iacobucci continued.

Such thoughts were reinforced by Polaris Defense’s director for international business development, Doug Malikowski, who explained to Special Operations International how requirements for enhanced off-road mobility were now driving the special operation vehicle market forward. www.SPECOPS-dhp.com

“When SOF teams move, these vehicles can move with them and that’s an issue that has come up over the past few years with both U.S. and allied SOF moving personnel around the battlespace fairly quickly. However, the problem has been that when they are on target, they don’t have the vehicles needed to conduct such maneuvers around a target area,” he explained while describing how cut-off teams could be regularly employed to interdict enemy combatants fleeing a contact.

Current Market Conditions The international special operations vehicle market continues to thrive in today’s operating environment, particularly in line with irregular and unconventional warfare requirements arising out of ongoing engagements in the Middle East against so-called Islamic State (IS); counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations in West, North and East Africa; countering a resurgence of the Taliban in Afghanistan; and Russian aggression in eastern Europe.

The U.S. Special Operations Command continues to lead the way in the procurement of such vehicles, with force elements including the U.S. Navy SEALs, U.S. Army Special Forces, US Air Force Special Operations Command and MARSOC Raider teams all benefiting from such capabilities in the form of the Ground Mobility Vehicle 1.1 program amongst other initiatives.

However, such popularity is not exclusive to the U.S.. Elsewhere, the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM) has begun the solicitation process ahead of its next generation fighting vehicle and ultra lightweight combat vehicle concepts, designed to provide enhanced mobility, protection and firepower to Canadian Special Operations Regiment and Joint Task Force 2 force elements.

According to defense sources associated with CANSOFCOM, units require a “tactical, multi-role special operations vehicle capable of incorporating weapons, mobility and survivability” to replace in-service HMMWV platforms across a multitude of environments including desert warfare (currently being conducted by force elements as part of a train, advise and assist operation in Iraq) through to cold weather operations in the Arctic Circle.

CANSOFCOM is expected to publish a decision on the future of the NGFV program later in 2016 with a preferred bidder likely to be selected in 2018, industry sources explained to Special Operations International.

Outside North America, Europe also remains a healthy market for special operations vehicles, particularly given the current operating environment and emphasis on CT and COIN operations at home and abroad. Special forces in France, Belgium and the UK continue to ramp up capabilities in this area while eastern European NATO partners, particularly across the Baltic states, seek to bolster long range patrol and direct action mobility platforms to counter an increasingly active Russian threat.

Flyer

Currently contracted to USSOCOM under the GMV1.1 program is GDOTS’ Flyer 72 vehicle, which on March 27, 2016, received the go-ahead to begin deliveries to the various force elements. The decision to proceed with deliveries followed operational test and evaluation at the U.S. Army’s Special Operations Command Test and Evaluation Division at the Aberdeen Training Center, Md., and Automotive Test Center in Nev., which focused on mobility, protection and lethality.

This evaluation identified a requirement for a total of 70 modifications to be made following tests run by operators, army sources explained to Special Operations International. Improvements included modifications to the hood of the Flyer 72 to allow for more efficient air intake of the engine as well as alterations to the top turret particularly relating to ammunition stowage.

The decision to begin fielding vehicles to USSOCOM units follows a contract award in August 2013, worth $562 million, to GDOTS for the delivery of 1,300 GMV1.1 vehicles although only 650 have received funding to date.

Explaining how approximately 100 vehicles would be delivered each year, Iacobucci added: “Our goal for 2016 is to get the capability more broadly into the hands of operators across the SOF community and provide feedback as to modifications and design recommendations.

“Right now, we are at about an 80 percent solution but we expect it to get to a 95 percent or 100 percent solution after service with a number of SOF ‘tribes’, all of which have specific requirements for vehicles and designs. We are trying to accommodate those differences in opinions as to how they want the vehicle to react. It’s a challenge but shows the modular nature of vehicle.

We have done a good job getting user feedback,” he added.

The Flyer 72 vehicle itself measures 72 inches wide, meaning it can be employed as an ITV and carried on board CH/MH-47s and C-130s. With a capability

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SPECOPS 14.5 | 19

to carry a payload of 5,000 pounds (lbs.), the Flyer 72 has proven its capability to transport a total of nine fully equipped personnel as well as multiple weapons mounts, ammunition crates and C4ISTAR (command and control, communications, computers and ISTAR) suite.

With a top speed of 100mph, the Flyer 72 has a maximum cruising range up to 650 miles over flat terrain. With gross vehicle weight of 10,600 lbs,, the vehicle is powered by a 195 horsepower (hp) diesel engine.

