Special Operations International October 2016 by Jeff McKaughan

October 2016 Volume 14 Issue 7

The most widely distributed special operations magazine in the world

Inside ... This Issue Headsets & Comms Page 13

Target Designators Page 17

AFSOC Chief Technology Officer Page 20

SOF SBIR Solicitations Page 23

Industry Interview Iomax Page 28

International Vector Major General Jeff Sengelman, DSC, AM, CSC Commander Special Operations Command, Australia

Q&A With

Lieutenant General Kenneth E. Tovo Commander U.S. Army Special Operations Command

Special Operations International Features

Hearing it All

Today’s modern headsets provide enable a natural level of hearing while offering protection to the auditory organs. These feats are performed by noise filtering systems which allow communications to be heard—as well as a reasonable level of ambient noise, important for situational awareness—while suppressing ear-damaging and unnecessary sound. By Peter Buxbaum

Eyes on Target

Ensuring Curb Jump Capabilities

AFSOC recently created the position of chief technology office to establish systems and technology strategy, and synchronize external efforts to ensure Air Force special operations forces have interoperable and integrated systems that work with conventional, special operations, coalition and other forces and agencies. Taking on the role as AFSOC’s first CTO, Special Operations International had the chance to talk to Todd Wieser about his office and his job.

Calling for Small Business Innovations

According to the DoD, “the SBIR program is a U.S. government program, coordinated by the Small Business Administration, currently authorized through September 30, 2017. Annually, the DoD SBIR budget represents more than $1 billion in research funds. Special Operations International looks at the latest programs from USSOCOM seeking small business participation.

October 2016

Volume 14 Issue 7

Table of Contents Departments

Cover/Q&A with Lieutenant General Kenneth E. Tovo Commander U.S. Army Special Operations Command

2 27

BlackWatch Resource Center

International Vector

Major General Jeff Sengelman, DSC, AM, CSC Commander Special Operations Command Australia

Industry Interview Ron Howard President and CEO Iomax

BlackWatch ParaFoil-Selivery, Off-Road Vehicle

The Skyrunner is a lightweight, four-wheeled vehicle designed to be flown in with a ram-air parafoil. Once on the ground it is a versatile off-road two-seater. Designed for the recreational market, could the vehicle have appeal to the military? According to an article by David Choi in Business Insider, after the vehicle received its FAA approval in June, they “received interest and a verbal commitment from the US special forces community.

Spooky Crew

On September 9, more than 100 Air Commandos, past and present, attended an AC-47 Spooky gunship plaque dedication ceremony at the Hurlburt Field Air Park, Hurlburt Field, Fla.. The Spooky Gunship brotherhood purchased the memorial plaque to commemorate their fallen AC-47 crewmembers, who died in combat while serving in Southeast Asia. “I know our Spooky brothers— whose names are on the memorial—would be pleased to see so many of us here honoring their memory and sacrifice,” said Junior Skinner, a member of the Spooky Gunship brotherhood. The Spooky brotherhood members who spoke at the ceremony recounted their past missions with the aircraft. 2 | SPECOPS 14.7

Wide Mission Support (SWMS) C contract. The short-term strategy to ensure this support is continued until SWMS C becomes available for use will be to execute a standalone, sole source contract to the incumbent, Integrity Applications, Inc. for a one year period of performance. The value of this contract is estimated not to exceed $400K.

The first AC-47 combat missions took place December 1964 during the Vietnam War. “Our primary mission was night, close-air support for troops on the field and in outposts,” said Mike Thahan, a member of the Spooky Gunship brotherhood. “We flew airborne alert, and when someone made contact with the enemy and needed us, we would hustle to the fight, set up a circular firing pattern and stay there until the job was done.” At the close of the ceremony, the president of the Spooky Gunship brotherhood spoke about the meaning behind the memorial. The phrase, “All gave some, some gave all,” is engraved on the base of the plaque. “They made the ultimate sacrifice for our country,” Skinner said. “For that they will never be forgotten.” As reported by Airman Dennis Spain

Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc., Indianapolis, Ind., has been awarded a $9.3 million firm-fixed-price contract with a cost line for travel for the infrared suppression system on the AC-130W fleet in support of U.S. Special Operations Command. The installation of the systems will take place at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., and is estimated to be complete by November 2017.

DCSG SOF

Seizing an Airfield

USSOCOM has announced a requirement for a technical subject matter expert (SME) to support Distributed Common Ground/Surface Systems (DCGS) Special Operations Forces (SOF). The contractor shall carry out USSOCOM interests as part of the DCGS Multi-Service Execution Team (MET) Management Office (DMO), located at Hanscom AFB, which is the guiding, collaborative, and decision making body that coordinates acquisition and implementation of the DCGS Enterprise included as part of the Defense Intelligence Information Environment (DI2E) governed by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence (OUSD(I)). The SME will carry out the daily tasks and activities required to accomplish the MET mission in support of the DCGS-SOF Program of Record. The long-term strategy for this support will be to execute a task order under the SOCOM

Standing at the edge of the open ramp on an MC-130J Commando II, 13,000 feet above their target with the cold wind whipping through the aircraft, they wait for the green light and the aircraft’s loadmaster to give the go sign allowing them to jump from the ramp and parachute in to take their target. In late August, the 353rd Special Operations Group along with the III Marine Expeditionary Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, Force Reconnaissance Platoon conducted an airfield seizure operations exercise at Wake Island. “The 320th and the Force Reconnaissance Platoon conducted this training to build interopera-

Infrared Suppression System Contract

bility between our two units,” said Captain Blaze Dunn, 320th Special Tactics Squadron special tactics officer. “It enabled us to identify better ways to work together and ensure we are able to execute a joint mission as smoothly as possible when the time comes.” The mission of the exercise was for the jump clearing teams (JCT), consisting of a small team of Special Tactics airmen and the Force Reconnaissance Marines, to jump onto Wake Island, seize the airfield and provide air traffic control allowing an MC-130J Commando II from the 17th Special Operations Squadron to land. “This exercise is important for a couple reasons,” said Dunn. “It allowed our team to conduct a military freefall jump onto an unmarked, uncontrolled drop zone located on a small, geographicallyisolated island. It is essential that we maintain this capability because it most closely replicates what a real world military freefall mission might look like.” “The entire force learned how we can better execute a time-sensitive tasking to deploy and perform an airfield seizure, primarily what’s required for coordination between all the ground and air players,” said Dunn. “Working with outside units in training often highlights interoperability issues and allows us to address them before real world tasking come down.” As reported by Senior Airman Stephen G. Eigel

Russian Special Forces Training Center Will Invite Foreign SOF Russia’s new state-of-theart special forces training center based in Chechnya will invite U.S. and other international instructors to help counter-terrorism units from China, the UAE, Kazakhstan, and Belarus sharpen their shooting and hostage rescue skills. www.SPECOPS-dhp.com

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BlackWatch The sophisticated training facility in the southern Russian city of Gudermes is to be officially opened this autumn, but it has already attracted much attention from elite counter-terrorism units from all over the world, said Daniil Martynov, the head of the Chechen Republic’s aide in charge of law enforcement agencies. “We will invite U.S.-based private experts with experience in, say, shooting training, to conduct workshops,” said Martynov. “We collect the best [training] practices from all across the world and then integrate them at our center,” he added. Officially called the International Special Forces Training Center, the four-square-kilometer site features sophisticated live-fire facilities, including a live-fire kill house simulating a residential area, as well as a variety of typical urban environments, according to RIA Novosti.

MC-130J Recapitalization Program and Battlefield Airmen mission areas. “Our team’s full range of capabilities, as well as an understanding of the unique challenges facing the SOF community, ensures the development and sustainment of state-of-the-art weapons systems for the ISR and SOF Directorate,” said Cindy Martin, vice president of system development operations for MacB’s Advanced Technology Group (ATG). “These capabilities and strike force activities are needed more than ever for U.S. Special Operations Command, Air Force Special Operations Command and Air Combat Command to operate low density, high-demand fleets that are constantly responding to unconventional threats.”

Romanian SOF in Afghanistan Recognized

ISR, SOF Directorate Support MacAulay-Brown, Inc. (MacB) recently announced that the company has been awarded a task order for the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance and Special Operations Forces Directorate of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC). MacB is partnering with Odyssey Systems Consulting Group, LTD on a contract valued at $51 million over five years. AFLCMC is one of six specialized centers assigned to Air Force Materiel Command responsible for life cycle management of fighters, bombers, mobility and tanker aircraft and special operations weapon systems. The Engineering, Professional and Administrative Support Services (EPASS) task calls for a wide range of engineering, acquisition, logistics, evaluation and testing support. Work will include studies and analysis for the AC-130J Ghostrider aircraft, the HC/ 4 | SPECOPS 14.7

aimed at restoring freedom and a terrorism-free Afghanistan.

Latvia to Triple the Size of Its SOF Sputnik News has reported that Latvian special forces will likely triple in size in the coming years. This is according to the Special Task Unit (SUV) commander Juris Usackis. Latvia is using other countries’ experience in carrying out special operations and is ready to repel any kind of attack, including hybrid warfare, he added. “We are ready to repel ‘little green men. Latvia is facing a range of different threats, including unconventional, hybrid type and asymmetric. SUV is preparing and is ready to counter these threats,” Usackis said. which posed an increased threat to Latvia. As reported by Sputnik News

Ultra Portable SATCOM Terminal

On September 11, at Bagram, Afghanistan, several Romanian special operation forces soldiers were recognized for their service by the Special Operations Joint Task Force – Afghanistan during an award ceremony presided by Brigadier General Antonio Fletcher, deputy commanding general, Special Operations Joint Task Force - Afghanistan. Romanian Special Operation Forces soldiers received the NATO medal and the U.S. Army Achievement Medal. U.S. and Romanian special operations commands exchanged tokens of appreciation of friendship signifying the lasting cooperation between the two countries. Romania has contributed to the Afghanistan mission since 2002, when it joined the U.S.-led coalition

Cubic Corporation has announced that its subsidiary GATR Technologies (GATR), which operates within the Cubic Mission Solutions (CMS) business division, and Intelsat General Corporation (IGC) successfully established a 26-megabits per second (mbps) downlink and a 10+ mbps uplink, carrying multiple data streams during performance testing of GATR’s prototype GATR-FLEX submeter Ku-band, ultra-portable terminal. GATR and IGC performed a series of tests using the open architecture, high-performance Intelsat EpicNG satellite IS-29e, GATR-FLEX antenna and GATR’s

e850 ruggedized iDirect satellite modem, which maximized the throughput of the iDirect Evolution series modems. The tests measured throughput while taxing a single satellite link with data, voice and high-definition (HD) streaming video, which is normally done by two separate terminals over separate networks. “The extreme portability of our sub-meter GATR-FLEX terminal and IGC’s new high-throughput, high-performance satellite have been successfully tested to deliver command and control (C2) in addition to full-motion video capabilities,” said Paul Gierow, president of Cubic GATR. “The goal of this test was to demonstrate that there was ample capacity for a small terminal to stream multiple HD video streams at the same time as C2 traffic, and we succeeded in doing this.” said Mark Daniels, vice president of new technologies and services, Intelsat General. Cubic GATR and IGS anticipate higher performance with the next generation of iDirect Velocity modems. “Cubic’s GATR looks forward to offering new and innovative satellite communications solutions that enable users to increase the capability of the mission, while keeping the pack-out small and lightweight,” said Mike Twyman, president of Cubic Mission Solutions. “Cubic subsidiaries will continue to look for ways to synergize and collaborate to deliver enhanced end-to-end communications solutions to our customers.”

Pararescueman Development, Certification Options It takes countless years of education, multiple deployments and temporary duty assignments to become a pararescue team leader. The 68th Rescue Flight recently implemented the Combat www.SPECOPS-dhp.com

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BlackWatch Leaders Course, a 65-day course for 10 pararescuemen in which they develop their leadership abilities while obtaining their 7-level certification. The 68th RQF created the course, with Air Combat Command guidance, not only to standardize the way team leaders were trained but also to provide the Air Force with a center of excellence that is solely dedicated to supporting the guardian angel weapon system’s training and operational requirements. Guardian angel is comprised of combat rescue officers; pararescuemen; survival, evasion, resistance and escape specialists; and specially trained support personnel dedicated to one of the Air Force’s primary functions of personnel recovery and combat search and rescue. “Historically, guardian angel units were forced to conduct upgrade training internally,” said Captain Michael Ellingsen, the 68th RQF commander. “The 48th Rescue Squadron had their own method of training their team leaders, while the 58th RQS at Nellis (Air Force Base, Nev.), and the 38th RQS out at Moody (AFB, Ga.), also had theirs. They’re all trained independently and to different standards, whereas now the process is more efficient and effective for the entire weapon system as a whole. As reported by Airman First Class Mya M. Crosby

Helmet-Mounted Integrated Digital Vision System On September 12, Rockwell Collins introduced its combat helmet-mounted Integrated Digital Vision System (IDVS) for warfighters-an advanced display system that combines real-time mission data with multispectral vision sensors into one view for greater situational awareness. The IDVS is the first handsfree helmet-mounted display system that fuses incoming data 6 | SPECOPS 14.7

from various sources, such as a command center, other warfighters or UAS, with multispectral vision. The system does this while automatically transitioning from dark to light environments in real time, allowing users to have a complete view of everything that is happening around them. “In battle, warfighters are most effective and safe when they can stay focused on their surroundings at all times,” said LeAnn Ridgeway, vice president and general manager, simulation and training solutions for Rockwell Collins. “Our IDVS is a 24-hour system, leveraging proven technology to give users a view of their surroundings and the right information for them to stay safe and complete their mission.” The IDVS is designed with an open architecture to provide an easy upgrade path for future technologies that enhance situational awareness.

