special operations force industry conference 2010, ussocom, tampa, fl

FOG HORN SOFIC 2010, Tampa, Fl. Vol 1 Issue 03 19 July 2010

Copyright, Sal Palma dba Twobirds-Flying Publication, 2010. All rights reserved.

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Special Operations Force Industry Conference (SOFIC) 2010 – Accelerating the Force

By: Sal Palma (Follow me on Twitter.com/Twobirdsflying)

This year’s theme, “Accelerating the Force” is all about business opportunities, acquisitions and technologies that, when implemented, will enhance the capabilities, lethality and survivability of our Special Operations Force (SOF).

It was also the first year that the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) conducted the conference, and they did a great job of it.

SOFIC 2010 was an outstanding conference, in every respect, and I would like to congratulate USSOCOM, Tampa, FL and NDIA for their efforts. Of course, The City of Tampa was a great host, with special thanks to the Tampa Police Department who did an exceptional job with security.

There is a sensitive nature to the conference; therefore, there are limits placed on what can be discussed, photographed or otherwise disclosed. Unlike other shows, for example, SHOT in Las Vegas, photography is restricted. The exhibitor and /or USSOCOM approve all photography.

As a final point before getting into the conference details, I want to encourage all entrepreneurs, small businesses or large enterprise, currently in the defense sector or thinking about the defense industry, to join NDIA. It is an industry association that works diligently to serve the needs of our Armed Forces and its membership.

If you are not a member, you are missing out and possibly out of touch with our current defense needs.

Day One – Tuesday, June 15, 2010 – Small Business Session and Exhibit

If you are a small business interested in doing business with USSOCOM, the Small Business Session was one that you needed to attend.

The morning opened with the SOFIC Small Business Program Introduction delivered by two NDIA executives: Anthony Gray, President, NDIA Tampa Chapter and Major General Barry D. Bates U.S. Army (Retired), VP Operations, NDIA.

Mr. Christopher Harrington, Director, Small Business Programs delivered the presentation. It was quite clear from Mr. Harrington’s comments that USSOCOM is interested in working with small businesses to “Accelerate the Force.”



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Mr. Harrington points out that USSOCOM understands and embraces the amount of innovation that exists in the small business community and they are eager to work with you.

To that end, The Small Business Program Office has created a Technology & Industry Liaison Office (TILO) as part of Mr. Harrington’s organization.

Kelly Stratton-Feix is your contact point and she can be reached through the USSOCOM web site or the TILO office.

TILO’s mission is to evaluate relevant technology and to move those sources through USSOCOM to the proper Program Office. This is a valuable service; specifically provided to assist small firms in conducting business with USSOCOM.

If you are a small business with relevant technologies that address the specific needs of SOCOM, please contact TILO at USSOCOM HQ.

After a great morning session, I headed up to the Exhibit Hall, which opened its doors at 10:00 a.m.

My first visit of the day was the Ashbury International Group, Inc. booth, where I said hi to our good friends.

For those of you unfamiliar with Ashbury International Group, Inc., they manufacture one of the best .338 Lapua long-range precision rifles, made anywhere. They sell these very capable platforms as complete sniper systems.

One interesting note, Ashbury’s exhibited its rifle with the new Accu-Shot Atlas bipod, an excellent design for use in uneven terrain and at all sorts of angles. The build quality is exceptional and the bipod is superbly functional. The Atlas bipod is a first-rate choice for the Ashbury system, or any other precision sniper weapon – particularly those destined for deployment in mountainous terrain.

Whenever possible, I try to take in gear exhibits and this year was no exception.

For 2010 and beyond, the well-dressed operator, in Afghanistan, will be clad in MULTICAM, and to ensure that our warriors are properly accessorized a host of load bearing equipment, accessory pouches and ammo pouches, in MULTICAM, will be entering the market - all of which create a stunning ensemble for day or evening wear.



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Of course, no outfit is complete without the right shoes so a number of companies, like Danner, have introduced boots that complement and round out the operator’s ensemble.

I stopped next at Streamlight’s booth to say hello to some great folks and to look over the TLR-VIR.

This is an interesting weapon mounted light / IR illuminator combination.

The TLR-VIR is a 160-lumen weapon mounted light with strobe (user programmable) and an IR illuminator located underneath the lamp housing in the space normally occupied by a targeting laser.

The VIR features a number of design enhancements including the mount and tail cap. I’ll have more on this light to come.

Off to the Kestrel booth to check out the new 4500 meter featuring the built in ballistic software. This meter is must-have for both law enforcement and military sniper teams. I will be doing a full review of this meter later in the year.

After a great visit with the Kestrel Chicks, it was time to head over to the FN Herstal booth to check out FN’s Sniper Support Rifle (SSR).



