Air Warrior Col. John W. Thompson - KMI Media Group

Sp e c i a l Op e r at i O n S te c h n O l O g y
De c e m b e r 2010
VO l u m e 8 • iS S u e 9
Fe at u r e S cO V e r / Q&a
Special Sction: Countermeasures
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Defeating Threats
For aircraft carrying special operations teams, the defensive
option remains increasingly sophisticated countermeasure
systems—flares, decoys and other tactics—that ensure the
aircraft will be protected against a missile attack.
By Dennis McCafferty
Mulholland Wish List
What new systems do special operations forces require?
Lt. Gen. John F. Mulholland Jr., commander of the U.S. Army
Special Operations Command, outlines what he most wants
contractors to provide.
By Dave Ahearn
Averting Personnel Injuries
U.S. Navy special operations personnel and their watercraft can
take quite a pounding, especially in severe sea states, often
causing discomfort or even acute and chronic injuries. But
systems with new technology can cushion the rough treatment.
By Peter Buxbaum
Unseen Underwater
Submersibles, two-man undersea craft, provide a critical
difference between special operations personnel arriving at a
beachhead objective cold and exhausted with time running out,
or arriving unseen at their destination, well-rested.
By Dave Ahearn
Being Let Down Gently
For the first time in more than 50 years, the U.S. Army is
fielding a new parachute—the T-11. The chute is catching
up with reality: Warfighters today carry enormously heavier
equipment loads than they once did, and the old chute couldn’t
cushion the hard landing of all that weight.
Little Vehicles, Big Capabilities
A new type of war—with a fast-moving and elusive foe in the
shadows—means U.S. military forces must fight in new ways
with new tools, such as small, light all terrain vehicles.
By Dave Ahearn
Act Globally, Talk Locally
The challenge of communicating globally has expanded
traditional language instruction and led to rapid innovation.
The Holy Grail of technology is a field device that can do
two-way translation. That may be coming soon.
By Henry Canaday
w w w .SOtech-k m i .c O m
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Colonel John W. Thompson
Commander
160th Special Operations Aviation
Regiment (Airborne)
De pa r t m e n t S
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Editor’s Perspective
Whispers
People
Black Watch
Calendar, Directory
in D u S t r y in t e r V i e w
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David Wilberding
Vice President
STIDD Systems Inc.