New Parachutes for Russian Paratroopers and Armored Vehicles The fielding of the newgeneration D-12 Listik parachute with the Russian Airborne Force is to start in late 2016, Victor Lyalin, chief designer, Parachute Research Institute (a subsidiary of Tekhnodinamika). “It is still in trials, which it is expected to pass and then start fielding by the end of the year. However, new requirements to this type of parachute have emerged, and it is quite possible that the parachute will result in new ideas and, maybe, even new parachutes that will enter the inventory,” he said. Lyalin noted that the designers have paid closer attention to the parachute’s reliability, ease of operation, simplified packing and reliable checking. The Russians have also disclosed details of the BakhchaU-PDS advanced parachute system

designed for armored personnel carriers and airborne infantry fighting vehicles. The system has its official trials. The Bakhcha-U-PDS is a platformless parachute system from the Parachute Research Institute. It comprises the harness, shockabsorbing and parachute segments and consists of 11 groups of main canopies. The system is unique, because it enables fighting vehicles to descent by parachute with their crews inside, ensuring not only the safety of the vehicles and their crews, but their readiness for hitting the ground running as well.

USSOCOM to Host Non-RF Comms Collaboration Event PEO-C4 is sponsoring a collaboration event with selected experts from industry to facilitate technical discussions on active and passive non-RF communications. The discussions will focus on the following areas of interest: •• System scalability on various sized platforms •• Data rates and power levels •• Transmission ranges •• Non-RF equipment solution sets •• Low Probability of Intercept/ Low Probability of Deception/ Low Probability of Exploitation •• Non-RF communication in a wide variety of environments •• Near and far field capabilities The event will be held on December 7-8, 2016, 0800-1700 at SOFWERX, Tampa, Fla.

SOCCENT Commander Visits Lebanon Major General Darsie Rogers, commander for Special Operations Command Central Command visited Lebanon September 21-23, to observe U.S. forces partnering with Lebanese Armed Forces and to meet with Lebanese military

leaders. Rogers’ visit highlighted the ongoing professional relationship between U.S. forces and the Lebanese Armed Forces and especially the strong degree of training cooperation between the two countries. Rogers said, while observing a combined training event featuring Lebanese forces from the Mukafaha and Rangers, “Our partnership with forces here in Roumieh serves as a shining example of the professionalism, dedication and competence of the Lebanese Armed Forces.” The visit underscores the United States’ continuing support for the LAF and serves as a clear signal of U.S. commitment to the security of Lebanon.

Jordanian SOF Training Kenyan Defence Forces Jordanian special forces have arrived in the country to conduct a joint counter insurgency operations with their KDF counterparts. Some 229 Quick Reaction Force commandos from The Royal Jordanian Armed Forces arrived September 20. They will join KDF’s 249 Special Forces Squad in a week-long exercise dubbed Swift Eagle mission. The training aims to enhance the country’s swift response in terrorism, violent extremism or insurgencies. Kenyan Defence Cabinet Secretary Raychelle Omamo launched the exercise at the Humanitarian Peace Support School. She was with Kenyan Chief of Defence Forces General Samson Mwathethe. Omamo said fast-mutating threats cannot be surmounted by one country acting alone. She said collaborative responses, like the one with Jordan, must be forged to mitigate common security threats. She said the exercise will facilitate the sharing of skills and ideas. As reported by Dominic Wabala for The Star  www.SPECOPS-dhp.com

Q&A Lieutenant General Kenneth E. Tovo is the commander of United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC). As the Army service component command of U.S. Special Operations Command, USASOC personnel and units represent over half of the United Statesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; special operations forces and approximately 70 percent of the deployed SOCOM footprint worldwide. USASOC elements operate daily in all six geographic combatant command areas of responsibility in support of joint force commanders and interagency partners. Q: How would you describe the strategic value that U. S. special operations forces, and specifically Army Special Operations, provide the nation? Tovo: U.S. Special Operations elements operate and fight as a joint force with operators and units serving as nodes in a global network. Each node contributes to greater SOF awareness of transregional trends, opportunities, or threats in support of joint force commanders, ambassadors or other elements of the U.S. government. SOF capabilities are rapidly deployable, scalable, and tailorable by nature with worldwide reach. Many of our personnel and formations are regionally aligned. They employ advanced language skills and a high level of cultural and regional expertise cultivated over the length of a career. SOF, and specifically ARSOF members, deliver tactical, operational and strategic value through an indigenous approach, precision targeting operations, developing understanding and wielding influence, and crisis response. The indigenous approach is a different lens through which to view challenges to regional stability; to view them as problems to be solved by empowered populations living in the region. It includes core tasks such as foreign internal defense and unconventional warfare and involves advise, assist and accompany type activities. Through an indigenous approach, ARSOF personnel live among, train, advise and fight alongside people of foreign cultures, achieving effects with and through partner forces. Precision targeting operations involve direct action and counter-network activities enabled by SOF unique intelligence, technology, and targeting processes. Precision targeting operations can be employed against uniquely difficult target sets that require long-range movement and careful application of force. They can be employed to buy time and space for other operations to gain traction, as seen in counterinsurgency efforts. Precision targeting operations also collapse transregional threat networks through deliberate targeting of critical enemy nodes, as seen in counterterrorism campaigns. Developing understanding and wielding influence are essential aspects of the value SOF capabilities provide the nation. The SOF network of personnel, assets, and formations represent means by which to obtain early understanding of trends, emerging transregional threats, and where opportunities exist. Employment of the SOF network also provides capabilities needed to influence outcomes, especially in environments experiencing conflict short of overt war. Crisis response, through alert forces and persistently deployed and dispersed units, provides national decision makers with the agile and rapidly employable special operations formations necessary to respond to emergencies. These forces provide options to rescue people under threat, to recover sensitive materials such as weapons of mass destruction (WMD) components, or other short notice requirements. Q: How does SOF provide command and control for deployed forces that span multiple regions and synthesize information from across the SOF network against a threat like Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant? www.SPECOPS-dhp.com

Lieutenant General Kenneth E. Tovo

Commander U.S. Army Special Operations Command Tovo: The Special Operations Joint Task Force construct is the mechanism under which SOF synchronizes effects that leverage transregional authorities. A SOJTF headquarters unites SOF efforts across multiple countries. In the past year, 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne) established Special Operations Joint Task Force â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Operation Inherent Resolve. It serves as the SOF component headquarters of CJTF-OIR, synchronizing SOF effects in the fight against ISIL. The deployment of SOJTF-OIR and other newly established capabilities advances USASOC into the employment phase of the reorganization effort known as ARSOF 2022. The effort optimized USASOC capabilities for more effective execution of operations across the continuum of conflict. We are now seeing the benefits of our reorganization as SOJTF-OIR and units of action developed under ARSOF 2022 achieve gains through partner forces against ISIL. Q: Now that you are in the employment phase of the ARSOF 2022 reorganization, do you have plans to refresh it or introduce a new focus? Tovo: ARSOF 2022 reorganized specific USASOC formations to provide specialized means to characterize, understand, and affect operating environments. SPECOPS 14.7 | 7

It added options to the USASOC portfolio of capabilities that we now employ in support of mission requirements in every geographic combatant command area of responsibility worldwide. Most of our ARSOF 2022 related initiatives are complete; however, we still have a number in development that are related to personnel management, doctrine, training and equipping. We will continue these initiatives as we take the next step to identify and obtain capabilities required by our formations in the future. In an effort to prepare ARSOF capabilities needed by our Army, SOCOM and the nation in the future, we developed USASOC Strategy-2035. It predicts how the future operating environment will challenge our forces and identifies where ARSOF must adapt to address threats of the future. Q: What capabilities or areas of emphasis will you pursue under USASOC Strategy-2035?

Q: Tell me about USASOC’s capacity building efforts with friendly partners. Are many of the force’s deployments in support of building partner capacity? Tovo: ARSOF soldiers are deployed to more than 70 countries around the world on any given day of the year. A large number of those deployments pair ARSOF personnel with forces of allied or partner nations to improve interoperability and build capacity. Colombia, Afghanistan and Iraq are examples of locations where ARSOF established partner forces from the ground up. Efforts in each of those countries represent years of engagement in the development of advanced partner capabilities. Recently, Army Special Operations Aviation Command (ARSOAC) initiated engagements to build partner aviation capacity in AFRICOM, CENTCOM, EUCOM and SOUTHCOM. In the past year, ARSOAC worked with partner forces in multiple countries within these geographic combatant command areas of responsibility, teaching aspects of close air support, mission planning, and air-to-ground integration.

Tovo: Objectives in the strategy call for the development of technology, training, and other solutions to address current and future capability gaps. Here are some examples. Q: Do ARSOF members employ a specific methodology or model when We need a better means to aggregate our data streams and improve building and developing partner forces? the speed and ease with which we synthesize information at the tactical and operational levels. We need a software tool, likely web-based, that Tovo: An essential part of the ARSOF indigenous approach is how our soldiers aggregates existing feeds into a single interactive interface through which establish, develop and advise partner forces. The effort is deliberate and commanders and staffs can plan and execute operations. We also need follows a methodology honed over years of SOF capacity building in nations small, secure, and mobile wireless systems that are capable of accessing around the world. It begins with rapport developed through sensitivity to the aggregated data stream anywhere a network is available. This includes cultural dynamics and expands from there. The ARSOF method employs advihandheld systems that connect to a networked common operating and sor and trainer continuity across multiple rotations of engagement where intelligence picture and other situational awareness tools. The handheld possible. It establishes an institutional system for force generation that allows systems must support ARSOF personnel operating in small, highly dispersed a partner force to sustain itself long after ARSOF engagement ends. teams within austere environments, to include denied territory. The method also emphasizes leader development to include a proactive Our unmanned aerial systems must evolve to be lower signature and cadre of noncommissioned officers within the partner force. Trainer proximity provide a multi-sensor open architecture that enables more payload plug to the partner force in living, training, and operating environments is a critical and play options. Future Group III UAS must provide over the horizon obseraspect as well. Through hard training and successful operations with accomvation and allow runway independent launch and recovery by tactical units. panying ARSOF advisors, newly established partner forces develop esprit de For delivery of kinetic effects, we need our larger systems, currently reprecorps, a unit identity and a unique organizational culture. sented by the Gray Eagle, to be faster, fly farther and carry more munitions. The most important factor is recognition that partner capacity building We’re seeing our adversaries exercise greater control over public access takes time. Quality forces that endure and succeed to the web as populations around the world gain cannot be created quickly. increased access to the internet and social media. We’re seeing our A need exists for SOF to be able to extend digital adversaries exercise Q: You mentioned Iraq, Afghanistan, and Colomaccess into contested or denied areas. Systems greater control over bia as locations where ARSOF built successful and payloads that project 3G, 4G, or WiFi coverpartner forces. Would you tell me about a force age over wide areas would be game changers for public access to the web established in one those efforts? unconventional warfare campaigns and information as populations around operations. the world gain increased Tovo: The Iraqi Counterterrorism Service, or CTS, We must fully integrate cyber enabled operais a good example. The CTS is a force established tions into our portfolio of capabilities, to include access to the internet and developed by Army Special Forces in a capacdigital deception, communication disruption, and and social media. ity building effort that started in 2003 and extends targeted information and influence campaigns at the through today. The effort began with two battalions tactical, operational, and strategic levels. and grew into three Iraqi special operations brigades, The next generation of vertical lift, rotary wing a force generation institution, and a division level command structure. Over fire support, and ground mobility systems need to be agile enough to quickly years of engagement, Special Forces trainers established an initiative based deploy, resilient enough to operate in austere environments, and require organizational culture in the CTS, driven by a will to win. The effort prepared minimal maintenance and logistics. We need these systems to have longer the CTS to face ISIL and to transform their operating methodology to win ranges, increased payloads, and greater fuel efficiency than our current against the new threat. capabilities. CTS forces were originally built and trained for counterterrorism and We also need to put the most effective counter-WMD technology in the counterinsurgency precision raids. The fight against ISIL required the CTS to hands of our operators. That means developing and acquiring next generatransform into a combined arms maneuver force that employs indirect fires tion capabilities to track, monitor and counter WMD at the tactical and and armor in a synchronized manner. They successfully made the transformaoperational levels. 8 | SPECOPS 14.7

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tion and continue to refine their tactics, techniques, and procedures based on lessons they learn from each battle with ISIL. Today, the CTS consists of about 10,000 Iraqi soldiers and stands as the Iraqi Government’s force of choice to lead attacks to retake cities from ISIL. Cities liberated by the CTS include Tikrit, Haditha, Ramadi, Hit and Fallujah. Q: A good marksman isn’t necessarily a good marksmanship teacher. Being able to work through a shoot house, again, doesn’t mean an operator knows how to teach those same skills. Do ARSOF members receive specific instruction that prepares them to teach foreign operators? Tovo: There are a number of aspects to teaching an operator to effectively employ the SOF approach for training partner forces and building capacity within foreign security formations. First, we invest in skill development for cadre at our force generation institution known as the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, which also serves as the Army’s Special Operations Center of Excellence. The institution houses the Special Warfare Education Group (SWEG), which is approved by the Army’s Training and Doctrine Command to certify Army instructors. This is done through the Instructor Preparation Course (IPC). The IPC trains instructors in a series of tasks that our institutional trainers must perform before being awarded the instructor skill qualification identifier. The course develops skill through classroom instruction on the instructor’s role in the ADDIE process, which stands for analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation. It is part of the ARSOF methodology for providing quality instruction. The course also hones the ability of instructor candidates to convey knowledge through presentations, lectures, demonstrations, and practical exercises.