The vehicle is also undergoing an evaluation program with UK Special Forces (UKSF), according to industry sources, following the cancellation of an ITV program conducted in 2015 due to strict width requirements.

However, looking ahead to this year’s Eurosatory conference in Paris, Iacobucci explained to Special Operations International how the company was “finalizing” a Foreign Military Sale to an undisclosed NATO country in Europe, worth a total of EUR5million. This deal, he explained, would pave the way for future European contracts.

A Flyer 72 will be on display in Paris with variants also made available to European countries for trials should they be required, with Iacobucci explaining: “We intend to conduct a trial in Europe, making it available for other countries to participate and get hands on the vehicle which is one of the things they have always asked for.”

GDOTS’ Flyer 60 ITV is also under contract to the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command with a total of just three platforms having been delivered to the command. A further seven vehicles are included in the contract although funding has yet to be confirmed for these moving forward.

The Flyer 60 has been designed as an ITV for CV-22, designed to “fill operational gaps in fixed and rotary wing ground mobility deployment requiring a lightweight, mobile, air transportable vehicle capable of being rapidly reconfigured for a variety of mission needs,” a GDOTS spokesperson explained.

The vehicle is capable of carrying a 3,500 lbs. payload at speeds up to 75mph across a cruising range of 450 miles. Measuring 60in in width, the vehicle is powered by a 1.9L 195hp six-speed engine. The vehicle features four weapon mounts for the integration of 5.56mm, 7.62mm and 0.50 cal. machine guns and 40mm automatic grenade launchers.

Polaris Also contracted to USSOCOM and other international SOF organizations worldwide is Polaris Defense’s family of MRZR ITVs, including the MRZR-2 and MRZR-4. The company was awarded a $83 million contract in August 2015 by the command to deliver a mix of vehicles over a five year period.

The MRZR-2, which has been designed to carry two personnel, measures 60in in width with capability to carry a 1,000 lbs. payload. The larger MRZR-4 however, capable of carrying four personnel, has a payload capacity of 1,500 lbs., according to Polaris Defense.

Both vehicle variants are powered by an 88 hp electronic fuel injection engine, allowing vehicles to travel at a top speed of 60mph and feature collapsible roll cages for easier stowage on board transport helicopters and fixed wing aircraft.

Elsewhere in North America, Polaris Defense is closely monitoring the CANSOFCOM Enhanced All Terrain Vehicle (EATV) competition while the company also continues to market both variants to customers in Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Africa with several undisclosed contracts agreed with armed forces since February 2016.

Polaris also unveiled two new vehicle variants at the Special Operations Forces Industry Conference (SOFIC) in Tampa, Florida on 24th May. The company exhibited a turbo diesel (MRZR-D) variant, engineered to the same standard specifications of the original MRZR platforms although the upgrade provides increased auxiliary power and range, as Jed Leonard, senior manager at the company explained, “The new turbo diesel powertrain is significant in 20 | SPECOPS 14.5

reducing the logistics burden for select U.S. services and many foreign militaries that have strict requirements for diesel fuel.”

Internationally, the company has also completed final deliveries of its Deployable Advanced Ground Off-Road (DAGOR) special forces vehicles to Australia’s Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) as well as 1st and 2nd Commando Units, which form the backbone of the country’s Special Operations Command.

The DAGOR, which also completed an evaluation exercise with the UAE Special Operations Command between June and September 2015, is capable of transporting 9 personnel at ranges out to 500miles. With a maximum payload of 3,250lbs, the vehicle is also capable of carrying bergans, light, medium and heavy machine gun options or automatic grenade launcher, dependent upon mission requirements.

Renault Trucks Defense In France, Renault Trucks Defense (RTD) have begun the delivery of light and heavy special forces vehicles to the French Special Forces Command to replace in-service platforms including Panhard and ACMAT solutions.

A EUR250million contract was signed on 7th January 2016 for the delivery of 443 vehicles in both light (240) and heavy (203) configurations with an initial delivery of 25 systems fielded as an urgent operational requirement for CT and COIN missions in Africa and potentially the Middle East. French Special Forces remain heavily invested in Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Mali and Cameroon and have called upon strategic partner Lithuania to assist in operations in order for them to consider sending a special operations task force to assist in coalition operations against IS. The remaining tranche of vehicles is expected to be delivered to force elements through to 2018 with French Special Forces officials describing how the systems would be used for “demanding missions, such as intelligence or neutralization actions in depth in hostile areas as discreetly as possible and aims to improve interoperability and performance level of the vehicle park of Army, Air Force and Navy special forces.”

