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The Publication of Distinction for the Maneuver Warfighter

Special Section: Mobile Electrical Power

Soldier Training Educator Maj. Gen. H.R. McMaster Commanding General U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence

Ruggedized Computers O Tactical Weapon Sights

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July 2013

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August 2013 Vol. 4, Issue 4

The Publication of Distinction for the Maneuver Warfighter

Cover and In-Depth Interview with:

Gen. Daniel B. Allyn

Commanding General U.S. Army Forces Command

Special Section Man-Portable UAS

Small aircraft provide huge benefits. We look at how the capabilities of these aerial platforms have advanced to provide full-color video and other data to the boots on the ground.

Features

Land Navigation Systems Any LNS must be easily integrated and has to be highly accurate. We look at the latest in land navigation developments.

JLTV Update

Testing is well underway and the U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Combat Support and Combat Service Support is eager to select the best joint light tactical vehicle for the future joint force. We look at who’s got the edge.

Training Systems

Whether in a simulator at the schoolhouse or out in a field training exercise equipped with man-portable gear, U.S. Army ground training systems are progressing to a level unimaginable just a few years ago.

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ground combat technology Features

July 2013

Cover / Q&A

Special Section

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Mobile Electrical Power While warriors once carried just a rifle, some grenades, a canteen filled with water and little else, the 21st-century combatant is an electronic netted node, needing plentiful electrical power. See how that need can be met efficiently and effectively.

By Henry canaday

14 Maj. Gen. H.R. McMaster

Commanding General U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence

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Check out the latest in tactical weapon sights, including advances to match the greater range of some newer ammo. We focus on the new sights that companies are developing, and on the various types of sights that permit the warrior to take down the enemy at a safe distance.

By william murray

Warriors on the field of combat can access a universe of data ranging from intel to aerial video from UAVs, to cartography. But it all has to work dependably in the rough, jarring environment of a combat zone, and that is where ruggedized computers are at their best.

By jeff campbell

Tactical Weapon Sights

Departments

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Colonel (Ret.) Donald P. Kotchman

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Vice President, Armor Brigade Combat Team, Ground Combat Systems General Dynamics Land Systems

“Education is our top priority. We say a soldier will follow a good leader anywhere, under any condition of battle, so developing the best leaders is really important across all of our formations.”

— Major General H.R. McMaster

EDITOR’S PERSPECTIVE

Ground Combat Technology July Issue

The Publication of Distinction for the Maneuver Warfighter Editorial Editor Jeff Campbell jcampbell@kmimediagroup.com Managing Editor Harrison Donnelly harrisond@kmimediagroup.com Online Editorial Manager Laura Davis laurad@kmimediagroup.com Copy Editors Sean Carmichael seanc@kmimediagroup.com Laural Hobbes lauralh@kmimediagroup.com Correspondents Dave Ahearn • Kathryn Bailey • Henry Canaday John M. Doyle • Calvin Pilgrim • Marc Selinger

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A tactical wheeled vehicle (TWV) webinar strongly reinforced two common points for those of us who used to attend trade shows more often: there’s no substitute for face-to-face meetings, and military, government and industry leaders are doing their best under the circumstances.

In the webinar, held in part to make up for cancellation of the 2013 Tactical Wheeled Vehicles Conference, Deputy Program Executive Officer for Combat Support and Combat Service Support (PEO CS&CSS) Colonel David Basset did his best to give the TWV community an update on what’s in store for the program.

“We’re at an interesting time for our Army, and a challenging time,” Basset told viewers from his seat in Warren, Mich., hoping to be with them next year at Jeff Campbell a resumed TWV conference. “We’re no longer technology constrained, we’re now Editor budget constrained.”

As the colonel began to explain the priorities and opportunities, the first of a half dozen service interruptions happened—what great timing!

Basset stressed that the office is committed to transparent communication with the commercial base, and followed through by repeating answers to questions when sound dropped out, and later making slides and Q&A text available. Since the two constants we currently have are uncertainty and change, it’s more important than ever for PEO CS&CSS to maximize the value of the war fighting benefit: they’re not driving costs down just to drive costs down, they’re doing it to buy other things the Army needs. As the office’s government employees begin the furlough process this month, PEO CS&CSS is working through the details in terms of how contracts’ costs and schedules will be affected.

Throughout the fight in Iraq and Afghanistan, the office bought many costly items. Now they have more than enough in several cases for peacetime, and “the ability to sustain those over time is what we’re evaluating,” Basset said.

The Army invested in trucks heavily during the war, so now fleet sustainment will be a main focus. One truck they’re looking at for open competition is a future heavy dump truck, but the main thrust now is in light tactical vehicles (LTVs), specifically the joint LTV. “We’re really excited about the opportunity to get past concepts and demos … and pick the best LTV for the joint force for the future,” Basset said. By maintaining a strong government and industry relationship during this period of transition, PEO CS&CSS will find exactly what’s needed.

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INTEL

Compiled by KMI Media Group staff

Army Concludes Individual Carbine Competition

After extensive testing of vendorsubmitted carbines, the Army formally concluded the individual carbine (IC) competition without the selection of a winner. No carbine evaluated during the testing phase reached the minimum score to continue in the evaluation. The Army will continue funding and equipping soldiers with the M4A1 carbine, freeing IC funding to address other high priority Army needs. The decision is also consistent with recent DoD Inspector General testimony questioning the value of an IC competition in light of existing upgrades to the M4 carbine.

The IC program sought to determine whether industry could provide a bestvalue, improved alternative to the M4A1 carbine through a three-phased competitive strategy. All vendors met Phase I criteria, in which their proposals and nonfiring evaluations of bid samples were reviewed. The Army commenced Phase II last year, subjecting IC candidates to rigorous tests of weapon performance in

Medevac Operations Support Contract Awarded

areas such as weapon system accuracy, reliability and durability. This year in Phase III, the Army planned to award up to three contracts for weapons meeting Phase II requirements for further environmental and operationally oriented soldier testing. Finally, the Army planned to conduct a cost-benefit analysis between the M4A1 carbine and the top performing competitor.

However, no competitor demonstrated a significant improvement in weapon reliability at the conclusion of Phase II testing.

The Army’s decision not to pursue a new carbine competition was reached following careful consideration of the Army’s operational requirements in the context of the available small arms technology, the constrained fiscal environment, and the capability of our current carbines. The Army remains committed to the development of future competitive opportunities that support Army small arms modernization.

FLIR Systems Inc. has received a two-year blanket purchase agreement from the U.S. Army to support the medevac program. The agreement is valued at $81 million and is for the Army Medevac Mission Sensor (MMS) configuration of FLIR’s commercially developed military qualified Talon product, a stabilized 9-inch multi-sensor gimbal system. The Talon MMS will be installed on the Army’s fielded and new medevac Blackhawk helicopters.

Work is expected to be performed at FLIR’s facility in Billerica, Mass., with initial shipments expected to be completed by 2014.

“To continue to be a key element of the U.S. Army’s medevac mission is an honor,” said Earl Lewis, president and chief executive officer of FLIR. “We excel at providing our products rapidly and with a very low total cost of ownership, which enables the success of customers such as the Army.”

JLTV Prototypes Demonstrated for DoD & Congressional Leadership Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation, demonstrated its joint light tactical vehicle (JLTV) prototypes at an event hosted by the JLTV Joint Program Office in Quantico, Va. During the demonstration, the Oshkosh JLTV prototypes completed the military’s severe offroad track (SORT), demonstrating a new generation of light vehicle mobility and protection to military and congressional leaders.

“Experience has taught us that the very nature of warfare has changed— and the JLTV program is addressing the fact that our troops need a light, protected vehicle that can perform on any number of future battlefields with unpredictable conditions and threats,” said John Bryant, senior vice president of Defense Programs for Oshkosh Defense. “The military SORT simulated difficult conditions and allowed Oshkosh to demonstrate our vehicle’s exceptional power and agility while

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maneuvering steep inclines, hairpin turns and rugged terrain.”

JLTV Engineering, Manufacturing and Development (EMD) phase participant Oshkosh has manufactured 22 JLTV prototypes built on an active manufacturing line using lean processes.

The prototypes, scheduled to be delivered to the government in August, include both two-door and four-door multipurpose variants.

“The entire Oshkosh team—from engineering to supply chain to manufacturing—is absolutely committed to the JLTV program. It was amazing to see the first JLTV prototype make its way down a warm assembly line, start right up and drive off the line—as if we’ve been making them for years,” said Bryant. “Our truck’s performance at the JLTV demonstration reflects a deep commitment to our troops and a true understanding of the critical role this vehicle will play in protecting them.”

GCT July 2013 | 3

INTEL Foreign Military Sales Training Contract Awarded The U.S. Army’s Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation awarded a $21 million foreign military sales contract to Cubic Corporation for its Engagement Skills Trainer 2000. The order includes systems, weapons, and in-country support with a key subcontractor.

EST 2000, built by the Cubic Simulation Systems division based in Orlando, Fla., uses digital video projectors, high-definition screens, game-based computer graphics and ballistically accurate weapons for marksmanship, collective and escalation of force training.

