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A Quarterly Armada International Supplement
Q4 2015/Q1 2016
armada international: The trusted source for defence technology analysis
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02
2015/16 Special Operations Quarterly
Honduran special forces
conduct COIN training
with NATO partners. Such
operations in the current
environment are seeing SOF
units in internal security
operations © US DoD
Anytime, Anyplace,
Anywhere
The contemporary military environment continues to broaden with the
proliferation in hybrid warfare encompassing a mix of conventional threats
including regular forces using established tactics, to unconventional threats, such
as insurgents employing asymmetric tactics, worldwide.
Andrew White
F
or international Special Operations
Forces (SOF), typically called
upon first to respond to such
threats, this has resulted in the
requirement for an ever-expanding
inventory of skills capable of executing
a wide range of missions in order to
combat state and non-state actors.
Current operations in eastern Europe
(Ukraine), Africa (Burkina Faso, Chad,
Mali, Mauritania and Niger), the AsiaPacific (the disputed territory of Jammu
and Kashmir in northern South Asia, and
ongoing operations in Afghanistan) and
the Middle East (Libya, Syria and Iraq)
clearly illustrate current demands being
placed on SOF units, with an increasing
number of nations now recognising
them as force multiplying assets capable
of conducting tasks including CounterInsurgency (COIN), Direct Action
(DA), Special Reconnaissance (SR) and
Military Assistance (MA). However, these
traditional SOF capabilities are now
expanded with an increasing emphasis
on Information Operations including
psychological and cyber warfare.
2015/16 Special Operations Quarterly
03
platforms. To this end, the
JSOU is placing a particular
emphasis on the application
of Commercial-Off-TheShelf (COTS) technology
to these topics. “Innovation
is not constrained to the
defence industry, and (governments) may have to look
to the commercial market
for breakthrough technologies (to assist the adoption
GPS technology derived from precision aerial delivery
systems have been utilised to provide the same capability for of this technology by SOF),”
the spokesperson continued.
special operations troops © Airborne Systems
Beyond such technological challenges, fulfilling ongoing capability and skills gaps will be critically
important for SOF organisations, with the
future operating environment characterised by the increasing effects exacted on
and off the battlefield by non-state actors.
“SOF preparing to operate within this environment are bound by fiscal constraint,
decreasing resources and manpower
limitations (contrasting with) an era of
expanding SOF requirements. While the
characteristics of warfare within this enviAirborne Systems’ RA-1 parachute provides
ronment will continue to evolve, what are
increased payload capacity, extended range,
the skills not yet currently present within
silent operation and anti-stalling technology
the special operations community that
to improve airborne insertion © Airborne
are assessed as necessary for success?” the
Systems
JSOU spokesperson asked.
It is not just the type and frequency of
According to a spokesperson from the
SOF commitments which have increased
United States Special Operations Com- in recent years. SOF units across the world
mand’s Joint Special Operations Univer- are witnessing growing requirements to
sity (JSOU) in Tampa, Florida, SOF have
operate in multiple environments across
become one of the “primary military capa- a very broad spectrum of enemy combatbilities” for governments around the world
ants. For example, the past decade of USas nations employ them in an “uncertain
and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
environment.” The spokesperson contin- (NATO)-led operations in Afghanistan
ued that “this reflects a shift from the use of
and Iraq have seen NATO and its nonconventional forces to a heavy reliance on
NATO coalition partners heavily engaged
SOF. How should SOF be best employed to
in COIN against relatively ill-equipped yet
achieve national security objectives? What
highly motivated and improvising adveris the effectiveness of SOF: their role, their
saries who were able to significantly harass
use as a strategic tool of warfare and their
much larger forces.
ability to meet the security needs of the inThis trend continues today but has
ternational community?”
morphed into an even more potent threat
Looking ahead to 2016, the JSOU has
with the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and
outlined a list of requirements which will
Syria (ISIS) employing enhanced armour
need continued investment and research
and manoeuvre tactics, almost akin to an
and development, in order for SOF to
established army, across northern Iraq and
maintain overmatch regarding their ad- eastern Syria, utilising some very mature
versaries. These requirements include the
equipment captured from opposing indigbreadth of technology and equipment re- enous forces, such as the Force Protection
quired by SOF with JSOU study topics for
Industries Cougar Mine Resistant/Amthe coming year including robotics, auton- bush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and Texomy, miniaturisation, three-dimensional
tron M1117 Guardian four-wheel drive
printing and the swarming of unmanned
internal security vehicles, both of which
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2015/16 Special Operations Quarterly
have been captured by ISIS from Iraqi
Army stocks. ISIS’ employment of conventional manoeuvre tactics on the battlefield
has seen insurgent tactics writ large evolve
significantly from those employed by Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan against NATO-led forces where vehicle-borne bombs
would penetrate a target building before
dismounted soldiers armed with explosive
suicide vests and 7.62mm assault rifles
would exploit the breech to dominate the
building or target.
Geography also continues to play an
integral role in the demands placed on
SOF with forces being deployed to areas of
operation with extreme weather ranging
from the Arctic Circle to desert and bush
Areas of Operation (AOs) in sub-Saharan
Africa. Additionally, SOF involvement in
the Asia-Pacific and the Middle East has
seen a significant trend towards operations in maritime environments as well as
Military Operations in Urban Terrain
(MOUT), both of which continue to place
very specialist demands on SOF.
As a consequence of the challenges
discussed above, governments around the
world are now investing more than ever in
their SOF capabilities with a view to deploying small teams globally focused on
training and equipping indigenous forces
while providing organic force-multiplying
capabilities downrange.
Speaking to multiple SOF cadres Armada
was told how the current operating environment was continuing to stretch units to
their absolute limit, particularly with everincreasing and complex security threats required to be countered by COIN teams as
The Polaris Defence Dagor vehicle is in
service with US and Australian special forces
whom have sought a mobile and lightlyprotected platform for insertion, extraction,
CSAR, reconnaissance and fire support
© Polaris Defence
NATO SOF commandos are now utilising
red dot sights onboard even the smallest
weapons including handguns for the rapid
acquisition of targets © US DoD
part of wider internal security and homeland security operations. An example of
this phenomena was witnessed in France
when commandos from the Armée de Terre
(French Army) Brigade des Forces Spéciales
Terre (Army Special Forces Brigade) were
deployed to assist their counterparts in
the French police and Gendarmerie during the siege and hostage crisis which
developed in the town of Dammartin-enGoële, north of Paris following attacks by
Islamist cadres on the offices of the satirical
Paris-based magazine Charlie Hebdo on 7
Jaunary, which resulted in the death of the
two perpetrators Chérif and Said Kouachi,
when the industrial building in which they
had taken refuge was stormed by French
police two days’ later. In addition to such
homeland security requirements, SOF are
increasingly required to deploy so-called
Short Term Training Teams (STTTs), advisors and mentors to partnering nations
across the globe. Such initiatives are ongoing in northern Iraq where Kurdish Pesh-
merga guerrillas attempting to roll back
ISIS’ territorial gains in the country are
receiving training and assistance from SOF
units deployed by the United States and allied nations. Thus it is clear to see just exactly how important the correct equipment
and systems are in assisting these forces to
successfully execute their tasks.