Vehicles comprise specially designed variations of RTD’s Sherpa Light and Heavy Special Forces vehicles, the former of which is a 4x4 tactical and light armored solution capable of being forward mounted on board A400M and C-130 aircraft.

With a gross vehicle weight of 8 tons, the Sherpa Light is capable of carrying a 2 tons payload at maximum speed of 110kph. The vehicle has a maximum operating range of 800km with capacity to carry up to four personnel.

A spokesperson for RTD explained that “The Sherpa Light family of 4x4 tactical and light armored vehicles is designed to provide light forces (infantry, paratroopers, marines, internal security) with the best mobility/payload www.SPECOPS-dhp.com

compromise of its category, ideally suited for special forces thanks to its all-terrain agility, autonomy and pre-disposal for 360-degree firepower. It is also able to support mine and ballistic protection kits.”

KADDB and Jankel Group

Neighboring Belgium is also in the process of receiving an uplift in its Special Forces vehicle capability with the introduction of the Jankel Group’s Fox Rapid Reaction Vehicle. On 19th January 2016, it emerged that Belgium’s Special Forces Group (SFG) would receive a total of 108 vehicles.

Developed in collaboration with Jordan’s King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau (KADDB), the Fox features a Toyota Land Cruiser chassis and provides operators with a 1.4 tons payload allowing teams to conduct direct action, special reconnaissance and military assistance operations. With a maximum operating range of 1,200km, the platform can be internally transported inside CH-47, A400M and C-130 aircraft.

The vehicle comprises options for a 4.2L turbo-charged or 4.5L V8 intercooled diesel engine as well as 4L V6 petrol engine. According to Jankel Group officials, the vehicle has been designed to “…fulfil a variety of roles in order to offer the most cost effective capability, designed to provide leading weight carrying capacity, alongside affordability, high mobility and operational versatility.”

Jeep Also working in collaboration with Jankel Group in the development of the J8 military vehicle is Jeep which is currently marketing its Pegasus Special Operations Vehicle. Based on the same chassis, the vehicle has been designed for light strike operations and special reconnaissance missions.

The vehicle can be transported internally on board a CH-47 with the capability to carry a 1,500kg payload as part of its 4,500kg gross vehicle weight.

The Pegasus is powered by a 2.8L turbo-charged and intercooled diesel engine with ground clearance of 27.4cm for maneuverability over arduous terrain.

Elsewhere, UAE-based Nimr Automotive continues to promote its Ajban Special Operations Vehicle, which last year took part in the UAE Special Operations Command trials alongside the Polaris Defense Dagor platform. The 4x4 vehicle is designed for long range reconnaissance missions and was first unveiled to the SOF community in February 2015.

Company officials explained to Special Operations International how the company displayed a production variant of the vehicle in mid-June, signaling its availability to the international market. Capable of carrying up to five personnel, the Ajban boasts a gross vehicle weight of 7,500kg with top speed of 110kph and maximum operating range of 700km.

The vehicle can be fitted with a variety of armament and is powered by a 300HP, six-cylinder diesel engine with options for upgrade to 360HP variant if demanded. It measures 2.13m in width allowing it to be transported inside CH-47 and C-130 as an ITV. In February 2015, the UAE Armed Forces signed a $330 million deal with NIMR Automotive which included the procurement of 550 Ajban 4x4 SOVs in a variety of configurations, including open-top for maximum situation awareness. Vehicles also come with standard Generic Vehicle Architecture (GVA) systems allowing for integration of an intelligent power management system and associated C4ISTAR systems.

Additionally, industry sources suggested to Special Operations International that the company was also planning to unveil a new special forces vehicle (SFV) to the market later in 2016. Nimr Automotive was unable to provide further details.

Additional Options The special operations vehicle market continues to widen with multiple other companies continuing to offer up solutions to the SOF community worldwide. Candidates include Northrop Grumman’s Hellhound vehicle, unveiled at the AUSA event in Washington, D.C., in October 2015.

The 4x4 light reconnaissance vehicle is fitted with a stowable M230LF 30mm cannon integrated on board the EOS Technologies R-400 remote weapon station, capable of carrying up to six personnel. The vehicle can be carried as ITV on board CH-47 and is available with Pratt and Miller collision avoidance system; rear-facing camera and radar.

