Soldier Systems

Thanks to US Cav, we can now take the question mark (?) off of our previous article on a possible combat shirt from Tru-Spec. US Cavalry has just announced pre-orders for the Tru-Spec combat shirt with deliveries commencing mid-December.

The prices are phenomenal for a combat shirt with an FR body. As we reported before the body is made from Cordura® Baselayer fabric which won’t drip or melt.

Available in sizes from Small - 2XL in a veritable plethora of color schemes including (arms/body) UCP/Foliage, Black/Black, Khaki/Khaki, MULTICAM®/Sand and Olive Drab/Olive Drab.

To pre-order visit WWW.USCAV.COM.

Photos from US Cav.

Made from 1000D Cordura and lined with 400 weight pack cloth the TAG Advanced Rolling Loadout Bag features four exterior pouches. Additionally, there are four removable pouches inside of the bag. The frame is made with 6061 aircraft grade aluminum and powdered coated with a black “crinkle” finish in order to resist wear.

One of the problems with other bags is that items in the bag push against the wheel. This not only makes it difficult to pull the bag, eventually, holes are worn in the bag’s fabric and your kit gets wet and dirty. This design features wheel wells to prevent this from happening. Additionally, the axle is one solid piece and runs through the frame in order to prevent the wheels from breaking off. The large ball bearing wheels give a smooth ride over uneven surfaces. Finally, the bag can be easily removed from the frame if needed for cleaning, modification, or repair.

TAG has already sold about 1000 of them and can’t keep them in stock. For this reason, none of TAG’s retailers have them yet. I was lucky enough to get one and it has served me well on several trips. The Advanced Loadout Bag isn’t cheap, but like I always say, “Buy Quality, Cry Once”. TAG regularly runs discount specials and that is a great time to invest in one of these bags.

The Advanced Loadout Bag is a roomy 39″L x 17″H x 12″D for a total of 7,956 cubic inches. Berry compliant with a 100% lifetime warranty, the Loadout Bag is available in a multitude of colors including Coyote, Ranger Green, Black, UCP, and Multicam. The interior is solid colored.

To order visit the Operator’s Choice.

Pictures from TAG.

The Army Combat Shirt has only been an issue item for about a year but much of its success can be attributed to PEO-Soldier’s decision to field the garment immediately and improve it over time. In fact, although the basic concept has stayed constant, the design has been in a perpetual state of change. At the recent SOFEX at Ft Bragg, NC we got a chance to take a look at the latest version (v5.3) of the ACS at Massif’s booth. While this version has not yet been approved for procurement, it features design refinements specified by PEO-Soldier. Many Soldiers will be happy to hear that noticeably absent was the “Army of One” logo.

Manufactured from Massif’s proprietary Blaze, Breeze, and Helium fabrics, the ACS is completely FR, even incorporating new flame resistant resin zippers. The Blaze fabric is a four way stretch and used for the sleeves and under arm panels. Designed with comfort under body armor in mind, the ACS is constructed with flat seams and features raglan sleeves. The body is formed from Breeze fabric and the modesty panel designed to cover the breast area is made from Helium fabric. A high mock-T collar prevents chaffing caused by the IOTV’s high collar.

While garments in other color schemes (including Multicam) are currently on the drawing board, development of military variants including the Airman Battle Shirt and a khaki version for the Navy has priority.

Currently, the ACS can only be ordered by members of the United States Army. To order contact Massif Mountain Gear Company.

Blue Force Gear has got a lot going on. Recently Stephen Hilliard came on board and brought with him his design expertise in nylon gear. Already available are two unique products; the Tourniquet NOW! Strap and the Ten-Speed Mag Pouch.

Designer Stephen Hilliard designed the Tourniquet NOW! Strap in order to replace the expedient rubber band system used to attach tourniquets to load carrying equipment. The strap is simple and folds the tourniquet at the ready. The Tourniquet NOW! Strap is available in Coyote Brown, Foliage Green, and Camo Green.

BFG developed the Ten-Speed Mag Pouch after owner Ashley Burnsed saw a bicyclist with his water bottle in an elastic carrier. Weighing in at three ounces, and most of that is BFG’s new MOLLE-compatible attachment system, the pouch’s open topped body is manufactured from elastic and designed to provide positive retention of magazines or other items such as flash bangs. It is truly a specialist item that closes flat when not in use. Current variants are available with a dark olive green body edged in Multicam.

In addition to those tactical nylon accessories, the gang at Blue Force Gear has several other products lined up for release over the next couple of months.

Finally, Blue Force Gear is expanding their relationship with Larry Vickers beyond just slings and introducing a line of 1911 parts called Vickers 1911 gear. Although not yet available for sale on the site, a Hammer, Sear, and Disconnector kit should be up by the end of the week in both standard and slotted styles.

