Video: Railgun Blasts an Aerodynamic Round Seven Kilometers Through A Steel Plate

This amazing video, created by Defense Tech, shows the latest test of General Atomics' high-speed railgun. Where earlier attempts have fired ungainly missiles that tumbled end-over-end through the air like "hypersonic bricks," this one uses a sabot round, which flies straight and smoothly for a distance of seven kilometers, AFTER punching through a solid steel plate.

Operation Winter Fury

SureFire partnered with Desert Tactical Arms to host a four-day demonstration of tactical technology to industry professionals and members of the media. The event was held at Sniper Country in Utah. Attendees used SureFire-suppressed DTA rifles to engage targets over a mile away and scaled a 400-foot cliff to practice high-angle shooting.

More pictures and Full article

Desert Tactical Arms Website

Surefire Website 

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Army building first Block III Apache

Photo Credit: Courtesy photo. A Boeing shipping and receiving employee rolls the fuselage of the first AH-64D Apache Block III helicopter on to the receiving dock as it arrives at the Mesa, Ariz., facility on Jan. 28, 2011.

ARLINGTON, Va. (Army News Service, April 6, 2011) -- The U.S. Army has begun construction on the first fuselage of its next-generation AH-64 Block III Apache helicopter.

The new attack helicopter will be built with a stronger engine, improved avionics, better computer networking capability and increased maneuverability when compared with current models, service officials said.

The first Block III aircraft will roll off the production line this fall, said Lt. Col. Dan Bailey, product manager for the program. The first two aircraft will be used for developmental purposes, and the next five after that will be used to train the first unit equipped, he said.

The Apache Block III aircraft will begin to be fielded with units by the end of 2012, Bailey said.

Overall, the Army plans to acquire 690 Block III Apaches between now and 2026 at a production rate of roughly two battalions per year, beginning in fiscal year 2013. Of this amount, 643 will be re-manufactured aircraft and 56 will be "new builds," Bailey explained.

As part of its preparation of the Block III Apache, the program completed a "logistics demonstration" in March designed to show that the aircraft will be maintainable once fielded. The demonstration checked on the avionics, wiring, gear boxes, cockpit seat and electronics, among other things.

"We walked through all of these tasks to find the issues and things that needed to be fixed. This demonstrates that the aircraft will be sustainable and maintainable in the future, thus easing the burden on the war-fighter," Bailey said.

"We thought we would need a full three months for this, but we finished three weeks early and found that only two percent of the overall tasks needed refinement."

The Block III Apache features a 701D engine, composite rotor blades, improved networking and communications avionics, and an Improved Drive System of the 21st Century -- known as IDS-21 -- Face Gear Transmission.

"The new 701D engine has a significant increase in reliability based on new coating, new metal and increased airflow which allows it to operate at higher temperatures," Bailey said.

Photo Credit: Courtesy photo. Defense and Boeing representatives examine the paperwork that accompanied the fuselage of the first AH-64D Apache Block III helicopter upon its arrival at the Mesa, Ariz., receiving dock, Jan. 28, 2011.

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Coast Guard Sniper Unit Training

Tip of the spear CG Sniper training

Soldiers refine combat medical skills at state-of-the-art facility

Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Fincham. Spc. Dorian Williams, a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear specialist and combat lifesaver from the 557th Medical Company (Area Support), provides first aid to a simulated casualty at the Medical Simulation Training Center in Vilseck, Germany, March 30.

VILSECK, Germany - Entering the building you become engulfed by darkness. Thick smoke fills the air, and gunfire pierces your ears.

As your boots slip across the blood soaked floor, you find that there are bodies of injured Soldiers lying around the room. It's up to you and your battle buddy to rapidly identify the casualties' injuries, and immediately provide medical care. These split-second decisions can make the difference between life and death.
When the mission is completed the doors of the Medical Simulation Training Center open and sunlight shines in on the numerous simulated casualties.
The Soldiers of the 30th Medical Command's 557th Medical Company (Area Support) used the state-of-the-art MSTC facility here March 28 to April 1, to gain valuable experience and refine their combat medical skills.
"We wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to give our medics and combat-lifesavers some excellent real-world type training on these simulators," said Sgt. 1st Class Richard Kling, the 557th ASMC first sergeant.
During the scenarios, a combat medic was teamed up with a combat lifesaver to treat various simulated casualties. The wounded Soldiers, though simulated, are able to replicate many human characteristics, according to Joe Aubihl, the lead instructor for the MSTC.

"They breathe, bleed, talk, and blink. They can have unilateral or bilateral rise and fall of the chest," Aubihl explained. "They can do a lot."
These "sim-men," as they're known, give real-time feedback to the medics - a training value that simply can't be replicated elsewhere.
"This allows them to actually work on a breathing, bleeding casualty. Granted, it's not a human being, they don't move around too much. But it's getting away from the days of putting tape on someone's arm saying that they have an amputation or chest wound," Aubihl said.
The 557th ASMC, the only area support medical company in Europe, is designed to simultaneously provide level I and II medical care. The MSTC instructors and the noncommissioned officers of the 557th worked together to adapt the training to the unit's unique mission.
"We created this circular lane that goes from point of wound care, to tactical field care, to level II echelon care and evac," said Aubihl.

