Gct 5 3 final

Technology & Intel for the Maneuver Warfighter

Special Section: Manned-Unmanned Teaming

UAS Leader Col. Tim Baxter U.S. Army Project Manager UAS Project Office

Rapidly Deployable ISR O Tactical UAS O Enduring REF Army Aviation O Wheeled Vehicles O Ammo

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May 2014

Volume 5, Issue 3

When your mission is to train efficiently, use MetaVR’s visual systems and geospecific terrain to create tactical ISR training scenarios that tie together JTAC, UAV, and ground attack simulations.

MetaVR visuals are used for simulated UAV camera payload video in Grey Eagle, Shadow, Aerosonde, and Hunter ground control stations, and in F-16 FMTs. Fully correlated video and terrain is achieved among these simulators in conjunction with JTAC simulators during distributed training exercises.

Real-time screen captures are from MetaVR’s visualization system and Kismayo, Somalia, 3D virtual terrain and are unedited except as required for printing. The real-time renderings of the 3D virtual world are generated by MetaVR Virtual Reality Scene GeneratorTM (VRSGTM). 3D models and animations are from MetaVR’s 3D content libraries. © 2014 MetaVR, Inc. All rights reserved. MetaVR, Virtual Reality Scene Generator, VRSG, the phrase “Geospecific simulation with game quality graphics,” and the MetaVR logo are trademarks of MetaVR, Inc.

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ground combat & TACTICAL ISR Features

Cover / Q&A

Special Section

U.S. Army PEO Aviation

10

Manned-Unmanned Teaming The current objective of MUM-T is to increase the fighting capability of manned aviation by teaming it with any unmanned aircraft in the battlespace.

By Colonel Tim Baxter and Colonel Tom von Eschenbach

18

A two-page pictorial spread detailing PEO Aviation command structure and senior leadership.

4

12

23

Tactical UASs are of growing importance to all branches of military, and there is a great degree of collaboration between the services.

By Chris McCoy

Retired Major General William T. Crosby talks to a handful of writers during his final press conference at the AUSA Army Aviation conference.

By Jeff Campbell

7

20

The types and quantities of weapon systems ordered during fiscal crunches can be greatly altered or decreased.

Once realized, a surefire companion is the orders for ammunition to be fired from those systems.

By Jeff Campbell

One of the most critical missions facing leaders at all levels is that of providing security and protection for their personnel.

By Chris McCoy

The joint light tactical vehicle, now in its final testing phase, will fill holes in future ground force mobile capability.

By Scott Nance

A Plethora of Choices

Rapidly Deployable ISR

Departments

May 2014 Volume 5, Issue 3

Eye in the Sky

Hitting the Enemy

Nimble Wheels

25

Institutionalizing Rapid Readiness Success of the rapid integration of robot systems effort led to the establishment of the U.S. Army’s Rapid Equipping Force.

By Colonel Steven A. Sliwa

Industry Interview

2 Editor’s Perspective 3 intel/People 14 Innovations 27 Resource Center

Mike Roberts

CEO Millennium Sensor

28

16 Col. Tim Baxter

U.S. Army Project Manager UAS Project Office

“The overall vision of PM UAS is to provide our nation and its allies world class interoperable unmanned aircraft systems and integrated payloads through excellence in program management and life cycle support.”

—Col. Tim Baxter

EDITOR’S PERSPECTIVE

Ground Combat & Tactical ISR Volume 5, Issue 3 • May 2014

The Publication of Distinction for the Maneuver Warfighter Editorial Editor-in-Chief

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Core to the Corps is an ability to inject force from the littorals across a beach—whether defended or not. Coming into its own during World War II, the Marine Corps had a force multiplier when it developed the Amtrac and the subsequent versions that followed. While the basic troop carrier had little real armament, it could carry a number of machine guns, cross open water, offer protection for the Marines and allow them to maneuver the dangerous segment from the low water mark across the open sand and into the lines of vegetation.

Early Amtracs gave way to better designs—even though they grew in size before coming into smaller designs. The LVTP5, entering service in Jeff McKaughan Editor the early 1950s, tipped the scales at just under 88,000 pounds. The AAV7, which followed, was a slim 51,000 pounds. Despite upgrades and a proven combat record far from water, the assault amphibious vehicle is growing long in the tooth. That being said, it is still forecasted to be in the inventory through 2030.

Currently, the AAV suffers mobility issues—on both land and water—as well as lethality, protection and network capability. It also lacks an over-the-horizon capability and thus must be launched within sight of the beach.

Hopes had been pinned on the expeditionary fighting vehicle that would allow Marines to launch farther from shore yet have high speed in water. Cost overruns resulted in a program restructuring and finally cancellation in 2011.

A new analysis of alternatives was generated for an amphibious combat vehicle. There are questions as to whether technologies exist today that can give the Marines their high speed, protected ship-to-shore capability; and if those technologies do exist, will an ACV be affordable?

Cost overruns and chasing elusive capabilities doomed the EFV, and the Marines will have to maneuver carefully to not travel down the same path twice on a similar program.

Milestone A is approaching. It is here that a decision would be expected to authorize the assessment of technologies for this, and any, acquisition program. It is within the Marines Corps’ DNA to have an armored landing vehicle option in the fleet—it is one of the interventional cornerstones that make up the Corps’ doctrine of fighting.

That being said, the business end of acquisition needs to be attended to, as Congress will certainly have a critical eye based on the ACV’s preceding attempt.

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SPECIAL SECTION: MANNED-UNMANNED TEAMING

UAS Leader Col. Tim Baxter

SPECIAL PULL-OUT SUPPLEMENT USTRANSCOM

Resource Aligner Vice Adm. William A. “Andy” Brown

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May 2014

Volume 5, Issue 3

U.S. Army Project Manager UAS Project Office

Deputy Commander U.S. Transportation Command

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November/December 2013 Volume 7, Issue 10

Exclusive Interview with:

GAIL JORGENSON Acquisition Director USTRANSCOM

Rapidly Deployable ISR O Tactical UAS O Enduring REF Army Aviation O Wheeled Vehicles O Ammo

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INTEL

Compiled by KMI Media Group staff

New Lightweight Camera System General Dynamics Global Imaging Technologies has introduced Cineflex Ultra, a compact gyro-stabilized camera system that can be customized with high-definition 4K and 6K cameras, as well as the longest lens available. The Ultra incorporates the recently launched geo-pointing option, GEO+, which enables video overlays, system and lens metadata, and geo-pointing advanced filming techniques.

Additionally, with the Cineflex Ultra system weighing in at less than 100 pounds, cinematographers, directors and broadcast media have the ease-of-use and flexibility they need to secure the breathtaking images that capture viewers’ imaginations.

“Building on our proven family of Cineflex products, the highly mobile Ultra gives our customers the exceptional range, performance and unmatched precision and stability they have come to expect,” said Carlo Zaffanella, vice president and general manager responsible for the Cineflex product family. “From blockbuster movies and documentaries to high-profile sporting events to broadcast news,

Cineflex Ultra’s user-friendly interface, small, compact design and geo-pointing option will help our customers deliver creative excellence and technical innovation to audiences worldwide.”

With computer generated imagery (CGI) playing a significant role throughout the cinema and broadcast world, the GEO+ option helps streamline and simplify the post-production process by layering location-specific metadata onto the video. This enhancement allows the production team to readily utilize the GEO+ synchronous metadata to seamlessly integrate CGI with the pure Cineflex video.

Designed with close collaboration between cinematographers and General Dynamics’ design engineers, the Cineflex gyro-stabilized camera system is a compact, lightweight Ultra HD digital cinematography camera system. The Cineflex family of high-definition camera systems is delivered by General Dynamics Global Imaging Technologies, a provider of high-performance camera systems and components.

Enterprise-grade Video Surveillance Platform Smartvue Corporation now offers a new enterprise-grade surveillance platform, the S9M. This new cloud surveillance solution represents a significant cost reduction in enterprise video surveillance.

The S9M makes centrally managed video surveillance much more affordable for businesses. Priced at a fraction of the cost of typical network video recorders and packed with an abundance of cloud features that are not available on even higher priced systems, the S9M

enables small- and medium-sized business to afford advanced cloud video surveillance, and it helps larger businesses significantly reduce their costs.

Founder and CEO of Smartvue Corporation Martin Renkis saw the need for a simple and affordable alternative to complicated surveillance products. “Our mission is to make the world a safer and smarter place with amazing surveillance technologies,” said Renkis. “Today’s enterprise surveillance products are clunky,

complicated and just too expensive, so we developed an elegantly simple cloud solution that sells for only $199.”

The Smartvue S9M offers a plug-and-play cloud platform designed to deliver a robust surveillance experience that works with almost any computer, smartphone or tablet. The release of Smartvue S9M represents a significant boost in Smartvue Corporation’s rapid growth as they further establish themselves as a trusted industry leader.

PEOPLE

Compiled by KMI Media Group staff

The Pentagon announced the president is promoting Major General Kevin Mangum, the commanding general at Fort Rucker, Ala., and has tapped him to become the next deputy commander of TRADOC. Major General H.R. McMaster is also being nominated for the rank of lieutenant general to go along with his next assignment: director of the Army Capabilities Integration Center (ARCIC), which is part of TRADOC. McMaster is currently the commanding general at Fort Benning, Ga.

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The deputy commander for separates at the OEF International Security Assistance Force Joint Command, Brigadier General James R. Blackburn Jr., has been assigned as deputy commanding general, 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized), Fort Stewart, Ga. Brig. Gen. Michael A. Bills

The Army Chief of Staff has assigned Fort Carson, Colo., Senior Commander Brigadier General Michael A. Bills to commanding general, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

Brigadier General John H. Hort, 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized) deputy commanding general (Maneuver), is moving from Fort Stewart, Ga., to U.S. Army Europe and Seventh Army, Germany, where he’ll serve as deputy chief of staff, G-3.

Brig. Gen. Mark R. Stammer

Remaining at Fort Campbell, Ky., Senior Commander Brigadier General Mark R. Stammer is being assigned as deputy commanding general of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).

GCT 5.3 | 3

A Plethora of Choices

The services profit from a growing number of tactical unmanned aerial systems.

By Chris McCoy, KMI Media Group Editor Tactical UASs are of growing importance to all branches of military and there is a great degree of collaboration between the services. The Army PM UAS Office interacts with the Navy UAS Project Office mainly through each other’s interface control working groups (ICWG) and associated interoperability testing that has been performed by the Navy in the Army’s Joint Systems Integration Lab (JSIL).

“The Army started its ICWG in 2007, and the Navy has used the Army’s interoperability profiles (IOPs) and the processes used to create and maintain the IOPs as a foundation for their own IOPs and processes,” said Doug Wolfe, C4I/Interoperability Lead for PM UAS’ Common Systems Integrations Product Office. “In addition, members of the PM offices attend the other services ICWGs and periodically brief the status of the IOPs to the other service. There has been some initial discussion on forming a Joint ICWG in the future.”

The Navy has also used the Army’s JSIL test capability to test some of their systems interoperability capabilities through the Defense Research Engineering Network. All of this work will lead to future, higher levels of interoperability in the tactical environment.

The U.S. Navy has for so far invested in several tactical UAS platforms such as the Scan Eagle and more recently the RQ-21A Blackjack.

“The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps will use the RQ-21A Blackjack small tactical unmanned aircraft system to provide persistent maritime and land-based tactical reconnaissance, surveillance and target 4 | GCT 5.3

acquisition (RSTA) data collection and dissemination capabilities to the warfighter,” said Colonel Jim Rector, Navy and Marine Corp Small Tactical UAS program manager. “For the Marine Corps, RQ21A will provide the Marine expeditionary force and subordinate commands (divisions and regiments) a dedicated ISR system capable of delivering intelligence products directly to the tactical commander in real time. For the Navy, RQ-21A will provide persistent RSTA support for tactical maneuver decisions and unit-level force defense/force protection for Navy ships, Marine Corps land forces and Navy special warfare units.”

The RQ-21A has a greater performance capability with a significantly larger payload, mass, volume and power than ISR services available in theater today. The expeditionary nature of the RQ-21A, which does not require a runway for launch and recovery, makes it possible to deploy a multi-intelligence-capable UAS with minimal footprint from Navy ships. This is ideal for amphibious operations such as a Marine expeditionary unit and access denied environments.

