Task Force ODIN, whose name is an acronym for observe, detect, identify, and neutralize, is a United States Army aviation battalion created in August 2006 to conduct reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition(RSTA) operations to combat insurgent operators of improvised explosive devices in Iraq. The unit was formed at Fort Hood, Texas, and first deployed in October 2006. An Army article says the unit is meant to meet "the critical requirement to 'win back the roads' using Army Aviation assets to maintain a persistent stare over demonstrated at-risk areas for IEDs." Army leaders said they created the unit because the United States Air Force provided inadequate or inaccurate close air support.

ODIN is the Army's only unit that flies the MQ-1B Warrior-Alpha unmanned aerial vehicle. Built by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, the extended-range multi-purpose hybrid UAV has an advanced sensor package incorporating electro-optical sensors, including FLIR, and synthetic aperture radar together with a laser rangefinder and a laser designator, the latter for "painting" targets for strikes with Hellfire missiles and laser-guided bombs.

By September 2007, the Warrior-Alpha had flown more than 6,000 hours and had contributed to the killing of 3,000 insurgents in Iraq.

Task Force ODIN’s success stems from a combination of 4 elements. The result is a surveillance/strike package whose elements contribute diverse strengths and cover for each others’ weaknesses, achieving results that each element could not achieve on its own:

The first element is inexpensive, modern-day “Bird Dog” type propeller planes like the Cessna Caravan 208B, C-12R “Horned Owl” or C-12 MARSS-II King Air ISR aircraft, etc. Advanced surveillance and targeting turrets, hyperspectral sensors, and ground-looking radars like General Atomics’ APY-8 Lynx, are integrated with these aircraft, which have higher carrying capacities than most UAVs. Manned aircraft also have much wider fields of view than UAVs, and allow pilots to use other senses like hearing.

The second element is UAVs like the Army’s RQ-5 Hunters, RQ-7 Shadows, MQ-1C Sky Warriors, et. al. At the high end, these drones are actually more expensive than their companion manned aircraft. Smaller UAVs do offer cost advantages, but all UAVs have the problem of “looking through a soda straw,” which makes them better suited to more focused surveillance of marked areas or key infrastructure like roads, power lines, etc. UAVs’ biggest advantages are twofold: longer time-on-station for persistent surveillance, and the ability to carry precision weapons like Viper Strike, Hellfire missiles, and perhaps even GPS-guided 81mm mortar bombs that would allow the Army to arm its Shadow UAVs as well.

During the task force’s initial operations in Iraq, however, the UAVs were unarmed. QRC-1 of 4 MQ-1C SkyWarriors was unarmed, and the RQ-5/Viper Strike combination was tested but not deployed until several years later in Afghanistan.

The third element is math. Its role is highly under-rated, but new and improved algorithms have made both UAVs and manned “bird dogs” more useful, by offering better analysis of what’s in their scans. A new technology called “Constant Hawk,” mounted on a C-23 Sherpa aircraft, can identify changes in an area, based on multiple scans sing hyperspectral sensors and other equipment. One obvious thing to look for is the signature of disturbed earth or new pavement, which may indicate a new land mine.

The last element is close co-ordination with Army ground elements, including special forces, and army aviation elements like the AH-64 Apache attack and OH-58D Kiowa Warrior scout helicopters. The AH-64’s 30mm cannon has received significant use, as a weapon that offers exceptional accuracy, usefulness as an inducement to surrender rather than just being a simple shoot/kill weapon, and almost no collateral damage beyond the identified target’s immediate area. (by Defense Industry Daily staff).

Lockheed Martin has bagged a roughly $25 million contract to integrate a vehicle and dismounted exploitation radar (VADER) system into a Beechcraft King Air 350ER. The work to integrate VADER – which is expected to be complete by March 2015 – adds to Lockheed’s ongoing surveillance support efforts in Afghanistan. Since 2009, the company has operated and supported a fleet of US Army-owned King Airs equipped with the medium-altitude reconnaissance surveillance system (MARSS). Established by army task force ODIN – an acronym for observe, detect, identify and neutralise – MARSS aircraft include a mix of King Air 200s, 300s and 300ERs, says Lockheed. Those aircraft are currently based at three locations in Afghanistan. They use full-motion video and communications and signals intelligence sensors to monitor insurgents and counter threats posed by improvised explosive devices.

You will receive the item as shown in the first photo. Other items in other pictures are available from my eBay Store. They will make a great addition to your SSI Shoulder Sleeve Insignia collection. You find only US Made items here, with the same LIFETIME warranty. LRSR not included.

**eBay REQUIRES ORDER BE SENT WITH TRACKING, PLEASE SELECT USPS 1ST CLASS SERVICE w/TRACKING**

**eBay REQUIRES ORDER BE SENT WITH TRACKING, PLEASE SELECT USPS 1ST CLASS SERVICE w/TRACKING**

We'll cover your purchase price plus shipping.

FREE 30-day No-Question return

ALL US-MADE PATCHES HAVE LIFETIME WARRANTY

We do not compete price with cheap import copies.

Watch out for cheap import copies with cut-throat price; 

We beat cheap copies with Original design, US-Made Quality and customer services.

Once a customer, a LIFETIME of services