Nimr

Hellhound

Elsewhere, Supacat unveiled its Light Reconnaissance Vehicle (LRV) 400 Mk II at the Defence and Security Exhibition International (DSEI) event in London during September 2015, designed as a lighter weight option in comparison to its HMT 400 and 600 vehicles currently in service with multiple Tier I SOF organizations globally, including UKSF and USSOCOM’s JSOC. The platform is capable of carrying a 1,700kg payload at speeds up to 160kph, with a maximum operating range of 800km, according to company officials. www.SPECOPS-dhp.com

SPECOPS 14.5 | 21

of up to five operators. SOV has a payload of about 2.5 tons and can carry weapons up to the 12.7 mm machine gun and or 40 mm grenade launchers.

The vehicle can also accommodate additional armor for the cab alone or the entire body for a more comprehensive armored personnel carrier. Argo offers a unique twist for a special operations platform. Although somewhat small, their 8x8 all terrain vehicles—including fully amphibious—offers a high level of tactical mobility. The vehicle was recently evaluated by Spanish special forces.

LRV 400

Soframe of France recently showed off two new special operations forces vehicles, the Outfielder and the Venpir. The 4x4 Outfielder is the lighter of the two vehicles designed for a crew of three with a ring mount designed for up to 12.7 mm and various swing mounts for 7.62 mm weapons. Gross vehicle weight is about 5,500 kg and has a maximum speed of about 120 km/h. Venpir is described as a rapid intervention special operations vehicle. Still a 4x4, it weighs more than twice as much as Outfielder and can carry a crew of five.

KMW SOV

Venpir

Argo

Outfielder

Other options include HDT’s Storm SRTV which is also deployable as an ITV on board CH-47, CH-53 and C-130 aircraft, Valentin Tusch’s VT Hunter is a open tactical vehicle carried internally in a C-130 (three vehicles), a CH-47 (two vehicles) or one carried externally by a Black Hawk helicopter, Achleitner offers the Speedfighter 55 and Speedfighter 100 in SOF configuration, Iveco’s Special Forces Light Multirole Vehicle (LM V), and Uro’s Vamtac line of tactical vehicles has a special operations variant. As discussed in Special Operations International’s April 2016 issue, both Battelle and Navistar have developed non standard vehicles for the special operations community.

Bright Future for SOVs

Promoted as a modular system for special forces, KMW of Germany has the SOV—Special Operations Vehicle which is an air transportable 4x4 that can be carried internally in a CH-47/-53 by folding down the roll bars. The effective combat range is offered at about 900 km while carrying crews 22 | SPECOPS 14.5

As the appetite for drawn-out conventional campaigns similar to those conducted in Iraq and Afghanistan lessens, more and more emphasis is being placed upon force multiplying special operations task forces capable of executing missions at reach and across arduous terrain.

The special operations vehicle, particularly in ITV form, is set to revolutionize the survivability, lethality and mobility of small units deployed to conduct offensive action and special reconnaissance taskings against highly mobile and effective enemy forces.  www.SPECOPS-dhp.com

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Doors, walls, windows or obstacles usually stand in between SF operators and the target. By Henry Canady, SpecOps Correspondent Getting past physical obstacles quickly and safely is one of the oldest challenges of soldiering and often a major portion of special operations.

The weapons or other devices used to bust through obstacles vary with the type of obstacle encountered.

Breaching Doors Project Manager Soldier Weapons at Picatinny Arsenal manages the U.S. Army’s primary door-breaching weapons, more than 20,000 M26 Modular Accessory Shotgun Systems and more than 6,000 older M500 pump-action shotguns.

“Shotguns have been a preferred method for breaching doors,” a spokesman explained. These weapons are issued to military police, combat engineers and selected soldiers.

The M26 shoots the M1030 breaching round and is equipped with a muzzle-mounted standoff device that allows users to brace against the target door at a distance and that reduces debris

blowback. The M26 mounts under the barrel of a host M4 or M4A1 carbine, eliminating the need to carry two weapons.

Both M500 and M26 are very effective at breaching doors. The hybrid M4A1 with underbarrel M26 does increase the weight of the M4A1 and changes its center of gravity, which requires some training and adjustment. The older M500 requires carrying a second primary weapon.

Other Obstacles and Devices The Army does use other breaching devices, such as explosives, and forcible-entry tools such as rams and Halligan bars. Product Manager Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment managed a Dynamic Entry Tool Back Kit, a rapid fielding initiative in 2008 and 2009.