Marines will deploy with their first RQ-21A system this year.

Industry vendors are also offering a plethora of tactical UAS for the use of the Navy and other service branches.

Mission Adaptable and Experimental UAS The MAAX, or Mission Adaptable and Experimental UAS, developed by UAV Solutions Inc. (UAVS), is a two-stroke powered aircraft www.GCT-kmi.com

with long endurance and large payload capabilities. This lower-cost tactical UAS was designed by UAVS in Jessup, Md., for use by the military, state and federal agencies and universities interested in testing experimental payloads. The modular nose payload housing and the removable payload pan on the belly section can carry a multitude of payloads up to a combined weight of 20 pounds.

UAVS has developed an electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR) payload for use on the MAAX and also has outfitted its systems with the UAV Vision CM100 and Cloud Cap TASE 200 payloads. The belly section can carry signals intelligence payloads or other experimental payloads. Built with modular connections, payloads can easily be switched without the need for adapter harnesses.

“Utilizing unique injection molding manufacturing techniques, we are able to manufacture a lower cost, higher quality aerial vehicle,” stated Bill Davidson, chief executive officer, UAV Solutions Inc. “Interchangeable, modular components improve maintenance operations, which helps to reduce system costs.”

Components of the MAAX include the pneumatic launcher that utilizes air compressors instead of nitrogen tanks, powered with a generator or shore power, and the 210cc fuel injected engine. The MAAX UAS and subcomponents were designed and manufactured at UAVS building on technologies that were utilized in creating unmanned systems and subcomponents for a previous DoD customer.

VTOL UAS with Powerful Payloads Sweden-based Saab also plays a major role in supplying tactical UAS. Saab’s Skeldar V-200 VTOL UAS can carry a 90-pound payload with an endurance of six hours.

“Skeldar is the first tactical VTOL UAS, Group 3/Tier II, built on military standards for both land and naval environments that operates on heavy fuel. Also, this is one of only a handful of Group 3 systems that has been deployed on a naval ship,” said Johan Hansson, vice president, business development aeronautics at Saab.

A high definition real-time streaming video EO/IR camera is the “standard” sensor for Skeldar, but several other alternatives are available. For the ability to “see through” clouds, smoke, vegetation and camouflage, a synthetic aperture radar/foliage penetrating radar can be used. In addition, the air vehicle can carry payloads for communications relay and electronic warfare (SIGINT or jamming).

Some recent improvements to the platform include updated data links that enables longer range. “We continuously plan and implement improvements and enhancements, primarily based on inputs from our customers,” said Hansson. “Currently we are working on various components related to deployment and transportation of the system, e.g., container solutions. Also, additional payloads will be integrated for specific customers.”

Multiple VTOL Systems Datron World Communications is another company that provides several UAS such as the Scout and Skyranger VTOL systems.

“Both the Scout and the SkyRanger systems are extremely valuable in their own rights, lending themselves to missions where an immediate need for low look angles and hover-and-stare, eyes-on capability are critical,” said Unmanned Solutions Product Manager Chris Barter. “Both systems are extremely lightweight, quiet, remarkably easy to operate and are operational in harsh www.GCT-kmi.com

weather environments. In fact the majority of our customers are impressed with how rapidly they become proficient in basic system operations in inclement weather with minimal training.”

According to Barter, what makes both the Scout and SkyRanger systems unique is both their rugged design and the software that drives them. “Datron and Aeryon have worked extensively with military customers who subject the systems to not only harsh weather but also the rigorous demands of simply getting the system into the field,” he said. “When in the field they find that both systems excel at effectively flying themselves, allowing our customers to simply tell the platform where to go and what to look at.”

The majority of sensors on either system are designed to capture high definition still photographs and video. One of the more heavily used cameras for the SkyRanger is a stabilized dual stream EO and IR payload.

“Its real time stream of full motion high resolution daylight and infrared video allow the user on the ground to quickly identify thermal targets in white hot/black hot and switch over to a 720p/14MP stream for further identification. Custom payloads are available upon customer demand and have been designed for specific customers from hazardous materials to agriculture programs,” said Barter.

Datron World Communications is currently working with a number of special forces commands that have purchased the systems and are evaluating the systems for operational deployment.

“While there have been a lot of exciting new developments on the SkyRanger we are most excited about the recent release of the Aeryon Pix4D integrated GIS Mapping software solution,” said Barter. “This solution merges the Scout and SkyRanger, which can fly in confined airspace lower and slower than manned aircraft with the Pix4D software, taking Scout/SkyRanger images and processing them into geo-referenced ortho-mosaics. The end result is a tactical ability to quickly map out an entire area of interest.”

A Program of Record As one of the companies that brought the RQ-2 Pioneer unmanned aerial vehicle to the U.S. DoD inventory, AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems has been on the forefront of tactical UAS technology from its inception.

“Customer needs evolved as tactical UAS assets became a critical force multiplier in two different theaters of war,” said Henry Finneral, vice president TUAS, AAI Unmanned Systems. “With our system development and integration expertise, we continue to partner with our U.S. and international customers as their mission needs change and technology and operational concepts mature.”

The company is best known for their Shadow 200 tactical UAS, designated RQ-7B by DoD. Shadow systems have amassed nearly 900,000 flight hours, the majority of which have been in combat operations.

“Our team also supports Shadow systems through instructional services, and in the field with logistics, sustainment and operational support. Our latest-generation Shadow RQ-7B V2 includes the Tactical Common Data Link and is all-digital, enhancing its communications and other payload capabilities,” said Finneral. “Our next-generation Shadow M2 tactical UAS borrows best practices from the maturity and success of the Shadow 200, with greatly enhanced multi-mission capability and endurance. It brings customers much of the same performance as a strategic asset with the life cycle and operational affordability of a tactical one.”

GCT 5.3 | 5

Since ISR has been a core tactical UAS mission set traditionally, a range of EO/IR payloads are available based on customer requirements for day and night imagery and full-motion video for AAI systems. As payload technology continues to mature and reduce in size and weight, more advanced capabilities, such as wide-area survey, are becoming possible for tactical UAS as well.

“Sensor development has allowed us to integrate a far greater variety of capabilities onto tactical UASs, making them multi-mission flexible in the field. For example, the current RQ-7B Shadow configuration incorporates communications relay and laser designation equipment, as well as ISR payload capability,” said Finneral. “It also has wing-mounted hard points to carry additional payload. The Shadow M2 has even greater payload capacity; for example, it has been demonstrated with satellite communications equipment for beyond-line-of-sight operations.”

According to Finneral, AAI’s total solution approach encompasses much more than the provision of equipment. “We support customers with training, logistics, operations and additional services based on specific requirements. This end-to-end capability has helped to make Shadow the tactical unmanned aircraft system of choice for the U.S. Army and Marine Corps, the Australian Defence Force and Swedish military. In addition, the Italian military is accepting its first Shadow system currently,” he said. “We have demonstrated our Shadow M2 system for potential customers in the U.S. and around the world, and are seeing tremendous interest as we continue to mature its capabilities.”

AAI is currently working closely with the Army on the Shadow RQ-7B V2 configuration, an all-digital system that incorporates the Tactical Common Data Link and AAI’s Universal Ground Control Station, among other enhancements.

“We are scheduled to conduct the final operational test and evaluation of this system in May and, with successful completion and Army approval, will begin fielding these systems to the Army and Marine Corps,” said Finneral.

The latest addition to AAI’s M2 family is the long-range, beyondline-of-sight, SATCOM-enabled Shadow M2 aircraft.

“Because of the Shadow M2 SATCOM variant’s increased range, endurance, power and payload capacity, we can offer the already highly tactical Shadow mission set, as well as many of the strategic capabilities of larger unmanned platforms,” said Finneral. “The Shadow M2 SATCOM system can be deployed remotely and operated globally for customers based on their specific mission needs. The Shadow M2 employs the L-3 Wescam MX-10 payload, which incorporates dual-streaming video feeds over satellite link. These video feeds include high-definition, standard-definition and infrared video streams. The Shadow M2 family of aircraft can cost-effectively meet requirements across customer sets with both tactical and strategic mission capabilities.”

A Naturally Camouflaged UAS Prioria Robotics, in Gainesville, Fla., manufactures four different UAV platforms—two fixed wing and two rotor wing airframes. Their flagship product is the Maveric UAS, a 2.5-pound ISR powerhouse, designed for tactical operations.

“Maveric planes are composed of a proprietary blend of composite materials,” said CEO Bryan da Frota. “The airframe is tremendously durable, and any cracks that may occur can be patched in the field by a single operator with just a tube of superglue. As a 6 | GCT 5.3

result, Maveric is able to fly and complete more missions with minimal downtime.”

The plane is manufactured using Prioria’s patented bendablewing technology, which allows the aircraft to be stored fully assembled in a 6-inch-diameter tube. The storage tube and aircraft combined are small and light enough for one person to transport.

Launching the Maveric does not require any special tools or environmental conditions. The entire aircraft is pulled from its stowage tube, powered on and hand-launched by a single operator, all in under one minute.

“When time is critical, and operators cannot risk unnecessary exposure, nothing less than this is acceptable,” da Frota said.

Maveric utilizes onboard embedded processing and ground station software to enable more functionality in the air and simpler ground station interface.

“Prioria developed Maveric on the premise that a ‘smart’ UAS is more useful,” said da Frota. “Our goal is to make aircraft with advanced navigation and capabilities that solve critical problems while providing a great user experience.”

During ISR operations, stealth is a high priority. The Maveric has a unique, bird-like profile and a motor that is silent above 100 meters. As a result, it is difficult to spot and therefore target.

“The natural, biological camouflage is a huge tactical advantage,” da Frota said. “It truly does appear very much like a bird in flight.”

The Maveric’s life cycle costs are the lowest in its class, based on 4,000 hours of service. Maveric is designed to not attrite when properly operated and maintained by certified personnel.

“We evaluated the overall life cycle costs of the system during deployment in multiple theatres of operations,” said da Frota. “Maveric has consistently demonstrated a very high level of performance, reliability and availability.”

Maveric’s greatest strength lies in the wide variety of sensors that can be used to gather intelligence. Six different interchangeable cameras mean that Maveric is able to perform multiple types of missions. Prioria also works with customers to develop custom payloads to meet their unique needs.

“In the past year, we have added improved optics to many of the current camera payload options,” said da Frota. “We are constantly innovating.”

Prioria is currently developing an entirely new sensor, in addition to the current offerings.

Current and past customers for Maveric include the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, Republic of Singapore, Commonwealth of Australia, and Canadian Department of National Defence. Maveric has been officially certified by the U.S. and Canadian militaries, as well as Transport Canada and the FAA. The system has been successfully deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Athena and Jupiter Shield.

“Maveric has achieved its mission time and time again,” said da Frota. “It finds the bad guys and saves lives. We’re proud of those accomplishments.”

Ultimately, if the defense industrial base maintains its investment in tactical UASs in these austere budget times, the Army and the other services will profit by having a wide range of UAS platforms to choose from. O For more information, contact Editor-in-Chief Jeff McKaughan at jeffm@kmimediagroup.com or search our online archives for related stories at www.gct-kmi.com.

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Rapidly Deployable

ISR

Technological advancements are being made in

detecting the enemy at the squad and platoon level.

By Chris McCoy, KMI Media Group Editor This shift to expendable technologies is also affecting the output of One of the most critical missions facing leaders at all levels is the defense industrial base. providing security and protection for their personnel. During deployments or field training exercises, commanders are responsible for providing security and protection of government property and personnel.

