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Archive for 2009
PEO-Soldier Gets a Face Lift
Friday, October 9th, 2009UCP-Delta Did Someone Else Get There First?
Thursday, October 8th, 2009According to an article published today on Strike Hold!, it looks as though the Kazakh’s may have come to a similar conclusion as the US Army that UCP needs a little browning down to be more effective in the high desert of Central Asia.
Photo: Chris Fletcher
Thanks to recent photographs taken of Exercise Steppe Eagle, a two-week Partnership for Peace exercise, involving British Territorial Army (reserves) soldiers from 7th Battalion The Rifles (7 RIFLES) and Kazakh airborne troops we get some close ups of the pattern. Also, note the Woodland PASGT vest on the paratrooper on the right.
Enhanced Protection Individual Comfort
Thursday, October 8th, 2009Team Wendy teased us at both Modern Day Marine and AUSA with their new EPIC technology. They have been keeping it under wraps because it is not yet approved for use by the military. However, Soldier Systems Daily was fortunate enough to be given a sneak peek at the new pad system.
Designed in response to an RFI for enhanced impact protection for the Enhanced Combat Helmet. The current ZAP pad system utilizes 7 pads but the new EPIC system offers 22 pads including a Impact Liner that cradles your noggin and is intended to be permanently attached to the inside of the helmet for enhanced performance. Additionally, there are sizing pads and four oval shaped Ultra Grip TM anti-slip pads to ensure a perfect fit. The comfort pads are provided in four shapes and two thicknesses: 3/16-inch “thin” and 3/8-inch “thick as well as two Sweat Bands (3/16-inch and 3/8-inch thick). The impact liner alone offers the 10 feet per second impact protection required. Testing indicates that the additional fitting pads only enhance the protection afforded to the wearer, up to 40% in hot conditions.
I had the opportunity to try it in an ACH and it definitely offers a great deal of adjustment. When I mounted the Ultra Grip TM pads it was going nowhere on my head. As with the current ZAP pad system, the pads feature wicking and anti-microbial treated fabric.
Team Wendy prepared this video to give you an idea of how the system works.
EPIC is available for sale to Law Enforcement customers but will not be offered to the military until it has been officially tested and approved for use. The ZAP system remains the sole approved helmet pad for use by the US military. We encourage the acquisition to take a serious look at such enhanced technologies as EPIC especially in light of the increased ballistic protection afforded by the developmental Enhanced Combat Helmet.
For more info visit Team Wendy.
Tactical Tailor Low Profile Armor Carrier
Thursday, October 8th, 2009The Tactical Tailor is revamping much of their line in addition to launching new items. The Low Profile Armor Carrier (L.P.A.C.) is just such a product. The slim and lightweight design of the LPAC was envisioned for those needing to don and remove their vest quickly or those needing the option of soft ballistic armor and hard plates without the extra weight of a larger tactical vest. The LPAC features Tactical Tailor’s safety features such as side entry system which ensures proper vest positioning for maximum protection as well as providing for quick vest removal in emergency situations.
Constructed from 1000D Cordura, the LPAC features padded shoulder straps with integrated microphone epaulets and a heavy duty drag handle. Internal pockets accommodate standard size plates as well as soft armor from most ballistic vests up to 17″ x 24″ front and 18″ x 22″ rear for Large/X-Large and 14†x 21†front and 16†x 20†rear for Small/Medium. Modular webbing on all sides allows for nearly unlimited options for attachment of MOLLE/PALS style equipment to meet almost any mission requirement. What’s more, the LPAC weighs in at an astounding 1.25 pounds empty.
Berry Compliant and available in Available in Black, Coyote Brown, Olive Drab and MultiCam from Tactical Tailor and their network of dealers.
Daniel Defense Announces Follow-On Orders from SOCOM and UK MoD
Wednesday, October 7th, 2009Daniel Defense is ramping up to fulfill follow on orders from their sole source contracts with the UK Ministry of Defence and USSOCOM.
The small arms manufacturer out of Black Creek, GA near Savannah received the orders over the course of the past couple of weeks. “We are excited to ramp back up these two lines of our manufacturing. Our employees are excited to continue to provide the very best product to these war fighters†says Jay Duncan, VP of Sales and Marketing.