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The SSR is essentially a MK17 SCAR in an enhanced chassis. The barrel is a slightly heavier contour giving this rifle excellent sustainable accuracy – quite impressive and typical of FNH quality.

FNH has done an amazing job developing the SCAR rifles to SOCOM’s – often-moving –requirements, and it is our understanding, that as of this writing, USSOCOM has cancelled the SCAR MK16, which was scheduled to replace the SOPMOD M4 platform – choosing instead the SCAR MK17 to fill an identified gap in required capabilities. However, in spite of SOCOM’s good intentions, the SCAR MK-17 may face its own woes.

As you know, the individual SOF units that constitute SOCOM use their “native service”

supply chain. This means that FNH will be competing with Knight’s M110 SASS, a 7.62x51 design officially adopted by the U.S. Army as the new sniper platform.

Even the U.S. Navy, is a long-time user of the KAC SR-25.

So, were will the purchase orders come from and does the MK17 SCAR provide a substantive gain in performance over existing platforms like the SASS, SR25 or even the M14, and adding fuel to the fire is the shrinking budget. All of which may prove to be problematic to FNH and the MK-17 SCAR.

There has also been some discussion about the development and production of a common receiver to facilitate an in the field and on demand conversion from 7.62x51 to 5.56x45 and back again, as needed. Candidly, given the option, I would keep my M4 lower and simply carry an off the shelf 20 inch 6.8 SPC upper in my pack – a two minute or less field conversion.

One thing is certain, there appears to be no end in sight and it may take several years for this saga to play itself out.

Given budgetary pressures and some of the other dynamics, It is unlikely that FNH will see significant sales of the MK17, a situation compounded by the presence of established contenders like the KAC M110 SASS, KAC SR25 and the M14.

FNH has invested heavily in the SCAR MK16 only to have the weapon cancelled, postponed or redrafted

As I said earlier, only time will tell but I sincerely hope things work out well for a company that has been producing exceptional weapon systems for a very long time. The MK16 and MK17 SCAR continue that tradition.



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On my way to Remington’s booth, I did a quick drive-by to take this picture for those readers that want a little something for their SUV?

My next stop was Remington’s booth where I was hoping to look at all of their new offerings; apparently, they decided to leave some of the toys at home. Not all was lost as Robby Johnson, of Remington’s Military Sales, was gracious enough to allow me to take some pictures of Remington’s MSR.

In keeping with Remington’s long standing tradition, this is quite an impressive precision rifle.

The MCR’s chassis is an amazing work of engineering; it is adjustable in all planes and the fully ambidextrous.

There is a great deal to talk about when discussing the MCR; however, a detailed treatise is beyond the scope of this article. Rest assured that as soon as possible, I will run a full review of Remington’s MCR, and I can hardly wait.

Knight’s Armament Company, of Vero Beach, FL was present at this year’s SOFIC , as was Reed and Trey Knight - both of who require no introduction.

Knight’s Armament Company continues to produce some of the most successful designs used in the SOCOM community and KAC weapon systems are legendary.

It is always a pleasure to visit with the KAC team – outstanding folks.

Day Two – Wednesday, June 16, 2010 – PEO Rotary Wing, PEO Fixed Wing, PEO SOF Warrior, PEO Maritime and SOF Program Office, Sandia National Laboratories.

Day two of the conference was a full day as I tried to walk as much of the exhibit but not miss the actual conferences and breakout sessions – it was not an easy task.



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The SOF Rotary Wing continues to be served by:

MH-6MELB (Mission Equipped Little Bird)

Light Attack/Assault

6 Combat Equipped Troops (Assault)

Max Cruise Speed: 120 knots

Max Gross Weight: 4,700 lbs.

Rapidly Deployable

Shipboard Operations

Surgical Point Insertion

Aerial Reconnaissance

Close Air Support

Reconfigurable Armament (Attack)

MH-60M Blackhawk

Medium Assault

9 Combat Equipped Troops



External Loads 9,000 lbs.

Aerial Refuel Capable

Suppressive Fire Capability

Resupply

Advanced Aircraft Survivability Equipment

Defensive Armed Penetrator (DAP)

Reconfigurable Armament

Armed Escort & Close Air Support

MH-47G Chinook

Heavy Assault

44 Combat Equipped Troops



Ext Loads: 25K lbs. tandem, 26K lbs. center hook.

Aerial Refuel Capable

Suppressive Fire Capability

Resupply

Advanced Aircraft Survivability Equipment

All of the equipment mentioned will be seeing a combination of enhancements that include frame, power plant, avionics and weapon systems.