Tactical 360-Degree Situational Awareness The key element for solving this problem is the ability to obtain early warning about an approaching threat. Currently, commanders use Mistral Inc. offers several rapidly deployable ISR platforms for use manpower to accomplish this mission. Since this mission is such a at the squad or platoon level. The EyeBall is an advanced audio/visual manpower-intensive effort, it usually detracts from the surveillance sensor that can be deployed and operated commander’s ability to perform other missions. by a single person. Each unit is baseball-sized for easy The need for providing early warning has been well deployment. documented and can be traced back to the Civil War “Throw or roll the EyeBall into the area you need era. During the Civil War and especially in World Wars to survey, mount it on a pole or lower it on a cable, and I and II, soldiers would manufacture crude early warnyou now gain situational awareness into that area,” ing devices to assist in their protection and alert them said David Thomas, director of business development of approaching danger. Some of these devices were for C4ISR. as simple and crude as tying empty tin cans on trip The EyeBall is also self-righting and rotates to strings or placing wires in front of their positions. One provide continuous 360-degree video and audio surof the most sophisticated early warning devices was the veillance of the target area. The controller and screen David Thomas pyrotechnic trip flare. allows the operator see both a 360-degree scene and Based entirely on this need, the first electronic dthomas@mistralgroup.com focus on an area of interest. early warning device was created. On July 14, 1970, the Army approved Another platform provided by Mistral is the EyeDrive. It is a a requirements document for the Platoon Early Warning System throwable small unmanned ground vehicle that provides continuous (PEWS). Development began for the PEWS (AN/TRS-2) which was real-time 360-degree video and audio surveillance to ensure full scene later fielded in the late ’70s and early ’80s. intelligence.

Since commanders continued making these requests for newer, “A single operator can easily deploy and operate the EyeDrive,” more modern systems, the U.S. Army Infantry Center began developsaid Thomas. “It is a lightweight platform of only 8.3 pounds but, ing requirements for a replacement system. In May 1997, the Platoon if needed, can carry up to 7.7 pounds of deployable sensors and/or Early Warning Device II (PEWD II) operational requirements docuexplosives.” ment (ORD) was approved by the Department of the Army. Once the The ruggedized EyeDrive can be tossed over walls or through ORD was approved, work soon began on a replacement system. This windows and with its point-and-go navigation is easily operated and development eventually turned into the battlefield anti-intrusion controlled, providing clear, precise, real-time stitched 360-degree system (BAIS). video images from four cameras for all-around view, including a fifth The BAIS system is a compact, modular, sensor-based warning ‘tilt and zoom’ camera for further investigation, e.g., under-vehicle system that can be used either as a tactical stand-alone system or as inspection. Other features include video motion detection and video a supplemental device for other security missions. The system was and audio recording capabilities. designed to provide coverage across a platoon’s defensive front (450 The company’s Omni-Directional Reconnaissance (ODR) product meters) with a weight of less than 12 pounds. The major functions line provides 360-degree situational awareness for tactical and combat of the system are to provide early warning and situational awareness vehicles and for light watercraft. ODR enables capturing and viewing information that can be used and processed at the platoon, company an entire omni-directional field of view simultaneously in real time. or battalion levels.

“The capture of the omni-directional scene is performed simultaWith BAIS being fully fielded and in order to modernize the force, neously by our scene-stitching software, without any need for rotating work has already begun to develop the next or follow-on system. The the camera device or taking several separate shots to form the omniManeuver Center of Excellence is currently drafting requirements for directional image,” said Thomas. the new system, which will be called Networked Expendable Sensor This technology resides in Mistral’s two variants: ODR-HV for Technology (NEST). The new system will be smaller, lighter and will tactical and combat vehicles and the ODR-LV for light vehicles and feature small networked expendable sensors. watercraft. www.GCT-kmi.com

GCT 5.3 | 7

“The ODR product line’s persistent view of the environment around a tactical platform is both low latency and non-fatiguing for the enduser,” said Thomas. “The integrated recorder provides for the playback of sensor data as if in real time due to the re-stitching of the image recorded. This has proven invaluable for training, situation reports, the capture of scenes covertly, mission planning and mission debriefs.”

The ODR is also camera agnostic and can be configured with distributed cameras with a pan, tilt and zoom camera or clustered on a small mast.

“Currently, U.S. law enforcement uses the EyeBall and EyeDrive,” said Thomas. “U.S. and international military forces have fielded our ODR Vision Systems and Central Processing Controller. Most recently we have prototypes deployed for test and evaluation by the U.S. Army.”

Expendable Unattended Ground Sensors ARA is another company involved in the protection of rapidly deployable ISR technologies. The company’s Expendable-Unattended Ground Sensors (E-UGS) are half the size of a small coffee cup, and emplaced in less than one minute to detect footsteps in known routes of approach that are usually outside the view of fixed cameras or radars.

“E-UGS sensors cost less than $500, thereby making them ‘expendable’ so they don’t have to be retrieved and returned at the end of a military deployment,” said Bob Quinn, ARA division manager for unmanned and security systems. “They are the only UGS that detect footsteps without false alarms caused by animals. They send alert messages to a receiver over 10 kilometers away and last for up to six months.”

U.S. and coalition forces are using over 48,000 E-UGS delivered over the past three years in a variety of combat zones. ARA is also upgrading the E-UGS to automatically slew cameras on the ground and in its Nighthawk Micro-UAV for a “fly to cue” capability putting eyes on targets first detected by E-UGS.

360-Degree Thermal Imaging HGH Infrared Systems is the maker of Spynel, a surface-based infrared search and track system and 360-degree thermal imaging platform. The single sensor can offer wide area surveillance and situational awareness quality imaging while providing automatic detection and alarm of threats/intrusions in 360 degrees, all in near real time.

“The HD imaging utilizes a power software platform that looks for thermal signature that acts like a ‘target,’ ensuring nearly 100 percent true alarm rates and extremely minimized false alarm feedback,” said Josh Howlett, sales manager, HGH Infrared Systems, North America. “Spynel has long-range capabilities, proving to detect humans out to 6 kilometers and small asymmetrical threats on water at 12 kilometers and beyond.”

The system’s weight is 30-80 pounds, depending on the model, allowing for quick deployment on pre-existing infrastructure or light mast/tower solutions. With low power requirements of 50 watts and using conventional Ethernet connections, the whole system can be installed in less than 15 minutes.

“The software works on lightweight Windows PC platforms (ruggedized laptops), making the control and display needs minimal,” said Howlett. “The operator is presented with a very easy-to-use, intuitive GUI where a 360-degree thermal image is properly displayed to ensure alarms are noticed immediately. The interface can be configured for [any] environment and time of operation.”

8 | GCT 5.3

The Eyeball provides 360-degree situational awareness. [Photo courtesy of Mistral Inc.]

The Spynel system is a scanning imager that does not stop rotating. This provides the user with continued surveillance in all directions and persistent detection of intrusions at very long range. There is no need to manually control separate sensors and imagers to cover the same area.

“We are planning to launch a new, higher-resolution MWIR sensor in April of 2014. This new model will enhance the Spynel’s detection ranges and image quality significantly,” said Howlett.

Rapidly Deployable Persistent Surveillance Lockheed Martin’s Self Powered Ad Hoc Network (SPAN) is a covert, wireless mesh network of self-organizing, self-healing “fieldand-forget” ground sensors that provide discreet monitoring of one’s surroundings. The ground sensors are also camouflaged to appear as rocks.

“SPAN can revolutionize the way users obtain discreet persistent situational awareness and characterization of their surroundings,” said Robert Smith, Ph.D., vice president of C4ISR for Lockheed Martin information systems and global solutions. “SPAN’s ultra-low sensor cost is predicated on the fact that each node within the SPAN network incorporates an energy harvesting subsystem that re-charges itself using simple energy sources in its surrounding environment.”

Low power consumption is achievable also because the nodes do not transmit unless there is a sensor reading of concern. SPAN’s reduced power demand extends its operational life, and its inconspicuous sensors reduce the likelihood of discovery and tampering.

“This innovation negates typical life and cost concerns of batteries and all but eliminates the need for battery replacement and servicing,” said Smith. “Battery life can be a critical differentiator when determining the safety of those in harm’s way.”

SPAN entered the market in late 2011 and Lockheed Martin has already sold the system to several customers.

Throwable ISR The Throwbot XT (TXT) from ReconRobotics is a throwable, mobile, personal sensor system that provides both audio and video reconnaissance of dangerous environments.

“Military fire teams currently use this sensor system to quickly gain situational awareness during high-risk urban warfare operations and reconnaissance missions,” said Jack Klobucar, vice president of communications at ReconRobotics.

The Throwbot XT is inherently water- and dust-resistant, weighs just 1.2 pounds, and can be thrown up to 120 feet. It is also exceptionally quiet and is equipped with an infrared optical system that activates www.GCT-kmi.com

automatically when the ambient light is low, enabling the operator to see in complete darkness.

“Once deployed, the TXT can be directed by the operator to quietly move through a structure and transmit video and audio to a small handheld Operator Control Unit II,” said Klobucar. “This immediately deployable capability is used in building and route-clearing operations to locate adversaries and IEDs, determine the presence innocent civilians, listen in on conversations, and reveal the layout of rooms—information that saves lives and increases the success of the mission.”

In 2013, ReconRobotics also introduced the Recon Scout XL, which has the same sensor capabilities, plus increased ground speed and obstacle clearance.

“We are very mindful of the soldier’s burden, and we believe that the Throwbot XT is, pound-for-pound, the most versatile, robust, stealthy and easy-to-deploy throwable sensor system in the world,” said Klobucar. “Weighing one-fourth the weight of the next smallest system, it can be deployed in three seconds and thrown six times the distance of any other mobile sensor system.”

The TXT may also be specified in any of three predetermined transmitting frequencies, enabling operators to use up to three robots in the same environment at the same time.

“It’s perfect for clearing compounds or other multi-level structures,” said Klobucar.

Lastly, the TXT is the only throwable sensor system in the world that can be converted into a pole camera when used in conjunction with the ReconRobotics SearchStick device.

“It’s an ideal capability for safely clearing attics, crawl spaces and culverts,” said Klobucar.

“It is our belief that, all else being equal, warfighters will always choose the smallest and easiest to deploy system. The rapid adoption of our system within the military sector has proven this to be the case,” said Klobucar. “ReconRobotics has more personal sensor systems deployed with militaries than all other comparable systems combined.”

ReconRobotics currently has an IDIQ contract with the U.S. Army, and has more than 2,000 systems deployed worldwide with several branches of the U.S. military and international friendly forces. Another 2,000-plus systems are in use with SWAT and counterterrorism teams in 35 countries.

“Our suite of personal soldier sensor systems is always evolving in response to warfighter requirements, and we expect this to continue in 2014 and beyond,” said Klobucar.

Overall, the warfighter’s requirements will continue to change, and sensors and other technologies will continue in their advancement. The technologies have demonstratively come a long way from the tin cans on strings of the past. O

For more information, contact Editor-in-Chief Jeff McKaughan at jeffm@kmimediagroup.com or search our online archives for related stories at www.gct-kmi.com.

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GCT 5.3 | 9

Special Section

A merger of manned and unmanned air and ground capabilities.

By Colonel Tim Baxter and Colonel Tom von Eschenbach

Security challenges of the future will be met by U.S. Army soldiers armed with the equipment we develop, procure and modernize today.

The challenge we face is our ability to predict the future, anticipating operational requirements and incorporating flexibility into our materiel solutions. These efforts are marked by ever-evolving/cuttingedge technologies that have forever changed the way our military leaders prosecute combat operations. To remain successful, we must continually analyze operational doctrine and associated tactics, techniques and procedures. This facilitates development of solutions that allow our soldiers to successfully conduct a wide range of missions in broadly diverse environments. These efforts ensure success, providing the decisive advantage over our adversaries.

The soldier and squad form the foundation of our Army and compose the most discriminately lethal force on the battlefield. It is imperative that we maintain a strategy to equip our soldiers for tactical overmatch and enhanced survivability, through connectivity to an integrated network and enhanced mobility and lethality. A key tenet of this strategy is the expanded use of manned unmanned teaming (MUM-T).

MUM-T is not only the introduction of new technology, nor is it simply an improvement on current capabilities. Rather, it is the doctrinally-supported merger of manned air and ground capabilities with current and emerging unmanned system capabilities that provides the synchronized employment of soldiers, manned and unmanned air and ground vehicles, robotics and sensors.

The current objective of MUM-T is to augment the respective capabilities of manned and unmanned aviation systems through deliberate teaming and leverage of their complementary capabilities and inherent strengths. The MUM-T capability gives the Apache helicopter pilot another set of “eyes,” leveraging UAS to identify specific targets from much greater ranges, to determine the safest way in and out of the weapons engagement zone and to assist in engaging the target. The Apache can do this by receiving video and target data directly from Army UAS assets such as Gray Eagle or Shadow. The pilot can also use advanced interoperability features to control both the UAS payload and to a limited degree the actual flight path of the UAS. Over the last 10 years, MUM-T capabilities have evolved due to the maturation of technology and the incorporation of lessons learned in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition to operational enhancement, the Army is also realizing efficiencies in life cycle cost from MUM-T through the use of common data standards.

