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Archive for September, 2008

PEO Soldier Launches New Equipment Surveys

Wednesday, September 17th, 2008

This is an official Press Release…

Fort Belvoir, VA—The U.S. Army’s Program Executive Office (PEO) Soldier has launched an Internet-based survey system to support its mission to aggressively incorporate Soldier feedback into everything it does.

More than 30 surveys, announced on AKO and available to Soldiers through a link on the PEO Soldier Web site peosoldier.army.mil, are designed to give Soldiers a forum to communicate their thoughts and suggestions up the chain of command. The surveys cover everything from clothing and individual equipment—gloves, goggles, and battering rams—to individual and crew served weapons such as the M4 carbine and the M110 sniper system.

As The Army continues its efforts to employ the Soldier-as-a-System concept, Soldier feedback is critical. Soldier-as-a-System calls for everything a Soldier wears and carries to be streamlined, integrated and effective. While the Army’s skilled laboratories, research centers, and contractors develop and modernize the next generation of equipment for the battlefield, everything comes down to what the men and women on the ground actually need, use, and accept as beneficial. Web-based surveys have already proven to be a direct and effective way to shine a spotlight on that essential point of view.

An earlier version of the online survey system was used to gather comments regarding the new Army Service Uniform. PEO Soldier received more than 80,000 responses to this survey alone. Converting such extensive feedback into actionable changes is no simple task. As Brig. Gen. Mark Brown, PEO Soldier, noted, “We had experts from Operational Forces Interface Group (OFIG) do the mathematical and statistical analyses of the responses so that we could categorize the feedback that we received to support good decisions.”

“In meeting battlefield requirements, we find that there is rarely a silver bullet that will take care of all existing uniform or equipment requirements,” said Brown. “It is an integrated process, and we manage the Soldier as a system to get there.” As long as technology improves to create more lightweight, efficient, unobtrusive solutions to the challenges every Soldier faces, PEO Soldier will find ways to integrate these products to improve Soldier capabilities, save Soldiers’ lives, and improve Soldiers’ quality of life.

Soldier surveys are just one of many methods PEO Soldier employs to consistently and innovatively provide the best for the best.

The surveys can be found here: PEO Soldier
A CAC card is required to fill out a survey.

Atlas Gloves

Wednesday, September 17th, 2008

Designed for sailing and construction work, the Atlas 300B work glove are very durable and very inexpensive. I use them all of the time on the range where I am required to move metal before and after explosive test events. No cuts so far.

Atlas Work Glove

The non-slip palm wraps around the fingers to ensure a positive grip as well as protect from cuts. The stretch mesh back of the hand allows for breathability. Despite the palms being non-porous, my hands don’t sweat except in the most humid of days.

Atlas Work Glove

The Atlas 300B Work Glove can be purchased here.

Attention Vendors

Tuesday, September 16th, 2008

Would you like your products or services featured on Soldier Systems Blog? Well its an easy process.

Contact us at admin@soldiersystems.net to find out how.

B-Safe Industries Zipcuff

Tuesday, September 16th, 2008

Improvised Zip-Tie cuffs are a commonplace restraint device for general police use, riot/crowd control, and SSE applications. The benefits are clear as an effective restraint as they are lightweight, especially when multiple restraints are required.

B-safe Industries Zipcuff

B-Safe introduces a patented new reusable law enforcement restraint, enabling the user to cuff both of the detainee’s wrists in 1.5 seconds as well control him with one hand via teh T-grip handle. The Zipcuff uses a standard handcuff key for release or loosening thereby saving money as the Zipcuff can be reused over and over.

B-safe Industries Zipcuff

Simultaneously restraining both wrists of a detainee is an important element of control as it leverages the element of surprise, leading to a (hopefully) more docile suspect. To employ the Zipcuff, simply grasp the Zipcuff body, slip over the wrists and pull the T-grip handle.

http://www.swatools.com/

All photos courtesy of B-Safe Industries.

Blueguns – The Training Weapons You Have Been Seeking

Tuesday, September 16th, 2008

Training weapons…a lot of folks look for them, even military units. But where to find them? Why, Blueguns of course. They make enough different models of training weapons that they can cover pretty much any basic need: rifles, shotguns, pistols. Of these weapon types, they cover quite a few individual manufacturers including Colt, Springfield, Baretta, and others. Naturally, the company is named Blueguns so the guns are going to be Blue. For example, the entire family of Colt rifles and carbines is in Blue but they have pretty much any production version you would need. On the other hand, although it is marked as a DPMS carbine they do offer a Black flat top carbine. This model has proven especially popular with those requiring dummy weapons for waterborne training.

If your requirements are somewhat more exotic, they also have knives, crowbars, weapons magazines and even, RPG-7s, M-14s, and M-60s (the last three in natural colors).

They can be ordered directly from Blueguns.

Pak Straps

Monday, September 15th, 2008

There is currently a dearth of bungees on the market that are well suited for military use. At the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, I found a small company named Rok Straps. They have a really cool line of elastic cargo straps and three models in particular are well suited for military use.

The two below, the Camo Rok and Camo Sport are both often used for vehicle applications. Note the heavy duty hooks. Additionally, the Sport features a side release buckle to allow handier access to equipment that has been tied down.

Rok Straps Camo Rok

Rok Straps Camo Sport

They also make a specialty strap that is smaller and designed for use with individual equipment. The Camo Adjustable is specifically designed to attach to back packs and secure smaller items without damaging waterproof materials. Quick release buckles ensure fast and quiet access to gear.

Pak Straps

All of the camo straps are available in Black as well as a Green-based camo.

3M Launches First Pocket Projector

Sunday, September 14th, 2008

Check out this report from PopSci. I can think of a myriad of reasons why this little beauty would come in handy, not least of which is price.

3M Launches First Pocket Projector

And for the German speakers 3M Deutschland’s announcement.

Russ Innovations Incorporated – Flak Vest Hangers

Sunday, September 14th, 2008

I have seen a lot of guys building Rube Goldberg contraptions to air out their armor after a mission. I recently ran across Russ Innovations’ design. They offer a hanger designed to not only dry the vest between uses but provides a handy way to store it or configure it for use.

Russ Innovations Flak Vest Hanger

The hanger on the right is slightly larger and designed for full military armor.

Russ Innovations Flak Vest Hanger

As you can see from the side view, the design allows for ample air circulation and the hanger can be hung up or opened like an easel.

Russ Innovations Flak Vest Hanger Side view

The price is reasonable and it is warrantied for 25 years from the date of purchase. Available from Flakvesthangers.com.

Photos property of Russ Innovations Incorporated.