“This contract emphasizes Cubic’s commitment to our allies around the world,” said Terry Kohl, senior vice president and general manager of Cubic’s Simulations Systems Division.

“We understand the importance of virtual and immersive training systems for mission-specific tasks.”

Custom Amplifier Order Awarded AR Modular RF, a manufacturer and solution provider of radio frequency (RF) amplifiers, systems and modules, has been awarded a high volume order for a new custom amplifier to be used in a ground-to-air traffic control (ATC) application. The KAW5030 is an 800 Watts peak envelope power, 200 Watts AM and FM carrier power amplifier system, covering the 100-163 and 225- 400 MHz frequency ranges.

This new custom communications transmitter system comprises a power amplifier, controller sub-system and AC Power Supply Unit encased in a 5.25 inch high 3 rack unit shelf. The unit mounts into a standard, 19-inch equipment rack and interfaces directly with a co-located lower power ATC transceiver system.

Using a conservative state of the art power amplifier design, and dual AC power supplies, these units are designed for high reliability and long life in a 24/7 operational environment. The system weighs 50 pounds.

4 | GCT July 2013

Compiled by KMI Media Group staff

Army to Receive Accessory Armor Kits The military and aerospace manufacturing division of Fidelity Technologies Corporation, a Reading, Pa., defense contractor, has been selected by the U.S. Army’s TACOM Life Cycle Mangement Command to provide add-on armor (AoA) for its family of heavy tactical vehicles (HTV). The armor enables vehicles to operate with increased crew protection during periods when threat levels are higher. The contract’s total value over the ordering period could potentially exceed $200 million.

The fleet is managed by product manager HTV/ project manager transportation system’s group under the leadership of program executive office combat support and combat services support in Warren, Michigan.

Over the last several years, the U.S. Army has initiated and implemented what is known as the long term armor strategy. This concept provides modular armor protection for vehicles that can vary dependent upon threat levels. The AoA consists of both transparent armor and opaque armor and provides a higher level of protection. They can be readily stored, applied or removed by troops in the field per mission requirements.

According to David Gulati, president of Fidelity, “This award provides opportunities beyond our present scope, allowing us to further demonstrate our core competencies in response to varying customer requirements.” Full scale production will commence in the third quarter of 2013 and will create employment opportunities in manufacturing and technical positions at Fidelity.

PEOPLE Major General Edward C. Cardon, who has been selected for the rank of lieutenant general, has been assigned as commanding general, U.S. Army Cyber Command, Fort Belvoir, Va. Cardon is currently serving as commanding general, 2nd Infantry Division, Republic of Korea.

Major General Michael S. Linnington has been nominated for appointment to the rank of lieutenant general and for assignment as military deputy for readiness to the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, Washington, D.C. Linnington is currently serving as commanding general, U.S. Army Military District of Washington and commander, Joint Force HeadquartersNational Capital Region, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C. Major General Michael S. Tucker, who has been

Compiled by KMI Media Group staff

selected for the rank of lieutenant general, has been assigned as commanding general, First U.S. Army, Rock Island Arsenal, Ill. Tucker is currently serving as assistant deputy chief of staff, G-3/5/7, U.S. Army, Washington, D.C. Colonel David C. Beachman assumed command of the 199th Infantry Brigade at a ceremony on Fort Benning, Ga., from Colonel Lance Davis, who has been reassigned to Hawaii.

Colonel Michail S. Huerter has assumed command of the Fort Benning garrison from Colonel Jeffrey Fletcher, who has deployed to Afghanistan.

AM General has announced that Daniel Chien has joined the company as senior vice president, engineering and product development. Chien has more than 32 years of

significant engineering, product development and business experience.

Steven Corbesero

Acumentrics RUPS LLC has announced that Steven Corbesero has been named vice president of sales and marketing.

Corbesero has over 20 years of corporate, sales, marketing and engineering responsibilities. In his new role, Corbesero will be responsible for building and maintaining effective relationships with prime military contractors, along with decision makers in the industrial, transportation, and oil and gas markets.

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Special Section

Like civilians, soldiers now carry lots of electronic gadgets with different power sources.

By Henry Canaday, GCT Correspondent

All the new electric gadgets infantrymen carry dramatically increase effectiveness in combat and save U.S. lives. But enhanced capabilities require more power, which has meant more batteries, more weight, more complexity and more logistic burdens. Planners are now trying to lighten the load and simplify systems, for both individual soldiers and the forward bases that keep them charged.

“A soldier is a platform but, unlike a vehicle, must carry power systems around in austere environments and do it easily,” explained Colonel Brian Cummings, project manager, mobile electric power (PM MEP). “Reliability and weight are very important.”

Like their civilian counterparts, soldiers now carry many pieces of electric equipment with many different power sources. “One frustrating challenge is there are so many power sources and so many different ways of charging them,” Cummings noted. On long missions, soldiers need sources with long lives or must take several, adding weight. www.GCT-kmi.com

Col. Brian Cummings

Cory Goetz

To better power individual soldiers, PM MEP works with Program Executive Office Soldier Warrior and with Nett Warrior, a program of record, explained Cory Goetz, product director for batteries. “Some of the efforts we are working on include solar power and new COTS [commercial off-the-shelf] soldier portable generators [SPGs], modified to burn military fuel, for more reliable power,” Goetz said. SPG is a 1kW generator weighing less than 40 pounds. “We are also working with the Marine Corps on that.”

Another project is the soldier worn integrated power equipment system (SWIPES), which powers multiple systems from a single battery. “It doesn’t save a lot of weight until the soldier is confident he does not need extra batteries,” Goetz said. “But from the start he does not have to change batteries every 45 minutes, just monitor one battery.”

SWIPES can maintain other batteries at an 80 percent charge.

Another device, squad power manager (SPM), allows the soldiers to tap power flexibly, from solar, fuel or used batteries. “In the past, we have GCT July 2013 | 5

Special Section

More than 5,000 of Electric Fuel Battery’s soldier worn integrated power equipment systems have been fielded.

[Photo courtesy of Electric Fuel Battery Corporation]

seen batteries thrown away with 90 percent of power left,” Goetz noted.

“Individual soldier power problems are really about batteries and recharging batteries,” Goetz said. PM MEP is now testing the conformal warfighter-worn battery, of which a soldier could carry one or two to top off other batteries. “That should enter the field soon.”

Programs like Nett Warrior will increase the power requirements of an individual soldier by 500 percent, Cummings estimated. The only practical way to provide that much reliable power is with rechargeable batteries, which is difficult with different battery types. “We need to get batteries down to one family, just as we have with generators, and then require devices to use a standard type.” The Maneuver Center of Excellence at Fort Benning is drafting requirements for such devices.

Similar power challenges confront small-base operations.

In Afghanistan, PM MEP executed Operation Dynamo, evaluating the power needs of forward bases for company level and below units, which have limited re-supply by air or land. PM MEP developed blueprints for more efficient fuel use of existing systems and provided new generators and power-distribution systems resulting in more reliable mobile electric power.

Mike Gallagher, product manager of expeditionary power systems at Marine Corps Systems Command (MARSYSCOM), said his service is making an enterprisewide effort to provide lighter, better electric power for Marines on the future battlefield.

MARSYSCOM is working with the Office of Naval Research and the Naval Surface Warfare Center to assess a prototype of the squad electric power network and expects to deliver in 2014 a personal power system (PPS) to manage power for soldierworn battery powered devices.

6 | GCT July 2013

Gallagher said the key to the PPS is a central, conformal battery to support batteries for each device. This conformal battery is being operationally evaluated and being tested for safety at the Naval Surface Warfare Center. The Army and Marines are collaborating on this conformal battery.

To support in-field charging of rechargeable batteries, MARSYSCOM began fielding expeditionary solar systems in 2010.

Solar portable alternative communications energy system is a rucksack portable system with fold-out solar blankets to charge different batteries.

David Karcher, director of expeditionary energy and counter improvised explosive devices, said MARSYSCOM is doing early work on integrating smart textiles into Marine uniforms and equipment. “When a Marine enters a Marine Corps tactical vehicle and sits in designated seats, smart textiles will support recharging individual batteries via an internal network integrated into the cloth of both the seat and the Marine’s individual clothing, without the Marine removing a battery and plugging it into a separate adaptor and battery charger,” he said.

Private firms have been critical to power progress.

Electric Fuel Battery, a division of Arotech, makes highdensity batteries, chargers and SWIPES, of which more than 5,000 have been fielded, according to Sales Director Jeff Jubin.

Units already equipped with SWIPES include the 82nd Airborne Division, the 173rd Airborne Brigade, the 10th Mountain Division and the 75th Ranger Regiment.

Jubin cannot predict whether SWIPES will go to all relevant Army units as there is now a next-generation upgrade, SWIPES 2PD. The new version merges both power and data with one set of cables and one hub. A prototype of 2 PD has been produced and Jubin expects it to be deployable in late 2013 or early 2014. www.GCT-kmi.com

SWIPES 2 PD was designed to work with the new Rifleman Radio, aggregating data from any devices on the soldier and then transmitting it without duplicated cables. It will continue to centralize power management, enabling reduced battery weight.

EFB has also added new batteries to its portfolio. One powers small electric submarines that can deliver SEALs. “It’s modular, affordable and easy to maintain,” Jubin stressed. “It’s a smart battery, you get the power you need by stacking batteries, and it can be used on land too.”