In brief, the integration of MUM-T will provide: • Target engagements at longer ranges • Increased survivability of manned aviation platforms from threat acquisition and weapons systems • Significantly expanded situational awareness providing the warfighter the ability to see, understand, decide and act first 10 | GCT 5.3

• More reliable and timely combat information to provide unprecedented battle command capabilities and reduce collateral damage.

A difficult challenge associated with MUM-T is developing, testing and certifying the material solutions while establishing and maintaining interoperability among all Army manned and unmanned assets.

Development costs to address this challenge involve the procurement of radios, terminals and software, along with integration and associated testing to ensure that the capability works as expected.

The guiding documentation for the definition and implementation of MUM-T solutions has been termed interoperability profiles (IOPs). While the scope of the IOPs is much broader than MUM-T, they are common to all UAS and manned assets within Army Aviation and serve as the basis for MUM-T development, testing and deployment.

Levels of interoperability (LOI) range from LOI 1, which is the indirect receipt of UAS payload data through the Army network, to LOI 5, which is control of UAS from takeoff through landing. LOI 1-5 are briefly described and represented in Figure I. Levels of Interoperability 1-5: Level 1 – Indirect receipt/transmission of UAS related payload data Level 2 – Direct receipt of UAS video and other sensor information Level 3 – Control of the camera and sensors on the UAS Level 4 – Control of the flight path and payloads Level 5 – Full control of the UAS, including take-off and landings

Figure 1

As the development and fielding of MUM-T progresses and the Army has identified and overcome numerous technical and doctrinal hurdles to reduce cost, increase quality, avoid integration delays and accelerate schedule, the Joint Technology Center–Systems Integration Lab (JSIL) at Redstone Arsenal, Ala., has taken on the role of UAS centerpiece for interoperability testing. www.GCT-kmi.com

Previous Army studies and the ongoing doctrinal maturation are informing the organizations and personnel mix required to successfully integrate MUM-T. As an example, the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade’s (CAB’s) Attack Reconnaissance Squadron deployed to Afghanistan augmented with a Shadow troop consisting of two RQ-7 Shadow platoons, each with four air vehicles and two ground control stations. United States Army Aviation Center of Excellence (USAACE) conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of the 101st Figure 2 CAB task organization in December 2012 in OEF and found that the mix of manned and unmanned systems provided greater standoff for manned systems, increased overall area coverage in time and space, and increased situational awareness.

At the center of Army Aviation’s current MUM-T strategy is the cooperative employment between on-board and ground-based systems resident in the RQ-7Bv2 Shadow, MQ-1C Gray Eagle, AH-64E Apache and One System Remote Video Terminal (OSRVT). Each of these resident systems has the ability to share digital information utilizing the Tactical Common Data Link, including OSRVT ground user receipt of sensor data transmitted from UAS and AH-64E, AH-64E cooperative control of UAS sensors (LOI 3) and flight controls (LOI 4), and relay of voice communications using UAS communications relay payloads.

There is no question that past and current MUM-T tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) have been very successful. However, there is much more opportunity to fully develop and refine these TTPs beyond the pairing of Army rotary wing and UAS platforms. Utilization of “plug and play” payloads ranging from electronic warfare, signal intelligence, and measure intelligence provide a host of other potential applications.

The type of MUM-T that occurs most often in theater has actually been between UAS and ground forces. UAS are being utilized for route reconnaissance, convoy security and overwatch of ground forces at a rate 10 times that of air weapons team teaming. Most influential to this utilization of UAS has been the fielding of the OSRVT to nearly all ground forces. The OSRVT provides real-time full motion video to the soldiers on the move in a mobile, compact computer receiver system.

The OSRVT has provided the soldiers who are in the most vulnerable positions situational awareness when and where they need it the most. The maneuver commanders so value the UAS in a security or overwatch position that many times UAS coverage becomes part of the Go/No-Go criteria for a ground movement mission. Additional MUM-T TTPs have been leveraged with field artillery batteries, personnel recovery teams, human intelligence activities and combat engineer efforts.

This MUM-T strategy not only enables reconnaissance and security over larger areas and increases situational awareness to both air and ground forces, it also reduces kill chain timelines required through positive identification of enemy forces, provides more rapid clearance of fires and target designation, and enables air and ground forces to maneuver out of contact. USAACE continues to work deliberately with other Army Centers of Excellence (Maneuver, Fires, Intelligence, Maneuver Support, etc.) to mature this strategy by further development of MUM-T TTP and incorporation of these TTPs into existing aviation doctrine through deliberate partnerships. www.GCT-kmi.com

MUM-T training is being integrated from the individual to collective task level. Force on force capabilities are being developed to fully integrate MUM-T training opportunities at combat training centers, home station training, and in simulation. Force-on-target training opportunities are emerging with the advent of the Digital Air Ground Integration Range and Digital Range Training System. MUM-T can be trained in simulation and is incorporated into manned and unmanned mission simulators, to include the Aviation Combined Arms Tactical Trainer. USAACE is leading an integrated project team directed by Headquarters, Department of the Army to identify MUM-T collective training strategies that will include UAS assigned to National Training Center with TTP development and collection oversight. Finally, MUM-T is being included in the Army’s professional military education (PME) system for leaders. MUM-T topics are integrated into several PME courses to ensure successful air/ground integration and integrated into squad/platoon situational-training exercise training to adequately prepare units for collective training.

Although MUM-T is not a new doctrine, the recent broad acceptance of it has demonstrated significant operational advantages.

Army Aviation and its partners have succeeded in establishing the appropriate facilities and associated requirements and capabilities to develop, evaluate, test and integrate the technology required to execute MUM-T operations. Specifically, establishing and standardizing the necessary interoperability profiles and strategically linking the UAS assets at the JSIL with Army rotary wing and joint service assets via the Defense Research and Engineering Network has provided the technical foundation to achieve affordable programs, control costs throughout the product life cycle, and eliminate unproductive processes and bureaucracy by using existing infrastructure to thoroughly explore the operational and programmatic benefits of MUM-T. It is also a quintessential example of the continuing efforts by Army Aviation to embrace the principles of better buying power and enhance our weapon systems’ capability and flexibility. O

Col. Tim Baxter

Col. Tom von Eschenbach

Colonel Tim Baxter is the Army project manager, UAS, and Colonel Tom von Eschenbach is the Army UAS TRADOC capabilities manager.

For more information, contact Editor-in-Chief Jeff McKaughan at jeffm@kmimediagroup.com or search our online archives for related stories at www.gct-kmi.com.

GCT 5.3 | 11

Eye in the Sky Major General Crosby reflects on PEO tenure while not completely stepping away.

By Jeff Campbell GCT Correspondent confidence in his successor, so his only guidance to Marion: “Be “When my unit commander looks at me and says, ‘Your people yourself, because that’s what got you here.” have done well,’ I’m beaming with a smile like a father proud of While officially off the job now, Crosby’s a soldier for life and his sons.” That’s what retired Major General William T. Crosby can’t help but check in on the progress of some important protold a handful of writers—during his final press conference at the grams. “My personal top two priorities to meet the needs of my AUSA Army Aviation conference—has been the most enjoyable warfighter are ITEP [the improved turbine engine program] and portion of his time as Program Executive Officer Aviation. Crosby the L digital cockpit,” he said. “I think when we finished five years as PEO at the end of January and lay this out we’ll be able to appropriately resource while most of his time there was pleasant, the most those to get a little better timeline.” troubling portion came near the end: furlough.

‘Game changer’ is a term that can be thrown “I believe that if you take care of your people around loosely, but that undoubtedly describes the and you lead them and you take care of their health L digital cockpit. The possibility of Black Hawk and and welfare, they’ll die for you, literally,” the leader even Chinooks being upgraded to the latest digital drove home. “They will cross anything, fight anyconfiguration will be enough for General Crosby to thing to help you. But when you have to look them take his mind off a game of checkers during retirein the face and do something like that, that was ment and check his email again. “I don’t believe I’ll very difficult.” ever be able to turn it loose,” he predicted. “I see To the workforce’s credit, they saluted without Maj. Gen. (Ret.) how much it can change what that young aviator or William Crosby batting an eye, which made Crosby even more that soldier on the ground gets from that.” proud of their maturity and patriotism. And he Although not a program of record yet, Crosby knows full well they’re in good hands because the believes it’s coming. When Army aviators first new U.S. Army Aviation head—Colonel (P) Robert started looking at the potential of getting UAV L. Marion—not only has past experience at the PEO feeds inside the cockpit to guide an aviator through leading the Comanche Project Office, but the pair brownouts or other visibility-restricted environs, also shared an apartment while Crosby attended Crosby’s counterparts would say, “It’s too complex; War College. we’ll never be able to do this.” He encouraged them “I got to know Bob and found out what a dedinot to look at it from the “old dog” perspective, but cated, smart, pensive guy that he is,” Crosby said. from the point of view of a kid at a mall arcade. As “I watched him over the last 20 years evolve into often is the case with new TTPs, they surface from a strategic leader. That’s where I think when you Col. (P) Robert Marion an observation by a young lieutenant or warrant get into this job, you’ve got to think strategically.” officer who had an idea with their boots on the PEO Aviation doesn’t manage projects year to year, ground (or in the air, so to speak). but looks 20-30 years into the future, and Crosby has well-placed 12 | GCT 5.3

www.GCT-kmi.com

“Digitize the L cockpit, now all the aircraft have the same situational awareness, they’re (the young aviator and ground soldier) going to teach us,” Crosby said. “I think what you’re probably going to see—because there’s no requirement, no program yet—but start thinking about putting that UAV feed into that L digital cockpit, or into that Chinook cockpit.”

One scenario Crosby envisions is medevac aviator heading into a hot LZ, already filled with unbelievable courage, but with an updated cockpit, the Army can give that soldier even more advantages over the enemy. “Now he can see what angle and what avenue of approach he should make going into that LZ because the UAV’s circling over; now he’s going in blind,” Crosby said.

www.GCT-kmi.com

“Now he knows where the bad guys are, he can see them and he can see his best angle looking through the video—that’s what I think is next.”

In addition to more safe medevac operations, other opportunities include air assaults and cargo UAS. Adapting to the latest technology is what Crosby believes will take Army aviation there. O

For more information, contact Editor-in-Chief Jeff McKaughan at jeffm@kmimediagroup.com or search our online archives for related stories at www.gct-kmi.com.

GCT 5.3 | 13

INNOVATIONS Integrated Satellite Network C3I Connectivity into Army Stryker Exelis has integrated its Global Network On the Move Active Distribution (GNOMAD) system into the U.S. Army Stryker vehicle. This SATCOM on-the-move system provides a robust Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence (C3I) capability that currently supports U.S. deployed forces on other platforms. The first Stryker installation occurred during the Army Expeditionary Warfighting Experiment (AEWE), recently concluded at Fort Benning, Ga. The AEWE is an operational evaluation of technologies designed to support warfighters in the field. It brings the Army Science and Technology community together with industry to evaluate emerging technologies for the battlefield. This is the seventh iteration of AEWE and it is designed as a spiral learning opportunity that builds on knowledge gleaned from previous AEWE experiments.

GNOMAD delivers a combat-proven, reliable, easy-to-use, modular off-the-shelf commercial communications system that fully integrates into a variety of armored combat vehicles, SUVs, and military platforms of all types and sizes.

Previously GNOMAD supported the 4th Infantry Division during deployment to Iraq in a variety of vehicle types. It also is providing direct support to forces in Korea, Afghanistan other Middle East area of operations, and has been used in support of domestic emergency operations.

“GNOMAD is a proven solution that is ideal for the difficult communications environment that users operate in daily while deployed,” said Nick Bobay, president of the Exelis Night Vision and Communications Solutions division. “As a leader in tactical networking for the U.S military and its international allies, we are proud to have had GNOMAD deployed in a combat environment where ease of use, multiple vehicle integration and dependable communications are critical.”

$47 Million-Plus Tactical Vehicle Contract Modification Oshkosh Corp., Oshkosh, Wis., has been awarded a $47,655,674 modification (000729) to contract W56HZV-09-D-0159 to acquire 231 medium tactical vehicles. Fiscal 2012 other procurement funds in the amount of $47,655,674 were obligated at the time of the award.