Additionally, a department in the SWEG called Human Dynamics and Performance runs a program known as Special Operations Cognitive Enhancement for Performance, or SOCEP. Cognitive Performance Coaches assigned to the SOCEP program work to enhance an operator’s capabilities to execute special operations missions, to include training foreign forces. The program enhances operator effectiveness and improves their ability to convey complex lessons to partner forces. Next, we focus on operator training in our three qualification training pipelines for Special Forces, civil affairs, and psychological operations personnel. In the Special Forces Qualification Course, for example, foreign internal defense techniques of instruction are taught through classroom and practical exercises. Students are required to apply what they learn by training a partner force in FID scenarios. The SF Qualification Course culmination training event, Robin Sage, then requires students to partner with and train foreign guerrillas in a complex multi-region unconventional warfare exercise that spans a wide area of North Carolina. Robin Sage is the only institutional unconventional warfare training venue in the Department of Defense. Language training and cultural awareness instruction in the qualification courses further prepare our operators to partner with foreign forces. Capacity building is accelerated when advisers and trainers speak the language and understand partner culture. The SWEG runs courses for 14 different languages, including Arabic, Persian Farsi, Russian and Chinese. The SWEG also runs multiple cultural awareness courses specific to key regions of the world. All of these aspects of operator training allow ARSOF to be effective trainers and advisers of foreign partners upon arrival to their units of assignment. Unit level training further enhances the skills of our operators and ensures they are prepared to successfully build partner capacity or achieve operational effects with and through partner forces worldwide. 

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International Vector An Exclusive Special Operations International Q&A with

Maj. Gen. Jeff Sengelman, DSC, AM, CSC Commander, Special Operations Command Australia Major General Jeff Sengelman, DSC, AM, CSC, graduated from the Officer Cadet School Portsea in 1980. He has seen extensive service in the Army and has undertaken a range of appointments both in Defence and on operations. He took up his current position as special operations commander Australia in December 2014. Q: As an introduction, could you give me an overview of the organization, size and mission of Australian Special Operations Command? Do you have a domestic mandate as part of your mission as well? Sengelman: Our command’s mission is to provide ready and relevant forces to conduct special operations in support of Australia’s national interests. This includes both off-shore and domestic tasks. Special Operations Command Australia comprises a headquarters, six units and a dedicated logistic sub-unit. We are a relatively small command of about 2,500 personnel, but in our national mission force guise we are a larger team-of-teams with close relationships with joint, departmental and other government agencies. These include the essential support of our Army Special Operations Aviation, Air Force, and naval capabilities as well as our specialist inter-agency linkages such as we have with the Australian Federal Police. Together these linkages and relationships constitute a ‘team of teams’ approach that we are emphasizing to realize a national mission force mindset that transcends the idea of special forces operating alone. Our mission-sets span direct action, special recovery, special reconnaissance and specialist support, including the chemical biological radiological nuclear domain. A review of Australian domestic counter terrorism support arrangements by Defence is currently underway. This review is designed to ensure counter terrorism arrangements remain relevant. Under current legislation we have responsibility to provide in-extremis support for both on-shore and offshore counter terrorism contingencies. Q: Most militaries these days are coping with budget limitations of one kind or another. How would you describe your budget in relation to the size of the force you keep and the missions you are tasked to fulfill? Has your budget trend been increasing, decreasing or stable and what do you see as the trend over the next few years? 10 | SPECOPS 14.7

Sengelman: We are a well-resourced command consistent with our high priority directed tasks. Our funding has kept pace with the normal cost factors involved in maintaining a highly trained and well-equipped force. Ahead, I foresee a period of stability and moderate growth in capability development funding that supports integration with joint capabilities. In any discussion about resources, we must make choices that deliver sustainable, reliable and effective capabilities. Increasingly, we are working with our joint partners to advocate and support progression of capabilities that are essential to the conduct of special operations by national mission forces. Q: Understanding of SOF capabilities is seemingly simple position but one that requires constant attention. What is your role in specific and the command’s role in general to make sure that senior military leadership and—perhaps more important—government leadership have a complete understanding of what SOF realistically can and can not do? Sengelman: As a commander, I am responsible for everything my command does and everything it fails to do. Crucially, my role also requires me to be an advisor to my Defence senior leadership, which necessitates regular conversations. I interpret this as a responsibility to ensure that for special operations matters, every senior leader in my Army, Defence and national security chain is well informed, expertly advised, capability astute and given regular opportunities to develop professionally consistent with their responsibilities and accountabilities. I am seeking their trust, understanding, and confidence on special operations matters including capability and employment. The outcome is a win-win for the national interest. I think we are entering an interesting period where, as threats evolve rapidly and we recognize the likelihood of missions without precedent, there is an increasing pressure to ensure our legal, policy and preparedness settings are relevant. In this context, being able to have clear and open communication with senior leadership is essential, but it is also important to recognize that what underpins this, and any approval for SOF missions, is trust and understanding. Without these fundamental preconditions, any discussion about what is, or is not achievable, in my opinion, becomes moot. Q: Of the known missions that Australian Special Operations Command’s units have undertaken have been to advise and assist in www.SPECOPS-dhp.com

training units of other countries. What makes your force particularly well-suited for this mission and how do you ensure that a good operator is also a good trainer? Sengelman: I don’t know that there is any one thing that makes our people particularly well suited than say any other SOF partner out there. We work with many other SOF in our region and globally and they are all impressive. In our case, we do place a focus on looking for the right mix of ‘IQ, EQ and CQ’ (cultural intelligence) that is required for trainers to really thrive. I think a critical component of success when you are partnering and advising is to put yourself into the boots of those you are supporting and try to see things from their perspective. Being wary of pushing solutions that are too reliant on offered capabilities that don’t form part of the normal capability tool-kit of the partner is another factor as this carries the risk of creating a dependency that is unsustainable. We also have to recognize that our counterparts have a range of skills, capabilities and authorities that may exceed our own in certain areas and be prepared to learn ourselves. For me the key is respect and developing a shared collaborative approach. I have a favored saying when I engage with my regional counterparts. It’s all about mutual “TUF”-ness—trust, understanding and friendship—with these established, ‘advise and assist’ becomes turbo-charged. Without these, many advise and assist efforts default to transactional efforts that don’t endure beyond the mission. Q: Obviously within limitations, can you talk about your primary equipment or technology requirements?

Sengelman: Well, be in no doubt that I seek nothing less than a sustainable full spectrum global best practice capability, with associated technology and innovation. However, I would rather talk about people because this is the core component of our SOF enterprise. Yes, there is a need to maintain an edge in all of the capability areas you mentioned, but the enduring requirements are quality people and culture. A special operations mind-set is, in my opinion, essential. Equipment and technology compliments this. Reinforcing quality leadership and harnessing the best aspects of human performance, particularly as an organization, is my priority as we build a high-performance team-of-teams that is far greater than the sum of its parts. Q: About two years ago the decision to allow women became to join special forces was announced. Can you tell me how that process has been handled and accepted since then? How many women have joined or are in the candidate pipeline? Sengelman: For the Australian Defence Force and Special Operations this decision is not in question and it is accepted and well understood that women are already critical members of our command. We have over 170 women currently employed across a myriad of SOF roles and I am working actively to increase this number. They are doing an outstanding job and are a vital part of our team—I need more! As yet, there are no women employed in SF-combat roles. There is no design or process reason for this as all of those obstacles have now been removed, but women are applying and I am actively recruiting in this area.

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In terms of process, while our standards have remained the same, we are increasingly proactive in the preparation of prospective applicants for selection. This entails a comprehensive approach to the screening, entrytesting and training programs to give each candidate the best chance of succeeding. A number of very impressive female soldiers are undergoing this process currently and I have no doubt that in the very near future we will see a badged female operator. More broadly, I have initiated a review of our approach to selection to ensure that this remains relevant to current and future SOF requirements. While your question does not specify it, can I say that the word I am seeking to apply here is diversity. My high-performance teams need to consist of a diverse range of some of the most talented individuals our nation can produce. Gender diversity, intellectual diversity, cultural diversity, attitudinal diversity is what I am need and am striving for. Q: Earlier this year in the Australian Defence Forces White Paper, cooperation between special operations forces in Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates was singled out. What is the value of international partnerships and cooperative agreements to your forces? Sengelman: They are vital, particularly in our region, for a number of reasons. The first is that for Australia, operating unilaterally in a wide range of scenarios, outside of a coalition is less than realistic. The second is that, in the Australian context, access to our nation by threat groups such as foreign terrorist fighters, necessitates the use of regional routes and interlocutors. Finally, and more generally, the idea that the national borders of Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan contain the battlefield in the current fight against violent extremism is untenable. We are increasingly dealing with borderless threats and we need a borderless effort. The key to this is security cooperation. Global and regional threats require strong partnerships and we are building these. So with these factors in mind, it stands to reason that effective and complimentary global and regional partnerships are essential for us, and these will only grow in importance. We are fortunate to have long-standing ties with our SOF counterparts in the region, and we do not take these for granted. There is no doubt that one of the costs of our high operational tempo in the Middle East over the past decade placed pressure on our capacity to engage with our near-region counterparts as frequently and progressively as we would have liked. This year I have spent extensive time with many of my counterparts as we take stock of current arrangements to recognize areas for mutual development of capabilities against common threats. It would be a mistake to underestimate the resident SOF capabilities and counter terrorism capacity in our region. I can tell you that we have very capable and committed regional partners who are actively engaged and they are doing great work, at considerable sacrifice, day in and day out. I am proud of my relationships with my regional counterparts and I am privileged to work with them on common concerns. My current aim is to reinforce our regional relationships, with a prioritized effort, and to enhance our understanding and interoperability, particularly at higher levels of command and control, so that SOF planners can identify areas for complimentary collaboration that take into account of the nature of threat, partner-nation capabilities and decision-making processes, and critical issues of sovereignty and authority. We must find ways to enhance security cooperation between countries while understanding and respecting each nation’s sovereignty. This takes much effort and sustained commitment. I am personally committed to this because the value is too high to ignore. 12 | SPECOPS 14.7

Q: Being a volunteer force tell me about your efforts to recruit the best candidates? Sengelman: I have addressed this somewhat already, but I would add that we run two major selection efforts per year. We recruit internally from across all three services and externally we have a Special Forces Direct Recruiting Scheme that takes highly talented civilian applicants directly off the street and processes them through basic recruit training and an accelerated Advanced Infantry Training package prior to SF selection. This wide recruiting pool delivers us the diversity we need to achieve cognitive and physical overmatch of our adversaries. I would emphasize that the key attribute that we look for in the screening and selection of personnel for service in Australian Special Operations Command, above all others, is character. The challenges of modern conflict and the extraordinary demands of SOF require people of exceptional ability and character. I can unleash potential, deliver competencies and build teams, but I can’t do these things unless the foundations are strong. An organization might have values, but its people need to ‘live’ these. Without people of the right character and ethical outlook, everything else becomes fragile. Q: You run several schools—the Special Forces Training Centre and the Parachute Training School. Tell me about the value of having these specialized institutions directly under your command? In more detail, tell me about your use of simulation and simulators as part of the curriculum? Sengelman: We are fortunate to be in a position to own just about every aspect of our training and to receive exceptional support from our Army and joint training and education counterparts. This is a fantastic arrangement but it also means that we are solely accountable if we get it wrong. There is therefore a consistent motivation to continuously improve and maintain quality control. In this sense, their key value is that they deliver operators to units at job standard and provide built-in agility to support organizational learning. They also provide the opportunity for personnel from across the command to broaden and develop additional instructional skills and experience that they will bring back to their parent units. We are exploring options for additional professional development and education of our SOF leaders and this is an area we can enhance. In terms of simulation, there exists a wide range of live simulation used to support training from mobile targetry to vertical wind tunnels, but we are looking at how we might better leverage aspects of constructive simulation to support planning and HQ training. Q:Any closing thoughts? Sengelman: I remain immensely proud of the command and those critical enabling capabilities that are brought together as a team-of-teams from across Defence and government to generate joint special operations effects as a national mission force. Collectively, we have achieved a great deal in recent years, driven by high tempo operations. The Australian Defence Force has a proven special operations capability, but its full potential is yet to be realized. We must build current capability and evolve this for the future through continuous investment and innovation to meet the challenges of tomorrow. I don’t know what challenge is around the next corner but I plan to be ready for anything. My command, the national mission force community, and our wider alliance, coalition and international partnerships give me confidence that we will be up to these challenges.  www.SPECOPS-dhp.com