This led to an invaluable experience for the unit's medics and combat lifesavers, according to Kling.
"Our headquarters is composed of cooks, supply Soldiers, mechanics, admin operations - the usual headquarters type set up," Kling said. "When we have the main aid station set up and our teams pushed out, the headquarters is always with the main aid station. So in the event of [numerous casualties], we have our medical personal and these combat lifesavers to assist."
For the combat medics, the training is both challenging and beneficial.
"The stress level helps us to learn how to work through things under difficult circumstances. This really helps get more confidence in your skills and recognize what you need to work on," said Pfc. Lashun Douglas, a 557th ASMC combat medic. "When I first went through I was all over the place. The more times I go through, I've gained some confidence and focus."

The experience of working on responsive patients is priceless, and the MSTC facility allows the Soldiers to repeatedly practice processes and steps that will save lives.
"Imagine if they can put in a [chest tube] 100 times before they have to put a real one in. Repetition is the key to adult learning, and you get to do it here. Yeah, it's going to be a little different and a little more intense in real life, but they'll be able to just fall back on the training that they've had," said Capt. Avery Walker, a doctor at the Stuttgart Army Health Clinic.
"They need to be able to do this in their sleep and coming out here makes it that much easier," said Walker.
The 557th ASMC, headquartered in Wiesbaden, Germany, was in the area providing medical support during the 172nd Separate Infantry Brigade's mission rehearsal exercise at the Joint Multinational Training Command in Grafenwoehr and Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels.
 

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FNH USA rocks the Superstition Mountain Mystery 3-Gun Match.

Several members of Team FNH USA posted solid finishes at the Superstition Mountain Mystery 3-Gun Match. This year’s match had more than 300 shooters with several new stages including the technical Stage One where shooters were hung in climbing gear and had to throw dummy hand grenades into windows before shooting targets.

“The quick and dirty stages at SMM3G are challenging and keep you on your toes. One little mistake can cost you the match,” said Tommy “Tommy Gun” Thacker, Director of Product Management and Team Captain for FNH USA. “Overall it was a good start to the year for Team FNH USA.”

Team FNH USA results included finishes by team members Tommy Thacker coming in 7th in the Open Division and 9th overall in the match, Mark Hanish who placed 13th in the Tactical Optics Division, followed by the latest addition to the team, Eric Lund in 35th place. Dianna Liedorff placed 72ndoverall, just over Tasha Hanish in 75th. The women of Team FNH USA also took 2nd and 3rd in the Tactical Optics Women’s Division respectively. Ken Pfau, Vice President of Law Enforcement and Commercial Sales for FNH USA rounded out the team’s overall finish in 20th in the Tactical Limited Division shooting iron sights. “Shooting iron sights at this match is always fun. The close targets are deceptively difficult with plenty of “no-shoots” and chances for penalties,” said Pfau.

Additional staff members from FNH USA also competed in the match with Ernie Beckwith earning 104th place in the Tactical Optics Division and Walt Hasser following in 164th. Tabor Bright placed 17th in the Heavy Optics Division with his .308 SCAR 17s.

The three-day Superstition Mountain Mystery match is held at the Rio Salado Sportmans Range and is considered the kick-off event for the national 3-gun competition circuit. The event attracts several hundred of the top shooters from around the country, and is also the first stop on the “3-Gun Nation” National Tour. The final-day shoot-off at each of the 3GN Tour stops is worth thousands of dollars in cash prizes to the top three finishers and is among the richest payouts in the practical and action shooting realm. Each of the events on the 3GN Tour is also recorded for a later broadcast on the Versus Channel. (Check your local cable listings for broadcast date, time and channel in your area.)

Team FNH USA is slated to attend a number of major 3-Gun matches in 2011, including:
FNH USA Team Captain Tommy Thacker fires his FN SCAR 16S during one of the grueling stages of the Superstition Mystery Mountain 3-Gun Championship. Photo Credit: Courtesy of FNH USA

June 5-11 - MGM IronMan, Parma, ID
July 22-23 - Industry Masters, Park City, KY
Aug 4-6 - Rocky Mountain 3-Gun, Raton, NM
Sept 9-11 - Ozark 3-Gun, Lake Ozark, MO
Oct 21-23 - USPSA Multi-Gun Nationals, Las Vegas, NV
Nov 10-12 - FNH USA / 3-Gun Nation Championship, Glengary, WV

To follow Team FNH USA in action, visit www.fnhusa.com.

West Point Parachute Team jumps, trains with French Foreign Legion.