EFB also offers a man-packable, tank-starting battery that weighs only 30 pounds but can start an M1 Abrams.

Reducing weight and complexity by universalizing power is still a main thrust in powering the individual soldier, according to Phil Robinson, vice president of Defense Power Systems at Protonex Technology. “Another new issue is cost,” Robinson said. “It is very expensive to distribute energy to the tip of the spear.”

Robinson defines universalizing power as getting power from any source—fuel, alternative energy, vehicles or scavenged energy from local grids—and putting it on one battery to charge other batteries.

Protonex does this with its squad power manager (SPM-612), of which the Army has fielded more than a thousand. SPMs have also gone to Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Special Operations Command (SOCOM) and medic teams. Robinson thinks the intent is to distribute SPMs to all infantry brigades. “We get two reactions from the field. Soldiers say it saves weight and leaders like it because it cuts costs. One 82nd officer said SPM allowed him to stop the re-supply of batteries.”

A new version, SMP-622, was made for SOCOM. It has more power than the -612 and is fully submersible.

A variant called VPM-402 is designed to be worn as a vest, not carried, and has been deployed by the Army, Air Force and Marines. “The -402 is like SWIPES on steroids,” Robinson explained. “It can be charged by solar and vehicle batteries and charges other batteries. It increases capability and decreases complexity.”

Protonex also makes the M300, methanol fuel cartridges that cost and weigh a fraction as much as the equivalent in standard BA-5590s batteries. Robinson describes the M300 as a “low signature APU [auxiliary power unit] and charger.” He said it is attracting interest from the military chiefly to power silentwatch missions by vehicles. “You do not need to start up the vehicle engine to generate power.” The M300 has been deployed by the Army and SOCOM. For the future, Protonex has been working with the Army on biometric harvesting. This means putting devices on soldiers’ knees, rucksacks and boots to exploit power generated by movement. “You might get very little from each device, but add them up and you have something,” Robinson noted. “Some will not work or be too clunky, but some will.”

Another research project is getting more efficiency from solar panels, which would allow smaller panels that might be put on helmets, uniforms or rucksacks.

PulseTech provides two important products to support mobile power in the field, according to Senior Field Service Representative Roy Johnson. www.GCT-kmi.com

Electric Fuel Battery’s lightweight improved releasable plate carrier features adjustable padded shoulder straps that allow for eight inches of adjustments for proper placement of the front and rear plates. [Photo courtesy of Electric Fuel Battery Corporation]

The company makes solar panels that can keep batteries on diesel generators topped up when they have been idle for a long time. “This enables generators to start up suddenly when they have been left out. These generators are backups for other power sources and to start they need fresh batteries,” Johnson explained.

PulseTech can also recharge otherwise dead batteries and bring them back to as-new condition, a big cost saver as tank batteries, for example, cost more than $400. “The Army does not maintain batteries very well and the Marines did not either until recently,” Johnson said. “Last year we recovered $7.2 million worth of batteries.”

Special recharging techniques are needed because many dead batteries are severely sulfated. “If you just charge them, it will be a surface charge and will not last,” Johnson said. “We desulfate the battery as we charge and make it like new.” PulseTech saved 80 percent of batteries in Kuwait that would otherwise have been thrown away. The company also trains logistics staff on use of its recharging equipment.

Worldwater & Solar makes highly mobile equipment that can both provide power and purify water in remote locations.

As Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Quentin Kelly noted, places where power is scarce are often places where drinkable water is also scarce, and vice versa.

The company’s Mobile MaxPure (MMP) unit provides up to 3.2 kilowatts (kW) of power and up to 30,000 gallons per day of pure water from fresh water or 3,000 to 4,000 gallons from saline water. Thirty-seven MMPs were used for civilian purposes in Iraq and eight in Afghanistan.

GCT July 2013 | 7

Special Section From MMP, the company has developed highly portable and rugged systems for military use. These include the prepositioned expeditionary assistance kit (PEAK), the solar hybrid expeditionary power and purification system (SHEPS) and the miniature deployable assistance system (MiDAS).

“They produce electric power from multiple sources, mostly solar, and also purify water,” Kelly said. “They can purify fresh water, brackish water or sea water. PEAK and MiDAS also have communication systems, allowing the team to talk to each other and via satellite.”

The military units differ in size and capabilities. The two-ton PEAK has a 2.1kW solar array, an 18kWh lithium-ion battery bank Sheps unit at work during 2013 Marine PACOM Conference at the old Clark Air Base and Subic Bay, in Olongapo, Zambales, and a 2kW multi-fuel auxiliary Worldwater’s Philippines. [Photo courtesy of Worldwater & Solar Technolgies Inc.] generator. Its reverse osmosis military-grade energy, enough for an airfield, hospital or comunit treats up to 1,500 gallons per day of salt or fresh water. mand center.

The half-ton MiDAS has four 120w and one 30w crystalline solar ProPulse uses a diesel engine to power an electric generator, modules and a 2kW auxiliary generator and treats up to 1,440 which delivers power directly to axles. This eliminates several gallons per day of freshwater and 432 gallons per day of seawacomponents, including automatic transmission, transfer case, ter. The much smaller SHEPS comes in two or three suitcases torque converter and drive shafts. The vehicle is with a 480w solar array and can treat 60 gallons of lighter, easier to maintain and more flexible in fresh water or 18 gallons of salty water per hour. design, because packaging ProPulse is easy. Rather The units can charge cell phones, laptops, than batteries, ProPulse uses rechargeable ultrasoldier radios and vehicle batteries, but water capacitors that can charge and discharge power in purification is also key, stressed Vice President seconds. These can be recharged millions of times. of Production Michael Ingles. The firm recently Oshkosh worked with the Marines to equip demonstrated MiDAS to the U.S. Marines and the medium tactical vehicle replacement (MTVR) Philippine forces in the Balikatan exercises. The with on-board vehicle power (OBVP) kits using Marines purchased one unit and Ingles expects to ProPulse for testing. The MTVR is a primary mover them to buy three more soon. of troops, materials and equipment for Marines The two larger units include diesel generators John Bryant and Navy Seabees. OBVP kits support mobile and batteries for backup, so they can work 24/7. In radar systems, command centers, IED-defeat systems and other addition to solar panels they can also tap wind power and other applications. OBVP-equipped MTVRs completed 2,000 hours of energy sources, such as military vehicles. “PEAK and MiDAS generator operation and nearly 17,000 miles of durability and can use any flavor of power in world, 12 or 24 volts, AC or DC,” other testing by the Marines.

Ingles noted. “They can take it in or put it out so they can mesh Oshkosh has tested an optional ProPulse power-train in its with the local power system anywhere in the world.” light combat tactical all-terrain vehicle (L-ATV). This option can The Army has installed two PEAK systems in Latin America. maximize L-ATV’s efficiency with improved fuel economy, plenty Kelly said Marines appreciate the silence of MiDAS, and SHEPS of exportable power and lower life-cycle costs. ProPulse on the was designed for SOCOM. L-ATV could export 30 to 70kW of military-grade power. O Oshkosh Defense developed its ProPulse hybrid dieselelectric technology to increase energy-efficiency, explained John Bryant, senior vice president, Defense Programs. “The technology has the potential to make fleets leaner, more robust and less reliant on in-theater fuel convoys and trailer-mounted For more information, contact GCT Editor Jeff Campbell at jcampbell@kmimediagroup.com or search our online archives generators,” Bryant said. ProPulse increases fuel efficiency for related stories at www.gct-kmi.com. by up to 20 percent and delivers up to 120 kW of exportable 8 | GCT July 2013

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More rugged, better at target acquisition, and more accurate.

By William Murray, GCT Correspondent

Tactical weapons displays used by the U.S. military are more rugged, better at target acquisition and more accurate at longer ranges. This makes them ideal for conflicts that come after Afghanistan and Iraq, since they can save lives through quicker elimination of enemy combatants at long ranges where operators are more difficult to detect, according to leading manufacturers who sell to the military.

Technology that might have formerly been the domain of the Defense Advance Research Projects Agency (DARPA), cooked up by engineers at companies like Lockheed Martin through procurements like the Dynamic Image Gunshot Optic contract, and only entrusted to snipers and special forces operators is now making its way to the infantry. Red dot and holographic weapons sights (HWS) are two dueling technologies www.GCT-kmi.com

for tactical weapons displays, making the promise of enabling each Army and Marine Corps infantryman into a sharpshooter.

Proponents of the equipment say that operators won’t even have to carry around dozens of batteries. “[We] are noticing a trend toward miniaturization and increased lethality of weapons when we work with DoD,” said Pat Mundy, senior marketing trade manager for Leupold & Stevens Inc. of Beaverton, Ore. “Our engineering and product managers send prototypes to military end-users for testing and feedback. Weapons are being designed and built to provide longer ranges and greater accuracy, so that our warfighters can engage the enemy at longer range with greater safety to themselves.” Miniaturization allows manufacturers to create smaller target dots in display windows.

GCT July 2013 | 9

Aimpoint Government Sales Manager Tony Williams calls battery life “the key to our business.