Innovation in design is offering warfighters better hearing in severe conditions and ear protection. By Peter Buxbaum SpecOps Correspondent Special forces—as well as other components of the armed services—operate in high-noise and difficult environments. Voice communications and the auditory sense are important in developing and maintaining situational awareness. Viewed in that light, the headsets that warfighters wear are key pieces of equipment, not only for communications but to protect the ears and hearing. Today’s modern headsets provide enable a natural level of hearing while offering protection to the auditory organs. These feats are performed by noise filtering systems which allow communications to be heard—as well as a reasonable level of ambient noise, important for situational awareness—while suppressing eardamaging and unnecessary sound. The U.S. Army has taken up the cause of superior communications and the fight against hearing loss with help from the Tactical Communication and Protective System (TCAPS) systems. “The basic approach for a TCAPS device would be to prevent the hazardous noise level from reaching the soldier’s ears and restore hearing when the surrounding noise falls below hazardous thresholds,” said Captain Al LeCounte, assistant product manager for TCAPS within the Army’s Program Executive Office Soldier. The current version of TCAPS saw the Army award headset provider Invisio (for their X50 Advanced Tactical Headset System) a $100 million order. The TCAPS Office is currently in the process of evaluating industry information for a next generation of TCAPS. www.SPECOPS-dhp.com

the modular smart controllers they are connectBoth OTE (over-the-ear) and ITE (in-theed to,” explained Lafferty. “Traditional communiear) headsets provide users certified hearing cation systems would only allow protection and enhanced and users to connect to a specific amplifiable electronic hearradio and/or vehicle, now we through. Traditional OTE headare seeing smart controllers sets provide great voice quality that have modular cabling that in high to extremely high noise allows users to plug into a large as well as a rugged structure variety of radio/devices/intercom that is best suited for vehicle systems.” and ground combat applications. “To be able to develop a “New ITE headsets provide a communication system that higher level of certified hearing reduces battle noises and at the protection and more accurate same time enhances soldiers’ sound localization than OTE Capt. Al LeCounte hearing skills, we combine headsets and can be worn with expertise in various disciplines, a greater variety of headgear, such as hearing instruments, masks (both gas and O2),” said acoustics, mechanics and mobilNick Lafferty executive director ity,” said Lars Højgård Hansen, of business development for TEA CEO of Invisio. “One of the greatHeadsets. “We now see almost est challenges is to shut out the a 50/50 market split of those surrounding noise while hearing who are actively using OTE or speech clearly. Invisio’s bone ITE headsets whereas before conduction technology solves traditional OTE headsets were this problem with a microphone the dominant choice of special placed in the ear, which transfer operations teams.” vibrations from the jawbone. Several advancements have Thanks to advanced electronics, been made over the past decade Lars Højgård Hansen speech is clear and comprehenin both types of headsets such sible.” as improvements to environmenThe David Clark Company has long offered tal protection, speech clarity and more natural military headsets built to withstand the extreme sounding electronic hear-through. “The trend we environments and harsh conditions that special are seeing is that ITE headsets are continuing forces often encounter. “Our headsets feature to advance in capabilities and quality along with SPECOPS 14.7 | 13

leading-edge hybrid electronic noise-cancelling (ENC) technology with feed-forward and feedback technology for superior active noise reduction, said John Tasi, David Clark’s military/government products manager. “Feed-forward noise cancelling is accomplished through an external microphone in the ear dome that is isolated from the speaker. This exterior microphone acquires the noise before it gets to the ear. Feed-back noise cancelling is performed by an internal microphone placed near the speaker. The signals are then inverted to produce a reverse, ‘antinoise’ signal, resulting in unsurpassed active noise reduction performance.” This technology is currently being used in new David Clark aviation headsets – the DC One-X, DC One-XH (helicopter) and DC One-XM (military aviation) models. David Clark has received several Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Land and Maritime Recognition for Excellence Awards, recognizing the company as a world-class business entity that consistently provides excellent support to DLA and its military customers by supplying headsets, microphones, intercom systems and switches for military use. “Esterline is expert in human machine interface design, and understand very well the ergonomic needs of users,” said Rob Harrison, a product line manager, at the company’s Racal Acoustic division. “Although product development trends tend towards smaller product size, there is an optimum size as far as ergonomic shape and usability are concerned, which can be operated by feel alone without having to look at any controls. If the product is too small, it can become more difficult to use,” especially with gloved hands. The traditional over-the-ear headset type—known as circumaural—continues to remain popular and effective. “One of the most important selection criteria is achieving high enough levels of hearing protection for the mission, while also remaining compatible with the helmet and retention system, glasses, goggles and weapon sights,” said Harrison. “There are also comfort issues to address, such as weight on the head, particularly if the headset earcups contain batteries, and also build-up of heat and moisture inside the earcup when used in hot climates. Noise attenuation is always proportional to earcup size and shape, so some of the design compromises that are needed to make the earcup compatible with the available space and physical constraints ends up limiting the hearing protection performance.” For these and other reasons some militaries and suppliers have looked to in-ear headset systems. “The ear package is about the size of the end of a thumb,” said Matthew Hemenez senior 14 | SPECOPS 14.7

periods of time they tended vice president of sales at Silynx. to pull out their earplugs,” “The systems protect hearing by said Westerlund. “When these providing solid protection in enguys were pulling 12- and vironments with lots of gunfire 16-hour shifts, they seemed to and explosion as well as the less prefer circumaural solutions to obvious constant noise and hum maintain communications, even of vehicles. That kind of noise though they weren’t neceswill degrade hearing over time. sarily getting the best hearing So you want to protect hearing protection.” That’s why Savox and keep bad noise out but also makes both circumaural and keep good noise in. You want to in-ear varieties of headsets. be able to talk to your buddy or Matthew Hemenez The TCAPS capability hear if someone is sneaking up production document keeps behind you.” hearing-based requirements The in-ear protect systems centered around: keeping include a tiny speaker inside the steady-state/continuous noises ear that electronically passes below 85 decibels; keeping through desirable sounds hear impulse noise (such as gunfire and compresses noise like or explosions) to below of 140 gunfire and explosions down to decibels; the ability to improve safe levels. The microphone is a soldier’s auditory situational also inside the ear canal where awareness, such as through it picks up sound and transmits adjustment of audio amplificait over the radio. This interior mition; and to enhance a soldier’s crophone also reduces the noise Rob Harrison ability to determine the general caused by wind. That same direction of a noise source feature protects the integrity of when wearing a TCAPS device. voice communications when the speakers voice Invisio in-ear-headsets in combination with would otherwise be muffled, such as when the a control unit are designed to provide intelligent warfighter is wearing a gas mask. One area hearing protection, noted Hansen. “They provide where the in-ear-headsets fall short, however, is passive hearing protection, supplemented by in picking up whispering. an automatic level-dependent protection so “There are so many advantages of in-ear that they can also function under extreme headsets,” said Harrison. “Being much smaller conditions,” he added. “The passive protection, these easily resolve common compatibility in the form of replaceable ear-plugs, reduces issues with the helmet and other worn equipall sounds in the user’s surroundings and is ment, removes weight from the head and can be mainly intended to protect against hearing loss better for user comfort in hot conditions. In-ear that may arise from high noise levels over a headset noise attenuation performance can now long period. The active electronic protection in be much higher than over-ear can provide, given the control unit helps against both continuous some of the space constraints limitations.” noise over long periods and sudden acoustic In-ear and over-ear headsets are now funcshocks and reduces them immediately. Harmtionally identical, noted Harrison. “On this basis,” less noise reaches the ear unchanged, almost he said, “personal comfort choice is becoming as if the wearer were not wearing a headset.” more of a deciding factor when selecting the Invisio recently introduced the ultrahearing protection solution.” small form factor Invisio V20 control unit for Interviews with large groups of end users single radio users. “This new product is small, in Afghanistan revealed comfort problems with lightweight and rugged, and powers from the both kinds of headset. According to Mikael Westconnected radio,” said Hansen. “Combined with erlund, senior vice president for global marketing our X5 in-ear headset, it offers a state-of-the at Savox Communications, the company that art level of hearing protection while allowconducted the survey, warfighters tend remove ing the user to communicate and maintain a circumaural headsets when the come under natural level of auditory situational awareness. fire, which, of course, impedes communications. Currently it is being tested and evaluated by The over-the-head gear was also scored for comcustomers around the world.” promising the ventilation of the head, causing Invisio supplies a number of different milioverheating. tary programs around the world. Besides the “We also found that when warfighters U.S. Army TCAPS program, Invisio also supplies were required to use communications for long www.SPECOPS-dhp.com

the United Kingdom’s THPS program, the Canadian Army’s ISS Program, and the Australian Army’s Land 125 program. “Not long ago France was added to the list,” said Hansen. The new David Clark Series 9100 digital intercom system for both marine and land applications was recently introduced. The digital intercom system offers a solution that provides clear transmission and reception in difficult-to-communicate environments, while combining the flexibility of single or multi-channel programming options to provide enhanced versatility and connectivity for a virtually unlimited number of users and devices, as well as to existing IP networks. The 9100 also incorporates Smart VOX, an automatic VOX technology that adapts to background noise in real time, while applying DSP algorithms to discern between noise and speech for instantaneous and effective mic control with no manual adjustments to keep personnel on mission and in control. “Series 9100 system components include rugged, yet extremely comfortable noise-attenuating headsets and watertight, marine-grade components, including a master station, user interface gateways and belt stations offering simple set-up and seamless connectivity—all

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while providing users with all the benefits of hands-free, wireless mobility,” explained Tasi. Esterline’s RA7000 Elite hearing protection system is a new, plug-and-play in-ear headset and switch box combination that delivers noise attenuation, local sound awareness at safe levels, and natural-sounding audio. “The RA7000 Elite system is ergonomically designed for comfort and intuitive use,” said Harrison. “The Elite system protects your hearing in high-noise environments through innovative acoustically tuned passive attenuation and advanced feed-forward active noise reduction to provide protection against continuous noise and sudden acoustic shock, while maintaining high-fidelity local sound awareness and clear intelligible communications.” The Elite headset takes a few seconds to fit and, according to Harrison, is comfortable to use for long periods, thanks to a patented vented-earpiece design, has three headset wearing options, and a choice of shallow insertion earbuds. “Active noise reduction provides extra levels of attenuation, over and above what can be achieved just using passive techniques.” The U.S. military is Esterline’s biggest customer for headsets, with the Marine Corps acquiring the most units. The company has sold

its products to over 100 countries around the world. Silynx Communications has leveraged its engineering expertise to reduce the prices of its inear systems. “One reason why over-the-ear has persevered for this long is that it’s much less expensive than in-ear systems,” said Hemenez. “They typically cost $500 as opposed to $2,000 for in-ear systems.” Silynx has reduced the costs of its in-ear systems to well under $1,000. The Silynx system incorporates an in-ear microphone and each headset system is based around the lightweight push-to-talk Clarus control box. “These headset systems protect against impulse and steady-state noise,” said Hemenez, “while enabling the user to hear ambient noises.” Silynx has sold its headsets to a variety of U.S. military special operations units and to law enforcement and homeland security as well as to military and law enforcement organizations in the United Kingdom and Singapore. Savox Communications last year launched its Thor tactical headgear system into the European market. Thor was designed and developed to meet the needs of Finland’s Future Warrior 2020 program, as well as the headgear requirements of other branches of the Finnish Defense Forces. “The new headgear meets and

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surpasses the demands of a wide variety of other military and security end users, including combat, marine, special forces and SWAT units,” said Westerlund. Thor tackles the problems associated with communications headsets by integrating them into headgear that provides ballistic protection as well as night vision goggles and other powered accessories. “We took the approach of looking at everything the warfighter carries on his head and found that there were a lot of issues regarding weight distribution and balance along with issues of powering each device,” said Westerlund. “We started with a clean sheet of paper to provide a totally integrated system with power management capabilities, reduced weight and great stability. We integrated headsets as part of the system with all of the devices on the helmet operating off a single power source. The fit of the helmet as well as the ear protection can be adjusted several ways to the shape of the individual head.” Delays in Finland’s Future Warrior 2020 program allowed Savox to conduct extensive evaluation and benchmarking against other NATO and Scandinavian soldier modernization programs already underway before introducing Thor. “As a result, the company has been able to incorporate the best attributes of many of the top designs into Thor,” said Westerlund. “We also recognized the need for precise integration to achieve perfect harmony between the system’s different elements.” Savox is currently ramping up production of the new system. Finland is the only customer the company is willing to disclose at this point, but Westerlund confided that Savox has sold the system to several other international militaries. The company has sold other of its systems to NATO, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Finland. “We are quite well established with NATO and western special forces,” said Westerlund. Future developments for special forces headsets will include the continued refinement of the audio attributes of the in-ear systems, according to Hemenez. “The end game is super clear audio,” he said. “Right now the in-ear microphone does well but it can always be better. “The other thing we’re working on is the further filtering of ambient sound, noise versus information,” Hemenez added. “One way to deal with this issue might be to make it customizable with a smart device. It will allow users to adjust the filtering of sound depending on their environment, whether, for example, they are outside or entering a vehicle.” 16 | SPECOPS 14.7

Above: Thor tactical headgear system. Photo courtesy of Savox. Right: Plug-and-play in-ear headset and controller. Photo courtesy of Esterline Racal.