The Soldier Weapons spokesman said the Army is always looking for ways to improve weapons, including breaching technology. “Soldier enhancement projects are great platforms to test

Shotguns are still the desired method of choice for breaching doors. (U.S. Army photo]

24 | SPECOPS 14.5

and evaluate any viable commercial-off-the-shelf or non-developmental items for existing weapons.” The Army is especially interested in capabilities that provide modularity with weapons, support many types of ammunition and are simple to use in all types of environmental conditions.

Private firms provide an array of breaching devices. PAE, formerly A-T Solutions, is the exclusive U.S. distributor of Alford Technologies equipment, explained Chuck Sheppard, director of business development. Alford’s water-tamped breaching charges are designed to breach walls, doors and windows with the minimum quantity of explosives by focusing the explosive while protecting the breacher.

For example, Alford’s Gatecrasher Mk4 can produce man-sized holes in walls up to 20 inches thick. A modular version of the Gatecrasher includes four packets in a tactical sleeve for varying scales of power. It can be used for either water-tamped breaching or linear cutting.

Alford’s Breacher’s Boot uses a water-impulse charge to breach wood, steel or plastic doors. A mini version of the Boot is used for side panels of doors or where limiting size and weight are critical.

Alford’s strip charge is used to split wooden doors and windows or cut laminated glass. It is a lightweight, low-fragmentation plastic strip filled with inert gel that can be cut by hacksaw to fit each job. Connectors are available to make the strip fit a frame.

Sheppard said the Alford equipment is distinguished from competitive offers in several ways. First, Alford breaching tools allow variable loading so that the net explosive quantity can be adjusted, either lowered or increased, to suit the breaching job. Second, Alford uses light-plastic construction to reduce both fragmentation and weight. Alford tools are also easy for transportation and logistics purposes, as their charges are www.SPECOPS-dhp.com

filled on site, so there are no explosive storage issues. Finally, Alford gear is compatible with most military and commercial explosives, and it has been fully tested by both police military organizations in U.S. and UK. PAE works with Alan Bronson, president of Tactical Energetic Entry Systems, to provide breaching tools for some TEES courses. Sheppard said his firm also supports the annual International Breacher’s Symposium each year.

For obstacles that must be cut rather than blown through, Wilcox Industries’ mini cutting torch systems use oxygen as fuel and are very light, low profile and scalable for a variety of missions. The oxygen cylinders are aluminum lined, carbon-fiber wrapped and are much lighter than conventional steel. This reduces the weight, especially for operators using and wearing the larger-sized cylinders.

Wilcox offers an array of cylinder sizes to adapt to mission requirements. Sizes range from 56 cubic inches, small enough to put in a pocket and sufficient for quick-duration breaches, up to 410 cubic inches, portable on a backpack for longer duration breaches of tougher or larger obstacles.

All Wilcox torch systems come with Hellboy Torch Handles as a standard feature. “The Hellboy Torch Handle offers a number of distinctive features,” said Tim West, Patriot and Training Program Manager. First, Hellboy handles do not require changing O-ring sizes to fit different-sized torching rods. This feature allows the operator to quickly change torching-rod sizes, on the fly, with no delays.

Second, a rotating pressure wheel on the Hellboy handle controls the oxygen pressure emitted from the torching rod, allowing the operator to reduce oxygen pressure, when feasible, to conserve oxygen. “Other handles currently being used have a squeeze design to control oxygen pressure,” West explained. “The rotating pressurewheel design allows the pressure to be set, so regardless of how hard the operator squeezes, no additional oxygen is lost.

In addition, the Hellboy handle is designed to be ergonomically correct for an overall better fit to the hand of the user. This design, much like that of a pistol grip, allows the operator to easily transition from a weapon to a torch handle with a familiar feel.

For cutting in contaminated air, subterranean or oxygen-deficient spaces, Wilcox has teamed with Scott Safety to offer the Scott Patriot 5510 cutting torch. The Patriot allows the operator to breach from a cylinder containing oxygen and breathe from a companion cylinder that contains compressed air. The 5510 offers several modes of respiratory protection, including air purification, powered air purification and self-contained www.SPECOPS-dhp.com

U.S. Army Soldiers, assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, observe as members of the Iraqi army prepare an Anti-Personnel Obstacle Breach System (APOBS) at Besmaya Range Complex, Iraq is an explosive line charge system that allows soldiers to conduct safe breaching through enemy antipersonnel minefields and multi-strand wire obstacles. This training is part of Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve’s building partner capacity mission. (U.S. Army photo by Corporal Nelson Rodriguez)

While the blast from a shotgun can do wonders opening many doors, there are times when it just won’t do and a different tool is required. Cutting torches in small self-contained packages can be handled by a single operator and offers breaching options for time critical missions. (Wilcox Industries photo)

breathing, all in in a single breaching unit worn as a backpack. The Hellboy handle comes standard on the 5510’s oxygen cylinder.