Estimated completion date is August 31, 2015. Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wis. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity.

14 | GCT 5.3

U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command Selects ISR Software

Overwatch Intelligence Solutions, an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. company, announced that the U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (USACAPOC) has selected Axis Pro as its software tool of choice for sociocultural information gathering and analysis. Under an existing licensing agreement with the Army, USACAPOC is distributing 5,600 copies of the software to its personnel. With this action, the Army has now distributed more than 15,700 copies of Axis Pro since it started deploying the analysis software in 2009.

Central to USACAPOC’s mission is organizing, training, equipping and resourcing its forces worldwide to provide civil considerations support to regional combatant commanders and other agencies.

“Civil Affairs (CA) needed a cost-effective way to bring together different sources of information and portray their piece of the common operating picture. The use of Axis Pro will fill that void by allowing us to visually depict the civil environment and increase the supported commander’s environment awareness. Leveraging the Army’s unlimited license to this product means no cost is borne

by CA,” said Colonel George Hanhauser, USACAPOC (Airborne) Strategic Initiatives Group.

Axis Pro offers an integrated software suite of analysis tools. The complete system is comprised of the core infrastructure, research services, analysis tools and supporting collaboration services, which facilitate real-time collection, storage, processing, analysis, visualization and sharing of data throughout all phases of a mission.

The U.S. Army’s and Marine Corps’ unlimited license to the Axis Pro commercial off-the-shelf product, a close corollary to the Army’s Distributed Common Ground System-Army suite, provides broad cost-effective access to these leading edge analytical tools.

“The software has the ability to ingest random, disconnected cultural cues and events and transform them into predictable and actionable portraits of potential activity,” explained Steve Overly, Overwatch Intelligence Solutions senior vice president and general manager. “By incorporating Axis Pro’s capabilities into the decision-making process, commanders are empowered with relevant, sociocultural information and knowledge with which to enhance their operational effectiveness.” www.GCT-kmi.com

Compiled by KMI Media Group staff

MRAP Support Contract Baum, Romstedt Technology Research Corp., Vienna, Va., is being awarded a $9,608,333 time-and-materials contract to provide operational and field-support services for the mine resistant ambush protected vehicle. Work will be performed in Afghanistan; Warren, Mich.; Vienna, Va.; El Paso, Texas; and Chambersburg, Penn., and is expected to be completed in December 2014. A combination of fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance funds and fiscal 2014 procurement funds are being obligated on this award.

Fifteen bids were solicited, with five bids received. The Army Contracting Command, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity.

GDNexus Web Portal Expands Into ISR Domain GDNexus, a free online community of technology providers created by General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, announced that it has expanded its focus into the ISR domain. GDNexus is a customer-centric Web portal that enables General Dynamics to take a customer’s validated mission requirements to the marketplace, providing companies with the opportunity to respond with relevant products, services and solutions. Initial ISR focus areas include analytics; signal, image and video processing; and visualization. “Our goal is to find relevant technologies to quickly meet our customers’ dynamic mission requirements,” said Jay Mork, chief technology officer at General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems. “By opening up the GDNexus aperture to include ISR, we help our customers access new and existing technology, as we continue to drive innovation into our

solutions to enhance mission capabilities, increase cost savings and reduce acquisition risk.”

GDNexus members can submit responses to requirements-driven need statements. With each Need Statement linked to a customer’s specific mission need, GDNexus creates new business opportunities for companies that might not have access to the government or insight into the mission. All member submissions are reviewed through a comprehensive and objective process. After the review, a detailed assessment is provided to the customer that describes how the most compelling solution best supports the mission needs. Additionally, GDNexus provides members with assured protection of intellectual property and detailed feedback for every submission, helping members enhance their product strategy and align technology roadmaps.

1911 Grip and Rail Adaptor Recover Tactical announced the release of the new Recover CC3 two-in-one grip and rail adaptor for 1911. The patented design of the CC3 fits all standard size 1911 guns and can be easily installed in about three minutes without a gunsmith.

Launched to the public at SHOT Show 2014, the Recover CC3 was design by world renowned Israeli weapons designer Tamir Porat (Porat also designed the IWI Tavor assault rifle). The CC3 grip is manufactured in Israel on the same manufacturing line used by many leading gun manufacturers.

Produced from the same high-grade polymer used by many polymer gun manufacturers, the Recover CC3 will not scratch or damage the gun. Weighing in at only about 80 grams, it will not significantly change the weight of the gun or the thickness of the handle.

According to Ron Rosenberg, president of Recover Tactical, “The CC3 offers an incredible value for gun owners who want to add a rail to their 1911 but don’t want to buy a new gun. Our goal is not to offend the purists, but to provide a truly functional and universal rail accessory that won’t break the bank. There is a large market of 1911 owners who can’t wait to get a Recover CC3 onto their gun and they have shown us amazing support so far.”

To help streamline promotion and distribution, Recover has teamed up with CampCo Inc. to serve as worldwide master distributor for all

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Recover Tactical products. Campco CEO Motti Slodowitz commented, “Campco distributes a lot of popular brands for the shooting and outdoor sports industries, but the Recover CC3 grip is one of the most innovative products we’ve seen in a long time.”

The Recover 1911 grip and rail system is currently available in black, desert sand and olive green and comes with a limited lifetime warranty, retailing for only $49.99.

GCT 5.3 | 15

UAS Leader

Q& A

Guiding Army UAS to a Post-War Footing Colonel Tim Baxter Project Manager U.S. Army Unmanned Systems Colonel Timothy R. Baxter assumed duties as the project manager, Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Program Executive Office Aviation, Redstone Arsenal, Ala. on July 11, 2011. Baxter previously served in a number of challenging acquisition assignments within the Army and the special operations community.

Baxter was born and raised in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

He began his Army career as an infantryman in 1979. He served six years as an enlisted soldier and in 1986 accepted a two-year ROTC scholarship at Northern Michigan University, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in computer information systems. He later earned a Master of Science in computer science from Central Michigan University. Baxter completed a Senior Service College Fellowship at the University of Texas, Austin in 2011.

Baxter has served in a number of infantry and special operations assignments prior to transitioning to the Acquisition Corps.

He has earned the Ranger Tab and Special Forces Tab as well as the Master Parachutist Badge with Combat Jump Star and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

Q: Could you give our readers an overview of the role of your office?

A: The Army’s project manager for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (PM UAS) is located on Redstone Arsenal, Ala. PM UAS is made up of some 450 soldiers, Department of the Army civilians and contractors, and is one of eight project manager organizations under the Program Executive Office for Aviation. The key mission of PM UAS is to revolutionize our Army’s war fighting operations by being the world class leader in the development, production and sustainment of unmanned aircraft and associated systems.

The overall vision of PM UAS is to provide our nation and its allies world class interoperable unmanned aircraft systems and integrated payloads through excellence in program management and life cycle support.

PM UAS has a significant role is supporting worldwide operations across the UAS portfolio. UAS will be challenged over the next year to reduce our signature in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) while simultaneously providing all necessary support. I fully expect UAS to be the ‘last ones out’ as we provide a critical force protection capability to our forces. We learned much from our retrograde out of Operation Iraqi Freedom. We are already applying those lessons to operations in OEF. In addition to deployed organic UAS capabilities, we continue to support a number of government ownedcontractor operated and quick reaction capabilities.

This office remains extremely sensitive to urgent and time sensitive needs of our deployed forces. We continue to focus on 16 | GCT 5.3

reliable logistics and maintenance support forward through a host of deployed soldiers and contractors, each contributing to the success of our systems every day. I frequently challenge the PM UAS workforce to find a way, every day, to better support our deployed forces.

Q: What new requirements and capabilities do you expect for future Army UASs over the next five to 10 years?

A: Beginning in January 2015 we will begin fielding the Shadow v2 block upgrade. This upgrade includes the Tactical Common Data link which enables type 1 encryption. The upgrade facilitates STANAG 4586 interoperability protocols and addresses a number of obsolescence issues on the system. Shadow V2 also includes the Universal Ground Control Station and the Universal Ground Data Terminal common with the Gray Eagle System. Additionally, Team Shadow is working hard on a new engine that will significantly improve reliability of the air vehicle.

We will continue to field our newest capability, the MQ-1C Gray Eagle, through 2018. Gray Eagle provides a significant organic ISR and reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition (RSTA) capability to our Army. Future capabilities will include new payloads, such as high definition electro-optical/infrared, improved signals intelligence payloads, foliage penetration radar, etc. Additionally, manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) operations will continue to mature. www.GCT-kmi.com

In November 2013 the Rucksack Portable Unmanned Aircraft System Increment II Capability Production Document (CPD) was approved.

The CPD codifies the requirement for a family of small unmanned aircraft systems (SUAS) within the Army. The current Raven and Puma programs constitute the core of the requirements for the medium range mobile (Raven) and the long range reconnaissance and surveillance system (Puma). In the future, a new system known as short range micro (SRM) will address the needs of the squad members who require a small system that can be used for close in missions with little weight burden. Of particular note is the effort by the Small UAS Product Manager to upgrade the SUAS controller. A concept known as A Shadow UAS launches at Forward Operating Base Sharana in Afghanistan [Photo courtesy of the U.S. Army/by Specialist Tobey White] Tactical Open Government Architecture (TOGA) close-in missions with little weight burden, 1 pound or less. The will provide a more capable and adaptable control model. The TOGA system will have vertical take off and landing capability, provide will allow integration of new platforms, payloads and other capabiliperch and stare, and an endurance of up to 30 minutes with a ties without regard for proprietary software and interface designs.

3-kilometer range. Funding for this capability should be addressed The Maneuver Center of Excellence is also working a new requirein the next program objective memorandum cycle. ment for a nano-UAS. That system will be extremely small, require very little training, and provide the lowest elements of the fighting Q: Are there any new programs or initiatives within Army UAS force a reconnaissance device that can immediately provide the that you would like to discuss? ‘around the corner’ and ‘inside the building’ view. The device will be capable of being carried in the cargo pocket of a soldier’s uniform A: As I mentioned earlier, the Shadow team is working hard on a and may integrate with Nett Warrior. new engine effort. The team will soon award the contract for phase II, which is the design enhancement phase. The effort is focused Q: Over the course of your tenure of project manager UAS, what on obtaining an engine that will double our reliability (helping to have been your most difficult challenges to overcome? reduce long term sustainment costs) and addressing some longneeded performance concerns of heavy fuel and noise reduction.

A: Over the last three years, clearly the most difficult challenge has been dealing with budget uncertainty. The uncertainty has affected Q: Could you give our readers some direction as to where MUM-T our ability to execute our program in the near term, impacted our is headed over the next decade? ability to modernize our systems through pre-planned product improvements, and reduced our ability to implement better buying A: MUM-T will be at the forefront of Army aviation over the next power efficiencies to reduce costs. decade. As we continue to field unmanned aircraft systems to our combat aviation brigades, it will become increasingly more Q: Could you discuss the transfer of Army UAS assets from OEF important to ensure that our manned and unmanned systems to other COCOMS and how that is progressing? are capable of seamless communication and interaction. The PM UAS team works closely with PEO Aviation, PM Apache and our A: We are not transferring equipment from OEF to other COCOMs TRADOC Capability Manager to synchronize MUM-T activities. We but we are returning equipment supporting OEF to CONUS. The will see a significant increase in the use of MUM-T during training retrograde operation in OEF is fairly straightforward. The PEO Aviaand at our combat training centers. We will also see the tactics, tion liaison officer in theater, co-located with Assistance Secretary techniques and procedures associated with MUM-T mature over of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology forward elethe next few years. ment, works with UAS product managers to manage the process. We execute to the Army published execution order outlining withdrawal Q: Is there anything I haven’t asked that you would like to timelines. The important takeaway is that we’re heavily involved in discuss? the process to ensure that we continue to support the commanders on the ground.

A: The Army recently celebrated Army unmanned aircraft systems reaching the 2 million flight hour milestone. This is a significant Q: In our last interview you mentioned a small micro variant UAS accomplishment. It took the Army nearly 20 years to achieve the and the Rucksack Portable UAS Capability Document that was in first million flight hours, hitting that milestone in 2010. It took the process of being approved. Could you discuss this project in the Army less than four years to obtain the second million hours. greater detail?