“Since helping to pioneer the first noise-attenuating aviation headset in 1975, is also more cost effective.” David Clark has specialized in communication The TCAPS Office is in the process of solutions for high-noise environments for over evaluating industry request for information half a century in our Worcester, Mass., facility,” papers for the next generation of TCAPS. “The said Tasi. “Both military and civilian pilots, fire TCAPS Office is also awaiting approval of the departments, coastal interdiction personnel, revised TCAPS capability production docuNASA, and many other government customers ment,” said LeCounte, “that supports both a are very familiar and have come to count on TCAPS effort for devices that can communicate David Clark headsets and systems.” with designated soldier-worn “Providing users safe and tactical radios through a cabled reliable communications equipconnection, and a TCAPS-Lite ment is our top priority,” said type device that requires no Lafferty. “Future developments cabled connection with tactical and innovation is a balancing radios,” such as for soldiers act between new technology that are eligible to be issued and feedback directly from TCAPS devices but are no longer our customers. Our current issued a radio. products offer the highest level The TCAPS office will conof hearing protection while tinue to evaluate commercial allowing the user to maintain off-the-shelf (COTS) products an audible awareness of their Mikael Westerlund with a view towards the next surroundings. As technology advances the components that go into these devices continue to get smaller allowing us to take up less space on the user. We are also scaling our products by application instead taking a one size fits all approach, if a user only needs to connect to one or two radios they can get a smaller device to do so whereas in the past they were limited to products that were much larger product that could connect to three devices. This tailored approach

generation of TCAPS, according to LeCounte. “Evaluation of ancillary devices that will allow users of a radio-based TCAPS device to connect to such equipment as vehicle intercom systems and cell-phone and mp3 players possessing a headphone jack,” he added. “We are also planning on leveraging wireless capabilities from other programs to eliminate TCAPS headset cables going to applicable control unit and modules.”  www.SPECOPS-dhp.com

Smarter Lasers

By Henry Canaday, SpecOps Correspondent

The best rifles, artillery and airborne munitions in the world are of limited effect unless snipers, gunners and airmen can precisely determine range and location of targets. Laser rangefinders, markers and designators have been crucial to destroying targets and minimizing collateral damage. The Army wants to make them even better. John Nettleton is project lead for lasers at the U.S. Army CommunicationsElectronics Research, Development and Engineering Center’s (CERDEC) Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate. He divides lasers into three types: range finders, target markers and target designators. CERDEC took a six-pound handheld range finder and turned it into a onepound, weapon-mounted STORM—Small Tactical Optical Rifle Mounted. STORM includes visible and near-infrared aiming laser beams, near IR illumination, a digital compass and visible pointer. It uses a laser wavelength of 1,570 nanometers. The device fits a variety of weapons, from howitzers, Strykers and remote weapons stations to M1 and M4 carbines. 14,000 have been deployed since early in the new millennium. CERDEC is working on STORM 2, which is to be smaller, lighter more efficient and better performing. STORM used a mono-block laser. For STORM 2, CERDEC is moving from laser crystals to Erbium glass, less expensive and better performing. STORM puts a spot a meter in diameter at a kilometer distance. STORM 2, with wavelengths of 1,535 to 1,540nm, will reduce that to less than half a meter. Range for Army range finders has been limited to 10 kilometers, because an individual cannot see much farther. CERDEC is not concerned with extending STORM’s range. STORM 2’s more compact and lighter package will make it more rugged as there will be “less mass to shake,” Nettleton explained. He hopes STORM 2 will be ready in 2018 to 2020. Range finders work with other Army equipment, for example the AN/ PSN-13 Defense Advanced GPS Receiver (DAGR) and AN/PSN-11 Precision Lightweight GPS Receiver (PLGR). Soldiers transmit results onward with radios. CERDEC is counting on the Army’s Future Warrior efforts to improve communications. Army laser target designators were once 40 to 60 pounds, costly and imposing a major burden on batteries. To explain improvements, Nettleton looks to target markers, which let ground troops “get eyes on target from the air.” www.SPECOPS-dhp.com

CERDEC looked at markers as a total system, including both laser marker and receiver on bomb, missile or aircraft. Early on, they were using far too much laser power. By halving the power cut weight and size by 75 percent. CERDEC tested lower energy and other techniques to develop a handheld 2.25-pound pistol for laser marking of targets, fielded toward the end of 2008. Now the Army is putting the lighter laser marker on different weapons and platforms. Laser markers can be a little imprecise, but laser designators put actual munitions on targets, and therefore must have the correct codes and conditions to ensure a beam fits in a target and is not lost. Definitely tougher requirements than for markers and are now met by the Joint Effects Targeting System (JETS). Its sighting module weighs 4.5 pounds and its laser two pounds. Gary Keller, deputy product manager for Soldier Precision Targeting Devices, manages acquisition and refreshment of far-target location devices for the U.S. Army’s Program Executive Office Soldier. He concentrates on controlling how components of these devices connect, electronically and mechanically, and leaves the “magic in the box” to competition among vendors. The Army’s laser systems include the squad-level 25-pound lightweight laser designator (LLDR) and rangefinder. Equipped with Selective Availability/Anti-Spoofing Module Global Positioning System (SAASM GPS) and digital magnetic compass for location determination. The imaging laser then guides munitions to target. Northrop Grumman has produced LLDR, but an industry day in November 2016 will encourage competition for improving weight, range, detection and costs. The new JETS is lighter, less than 17 pounds, can be operated by a single soldier, but does not have the range or precision of LLDR. A module enables designation, and the Precision Azimuth Vertical Angle Module (PAVEM), which uses earth rotation for self-location, does enhance precision somewhat. Like LLDR, JETS can do marking, location and designating. Keller hopes JETS will be fielded in fiscal 2018. The Army’s Laser Target Locator Module is the smallest device that does true location. At less than 8 pounds and with a handheld component of less than 3.5 pounds and using a digital magnetic compass, it is a SPECOPS 14.7 | 17

near-precision device insufficient for designation or bringing in GPS-guided munitions. A new LTLM 2 contract was awarded to Vectronix, but the award is under protest. STORM 2 is a rangefinder, pointer and illuminator made by L-3 and, with a new laser design, weighing 14 ounces. By using DAGR or another device, it can determine target location. Keller says he constantly works with other offices to ensure his devices can communicate electronically with other equipment to improve both speed and accuracy of calls to fire. Keller is looking to his November industry day to see if improvements in STORM 2 can be made. As always, reduced size, weight, power and cost, and increased range and accuracy will be sought. BAE Systems’ current products include the Target Reconnaissance Infrared Geo-locating Rangefinder (TRIGR) and the UTBx-LRF, noted Targeting Program Manager Dave Richards. “Both Modern rangefinding and target marking systems are making a dramatic impact on the accuracy. Photo courtesy are precise, far-target locators that fuse industry- of DoD. leading digital magnetic-compass technology with Less than 2.4 cubic inches in size and weighing 33 grams, the DLEM 20 our proven long-wave thermal imaging capability to provide precise target module measures man-sized targets within two kilometers and extended locating day and night.” targets out to five kilometers, all with accuracy less than one meter. These products weigh from 2.9 to 5.5 pounds and can recognize Jenoptik modules are primarily used by system vendors that integrate targets out to 4.2 kilometers in the day and 1.2 kilometers at night. At 5 them into sensor or fire control systems, handheld, weapon-mounted or kilometers, they have less than 45 meters of target-location error. Over platform-based. These systems are used by infantry, naval and air forces— 5,000 TRIGRs and UTBxs have been delivered to the U.S. Army and special typically special operations forces, snipers and artillery units. operations forces. Besides these rangefinder modules, Jenoptik also offers its own handBAE’s upcoming Handheld Azimuth Measurement, Marking, Electroheld day and night target-acquisition systems and observation devices Optics, and Ranging (HAMMER) Targeting System will put next-generation that use Jenoptik’s rangefinder technology. precision, marking, designating and data communication, previously Klähn said rangefinder applications typically require very low power available only in mounted or crew-served systems, into individual soldier’s consumption, weight and size, while at the same time increasing range hands. HAMMER will be available in 2017 and increase targeting precision, and accuracy. “And of course, rangefinders must be eye-safe and affordwhile being smaller and lighter than existing offerings. “Our next-generaable.” tion, 12-micron thermal imagers and advanced on-board digital processing Jenoptik engineers developed their direct diode laser technology workallow HAMMER to see further into the night than current systems, while ing at 1.5-micrometer (1,500 nanometer) wavelength to create these wellsimultaneously reducing system weight,” Richards said. balanced rangefinder systems. “Compared with common solid-state laser HAMMER’s target location is dramatically improved by augmenting technology, direct diode laser technology is less complex, provides more magnetic sensors with precision celestial and gyroscopic-north finders. flexible transmitter control and enables small, fast, low power-consuming “Add to this full marking and designating capability integrated into HAMand cost-effective implementations in laser rangefinders,” Klähn said. MER system, and you have a complete system capability that is unprecJenoptik’s diode laser is only one of the many components making up edented in a hand-held unit of this size,” Richards continued. its laser rangefinder. Other key elements include transmitter and receiver HAMMER’s modular design allows operator to select precise equipment optics and photo diodes, which are commonly avalanche photodiodes, before missions based on which support assets, air versus artillery, will be highly sensitive semiconductor electronic devices that exploit photoelecavailable. This further minimizes weight. tric effect to convert light to electricity. And control and signal processing BAE expects to add more capabilities to HAMMER in coming years, circuits must be fine-tuned and balanced against each other. “Profound including sensor upgrades with longer ranges, lighter-weight systems and know-how in many disciplines is required to design a powerful laser more interconnection options. rangefinder,” Klähn stressed. Jenoptik offers solid-state and diode laser rangefinder modules for So there is no simple recipe for designing an optimal rangefinder. system integration. Jenoptik’s series of diode laser rangefinder modules “Skills and profound experience are the needed ingredients,” Klähn said. (DELEMs) are compact diode laser rangefinder modules that specifically Hardware for a laser rangefinder is often limited to the optoelectronic address demands for size-, weight- and power- optimized devices. DELEM components available on the market. But software maximizes this hardmodules are suitable for portable fire control systems for long distance ware’s potential. Klähn said Jenoptik’s signal processing algorithms use shooting and airburst ammunition and for target acquisition by dismountthe pulse-accumulation method to drive its DLEM diode laser rangefinders ed soldiers. to top performance, outperforming most other rangefinders on the market. Marketer Petra Klähn said the state of compact laser rangefinder techDRS generally takes the best technologies from other sources and nology is set by Jenoptik’s latest DLEM 20 rangefinder module. “It is the assembles these in range-finding systems. Doug Ransom, senior director smallest and most lightweight laser rangefinder in its performance class.” 18 | SPECOPS 14.7

