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Archive for August, 2009

High Speed Gear TRASH Bag

Tuesday, August 4th, 2009

North Carolina-based High Speed Gear produces a wide range of tactical nylon equipment and accessories. Based on the continued popularity of the ALICE pack, they developed the TRASH Bag. HSGI always wants to integrate new capabilities into their products so they recently produced a variant of the TRASH Bag that will not only work with the venerable ALICE frame but also the new Down East 1606 frame. While the 1606 frame is indeed an external system, many feel it works as more of a hybrid due to the way it hugs the bag and wraps around the wearer. The 1606 is much more of an interface than an end unto itself.

Designed to replicate the footprint of the Large ALICE pack, the TRASH Bag adds a carrying handle and in place of the ALICE’s pockets, it is covered in PALS webbing. Internally, the radio pouch has been replaced with PALS webbing.

The lid is removable to reveal a generous top opening with a spindrift. It also integrates a panel opening on the back. The panel flap has two mesh pockets to help organize equipment.

The packs are offered in 1000D Cordura. HSGI built a prototype in 500D but felt the weight difference was negligible. While the photos depict the TRASH pack in MARPAT, that pattern is currently unavailable. Rather, the pack comes in Khaki (standard), Smoke Green, and Multicam. Other patterns are available if the customer supplies material. The pack does not come with a frame, waist belt, or shoulder straps.

To order visit www.highspeedgearinc.com.

Tags: 1606 Frame, Down East, High Speed Gear
Posted in Multicam, Packs | Comments Off on High Speed Gear TRASH Bag

Visit us on M4Carbine.net

Tuesday, August 4th, 2009

M4Carbine is now sponsoring a Soldier Systems Industry News sub-forum. It’s a great place for you to provide feedback on our coverage and interact with us. You’ll also have access to some of the best information on small arms, and the M4 family in particular. Come on over and check it out.

www.M4Carbine.net

Tags: M4Carbine.net
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Camo Rumors

Tuesday, August 4th, 2009

In light of an impending directive from Congress to the Army to get their camo house in order, rumors continue to circulate about an upcoming test involving four camo patterns with the Army’s current Universal Camouflage pattern serving as a control.

The four patterns are MARPAT-Woodland, MARPAT-Desert, Multicam, and Desert All Over Brush (seen below). Originally, we had heard that the fourth pattern would be the 3-color Desert pattern issued to all services prior to adoption of their new distinctive uniforms. However, based on some recent, unverified information we believe it is actually the Desert All Over Brush which interestingly gave a very good showing during the Army camo trials of 2003-2004. According to a Natick report, a modified variant of the Desert version All Over Bush pattern performed best in all environments. You can also access a briefing presented on the subject at the 2004 International Soldier Systems Conference here.

Based on a series of evaluations documented in the report and briefing slides Natick developed the variant of All Over Brush pattern.

Having said all of that, the info on that particular pattern is old news. At some point in the Spring of 2004, the Army took a serious sidestep from all of its research and adopted UCP. if the rumors are true, looking at what is on the table, neither Marine patterns would really be considered serious candidates due to a variety of morale, and as we have discussed before, branding issues. You think the black beret issue was rough, imagine the outcry from two services if the Army adopted a Marine camo pattern. Consequently, while effective, we don’t consider the MARPAT variants as serious contenders. This leaves, depending on who is telling the story, either 3-color Desert which is still used by some US Navy forces (and a few others) or the prototype Desert All Over brush pattern in addition to Crye’s Multicam. While there are limited stocks of 3-color equipment still in the system, virtually none of it is in the configuration currently used by US forces. If it were adopted, the US Soldier would literally take a five year step back in capability until production of current issue equipment could be accomplished. Additionally, there is a political dimension to such a move. UCP was sold as a superior pattern to both Woodland and 3-Color Desert. Someone would naturally ask the question of why the Army discarded a pattern in favor of something less effective.