More importantly, 90 percent of the first 2 million flight hours were flown in direct support of combat operations. Every one of A: The new system known as SRM will address the needs of the those hours meant something to a commander on the ground. O squad members who require a small system that can be used for www.GCT-kmi.com

GCT 5.3 | 17

U.S. ARMY PEO AVIATION HEADQUARTERS

Brig. Gen. Bob Marion PEO

Rusty Weiger DPEO

John Beck Chief of Staff

Greg Gore DPM

Lt. Col. David Cheney PdM H-72A

Lt. Col. Roger Kuykendall PdM Common Engine

Lt. Col. Paul Anderson PdM MEDVEVAC

Raymond Hayes Jr. PdD International Programs

Andrew Ksepka PdD Modifications

Lt. Col. Bradley Bruce PdM UH-60 M

Forrest Collier PdM H-60L Digital

Lt. Col. Tal Sheppard PdM Longbow

Lt. Col. Shawn Powell PdM International

Lt. Col. Steve Van Riper PdM Sensors

Lt. Col. Brian Stehle PdM Block III

Lt. Col. Calvin Lane PdD Mission Support Aircraft

Lt. Col. Kirk McCauley PdD Transport Aircraft

Lt. Col. Brian Forrest PdM Special Electronic Mission Aircraft

Lt. Col. Joe Hoecherl PdM CH-47Mod

Lt. Col. Michael Hauenstein PdM CH-47F

UTILITY HELICOPTERS

Col. Thomas Todd III PM

APACHE HELICOPTERS

Col. Jeff Hager PM

Rich Tyler DPM

FIXED WING AIRCRAFT

Col. Brian Tachias PM

Brian Sabourin DPM

CARGO HELICOPTERS

Col. Rob Barrie PM

Paul Baker DPM

U.S. ARMY PEO AVIATION

Marsha Jeffrers APEO Administration

John Mull APEO Business

Snuff Thompson APEO Life Cycle Management

Terry Carlson APEO IT

Ray Sellers APEO Engr. & Tech

UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS

Col. Tim Baxter PM

Rich Kretzschmar DPM

Brad Huhlein PdM UAS Mod

Lt. Col. Scott Anderson PdM Ground Maneuver

Viva Kelley PdD Unmanned Sys. Airspace Integration Concepts

Lt. Col. Tony Davila PdM Medium Altitude Endurance

Lt. Col. Nick Kioutas PdM Small UAS

Lt. Col. William Venable PdM Common Systems Integration

Lt. Col. Mike Rutkowski PdM, ATC

Lt. Col. Steve Ansley PdM, AGSE

Scott Caruso PdM (A), ANMP

Wayne Pierce PdM Armed Scout

Lt. Col. Chris Mills PdD Armed Recon

Lt. Col. JB Worley PdM Kiowa Warrior

AVIATION SYSTEMS

Col. Jerry Davis PM

Rod Bellows DPM

ARMED SCOUT HELICOPTERS

Col. James Kennedy PD

Jimmy Downs DPD

NON-STANDARD ROTARY WING AIRCRAFT

Col. James Brashear PM

Kelvin Nunn DPM

Lt. Col. Alex Alejo PdD Scout/Attack & Cargo Utility

Lt. Col. Craig Besaw PdD Mi-17/Mi-35

Lt. Col. Scott Everton PdM, AME

Nimble Wheels

The Army is acting smartly and swiftly to keep soldiers safely on the move.

By Scott Nance, GCT Correspondent If you thought that after more than a decade at war, the U.S. military’s wheeled vehicle fleet might be worn out and in need of repair, you would be wrong.

So said Kevin Fahey, then the Army’s program executive officer for Combat Support & Combat Service Support. “Overall, today the Army’s tactical wheeled vehicle fleet is healthy, young and in good shape.

Thanks to substantial, rapid, warfighterfocused investment over the past decade, today’s tactical wheeled vehicles offer greater capability and improved protection than their predecessors,” Fahey said in a statement provided to Ground Combat & Tactical ISR. “Our medium and heavy tactical vehicle fleets will conclude most production programs in the next few years with young fleet ages that should keep our soldiers in safe, reliable trucks for many years.”

Meanwhile, the primary tactical wheeled vehicle production effort is moving quickly to the joint light tactical vehicle (JLTV) program, which Fahey called “a critical Army and Marine Corps effort to fill gaps in the light tactical vehicle fleet by better balancing payload, performance, and protection.”

20 | GCT 5.3

“We look forward to continuing this onwarfighter protection in the kinds of asymbudget, on-schedule program into low rate metrical battlefields they operate in today initial production in fiscal and are anticipated to face year 2015,” he added. “As we into the future, according to make these investments and Colonel John Cavedo, joint carefully sustain current platproject manager for JLTV. forms, we know that trucks Cavedo’s office includes both remain important to the the JLTV development proArmy’s mission-tailored and gram and the legacy HMMWV expeditionary future force. program.

We are diligently leveraging The HMMWV has been the Army’s strategic modernthe “mainstay for the light ization planning efforts and tactical wheeled vehicle [secCol. John Cavedo revising the tactical wheeled tor] for the last 30 years, vehicle strategy to project necessary modsince 1985 or so,” proving crucial for many ernization programs, identify [science and operations including Desert Shield, Desert technology] insertion opportunities based Storm, U.S. involvement in Panama, disason existing or emerging capability gaps, and ter relief, training and more, Cavedo said. divest older vehicles to maintain the fleet’s However, the “era of the front lines strength—ensuring capabilities meet the was evaporated on 9/11,” and the growth full range of challenges our soldiers may of asymmetrical warfare was such that it face today and tomorrow.” is no longer the case that heavily armored vehicles at front lines are able to engage in decisive combat while communications Asymmetric Warfare and logistics lines are secured behind, Creates Capability Gap where lightly armored or non-armored vehicles “could operate with impunity,” The capability gap that the new Cavedo said.

JLTV will fill is a critical one to offer the www.GCT-kmi.com

More Movement, Less Weight The next level of vehicle survivability will be lighter than you think.

Years down the road, when the warfighter enjoys a level of survivability not available in any vehicle deployed today, he may have the ultra light vehicle (ULV) to thank.

Never intended to be fielded in widely deployable numbers, ULV is a technology demonstration project funded by the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) designed to examine what is possible in vehicle survivability.

Executed by the Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center, ULV employed Hardwire LLC, a defense technology firm in Pocomoke City, Md., as prime contractor to lead a team of industry partners to develop ULV and its systems.

Other firms contracted for the ULV team include Boeing, DRS Technologies, Harris Corp., as well as Penn State and others.

“The ultimate goal of the ULV was to demonstrate that a military tactical vehicle the size of a [HMMWV] could be survivable at the MRAP family of vehicle level and

“With this asymmetric battlefield, any time you were no longer on a secured operating base, you were in decisive action, engagement territory,” he added.

Although the military initially tried to up-armor HMMWVs to meet this new threat, such efforts very quickly began overloading the vehicles, Cavedo said. A HMMWV’s drive-train, suspension, and engine were no longer capable of carrying the added armor required to adequately protect soldiers and Marines outside of their forward operating base, he said.

“We did up-armor them, but unless you’ve been living under a rock in Papua, New Guinea, our enemies knew what our Achilles heel was—and trying to put that [extra armor] on a HMMWV just became an insurmountable task,” Cavedo added.

The military next tried to close the capability gap with introduction of the MRAP family of vehicles—the mine-resistant ambush protected vehicles, which Cavedo called “incredibly survivable.”

The military, however, built and fielded the MRAPs so quickly to meet an urgent need to protect personnel that, ultimately, www.GCT-kmi.com

still be affordable in production. The objective was given to us by OSD to balance weight, survivability, cost and performance.

We achieved just that,” Hardwire CEO George Tunis said.

ULV vehicles are undergoing testing now. The ULV project was undertaken at a fast pace, Tunis said. “We started the initial design from scratch and built the demonstrator vehicles in only 16 months, so we’re very proud of that accomplishment,” he said.

The technologies incorporated into the ULV were developed in a way that they could be utilized on current and future vehicle programs, Tunis said.

“Hardwire engineers are ‘out-of-thebox’ thinkers, and that openness to new ideas is what made the ULV so successful,” he said. “It has really pushed the state of the art and shown that a lightweight military tactical vehicle can be a hybrid electric.”

The use of hybrid electric technology, increasingly common in consumer

many different MRAP variants emerged and there wasn’t a lot of emphasis on MRAP reliability, or on transportability or mobility, Cavedo said.

Further, MRAPs are not expeditionary, and even a lighter MRAP variant developed for the more rugged terrain in Afghanistan “is still a pretty darn heavy vehicle,” he said.

“So we have this huge gap in the light tactical wheeled vehicle fleet right now, and that’s what the JLTV will close,” Cavedo said.

Mix of JLTVs, MRAPs and HMMWVs The services have a “divestiture plan for lots of MRAPs, but they’re also keeping lots of MRAPs for different mission roles,” Cavdeo said, adding that eventually, the military will maintain “probably a couple thousand MRAPs … for specific mission roles.”

The services also will maintain “probably two-thirds to half of the HMMWV fleet that’s still remaining,” he explained.

“We don’t need JLTVs to be on garrison posts, camps and stations around [the continental] United States to take soldiers and

automobiles today, proved a key lesson in the development of the ULV, Tunis said.

“The combination of survivability with mobility led us to the hybrid electric design,” he said. “The hybrid configuration provides significant advantages in fuel efficiency and exportable power, both of which are increasingly critical for warfighter operations. Also, because the ULV has such an efficient design for survivability, it’s airliftable by helicopter with the armor on.”

The hybrid electric technology was just one of the lessons learned from the ULV project, Tunis said. “We’ve shown that the hybrid revolution from the consumer market is scalable to military-sized vehicles and that the vehicle can now double as the mobile generator needed on the battlefield … there have been a number of lessons learned regarding how to incorporate COTS-based technologies effectively into defense systems. Our team has gained valuable experience through this process, which will continue to serve current and future customers well.”

Marines to and from training areas, to run chow out to a firing line, or as part of some of the National Guard organizations when they do natural disaster relief-type operations,” he said.

Thirty years from now, Cavedo projected, the services will have “about a 50/50 mix” of HMMWVs and JLTVs. “I think we will have a very deliberate and efficient mix of legacy HMMWVs, JLTV for decisive action, and MRAP for very specific mission sets,” he said.

The JLTV program contracted with three manufacturers—AM General, Lockheed Martin, and Oshkosh Defense—to produce their own prototype. Each contractor has delivered 22 such prototypes to Cavedo’s program under an engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) phase of the competition.

“When it comes to talking about how the three vendors are doing, I’ll tell you what I tell each one of them when they ask me how they’re doing. I tell them, ‘They’re firmly situated in the top three—and if they keep trying, they just might remain there,’” Cavedo quipped.

GCT 5.3 | 21

“Very Intensive” Competition

wheeled vehicle fleet. I feel very confident that all three of these vendors can meet the requirements that we’ve With the 66 prototypes put out there. They can meet from the three contractors, them and be at, or below, the military began a “very our affordability cap. This is intensive 14-month test proa best-value opportunity for gram” around October 1, the military, where we will get 2013, Cavedo said. the best value for our dollar, “There is a lot of testing where we will get the best of that is happening with these Christopher Vanslager the best: the most capability 66 vehicles, crammed into a that closes the requirements 14-month test window that gap—achieves our requirereally spans across five or six ments—and we get it for the or seven different test sites,” best price.” he said.

The JLTV program is on Cavedo said that he “an incredibly aggressive expects the program to put timeline,” and the program out a request for proposals had to deal with several chalto industry, and to complete lenges over the recent fall an approximately five-monthmonths—including the deep long source selection evalufederal budget cuts known ation process to recommend Kathryn Hasse as sequestration, federal a single vendor to go foremployee furloughs and a ward with production with limited government shutthree years of low-rate inidown—to keep the work on tial production starting track, Cavedo said. around October 2015, with “We had to make some full-rate production kicking very bold and risky decisions off in 2018. this past fall when we were “Right now, I anticipate looking at a fairly substantial it will be a limited competireduction in our budget—to tion amongst the three” curmake the decision to press rent EMD phase contractors, forward with testing, even he said.