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of business development for reconnaissance, surveillance and targeting acquisition, said laser rangefinders for dismounted soldiers have historically been standalone systems. Now key programs are integrating these into larger systems. For example laser rangefinders are being integrated into weapon sights, as in the Navy’s M2 Weapon Sight and the Army’s Family of Weapon Sights–Crew Served program. Ransom said this integration is eased by electronics with lower power requirements and receivers with increased sensitivity. One key reason for improvement is the shift away from PIN diodes—diodes with a wide, un-doped intrinsic semiconductor region between the p-type semiconductor and n-type semiconductor region—to Indium gallium arsenide avalanche photo-diode modules that are more sensitive and require less laser power to get greater ranges and accuracy. Ransom argued that many future concepts of operation will integrate the multi-pulse laser requirements that are being folded into next-generation laser rangefinders. But this will require lasers with higher-power, more than three mill joules, to meet repetition-rate requirements. “New resonator architectures are being utilized to meet these demands.” FLIR Systems is always focused on the size, weight and power of its technology, said Falun Patel, director of operations for OEM cores and components. “This mentality led us to develop the MLR10K-LX rangefinder, which is the latest in state-of-the art for performance optimized for SWAP.” The MLR10K-LX is FLIR’s newest line of kilometer-class, that is 10- to 15kilometer, laser rangefinders. The LX is 85 by 30 by 50 millimeters in size, weighs less than 4 ounces and consumes less than 3 watts of power while ranging. Integration into larger assemblies such as handheld systems is simplified by its small size and multiple mounting features. In addition, Patel said FLIR has put a lot of emphasis on manufacturing so that it can provide customers with a commercial-off-the-shelf solution for their needs. “For target designators, similar work has been done, and these SWAP-optimized, advanced systems are available in FLIR’s gimbals.” FLIR focuses on many customer requirements. It seeks to offer commercially developed but military qualified laser systems to defense customers. While not able to discuss details on advancing the state-ofthe-art in lasers, FLIR’s continued focus on customer needs for reducing SWAP and increasing range, accuracy and communication capabilities has yielded its current systems. These current systems include FLIR’s Integrated Miniature Laser Rangefinder and Target Marker. The MLR/TM is designed for SWAP-sensitive platforms such as handheld soldier systems. Weighing less than three pounds, its laser rangefinder and target marker have an effective range of 10 kilometers and put out 50 to 55 mill joules of power. Product Line Manager Eric Overstreet said Leupold offers mostly 905-nanometer laser rangefinders, priced and designed for ranges, about a mile, in the consumer market. Most military users are interested in 1,550nm rangefinders that are much more expensive, can go out to longer ranges up to tens of kilometers and are not visible to night-vision goggles. But Leupold is “always looking” for opportunities on military markets. Overstreet said a day may come when regular infantrymen carrying M4s might want a 905nm rangefinder attached to rifles so they could do a little www.SPECOPS-dhp.com

quick adjustments for range. Several technologies would have to advance to make this possible, but Overstreet thinks it is possible. The company likes the economics of making products that can serve both consumer and military markets. Leupold does have a few 1200-yard versions of its 905nm rangefinders in military use, but no active contracts. “It can range trees out to 1200 yards, Overstreet notes. But deserts, with hot sun and mirages, reduce effective ranges. 

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AFSOC’s new CTO looks to find the best and brightest innovations for the warfighter. U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command recently created the position of chief technology office to establish systems and technology strategy, and synchronize external efforts to ensure Air Force special operations forces have interoperable and integrated systems that work with conventional, special operations, coalition and other forces and agencies. Taking on the role as AFSOC’s first CTO, Special Operations International had the chance to talk to Todd Wieser about his office and his job.

platforms, command and control nodes, and support nodes. The assigned duties can be lumped into a couple of general tasks: •

• • • Todd Wieser

Q: Let’s start with the basics. What brought about the creation of an AFSOC CTO and what are your primary tasks? Wieser: The CTO position was created to improve and address systems and technology development, acquisition, and implementation. The emphasis is on our warfighting capabilities inherent in our ground teams, air and space

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• •

Develop architectures, standards, policy, and guidance to ensure we have effective systems and support structures that include internal and external interoperability. Ensure we have a sound systems and technology vision with associated requirements and investment efforts. Ensure AFSOC promotes and accepts systems and technologies that don’t limit us inappropriately over time. Increase the command’s technical competency to ensure we understand our systems and technology capabilities and efforts in more detail. Synchronize internal and external systems and technology efforts. Ensure we can “curb jump” capabilities and not just move incrementally.

This is all coming about due to the fact that the systems, architectures, and associated information flows we use across special operations and conventional forces are growing monstrously in complexity. It’s still the Wright Brothers days of IT and cybersecurity, so things change rapidly. Costs are also

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growing and we are facing synchronization, interoperability, and supportability challenges. Unfortunately due to complexity and lack of automation, we’re inadvertently asking our operators to be junior information technology (IT) specialists and line engineers. This has led to field heroics to make things work. It happens all too frequently, and we’re trying to address it early in the command cycle. Q: Do you have a staff, how is it organized and how does it fit in with the rest of the AFSOC organization? Wieser: I, and the associated Systems and Technology Office, report to the AFSOC vice commander. I have a small staff that includes engineers. But there is a very small collection of experts across some of our units that are used to help shape the command way-ahead. I’m working to formalize these matrix relationships under what is called the Systems Corps. The goal is not to have a huge staff, but to have a small highly qualified group of experts in the right areas across the command, working in sync. This definitely aligns with our SOF truths regarding the importance of humans, quality, and our limited ability to mass produce our expertise. Q: How do you go about your daily tasks and avoid duplication of effort with other parts of AFSOC—and USSOCOM—that are looking at technologies and innovations? Wieser: As the CTO my primary goal is to actively review and assess all technology, development and acquisition initiatives as well as related gaps across the command. Our requirements, science and technology (S&T), chief information officer, logistics and operations offices are all part of the process. For me it’s about staying in sync, whether it be on e-mail, via the phone, or in person. My contact list is gold and I have a self-imposed battle rhythm of checking in and participating in certain events. A lot of what I do involves connecting efforts across a variety of key contacts. It’s a bit of a balancing act. I could easily spend all my time just doing that, but to make significant progress, I have to take the time to read, research, think critically, design and deliver. I spend a good amount of time collaborating with our acquisition agencies, contracted vendors, and related offices across the USAF, USSOCOM and other agencies. AFSOC has USAF and USSOCOM parents and each has a different expertise and perspective. It’s critical that AFSOC collaborates with both to ensure efforts are complimentary, or at the very least, not at odds. Q: Similarly, how do you go about communicating and coordinating with other CTOs or technology seekers within the SOF community and the ‘big’ services? Wieser: The USAF has a CTO community with CTOs from various USAF commands and headquarters USAF. There are recurring CTO forum events and we collaborate every other week, at a minimum. The specific roles of all these CTOs vary. The focus tends to favor IT; more specifically traditional enterprise and core IT services such as e-mail, SharePoint, and other like capabilities. There’s good cross talk and we share lessons learned. On the USSOCOM side of the house, I collaborate frequently with the USSOCOM CTO and some “CTO-like” representatives across the SOF components. They tend to focus on IT across the enterprise and in the warfighting units. My role focuses on our teams, weapon systems, C2 nodes and their supporting architectures. Due to the merging of traditional IT into our weapon systems, and our dependency on some enterprise networks and services for warfighting, I end up working both warfighting and traditional systems and www.SPECOPS-dhp.com

technologies. Given this, I try to leverage the CTO interactions to build partnerships and de-conflict, not duplicate, efforts, if appropriate and possible. Q: Do you have a priority list of technology types that you are most interested in? Wieser: We have a prioritized gap list that maps well to systems and technology needs. Our Technology Insertion Liaison Office is our face to vendors who may have solutions or simply have good ideas. We also have active efforts aimed at improving precision strike with directed energy (a.k.a. high energy laser) and guided munitions, improving sensor quality, automating information analysis and dissemination, improving sensor video and situational awareness distribution, managing tactical identity, and improving mission networking. We’re also trying to ensure our aircraft systems are more modular, capable, flexible and less expensive. What does this mean in terms of technology? Signals, sensors (large and small), protocols, cybersecurity, and networks are very important. Smart software and automation is king. Hardware is becoming a commodity, and we need on and off-board distributed supercomputing. Q: What will happen when you “discover” an innovation that needs to be pursued, what happens then? Wieser: Some things fill gaps and some things entirely change the way we operate. Both start with white boarding and writing. We have to capture the idea and know what we’re shooting for or what the future could be. Anyone can buy a gadget, it’s the professionals that show an operational impact and can field, support, and sustain the capability quickly with agility. To do that means thinking it out, doing the homework, and writing it down as a concept. A concept can be as small as one page, but it covers critical areas. This drives use cases, requirements, and the base architecture documents that will SPECOPS 14.7 | 21

be used to feed specific processes and agencies for a trial or test. This may include working with our internal AFSOC resources, our external acquisition agencies, the labs or through our S&T process. Which path we take depends on the technical maturity and the time required to respond or seize the initiative. We have organic engineering and test capabilities within AFSOC. This is very useful for solving an immediate crisis and capturing low cost and low hanging fruit. The electronic flight bag, which is the use of iPad tablets for flight publications and information management, is one key example this. For longer lead times and less mature technologies, we have a spectrum of methods that include combat mission need statements, urgent operational needs, advanced concept technology demonstrations, and small business innovation research acquisition processes. The theme, like other organizations, is to fail fast, so we can learn quickly and adjust. This works, but is hard to do in our environment. Q: How do you envision rooting out the small and innovative people, industry partners and those within AFSOC that have the ideas but might need help in advancing the concepts into something more material? Do you have eyes and ears overseas? Wieser: Interestingly, we’re in the midst of a new effort that leverages USSOCOM’s relationship with the Doolittle Institute (SOFWERX) to access these types of organizations. We’re lucky right now in that the federal government, and as a result the DoD, has recognized the challenge of accessing non-traditional DoD vendors and small start-ups. Some examples include the standup of the Defense Innovation Unit Experimental (www.diux.mil) and new relationships with the non-profit Doolittle Institute (doolittleinstitute.org). These organizations enable us to gain access to experts and innovators by serving as a formal intermediary. AFSOC is trying to leverage these more. We’re also increasing our efforts with, and leveraging the OSD Comparative Test Office. They’re our interface to overseas opportunities. We work directly with them and their representative assigned to the USAF and USSOCOM. They’re sponsoring our Lean Services project to automate systems and networks. The project includes a UK solution that is very promising. There’s a lot of opportunity with OSD here; not only to pull solutions, but given our global force presence and our work in aviation foreign internal defense, we have the opportunity to vector OSD efforts. This is new territory. Q: Under former AFSOC commander Lieutenant General Brad Heithold, directed energy was an important focus of his. Is that a technology quest that will continue? What are the challenges in putting that technology in the back of an airplane? Wieser: The current effort is led out of USSOCOM’s Special Operations Forces Acquisition and Technology (SOF AT&L), Fixed Wing office. One of the desires is to push the development community to achieve a curb jump in capabilities for specific mission sets. The challenges are power, weight, and performance. It would be great to have an off-the-shelf low power pocket laser that we could just easily put on the aircraft. But this just isn’t the case today. Q: Any success stories or promising developments you can tell us about? 22 | SPECOPS 14.7

Wieser: Our electronic flight bag program has been a game changer for our crews and has really taken flight information management and training to a whole new level. It is not just a device, but a major architecture that provides key aviation information for our forces across the globe. It actually raises the situational awareness capabilities of our aircraft in specific areas. It marks a major transition with regard to mission software and challenges some of our previous strategy and assumptions. Enhanced electronic warfare and mission networking capabilities are currently being fielded on our AC-130U program through the Specialized and Automated Mission Suite – Enhanced Situational Awareness modification. This modification connects and improves various defensive, situational awareness, datalink, and organic aircraft mission computing capabilities that aid in navigation and strike mission activities. It increases interoperability with conventional and special operations air and ground forces. It is a complex system of systems that includes a merging of the “new” IT approach and the “old school” traditional aircraft systems approach. It, along with our other aircraft modifications, has been a great learning lesson for automation, on-board and off-board signals correlation, and overall mission networking architecture. Our Lean Services project with USSOCOM and the OSD Foreign Comparative Test program is promising and has the potential to be a major game changer. The simple way to explain is to compare it to browsing the Internet. Today if you want a web page, you type some text, click some buttons and then the site shows up. There is simplicity at the user level, but there is a bunch of complexity behind the scenes. There’s a variety of systems, protocols, standards, and configurations. But, this has been automated and the user doesn’t have to worry about it. Now look at our tactical systems situation. The complexity is actually greater, but without the automation and interoperability. Lean Services offers that across multiple architectures, not just the internet. We expect it to significantly reduce operator and support personnel training and increase systems reliability. It may be the foundation of our Internet of Things (IoT) approach, where we connect a variety of sensors and devices. There’s also an opportunity to automate tactical information workflows and provide a better level of security that makes our systems boundaries stronger. We also have an Enterprise Training System effort. It is in the final stages of planning prior to releasing a contact requirement. It aims to greatly improve training development, systems support,and enable one point of entry, easy reporting, all while ensuring all our forces can train on the road. It also includes training tablets and a bit of augmented and virtual reality.  www.SPECOPS-dhp.com