Some of our optics can last 30,000 hours with constant use on AA batteries.” [Photo courtesy of Aimpoint]

Leupold DeltaPoint Reflex Sights feature aspheric lens and motion sensor technology, and come in a magnesium housing. [Photo courtesy of Leupold & Stevens, Inc.]

complement today’s evolving weapons systems,” Developed by L-3 EOTech, holographic weaphe said. ons sights are improving the accuracy of military Trijicon Inc. of Wixom, Mich., sells the Reflex, operators who need to operate in harsh conditions by a rugged, battery-free illuminated sight for rifles, using a laser transmission of a hologram, according carbines and shotguns to be used in close quarter to Mark Miller, product manager with the Ann Arbor, battles that allows shooters to aim with both eyes Mich.-based subsidiary of L-3 Communications that wide open, which can help shooters with situadesigns and produces electro-optic products and tional awareness. Founded in 1981 by the late Glyn systems. The design works by using a laser light to Bindon, Trijicon is an any-light aiming company, illuminate a holographic pattern in the shooter’s so it sells equipment for daytime and nocturnal heads up display window. When looking through operations used by the Army, Marine Corps, and the window, the shooter sees a virtual red image of a Jeff Eby U.S. Special Operations Command. recticle pattern projected into the target plane. jeby@trijicon.com The Reflex debuted in January, meanwhile, With products used by some elite military units, Trijicon’s continuously computed aiming solution such as the Navy SEALS, Delta Force and U.S. Spe(CCAS) computes a corrected aiming point based cial Operations Command for close quarters fighton current environmental conditions using known ing, EOTech introduced the first holographic sight in ballistic equations, instead of the common G1 table 1998. One drawback of holographic sights compared averages used by the majority of ballistics modeling to red dot sights is that they tend to use more battery programs, according to Jeff Eby, advanced technollife, although one vendor claims they can work on up ogy program manager in the company’s military to 1,000 hours of AA battery life. and law enforcement division.

Holographic patterns, according to EOTech, are With a ranging capability of 2,000 meters, the designed to be instantly visible in any light and CCAS works with infantry weapons, sniper rifles instinctive to center no matter the shooting angle, and vehicle-mounted machine guns, among other Nelson Fesas and to remain in view while the shooter sweeps weapons. It gathers environmental and weather the engagement zone. Reticles, meanwhile, are nelson@texasweaponsystems.com data, including atmospheric pressure and temdesigned by EOTech as large, see-through patterns perature. A half-second after activation, the onboard computer to achieve lightning quick reticle to target acquisition without can generate a firing solution using the most advanced ballistic covering or obscuring the point of aim. programs available. It can also target moving targets, and displays EOTech officials claim that their HWS eliminates blind spots, an aiming point on the green reticle. It seems made to help turn constricted vision and tunnel vision associated with tube sights an average shooter into a marksman. through its heads up display. User controls have no protrudTactical weapons sights can generally mount on one-inch Picaing knobs, battery compartments or mounting rings blocking tinny and Weaver rails. vision at the target area. Shooters can achieve instant threat Since 2010, Texas Weapons Systems of Austin, Texas, has been identification through a greater use of their peripheral vision and manufacturing optics and accessories for the AK-47 with occaachieve greater control over the engagement zone, according to sional small volume sales to U.S. special forces. President Nelson company officials.

Fesas is an engineer and former race car driver and designer who With tactical weapons systems that use binary optics technoldecided to pursue his interest in the mechanics of guns full time ogy, EOTech produces close contact and mid-range optics that with the founding of the company in 2008. He intends to launch are waterproof and can work accurately up to 200 yards and with optics and accessories that could see larger U.S. military sales for magnification can work at the 300 to 400 yard range. “They’ve tactical weapons systems beginning in summer 2014. been shot at and still work” in field operations, said Miller of the In the meantime, Fesas is working on selling the AK-47 clean heads up displays sold by EOTech. modular system with accessory mounts to U.S.-friendly nations, “We are building lighter, wider zoom range products designed such as in Eastern Europe. This will allow their military forces to provide the warfighter with a more effective solution for to upgrade their Kalashnikov platforms without investing in new more situations,” Mundy said. “Now the individual can engage rifles, ultimately saving funds. the enemy at greater range with greater precision—our optics 10 | GCT July 2013

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The Trijicon continuously computed aiming solution computes a corrected aiming point based on current environmental conditions using known ballistic equations. [Photo courtesy of Trijicon]

Austin, Texas based Texas Weapon Systems manufactures optics and accessories for the AK-47.

[Photo courtesy of Texas Weapon Systems]

“They can mount whatever optics they need,” Fesas said.

Founded in Sweden in 1974, Aimpoint, now with its U.S. headquarters in Chantilly, Va., created the red dot sight to better help shooters hit moving targets quickly in all weather and lighting conditions consistently and accurately. The “low light/no light” company has sought to produce the more accurate small arms aiming system in the world, and it claims more than 1 million red dot sights in use worldwide.

There’s been a downturn in DoD optics purchases following the ending of the Iraq War and the drawdown in Afghanistan, according to Tony Williams, Aimpoint’s government sales manager. However, there’s been “a very large increase in sales,” to U.S. special operations forces by his company, which portends well for fourth quarter federal fiscal sales. Durability, reliability and battery life are the three keys to the company’s appeal, according to Williams.

“Some of our optics can last 30,000 hours with constant use on AA batteries,” said Williams, who served in the Marines for seven years. He calls battery life “the key to our business.” Aimpoint can also generate 80,000 hours of battery life—the equivalent of eight years—on the Army M68 Close Combat Optics system. He claims that one can throw the optics on the ground or against a wall and that they will still work adequately.

As opposed to conventional forces, special operations forces tend to engage in shots that are “five years and in,” according to Williams, who pointed to the May 2011 Navy SEAL raid that killed Osama bin Laden in Abbotabad, Pakistan, as a prime example.

“More than accuracy, it takes speed” to stay alive and successfully carry out a mission, he said.

Aimpoint sights and mounts enable special forces operators to keep both eyes open while targeting and shooting, since they “just point the red dot on target,” he said. “The faster you can acquire the target, the longer you stay alive,” he said. The Aimpoint red dot aiming system is a closed emitter system, so Williams noted that “there’s nothing on the outside that can be broken.”

In April, in an apparent validation of the company’s strong field performance, Aimpoint won a $8.7 million, five-year indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract with the Naval Surface Warfare Center-Crane Division to supply night-vision capable sights and mounts for the Enhanced Combat Optical Sight-Optimized (ECOS-O) program so that Marine Corps combat infantrymen can hit targets more than a half-mile away.

ECOS-O Program combines Aimpoint’s 3.7-ounce Micro T-1 sight with the 12-inch-long Leupold Mark 6 3-18x44 millimeter riflescope, which weights 23.6 ounces. The Aimpoint T-1 sighting device will be attached to the top of the Leupold Mark 6 rifle scope

for attachment to a series of carbines, grenade launchers, combat assault rifles, and combat infantry rifles.

The ECOS-O program will provide optical targeting in close range up to 300 meters, with optical enhanced targeting from 300 to 1,000 meters and the ability to operate in extreme altitude, cold, fog, heat, humidity, ice, rough handling, salt fog, shock, solar radiation and vibration. Leupold & Stevens won a $42.8 million contract from the Naval Survey Warfare Command.

According to Aimpoint officials, this combination of optics allows military operators to utilize the non-magnified red dot sights both as a primary optic as well as a fast way to acquire targets for long-range identification and engagement using the magnified Leupold scope. The Aimpoint Micro T-1 has four night vision compatible settings and eight daylight settings, and the ECOS-O will come in illuminated and non-illuminated reticle configurations.

Over the course of the five-year contract, the Navy is working with Aimpoint and Leupold & Stevens to provide upgrade ECOSO versions to accommodate future reticle designs for changing operational needs past the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, with the work completed by Leupold & Stevens in Beaverton, Ore., and Aimpoint in Jagershillgatan, Sweden, through March 2018.

The product’s ACET technology with light-emitting diode allows 50,000 hours—the equivalent of five years—of constant operation on one battery and can create a 650-nanometer red light.

Zoom magnification in the rifle scope will help combat infantrymen detect, identify, track and engage targets at distances up to a half-mile or greater, and the red-dot technology will help infantrymen aim their weapons accurately at targets with both eyes wide open to help them maintain situational awareness. Williams concedes that keeping both eyes open goes against what many shooters are initially taught.

In 2007, Aimpoint introduced the Micro T-1 sight, a combat reflex sight which the company touts as compact, durability and extremely long battery life. Since 2009, as a result of end-user demand, Aimpoint had been working on a smaller sized red dot reticule, which the company made available in January 2013 through the Micro T-1 and H-1.

The improved sighting technology seems to have the promise of making Army and Marine Corps infantrymen more lethal, with a corresponding potential decrease in casualties. O

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For more information, contact GCT Editor Jeff Campbell at jcampbell@kmimediagroup.com or search our online archives for related stories at www.gct-kmi.com.