The UK MOD order is for 12,500 rail systems to close out the year. This will put the number produced by Daniel Defense and fielded by MOD to 44,000 units.
In addition to these orders, the Philippines National Police ordered 200 plus Daniel Defense rifles. This order shows the commitment of Daniel Defense to be a company that is able to source, manufacture, and deliver quality small arms parts and rifles to the international community.
Locally, Daniel Defense recently equipped Savannah SWAT with upper receivers built to special specifications. “We have a commitment to partner with Law Enforcement agencies nationwide and abroad to meet their exact needs. We are flexible enough to build to their specific requirements,†says Brian Gilbert, General Manager US Sales.
No specifics on additional SOCOM orders was provided by Daniel Defense.
James Sudderth Memorial Service
Wednesday, October 7th, 2009
As many of you may already know our industry lost a great Warrior on Sunday, October 4th. James nelson Sudderth, SGM, US Army (Ret) was struck very suddenly by a heart attack. He labored tirelessly and friends have told me that they were working with him as late as Saturday. I met Jim when he assumed the position of the Director of Sales for Source One Distributors but his service goes much further. He served for over 20 years in the US Army rising to the rank of Sergeant Major and serving in the most elite of our forces including 82d Airborne Division, 1st Ranger Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, and 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta. Jim is featured in the book, “Six Minutes to Freedom” detailing the rescue Kurt Muse rescue.
After his retirement he managed the Counter Terrorism Support Project from his home base in Las Vegas as well as in key management positions with several organizations including Bechtel and the University of Nevada. Unfortunately, Soldier Systems Daily is too small a space to capture a man’s life, his accomplishments, and to truly articulate how he touched other’s lives.
He will be missed.
Jim is survived by his two sons Kenny Sudderth and Riley Sudderth, mother Ann, father James, and brother Asa.
There will be a Memorial Service held Saturday at 4:00 PM, Saturday, October 10th, 2009 at the Palms West Funeral Home. For those wishing to donate in memorial to Jim we suggest one of these two causes:
James Patrick “Riley†Sudderth – Education Trust or The American Heart Association.
Finns Develop Fabric Based Antenna Technology
Wednesday, October 7th, 2009Patria Aviation Oy has revealed information about their new fabric based antenna system.
The design is formed into a flexible patch made from pliable conductive material that can be affixed to clothing and may lead the way toward more conformal technologies. Intended for use with cellular communications and associated GPS systems, the patch is supposedly able to “maintain a strong radio signal, even when the patch is bent vertically, horizontally or diagonally” and “send location information to a remote user”.
It does have a few drawbacks based on how you look at it. The systems is currently optimized for use with Iridium satellite phones and is incapable of receiving calls, but rather only in placing them. At any rate, the concept works and could be used as-is in several situations, particularly in the realm of sensors.
Remington Purchases Advanced Armament Corporation
Tuesday, October 6th, 2009Remington announced yesterday that they have purchased the assets of Advanced Armament Corporation, a firm specializing in suppressor manufacturing. Remington serves as the lead company of the Freedom Group and in turn is owned by Cerberus Capital Management.
Recently, Remington has introduced new tactical products including the Modular Sniper Rifle (MSR) as well as the Adaptive Combat Rifle (ACR) licensed from Magpul Industries and co-produced with fellow Freedom Group company Bushmaster. There have also been rumblings of a forthcoming Remington 1911 pistol. Remington has been courting AAC for some time and there has been a great deal of speculation in industry of an impending sale. Access to AAC’s suppressor technology gives the Freedom Group a leg up on much of the competition who must partner with outside companies to integrate such capabilities with their own products. Now, firearms and suppressors will be developed within the same family of companies.
Media reports indicate that Remington/Freedom Group have no intention of replacing AAC’s executive staff. Apparently, AAC will report to Remington’s Military Products Division, but current leadership will remain in place. On Monday evening AAC posted on their blog that they were excited about the purchase, would be moving to a larger facility soon, and would benefit from increased R&D funding.
AAC can be found on the web at www.advanced-armament.com. Remington is found at www.remington.com.