I Airborne
Speaking to active SOF members from
around the world, it is apparent to Armada
that the largest proportion of special operations troops fall under the ‘airborne’ banner
with the remaining units generally focused
on maritime operations. One of the most
traditional and useful insertion techniques
employed by such SOF is focused on parachute technology, and this is one particular
area which is seeing significant improvements as teams seek to infiltrate AOs as
quickly and as stealthily as possible.
High-Altitude/High-Opening
(HALO) and High-Altitude/Low-Opening
(HALO) where troops jump from altitudes
of between 15000 feet/ft to 25000ft (4600
metres/m to 7620m) and Medium-Altitude/High-Opening (MAHO) operations
(performed between 12500ft/3810m and
15000ft) remain the sole preserve of SOF
although Low-Level Parachute (LLP) technology (for jumps below 12500ft) continues to be used particularly in relation to
maritime insertion operations.
Despite a relative dearth in the utilisation of parachute insertion during US-led
operations in Afghanistan and Iraq over the
past decade, the most successful SOF units
across the globe insist on maintaining these
skilful techniques which can provide longrange and stealthy insertion onto a target.
Industry is keeping apace with the demands
of airborne troops with companies such as
the Anglo-American outfit, Airborne Systems providing cutting-edge capabilities to
assist in the execution of such operations.
According to Gary McHugh, customer business manager at Airborne
2015/16 Special Operations Quarterly
05
Variants of Supacat’s High Mobility Transporter vehicle have been used by NATO special
forces worldwide for a number of years in four-wheel and six-wheel drive configurations
© Supacat
Systems North America, high-altitude
airborne insertions provide the most efficient use of parachute systems as well as
a safe “offset” for aircraft, to remain outof-reach of short-range air defence
systems such as the KBM 9K32 Strela-2
Man-Portable Air Defence System, which
typically have a maximum altitude of
approximately 12000ft (3657.6m). “Parachute insertion continues to represent
the most efficient way of sending a small
team of special forces from friendly airspace into enemy airspace,” Mr. McHugh
explained to Armada.
I Hitting The Silk
Airborne Systems is in the midst of delivering 7000 of its latest Ram-Air 1 (RA-1)
parachutes to the US Army and US Air
Force Special Operations Commands
(USASOC and USAFSOC) with additional special operations customers in Europe and the Asia-Pacific. Further details
remained undisclosed due to operational
sensitivities, Mr. McHugh explained. The
RA-1 is a ‘square’ parachute capable of inserting a soldier over the equivalent of approximately 32km (17.3 miles) across the
ground if exiting an aircraft from the maximum ceiling altitude of 25000ft Above
Ground Level (AGL). This would allow a
small team of operators to covertly insert
into an AO undetected.
However, additional capabilities of the
RA-1 have seen improved steering capabilities, compared to preceding parachute
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2015/16 Special Operations Quarterly
designs, making it almost impossible for an
operator to stall the parachute before landing (a mishap which has been responsible
for countless casualties and fatalities during
operations and training) onto landing zones
especially during dark hours. Furthermore,
significant efforts have been made to reduce
the fabric vibration of the parachute so as to
reduce noise levels to an absolute minimum.
According to undisclosed NATO SOF sources speaking to Armada who recently tested
the RA-1, this feature provides an almost
silent capability which is particularly useful for inserting into hostile territory. The
RA-1 also has the ability to carry an extra 90
pounds/lb (40.9 kilograms/kg) in payload,
with a total of 450lb (204.5kg) compared to
legacy parachutes including Airborne Systems’ MC-4 which the RA-1 will eventually
replace in US service. Alternatively, the RA-1
can carry a cargo payload of 500lb (227.2kg)
with SOF units often jumping into an AO
while following a Global Positioning System
(GPS)-guided cargo parachute carrying kit
for the task in hand. Such kit can include
equipment to mark Temporary Landing
Zones or specialist cutting machines for
Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) missions, as conducted by the Para-Jumpers or
‘PJs’ of the USAFSOC.
Describing the RA-1, Mr. McHugh
also explained how the RA-1 harness is
capable of accommodating all missionessential equipment such as weapon tie
down points, radio pouches and oxygen
systems. “The main canopy is of a ninecell hybrid construction capable of three
deployment methods including double
bag static line (when a static line attached
to the aircraft pulls the parachute open as
the paratrooper exits the aircraft), overthe-shoulder rip cord and bottom of container throw out pilot chute (when the
parachute opens after being thrown out
of the aircraft by the aircraft’s airstream) …
The main and reserve canopies both utilise
Supacat’s LRV 400 Mk.II is being offered
to a number of potential international
customers as an internally airtransportable SOF vehicle © Supacat
Typical maritime interdiction operations over the surface have centred on the use of MIBs
and Special Warfare Combatant Craft. However, European and US special forces are
currently considering alternative methods to conduct the same tasks
© US DoD
Discover Smart Superiority
pressurised stabilisers which reduce drag
during flight and provide greater canopy
control during landing,” he added.
However, any ability to conduct longrange high-altitude insertions can be
restricted by a requirement to wear an
oxygen supply at any altitude over 12000ft
AGL during the day and 10000ft (3048m)
AGL at night. Airborne Systems’ Special
Operations Long Range (SOLR) oxygen
supply is available in 3000 or 4500 poundsper-square inch configurations. According
to industry sources, one undisclosed AsiaPacific SOF has already bought a number
of SOLR oxygen systems. This holistic system comprises a bailout bottle and mask
with the former required for HAHO and
HALO missions. However, the SOLR 4500
model now provides 50 percent more
oxygen capacity (122 cubic inches) than
previous SOLR 3000 systems, allowing for
increased flight duration under canopy
and therefore, extended range for airborne
insertions. “The reduced manifold size
has been engineered in order to ensure
no measurable oxygen leaks, thus the
bailout bottle can be pressurised for
extended periods. For increased safety,
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Lighter weight plate carriers continue to
be utilised for increased mobility during
operations with SOF commandos willing
to accept the risk of being covered in less
ballistic protection systems so as not to
sacrifice mobility © 3M Ceradyne
the double-action rotating oxygen toggle
switch eliminates unintentional oxygen
flow shut off,” Mr. McHugh explained to
Armada. The SOLR 3000 and 4500 systems are compatible with legacy Airborne
Systems’ PHAOS (Parachutists High-Altitude Oxygen Supply) and US Army POM
(Parachutists’ Oxygen Mask) as well as the
Airborne Systems’ SOLR mask which is
designed around the Gentex MBU-20 Jet
Fighter Pilot Oxygen Mask.
