Tactical Tailor

USASOC Seeks Folding Kayaks

It’s good to see that the traditional ways are still in fashion.

The U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) has a Brand Name or Equal requirement for manufacturer; Long Haul Folding Kayaks. In particular, they are seeking 10 of the Mark-II Commando Double Kayak.


Stats:
1.90 lbs / 41 kg
2.length 204″ / 518 cm
3.beam 36″ / 91 cm
4.depth 18″ / 46 cm
5.capacity: capable of supporting 900 lbs / 408 kg
6.pack size 3 bags

Includes:
-Complete Rudder Assembly
-Expedition Tuckunder Spraycover
-Classic Bags
-Longren Packing Sleeve
-2 Comfort Seats
-Footbrace
-Black Frame with Touch Codes

Tags:

33 Responses to “USASOC Seeks Folding Kayaks”

  1. Invictus says:

    This has to be the most interesting solicitation I’ve seen yet on SSD. Surprised they aren’t interested in (or possibly aware of) packrafts, which could also serve a niche need for lightweight packable water transport. In AK packrafts are used all across the state for river- or creek-borne hunt and camping expeditions.

    • SSD says:

      These can be used in the ocean.

    • Matt says:

      Pack rafts on open water are more than a little scary. We did the main channel of lake Powell in Kokopelli rafts and had quite a few problems with navigation and tracking. I think something like an Oru Kayak with a skeg/rudder system would be much more advantageous for long haul open water navigation.

  2. Judah says:

    Klepper is used by the European special ops guys.

  3. BAP45 says:

    “Cockleshell Heroes” anyone?

  4. Yogi says:

    I hated every minute i spent in the Klepper dual kayak.
    No infil in the world is a bigger suckfest than a Klepper fully loaded with SR gear for a 10 day exercise, paddling in the ocean during fall.
    Hope for their sake that they plan to use the electric motors you get for these nowadays, but then again, paddeling is the only thing keeping you warm and making your back not be totally fucked by sitting still in this floating turd..

    • Jon, OPT says:

      We used them on one trip as safety boats for surface swims and unladen they could be a pain in the ass, I can imagine with full SR load that being a serious smoker. This version looks more durable, but I don’t see much in ways of improved comfort.

    • Craig says:

      Yogi-You read my mind…must have been same op, or a similar one.

      “AND NOW,FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT”…Did anyone else notice the tigerstripes on the one guy?
      Good,old fashioned,REAL (looks like,or maybe TSP) Tigers…ah,the days of good,functional camo patterns for different environs…

    • Nates says:

      Haha…I hear you. Qty 10 tells me this is still not central to sf capability but glad to see old school but still useful platform for limited slice of trng and ops. Long Haul is well-made and proven US-made answer to Klepper who can’t seem to figure out how to function which seems to be the German way of things these days, Polish-made quality might be there but not proven yet tho maybe moot point as not US-made and order will run to near $75k+ with bells/whistles LH has to offer tougher to sole source foreign maybe?. While no speed demon it tracks better and move faster when loaded (Jon below) specially in wind and waves, otherwise as you might have seen it will be blown all over the place and jump around in chop. If you can get seat position+height dialed in and enough regular paddling in, yeah who has time, to get the lower back/legs used to the straight-legged torture of johnny come lately long-distance ocean paddling, not so bad. sounds like your kayak days are happily history but fwiw and IME raise seat height to keep bloodflow/feet lower than ass and reduced tension between leg muscles pulling your lower back in two, baselayer wool then 1-2 fleece lower body (torso shouldn’t need as much) insulation under drysuit and two pairs hvy wool socks under boots/booties not tied too tight, cut ridge rest to fit on floor in front of seat to past your heels for padding and insulating…if still too cold, slide into a bivy bag under the spray skirt, bungee around waist 2 hold it in place and easy to get out of. 15 years of paddling these things in all sort of conditions after first using them in military having similar experience to yours, always slow vs alternatives but warm and ok comfort if gear set up good and paddling trng is regular.