This leaves Desert All Over Brush and Multicam. Multicam has been used operationally by select US forces to great success and even more importantly, is currently supported by the US industrial base. A wide variety of Berry Compliant products (and raw materials) are available as COTS items. Additionally, industry already offers versions of current issue equipment in Multicam. Furthermore, there are numerous lightweight and multi-purpose Soldier Systems items designed specifically for environments like Afghanistan. Multicam is a mature, widely available, low hanging fruit. On the other hand, adoption of Desert All Over Brush would require long lead times as fabric mills first perfect and then produce sufficient quantities of materials. Only then could uniforms and equipment for our Soldiers begin to be procured.

We are waiting with bated breath to see if these rumors are true and what’s more, if they are, what will come of them. Naturally, Soldier Systems Daily will keep you updated.

Posted in Camo, Clothing, Congress, Multicam, Rumor Mill | Comments Off on Camo Rumors

More on Mirage

Tuesday, August 4th, 2009

Up to now information on Bulldog Equipment’s Mirage camo has been under serious wraps. To even look at photos, a perspective customer had to provide proof of affiliation with the US military. But apparently, that has all changed.

Our friends at Strike Hold! have additional photos of the camo in operational settings and information on a second generation of the uniform. According to the article, gone are the Superfabric knees and elbows and mesh panels have been incorporated into the design. We thought these had only been part of the Sniper uniform but it seems that troops wear testing the garments preferred the feature.

Check out the article here.

Tags: Bulldog Equipment, Mirage
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Blauer & Pincus To Present Combined Course

Tuesday, August 4th, 2009

The founders of Blauer Tactical Systems and I.C.E. Training Company will team up November 2-3, 2009, in Virginia Beach, Virginia to offer a tactical workshop that blends essential & fundamental skills from both Combat Focus Shooting and the S.P.E.A.R. Systemâ€™s Personal Defense Program. This dynamic two day course addresses armed and unarmed confrontations.

The S.P.E.A.R. SYSTEM (Spontaneous Protection Enabling Accelerated Response) is a scientifically researched and medically reviewed personal defense measure that exploits the bodyâ€™s natural responses to violence and danger. This survival mechanism, dubbed the Startle-Flinch Response has been scientifically integrated into a series of neuro-muscular drills that teaches individuals how to convert their instinctive reactions into protective and combative tactics.

The Combat Focus Shooting (CFS) Program is an intuitive shooting program that is designed to work efficiently with the body’s natural reactions during a dynamic critical incident. This approach makes CFS Skills easy to learn and maintain for students of all backgrounds, military, law enforcement or self-defense.

Unlike many traditional programs, CFS does not take a purely mechanical approach to shooting training in isolation from the context in which the skill must be used. CFS is not simply “point shooting,” it is a training methodology that leads to more efficient defensive shooting skill.

This two-day course will take place at the Blauer Training Facility and on a live-fire range. The course is $450.00 and is open to military, security and law enforcement personnel, as well as those interested in personal defense. (Background checks will be conducted.) Students should bring a firearm, holster, three magazines and 600 rounds of ammunition.

For more information, please visit www.blauertacticalusa.com or www.icetraining.us.

Tags: Blauer Tactical, ICE
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GAO Report on Helmet Pads

Monday, August 3rd, 2009

Last week the Government Accounting Office released a report on helmet pads intended as a backgrounder for members of the Senate and House Armed Services and Appropriations Committees. While it was fairly thin, there were a few jewels of information buried in the document’s 12 pages (including covers).

One interesting section covered by our friends at DefenseTech discussed the military’s interest in alternative helmet suspensions and more stringent requirements.

Also of note in the report is the timeline detailing the chain of events that brought us the current pad system. However, most interesting to us were the sections that dealt with the intent of the report which was to determine who currently provides the pads used in Army and Marine Corps ground combat helmets, and how they were chosen. The short answer repeated numerous times was Team Wendy.

To quote the report:
“To date, based on the results of the testing performed, the Army has approved pad systems made by two manufacturersâ€”Team Wendy and Mine Safety Appliancesâ€”for use in its Advanced Combat Helmet, while the Marine Corps has chosen to limit its approval to one pad, and has approved only Team Wendy pads for use in its Light Weight Helmet. The approved pads used by the Army and the Marine Corps are consistent with the 2006 U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory testing results in that they showed the best performance relative to the other pads tested.”

