SOCOM Shows Interest in Hybrid, AI-Enabled Vehicles SPECIAL OPERATIONS
3/9/2021
Defense Dept. photo
Special Operations Command is experimenting with emerging technologies as it works to bolster its ground vehicle fleet with new capabilities.
The command’s family of vehicles which features 3,000 platforms includes the Ground Mobility Vehicle 1.1, light tactical all-terrain vehicles, non-standard commercial vehicles and mine-resistant ambush protected platforms, said Navy Cmdr. Tim Hawkins, a SOCOM spokesman.
Special Operations Command is currently investing its research, development, testing and evaluation dollars for vehicles in lightweight armor, hybrid-electric systems, advanced situational awareness and autonomy/semi-autonomy, Hawkins said in an email to National Defense. It is seeking technology that maximizes mobility, payload and protection.
Army Bolstering Weapons Portfolio
Army photo
The Army is continuing to overhaul its small arms weapons portfolio in hopes of better preparing its troops for future warfare.
The service has been making strides in its M4 carbine and M249 squad automatic weapon replacement efforts while also looking to adopt new products to boost soldier lethality.
In the next-generation squad weapons program, leaders are pushing through the COVID-19 pandemic and moving onto the second prototype phase, according to the service’s product manager for the effort.
Lt. Col. Jason Bohannon said the service has already completed the first iteration of prototype testing, which was the diagnostic test. The next round of testing is slated to kick off in February and run through June.
Army Testing Iron Man Suit Component for Next-Gen Squad Weapon
The aim control enhancer, or ACE, weapon stabilizer device being evaluated for the Army’s next Generation Squad Weapon effort. (Matthew Angle, ACE designer)
27 Jan 2021
One day soon, U.S. infantrymen could go into battle with Next Generation Squad Weapons equipped with a compact, mechanical stabilizer designed to drastically improve accuracy, especially when shooting from a standing, unsupported position.
The aim control enhancer, or ACE, was once under consideration to be part of U.S. Special Operations Command s now-defunct Iron Man suit program. Now, the device is being evaluated as part of the NGSW effort.
Right now, top Army officials are evaluating three finalists for an initial contract of about 100,000 weapons as part of their Next Generation Squad Weapons program. Compared with its main international rival, the equally storied Russian AK-47, the M-4 has long been considered a more accurate but more prickly firearm, an “excellent weapon if you can maintain it,” as one defense publication once put it.
The Army’s modernization strategy considers the Next Generation Squad Weapons program as one of its top priorities. A 2013 competition involving eight manufacturers concluded that none of their designs was a significant improvement on the M-4.
Luzerne County sees business highs, lows in 2020 thetimes-tribune.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thetimes-tribune.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.