    • SGT Heintz says:

      Don’t hold back now, tell us how you really feel. You’re being SO ambiguous 😉

  5. Ethan says:

    Love to see a Nemo spin on this

  6. Reseremb says:

    I’ve seen some guys using P3M JetBoots attached to an infil canoe (can’t remember if a Klepper) for extra prop.

  7. defiant says:

    The same imagery used over and over with goofy colors and wibbly-wobbly gradients to represent extra-visual signatures was killing me. Why didn’t they just include the real stuff, instead of that goofy bit?

  8. dudeabides says:

    Yeah kind of already a vetted thing. Pretty sure Rosenheim could tweak and or modify if needed as per Reqs.

    http://www.klepper.com/en

  9. Iceman says:

    Probably the first time a product with Commando in the name is actually gonna be used by commandos

  10. neisty says:

    FOLBOT make a great modern lighter version. I have the greenland II and its 29kg complete and that can be split into half with to porters. If some one was to combine the Dyneema composite laminates with a dyneema outer, you would get the weight down another 5 to 8 kg. just saying

  11. Matthew Kime says:

    Dated a girl in High School, her Dad was Dutch Special Forces.

    Once asked him what his specialty was… He said explosives… and kayaking. He was a badass.

  12. LHFKuser says:

    To clear up other comments & to piss some people off… FYI, I am not connected with LHFK except that I have used this kayak & lived out of this kayak for months at a time in “extreme” areas & own one personally & use it a lot. I will not discuss where these are used.

    1) Mark / LHFK started off decades ago fixing Klepper kayaks & makes the best double seater folding kayak and jad made HUGE modifications & HUGE improvements over the Klepper design & has changed many things. 2) USASOC & various other SOF units have been using this kayak for well over 15 years. – Too bad this is not for the stretch version to give the rear operator the extra 5 inches – another mil cut & paste from the web 3) Klepper has gone bust many times over the decades & Kleppers are no longer made in Germany beause of quality & cost, they are made in Poland by a company that makes similar designs – I am part Polish, so not knocking my brothers 4) Folbot – much less robust designs – went out of business again and no longer makes kayaks- though for a USA made boat they were great for the cost. 5) Packrafts or inflatable kayaks wont work how these are used. 6) Nemo (Cam) might ‘design’ a few things but never anything you should trust your life on – they can keep making stuff for the weekend warrior REI croud. They would make this in Asia & it would come apart… 7) Jon, OPT – added weight in the kayak actually makes it handle better & adjusting the pressure in the sponsoons changes the hull shape & aids in stability – the seat Mark makes is FAR superior to anything Klepper ever made – I assume you were using Kleppers? Big changes in the Commando over any previous Klepper – from the fittings to the materials to the overall far better construction. I think you would have liked these but they do take some time to get familiar. 8) Yes there are some electric & gas motors that can aid in long distance use BUT this is a specific tool for a specific task & motors are mostly not used. 9) That one video is a little goofy but there are a few other construction & assembly videos that show the boat in detail & there is a reason there are no videos or pics of these being operated out of… End

    • Jon, OPT says:

      Thanks, yes, we used Kleppers, and it was pretty much in an admin role used because they are far easier on available pallet space than zodes. Never used one under load, thanks for the info. I’m no longer active so anything about this is really for nostalgia and knowledge.

  13. Pascal says:

    Europeans SF used mostly NAUTIRAID SB Commando MK VI-3 (French) or WAYLAND Mk II Formoza 550XL Combat (UK)

  14. mupp says:

    Kinda surprising the US sneaky beaky types don’t have folders, almost any European SF worth their salt use them.

    • Jon, OPT says:

      I can’t speak for the rest of SOF, but all SF groups had Kleppers up until I got out, most likely still do.

      • LHFKuser says:

        And they have been using LHFK Commando kayaks for over a decade. Replaced most or all the Kleppers.