GCT July 2013 | 11

INNOVATIONS Precision Munition Addition Raytheon Company

Compiled by KMI Media Group staff

Rugged iPad Casing Pelican Products Inc. • Automatic purge valve keeps water and dust out while balancing air pressure • Cushion insert protects from impact shock yet won’t scratch screen • Power cords and earbuds stow below keyboard • Tight seal created when case is shut Pelican Products has introduced rugged protection for the iPad, iPad2 and netbooks. The casing includes an integrated easel for hands-free viewing in horizontal or vertical position. The cases have been tested for impact and submersion up to three feet.

Available to • 155 mm artillery land forces • 155 mm and 5-inch (127 mm) naval guns Through an internally funded program, Raytheon Company has initiated an internally funded program to enhance its 155 mm Excalibur GPS-guided projectile with a new guidance and navigation unit (GNU) with a semi-active laser (SAL) end-game targeting capability. With the SAL seeker, the munition can attack moving targets, attack targets that have re-positioned after firing, or alter the impact point, avoiding casualties and collateral damage.

“No other gun-launched GPS-guided artillery round is as precise as Excalibur, which in its current design gives one the ability to hit within 4 meters of the target 90 percent of the time,” said Kevin Matthies, Excalibur program director for Raytheon Missile Systems. “Now we’re ready to take this to the next level, giving the warfighter the ability to not only re-target the munition in flight, but leverage Excalibur’s maneuverability to use the pinpoint precision of a semi-active laser seeker to hit targets on the move.”

Naval guns can use the additional capability to address moving targets on land and at sea, with counter-swarming boat capability as the prime focus. The existing GNU design also fits in a 127 mm projectile body.

“Excalibur has proven itself an invaluable asset for avoiding collateral damage while defeating targets that may otherwise be out of reach or cannot be quickly engaged,” said Michelle Lohmeier, vice president of land combat for Raytheon Missile Systems. “The need for this degree of precision to attack moving targets is there, and we now have the ability to leverage demonstrated Excalibur Ib technology to make this happen.”

12 | GCT July 2013

Soldier Systems Battery Panacis Inc. • • • •

Multi-port, 2-pound package Stores energy internally as a rechargeable battery Powers one or more devices at once Two form factors, fit standard issue military pouches

Panacis Inc. has launched the Panacis Energy SharePack, a power solution for the dismounted warfighter in a single lithium ion device using universal, bi-directional power ports. The battery features integrated power management, distribution and scavenging functions within a high energy density rechargeable lithium ion battery. It’s designed to power soldier-worn command, control, communications, computers and intelligence (C4I) equipment while reducing the logistical footprint and weight borne by the soldier. Recharging can be performed directly from energy sources in the immediate environment, such as solar blankets, military vehicle power, DC generators, and partially used batteries that would normally be discarded. A liquid-crystal display (LCD) provides information about the system including the state of charge, time to empty, and mode of operation (charging, discharging, scavenging).

www.GCT-kmi.com

INNOVATIONS

Compiled by KMI Media Group staff

Marine Personnel Carrier BAE Systems • 8-by-8 amphibious platform • 26-ton open-ocean, swim-capable vehicle • Blast-resistant hull and seats BAE Systems and Iveco Defence Vehicles completed 12 days of wheeled amphibious vehicle evaluations as part of the U.S. Marine Corps’ Marine Personnel Carrier (MPC) Continued Systems Demonstration and Studies contract.

The evaluation included a series of water performance demonstrations in various sea conditions, as well as an evaluation of human factors and stowage capacity.

“Despite a demanding program, our MPC was completed on schedule and on budget,” said John Swift, BAE Systems’ MPC program director. “It will provide our Marine Corps customer with a highly maneuverable solution both in water and on land, with excellent amphibious capabilities and a high level of survivability.”

During testing, the Marine Corps required demonstrations of the vehicle’s maneuverability on land and at sea, as well as the

vehicle’s load capacity—the ability to accommodate a reinforced Marine rifle squad and allow for a quick and efficient personnel exit. BAE Systems’ MPC exceeded all vehicle requirements, performing personnel exit drills in less than 17 seconds and showcasing an interior layout and compartmentalization that allows for the stowage of more than three days of supplies without jeopardizing the survivability of the vehicle and personnel.

The testing took place at the amphibious vehicle test branch (AVTB), in Camp Pendleton, Calif. The MPC’s demonstrated its ability to navigate within an open ocean environment, and reinforced similar testing conducted on the SUPERAV by Iveco Defence Vehicles that included ship launch and recovery and surf zone transitions. The joint BAE Systems and Iveco Defence Vehicles team is now preparing for survivability demonstrations planned for this summer at the Nevada Automotive Test Center.

The BAE Systems MPC is designed to fill the medium-armor ground vehicle gap and complements the capabilities of the assault amphibious vehicle, the amphibious combat vehicle and the joint light tactical vehicle.

Forensic Imaging Solution Logicube • • • •

Speeds of 20 GB/min Provides imaging to/from a network location Supports multiple source and destination drives Supports multi-tasking to improve efficiency and shorten evidence collection process

Hard drive duplicator and digital forensics technology provider Logicube has announced the addition of the Forensic Falcon to its line of forensic imaging solutions.

“Logicube’s Forensic Falcon will set a new standard in digital forensic data imaging technology,” commented Farid Emrani, president and chief executive officer of Logicube. “This new solution was developed after in-depth discussions with our customers in the government and private sector, both domestic and international, on what they wanted in their ideal forensic imaging solution.”

The Falcon allows users to image and verify from four write-protected source drives to up to five different destinations. Imaging to or from a network location is supported using network protocols. A web-based user interface provides remote access using a web browser to manage all operations of the Falcon.

The solution can also perform a forensic, filter-based file copy. This allows users to filter and copy by the extended file name such as .pdf, www.GCT-kmi.com

.jpg, .mov, etc. The Falcon’s compact size makes it portable and ideal for field work and features a large, 7-inch capacitive color touchscreen.

Other features include a multi-pass wipe function, AES 256 encryption and decryption, the ability to create password-protected user profiles and a task macro that can set specific tasks to be performed sequentially.

The Falcon began shipping to customers at the end of June.

GCT July 2013 | 13

Soldier Training Educator

Q& A

MCoE Prepares Soldiers to be Effective Warriors

Major General H. R. McMaster Commanding General U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence Major General H.R. McMaster assumed command of the MCoE and Fort Benning on June 13, 2012. Prior to his arrival at Fort Benning he most recently served as commander, Combined Joint Inter-Agency Task Force Shafafiyat (Transparency) in Kabul, Afghanistan. Previously he served as director of Concept Development and Learning at the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command. He was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army upon graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1984. He holds a Ph.D. in military history from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

McMaster’s previous command assignments include Eagle Troop, Second Armored Cavalry Regiment in Bamberg, Germany and in Southwest Asia during the 1991 Persian Gulf War; 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry in Schweinfurt, Germany from 1999 to 2002; and 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Carson, Colorado and in Iraq from June 2004 to June 2006. Staff assignments include special assistant to commander, Multinational Force-Iraq from February 2007 to May 2008; director, Commander’s Advisory Group at U.S. Central Command from May 2003 to 2004; and squadron executive officer and regimental operations officer in the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment from July 1997 to July 1999. He also served as an assistant professor of history at the United States Military Academy from 1994 to 1996.

McMaster’s military education and training includes the Airborne and Ranger Schools, Armor Officer Basic and Career Courses, the Cavalry Leaders Course, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and a U.S. Army War College fellowship at the Hoover Institution on War, Revolution and Peace.

McMaster has also served as a senior consulting fellow at the International Institute of Strategic Studies in London.

Q: Since taking command of MCoE last June, what changes have you effected in the center?

A: I wouldn’t say that we’ve made a lot of changes at the Maneuver Center. We’ve continued the great work that was going on here already. And that work, in a high level of generality, was an effort to institutionalize the lessons of the last 12 years of combat and to make a grounded projection into the future to ensure that our maneuver forces are prepared to fight in future conflicts as part of combined arms and joint and multinational teams. That work is progressing in four key areas. One is in leader development and education, where we have modified a great deal of our curriculum 14 | GCT July 2013

so that we can enable our leaders to make decisions, visualize, describe, and direct operations in complex environments and academics. The second key area is in training. And some of our biggest innovations in our training involve increased rigor in our courses to ensure that we are challenging our soldiers to develop the competence and confidence to fight and win in combat. We’re also focusing on the human and psychological dimensions of combat. And that is really training soldiers for cognition under a program called Advanced Situational Awareness Training.

Then [there is] the Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness program, which prepares soldiers to operate in environments of uncertainty and persistent danger. There is an effort still ongoing to revise all of our brigade-level and below fighting doctrine.

In our doctrinal revisions we’re emphasizing a description of enemies, threats, and adversaries in the operating environment of the future. We know, for example, that we have to be prepared to fight and win against a broad range of enemy organizations. Not just the fielded forces of nation-states, but also what some refer to as irregular forces and everything in between, which some people refer to as hybrid threats.

The other key thing we’re emphasizing in our doctrinal revisions is the importance of effective reconnaissance and security operations, and the need to develop situational understanding through actions as well as through stealth means and www.GCT-kmi.com

long-range security operations. And then finally, we’re emphasizing the actions that we have to conduct. There are influential actors in those environments, and then to consolidate gains so that we’re making progress and we’re accomplishing our missions and we’re achieving outcomes that are sustainable, consistent with our goals, and worthy of the sacrifices our soldiers are making in combat.