Elsewhere, GPS-tracking guidance
and navigation systems now provide an
almost fool-proof solution for high-altitude jumpers seeking to conduct accurate
landings at pre-designated rally points
on the ground. Airborne Systems’ jTrax
Navaid (Navigation Aid) system relies
08
2015/16 Special Operations Quarterly
on technology derived from ruggedised
modules from the US Army/USAF Joint
Precision Aerial Delivery System (JPADS)
programme, which employs GPS navigation and steerable parachutes to accurately
insert payloads up to an Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) in size into a landing
zone. The jTrax systems comprise a display
screen, chest-borne support board or wrist
mount and back-up compass.
“Navaids allow military jumpers to conduct missions with long offsets and guide
them towards their intended landing area
in a reliable and precise way,” Mr. McHugh
explained while highlighting the availability of a Command and Control (C2)
screen allowing a Jumpmaster to check the
progress of a flight towards a designated
release point, as well as a parachutist to
check their progress while flying under
canopy towards a landing zone. A variety
of modes can be illustrated on the screen,
designating the positions of other parachutists as well as progress made towards
a primary or up to two alternative landing
zones. A push-button menu can also be
activated by an operator wearing gloves to
allow a parachutist to rotate through display screens. The jTrax has already been
sold to SOF customers in the Middle East,
Airborne Systems confirmed to Armada.
I Ground
Another critical insertion technique as well
as fighting platform for Special Operations
Forces is the ground vehicle, which contin-
SOF units continue to rely upon
HALO and HAHO parachuting as
a primary insertion mechanism.
Airborne Systems’ RA-1 is currently
being delivered to US special
operations units © US DoD
ues to evolve in line with Future Character
Of Conflict (FCOC) concepts regarding
rapid reaction and expeditionary warfare.
Applicable to almost any AO in the world
is the utility of Internally Transportable
Vehicles (ITVs) which have the benefit of
being quickly loaded and unloaded from
rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft. Indeed,
multiple SOF organisations are continuing
down various procurement paths to gain
or improve on such a capability.
Traditionally, supporting airframes
such as Boeing’s CH-47 Chinook family
heavy-lift helicopters have been able to
carry derivatives of Supacat’s Jackel/2
four-wheel drive protected patrol vehicles,
although it can take minutes rather than
seconds to deploy them from an aircraft
for a mission. However, the international
SOF community now requires a more advanced capability.
The Concept of Operation (CONOP)
for an ITV requires the vehicle to be capable of rolling off the ramp of the hosting
airframe almost as soon as it has touched
down. The ITV can then immediately deploy on the ground to conduct a wide variety of tasks ranging from force protection
and airfield security missions through to
reconnaissance and fire support.
One company heavily involved in this
area is Polaris Defence which is already
contracted to provide such a capability to
the US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). The firm has also supplied various platforms to NATO SOF partners for
evaluation. On 24 August, USSOCOM
awarded Polaris Defence a $83 million five
year indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract for the delivery of additional
MRZR 2 and MRZR 4 ITVs, which have
two-seat and four-seat accommodation respectively. “We’ve been providing the MRZR
for three years to USSOCOM and this contract reiterates that ultralight mobility is still
a critical component of SOF missions,” Polaris Defence general manager, Rich Haddad
explained to Armada. “These are extremely
configurable platforms, providing operators the ability to quickly prepare for missions even in the most extreme terrain. The
MRZRs provide the extreme mobility SOF
can count on, that deploys in tactical aircraft,
providing maximum flexibility.”
2015/16 Special Operations Quarterly
09
For Close Quarter Battle,
SOF commandos rely
upon red dot sight
technology allowing the
rapid engagement of
adversaries in built-up
areas © US DoD
Both the MRZR 2 and MRZR 4 can
be internally transported in Bell/Boeing CV-22B Osprey tilt-rotors operated
by the USAF and can be configured in
a number of ways to help expeditionary
forces meet mission requirements, while
forward deployed. “Some common tactical features of these off-road platforms
include increased payload, a standard
10
2015/16 Special Operations Quarterly
winch, electronic power steering, aircraft
tie-down points, fold-down rollover protective structures, large cargo boxes, infrared light capability and blackout mode,”
Mr. Haddad stated while describing how
operators could use the platforms in
overt, discreet and covert roles. The two
vehicles have a maximum payload capacity of 454kg (1000lb) and 681.8kg (1500lb)
for the MRZR 2 and MRZR 4 respectively
and can be fitted with a variety of weapons ranging from 5.56mm and 7.62mm
machine guns through to 40mm automatic grenade launchers.
Elsewhere, requirements for ITVs continue to appear worldwide with SOF units
in Europe, the Asia-Pacific and the Middle
East all releasing Requests For Proposals
(RFPs) for related capabilities. Armada understands that the Netherlands, Belgium,
the United Arab Emirates and the United
Kingdom all have outstanding and ongoing requirements for ITVs.
Unveiled for the first time to the market at the Defence and Security Exhibition
International (DSEI) event in London on
15 September is Supacat’s Light Recon-
Other ITV solutions include Polaris
naissance Vehicle (LRV) 400 Mk.II which
Defence’s Dagor lightweight patrol vehicle
is being put forward for a number of these
which, earlier this year, was delivered to
international requirements. However, due
the UAE for evaluation. Australian Army
to the operational sensitivities involved
with SOF, the company was unable to con- SOF also received an undisclosed numfirm exactly which programmes it was bid- ber of platforms in January following the
international launch of the vehicle to the
ding for.
market at the Association of the US Army
The LRV 400 Mk.II special operations
(AUSA) exhibition in Washington DC in
vehicle comprises a lighter weight version
of the company’s High Mobility Trans- October 2014. With a maximum payload
porter (HMT) family of vehicles which in- of 1400kg (3080lb), the Dagor vehicle is
capable of carrying up to nine personnel
cludes the four-wheel drive HMT 400 and
six-wheel drive HMT 600 platforms, vari- and can be internally transported inside
ants of which continue to be used in ser- CH-47 family aircraft, measuring nearvice with NATO and coalition SOF world- ly 1.9m (6.2ft) in width and over 4.5m
(14.7ft) in length. The platform has a gross
wide. However, SOF sources informed
vehicle weight of 3500 tonnes.