Photo credit Col. Kevin Huggins
West Point Class of 2012 Cadet Pam Baker exits from the tail ramp of a C-130 to train in vertical relative work skydiving.

WEST POINT, N.Y. (March 31, 2011) -- For the first time in 38 years, the American flag was raised during morning reveille alongside the French colors at Camp Raffalli, just outside the coastal town of Calvi on the Mediterranean island of Corsica. The 2nd Regiment Estranger de Parachutistes, an elite airborne regiment of the French Foreign Legion, hosted the West Point Parachute Team March 11-20.
The objective was two-fold, to conduct joint free fall training, and to provide an inter-cultural exchange between the West Point Parachute Team, or WPPT, and the soldiers of the 2nd Regiment Estranger de Parachutistes.

A C-130 from VMGR-452, a Marine Aerial Re-fueler Squadron out of Stewart Airport in Newburgh, not only transported the team across the Atlantic, but was also the platform for all airborne operations during the week. Training was very intense and productive, a testament to the professionalism and enthusiasm of the aircrew.
"This definitely ranks in the top three things I've done," loadmaster Gunnery Sgt. Philip Baldridge said. "The training was great for us, good for (the cadets). We got 704 (jumpers out) this week and in my past 17 years leading up to this I'd only sent out 1,100 jumpers."
The cadets used the freefall time to practice the events they compete in for collegiate nationals. This included four-way and six-way relative work, where groups execute numerous formations in a horizontal position, as well as vertical relative work where teams fly in either a sit position or a head-down position.
"This trip was unlike any other training my classmates and I have had thus far on the team in that we tried everything from four to 15 ways during the day. Plus, we got to immerse ourselves in a completely new and different culture on the ground," said West Point Class of 2013 Cadet Christian Beckler.

Cadets and legionnaires often jumped together in joint teams. The soldiers from the 2nd Regiment Estranger de Parachutistes are trained in high-altitude, low-opening infiltration techniques, and do not often get an opportunity to hone their freefall skills. Similarly, cadets were afforded an opportunity to teach relative work techniques to their hosts.
The result was a productive professional development experience for all parties.
"In the four years since I have been on the jump team, we have traveled all over the U.S., but never abroad. The training with the French Foreign Legion was incredible, both for the sport and our professional development," explained West Point Class of 2011 Cadet Christina West.
The joint jumps turned out to be a high point for the week for many cadets.

"Jumping with the French Foreign Legion has been a privilege. It's something I'll tell my grandchildren about," West Point Class of 2012 Cadet Nick Luis said.
An important training tool for incoming members of the WPPT are tandem jumps, which allow them to experience and practice free fall techniques while safely attached to an experienced tandem master. WPPT coaches used this week to exercise their skills by taking select members of the 2nd Regiment Estranger de Parachutistes on tandem jumps.
When not executing jump operations, cadets were able to learn firsthand about the rich and proud history of the French Foreign Legion and about the unique Corsica culture. The team got an intimate view into the day-to-day lives of the legionnaires.
"We come from a lot of different backgrounds. One of the guys from my class came from living on the street to knocking on the (Foreign Legion's) door. You get people from high (social) classes and low," explained Cpl. Mike Jones, an American who joined the legion three years ago after previously serving in the U.S. Navy.
Probably the best way the team was able to bond with the hosts was on the fields of friendly strife. Activities such as an hour-long run on a high ridge overlooking the bay, soccer and American football provided the needed ice-breaking.

Cadets also learned about the unique Corsican culture by exploring the nearby towns. Rich in history and beauty, the island was the birthplace of both Christopher Columbus and Napoleon Bonaparte. Usually a tourist destination, the island was quiet due to the off season.
"The island has everything you need: beaches, mountains, hiking, skydiving, good food, good people. You can't beat it," West Point Class of 2013 Cadet Ben Garlick said.
Such a complex undertaking did not occur without the help of many people. Col. Brice Houdet, the French military attache in Washington D.C., and a former commander of the French 2nd Foreign Legion Parachute Regiment, first proposed the idea of the WPPT training in Calvi. He was also instrumental in guiding the proposal process through the French government.
In addition, a detachment from the Airborne Mobile Training Team, based out of Quantico, Va., assisted the team during the week.
They performed a drop zone survey, which was required prior to airborne operations. Additionally, they provided tandem jumps as well as shooting video during training jumps, enabling the coaches to provide feedback to cadets.

"(It was) phenomenal training," Marine Gunnery Sgt. Shane Denna said, "a great pleasure training with the West Point cadets and the French."
As the week drew to a close, the WPPT exchanged memorabilia with the legionnaires (including pins, unit patches and berets), took their last look at the splendid snow-capped mountains to the east and the deep blue Mediterranean to the west, and hoped that the novelty of this week would soon grow into an ever-appreciated annual event.

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New TRU Xtreme MOLLE

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From USCav website