Daniel Defense set out to build the best carbine on the market and they are well on their way. Everything about this rifle meets or exceeds Mil-Spec including such critical items as a 5.56mm chamber, properly staked gas key, as well as a shot peened and Mil-Spec MP tested bolt. Additionally, Daniel Defense has begun to produce hammer forged barrels in house and they have also engineered a number of enhancements into the design such as a flared magazine well, radiused trigger guard, and machines indexing numbers. Finally, the carbine comes with a Magpul MOE stock and PMAG in addition to a Daniel Defense A2 Style Vertical Grip, Omega X 12.0 FSP, and A1.5 Fixed Rear Sight, all packed in a custom hard case.
Interestingly, the DDM4 was featured on a recent episode of G4TV’s “Attack of the Show”.
Many are seeking a generic magnifier for their holographic and red dot optics and DM Premium Optics has released 3x and 4x magnifiers to accommodate all diopter style sights. The casing is crafted from 6010 aluminum with a non reflective hard anodized black finish and the lenses obtain magnification through optic quality coated lenses with up to 20 coatings depending on location in the magnifier. The unit includes a rubber eye relief and is filled with nitrogen to reduced fogging. Both magnifiers feature the DM Premium Adjustable Mounting System, a six bolt 30mm mount with windage and elevation adjustability in order to align the magnifier with the optics. The Samson Manufacturing Quickflip is designed to quickly remove the magnifier from the line of sight.
The Poseidon Clip Mount (902801) was designed specifically to provide a watertight and durable mounting system for the Phoenix and Pegasus series of Infrared beacons. It is a versatile mountain solution that attaches to PALS webbing, belts, or directly to a uniform by using the supplied locking spring clips. It can also be secured with bolts to rigid surfaces such as helmets and vehicles.
The beacon is attached to the battery and placed within the Poseidon Clip Mount. The clear top cover is placed over the beacon and secured using the dual locking flanges forming a watertight seal. The clear top cover allows for 360 degree visibility of the beacon.
An included shield cap can be snapped in place over the top cover to focus the signal emission to the front and top only, giving the user the choice of directing the signal emission. The Poseidon’s construction allows the Pegasus 4, 7, and 8 Series beacons to be programmed with the Pegasus 6 controller without removal from the case.
Developed by Vision Systems International LLC the helmet for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter integrates an astounding amount of capability into the display. In fact, the helmet is so advanced that the F-35 is the first aircraft in 50 years to fly without a Heads Up Display.
F-35 HMDS Specs
– Binocular Wide Field-of-View
– Integrated day/night capability with sensor fusion
– Highly accurate head tracking hardware and software
– Digital image source for helmet vision displayed symbology
– Custom helmet shell, liner and suspension system for lightest weight, optimal C.G. and maximum pilot – comfort.
All of this capability means some interesting flight hours for the pilot of the F-35. The helmet provides augmented reality, to the point that if the pilot looks down toward his feet he will see ground. Wherever the pilot looks he sees battlespace with value added data superimposed over threats, items of interest, and friendlies. Additionally, the helmet facilitates off-axis target cueing which means that a pilot can look at a target outside of the direct engagement window of his missiles and feed the data to his missiles. After weapons release and initial guidance based off of data from the helmet, the missile can fly close enough to the target to utilize it’s own targeting system for terminal guidance.
Naturally, despite the advanced capability of the helmet, it would have nothing to display if it were not for the sensor suite built into the JFS as well as live feeds provided by the US Military’s Tactical Air Command and Control System. The heart of the imagery provided to the pilot is the Electro Optical Distributed Aperture System (DAS), which combines the feeds from six infrared digital cameras located around the aircraft. For such technology to be integrated into Combat Vehicle Crew as well as dismounted troop’s helmets, a sensor architecture will need to be developed across platforms in addition to feeds from ISR systems. This sensor system was one of the cornerstones of the Army’s ambitious Future Combat System.
Watch the video and look for the capabilities discussed above.
Tags: JSF Posted in Aviation, Helmets | Comments Off on Joint Strike Fighter Helmet Mounted Display System
EOTech has introduced the XPS sight model. As you can see from the photo, the sight runs on a single 123 battery and is the shortest sight they offer. Hopefully, this new configuration will also rectify past battery contact issues associated with previous models. Adoption of the 123 also means an average battery life (brightness level 12) of roughly 500-600 hours.
The compact size means more room for other accessories such as magnifiers or BUIS. Additionally, the battery cap and latch have been replaced with a simple O-ring with tethered cap and the entire battery compartment is now separated from the base to allow it to hang over the delta ring of the rifle.
EOTech offers three reticle options: 0- 65MOA circle with 1 MOA aiming dot, 1-single 1MOA aiming dot, 2-65MOA circle with two 1MOA aiming dots. The night vision compatible version of the sight features 10 night vision settings in addition to the 20 day/night settings found on the standard variant. Finally, the sight integrates a unique switch to allow the shooter to instantly drop the holographic reticle’s brightness to the NV mode of operation as well as toggle back and forth between the NV mode and the normal day/night operation.
Currently, the XPS line is only available in a Black anodized finish. For more information visit www.eotech-inc.com.
Tags: EOTech Posted in weapons | Comments Off on EOTech XPS Sights
The vest uses a built-in control system to monitor the wearer’s finger temperature, and turns up the heat when they’re chilly. This fools the core into thinking that the body is overheating, triggering an automatic response to send warm blood to the extremities.
Researchers have already demonstrated a prototype of the vest with Soldiers who disassembled and reassembled their rifles in -25° C conditions without difficulty.
Defense Research and Development Canada is interested in licensing the technology to the outdoor and sporting goods industries. Let’s hope someone in the Soldier Systems industry integrates the technology as well.
Interestingly, DARPA in conjunction with Standford Research Institute developed the “Glove” which does exactly the opposite. The hand is placed inside a cylinder with a rubberized cuff and a vacuum forms around the hand and cools blood which fills the capillaries. The blood is then in turn circulated through the body and cools the core. Performance is greatly enhanced in as little as five minutes of use.
In an interesting move, Germany’s ruling Social Democrat party is proposing legislation to outlaw all games in which players shoot each other with pellets according to a 7 May report in the UK Telegraph.
This comes on the heels of a shooting in Winnendon in which a 17 year old used a handgun owned by his father to kill 15 people. The SPD feels such games trivialize violence and risk lowering the threshold for committing violent acts. Proposed legislation would incur fines of up to 5,000 euros.
Posted in Admin, Foreign | Comments Off on Germany May Ban Paintball/Airsoft
Now in its ninth year, the Soldier Technology conference and exhibition is the biggest soldier modernization event in Europe. The conference continues to expand each year and alternates annually between and American and European venues. This year promises briefings on a full host of NATO programs as well as, Finnish Warrior 2020, African Warrior and the Singapore Armed Forces program. The entire program runs from 30 June – 3 July and will take place at the Olympia Conference Center in London.
If any Soldier Systems Daily readers will be in attendance we would love to talk to you about providing some coverage.