Armada that the HMT type vehicles could
With an ability to be under-slung bebe loaded on and off platforms such as
low CH-47, Sikorsky CH-53 and Sikorsky
CH-47 family-sized helicopters although
it would take “minutes as opposed to sec- UH-60 family heavy- and medium-lift helicopters, the Dagor boasts a low velocity
onds” for this to occur. Current CONOPs
air drop capability, similar to most other
of SOF require a far more rapid reaction
ITVs on the market, although a roll-on/
capability to allow a team of at least several
roll-off solution is preferable for SOF alvehicles in size, to immediately roll off the
lowing operators to secure themselves in
ramp of a heavy-lift helicopter as soon as
the vehicle before landing.
the aircraft has touched down.
The LRV 400 Mk.II comprises the
I MRAP Continues
rolling chassis and various automotive
None of these ITV solutions mentioned
systems derived from the famous Land
Rover four-wheel drive, providing a ca- comprise an integrated ballistic protection
solution although Modular Armour Propability for high speed mobility through
tection Installation Kits (MAPIKs) such
harsh environments for “lightweight rapid
intervention” missions, a company spokes- as that supplied by Jankel can be added for
particular missions. These armoured sheets
person informed Armada. Measuring
provide protection against ammunition up
1.8m (5.9ft) at its widest point (compared
to 7.62mm in calibre and the fragmentation
to two metres/6.7ft for the HMT-series
effects of high explosive grenades.
vehicles), the LRV 400 Mk.II is capable
Nevertheless, the age of the MRAP
of fitting comfortably in the cargo hold
has not yet come to an end with many
of a CH-47 family helicopter, which still
remains one of the primary helicopter in- SOF continuing to operate such vehicles
including the Thales’ Bushmaster. Such a
sertion platforms for SOF globally. “ITVs
platform provides protection for a ground
fill the capability gaps currently lacking for
assault force during insertion into a target
many NATO and coalition special forces
area as well as a fire support capability via
between protected tactical patrol vehicles
the vehicle’s remote weapon station. This
and smaller all-terrain vehicles including
vehicle, popular with coalition special
motorbikes and quad bikes,” a Supacat
forces operating in the Middle East over
spokesperson explained.
the past decade, would prove useful in a
With a maximum payload of 1700kg
domestic COIN role should the situation
(3740lb) the LRV 400 Mk.II has a top
be significant enough to deploy military
speed of 160 kilometres-per-hour/km/h
platforms at home.
(100 miles-per-hour/mph) and ability to
A further example of the MRAP trend
travel up to 800km (497.2 miles) without
is Poland’s Wojska Specjalne (Special Opbeing refuelled. Supacat also suggested a
erations Command) which is set to receive
six-wheel drive variant would be made
a total of 45 protected patrol vehicles. The
available in the future although there
remains no tangible requirement as yet ‘Ranger’ type unit, Jednostka Wojskowa
for such a solution. This larger platform ‘Agat’ (JW ‘Agat’/’Agat’ Military Unit) will
operate Oshkosh Defence’s M1240A1 Mwould allow for increased carriage of
personnel and equipment for longer ATV MRAPs which have been acquired
under an agreement with the US Defence
range missions.
2015/16 Special Operations Quarterly
11
Maritime SOF operators are trained to insert onto beaches over or below the surface with
NATO SOF now considering the utility of unmanned and motorised surf boards and jet skis
for such missions © US Navy
Security Cooperation Agency in a contract
worth nearly $8 million.
This particular platform was used to
great effect in Afghanistan by US Special
Forces over the past decade, in response
to the growing threat of insurgent bombs.
The M1240A1 M-ATV comprises a gross
vehicle weight of 14700kg (32340lb) including a payload of 2200kg (4840lb).
However, being so heavy and measuring
nearly 2.5m (8.2ft) in width, such a vehicle
is unable to be utilised in an ITV role.
The M-ATV will be configured to carry
at least five Polish SOF troops and their kit
with the vehicle itself capable of being armed
with a variety of weapons ranging from
7.62mm and 12.7mm machine guns through
to 40mm automatic grenade launchers and
anti-tank guided missiles. It has a top speed
of 105km/h (65.2mph) and maximum range
of 510km (316.9 miles), Oshkosh Defence
told Armada.
Similar to the US Army Rangers and
the UK’s Special Forces Support Group,
which comprises troops from the British
Army’s Parachute Regiment, the Royal Air
Force Regiment and the Royal Marines.
JW Agat is employed as a strike unit which
is capable of providing protected cordons
for other special operations units wanting
to conduct COIN missions in a relatively
secure environment. MRAP-type vehicles
12
2015/16 Special Operations Quarterly
can be used to enhance such effects, SOF
sources indicated to Armada. Meanwhile,
the Polish Special Operations Command is
drawing up plans for a competition which
is expected to deliver up to 500 multipurpose special forces platforms next year under the Polish Ministry of Defence’s Pegaz
programme. Industry sources suggested
to Armada that interested companies included General Dynamics, Krauss-Maffei
Wegmann and Thales. Should the programme go ahead, first deliveries of whichever vehicles are selected will be expected
to take place in 2017. However, the exact
concept of the vehicle to be procured has
yet to be confirmed.
I Maritime
Other operational areas witnessing increased investment and attention from
the international SOF community can be
found in the maritime, littoral and riverine
domains, each of which provide their own
significant challenges to SOF units looking
to exploit these arenas.
One major trend becoming more and
more popular in this area is the role of jet
skis and other single-person waterborne
craft which are capable of providing a
similar role to the motorbikes and quad
bikes used by SOF in the ground environment namely for reconnaissance and force
protection missions. In a typical mobility
operation, operators riding motorbikes or
quad bikes, for example, are used as scouts
to identify routes for larger columns of
four-wheel and six-wheel drive vehicles
and other weapons through sometimes difficult terrain. They are also used as an overthe-hill reconnaissance capability allowing
a covert force to successfully avoid enemy
forces and potential ambush situations.
In early September, the US Naval Special Warfare Command issued a Request
for Information (RFI) for jet ski ‘Swimmer
Rescue Craft’ to be used by Special Boat
Teams operating under the command
of Naval Special Warfare Groups Three
and Four. Each of these groups includes
a SEAL (Sea, Air, Land) Delivery Vehicle
Team, used to infiltrate maritime SOF
commandos into an AO.
