U.S. Air Force selects Black Diamond Advanced Technology Modular Tactical System kits for next-generation Operator Control System
TEMPE, Ariz., 2 July 2012.Black Diamond Advanced Technology won a U.S. Air Force Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) Aeronautical Systems Center firm fixed-price contract to deliver the Modular Tactical System (MTS) kit for the Battlefield Air Operations (BAO) Operator Control System (OCS).
The BAO OCS—consisting of a wearable vest with cable runs, cables, power manager, and computer—is a dismounted, precision-strike, communications-control solution, which is primarily used by Special Operations Forces (SOF). The BAO Kit program is intended to upgrade the current equipment suite of the Battlefield Airmen in: communications, computers, human input/output, power generation and management, and software.
The Black Diamond Advanced Technology MTS is a wearable, multimission system that funnels control of mission-critical peripherals to a central display to eliminate battery and equipment redundancies and lighten load-out. As a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) solution with a patent-pending cable-management cummerbund system, the MTS allows the Air Force to fulfill its OCS requirements and field a foot-mobile solution. The MTS enables Air Force Special Operations Command Special Tactics Squadrons, Combat Control Teams, Tactical Air Control Party, and Guardian Angel pararescue personnel to meet Digitally Aided Close Air Support requirements for future participation in U.S. and joint operations worldwide, according to a spokesperson.
MTS is primarily used by SOF personnel for a variety of missions, including: Precision Targeting, C4ISR, SA, EOD, and UAS/UGV control.
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Courtney Howard | Executive Editor
Courtney, as executive editor, enjoys writing about all things electronics and avionics in PennWell’s burgeoning Aerospace and Defense Group, which encompasses Military & Aerospace Electronics, Avionics Intelligence, the Avionics Europe conference, and much more. She’s also a self-proclaimed social-media maven, mil-aero nerd, and avid avionics geek. Connect with Courtney at [email protected], @coho on Twitter, and on LinkedIn.