SBIR programs have look to small business for the kinds of innovations that drive battlefield dominance. According to the DoD, “the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is a U.S. government program, coordinated by the Small Business Administration, currently authorized through September 30, 2017. The SBIR and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) budgets are based on a percentage of the overall research and development budget of the command. In 2017, SBIR is funded at 3.2 percent of the overall RDT&E budget, while STTR is funded at 0.45 percent. In FY16, the USSOCOM SBIR budget is $13.8 million and the FY16 STTR budget is $2.1 million. USSOCOM conducts an internal call for candidate topics for innovative technologies needed to resolve special operations forces warfighter technology deficiencies,” explained Lisa Sanders, USSOCOM's director for science and technology. “Typically, USSOCOM's budget allows for five to nine topics to be included in the annual DoD SBIR solicitation cycle. Urgent, out-of-cycle technology requirements can be included in follow-on solicitations at the discretion of the USSOCOM SBIR program manager. “On average, the USSOCOM SBIR/STTR Program Office has the highest commercialization rate when compared to the DoD average of all participating 13 DoD SBIR components,” said Sanders. Past success stories include the advanced micro weather sensor and the rapid DNA technology pursuits. Advanced Micro Weather Sensor: Provides a field grade deployable, small, lightweight, low profile weather sensor that characterizes 18 different weather features (for example: temperature, humidity, pressure, gust speed, visibility, lightening distance, wind direction, wind speed) as well as the ceiling of clouds and cloud amounts. Rapid DNA: No longer are large, sophisticated labs with highly trained technicians or specialists needed to process and analyze DNA samples. This innovative technology provides special operations forces a field forward capability that automatically produces DNA profiles for both DNA identification and forensic applications. special operations forces can now identify enemy combatants with an extremely high degree of accuracy in a short period of time from communication disadvantaged locations. When asked about the connection with other USSOCOM S&T programs—like SOFWERX, for example—and the SBIR/STTR projects, Sanders said that “The USSOCOM S&T Directorate has a common set of priorities based upon user capability gaps. We leverage SBIR/STTR projects as one tool to address these priorities. SOFWERX is intended to break down barriers between the traditional defense acquisition process and industry including small businesses and academia, and as such provides a useful mechanism for this type of engagement.” What follows is a synopsis of the latest programs from USSOCOM seeking small business participation. www.SPECOPS-dhp.com

Acoustic Signature Reduction The objective of this effort is to reduce acoustic signatures of existing SOF fixed wing aircraft (manned and unmanned) using innovative technology solutions. Current SOF aircraft possess characteristic acoustic signatures that help adversaries identify and locate these aircraft. Reducing and/or masking acoustic signatures can significantly and directly contribute to the operators successfully accomplishing their missions. The purpose of new technology pursuit is to determine what is in the art of the possible to reduce or eliminate acoustic signatures on aviation platforms. Options or techniques to mask, filter, attenuate, and/or muffle acoustic signatures to reduce aviation acoustic signatures will be considered as well as consider the use of new material combinations, emerging technologies and all other possible solutions. The intent with this project is not necessarily platform specific—although a new-build platform is not an option. Acoustic signature reduction can be but is not limited to following areas: engine, propeller and air flow noise.

Advanced Durability Systems for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Propulsion The objective of this project is to improve unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) engine propulsion performance and durability using advanced designs/materials for bearing, housing, and rotating components/systems. UAV engines currently suffer from durability issues resulting in frequent overhauls. Incorporating advanced durability systems could lead to longer durations between engine overhaul times and increased engine life resulting in a larger payback per UAV investment. These advanced durability systems can be applied to bearings, rotating components and static components to increase the life and times between overhauls. Bearings are an essential part of all UAV engine propulsion system. As technologies continue to advance in current air vehicles, more demands are being made on bearing capability. With an increase in the demand of bearing capacity, comes an increased risk of bearing fatigue and wear caused by heavier loading, inadequate/unsuitable lubrication and overheating. Future engine improvements need to incorporate advanced bearing designs and concepts to increase bearing durability and thus increase overhaul time of UAV engines. Advanced durability concepts should include but are not limited to ceramic ball bearings and fuel-lubricated bearings. Ceramic ball bearings have advantages of higher operating SPECOPS 14.7 | 23

speeds, increased stiffness, lower friction, and less heat generation. Using ceramic bearings in UAV engines can reduce wear on the bearings through an increase in engine durability. Further, fuel (JP-8) lubricated bearings offer substantial benefits resulting from the elimination of the conventional recirculating lubrication system. Metal matrix composites offer added strength and durability that can be incorporated in both engine housings and rotating components where ceramic matrix composites also offer benefits with respect to heat transfer in the engine and housing and reduced engine weight. The benefits offered by composite and ceramic materials are high strength to weight ratios, high temperature tolerance, low coefficients of thermal expansion, low coefficients of friction, and favorable lubrication properties. The high strength to weight ratio is a favorable property for engine components as it reduces the rotational mass of the engine and increases the specific power. The low coefficients of expansion of these materials will allow tighter tolerances between moving and static components of the engines which could lead to increased durability and longer engine life. Applications for this technology include engine liners, coatings for combustion surfaces, bearing cages and housings, rotating shafts, pistons, and rotors.

Advanced Tactical Facial Recognition at a Distance Technology The objective here is to develop and demonstrate innovative advanced tactical facial recognition technologies at ranges of 650 meters to 1 kilometer to enhance tactical situation awareness and support positive identification of persons of interest. The tactical facial recognition technologies need to be capable of being reduced to man-portable size, weight, and power (SWAP) requirements. While this effort is focused on ground tactical applications, the expandability to airborne intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) applications is desired. USSOCOM requires the capability to identify hostile persons with a high degree of accuracy in a short period of time from communications disadvantaged locations. USSOCOM has a requirement for man-portable tactical facial recognition at a distance up to 1 kilometer. Emerging advanced facial recognition algorithms are demonstrating improved performance against non-ideal facial images, with further technology development ongoing for more robust performance with unconstrained facial images (examples include: occlusion, facial hair, bandana, hijab), face capture and extraction, and streaming video processing. Tactical facial recognition at long range present additional technical challenges requiring development and integration of multiple diverse technologies, including optical systems (for example: optical resolution, focus, aberrations), imaging sensors (for example: number of pixels, noise), atmospheric effects correction, super-resolution enhancement, motion/ jitter stabilization/compensation, processing power, automated and user-friendly controls and display (for example: tablet, smartphone), and man-portability (SWAP, ruggedness).

Blood and Pharmaceutical Cooling and Storage System SOF medical teams require a multi-functional and transportable storage capability to safely keep blood, blood components, pharmaceuticals and related serums or solutions within controlled temperature ranges via external/internal power source(s). Blood and blood products must adhere to strict transport and storage requirements regulated by the Food and 24 | SPECOPS 14.7

Drug Administration (FDA) in order to remain safe for use. Current problems associated with the transport and storage of blood and blood products has limited the availability of potentially life-saving interventions by front line medics and enroute care personnel. Current freezer/refrigeration systems used by the military are suitable for use in medical facilities only where sufficient power is available. However, these systems are not feasible for forward SOF operations due to SWAP constraints. SOF medical teams require portable solutions to enhance their ability to move blood and blood products forward to austere environments. System Parameters: •• The not to exceed exterior dimensions of the case are: 32” H x 20” W x 13” L (Threshold). Smaller form factors are encouraged (Objective). •• Weight: 70 pounds (T), less than 70 pounds (O). •• Includes two separate freezer/cooler drawers: The freezer/cooler must include two separate drawers systems, must be capable of storing a total of 24-28 liters. Separate temperature control with an exterior 24-hour historical measurement capability for each drawer system, to include open/closed transport period validation procedure. Each drawer must include adjustable dividers. Each drawer must be able to be secured/locked. The length and depth of the drawers should realize a maximum storage capacity given the dimensions of the exterior case and the equipment/insulation needed to meet the required cooling/freezing temperature requirements. •• Primary power: 110/220, 12 Volt (T); 24 Volt capable (O). The primary power system must be capable of charging the primary back-up power source when connected to an AC source. •• Primary backup power: The primary backup power must be included in the case and must automatically and instantaneously provide uninterrupted power supply should the primary AC power source suddenly became unavailable. This primary backup power supply must operate continuously for six hours (T), eight plus hours (O). The power charging requirements for the primary backup power supply must be the same as for the primary power requirements: (110/220, 12 volt (T); 24 volt capable (O)). •• Secondary backup power: Provide an additional separate battery pack with charger that can be rapidly swapped with the primary backup power supply (T=O). The power requirements for the secondary backup power charging system must be the same as for the primary power requirements: (that is: 110/220, 12 volt (T); 24 volt capable (O)). •• Temperature control, freezer/cooler drawers: Both freezer/cooler drawers must maintain an internal compartment temperature range of -50 (minus 5) to 100 Celsius (C) (T); -180 (minus 18) to 100 C (O). •• Insulate internal drawer temperatures for up to six hours after complete power loss (T); 12 hours after complete power loss (O). •• Temperature monitoring and alerting: Must have an audible alarm and a continuous temperature recording system (T=O). Users must have a means of verifying temperature control throughout the storage and transport timeframe to ensure the integrity of the stored products. This timeframe can be variable such as a weekly or monthly monitoring capture and recording system. Proposed solutions should address a means to provide this verification with temperature displays. Proposed solutions must also provide an alerting system to notify users of aberrations in desired storage temperatures. Proposed solutions should continue to record even when main AC power is lost. •• Temperature monitoring and alerting: Wi-Fi availability to configured cell/notebook/laptops is desirable (O). •• Temperature monitoring and alerting power: Must have standalonebattery power to actuate alarms and continue to record www.SPECOPS-dhp.com

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temperatures for eight hours (T) to 24 hours (O) should primary and back-up sources of power fail. System must be capable of rapid set up and operations within 30 minutes (T); five minutes (O) without specialized tools or prior training. System must be capable of being stacked on each other three high horizontally (T) or four high (O) horizontally for storage and transport. System must have retractable handle and wheel system for easy transport (Examples of acceptable handle and wheel systems include the Pelican Hardigg MC4100, MC8100). System must be one man portable. System must operate in both the vertical and horizontal positions. Battery and cooling system must pose no harmful threat to humans or machinery during normal ground and flight operations. Battery and cooling system must pose no hazardous, caustic or combustible threat or cause undo risks if casings are ruptured or damaged.

Cloud Data Synchronization with Limited Bandwidth Communications The objective is to develop a system to preposition and synchronize data between capabilities deployed in austere environments and commercial or private cloud infrastructures. Data storage, processing and analysis capabilities are increasingly migrating to enterprise hosted cloud infrastructures however the requirement for the DoD to operate in austere environments remains. Further, the footprint of forward deployed analysts and support personnel continues to shrink, increasing dependence on CONUS based exploitation capabilities. As this occurs, timely access to data (both originating in the field and disseminated from CONUS becomes critical for effectively capitalizing on opportunities and mitigating threats in highly dynamic environments. Efforts must be made to intelligently preposition, cache, and synchronize data in order to maintain operations when networks are highly constrained or completely disconnected in austere environments. Solutions should consider data that is collected from the field to be processed and utilized in analytic systems as well as information that is disseminated from these analytic systems which must be made available to users. In order to address conditions where networks are intermittent or nonexistent, intelligent caching of data and opportunistic and prioritized means for synchronization should be considered. Because many of these analytic systems are already in place or are in the processes of being operationalized the degree to which these data management mechanisms can be employed into existing software architectures will greatly impact the likelihood of their adoption. Additionally, the degree to which the data management process can be automated or initiated by the end user as part of their existing workflow will increase the likelihood of user acceptance. One of the first anticipated steps will be to perform a feasibility analysis for bi-directional synchronization between applications deployed in a cloud infrastructure and capabilities (consumers or producers) in disconnected, intermittent, and limited (DIL) availability communications www.SPECOPS-dhp.com

Photo courtesy of DoD.

environments. It is important to identify current approaches to DIL operations and their limitations, then identify technology that can be applied to the problem and evaluate the expected operational utility of potential solutions. The feasibility analysis should include components that transmit data to the cloud for processing (for example: sensors) as well as end user applications that consume data from cloud systems to present information to users in the field (for example: web or mobile apps).

Color Night Vision Sensor The objective of this technology pursuit is to develop high resolution true color night vision sensors. The DoD needs true color, high resolution night vision devices for both ground and air based operations. A single sensor that can be used in both day and night is required. Optimally, the sensor would not “bloom” from a bright source in the scene. The waveband of interest is the visible spectrum from approximately 400 – 750 nanometers. The presentation of light should be either true red, green and blue or alternatively true cyan, magenta, yellow. (The red car must look red, the green tree must look green, and the blue water must look blue). The imagery should be 30 to 60 Hz with latency less than 1 second for fix wing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance applications. The objective sensitivity is down to clear sky no moon conditions, or 0.001 lux. The threshold sensitivity is clear sky quarter moon, or 0.01 lux. The illumination conditions for both these illuminations is 8 bits of color, or 256 color pallet. The objective is 16 bits of color. The threshold solution is HD720, or HD1280x720. The objective resolution is HD1080, or HD1920x1080. The threshold dynamic range should work from 0.01 lux (quarter moon) to 10^5 lux (sunny day) and at objective 0.001 lux (clear starlight) to 10^5 lux (sunny day). This technology pursuit focuses on a solution for fixed wing operationally relevant ranges. Any efforts should focus on developing innovative color night vision sensor technologies that: •• Determine the range at which a positive identification of a person can occur. •• Determine if a person is armed or not as a function of range. •• Operate in both daylight and at night. SPECOPS 14.7 | 25

•• Provide true color imaging. •• Fit within existing EO/IR gimbals (15”, 20” and 25” gimbals) and in smaller sized gimbals determined to be feasible. •• Use a sensor of at least Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7 to include in performance calculations. •• Link budgets considering the entire optical train, sensor sensitivity and radiometric calculations. •• Estimate at Video National Imagery Interpretability Rating Scale (NIIRS) value estimated as a function of range. •• Simulate imagery as a function of range considering the link budgets, optical train, typical targets, Video NIIRS value and sensor sensitivity.

