SOFIC DAY 3 was a day filled with some of the best presentations and panels that could be assembled. Today’s programs kicked-off with Mr. Geoffry Downer, PEO Rotary Wing, USSOCOM presentation. Mr. Downer’s organization has one customer and that is the 160th Special Operations Regiment. His organization supports three primary rotary aircraft —the A/MH-6M Mission-Enhanced Little Bird, the MH-60M, and the MH-47G. These assets play three roles – look for targets and people on the ground, move equipment and people around the battlefield, or attack per Mr. Downer. He details that Little Bird, is a light helicopter gunship, that’s an adaptation of a commercially used aircraft and can be transported to theaters via C-130 or C-17 aircraft. The MH-60M is a version of the CH-60 Black Hawk. The MH-47G is a variant of the heavy-lift CH-47 Chinook, an aircraft that has been in service since the 1960s. Mr. Downer is looking to improve lift, crash survivability along with stealth and Mission Equipment Packages. –SP

Armed Overwatch is a priority for USSOCOM’s Fixed Wing Group. Col Kenneth Kuebler, USAF, PEO Fixed Wing USSOCOM detailed the progress being made.

The Armed Overwatch program was initiated by USSOCOM and involved the purchase of 75 aircraft to perform close air support, precision strike, and ISR missions. SOCOM plans to replace the U-28A Draco with the final aircraft configuration. COVID-19 appears to have delayed the Armed Overwatch program but AFSOC plans flight demonstrations in summer of 2021 with acquisition beginning FY 2022. This is a high priority program for SOCOM. –SP

to