DefenceTalkThe future of rotary-wing or vertical lift aircraft across the services is the focus of a Defense Department initiative that seeks to improve the speed, range, refueling and interoperability capabilities across the military services, U.S. Special Operations Command and the Coast Guard, and was the subject of a discussion today at the Center for Strategic […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-dod-officials-discuss-future-vertical-lift-family-of-systems-69356/

DefenceTalkExpanding global conflicts require new priorities for U.S. special operations forces, the principal deputy assistant secretary for special operations and low-intensity conflict told the House Armed Services Committee’s emerging threats and capabilities subcommittee here yesterday. Theresa Whelan, performing the duties of the assistant secretary of defense for SOLIC, and Army Gen. Joseph L. Votel, commander […]https://www.defencetalk.com/special-operators-challenges-call-for-new-priorities-dod-officials-say-66919/

DefenceTalkBAE Systems has been selected by the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) to develop a new electronic warfare system for the fleet of C-130J aircraft. The contract, worth more than $20 million, is the first phase of a multi-phase program to upgrade aircraft system survivability and the capability to detect, identify, locate, deny, degrade, disrupt, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/bae-systems-to-develop-electronic-warfare-suite-for-u-s-air-force-c-130j-fleet-66259/

DefenceTalkWashington: A group of US special operations troops who had traveled to Libya to “foster relationships” was kicked out of the conflict-torn country soon after they arrived, the Pentagon said Thursday. A Facebook page belonging to the Libyan air force posted photographs of the men, who were dressed in rugged civilian clothing, including plaid shirts, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-special-ops-troops-kicked-out-of-libya-66122/

DefenceTalkOften working out of sight, Allied special operations forces play a key role in any military operation. That is why they have been training alongside their land, sea and air counterparts in Trident Juncture 2015, NATO’s largest military exercise in more than a decade. The rigorous and diverse training, taking place in Italy, Spain and […]https://www.defencetalk.com/special-ops-forces-undergo-rigorous-training-at-natos-trident-juncture-15-65796/

DefenceTalkArmy aviation operates in worldwide missions while balancing the challenges of the deployments with maintaining training and readiness, Army aviation commanders said. The commanders addressed the topic during a panel at the Association of the United States Army’s forum on Army aviation, Jan. 29. The panel featured Col. Vincent H. Torza, commander, 12th Combat Aviation […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-army-aviation-balances-worldwide-missions-with-training-readiness-62610/

DefenceTalkTerrorists are using social media to plan events, recruit, share information, propaganda, and so on. “We can detect [their activities] pretty well, but I’m not sure we know what to do about it,” said a terrorism expert. Countering terrorists’ leveraging of social media is going to be a challenge, said Robert Newberry, director of the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/unprecedented-technology-poses-challenges-for-special-ops-62485/

DefenceTalkNATO is incorporating special operations into all aspects of its operations and training, the commander of NATO Special Operations Headquarters said here yesterday. Air Force Lt. Gen. Marshall B. Webb told the National Defense Industries Association’s Special Operations/Low-intensity Conflict Symposium that the organization is perfectly placed to capitalize on the multinational, multi-network response to threats. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/special-ops-assuming-greater-nato-responsibilities-62473/

DefenceTalkKadena’s newest aircraft touched down here, Dec. 21, 2014, after a flight across the Pacific to its new home with the 353rd Special Operations Group. The MC-130J Commando II is replacing the retiring MC-130P Combat Shadow assigned to the 353rd SOG’s 17th Special Operations Squadron. “The Commando II represents a giant leap forward for specialized […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-deploys-first-mc-130j-to-asia-61291/

DefenceTalkThe Defence Material Organization (DMO) has awarded a $105M contract to high mobility vehicle specialist, Supacat, to deliver 89 Special Operations Vehicles – Commando (SOV-Cdo) for the Australian Defence Forces under the JP2097 Ph 1B (REDFIN) program. The new SOV-Cdo are based on the latest MK2 version of Supacat’s HMT Extenda and designed to meet […]https://www.defencetalk.com/supacat-to-deliver-89-special-operations-vehicles-60412/