For more information contact Blue Force Gear.

Photos from Blue force Gear.

Hosted by world renown tactical trainers Larry Vickers and Aaron Roberts, both former Army Special Operations Soldiers, Tactical Impact examines real life tactical problems and the arms, accessories, and tactics required to prevail. And yes, they even wear Multicam.

The show is featured on The Sportsman Channel (TSC), Fox Sports Net South, Wild TV and Pursuit networks. Check local listing for channel and time.

The show’s website can be found at www.tacticalimpact.tv

Unveiled at SHOT 08 in Las Vegas, the HPFU consists of four components: Jacket, Shirt, Pants, and Vest. The system was developed by Brian Abrams of Adventure Tech as they were brought into Blackhawk’s stable of outdoor and tactical companies. With the exception of the vest which is designed to be worn in conjunction with the shirt, all of the clothing features Blackhawk’s proprietary Integrated Tourniquet System (ITS). It was this feature that helped persuade the Navy to purchase the uniforms for some of its ground combatants.

Jacket

Shirt

Pants

Vest

Available in Black, OD and Desert Digital with Multicam available in the future, all of the HPFU items are available here.

Photos from Blackhawk Products Group.

We are beginning to see a lot more products on the market tailored specifically for working canines. Tactical Assault Gear has just released a new canine vest which is already in use by DOD canine teams, and various SRT as well as Border Patrol canine units.

The vest is constructed from 1000D Cordura and mesh panels. It also features rigger belt style adjustment straps with metal buckles for durability, a drag/carry handle, MOLLE webbing, as well as an adjustable camera mount. Due to the construction details, the vest can be used to secure the canine while rappelling and fast roping.

Additionally, the vest is designed for freedom of movement by the canine yet maintain durability for prolonged operations. The canine vests are manufactured in the USA and can be custom fitted and adapted for specialty requirements.

Available in Coyote, Black, Ranger Green, UCP, and Multicam. Contact TAG to order.
Photos courtesy of TAG.

As 215 Gear claims on their website, “This is not your typical baseball hat”. I first saw this cap on the head of 215 Gear’s owner during the 1st Annual GQ Workshop sponsored by DIY Tactical, Grey Group Training, and Soldier Systems Daily and I thought, “Cool!”.

Ok, so its blended, but what does that mean? Well, it features side mesh panels that help with air circulation, and that my friends is an industry first. Sure, you’ll say that truckers did it first, but no one else has adapted the style to the operator hat. Now that feature alone would make the hat worth ordering but 215 Gear also integrated a few other features. The brim’s underside is a black velcro pile to help shield the eyes from glare and serve as a platform for small lights. Additionally, a square of velcro pile has been sewn to the crown of the hat where a button is normally found. This can be used to affix IFF squares. A 2″ x 3″ velcro pile patch has been sewn to the front and rear of the cap in order to attach flags and other patches. Finally, the size is adjustable at the rear via a velcro closure.

One size fits all and available in Multicam with Khaki panels or Khaki on Khaki. Made by American craftsmen right here in the USA, 215 Gear offers a lifetime guarantee for the hat.

To order check out 215 Gear’s website.

Evolution Armor is owned by Allan D. Bain, inventor and originator of modern scalar armor. Evolution has been developing improved scalar systems but recently branched out into load carrying systems to complement their armor. Their latest offering is the Evo-Tac SF 3-day Pack. Evolution Armor spent several months looking at packs available on the market and considered ways to offer an improved product.

Manufactured from 1000D Cordura, the Evo-Tac 3-day pack a capacity of over 3200 cubic inches organized into a main compartment, bottom front pouch, top front pouch, and slip pocket. It features double stitch construction, mil-spec buckles, YKK zippers, and a hydration compartment. There are also four side pouches which run down most of the height of the pack. Finally, the interior is lined with PALS and there are two removable interior pockets as well as a removable wasitbelt.

Evolution Armor found Multicam to be the most effective pattern available. In order to preserve the IR suppression of the pack, they decided to manufacture all of their PALS webbing and edge binding from Multicam fabric. The graphic below from Evolution Armor shows their attention to detail. However, packs in any color scheme are available as well.

Available in Multicam with other colors such as UCP available on request from Evolution Armor Systems.

Photos courtesy of Evolution Armor Systems.

DIY Tactical, LLC is recently reached an agreement with Texcel, Inc., the exclusive manufacturer of Multicam printed webbing as well as other printed and solution dyed webbing products to be an authorized small quantity distributor for Texcel. DIY will specialize in sales by the yard and roll however, they can also facilitate large quantity purchases by acting as a sales representative. If a customer requires larger quantities, they will transfer your account directly to Texcel in order to offer mill pricing.