However, besides the obvious utility as
a rescue craft during training, USSOCOM
(US Special Operations Command, the
umbrella command for all US SOF) sources
suggested to Armada that the jet skis are
set to be employed for over-the-beach and
littoral operations, with particular emphasis on their ability to combat high surf
conditions. The US Navy requirement comprises a total of ‘dozens’ of jet skis which
will be the Yamaha FX-HO and FX-SVHO
series platforms. The first of these FX-HO
ARMADA_AR20-AR50:Layout 1 11/11/15 3:27 PM Page 1
and FX-SVHO jet skis were understood to have been delivered
to the USSOCOM on 15 September. Such vehicles will also be
capable of supporting US Navy SEAL teams in AOs including
Central and South America as well as in the Asia-Pacific where
a maritime reconnaissance capability could be a feasible CONOP
for the jet ski.
Another reinforced jet ski solution currently being utilised by
NATO SOF in Europe especially is Swedish company Proteum’s
GuardRunner platform, which the firm described as providing
access to littoral and riverine areas where other boats were unable to go. Similar to the US Navy requirement, initial variants of
the GuardRunner were designed to provide a Combat Search and
Rescue (CSAR) capability for the armed forces. Nevertheless, SOF
units have identified potential capabilities in applying the same jet
ski technology for infiltration and exfiltration out of AOs as well
as for the provision of fire support.
Speaking to Armada, Proteum’s Seb Freeman explained how
the GuardRunner could be used in “white and brown water” zones
as well as “shallow areas, among rocks, reefs and cliffs” where any
other larger Military Inflatable Boats (MIBs) or vessels could be
endangered and potentially capsized or damaged. Additionally,
Mr. Freeman explained how the GuardRunner could be used to
board small to large vessels during COIN or Counter-Narcotics
(CN) missions as well as providing an ability to transfer personnel
and launch from the shore.
The platform can accommodate one or two operators, equipped
with assault rifles, sniper weapons, handguns and surveillance
devices. Working in swarms, these craft would provide mutual
support and an extremely swift and agile capability over the surface,
SOF sources explained to Armada.
Measuring 3.6m (11.8ft) in length, the GuardRunner comprises a dry weight of 350kg (770lb) and boasts a payload capacity
of 400kg (880lb). With an ability to travel up to 40 knots (74km/h),
it has a maximum range of 70 nautical miles (129.6km). Mr. Freeman added, “GuardRunner provides an ability to beach for quick
deployment and recovery,” while highlighting the system’s fourstroke engine which is currently available in petrol, and soon to
be in diesel, configurations. “We are working on a diesel variant
which will be longer and wider, and provide the potential for a
weapons mount,” Mr. Freeman said while describing how the extended variant would be capable of housing 5.56mm and 7.62mm
coaxial machine guns.
An undisclosed number of craft are currently being used
by Sweden’s Särskilda Operationsgruppen (Special Operations
Group) and Norway’s Marinejegerkommandoen (Marine Commandos) with additional NATO SOF using the systems for CN
missions in South and Central America for low profile littoral and
riverine operations.
SOF sources indicated to Armada how such a platform could
be utilised during covert special reconnaissance missions. As an
example, one anonymous soldier explained how a patrol could insert undetected using jet skis into a normally inaccessible drop-off
point, then camouflaging and hiding the vehicles before continuing the mission on foot. This could involve sinking the jet skis
close to the beach, burying them in the sand, or turning them upside down and covering them with a thermal protection blanket.
Once a reconnaissance mission had been completed, operators
would then be able to return to the vehicles, and once happy that
the cache had not been compromised, tactically extract the vehicles before egressing from the AO and returning to base.
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Alternatively, sources informed Armada
A further option which has just been
that the UK’s Royal Air Force was also consid- made available to maritime SOF units
ering using precision guided aerial systems
is Proteum’s Unmanned Surface Board
such as Airborne System’s family of JPAD
(USB) which the company describes as a
parachutes to insert jet skis into an AO with “tactically relevant, silent, lightweight and
airborne troops. Other options could in- manoeuvrable solution with autonomous
clude inserting the jet ski as an underslung
options.” Steered by weight distribution,
load beneath a helicopter, or even on the
the USB comprises a surfboard-shaped
back of an ITV carried inside a heavy-lift
platform allowing a single operator to
helicopter. These Tactics, Techniques and
infiltrate almost silently and in swarms
Procedures (TTPs) and CONOPS continue
into an AO in low-profile. With an all-up
to be developed by NATO SOF units.
weight of 35kg (77lb), the USB was un-
14
2015/16 Special Operations Quarterly
veiled to the SOF market at the DSEI event
this September (see above).
According to Mr. Freeman, Sweden
and the UK’s Ministries of Defence are
considering options for the technology with a variety of TTPs and CONOPs
available. The USB itself can operate
at speeds between three and 25 knots
(5.5km/h to 46.3km/h) with a maximum
operational range comprising up to 150nm
(277.8km) assuming a three knot speed.
The platform is powered by a Lithium
SOF force elements worldwide still rely
heavily on tactical ground vehicles as
a means of insertion as well as for fire
support missions © US DoD
battery providing up to 60 minutes of
endurance at mixed speeds.
Designed using carbon fibre and Kevlar composites, the USB is propelled by
an electric motor and has been designed
with a low magnetic signature as well as
being salt water resistant. The USB also
has multiple holding points for steering allowing a variety of options for an operator
to position themselves with their weapon
pointing downrange. The USB has a maximum payload of 180kg (396lb) with all up
weight of 35kg (77lb). Mr. Freeman adds
that the USB could be used for a variety
of operations including the disembarkation from mother ships. “A team can
be transported individually to multiple
destinations, increasing flexibility, speed
and stealth. A real-life example of this
application has included a special operations mission to a remote island at an undisclosed location.”
Other options include CSAR missions
and reconnaissance missions in harbours
where a USB insertion is almost virtually
undetectable. Mr. Freeman claimed, “With
a very low acoustic, radar and infrared signature, the USB is very hard to detect, even
in full daylight. A real life example of this
application has been witnessed with SOF
units scanning an area that is reported to
have contained floating mines.”
The board, its wireless Bluetooth remote control and its propulsion system is
custom-made and designed to maximise
efficiency, while simplifying maintenance
and service. It also boasts an integration
port for the Alleco Alltab underwater tablet which includes a touchscreen for use
when wearing diving gloves. While not capable of steering the USB itself, this underwater tablet is used to power up the platform and could be networked with other
soldier electronic devices in the future.