Q: Simulators are increasingly being used in training personnel.

In this era of defense funding austerity, how do simulators help to provide training at lower cost?

A: Simulators are helpful in two areas. First, they allow us to develop proficiency with weapons to levels that help us get the most out of live training. So, for example, we don’t waste bullets based on rudimentary mistakes. And we don’t waste bullets as soldiers learn how to master their weapons. And if you work through all that in simulation it allows you to get a lot more out of live fires. The second thing simulations allow us to do is to replicate complex environments that are difficult or impossible to replicate in live training. So we’re able to immerse soldiers in combat vehicles into complex environments in which enemies can mingle with civilian populations. Soldiers can practice identifying the presence of the extraordinary and the absence of the ordinary. And that’s important because soldiers have to be comfortable operating in environments of insurgents. Increasingly, what we need to do be able is make adjustments. We’re integrating all arms and capabilities into the fight, and that is not something we’ve been doing too well.

reliability rate. The T-11 is being integrated into the Basic Airborne Course and it’s also being incorporated into training our jumpmasters here.

Q: Are advancements being made in training for IED detection and disablement?

A: We’re constantly innovating to reduce the threat to our force of roadside bombs and improvised explosive devices. Here at Fort Benning we run courses that help leaders take an effective tactical approach to ensuring security in areas of operation and freedom of movement along routes in those areas of operation.

There’s a focus obviously on the new technology, but there’s also a focus on tactics, as well as soldiers’ ability to detect threats and provide support.

Q: Has the entry to the battlefield of electronic devices such as smart phones changed the way combatants are trained?

A: Electronic devices such as smart phones have allowed us to improve the effectiveness of our training and we have a small team here at the Maneuver Center. Training and Doctrine Command has teams across the other centers of excellence who are developing apps for smart phones to allow soldiers to better prepare for courses and to give soldiers access to information and instruction wherever they are. And these sorts of distance learning capabilities have had a significant and positive influence on graduation rates, especially in those courses that emphasize technical skills and attention to detail, such as the jumpmaster course.

Q: What other cost-saving initiatives have you effected in MCoE? A: We’ve initiated a broad range of cost-saving initiatives at the Maneuver Center and we’ve done this in a way that’s consistent with our Army’s philosophy. We’ve asked commanders to really look at costs and expenditures across the board. In an effort to look at the services that we’ve contracted out, we’re looking at more efficient ways to accomplish our tasks so that we don’t degrade our mission. Our commanders have taken the initiative and we’ve realized considerable savings across all of our forces and across all of our training. We’ve also reduced travel dramatically. To compensate for that, we’re using video teleconferencing.

We have also found a broad range of things on the installation, for example, using our combat engineer units for range improvements. And we’ve also been constructing new facilities here at Fort Benning over the past 10 years or so that are energy-efficient.

Q: In airborne training, are there improvements that you would like to see in the state of the art for parachutes?

A: The T-11 Advanced Tactical Parachute System is our approved replacement for the T-10 parachute. The T-11 has several considerable advantages. First of all, it can carry a heavier payload—400 pounds compared with 360 pounds—while it reduces significantly the rate of descent and has 28 percent more parachute surface and 14 percent more inflated diameter.

This is great for our paratroopers because it reduces the rate of descent by 25 percent and reduces injuries. It also comes with an improved reserve parachute that has a 99.6 percent www.GCT-kmi.com

Q: As communications have moved to link warfighters at the edge, how has this affected MCoE and its mission?

A: The MCoE has been a key participant in developing improved communications capabilities in our units. Initially, many people believed that the power of improved communications would derive from command posts that had access to better information. What we realized is that information of greater fidelity [and relevance] allows tactical units to take initiative consistent with the mission and allows our units to be more agile and more effective. So that’s what we’re emphasizing, capabilities such as the Nett Warrior system that allow our units to see themselves in context of the terrain as well as to communicate quickly—to send simple orders and complete reports, and to coordinate with the adjacent units.

Q: We have seen a mortar explode, killing seven Marines in mountain warfare training in Nevada. Are you reviewing the safety of mortars that MCOE uses in its training?

A: Whenever there’s a safety incident, we obviously take it very seriously and we work with the Army Safety offices and the Army Safety Center to ensure we have the latest information. So we’re continuing to ask people to train within all our courses but we are going to remain especially diligent to ensure all our training is both realistic and safe. We’re tracking the initial reports on what is likely to have caused that terrible incident, and we’ll continue to track it as information comes through. We’ll be prepared to GCT July 2013 | 15

employ any risk-mitigation measures that we deem necessary, and that the Army deems necessary.

important skills to strengthen the mind, and this is really, I think, one of the key initiatives over the last 12 years of combat.

Q: What steps have you taken to relieve stress on forces and the family, to increase chances that personnel will wish to remain in service?

Q: Do you have any final thoughts for the men and women of MCoE and the mission they perform each day?

A: Really, what our Army has been doing is unprecedented—we have had an all-volunteer force that has fought America’s longest wars over the last 12 years. And the force has demonstrated extraordinary resiliency—maintaining discipline, standards, professionalism. But we recognize that there have been stresses on our soldiers and on our families. The most important thing we’ve been doing is to work on destigmatizing anybody who wants to seek help for traumatic stress and its negative effects, and also that we have done some really great work in improving the resiliency in not just our force, but in our families. One particular program that’s improved this is our Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness program. It’s really designed to strengthen soldiers and family members in five key areas: physical, emotional, social, spiritual and family. There are five pillars to this program that we’re using to accomplish the goal of resiliency. We have the Global Assessment Tool, a confidential online survey that will ask you to assess your physical and psychological health. We have trained a large number of Master Resiliency Trainers, soldiers that are authorized to conduct formal advanced training. These efforts provide very

A: The MCoE is really critical to the combat effectiveness of our Army. It’s a privilege to serve with such a high-performing team who work every day to make our Army better. We’re emphasizing five key areas here at the Maneuver Center. The first is leader development and education, and that’s one of the Chief of Staff of the Army’s top priorities, and it’s our top priority. We say a soldier will follow a good leader anywhere, under any condition of battle, so developing the best leaders is really important across all of our formations. The second area is training: ensuring our soldiers at the Maneuver Center, and the whole force, have the skills necessary, and [that they] train under tough, realistic conditions to build the confidence and competence necessary to fight and win against our adversaries. The third area is doctrine; we are rewriting all of our doctrine. The fourth is combat development, to ensure that our maneuver forces have every capability to overmatch the enemy under all conditions of combat. And then finally, we’re working continually to make Fort Benning a better installation. It’s already a great installation. We have a uniquely positive relationship with the cities and towns of the Chattahoochee River valley that support us. O

R U O TH

12

The Navy’s shift to the Pacific inspires our twelfth title and website...

E TL TI

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16 | GCT July 2013

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New notebooks and tablets can take all that’s thrown at their operator…and then some.

Fremont, Calif.-based GammaTech ComJust as a soldier in the field doesn’t have puter Corp. has more than a quarter century time for a broken down vehicle or jammed invested in the rugged computer business. weapon system, the computers that solThe company released its latest rugged notediers operate must perform without fail. And book in April, and made a rugged tablet availas commercial computers for personal use able for industrial and field advance in great leaps from applications in May. Previous one year to the next, ruggemodels have been used in dized computers carried by military tactile environments, troops or mounted in their according to GammaTech vehicles have moved forward Product Manager Peter Kha. in several areas over the past “That outdoor environment year, according to U.S. Army requires a specific ruggedComputer Hardware, Enterness, a specific international prise Software and Solutions protection (IP) rating,” Kha (CHESS) Project Director said. “For military usage, we Brendan Burke.

Peter Kha have deployed some units into “The advancements in the U.S. Air Force and Army branches, with ruggedized computing are the same shared some being mounted into a vehicle.” by notebooks in general: faster performance, larger storage and longer battery life,” Burke said. “The place where noteSemi vs. Fully Rugged books have excelled the most is touch screen capabilities which allows for alternaThe Army has no minimum standards tive data entry capabilities—especially with for a ruggedized notebook, according to graphics applications.”

Burke. “CHESS notebooks are required to www.GCT-kmi.com

By Jeff Campbell GCT Editor

run the Army Golden Master (AGM) operating system, have self encrypting drives, tamper resistant basic input/output system (National Institute of Standards and Technology Special Publication 800-147), include a Federal Information Processing Standard 201-approved common access card reader, be energy star qualified, and electronic product environmental assessment tool-registered,” Burke said. “The level of ruggedness is strictly determined by the end user.”

Industry vendors have made some distinctions between semi-rugged and fully ruggedized computers, but for the Army, there’s no clear demarcation. “Generally speaking, ruggedized platforms have all key electrical components sealed, all external ports have covers, and have an IP rating [according to International Electrotechnical Commission standard 60529] of 55 or greater,” Burke said.

In most cases for the industry, on a semi-rugged unit, only the keyboard surface and LCD panel are completely sealed.