John Bryant though we didn’t have the full Even before the full probudget at the time to complete the testing,” totypes were delivered and the official test he said. “The gamble that we were taking period began, the JLTV had started “prewas that we would ultimately get the full prototype testing” as early as January 2013, appropriation that we needed to in order by testing the contractor’s individual armor to complete all this testing that I’m talking packages for the project, Cavedo said. “It’s a about. As it stands right now, it looks like ‘crawl, walk, run’ approach to testing, where that will come to fruition.” we had some of their armor solutions and we shot some of their armor solutions up front,” he said.

Competitors Tout Their Ultimately, the plan is for the Army to Advantages procure 49,000, with the Marine Corps picking up an additional 5,500, he said. Once Each of the three firms involved in the full-rate production starts, the chosen venJLTV program claim advantages that set dor will be manufacturing about 2,200 per them apart from the others for the ultimate year, Cavedo said. If circumstances at that selection of a single vendor. time require it, “that rate would be able to be South Bend, Ind.-based AM General significantly increased,” he added. “We’ll be calls its JLTV offering blast resistant vehiclebuilding JLTVs and divesting older HMMWVs offroad, or BRV-O. Company officials tout AM at the same time,” he said.

General’s years of experience already producAdded Cavedo: “The government’s in ing some 300,000 light tactical vehicles for a really good position to wind up getting the military, including manufacturing the the best of the best to close the capabilHMMWV. BRV-O also benefits from “more ity gap that we have in the light tactical than a decade of our own investment in 22 | GCT 5.3

research, development and testing,” said Jeffery Adams, the company’s executive director of global marketing and communications.

“We have a legacy of producing vehicles for the Department of Defense going back 50-plus years beyond the HMMWV,” added Christopher Vanslager, vice president of business development and program management at AM General.

Lockheed Martin, meanwhile, cited an advantage in that it was the only one of the three EMD contractors to participate in an earlier phase of the JLTV program—as well as in a related Army advanced concept technology demonstration contract prior to that, according to Kathryn Hasse, director of JLTV for Lockheed Martin.

“We had the opportunity to have a good understanding of what the capability gaps were that JLTV is intended to fill. And we had the opportunity to design our vehicle from a clean sheet of paper around the customer’s requirements and around the needs of the warfighter,” she said. “And then, we’ve had the opportunity to evolve that design through several phases of the program. In all cases, we’ve worked hard to maintain the performance of the vehicle—which, in turn, has really been, in our opinion, superb.”

Also, Lockheed Martin has been able to “take costs out and to enhance things such as the maintainability of the vehicle,” Hasse added.

For JLTV, Oshkosh Defense has been able to leverage its experience manufacturing the M-ATV MRAP variant, said John Bryant, the company’s senior vice president of defense programs.

“Oshkosh, having delivered more than 8,700 M-ATVs to the government, we’ve had the benefit of real-world experience in a combat environment with a fairly small platform that is executing a mission very similar to JLTV right now,” he said. “We were able to directly leverage our survivability experience with M-ATV, and provide the next level of survivability for JLTV. We were able to take the lessons learned from our integrated survivability solution on M-ATV, and package them in a lighter-weight, more-scalable system for JLTV so that the commander can choose the level of protection he wants and our customer can choose a variety of kits at different weights and different protection levels.” O For more information, contact Editor-in-Chief Jeff McKaughan at jeffm@kmimediagroup.com or search our online archives for related stories at www.gct-kmi.com.

www.GCT-kmi.com

Ammo is unstoppable even during the most unpredictable of times.

By Jeff Campbell GCT Correspondent

The types and quantities of weapon systems ordered during fiscal crunches can be greatly altered or decreased. Once realized, a surefire companion is the orders for ammunition to be fired from those systems.

Congress made some important steps over the holiday break to finally give manufacturers a little more certainty, but this chapter of difficult budget forecasting is far from over for the U.S. Army’s Program Executive Office for Ammunition.

“Passage of the fiscal year 2014 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and the Bipartisan Budget Act (BBA) does provide a more positive outlook for fiscal stability within the ammunition enterprise,” said Army PEO Ammunition Spokesperson Peter Rowland. “However, until the FY 2014 Appropriations www.GCT-kmi.com

Bill is passed and details of the remaining sequestration adjustments in the bill are known for certain, it is too early to assess detailed impacts.”

One thing we know for sure, major overseas combat operations in the OEF area of operations are over, and budget maneuvering may give way to more room for training this year. Whether 2014 unfolds exclusively as a training period or overseas contingency operation increase, PEO Ammunition is ready, as the majority of the items the office procures are dual-use, for training as well as combat. “Any ‘shift in gears’ will be in response to program objective memorandum (POM) budgets submitted by Headquarters Department of the Army,” Rowland noted. “When developing the POM budget submission, the Army takes into account ammunition GCT 5.3 | 23

quantity requirements—for both training and operations—as well as projected inventory levels and impacts to the industrial base.”

Forward Thinking

Many tests throughout the program have enabled the AAI LSAT team to carry out critical proof-of-concept work, serving as a foundation for the mature system it is today. “The AAI team has grown these concepts to design a family of lightweight CT weapons,” Shipley said. “This includes a standard LMG, a rifle variant, as well as a compact LMG with a quick-change, 12-inch barrel and folding buttstock, developed for close-quarters applications and tested in 2012 by the U.S. Army Special Operations Command.”

This year, Shipley said the team will focus shifts to the development of a 7.62 CT cartridge and “continued CL ammunition technology maturation to improve propellant and ignition formulations in a 5.56 mm configuration.”

AAI, based in Hunt Valley, Md., has had next-generation advanced technology ammunition in its sights since the 1970s, when its team created medium-caliber cased-telescoped (CT) ammo, a program that continued into the next decade. Also in the ’80s, AAI began to develop both CT and caseless (CL) ammo for the advanced combat rifle program. Along with that ammo, forward thinking led them to develop hybrid-polymer cartridge cases in a variety of calibers.

“The catalyst to unite and advance these efforts was a 2003 broad agency announcement from the government for lightweight Paving a Path weapons and ammunition, which was the inception of the lightweight family of weapons and ammunition program (currently Lockheed Martin’s Paveway II program is nearing a quarterreferred to as the lightweight small arms technologies (LSAT) century in production. Joe Serra, precision guided systems program),” said AAI Program Manager Paul Shipley. program manager, attributes its continued success in overseas The primary focus of the initial LSAT program was weight contingency operations to proven performance. “By accurately reduction while maintaining lethality; although the program replicating key performance and accuracy of the tactical Pavecalled for a reduction of at least 40 percent, AAI way II laser guided bomb (LGB), the Paveway II was able to decrease the weight by half in one case. enhanced laser guided training round (ELGTR) proAAI didn’t stop there—other program objectives gram provides demonstrated capability to increase included increasing reliability, improving ergonomaircrew proficiency,” Serra said. “The lower unit cost ics, and reducing training and maintenance support of the ELGTR system provides aircrews with higher requirements. training frequency in precision guided engageThe Army had requested that industry come up ments and access to training scenarios that might with a solution to all of these issues without raising otherwise be cost prohibitive as tactical weapons the cost of the weapons or associated ammunition. exercises.”

AAI was able to meet and exceed all those expectaThe precision guided systems team has also tions through a “clean slate” approach. found that the ELGTR enhances tactical weapons’ Paul Shipley “The program requirements gave us the freedom overall value by preserving tactical weapon invento design the weapon and ammunition as a systory levels and at the same time allowing aircrews tem, rather than retrofitting existing components,” to maintain consistent high levels of readiness.

Shipley said. “The LSAT program pursued parallel Thanks to increased efficiency and lower proefforts for 5.56 mm CT and CL technologies, and duction costs, Navy pilots are able to more effecwe achieved a 40 percent weight reduction with CT tively provide air support protecting ground troops; and 50 percent with our CL design, which was our their training regime includes the same mission target.” planning, tactics and employment as the Paveway II The LSAT program has proven effective in trainLGB, but now more training missions are possible. ing and combat user assessments, with approxi“Therefore, overall LGB proficiency is achieved mately 75,000 CT rounds having been fired, and earlier and is maintained over time,” Serra said. about 1,500 CL, as GCT went to print. “Today, the “Navy pilots remain at peak readiness and are fully Joe Serra 5.56 mm CT ammunition and Light Machine Gun prepared to deliver tactical ordnance whenever air (LMG) designs are very mature, proven to technolto ground support is required.” ogy readiness level (TRL) 7,” Shipley pointed out. “Development of As development progresses through 2014, Lockheed Martin the 5.56 mm CL technologies has been more challenging, and they is investing internal funds to further improve training cost and are currently at TRL 5.” capability multiple carriage ELGTR and precision munition While a myriad of budget questions made 2013 a dizzying year training system (PMTS) programs. “Multiple carriage ELGTR is for many industry partners, AAI’s LSAT program begins 2014 with focused to increase training loadout of ELGTR, providing pilots much to celebrate from the past year. Last summer, the company with the ability to employ greater numbers per sortie and PMTS announced a DoD contract that enabled further innovation of both provides the addition of GPS/INS all-weather targeting for trainthe CT and CL ammunition and weapon technologies. “Under that ing of dual mode tactical weapons,” Serra said. O contract, our 5.56 mm CT LMG system was assessed in the fall of 2013 during the Army’s dismounted non-networked experiment, or DNNE, by the Maneuver Battle Lab at Fort Benning, Ga.,” Shipley For more information, contact Editor-in-Chief Jeff McKaughan at jeffm@kmimediagroup.com or search our online archives for related stories said. “Early customer input from the live-fire trials showed excelat www.gct-kmi.com. lent results across the various user testing criteria.”

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Institutionalizing Rapid Readiness U.S. Army will continue to provide rapid-response equipping capability for deployed global forces.

By Colonel Steven A. Sliwa Director, Rapid Equipping Force

Soldiers conducting ground combat operations inevitably face unexpected challenges, and after more than 11 years of combat against an adaptive enemy, the U.S. Army has refined its ability to quickly insert technologies into the field and address urgent requirements. In January 2014, the Army approved the long-term plan for an organization designed to do just that, thereby demonstrating its commitment to institutionalizing this capability.

The Rapid Equipping Force, or REF, was established in 2002 to harness emerging commercial and government off-the-shelf products and address urgent requirements. Over the years, the organization has received thousands of requirements for consideration via the REF 10-liner process, a simple 10-question form that can be submitted by any soldier. This direct communication with soldiers on the battlefield keeps REF subject matter experts deeply connected to what troops are experiencing on the ground. The organization has also responded to requirements directly from Army senior leadership. REF’s key proficiency is its ability to leverage partnerships with other Army organizations, such as the program executive offices (PEOs) and the development and engineering centers, as well as other government organizations, industry and labs, to address niche gaps with quick-tothe-field, mature technology solutions.

Eleven Years of Results In Afghanistan in 2002, soldiers conducting combat operations were sustaining casualties from booby traps and grenade blowback while searching and clearing caves. Vice Chief of Staff of the Army General John Keane knew there had to be a way to prevent this and challenged Colonel Bruce Jette to procure and insert a new robot technology in less than 90 days. In response, Jette stood up the rapid integration of robot systems (RIRS) and teamed up with Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and several industry partners to identify and procure the PackBot in less than 30 days. The system was subsequently deployed to Afghanistan and became the first man-packable robot in theater.

Success of this effort led to the formal establishment of the REF in November 2002. Its primary task was to support soldiers in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) using deployed teams in Afghanistan and a headquarters office at Fort Belvoir, Va. When Operation Iraqi Freedom www.GCT-kmi.com

began in March 2003, REF expanded its operations to include forward teams in Kuwait and Iraq, where it continued to address emerging threats and shortfalls in several key capability areas.

Counter-IED Improvised explosive devises (IEDs) quickly became the primary threat to American soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq. REF partnered with the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Task Force, a precursor to the Joint IED Defeat Organization, and together, the two organizations equipped units with the ballistic armor kit for vehicles, dramatically improving soft-skinned vehicle safety. Other REF C-IED solutions include counter-electronic warfare systems and handheld IED detection systems.

Force Protection In both conflicts soldiers also faced sniper threats. REF assessed 26 individual, counter-sniper technologies and ultimately transitioned 16 programs to PEO Soldier for wider fielding. One of the technologies discovered during this timeframe was the Boomerang system. In 2006, building off of U.S. Marine Corps and DARPA efforts, REF delivered project Boomerang to Iraq. Boomerang uses acoustic sensors to detect a sniper fire source location so that a unit can engage quickly and more accurately. Subsequent iterations integrated Boomerang with slew-to-cue weapons systems to improve the ability to confirm and engage enemies. This system transitioned to the Project Manager (PM) for Ground Sensors in 2008 and is still used in Afghanistan today.

Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance The shift to increased dismounted operations and the expansion of unit locations outside of major forward operating bases (FOBs) to remote locations both heavily influenced urgent requirements.

Due to terrain in Afghanistan, dismounted patrols and remote bases were often forced to function with limited intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) assets. REF has partnered with a number of organizations over the years to provide situational awareness for operations at the company level and below. REF ISR efforts have GCT 5.3 | 25

included unmanned aerial systems, such as Raven and Puma, tactical aerostats, handheld receivers and, currently, a developmental project to demonstrate on-the-move 4G networking capability.

While the Army refined the requirement and assigned the responsibility for the comprehensive base expeditionary targeting and surveillance systems–combined (BETTS-C) program to improve combat outpost (COP) surveillance, REF bridged the gap and quickly equipped 105 interim systems. Rapid deployment integrated surveillance system (RDISS) integrates cameras, ground sensors, software and an operator station to provide a closed circuit TV surveillance system that uses digitalized video over a local area network. RDISS was ultimately selected to be one of the key systems of systems within the BETTS-C framework.

Biometrics As the Army was recognizing that it urgently needed a way to identify and track suspected insurgents, biometric security technologies were achieving remarkable strides in the civilian security market and law enforcement. Identification of suspects was no longer confined to fingerprints, but had expanded to include retina scans, DNA repositories and facial recognition. In 2004, the senior defense leadership directed the development of an Iraqi national identification card system and turned to the REF for support. The REF led the development of an automated fingerprint identification system (AFIS) and developed biometrics enrollment kits that could be used in the field at checkpoints, border crossing sites and other remote locations to capture biometric data. This effort produced early successes and led to the establishment of the Biometrics Task Force in 2006.

Operational Energy Another major challenge area is sustainment of units operating in austere locations. To increase operational effectiveness, optimize logistics and improve power surety, REF initiated its Energy to the Edge (E2E) program, which assesses, equips and advises units on existing standard equipment, novel energy efficient technologies and their employment methods. Realizing that water and waste-remediation operations also distracted from a unit’s primary mission, the program evolved into the current Net-Zero to the Edge initiative adding water production and recycling capability to the its portfolio. A key element to the program’s overall success is the collaboration and synchronization with the Army and DoD operational energy communities, specifically the assistant secretary of defense for Operational Energy Plans and Programs, assistant secretary of the Army (Installation, Energy & Environment), Army G-4 Operational Energy Office and the Project Manager Mobile Electric Power. Today REF Net-Zero advisors continue to support operations throughout the globe, improving operational effectiveness by optimizing overall efficiency and resiliency.

REF Today The REF’s primary focus remains support to OEF operations. As posts close and realign in support of the retrograde, REF is receiving new requirements for ISR and small COP force protection technologies. The organization continues to maintain a forward presence at both the Kandahar and Bagram Airfields. REF is working closely with U.S. Forces Afghanistan commanders to properly distribute capabilities across theater and, where applicable, harvest technologies for use 26 | GCT 5.3

in other areas. Additionally, REF is currently providing solutions to requirements in the Horn of Africa.

REF Earns Enduring Status The need for nonstandard equipment is not isolated to combat operations. Though the Army is reducing troops in Afghanistan, as of January 2014, soldiers are deployed to more than 140 countries globally. Each mission has its own unique environment that can generate unpredictable requirements. Whether in combat or peacetime operations, units will always have the necessity for agile mechanisms to acquire the kit they need to meet mission.

In a memo signed by Under Secretary of the Army Dr. Joseph W. Westphal, the Army recognized the REF capability was something the service needs for the long-term and approved a plan for the stabilization of the REF. “The secretary of the Army and the chief of staff have determined that the capabilities afforded the Army by REF must be rendered enduring,” Westphal wrote in his memo.

The plan transfers a smaller REF, its military and civilian personnel, along with their functions and funding, to the Army’s Training and Doctrine Command, a transition that should happen no later than September 30, 2015, but may occur sooner. The REF will remain physically located at Fort Belvoir.

Most significantly, REF will maintain its two key authorities to both validate soldier requirements directly from soldiers and acquire solutions. The Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology (ASA(ALT)) will continue to provide their dedicated program manager. These are the building blocks that make the organization unique and enable it to provide gear in as little as 90 days.

The REF may be known for bridging gaps, but its leadership recognizes that they accomplish no equipping success alone. The organization will continue to grow relationships with ASA (ALT) PEOs and PMs, Army Materiel Command, the Research, Development and Engineering Command as well as the Centers of Excellence to ensure synchronization on emerging requirements and technologies. One particular short-term goal is to grow the partnership with Asymmetric Warfare Group to further leverage their global scout capability. Together, these Army organizations, strengthened by REF understanding, authorities and bridging capability, will support an agile and adaptive Army that is poised to meet current, future and unexpected requirements.

The Rapid Equipping Force, harnesses current and emerging technologies to provide immediate solutions to the urgent challenges of U.S. Army forces deployed globally. The Department of the Army formed the REF in 2002 to support critical warfighter requirements in Afghanistan, and during the past 11 years, the REF has met challenges as diverse as defeating improvised explosive devices, increasing tactical-level operational energy efficiency, gathering blast effect data to better understand traumatic brain injury and improving intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities in austere locations. The REF responds to global Army units of all types, combat, combat support and combat service support, to rapidly adapt to changing battlefield conditions and enemy tactics. Visit at www.army.ref.mil for more information. O For more information, contact Editor-in-Chief Jeff McKaughan at jeffm@kmimediagroup.com or search our online archives for related stories at www.gct-kmi.com.

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The advertisers index is provided as a service to our readers. KMI cannot be held responsible for discrepancies due to last-minute changes or alterations.

GCT RESOURCE CENTER Advertisers Index Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp......................................... C4 www.ballaerospace.com Kaplan University........................................................................ 9 www.military.kaplan.edu MetaVR....................................................................................... C2 www.metavr.com Millennium Sensor LLC............................................................. C3 www.msensor.com UAV Solutions............................................................................. 13 www.uavsolutions.com

Calendar May 4-6, 2014 Quad-A Nashville, Tenn. www.quad-a.org May 5-9, 2014 Defense + Security (SPIE) Baltimore, Md. http://spie.org/x6776.xml

May 7, 2014 Navy Information Dominance Industry Day Chantilly, Va. www.afcea.org/mission/intel/events. asp May 12-15, 2014 AUVSI Orlando, Fla. www.auvsishow.org

July 2014 Vol. 5, Issue 4

Cover and In-Depth Interview with:

Stephen Kreider PEO IEW&S U.S. Army Features:

Rifle and Pistol Ammunition Centuries ago, a bullet was a bullet. Now, ammo options are enormous.

Unattended Ground Sensors Cheap and dispensable unattended ground sensors are the new normal for detecting advancing threats.

NEVER STOP LEARNING Considering a new degree?

Advising your troops on their education options?

You need Military Advanced Education’s 2014 Guide to Military-Friendly Colleges & Universities!

Check out the searchable database at www.mae-kmi.com for the details prospective students and commanders are looking for!

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Access all the survey answers from the hundreds of schools that participated in MAE’s 2014 Guide to Military-Friendly Colleges & Universities

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Compare and contrast institutions with all the info MAE used to score and designate our top schools

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Ground Vehicle Program Updates A look at JLTV, AMPV and several reset projects look at the tactical vehicle fleet for the long term.

Throwable ISR In a close combat environment rugged, mobile, throwable cameras and sensors can be an urban warriors best friend.

Human Geography Understanding the language and cultural norms of a country or region is critical to mission success.

Bonus Distribution Military Vehicle Expo Space and Missile Defense Symposium Modern Day Marine Insertion Order Deadline: June 24, 2014 Ad Material Deadline: July 1, 2014 GCT 5.3 | 27

INDUSTRY INTERVIEW

Ground Combat Tactical ISR

Mike Roberts CEO Millennium Sensor Q: Could you tell our reader about some of the solutions Millennium Sensor offers to the military?

and digital systems to meet operational requirements as they evolve.

Q: Can you provide a few success stories?

A: Millennium Sensor has been providing personnel-centric, small team, ISR, force protection, asset protection and general rapid deployment, situational awareness capability for our DoD customers since 1999. Our sensor development experience extends back to our inception in 1991 with our first laser penetration detectors.

Today we offer fully integrated platforms that tie a variety of sensors to cameras and thermal imagers with notification to operators in high speed environments. P3 is personnel-centric, because everything we design and manufacture reports to operators first. Reports are piped upstream if required, but the guy getting his boots dirty gets notification first without need for local comms infrastructure. P3 gear does not need WiFi connection, sat link or cell coverage.

However, we can connect to any or all of those pipelines if desired.

Over the years we’ve developed more and more of our components in-house.

For example, we’ve designed and manufactured our own extreme low light color camera that has the dynamic range for day/night capability without the need for large, expensive auto-iris lenses.

We continually innovate; if it’s not broke we fix it anyway. For example, when we first introduced our P3-100 point sensor it would run for 24 hours, it evolved to operate for 7 days, and today it will run for 40 days with 100 activations per day. We currently have new technology in development that will take that number closer to 400 days on a single charge.

Q: What unique benefits does Millennium Sensor provide its customers in comparison with other military contractors?

A: The most important part of our mission is to provide interoperable solutions, not 28 | GCT 5.3

just products. Our universal sensor transmitter can accept a third party closed contact sensor and put its signal onto our net.

We have a universal video transmitter that takes any source of NTSC video and pipes it to our video receiver. Our triggers can activate other manufacturer’s reporting devices and we manufacture a battery/signal bus that allows our sensors to trigger third party gear, thus saving battery life.

We design for extreme interoperability and for our platform to be simple to train and operate.

Q: What are some interesting new programs or initiatives at Millennium Sensor?

A: We are working on Block 20 of the P3 Sensor/Video platform. We’re adding new sensor types, longer operating range, longer time on station and additional functions. We’re shrinking our video receivers and adding some more over-the-horizon capability.

Q: What is Millennium Sensor doing to position itself for the future in uncertain business times?

A: We have always been a lean operation. Over the years we have invested in in-house development capability to keep our time to market short and our development costs low and enhance our ability to react to customer requirements and requests. We can fab our own pc boards, print 3-D machine metal and plastic and fab sheet metal in-house. Our engineering and development investments include in-house control and development of RF, microwave, optical, video, laser, mobile

A: As you might imagine, many of our customers don’t make that information public. Around our shop we celebrate successes when 10-plus-year-old gear is returned just for new batteries, or requests for overnight turnaround of older cameras to be upgraded to low light color units for immediate downrange deployment. We pride ourselves on the durability, utility, longevity and reliability of our P3 gear.

Q: How are Millennium Sensor solutions customized to meet the needs of the military?

A: The P3 Sensor Platform gear was designed primarily with the input and cooperation of our DoD customers with emphasis toward our warfighters.

There are law enforcement applications of course, but first responders generally measure their operating areas in meters instead of kilometers, so there are modifications we make to optimize P3 performance for the limited range and operating times they require.

Q: What are Millennium Sensor objectives in 2014 for the military market?

A: We are working to ensure all of our new development will bridge smoothly between Block 15 and 20. That means that while the next generation gear will have additional features, functionality and performance, current and older components will have adapters to allow continued operation. We imagine that in the future we will need to develop new equipment that simply won’t be backward compatible, but if and when that happens, our objectives stay the same ... to continue to improve situational awareness, force protection and ISR capability to provide a tactical advantage for small, high speed teams. O www.GCT-kmi.com

Inter-operable with 3rd party sensors/video & networks Legacy Compatible Personnel Centric Easy to Train & Operate Wireless Lightweight Sensors (local/network) - Point - Seismic - Optical Trip - Vibration - Single Point Trip - 3rd Party Universal Transmitter Video (local/network) - Low Light Camera - Thermal - Receivers/Monitors - 3rd Party Universal Transmitters - DVR - Cell/BGAN/SAT/Network interfaces

ISR GEAR

NEW Integrated Tunable Video Receiver

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Millennium Sensor, LLC www.msensor.com

Made in the USA .... since 1999