However, Ability One (A JWOD service provider) under contract with DoD to provide helmet pads has chosen to only procure the ZAP pad from Team Wendy. Consequently, Team Wendy currently has the only authorized issue pad for the MICH, ACH, and LWH. To confuse matters, several alternative pad systems are available for local purchase as well as on GSA and are manufactured to the Mil Spec for pads. While they do meet shock mitigation standards they are not the issue item and to curb their use, both the Army and Marine Corps have issued directives for troops to inspect their equipment and replace unauthorized pads.

Tags: Team Wendy
Posted in Congress, Helmets | Comments Off on GAO Report on Helmet Pads

Massif WACS

Monday, August 3rd, 2009

Massif Mountain Gear Company has just released the new Winter Army Combat Shirt (WACS), a new flame-resistant cold weather garment based on their Army Combat Shirt design issued to US forces since 2007. The WACS retains the features of the ACS that have made it so comfortable and user friendly but have integrated new materials for cooler climes. The soft and stretchy HotJohnsâ„¢ fabric used on several of Massif’s cold weather FR pieces is used on the torso and the Elementsâ„¢ softshell fabric sheds wind and rain and its fleece lining is cozy and warm yet retains flame protection and durability for areas not protected by body armor. Massif developed the WACS in cooperation with the U.S. Army and conducted extensive field-testing for the best design possible. Available in Small-XXLarge, all fabrics used in the WACS meet the stringent ASTM F2302-03 performance specification.

Sales are restricted to US military members. Visit www.Massif.com for more information.

Tags: Massif
Posted in Clothing, FR, PEO-Soldier | Comments Off on Massif WACS

GSS Opens New facility

Monday, August 3rd, 2009

Local Hampton Roads based Global Supply Solutions, LLC recently expanded its Virginia Beach facilities and held its Grand Re-Opening June 6th, 2009. Previously located at 2 different locations, GSS consolidated their Pro Shop and warehouse in a new facility located at 1569 Diamond Springs Road, Suite C & D, Virginia Beach, VA 23455.

The new facility totals 39,800 square feet consisting of offices, an expanded lounge, 5,500 square feet of Pro Shop, briefing room, classroom and a training area suited for an array of training options. The new lounge consists of a sitting room with television, pool table, and a foosball table to keep customers entertained after shopping or to keep the non-shoppers entertained while their loved ones shop for their tactical, outdoor, and fitness equipment needs.

The briefing room is set up â€œtheatre styleâ€ with a 60â€ television that is wired for HDMI connection to simplify presentations and seats up to 16 personnel. GSSâ€™s other classroom is scaled down to basic classroom needs and can host up to 32 personnel comfortably. The 32 person classroom is set up for presentations via projector and screen.

The training room is set up to accommodate an array of training with 2,000 square feet of MMA mats with a selection of training equipment from training batons, Redman Suits, kick and strike pads, Everlast heavy bags, and throw dummies. The training area doubles as a Fitness Anywhere and CrossFit facility. Portable stands (bleachers) are available to host up to 50 personnel throughout the training. Three caving ladder stations are also available for any aspect of climbing technique training or fitness regime.

GSSâ€™s distribution center now boasts just short of 17,000 square feet of warehouse space which is used to maintain â€œsurgeâ€ requirements for short notice requirements, regularly requested items, or to assist local units with their inventory management, logistics, and storage shortfalls. GSSâ€™s distribution center also maintains embroidery and sewing capabilities for uniform name tapes, warfare insignias, and rank insignias which means all uniforms are stocked and all sewing can be done internally.

The consolidation of the GSS GEAR facilities offers new capabilities for their customers with classroom, briefing, and training rooms located less than 2 minutes from Little Creek Amphibious Base and within 15 minutes from Naval Base Norfolk.

Tags: GSS
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