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Marine Corps awards OTAs to assess handheld targeting capabilities - Marine Corps Systems Command has awarded four Other Transaction Authorities to assess industry’s capability to produce a Next Generation Handheld Targeting System that is compact, rugged and lightweight. Currently, the Marine Corps uses four legacy systems, and the intent is for NGHTS to replace all four systems. (Courtesy photo)

Marine Corps awards OTAs to assess handheld targeting capabilities

Marine Corps Systems Command has awarded four Other Transaction Authorities to assess industry’s capability to produce a Next Generation Handheld Targeting System that is compact, rugged and lightweight. The use of OTAs were approved by Congress in 2016 as a procurement method to pay for prototypes and to use nontraditional defense companies to spur innovation. The OTAs were awarded to BAE Systems, Elbit Systems of America, Fraser Optics and Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation.

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The Marine Corps released a request for information for a lightweight hard armor plate to lighten the load for Marines and allow commanders to adapt to the mission on the battlefield. Marine Corps Systems Command will assess industry’s capability to make a plate that would supplement the Enhanced Small Arms Protective Insert and provide protection for low intensity threat environments. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. William Chockey) - The Marine Corps released a request for information for a lightweight hard armor plate to lighten the load for Marines and allow commanders to adapt to the mission on the battlefield. Marine Corps Systems Command will assess industry’s capability to make a plate that would supplement the Enhanced Small Arms Protective Insert and provide protection for low intensity threat environments. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. William Chockey)

Marine Corps searches for new hard armor plate to lighten the load

The Marine Corps has released a request for information for a lightweight hard armor plate to lighten the load for Marines and allow commanders to adapt to the environment, mission and threat on the battlefield. Marine Corps Systems Command will assess industry’s capability to make a plate that would supplement the Enhanced Small Arms Protective Insert, or ESAPI plates, and provide sufficient protection for low intensity threat environments. Vendors should be able to produce a minimum of 40,000 lightweight armor plates within a year of First Article Test approval, which is expected 180 days after contract award.

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Marine Corps explores graywater capability to reduce logistical footprint - Combat Logistics Regiment 25 Marines unfold a 3,000 gallon water bladder during expeditionary water purification in support of Weapons and Tactics Instructors Course 2-18. Last spring, Marine Corps Systems Command explored a vendor prototype add-on module to the Lightweight Water Purification System that allows Marines to purify graywater for future use. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nathaniel S. McAllister)

Marine Corps explores graywater capability to reduce logistical footprint

When it comes to Marines and their equipment, the Marine Corps is focused on the concepts of smaller, faster, lighter and modular. The Fuel and Water Systems Team at Marine Corps Systems Command put this focus into action in the spring when it explored graywater recycling aboard Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, with Marines from Combat Logistics Regiment 25.

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Capt. Patrick Owens, a capabilities integration officer at Marine Corps Combat Development and Integration, demonstrates the Common Laser Range Finder-Integrated Capability system used by dismounted Marines to deliver accurate distance and location of targets through built-in laser range technology. The lightweight, handheld GPS device was fielded in February and replaces the larger, multi-item legacy. Now with just one system, Marines can relay accurate coordinates for lethal, on target fire support. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Mathuel Browne) - Capt. Patrick Owens, a capabilities integration officer at Marine Corps Combat Development and Integration, demonstrates the Common Laser Range Finder-Integrated Capability system used by dismounted Marines to deliver accurate distance and location of targets through built-in laser range technology. The lightweight, handheld GPS device was fielded in February and replaces the larger, multi-item legacy. Now with just one system, Marines can relay accurate coordinates for lethal, on target fire support. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Mathuel Browne)