A company spokesperson for the Finland-based firm explained to Armada how
the tablet could be used down to depths of
15m (49.2ft) with an upgraded Pro version
capable of withstanding depths down to
150m (492.1ft). “Alltab allows combat divers to use tablet applications while diving
in order to collect data, take pictures, and
access maps and materials,” the spokesperson added.
Following several similar, but cancelled programmes, on 10 September the
USSOCOM Acquisition, Technology and
Logistics Programme Executive Office
released an RFI for its Dry Combat Submersible (DCS) programme which aims
to develop a “dry environment, diver lockin/lock-out, undersea mobility capability”.
The programme is expected to be based
around a COTS submersible for use in
SOF environments, USSOCOM sources
explained. This latest effort follows the
maturation of Unmanned Underwater
Vehicle (UUV) technology which has traditionally seen small vehicles utilised for
Mine Countermeasure (MCM) operations,
and search and rescue missions. The US
Navy has identified a requirement for such
a system to support special operations in
underwater reconnaissance and MCM
missions. It is envisaged that the DCS
will be launched from US Navy ‘Virginia’
class nuclear-powered attack submarine
torpedo tubes as well as from the force’s
‘Freedom’ and ‘Independence’ class Littoral
Combat Ships.
I Wet Work
Elsewhere in the maritime environment,
the USSOCOM is preparing a solicitation to further enhance equipment used
by SOF during interdiction, direct action
and Visit, Board, Search and Seizure
(VBSS) operations.
The Maritime Assault Suit System
(MASS) and Lightweight MASS programme is designed to identify equipment
and garments suitable for maritime, land,
airborne, and shipborne environments.
One focus area is expected to consider a
single over-garment with neck and wrist
seals allowing maritime SOF to comfortably transition between the aforementioned conditions. Traditionally, maritime
SOF personnel have had to tailor clothing and equipment to the specific tasks
in hand with dry suits and wet suits for
example, used for underwater insertions
and more traditional combat clothing for
land-based or shipborne operations. The
concept behind the MASS programme
could allow a single, lightweight garment
for operators to wear in most operational
circumstances as opposed to switching between garments as discussed above.
A spokesperson for USSOCOM described how the main effort of the MASS
Aimpoint’s Micro T2 red dot sight has
been introduced in response to calls from
maritime SOF units for a more ruggedised
solution for close quarter battle and
underwater insertions © Aimpoint
2015/16 Special Operations Quarterly
15
Maritime SOF units are seeing
increased emphasis on littoral and
riverine operations with the US Navy
Special Warfare Command considering
alternative integrated garments to ease
the transition between wet and dry
environments © US DoD
and L-MASS was to “keep the user comfortable and provide the greatest degree
of water vapour management” as well
as being rugged enough for field use. The
spokesperson continued that “the MASS
and L-MASS shall keep the operator dry
in maritime and terrestrial extremes and
all-weather conditions without interfering
with typical mission movements or compromising physical motion for activities
including, but not limited to, swimming,
running, assault movements, and weapons manipulation.” They added that “both
versions must be lightweight, fit comfort-
16
2015/16 Special Operations Quarterly
ably, and must be able to keep the operator as dry as possible while immersed in
water without significant weight gain. The
MASS/L-MASS and all components and
design features shall be compatible with
individual equipment (load-bearing equipment, body armour, headwear, handwear,
and footwear/fins) used in combat operations and training. Additional requirements outlined include entry and relief zips,
integrated socks, shoulder, thigh and calf
pockets, with particular emphasis being
made to reduce material-generated noise
created during covert missions. There is no
word on when the USSOCOM will choose
the MASS and LMASS suit designs that it
wishes to procure.
I Ground Apparel
More traditional SOF equipment continue to witness trends towards ‘cutaway’
or high-side trim combat helmets for increased Situational Awareness (SA) and
the integration of headsets. One of the
most popular ballistic solutions currently
being widely procured by SOF organisations worldwide is the Gentex Tactical
Ballistic Helmet Mission Configurable
The L-3 Insight series of integrated laser designators continue to be utilised by SOF
worldwide, allowing soldiers to select coloured and IR lasers for close quarter battle © L-3
(TBH-II MC) system. Based on its popular Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH),
the TBH-II MC is capable of integrating
a broad range of organic and third-party
components, according to the company, in
a bid to enhance survivability and increase
the SA of an operator. The design incorporates a so-called ‘Skeleton Shroud’ for
protection against blunt force trauma injuries and allows for the integration of Night
Vision Goggles (NVGs). However, due to
ever-evolving SOF requirements, the system is available in high-side, medium and
full trim variants.
Picatinny rail systems integrated on
the side of the TBH-II MC allow for the integration of multiple accessories including
eye protection, NVGs, headsets such as the
Silynx Boom microphone; Identification
Friend/Foe (IFF) devices including the
San Precision IFF Strobe; video cameras
such as the VholdR Contour High Definition and VIO POV1 cameras; and tactical
lights including the Insight M3, Surefire
E1L, Surefire X300, Streamlight TLR-1
and Princeton illumination kit.
A further trend which was first identified by US Army Special Operations
Forces operating in Afghanistan from
2012 onwards, concerns the integration
of a Survivability Kit to enhance protection especially in insurgent bomb threat
areas. The Survivability Kit features a visor,
providing protection against 9mm ammunition, with mandible options to protect
the eyes and face from blunt force trauma,
ballistic threats and blast shockwaves. On
top of this, an additional helmet-mounted
capability now being optimised by special
forces units is the Mohoc ruggedized camera which is, according to defence sources,
being utilised by SOF in the US and else-
2015/16 Special Operations Quarterly
17
The Proteum GuardRunner ruggedised jet ski is already in operational use with undisclosed
European Special Operations Force © Proteum
where. Effectively a military-grade variant
of popular sports cameras such as the famous GoPro brand, the Mohoc has been
pre-sold in “thousands” to NATO SOF
force elements seeking to use footage for
After Action Reviews as well as real-time
information dissemination during missions, the company told Armada.
On 2 May 2011, US Navy SEALs conducted Operation NEPTUNE SPEAR
which resulted in the death of Al Qaeda
leader Osama Bin Laden at his safe house
in Abbottabad, northern Pakistan. Following the publication of photographs showing President Barack Obama and advisors
in the White House Situation Room, the
international media automatically assumed
that they had been watching a live feed of
the mission including the shots fired which
killed Mr. Bin Laden. This has since been
discredited although the capability does
exist allowing Full Motion Video (FMV)
to be relayed from inside buildings, across
conventional tactical radios, and thence to
satellite communications to be transmitted
across an intercontinental range.