So if a soldier is operating in a drizzling, rainy environment, there’s sufficient time to GCT July 2013 | 17

move the unit into a drier environment, or wipe the surface off and it won’t get in to the system’s vital components. Don’t set it down in a damp place though, Kha cautioned. “There may be vents at the bottom of the unit, so if water gets in at the bottom from a semi-rugged, then it’s not completely protected.”

Fully rugged units are completely sealed, protected from dust, spillage, drop, shock, and certain levels of gas. GammaTech’s SA14 is on the heavy side because of its IP43 rating.

The SA14 mainstream model comes with either an Intel Core i5-3320M or Core i7-3520M processor, but with lead time is fully customizable. “We know that most of our clients want more computing power,” Kha said. “We incorporate the latest into the Intel Ivy Bridge platform.”

Power Protection A close second to power is the reliability required to use the notebook on a long mission.

GammaTech’s SA14 features a dual battery option, with a quick-release hard drive compartment. “For battery duration, on the single nine-cell battery, it is roughly eight to nine hours, and you can add in a second battery if you want, but that will take out the quick-release function,” Kha noted. “We utilize that same department with a second six-cell battery that’ll give you operation of 11-13 hours, depending on your configuration.”

Kha mentioned a specific need for classified information which called for HDD data storage compartments to be quickly removable for secure storage.

“A customer can utilize one unit with a quick-release HDD compartment that allows them to swap out four [or more] different hard drives easily. Each hard drive has different applications for different users, different security levels, therefore users only have the information they are authorized to have on the computer,” Kha said. “And the other quick release HDD compartments and their drives can be safely stored in a separate secure location to minimize any potential data breach.”

Panasonic’s Toughbook computers for the military are MIL-STD-810G tested fully rugged, designed to survive drops, falls, spills, sand, grime and extreme temperatures. Mission-critical features of the 18 | GCT July 2013

Toughbook mobile computers include something, or they got some water on it, daylight viewable screens, long-life batthat they’ll be able to still function, is of teries and heightened security, accordcritical importance.” ing to Panasonic System Communications Testing conditions do have a breakCompany of North America Senior Federal ing point. After all, the unit’s not going Sales Director Tim Collins. The battery anywhere beyond temperatures humans life for the Panasonic Toughbook 31 lapcan withstand because otherwise there’s top—which Collins said is engineered with no one operating the system. “All the systhe world’s most rugged design—starts tems that are semi-rugged to fully rugged at 13 hours and can operate up to 21 can go anywhere from 20 below Celsius to hours when using the optional media bay roughly 55 Celsius in terms of temperasecond battery. ture and humidity,” Kha In keeping pace with said. “All the ports are sealed wireless advancements, because of the IP rating for Panasonic spends approxithe SA14, so there should be mately $5 billion annually no dust or any kinds of eleon research and developments of a certain size that ment, according to Collins. get into the unit.”

That includes an investment If the mission calls a in one of the world’s largunit into extreme environest anechoic chambers in ments, they may want a the industry in Kobe, Japan. fully rugged option, which Tim Collins “We use this state-of-the-art GammaTech also has availchamber to produce a controlled enviable. In the case of IP65, a certified unit ronment that makes it easier to perform can be sprayed with water from all direcfrequency tests for total isotropic sentions, and at any angle, water and dust sitivity and total radiated power,” Colwon’t get past the seal. At the highest IP lins said. “Using the data collected in rating, a unit may be submerged in water.

Kobe, our engineers evaluate factors such “We try to take a look at requirements and as driver performance, software performeet them all,” Kha said. mance, and variable environmental and Another area in which customization network conditions to isolate problems can apply is the backlit keyboard—in one and improve the wireless connectivity of instance a customer didn’t want it illumiour device.” nated while in total darkness. “They may want the LCD throttled up to a specific brightness rating so it won’t be seen in Soldier Benefit a combat environment,” Kha said. “The user must be able to control the brightVersatility is inherent in the rugged ness level on that keyboard. Those are very requirement of U.S. Military Standard specific to a particular project we were able 810G (MIL-STD-810G), so GammaTech to accomplish.” durability means the unit will still operGammaTech has continued strides into ate after falls of at least three feet, and the growing tablet sector of the rugged while bouncing along on rough roads. computers with the release of their Dura“The unit is going to be in an environment book model TA10, which is a fully ruggewhere it’s susceptible to either moisture, dized IP65 unit. “We basically take all the or to heat, or to rain, the elements basibells and whistles on a typical laptop and cally,” Kha noted. “If you have a typical, convert it because of the popularity of tabtraditional laptop, and try to use it in that lets,” Kha said. Now available for industrial environment, it’s going to be really hard, and field applications, the TA10 features and you’re going to have to pay special a 10.4 LCD display with LED backlight. attention to it.”

Kha pointed out there are different ways Soldiers cannot afford frustrating disto protect tablet screens. “They are temtractions in the middle of combat. “Having pered glass, so it’s not like the typical cell the unit up and running and not susphone glass,” he said. “In testing, a metal ceptible to the environment is of critical ball is dropped on the glass to make sure importance because we’re talking about it doesn’t break.” The TA10 has withstood lives at stake, too,” Kha stressed. “So, multiple 5-foot drops onto 2-inch plywood having the unit not in a situation where set over concrete. if they drop it, if they accidentally spill www.GCT-kmi.com

Tablets for Troops Panasonic’s Toughbook brand holds nearly an 80 percent share of the rugged mobile device space. They’re responding to increased demand from the troops for tablets with a goal to achieve 50 percent of the ruggedized tablet market by 2015. Its most recent releases are the Toughpad JT-B1, a 7-inch Android tablet, and the Toughpad FZ-G1, a 10-inch Windows tablet.

Both devices follow the original 10-inch Android-powered Toughpad FZ-A1 which became broadly available late last year.

“The Toughpad family of tablets provides advanced features that ordinary tablets simply cannot offer, including fully rugged durability, advanced security, longlife batteries, daylight-viewable screens and compatibility with mobile device management solutions to secure devices from unauthorized use,” Collins said.

Several “firsts” have helped Panasonic land in a position to deliver solutions that address government customers’ challenges. “A few of our innovations include being the first to integrate CDROMs into laptops, the first to encase LCDs in magnesium alloy, and the first to engineer a rugged convertible tablet PC,” Collins said. ”We have been developing rugged mobile computers for more than a decade, and have constantly adapted our process to provide our customers with the most reliable, seamless integrated solutions.” Panasonic also aims to stand out by offering unified, integrated vertical market-specific technology solutions designed to work together to drive value.

“This provides government buyers with a partner to provide a wide range of integrated, reliable technology that — is going to provide the highest return on investment possible,” Collins said.

In developing the new line of tablets, Panasonic referred to user insights about the Toughbook computers already in service. “Our users in the armed services asked us for a tablet device that would be designed from the inside out to address the needs of the 21st-century soldier,” Collins said. “Toughpad is our answer.”

To reach that goal of holding half the ruggedized tablet marketplace within two years, Collins and his team are focused on translating the value of the Toughbook brand into the Toughpad tablet products. www.GCT-kmi.com

Panasonic’s Toughbook computers for the military are tested fully rugged, designed to survive drops, falls, spills, sand, grime and extreme temperatures. [Photo courtesy of Panasonic]

“Recognizing the potential that ruggedized computers offer to national defense operations, our government customers have expressed an overwhelming amount of interest in our latest ruggedized tablet solutions and we are committed to meeting this demand,” Collins said.

Tablets’ recent jumps for civilians are mirrored by the ruggedized versions used

by U.S. servicemembers. Harris RF Communications’ flagship tablet evolved from the company’s leadership in developing wideband tactical radios. “These radios are transforming the way deployed forces communicate by providing bandwidth for rugged and secure Internet-like capability on the battlefield,” according to Harris RF Communications Product Manager Eleanor McBeth. “The military is filling this bandwidth with all sorts of new data—photos, videos, position location information and intelligence reports, just to name a few.”

With more data pouring in, more efficient ways of managing the data are required. McBeth emphasized Harris’s option is up to the task. “The RF-3590 is the first tablet optimized to integrate

with this tactical network and the first in a breed of small, handheld devices that are intuitive and based on open standards,” she said. “It provides soldiers with a very familiar platform for working with data, with a familiar user interface and menu structure.”

As missions and the environments in which soldiers fight change, tablets evolve with updated battle conditions. McBeth said the RF-3590 is a flexible platform that—with the addition of applications— provides valuable system solutions. Casual users are familiar with the phrase “there’s an app for that,” but in some cases for the more specialized military user, the app they want doesn’t exist yet. Harris doesn’t wait for someone else to create the apps end users want. Rather, the company has focused both on the development of its own applications—which provide radio control, chat, video and situational awareness capabilities—as well as providing a platform for customer and other commercial apps. Furthermore, “Harris continues to expand beyond the initial tethered use cases that leverage the security and transport capabilities of our wideband radios,” GCT July 2013 | 19

McBeth said. “For example, the tablet has received Wi-Fi and FCC certifications, as well as the ‘FIPS Inside’ designation.”