Freeze Dried Plasma for Canines The objective is to develop a stable, lyophilized plasma formulation for rapid use in canine trauma resuscitation that demonstrates safety and efficacy. Military working dogs have proven to be a vital component of significant warfighter missions, supporting warfighter security and mission implementation. A lack of appropriate canine transfusion products risks the lives of these dogs, as well as the success of the mission, when a dog suffers severe trauma in the field. Plasma is increasingly recognized as a life-saving product for severe trauma offering advantages over transfusion of blood alone. However, the use of plasma in battlefield situations is limited by logistical constraints. Maintaining stability of the plasma components often requires refrigeration or freezing, and the sheer bulk of the product hinders transport and distribution. However, lyophilized plasma provides a transfusion product with reduced volume, elimination of the need for cold storage, and the potential to concentrate anti-inflammatory molecules which may provide an added advantage. To date, experimental studies have demonstrated benefits of lyophilized plasma in a swine model, but with no other animal species. The goal of this topic is to develop a stable, lyophilized plasma formulation that, when reconstituted, demonstrates safety and efficacy in canine trauma resuscitation. Plasma should be derived from healthy donor dogs that are negative for canine red blood cell antigens DEA 1.1 and DEA 1.2. Donor animals should also be tested for specified blood borne diseases.

Tactical Sensor Data Processing, Exploitation, and Dissemination Special operations forces require access to SOF-specific detailed tactical planning data to support military operations. To meet this requirement, highly accurate 3D Building Information Modeling (BIM), Computer Aided Design (CAD), and Geographic Information System (GIS) data is generated through garrison production as well as mobile collection in preparation for or during ongoing crises and contingency operations. SOF users need an innovative data repository that allows processing, exploitation and dissemination of what is in the tactical cloud. SOF unique needs also include: integrating the interior and exterior (environmental) data, a modular open system architecture, and a standards based repository for open industry format 3D data collected via multiple sensors and sources. SOF seeks innovative game-changing technologies that allow interoperability of data used for battle space awareness across SOF command and control (C2), planning, rehearsal, analysis and operations. The imagery and spatial data is used to create urban and wide-area high resolution 3D surveys with level of accuracy to the sub26 | SPECOPS 14.7

centimeter. Data must interoperate with other CAD and GIS data in open industry formats. Innovative technologies should automate data upload, produce and export geo-referenced maps, elevation models, and point clouds in industry standard, high resolution formats as well as smaller, user friendly formats like ‘GeoPackage’ for integration with existing GIS workflows. The technologies should operate in a commercial, DoD, or hybrid cloud based Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) compliant network. The innovative technologies must meet Defense Information Systems Agency Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIG) mandatory requirements. Tasks that the data repository must enable through open industry standard formats include: •• Rapid visualization of topographic-bathymetric data including primary spatial dimensions with 15-30 centimeters accuracy integrated with other data using commercial and open source tools. •• Rapid visualization of BIM data including lighting analysis, building properties (materials), and primary spatial dimension with subcentimeter accuracy. •• Conversion of point cloud data to polygonal structured data. •• Integration of multiple point clouds into single 3D models and scene visualizations.

Transparent Emissive Microdisplay The goal of this effort is to design and fabricate a full-color transparent emissive microdisplay for use in a multi-imaging plane system. The DoD has a need for breakthrough transparent emissive microdisplays for use in augmented reality systems. Transparency provides a platform to comingle multiple imaging sources with a single projection lens system without the need for combining prisms. In order to bridge the gap between traditional night vision goggles (NVGs) and a fully digital night vision system with embedded augmented reality, an interim hybrid system is required. Traditionally, a hybrid system implements a beamcombiner prism and display to optically combine the two images and present it to the user. This methodology dramatically increases the size and weight of a typical night vision goggle. This project seeks to implement state of the art display drive electronics with a transparent display technology (e.g. TFEL, carbon nanotube emission, OLED, etc.). The preferred implementation utilizes a thin transparent and emissive display with 20 m or smaller pixel pitch, placed on the image intensifier output to optically combine the information without a beamcombiner. The emphasis of development is on full-color emissivity, with a minimum of interstitial pixel structure to minimize obscuration. While basic in technology, the application requires careful consideration of the layered image structures. The image intensifier fiber optic output structure is a square 5 or 6 m pixel pitch. A display layered on top requires a structure of equal spacing aligned to the intensifier output to minimize interference patterns (moire effects). Proposals should target the design and implementation of a fullcolor, transparent, emissive display technology with pixel-pitch of 20m (or smaller), and an area which exceeds the image intensifier’s 18mm circular effective area. Refresh rates should be 30Hz or better, but power should not be sacrificed for refresh rate. Display drive circuitry should be implemented to receive a standard video or display drive format (e.g. HDMI, VGA, DisplayPort, Display Parallel, LVDS, or MIPI DSI) and show the incoming signal on the microdisplay. Test components can be demonstrated by using Schott or Incom fiber optics.  www.SPECOPS-dhp.com

Resource Center Advertisers index Airbus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 www.airbus-ds-gs.com David Clark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 www.davidclarkcompany.com Deployed Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 www.deployedresources.com Esri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 www.esri.com FLIR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C4 www.flir.com

Iomax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C2 www.iomax.net IDEX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C3 www.idexuae.ae TEA Headsets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 www.teaheadsets.com Trijicon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 www.trijicon.com

Calendar October 3-4, 2016 AUSA Annual Washington, D.C. www.ausameetings. org/2016annualmeeting/ October 11-12, 2016 Annual SOF Symposium Alexandria, Va. www.sof.dsigroup.org/ October 13-14, 2016 Global SOF Symposium – Europe Vilnius, Lithuania www.globalsofsymposium.org/ europe November 16, 2016 Global SOF Foundation National Capitol Region Reception Pentagon City, Va. www.globalsoffoundation.org/ events November 16-17, 2016 Close Air Support Conference Reading, UK www.omconf.com

November 28-December 2, 2016 I/ITSEC 2016 Orlando, Fla. www.iitsec.org January 17-20, 2017 SHOT Show Las Vegas, Nev. http://www.shotshow.org January 24-26, 2017 ShieldAfrica Abidjan, Cote d’ Ivoire www.shieldafrica.com 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.ae February 21-23, 2017 Global SOF Symposium Palm Harbor, Fla. www.globalsoffoundation.org/ events

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

www.SPECOPS-dhp.com

March 13-15, 2017 Global Force Symposium Huntsville, Ala. www.ausa.org/events/ global-force-symposium-andexposition-2017 March 28-30, 2017 SOFINS Camp de Souge, France http://www.sofins.fr April 22-29, 2017 Army Aviation Missions Solutions Summit Nashville, Tn. www.quad-a.org May 15, 2017 Global SOF Foundation Tampa Reception Tampa, Fla. www.globalsoffoundation.org/ events

May 16-18, 2017 ITEC Rotterdam, Netherlands www.itec.co.uk/Exhibitor/ITEC-2017 May 22-25, 2017 Special Operations Medical Association Scientific Assembly and Exhibition Charlotte, N.C. www.specialoperationsmedicine. org/Pages/scientificassembly.aspx June 6-8, 2017 ISDEF Tel Aviv, Israel www.isdefexpo.com September 12-15, 2017 DSEI London, UK www.dsei.co.uk

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

Subscription Information ISSN 1097-0975 Special Operations International is published nine times a year by Defense House Publishing. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly forbidden. © Copyright 2016. Special Operations International is free to qualified members of the U.S. military, employees of the U.S. government and non-U.S. foreign service based in the United States All others: $75 per year. Foreign: $120 per year.

CEO & Managing Director Jeff McKaughan jeffm@defense-house.com Contact Information Defense House Publishing P.O. Box 236 Forest Hill, Maryland 21050 USA Telephone: 443-243-1710 Fax: 410-838-0224 www.specops-dhp.com

SPECOPS 14.7 | 27

Industry Interview Ron Howard

President and CEO Iomax Ron Howard, IOMAX President/CEO, is a retired Army Aviation warrant officer with 31 years active service. He has an extensive background in aviation special operations sensitive mission requirements.

Q: How do you define the Iomax Archangel’s mission? Howard: Most of the terms currently in use today—close air support and light attack—do little to clarify what is needed on the battlefield. Years and years ago, close air support was labeled that because that’s what you did, you got close to the enemy. Today, you have F-16s doing close air support. Then you throw the light attack aircraft concept in there and its starts to get very confusing with aircraft like the OV-10, Super Tucano or AT-6 which have little relative fuel capacity and a much smaller ordnance capability. This is an area we don’t want to operate in. With Archangel we can influence the enemy in ways that are just about as effective as the A-10 as far as firepower and we don’t need to be close to do it. We can destroy targets from 30,000 feet without putting the aircraft or the aircrew in nearly as much danger but still effectively engage all targets. We have 400 square feet of wing space to carry about 3,000 pounds of ordnance and 670 gallons of fuel internally meaning we can stay on perch for about eight hours. And virtually everything from the precision strike community can be integrated into Archangel. From the start, the aircraft is very simple to operate and maintain. The operational aircraft have consistently had an availability rate of 80 percent. Q: What about the U.S. market? Any interest in the aircraft? Howard: At the user level, there is a great deal of interest in particular from the Marines and USSOCOM. At the operational level the aircraft definitely fills a gap in its ability to carry ISR sensors as well as munition payloads. In October we will have the aircraft out at Yuma where the Marines have agreed to incorporate it into some of its training to see how it fits into the battlespace. Similarly, USSOCOM is clearly interested in the aircraft and has a use for it. The challenge in both cases is the DoD acquisition process and how program funding is allocated. Q: The Archangel’s first customer was the UAE. How did that come about? 28 | SPECOPS 14.7

The UAE approached us with the concept. Most of the credit for the project goes to Sheikh Mohammed who had the vision for the project. He funded the first order for 24 aircraft which were built with standard Air Tractor aircraft straight off the production line. We did all of the integration of the various weapon and sensor system in Orlando, Florida. The aircraft were very successful and were sent to Libya and to Egypt. The UAE then wanted a second batch of 24. We were able to convince them that the aircraft would be so much more effective if we were able to be more involved during the actual manufacturing of the aircraft. Based on that the new aircraft—which is a Thrush T-660 aircraft—had quite a few modifications including a new prop, numerous cockpit changes and many of the airflow surfaces were modified. The UAE currently operates the aircraft with pilots in both the front and back seat. The aircraft can actually be flown from both positions so this allows them to share the workload over long missions. Q: What kind of support do you offer customers for flight crews and maintainers? Howard: When you have an airplane and program like this you have no choice but to provide cradle-to-grave support. There is hardly anything that we don’t offer as it relates to fielding, training, maintaining and operating the aircraft. We have our own air training crews that train the pilots, maintainers and armament crews. Much of the training is instructional and hands-on but some of it is provided through a computer-based system that we have. Based on our training we can take a pilot from any level and put them in this aircraft—that includes a pilot stepping out of an F-16, transitioning from another aircraft and we have even taken pilots with just a few hundred hours and successful trained them up on Archangel. Q: What’s next in the evolution of the aircraft? Howard: One of the next things we are looking at is based on a customer request looking to add adverse weather capability—meaning we would put a radar system on board that would provide a means by which they can see farther and look through the clouds. We’re also looking to increase the performance of the datalink. There is streaming data/video on board the aircraft today that we could add a SATCOM capability so they could go over the horizon with that kind of information. Additionally, we are looking at carrying other specific types of data packages including SIGINT, ELINT and a few other electronic warfare-type systems on board. There are several new weapons systems that we will be integrating very shortly that will provide some additional capabilities to the platform. When adding additional capabilities, adding weight is always a concern. We are working with the customer right now on a weight reduction plan for the airplane so that when we do add any of these capabilities, we are not actually adding any additional weight to the platform. We also will not lose any of the wing stations when we add these capabilities. Because the aircraft has the large centerline ISR pod, we can populate that with the different systems we are talking about without taking away from the weapons carriage capability.  www.SPECOPS-dhp.com

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