the last few years, an increasing y Over number of special operationsrelated demonstrations and briefings have been held in conjunction with the annual Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade event known as “SHOT Show.” And the January 2019 gathering was no exception, with U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) practically formalizing the special operation forces (SOF) tie-in with the Las Vegas-based event. Clear evidence of the tie-in could be seen in a June 13, 2018 request for information (RFI) announcement, in which USSOCOM representatives outlined their plans to hold an International Special Operations Forces (ISOF) Range Day(s) event in January 2019. The selected days were immediately prior to SHOT Show, and the event was held just north of Las Vegas at Creech Air Force Base. The RFI described the intent of the event as “provid[ing] participants with the opportunity to gain International Special Operations Forces (ISOF) insight/ perspective on participant technologies,” adding that USSOCOM would “explore [the] emerging technologies, technical applications, and their potential to provide solutions for future SOF capabilities.” Specific areas of technology interest identified in the RFI included: machine guns, suppression systems, lightweight ammunition, crew-served sighting systems, counter-defilade solutions, mortar systems, and optical systems. As representative examples of machine gun and accessory technologies that would be explored during the ISOF range event, the announcement highlighted
interest in: a lightweight assault MG (beltfed and weighing less than 14 pounds) in 6.5 Creedmoor (CM) caliber; a lightweight medium MG (belt-fed and weighing less than 24 pounds) in the .338 Norma Magnum (NM) caliber; MG suppressors for the 6.5CM, .338NM, and 7.62x51mm calibers; MG optical systems providing between 8X and 12X magnification for day optic; MG lightweight ammunition and lightweight linking solutions in 7.62X51mm, 6.5CM, and .338NM calibers; and a Mid-Range Gas Gun (MRGG) – a semi-automatic, magazine-fed, sniper support rifle with barrel length of 20-22 inches – in 6.5CM caliber. While the RFI clearly explained that there was “no intention on the part of USSOCOM to purchase or procure equipment based solely on participation in the event,” the private USSOCOM event served as a catalyst for other more public demonstrations in the days surrounding SHOT. Together, these public demonstrations served to provide “a glimpse behind the curtain” of several ongoing materiel development activities.
“Unofficial” Range Events One of these unofficial demonstration subsets was held at a privately owned desert range in the foothills outside Las Vegas. This particular demonstration featured a range of potential SOF items, including a new prototype “purpose-built” Non-Standard Commercial Vehicle [See “Ground Mobility” chapter] from Navistar; .50-caliber M2 machine gun suppression
ADAM GOURLEY PHOTO
The Paradigm Talon weapon stabilization system is capable of carrying weapons up to .300 WinMag caliber.
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