However, footage of the raid was recorded by SEAL Team 6 operators for Site
Sensitive Exploitation (SSE) reasons; a topic
which will be covered below. Additionally, whether recording a live operation or
a training scenario, the ability to record and
playback FMV provides a critical tool in the
evolution of TTPs for SOF as they continue
their efforts to outwit adversaries and learn
from mistakes made on the ground. According to Mohoc chief executive officer,
Connor Duncan, sports cameras have been
18
2015/16 Special Operations Quarterly
used by SOF operators in recent years for
this same purpose although models such as
the GoPro are not rugged enough for the
tasks in hand and not optimised for some
missions as they emit light and sounds
which can put operators at risk of compromise during an operation.
The Mohoc camera has been designed
in a small form factor with a low, contoured
profile preventing any snag hazard and a
simple industrial Velcro attachment allowing the camera to be easily attached to any
part of the helmet. “The CurveLock base
of the camera matches the shape of a tactical helmet and combines with the sleek
exterior of the Mohoc to create the closest
possible fit, eliminate snag hazards from
foreign objects and significantly improves
the security and simplicity of helmet attachment,” Mr. Duncan explained. A rotating
lens also means the Mohoc can be mounted
and adjusted on the side slope of a combat
helmet should NVGs or any other accessories restrict the aperture of the camera
when positioned on top of the helmet. The
Velcro attachment also reduces the requirement for Picatinny rail attachments. The
Mohoc includes a simple three-setting user
interface with a vibrating function signalling when the camera is active. The device,
Mr. Duncan explained, remained silent at
all times and had zero light emissions. It
is also certified to be waterproof down to
ten metres’ (33ft) depth.
Providing high definition video, Mohoc benefits from a dual capture capability allowing an operator to take still photos while simultaneously recording FMV
including manual, photo burst and time
lapse photography as and when required.
The camera also has a 140 degree field-ofview. Wireless connectivity is provided
by USB (Universal Serial Bus) and HDMI
(High-Definition Multimedia Interface)
ports with supporting software applications available using the Android operating system as of September, with these
available on the Apple iTunes website
from December. The camera is capable of
accommodating a 128 gigabyte memory
card with a rechargeable battery pack pro-
The High Trim helmet is becoming widespread
throughout SOF units worldwide, with benefits
allowing greater user comfort and the easier
integration of communications and ear
protection headsets © US DoD
viding up to six hours of continuous use.
Mohoc is available in day camera and lowlight infrared (IR) variants with Mr. Duncan telling Armada that the company is
considering a thermal imaging option in
the future.
To date, operational evaluation with
SOF units has seen the utility of the Mohoc
camera extended to body-mounted systems.
Again, the company’s CurveLock Velcro
attachment allows it to be easily attached
to the shoulder harnesses of load-carrying
systems and armour plate carriers. The
Mohoc has also been developed with a
canine mount allowing military working
dogs to carry the payload. Such a TTP
arose out of COIN operations in Iraq and
Afghanistan where dogs were employed
to enter a building or compound ahead of
a ground assault force. However, associated SOF sources informed Armada that
special operations personnel were also
keen to use the technology onboard Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), surveillance poles, and onboard weapon systems
and platforms.
As previously mentioned, the operational environment continues to change
with SOF being used less for kinetic
strike operations to capture high-value
targets amid a return to more traditional
intelligence-gathering missions. Operation NEPTUNE SPEAR again provides a
good example of this with the helicopter
attack force conducting SSE of Mr. Bin
Laden’s compound prior to its egress from
the location. This allowed the force to collect computer hard drives, cell phones and
paperwork for use in follow-on missions
2015/16 Special Operations Quarterly
19
Heavy armoured tactical vehicles were
used to great effect in Afghanistan and
Iraq by US Special Forces. Despite a
recent trend towards more lightweight
and internally air-transportable vehicles,
SOF units continue to employ them for
COIN © US DoD
to assist in disrupting and destroying
explaining to Armada how requirements
insurgent networks; a CONOP which
would also incorporate demands for
proved extremely successful during coali- stand-off detection capabilities. Options
tion SOF operations in Iraq to identify and
being considered by a variety of SOF ordisrupt insurgent bomb-making and logis- ganisations include Field Forensics’ Ultra
tics networks.
series of Multi-Target Explosives and PreIllustrating the importance of this area, cursor Test Kits which are small enough to
the US Special Operations Command re- be carried in secure pockets.
leased a solicitation for SSE technologies
Field Forensics’ chief executive offithis September. The RFP calls on a variety
cer Craig Johnson informed Armada that,
of technology to assist SOF in SSE mis- “Ultra-series kits generally react to chemisions including passive radiation detection
cals immediately or within a few seconds.
devices to react to the presence of radio- The operator does not have to worry
logical materials/emissions so as to detect, about losing components or replacing or
locate and identify radiological materials
recharging batteries as the tests are selfat dose rates within tolerance levels, and
contained in simple, rugged and reliable
personal radiation detection devices capa- form factor housings.” The company’s
ble of warning the wearer of the presence
HandyRam handheld Raman Spectrosof potentially dangerous radiation while
copy system also allows operators to
collecting SSE information.
identify explosives, precursor chemicals,
Additionally, the SSE solicitation will
narcotics and other compounds. The
consider a minimal power Biological
HandyRam is powered by AA batteries
Agent Detection Kit capable of detecting
providing up to eight hours of usage. Adbiological agents within minutes, and an
ditionally, the micro Thin Layer ChromaExplosive Detection Kit capable of de- tography (TLC) payload can be used for
tecting explosive substances less than five
further analysis. “These products aim to
milligrams in size. ”Detectors should be
reduce the burden on the forensics chain
mountable on ground mobility vehicles,” by supplying technologies that not only
the USSOCOM RFI added with sources
provide the analyses required but that
20
2015/16 Special Operations Quarterly
are also easy to use and support,” he explained while acknowledging SOF operators have enough to worry them tactically
on the ground when executing missions.
I Lethality
Whatever additional missions are being
required of SOF cadres, the fundamental
capability for lethality remains of prime
importance to the soldier. There are exceptions but the minimum armament carried
by a SOF commando will be a covertly carried handgun. The other end of the scale
will see them equipped with an assault
rifle as a primary weapon, a handgun as a
secondary weapon, and flexibility to operate crew-served weapons and additional
weapons suitable to their task, which can
range from shotguns to assist entry into
buildings and underslung 40mm grenade
launchers through to ATGMs, fragmentation grenades and demolition equipment.