West explained that this new 5510 technology is becoming increasingly necessary as special operators may be required to breach barriers underground or where air is scarce and may be contaminated by chemicals. In these spaces, the cutter must have both a supply of oxygen for the torch and a supply of safe compressed air to breathe. He says the Scott Patriot 5510 system is the only system that integrates a breaching capability and respiratory protection for the operator.

This approach saves weight and space and avoids the need for additional gear.

Minefields and Wire Different approaches are necessary for another sort of obstacle, horizontal fields of mines or tangled wires that can obstruct operations across a wide area.

Project Manager Close Combat Systems at Picatinny manages soldier-carried tools for minefield breaching. The Anti-Personnel Obstacle Breaching System (APOBS) is the primary minefield breaching tool used by dismounted soldiers. Although the Bangalore Torpedo can fill the same role, APOBS allows farther standoff and more breaching length per weight than the Bangalore.

SPECOPS 14.5 | 25

APOBS is carried by two warfighters, each having a front and rear pack with line charges and rockets. The rocket drags line charges out of backpacks towards the target at 25 meters from the target. Line charges cut a .6-meter path through 45 meters of minefields or wire obstacles.

The Army funded a product improvement effort for APOBS in Fiscal 2016. “While lighter than Bangalore, the system is still heavy at approximately 125 pounds,” spokesperson Audra Calloway noted. The improvement thus focuses on reducing weight by redesigning components or using alternative materials. The Army will also look for ways to make APOBS more modular, so soldiers can use and carry less than the full system.

Any requirements for completely new minefield breaching systems would be developed the Army’s Maneuver Support Center of Excellence at Fort Benning, Ga., which has recently expressed interest in a single man-portable system.

The UK’s Chemring makes APOBS and other breaching products. Group Director Rupert Pittman stresses that APOBS is a self-contained, one-shot, expendable linear demolition charge that can be transported and deployed by just two soldiers. To clear APOBS’s 45-meter path would require 27 sections of Bangalore Torpedo.

APOBS weighs just 125 pounds and takes 30 to 90 seconds to set up and use. It uses Insensitive Munition explosives, helping to protect operators.

Chemring’s Advanced Performance Bangalore Torpedo (APBT) has a unique feature to enhance cutting capability against, for instance, a 6-millimeter steel target. One APBT can be with joined with seven additional tubes to defeat obstacles up to 8 meters in length.

Chemring’s 40-millimeter Hellhound round can replace standard low-velocity rounds and

Mine Detection Picatinny Arsenal also manages handheld explosive detectors, including the program of record, the light, battery-powered AN/ PSS-14C that locates a variety of metallic and low-metallic mines. AN/PSS-14C uses a dual-sensor ground penetrating radar and an electromagnetic induction sensor to detect metal. The arsenal’s detection portfolio also includes the Minehound, Gizmo and CEIA’s compact metal detector, all fielded in response to urgent wartime requirements.

26 | SPECOPS 14.5

The M4 gains a kick with the M26 modular accessory shotgun system mounted under the barrel. (U.S. DoD photo)

delivers twice the explosive fill with an enhanced fragmentation pattern. Pittman said the Hellhound is best used for door breaching in urban warfare. An improved Hellhound has been fielded with U.S. Special Operations Command troops and has several enhancements: closer arming, no fragmentation backward toward users and a fuse that allows blast waves to form in front of doors.

The company’s Sabrex explosive has a flexible linear shape that focuses explosive energy to produce stable, precise and efficient power.

Pittman says Sabrex is the most highly developed explosive cutting tool on the market for offshore engineers, salvage experts and decommissioning engineers. It uses Vector geometry and a DensJet liner while excluding pressure with its JetJacket.

Both APBT and Sabrex use insensitive munition high explosives to protect operators.

Germany’s Drew Defense also makes systems for breaching minefields. Hans Morotini, director of business development, said Drew’s Portable Explosive Minefield Breaching System (PEMBS) is a detonating cord with explosives contained in one or two rucksacks that can be deployed across minefields by a rocket.

Man-portable and simple to operate, PEMBS is suited to many battlefield obstacles.

PEMBS comes in two versions, a heavy (H-PEMBS) version for achieving a continuous mine-free path and a light version (L-PEMBS) for achieving only mine-free spots. The overall system includes a blast-cap fuse and bearing, a rocket-motor igniter, a rocket, a detonating cord with spool and other accessories.

