XM-7 Spider System
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The XM-7 Spider program was established to develop alternatives to persistent antipersonnel landmine in Korea along the de-militarized zone. Spider is more of a “remote explosive device” than a typical fire-and-forget land mine. It is detonated by soldier command, and that soldier can even use non-lethal canisters if those have been loaded.

Unlike conventional land mines, the XM-7 Spider always has a known location, and can be safely recovered with ease and and readied for a new deployment if it has not been fired. If that isn’t possible for some reason, the units will deactivate after a set time period so they won’t become a future threat. The XM-7 is the successor to the Matrix system deployed in Iraq, and part of the USA’s Non-Self-Destructing Anti-Personnel Landmine Alternatives (NSD-A) program.

• Anatomy of a Spider
• The XM-7 Spider Program
• Contracts and Key Events
• Additional Readings
  
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Celebrate Good Times…
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Bulova Technologies in Tampa, FL received a contract worth up to $41.2 million to supply pyrotechnics to the US Army.

The word pyrotechnics comes from the Greek for fireworks. The US military, however, uses pyrotechnics not for celebration but for illumination, marking, and signaling.

Pyrotechnics, ranging from flares to signals, provide important military capabilities, such as communication, illumination, training and protection…

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Defense was an issue in the last Australian election. The center-left Labor Party attacked the center-right Liberal Party by citing mismanaged projects, and accusing the Howard government of making poor choices on key defense platforms like the F/A-18F Super Hornet and F-35A Joint Strike fighters. That sniping continued even after Labor won the election, and has been evident in more than a few Defence Ministry releases.

The new government made some program changes, such as canceling the SH-2G Seasprite contract. Yet it has been more notable for the programs it has not changed: problematic upgrades of Australia’s Oliver Hazard Perry frigates were continued, the late purchase of F/A-18F Super Hornets was ratified rather than canceled, and observers waited for the real shoe to drop: the government’s promised 2009 Defence White Paper, which would lay out Australia’s long-term strategic assessments, and procurement plans.

On May 2/09, Australia’s government released “Defending Australia in the Asia Pacific Century: Force 2030.” DID has reviewed that document, and the reaction to date… including a new ASPI roundup of reactions from around Asia.

• Fast Incoming
• The Highlight Reel
• Additional Readings & Assessments [updated]
  
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ADS mounted on Hummer
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Airmen of the 820th Security Forces Group are busy these days. Not only are they conducting the user trial and training for the GSAT ShotSpotter + ScanEagle anti-sniper system, they’re also the first unit selected to conduct the extended user evaluation portion of the Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD) process for “Project Sherrif,” otherwise known as the Active Denial System. ADS won Popular Science magazine’s “Best of What’s New Award” in general technology back in 2001, and DID has been covering this system since May 2005; despite funding and requests from combat commanders, however, the system continues to move toward approval at a very slow pace.

ADS uses invisible, focused microwave beams at a frequency that that can’t penetrate human skin, but does stimulate nerves within it, producing an imaginary but painful burning sensation that instinctively forces people to move away. Past Project Sheriff reports also describe an escalating series of measures, from a “Long Range Acoustic Device” (sonic blaster), up to a Laser Dazzler, then on to the ADS pain ray before things escalate to live ammunition. Tech. Sgt. John DeLaCerda, the NCO in charge of the 820th SFG advanced technologies section, put it this way:

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HPM E-Bomb concept
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Detachment 8 Air Force Research Laboratory/PKDP at Kirtland Air Force Base, NM is researching new opportunities in all aspects of high-power electromagnetic weaponry. Their research supports missions such as survivability of U.S. Department of Defense equipment against high-power microwave emissions, the development of high-power microwave (HPM) weapons, and the refinement of high-power microwave-predictive modeling for inclusion into engagement and campaign-level models.