An ability to breach entry into a building or compound remains critical to modern day SOF, especially when combating
experienced and motivated insurgents
quite capable of booby-trapping obvious
entry and exit points. Such an effect was
routinely witnessed during NATO opera-
tions in Afghanistan over the past decade,
including one undisclosed international
unit which received nearly a dozen casualties during a single arrest operation in
an undisclosed province. Method Of Entry (MOE) options range from manual
means such as sledgehammers through
to shotguns, ATGMs and shaped charges
designed to gain entry through concrete
walls which are usually prepped before a
mission and thus dependent upon a successful prior reconnaissance of the target
building and its construction.
Responding to such requirements is
Israel Military Industries’ (IMI) recently-unveiled Explosive Breaching Frame
(EBF). The charge is designed to create
holes in compound and building walls of
sufficient size to allow a ground assault
force entry. This EBF technology is already
in service with Israel Defence Force (IDF)
SOF who are particularly used to MOUT
to support wider internal security operations. According to IMI, the EBF relies
upon a linear-shaped charge which can be
supported and formed into a box shape to
create an aperture entry point. The charge
is capable of breaching walls of up to 0.2m
(0.6ft) thickness with rods or special adhesives used to support the EBF against a
compound or building wall.
I Urban Operations
Meanwhile, increasing requirements to
operate in tight, congested and contested
urban environments, has placed additional
importance on small arms with SOF operators often reverting from high-tech optical
gunsight solutions to more simplified ‘red
dot’ sights. Swedish company Aimpoint
has supplied SOF with this technology for
years with sales director, Fredrik Ljungren
explaining to Armada how recent operations and consideration of the future operating environment look set to continue
this trend. “Red dot technology provides a
better solution than laser devices because
they minimise any transmission of light
which can compromise an operation,” he
explained while describing how ongoing
improvements in size, weight and power
had resulted in increasing requirements
even for handgun-mounted red dot sights.
Aimpoint’s T1 and T2 sight families fit
via Picatinny rail adaptors to assault rifles,
submachine guns and handguns and provide a see-through holographic red dot
sight designed for rapid engagement in
close quarter battle up to approximately
100m (328ft) in range. The sights can also
SOF units continue to seek internally air-transportable vehicles for a variety of missions with
the USSOCOM contracting Polaris Defence to deliver MRZR 2 and MRZR 4 vehicles © Polaris
be used in low light conditions although
they fail to illuminate targets.
Red dot sights also allow a soldier to
quickly acquire a target via a ‘slant fieldof-view’ while keeping both eyes open
and looking down their barrel, providing
a much more rapid capability than if the
user was looking down an enclosed optical gunsight such as the Trijicon Advanced
Combat Optical Gunsight (ACOG).
However, Trijicon continues to develop
ACOGs with ‘floating’ holographic red dot
or reticle pattern designator which are illuminated when looking over the weapon
sight and down the barrel, as opposed to
through the magnified sight itself. This
provides a dual solution for SOF units
seeking a to engage enemy targets at short
range in a timely manner as well as the
more accurate engagement of targets out
to the maximum effective range of the users’ particular weapon.
For more surgical operations with increased associated risk of collateral damage to friendly forces or civilian populations (such as Hostage Rescue and CSAR),
SOF commandos tend to select a laser
designating device such as L-3 Insight’s
AN/PEQ-15 Advanced Target Pointer Illuminator Aiming Laser (ATPIAL) which is
available in standard, high and ultra high
power configurations. The device can be
mounted to a rifle for easy-to-use aiming
with IR and visible aim lasers as well as an
IR illuminator.
Meanwhile, Aimpoint is currently
marketing its Micro T2 red dot sight to
undisclosed European SOF, after operational experience highlighted a series of
lessons learned regarding its legacy Micro T1 weapon sight which remains in
service with certain nations today. A socalled ‘evolution’ of the Micro T1 has seen
a raft of improvements to the gunsight
including the addition of protective flip
covers to the front and rear of the sight,
particularly designed for combat diving
operations. Maritime SOF units requested the capability after dirt had partially
blocked the see-through display following the transition from water to land
environments.
Similarly, ground units have found
this upgrade useful in the arid conditions
of the Middle East and South Central
Asia. During operations in Iraq, coalition
forces often complained of a very fine
sand or dust which penetrated, blocked
and sometimes hindered the operation of
weapons and gunsights. The Micro T2 also
comprises increased impact protection
as well as 90 percent light transmission
for increased optimal performance. Mr.
Ljungren explained, “The Micro T1 and
T2 family of red dot sights have been designed for Hostage Rescue and COIN operations for use with assault rifles and submachine guns, providing users with the
optical performance of a larger sight but in
a smaller form factor.” Mr. Ljungren added
that the company “has also designed the
sight for use with a handgun and are currently speaking to handgun and holster
manufacturers to best integrate our sight
2015/16 Special Operations Quarterly
21
ON THE COVER: Special Operations Forces are carrying
an increasing quantity of equipment to perform their
missions. Ensuring that this equipment is easy to carry,
and easy to use, is paramount © US DoD
Special Operations Quarterly
Supplement to
Issue 6/2015
Volume 39, Issue No. 6, December 2015/January 2016
is published bi-monthly by Media Transasia Ltd.
Copyright 2012 by Media Transasia Ltd.
Publishing Office: Media Transasia Ltd.,
1603, 16/F, Island Place Tower,
510 King’s Road, Hong Kong
Editor: Thomas Withington
CV-22Bs are being called upon to insert underslung SOF vehicles. Such a concept of
operation allows for rapid re-rolling of the vehicle as soon as it has touched down © US DoD
technology with these weapon and carriage
systems.” Looking to future developments,
he outlined ongoing requirements for yet
further improvements to sight size, weight
and power as well as demands continuing
for increased optical performance. Finally,
Mr. Ljungren described how Aimpoint red
dot sights provided a continuous use of approximately five years.
I Conclusion
SOF provide a nation’s most elite combat
capability but contemporary and future
operating environments are now calling
on these soldiers to operate in a far smarter way. Equipment and technology goes
some way in addressing these issues but
fundamentally, selection of the right individuals for service within these units will
continue to provide the greatest capability
over emerging adversaries.
It is important to remember that standards cannot and will not drop so enhancing the capability of soldiers appears the
only way ahead. Certainly, this is how the
USSOCOM is approaching the challenge of
MOUT with the development of its Tactical
Assault Light Operator Suit; a robotic exoskeleton which could become ready for deployment within the next five-to-ten years.
However, such a programme comes with
a warning. Governments can equip a soldier
with the latest in wearable computers, lethality and protection, but if that operator lacks
the guile, innovation and self-discipline to
use them appropriately, they run the risk of
becoming ineffective.
There is a fine line to be drawn and defence organisations should remain wary as
to any potential information overload as
the future capabilities of Special Operations Forces increase in years to come.
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