The delay in PEMBS rocket ignition is set at 20 seconds as a standard, but this can be adjusted for each customer. The rocket has a firing time of just under two seconds and can be launched at 30, 35 or 40 degrees from the horizontal.

Explosives vary by version. L-PEMBS has 8.4 kilograms of pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) dough in 75 pieces, while H-PEMBS uses 25.5kg in 248 pieces. H-PEMBS uses a quick lock to connect two separate cord sections mechanically and for ignition purposes. A booster charge guarantees transfer of ignition from front to rear.

Operators usually place PEMBS about 12 meters in front of a minefield or 50 meters in front of a triple-wire concertina obstacle. Using PEMBS requires two training stages, indoor instructions with inert systems and outdoor training with a training version (T-PEMBS) that replicates form, fit and function of live PEMBS. T-PEMBS uses a pyrotechnic kit with rocket, rocket igniter and detonation simulation. New kits enable up to 10 training fires.

PEMBS devices have been developed and introduced to a number of armies for exactly one purpose, Morotini noted. “To have a manportable minefield breaching system which can be deployed in less than one minute for L-PEMBS and in less than two minutes for the H-PEMBS.” The Drew exec said PEMBS can be compared with man-portable systems like the U.S.’s APOBS or Israel’s portable mine neutralization system. “We have learned from customers that our systems are easier to deploy and more accurate in the cleared path after detonation. Our rocket pulls the systems to its fullest extent and lays in a rather straight line.”  www.SPECOPS-dhp.com

Resource Center Calendar August 11, 2016 SO/LIC Division Social Crystal City, Va. www.ndia.org/meetings/688F August 29-31, 2016 International Security Cooperation Summit Tampa, Fla. www.securitycooperationsummit. com

September 21-23, 2016 Sniper Symposium Newbury, UK www.omconf.com/eventdetail. asp?EID=102 September 27-29, 2016 Modern Day Marine Quantico, Va. www.marinemilitaryexpos.com/ modern-day-marine.shtml

September 14-18, 2016 Africa Aerospace & Defence Waterkloof Air Force Base, South Africa www.aadexpo.co.za

October 3-4, 2016 AUSA Annual Washington, D.C. www.ausameetings. org/2016annualmeeting/

September 19-21, 2016 Air & Space Conference & Technology Expo National Harbor, Md. www.afa.org

October 13-14, 2016 Global SOF Symposium – Europe Vilnius, Lithuania www.globalsofsymposium.org/ europe

November 16-17, 2016 Close Air Support Conference Reading, UK www.omconf.com

May 16-18, 2017 SOFIC Tampa, Fla. www.ndia.org

November 28-December 2, 2016 I/ITSEC 2016 Orlando, Fla. www.iitsec.org

May 16-18, 2017 ITEC Rotterdam, Netherlands www.itec.co.uk/Exhibitor/ITEC-2017

January 24-26, 2017 ShieldAfrica Abidjan, Cote d’ Ivoire www.shieldafrica.com

May 22-25, 2017 Special Operations Medical Association Scientific Assembly and Exhibition Charlotte, N.C. www.specialoperationsmedicine. org/Pages/scientificassembly.aspx

February 14-16, 2017 SO/LIC Symposium & Exhibition Bethesda, Md. www.ndia.org/meetings/7880 February 19-23, 2017 IDEX Abu Dhabi, UAE www.idexuae.com

June 6-8, 2017 ISDEF Tel Aviv, Israel www.isdefexpo.com

Advertisers index Africa Aerospace & Defence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C3 www.aadexpo.co.za

International Security Cooperation Summit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 www.securitycooperationsummit.com

Battelle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 www.battelle.org/mission-proven

ISDEF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 www.isdefexpo.com

Global SOF Symposium – Europe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 www.globalsofsymposium.org/europe

L-3 GCS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C2 www.l-3com.com

IDEX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 www.idexuae.ae

Trijicon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 www.trijicon.com

Insitu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C4 www.insitu.com/suntzu

Editorial Jeff McKaughan • jeffm@defense-house.com Correspondents Peter Buxbaum • Henry Canaday • Andrew Drwiega • Patrick Clarke Associate Publisher RON mayne • ronm@defense-house.com Publication Design Jennifer Owers • Scott cassidy

www.SPECOPS-dhp.com

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SPECOPS 14.5 | 27

Industry Interview Helping SOF Leverage Advanced Technology

An interview with Insitu’s Suzanne McNamara, Vice President, Business Development Q: Do you see the international SOF market as being one you are focused on?