HPM actually encompasses a variety of devices. HERF (High Energy Radio Frequency) and EMP (Electro-Magnetic Pulse) “electronics killer e-bombs” effects are HPM weapons, and this field has received the bulk for research dollars. So too, however, is “Project Sheriff,” also known as the “pain ray” that does no significant damage to its human target other than causing pain. Other nations believed to be conducting research in the area of HPM weapons generally include China, Great Britain and France.

The Air Force is awarding a $24 million to be split among these eight companies. DID lists the companies involved in the current contract, and also notes previous contracts along similar lines that extend back to 1994:

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Not certified for lawyers
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There’s a lot to be said for timing. Eagle Eye Body Armor sent us a release today noting that “Hunting accidents can be prevented carrying special hunting body armor... The Eagle Eye hunter’s jacket that allows free movement with light weight is specially designed for the protection of individuals during the hunt.”

Meanwhile, DefenseTech had a feature noting Taser International’s Less Lethal Shotgun. As of yesterday, Taser announced that it had “successfully completed a live-fire demonstration of the TASER XREP (eXtended Range Electro-Muscular Projectile), completing a research and development program for the Office of Naval Research (ONR). Multiple rounds were fired from a 12-gauge shotgun, one of the most prevalent shoulder fired launchers in use today, at ranges up to 30 meters demonstrating a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 6 (system prototype demonstration in relevant environment).” No word on what it does to quail, though if the answer is “instant barbecue prep” and there’s some possibility of hitting one, we’d consider it.

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Project Sheriff ADS

Back in May 2005, DID covered the Active Denial System “riot breaker,” a microwave transmitter whose focused beams create burning sensations that force targets to flee in order to escape. Despite the pain, however, the beams reportedly cause no real injuries. A follow-up DID article in August 2005 noted that testing on human volunteers was underway, and a September 2005 article noted the role of the Pentagon’s Office of Force Transformation in creating the ADS (aka. “Project Sheriff”) as an alternative to sometimes-lethal plastic bullets or even live ammunition in order to control hostile crowds.

In December 2005, DefenseTech noted that Iraq may soon have a new Sheriff in town…. but as of January 30, 2006, an article in US Air Force AIM Point expresses general puzzlement at the failure to release the system, despite the US Army’s requests.

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Project Sheriff

Back in May 2005, DID covered the Active Denial System “riot breaker,” a microwave transmitter installed on a Humvee whose focused beams create burning sensations that force targets to flee in order to escape. Despite the pain, however, the beams reportedly cause no real injuries. A follow-up DID article in August 2005 noted that testing on human volunteers was underway, and a September 2005 article noted the role of the Pentagon’s Office of Force Transformation in creating the ADS (aka. “Project Sheriff”) as an alternative to sometimes-lethal plastic bullets or even live ammunition in order to control hostile crowds.

Now DefenseTech notes that Iraq may soon have a new Sheriff in town….

UPDATE: As of January 30, 2006, ADS still has not been deployed. An article in US Air Force AIM Point expresses general puzzlement at the failure to release the system, despite the US Army’s requests.

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Yesterday, DID described how a sims-style video game was training attack sub sailors to be prepared for security threats while in port. Apparently, the US Navy isn’t stopping there. Northrop Grumman Corp. Electronic Systems in Annapolis, MD received a $6 million firm-fixed-price/cost type contract for the Shipboard Protection System (SPS). The purpose of the SPS system is to enhance the ability of surface naval vessels to defeat terrorist attempts or counter other threats while moored to a pier, at anchor, or during restricted maneuvering like canals, narrow littoral channels, etc.

Capabilities for Increment I include: Integrated Surface Surveillance System, and Non-lethal weapons/devices. The surface surveillance system integrates EO/IR sensors, radar, and stabilized guns into a common tactical surveillance system. Non-lethal weaponry will also be included.

US Marines in Riot Gear
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Aaardvark Tactical, Inc. in Azusa, CA won a not-to-exceed $50 million firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract for force protection capability sets. These sets provide non-lethal and anti-terrorism items to bases, installations, and expeditionary forces around the world.

There are three sets:

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