Tactical Tailor

Archive for November, 2008

FNH USA to Sell SCAR Commercially

Saturday, November 8th, 2008

Leading off their press release with, “SCAR 16S and SCAR 17S As close to USSOCOM as you can get without enlisting.” FNH USA announced that the plan to begin selling semi-auto commercial variants of their Special Operations Combat Assault rifle in early 2009. The 16S is chambered in 5.56X45mm NATO (223 Rem.) and the SCAR 17S fires the 7.62X51mm NATO (308 Win.). Both rifles feature ambidextrous controls and are finished in Flat Dark Earth.

Both 10 and 30 round magazines will be available as well as a full line of accessories. Additionally, many weapons accessories developed for the M16 family are compatible with the SCAR although we fully expect purpose designed items to hit the market soon. In fact, we already know that a magazine has been especially designed for the SCAR by TangoDown LLC.

For more information check out FNH USA’s website.

TRX Force Training Kit from Fitness Anywhere

Friday, November 7th, 2008

Maintaining physical fitness while deployed can be a real challenge and that’s why Fitness Anywhere developed the TRX line of fitness products.

TRX Force Training Kit from Fitness Anywhere
The Force Training Kit includes the TRX Suspension Trainer which features an integrated foot cradle for ground-based training, grips, as well as instructional dvd & 12-week strength and cardio program guide. The door anchor is designed to secure the to any sturdy door and the storage bag is made from lightweight, durable mesh to minimize odor and mold.

TRX Schematic
We have seen the TRX design refined over the past several years. All components are top notch and intended to provide a balance between what you would find in a gym with portability and durability.

1 ½” industrial-grade nylon webbing with a rated tensile strength to 1,250 lbs which is sewn with bonded nylon thread using double stiching. The adjustable non-slip CAM buckles are also rated to 1,250 lbs each. Club-grade grips and integrated foot cradles with neoprene padding for comfort and traction. The TRX adjusts from 6′ to 12′ in length to accommodate most users. Weighing in at 1.79 lbs, the TRX is a great addition to a team’s deployment kit or for those traveling alone to an austere location it is compact enough to throw in the duffel bag for individual use.

For more information or to order go to Fitness Anywhere.

Photos courtesy of Fitness Anywhere.

Gen III ECWCS Article in Infantry Magazine

Thursday, November 6th, 2008

PEO-Soldier has placed a concise one page description of Gen III ECWCS in order to inform a wider audience about its properties. We highly recommend that Soldiers give a copy to leaders who may not be as in tune with innovations in Soldier Systems items.

You can read the article at Infantry magazine.

FiveTen Update

Thursday, November 6th, 2008

We got a sneak peak of FiveTen’s new tactical footwear at OR in August. Grey Group Training shared some photos with us of the production models. They will be available around SHOT. Contact Grey Group to order.

FiveTen FiveTen

PT Helmets – Alpha Model

Wednesday, November 5th, 2008

PT Helmets A-Alpha

For years unit life support shops have been modifying skate board helmets for use as bump helmets during activities such as CQB, maritime, and airborne operations. Modifications can be costly as well as have varying degrees of success. PT Helmets does the work for you with the Alpha helmet which they manufacture specifically for special DOD customers. The shell has the same tensile strength as a hard hat and the impact liner is designed for airborne operations. The crown pad is also removable as the helmet is designed to accommodate communications systems. In fact, excess material over the ears is removable in order to custom fit large ear cups.

PT Helmets Alpha Liner

The Alpha helmet comes standard with an integral goggle retention strap at the back of the helmet. Additionally, the helmet has a four point suspension with a nape pad that is similar to the MICH. This makes the helmet not only a more effective platform for NVGs but also safer for activities such as airborne operations. You can utilize the chin cup for a more secure fit or attach the strap under the chin when wearing protective masks. The chin strap is mounted using non-corrosive Black zinc Phillips head bolts.

PT Helmets Alpha

The helmet is available with optional velcro panels as well as removable MIL-STD 1913 rails. Also, the helmets are pre-drilled for both the Navy three hole pattern or Army one hole pattern NVG mount.

PT Helmets Alpha - OD

They are available on OD, Desert Tan, and Black non-reflective matte finishes. However, they are ready for paint right out of the box. To order contact PT Helmets. They are a very cost effective alternative to doing in house mods.

PT Helmets Alpha Model in Use

Photos courtesy of PT Helmets.

Blackhawk High Performance Fighting Uniform

Tuesday, November 4th, 2008

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.

Blackhawk HPFU Jacket
Jacket

Blackhawk HPFU Shirt
Shirt

Blackhawk HPFU Pants
Pants

Blackhawk HPFU Vest
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.

Navy Working Uniform Fielding Plan

Monday, November 3rd, 2008

The Navy has announced the fielding plan for the NWU. Exchanges in the Northeast Region started selling the new uniform in July and currently sales are underway in the National Capital Region as well as issue to new recruits. Next up is the Tidewater Region and they will be available for sales everywhere by October 2010.

Navy Working Uniform Male E-6 and BelowNavy Working Uniform Female Officer

The NWU consists of a blue based digital camo working uniform, eight-point cover, dark blue t-shirts, Gore-tex jacket, and black boots. The blouse and trousers are similar in cut to the Marine Camouflage Combat Utility Uniform except that the blouse’s chest pockets are parallel to the deck instead of slanted. Additionally, an Anchor, USS Constitution, and Eagle (ACE) device is embroidered on the left chest pocket. In addition to the dark blue t-shirts, each Sailor will be required to own a mock turtleneck. The APECS style Gore-tex jacket comes with a zip-in fleece liner similar to the Coast Guard jacket. The fleece liner may not be worn as an outer garment. Currently, smooth leather safety toe boots much be worn aboard ship but an optional black suede boot may be worn ashore.

There are still several admin decisions that need to be made such as whether Masters at Arms and Sailors assigned to the Naval Expeditionary Combat Command will wear the NWU.

You can download a Navy poster describing the NWU here.

Photos courtesy of Department of the Navy.

See CarbonX® on the Outdoor Channel – Tonight

Monday, November 3rd, 2008

CarbonX

CarbonX®, the FR fabric will be demonstrated on the Outdoor Channel’s “MOTOR MANIA” tonight at Monday, November 3rd at 4:30pm or 9:00pm EST (see local listings). They will demonstrate CarbonX® versus their leading competitor on a mannequin in a full gas fire.

A mannequin, outfitted in a 50/50 split garment – one half CarbonX®, the other half a well-know material in the racing market – will be set alight. Spectators will watch as the mannequin is doused with racing fuel, ignited and allowed to burn until the fuel has burned off.

CarbonX® fabric does not ignite, burn, char, shrink or significantly decompose when exposed to intense heat or flame, molten metal, or arc flash. CarbonX® is quite popular in the motor sports community but has not found favor in the Soldier Systems industry as it is not Berry compliant. For more information on CarbonX® go to Chapman Innovations.