McNamara: Absolutely. Globally, SOF are increasingly leveraging advanced technology like UAS to provide them with a significant mission edge. As sensors get smaller, we are able to advance the capability of our UAS, and as international SOF continue to work toward networking their individual operators, those operators can now access key elements of that rich data stream in real time.

We are also seeing advances in the ability of individual SOF operators to re-task UAS and even directly control the sensor payloads.

Q: What are the significant capabilities of Insitu’s family of UAS that will make them attractive to SOF outside of the U.S.?

McNamara: Mobility, small footprint, ease of use and our training programs are our main advantages. With more than 880,000 combat flight hours—more than 200,000 of which were in support of SOF—we continuously leverage our experience to innovate new technology to meet our customers’ needs.

For example, Insitu’s new Flying Launch and Recovery System allows a small SOF team to insert with a very small footprint and conduct launch and recovery operations with a full ScanEagle system in urban or jungle terrain. This allows a forward-deployed SOF team full access to the 15+ hours of endurance and the superior payloads of a ScanEagle system in an environment where previously they would have been limited to smaller battery-powered UAS with much shorter endurance profiles and less powerful sensors. Add to this ScanEagle’s small size and stealthy characteristics when operating in the 3,000–5,000ft ASL range and it is truly a force multiplier for international SOF units.

Q: Tell me how Insitu handles training and after-sale support.

McNamara: Insitu conducts certification training for air vehicle operators, maintenance technicians and mission coordinators. We offer training at our training facility in Washington state, as well as at customer operating locations through our mobile training teams.

28 | SPECOPS 14.5

We also establish and staff international training centers for foreign customers. Insitu develops training curriculum and offers both initial qualification and advanced training for the products and services we provide. Training is conducted for external acquisition customers who desire to operate and maintain their own systems as well as a cadre of more than 300 company and supplier employees.

Q: Are you involved with any UAS lease of COCO-type arrangements?

McNamara: Yes. Historically, the majority of Insitu’s business has been centered on contractor-owned-contractor-operated service.

Insitu deploys teams of air vehicle operators (pilots), maintenance technicians and mission coordinators who work in remote, austere and often dangerous land and maritime conditions alongside our military, commercial and special agency customers. Since 2004, when our aircraft first deployed in theater, our systems and employees have directly participated in significant events across the globe that have saved lives and received international recognition.

Q: You recently established a commercial business unit, how will that work to drive technology and perhaps lower costs?

McNamara: The two are inextricably linked, and we firmly believe that a continued focus on commercial investment and product development puts Insitu in an excellent position to drive technology and provide usable solutions to the defense market precisely when they need it the most.

Further, investing in building commercial products and services provides the business access to a much larger market, and allows us to take advantage of economies of scale, which can then be passed onto our defense customers in the form of lower cost commercial inventory being used to support defense demand.

Q: The RQ-21A Blackjack for the Marine Corps achieved IOC in early 2016. What did it take to reach that milestone?

McNamara: Achieving IOC confirmed that the first Marine unmanned aerial vehicle squadron squadron is sufficiently manned, trained and

Suzanne McNamara Suzanne McNamara is the vice president of business development for Insitu.

She is responsible for leading the company’s global sales campaigns, customer relations, communications, marketing and government relations.

Suzanne came to Insitu after a 28-year career with Raytheon, most recently as the director, global government relations and releasability for Raytheon Missile Systems, where she led strategic initiatives to improve customer relations and support international capture efforts.

Prior to this role, she held the position of director, strategic planning & competitive intelligence, led new business capture and development efforts for the company’s Common Seeker efforts, supported Raytheon’s Corporate Business Development office, managed U.S. Navy programs’ current and future capabilities for ship self-defense and also served as a full-time congressional lobbyist for Raytheon Army Programs. ready to deploy with the RQ-21A Blackjack system. This milestone represents a tremendous amount of collaboration between the Marines and Insitu, whose dedicated teams worked long hours to bring this critical piece of ISR architecture to the fleet to enhance mission success.

Blackjack’s key features include its long endurance (up to 16 hours) and open-architecture configuration, which is designed to rapidly integrate sensor payloads (up to 17 kg) for expanded mission sets. The aircraft’s small-footprint design accommodates small sites and deck operations because it does not require a runway for launch and recovery, and supports one operator single handedly operating multiple aircraft.  www.SPECOPS-dhp.com

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