Soldier Benefit If you’ve spent any time on the battlefield within the past decade, there’s a good chance you’re familiar with the Panasonic Toughbook, according to Collins. “When government officials develop procurement plans to supply their units for wartime operations, they choose Panasonic rugged mobile computers and tablets because they recognize that computer hardware failure is not an option,” he said. “The annual failure rate of Toughbook mobile computers is six times less than the industry average, which translates to less downtime, fewer repair expenses and a lower total cost of ownership for our government customers.”

As the nation continues its strategic pivot to the Pacific, Panasonic products are ready. Extreme climate changes can be disastrous for combat communications, potentially resulting in millions of dollars in damage each year for government users, according to Collins. “Since we began development of the first rugged PC in 1993, Panasonic has always tested its mobile computers and tablets for operation in extreme temperature and humidity to ensure that they are built to last no matter where they’re used in the world,” Collins said.

Both the Toughpad FZ-G1 and JT-B1 have an operational temperature range from -20 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperature extremes are just one part of Panasonic’s ruggedized quality control.

“Our technicians conduct more than 500 checks and tests before, during and after production to ensure that every unit is built to handle the challenges presented by extreme climates,” Collins said. “By applying a range of torture tests that include resistance to extreme temperature, humidity and particle exposure, we are able to accommodate the evolving needs and concerns of our government customers both at home and abroad.”

In addition to exceptional performance in extreme conditions, operational security is a must, and Collins said Toughpad and Toughbook’s enhanced security features go far above and beyond ordinary consumer devices. Some of those features are hardware encryption, trusted boot, and embedded security processor functionality. “Tool-less removable hard drives on 20 | GCT July 2013

Toughbook units mean information is not compromised when a device is sent in for service,” Collins said. “The Toughpad FZ-G1 and JT-B1 are both FIPS 140-2 (Level 1) compliant and the FZ-A1 is the only tablet that is FIPS 140-2 (Level 2) compliant with a dedicated security core for data encryption and includes preinstalled, and persistent, drivers for approved smart card readers.”

Manufacturers like Harris build devices with the soldier in mind, optimizing ruggedized tablets for the difficult environments users face on the battlefield. “It’s rugged according to military standards, but still lightweight,” McBeth said. She added that it offers device interfaces for attaching peripherals such as cameras or scanners. “The large display screen is designed to be used by operators wearing gloves, or conducting missions in bright sunlight, or at night with night-vision goggles on,” she said.

Beyond the bells and whistles, the goal of Harris’ tablet is to meet the need for information. “Just like we’ve seen on the consumer side, the appetite for data and technology has steadily increased, as people want access to information at any time, and at any place,” McBeth said. “That same mentality has carried over onto the battlefield. The tablet gives soldiers access to real-time, mission-critical information, when and where they need it,” she added.

The Harris Ruggedized Tablet is the only tablet that is built specifically for military and public safety use, according to McBeth. “What makes it unique is the full combination of capabilities in a small, single, lightweight device,” she said. “We were able to hit this sweet spot because we built the device from the ground up, with the user in mind, rather than modifying a commercial-off-the-shelf tablet.”

The wideband tactical network unifies the power of the joint force, according to McBeth.

“It connects soldiers at the tactical edge with each other as well as commanders in far off tactical operations centers and allows them to access real-time command and control information,” she said. “Through the network, tactical users are able to access applications and other critical data files that are otherwise beyond their reach due to constraints in bandwidth and power.”

Harris designed its tablet for the tactical environment, featuring a multi-touch

screen and sunlight readability. It weighs just two pounds. “The tablet is extremely portable, providing maximum power in a small, lightweight form factor, but maintains a usable 7-inch screen size and provides the flexibility of the Android platform,” McBeth said. “The device is also scalable, providing a wide range of interface [USB, wireless, cellular] and expansion capabilities, but can also be used with one of Harris’ tactical radios [AN/PRC-117G or AN/PRC-152A] to provide secure communications on the battlefield.”

Information security is a key reason why McBeth recommends tying back to the wideband tactical radio network. Harris’ Falcon III line offers the only wideband manpack and handheld radios that have been NSA Type-1 certified. “The radio provides information assurance for data traveling from the network to the tablet and back, including, in some instances, up to Top Secret,” McBeth said. “The tablet/ radio combination enables the operator to communicate using multiple waveforms over multiple bands at higher power, with improved range.”

Coupling the tablet with Harris’ wideband tactical networks also allows users to send and receive high-bandwidth information such as video, images, and situational awareness data. “The tablet also provides access to software applications and secure databases that contain crucial intelligence information,” McBeth added. “Access to, and the ability to share this information could be the difference between life and death for them, and success and failure for their missions.”

In the near future, CHESS is looking to develop and implement the latest Windows version into the AGM operating system. “A Windows 8-based AGM will allow for the adoption of more touch screen applications which enhance data entry and retrieval,” Burke said. “The keyboard has always been the limiting factor, but now touchscreens help mitigate data access challenges.” As quickly as computer processes evolve, it appears keyboards won’t be limiting our war fighters much longer. By this time next year, information will likely be at their fingertips even faster. O

For more information, contact GCT Editor Jeff Campbell at jcampbell@kmimediagroup.com or search our online archives for related stories at www.gct-kmi.com.

www.GCT-kmi.com

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INDUSTRY INTERVIEW

Ground Combat Technology

Colonel (Ret.) Donald P. Kotchman Vice President Armor Brigade Combat Team Ground Combat Systems General Dynamics Land Systems Don Kotchman graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1979. He holds a Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Master of Science in national resource strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. During the early stages of his 27-year military career, Kotchman’s assignments included leadership positions in maintenance and supply management units in support of combat brigades.

After 1998, the majority of his military service consisted of acquisition leadership assignments. Included in those assignments were tours as project manager, Abrams Tank Systems and project manager, Future Combat Systems Manned Ground Systems. In 2004, he became deputy program executive officer for Ground Combat Systems.

Kotchman retired from the Army in October 2006 and joined General Dynamics Land Systems, where he has been responsible for oversight of a variety of combat vehicle programs including the Abrams tank. He became vice president of Armor Brigade Combat Team, Ground Combat Systems in January 2011.

Q: How does fuel dependency impact combat effectiveness?

A: Fuel distribution operations are critical in war. During Operation Iraqi Freedom and in operations in Afghanistan, the U.S. Army paid particular attention to the implications of fuel consumption and resupply on combat effectiveness. Fuel requirements and refueling operations play a key role in developing operational plans and are a major cost driver in combat operations. They require sizable resources to execute and protect them.

Improperly planned or disrupted, they can impede maneuver and limit operational flexibility. In response to lessons learned during recent operations, the Army started several initiatives to reduce operational energy consumption, including the establishment of the Operational Energy Offices, and the Ground Systems Power and Energy Laboratory. General Dynamics Land Systems is exploring www.GCT-kmi.com

in TARDEC’s Ground Systems Power and Energy Laboratory, using its unique dynamometer test stand, running the improved diesel Abrams through the same test plan.

Q: The Operational Energy reduction initiatives in DoD and the Army are focused on organizational effectiveness and efficiency. What are you doing with the Abrams tank to address these goals? opportunities to assist in reducing operational energy consumption by addressing energy consumption in systems it provides to the Army.

Q: What is General Dynamics doing to improve Abrams fuel efficiency?

A: Over the last three years, General Dynamics, along with key suppliers MTU and Allison Transmission Inc., developed an Improved Diesel Abrams vehicle with the potential to provide up to 50 percent better fuel efficiency than the current system. The design increases the system’s operational range by 100 miles and is less costly to sustain.

The system relies on an integrated MTU 883 series engine coupled to an Allison 5250MX transverse transmission. General Dynamics developed the cooling system and did the integration design effort ensuring the vehicle maintained current system level performance.

Q: Are you working with the customer on this fuel enhancement initiative?

A: In 2013, General Dynamics will complete subsystem integration into an Abrams and provide it to the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research and Development Center [TARDEC] for collaborative testing and analysis through a cooperative research and development agreement.

The TARDEC test program begins by instrumenting and conducting a baseline test on a current Abrams. A comparative test of the General Dynamics improved diesel Abrams follows. TARDEC and General Dynamics’ engineers will then test the vehicle

A: The improved diesel Abrams can be part of improving both segments within the armored brigade combat Team formation.

This new power plant configuration for the Abrams meets or exceeds current vehicle performance requirements, offers up to a 50 percent improvement in combat day fuel consumption depending on the environment, and increases cruising range by 50 percent while using 9 percent less fuel, all within the existing vehicle envelope. In addition to the diesel engine initiative, the addition of new track with reduced weight, lower rolling resistance, a 5,000-mile replacement life and simplified track pad replacement procedure has the potential to further improve efficiency and effectiveness.

Q: What is General Dynamics doing to help improve the combat effectiveness of the Abrams?

A: General Dynamics Land Systems is engaged in a modernization program known as Engineering Change Proposal 1, which significantly improves the system’s electronics and addresses space, weight, power and computing concerns. The Diesel Abrams Program has the potential to be a large contributor for future cost avoidance and improving combat effectiveness. The diesel configuration is projected to operate at triple the mean time between operational mission failure compared to the current turbine engine. Should the Army elect to pursue the diesel engine program, the combination of these efforts on the Abrams main battle tank will help ensure it remains the dominant land combat system in the world. O GCT July 2013 | 21