In addition to business as usual (BAU) work and development USSOCOM is currently evaluating Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) UAS craft to fill a number of requirements.

A lot of work is taking place in the SOF PEO Fixed Wing with a focus on Find – Infiltrate – Finish; starting with the CV-22 SOF Osprey. The CV-22 is scheduled for numerous technology upgrades that enhance its ability to support the SOF mission. Those upgrades include crew



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interfaces, avionics as well as correcting several deficiencies.

Eight AC C-130H aircraft will be replaced with 16 AC-130J – congratulations Lockheed - a decision that leaves me wondering why Alenia’s C-27J Spartan did not make it into the USSOCOM inventory. Just between you me and the fence post, the Spartan is possibly the world’s best tactical support /joint cargo aircraft – no offence meant to Lockheed but I would like to see the C-130J do just some of the things that are native to the C-27J Spartan

Just a small plug for the C-27J Spartan

Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR) is a huge priority so look for increased spending and development on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) particularly Mid-Endurance UAS (MEUAS).

Next on the day’s agenda was PEO – SOF Warrior Systems’ presentation led by Col Jim Smith.

Col Smith’s office is responsible for all aspects of equipping the SOF operator to meet and survive the mission. His office is responsible for weapon systems, communications, SOF vehicles, counter proliferation, C4 and special projects to name but a few.

The slide below summarizes some of what SOF Warrior Systems is, and does a better job of telling the story than I would.



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In the area of target engagement, PEO SOF Warrior Systems address Visual Augmentation Systems and Weapons and Accessories.

Visual Augmentation Systems encompass the following technologies.

Head borne: PVS-15A, Clip-on Thermal Imagers, Digital Fusion Googles, Panoramic Night Vision Googles.

Weapon Mounted: Clip-onNight Vision Devices, Direct Optic Magnified Sights, Red Dot Aiming Sights, Sniper Sights.

Handheld: Thermal Imagers and Laser Acquisition Markers.

Vehicle Mounted: Driver, Short Range and Long Range Mobility Systems.

Weapons and Accessories

Combat Assault Rifles.

Machine Guns.

Sniper Rifles.

Laser Pointers, Illuminators and Suppressors.

PEO SOF Warrior Systems has identified a number of opportunities spaning a 12 to 18 month window of opportunity.

Non Standard Materiel (i.e. non inventories weapon systems like AK-47, RPG-7, etc.).

Improved Flash-Bang Grenade.

Enhanced Carbine Optical Systems.

Enhanced Carbine Optical Systems for CQC.

Backpak.

Eye protection.

Soft Armor.

Modular Supplemental Armor Protection (Extremeties).

Load Carriage Systems.

Visual Augmentation Systems (VAS) Mounts.

Ballistic Plate.

Armor Vest.

Maritime Communications.

Day Three – Thursday, June 17, 2010 – PEO SRSE

The Program Executives Office for Special Reconnaissance Surveillance and Exploitation is tasked with managing the development, acquisition, fielding, training and sustainment of state of the art technical collection and



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exploitation tools for advanced surveillance and reconnaissance tools.

Areas of interest include Hostile Force Tagging, Tracking & Locating, HF – TTL, Special Operations Tactical Video Systems, SOTVS, Sensitive Site Exploitation, SSE, and Rapid Capability Insertion Programs.

Significant New Technologies

The Special Operations Force Industry Conference attracts some of the best technologies available to the war fighter - communications, optics, mobility, C4ISR, weapon systems, accessories, individual protection and on-and-on. It is an impressive array of the best available. This year’s exhibit featured technologies that can safely be classified as enhancements to existing systems and others can be called revolutionary. One such development is the powered rail system, developed by Reset of Simi Valley, CA. and marketed under the trade name of RIPR.

The RIPR is a power and data distribution system integrated into a standard Picatinny rail that mounts on the operator’s weapon platform. The RIPR electrical architecture consists of three isolated busses – hot, return and data.

RIPR compliant devices attached to the rail will receive power from the rail’s battery pack; solving a number of problems.

First, devices designed to attach to the powered rail no longer need their own internal power source so they can be made significantly smaller. Second, the soldier no longer needs to carry a drug store like array of batteries thus reducing his load. Finally, the inclusion of a data buss opens the door to inter-device communications and the provision for a computer interface.

Frequent readers are very much aware of, what I’ve labeled, soldier electrification and many of the corresponding issues. RIPER effectively addresses all of these concerns and creates a tremendous opportunity for accessory integration at the weapon.

If adopted, RIPR will revolutionize the soldier’s weapon system and supporting technologies.

Look for a complete article on the RIPR in the near future.

-SP

special operations force industry conference 2010, ussocom, tampa, fl

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