When are you going to review those sweet-assed Wenger FBI SWAT Team boots you got at OR? We’re waiting. I bet Wenger is too.
Archive for 2009
Attention Gear Scout
Saturday, September 12th, 2009Mayflower Releases Quick Detach UW Chest Rig
Friday, September 11th, 2009The production version of the UW Chest Rig, QD is now available. Small runs of the design have been produced and refined over the last couple of years. As the name implies, the rig is intended for use as a general purpose mid-size vest platform to be worn with the detachable H style harness or attached directly to Mayflower’s Low-Profile Armor Carrier. This gives a great deal of flexibility to the user and the detachable H-style harness features loops to route antennas, comms wires, and hydration bladder tubing.
Made in the USA from 500D Cordura, the UW Chest Rig, QD is available in Ranger Green (solution dyed), Coyote Brown (solution dyed), Multicam, UCP, and Black. Please note: Desert Digital is NOT available.
For more information contact Mayflower Research and Consulting, LLC or to order visit Grey Group.
More on PCU Level 9 – Well Sorta
Friday, September 11th, 2009*Updated* I received a call the other day asking of I had seen the new Patagonia Combat Uniforms. I hadn’t and the last word I had received was that Patagonia was out of the contract game. But just when you think Patagonia has called it quits, they up and release new military products. Apparently, some prototypes of a hard shell were produced in Viet Nam and photos of this garment’s tag have shown up on the web incorrectly purporting to be from a Level 9 garment. But really this is just the tip of the iceberg. The plan is to develop an entirely new Berry compliant clothing system and most of it is already done. Apparently however, the combat uniform piece is still in development and won’t be the same as the PCU Level 9. The whole system is sort of a “Son of MARS” only leveraging the latest Patagonia technology. Prototypes of several of the pieces are floating around some of the units already so it won’t be long before we see photos.
Patagonia did participate in the development of the Level 9 component of PCU which is produced under contract by Ready One. Thus far, all currently issued PCU components carry a Patagonia tag and the new Level 9 garment will as well. Commercial versions of Level 9 are currently available from Beyond Tactical.
We are hoping to see photos soon and wondering how much they will go for once they hit eBay.
Thanks to Rob for confusing the hell out of me.
215 Gear’s New Shotgun Shell Holders
Friday, September 11th, 2009215 Gear has just released new Horizontal and Vertical Shotgun Shell Holders. They provide a low-profile option to carry shotgun shells at the ready on any PALS equipped platform. Mil-spec elastic holds six shells on the Horizontal panel and five on the Vertical.
Both are available in Coyote and Black and Berry Compliant (of course). Coming soon from 215 Gear or Grey Group Training.
TAG Awarded $5Mil DoD Emall Contract
Thursday, September 10th, 2009The Defense Logistics Agency has awarded Tactical Assault Gear a DoD Emall contract with a $5 million ceiling. What is unique about this contract is that organizations will be able to purchase TAG’s entire offering of products using MILSTRIP (Military Standard Requisitioning & Issue Procedures) funds. This essentially makes ordering TAG products as easy as using the standard stock system and is a boon for units that tend to only order equipment with MILSTRIP funds. The contract goes into effect 21 September and DoD Emall should be fully updated be the first week of October.
Canada Seeks Tools to Develop New Camo
Thursday, September 10th, 2009Earlier this week the Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) issued a Request for Proposals for “Review and Development of Camouflage Pattern Generation for the Visual Spectrum” with the work to last through March 2012. So what exactly does that mean? To translate, they are looking for a set of software tools to rapidly prototype camo patterns.
Photo: Canadian DND
From the Solicitation:
Title:
Review and Development of Camouflage Pattern Generation for the Visual Spectrum
Objective:
The objective of the work is to develop a gallery of tools for Defense Research and Development Canada (DRDC) that will be used within the Canadian Dept of National Defence (DND) to synthesize new camouflage patterns in accordance with important aspects of the human visual system and a collection of environment-specific imagery.
Scope of the Work:
The scope of work pertains to the development of algorithms for the synthesis and evaluation of camouflage patterns. An image processing term related to the development of camouflage patterns is “colour texture synthesis”. Camouflage patterns produced as part of the work must be effective in the visible spectrum for use on stationary targets against unaided human observers (i.e. without the aid of vision or detection enhancing devices). The outcome of the work include: 1) an interpretive review on the current “state-of-the-art” methodologies and techniques for the synthesis and evaluation of camouflage patterns and 2) a gallery of algorithms for the synthesis and evaluation of camouflage patterns. The Contractor is to conduct
the work in 5 phases.
So what’s the intent here? Keeping up with the Jones’? MARPAT and UCP are both close cousins to CADPAT. Perhaps our recent preoccupation with camouflage is rubbing off on our friends north of the border. Do the Canadians feel the need to tweak the colorways or perhaps develop entirely new patterns? Similar to the USMC’s MARPAT, CADPAT currently comes in two flavors; Temperate Woodland, a verdant variation for jungle and other lush areas and Arid Regions produced with a combination of brown shades for desert use. Interestingly, just over a year ago, in the US, the Marine Corps Systems Command awarded Timothy R. O’Neil a sole source contract for just under $31k for the “development and testing of an improved Marine Corps camouflage measure for individual clothing and equipment”. Timothy R. O’Neil is said to have been involved in the development of CADPAT and has partnered with the Canadian company HyperStealth Biotechnology Corp. Perhaps they will be contenders for this new work.
SureFire Sneak Peeks
Thursday, September 10th, 2009We had an opportunity to see a few of the new products from SureFire at the ADS Warrior Expo and Outdoor Retailer shows. Below is just a sampling of what’s next in tactical illumination and cutlery.
M300 Mini Scout Light
At half the size of the M600 Scout Light (hence the name M300), the Mini Scout Light utilizes a single CR123 battery. It makes for a more compact and slightly lighter alternative to the full-size M600. Unfortunately, it also translates into about half of the performance of the M600. However, as more compact and specialized weapons continue to see use, such a light may well find its place.
Surefire Helmet Lights
Now in its fourth generation, the Helmet Light has integrated several changes. Most notable is the new molded shrouds for the toggles. Instead of attaching an additional part to the light, the new shrouds are an integral part of the chassis which strengthens the design and reduces production time and material. Additionally, as you can see in the photo, the new light features a threaded battery cap with an integrated lock out switch. Rumor has it that an entirely new Helmet Light is under development and while no details have been released, features are being driven by user feedback and it won’t resemble the current model.
SureFire LX1 Lumamax
The LED LX1 is compact (4.1″ long) and features two brightness levels; 10 lumens low and 80 lumens high. Press lightly on the two stage tailcap switch for low and apply more pressure for high. Twist the tail switch for constant on in either of the brightness modes or to lockout the switch to avoid light ADs. Additionally, the pocket clip is reversible. There is also an LX2 model coming out that also features a two stage tailcap but goes to 200 lumens.
Edged Weapons
SureFire is also releasing two new folding knives; the Edge and Crank. As with their previous edged weapon designs, these are made in the U.S.A.
Surefire Crank
LENGTH CLOSED 3.97″
LENGTH OPEN 6.4″
BLADE LENGTH 2.56″
WEIGHT 3.2 oz.
The blade is manufactured from polished 154 CM steel. A single hexagonal opening machined into the aluminum frame accommodates 1/2″ nuts, and a slot extension holds a coin firmly in place for use as a field-expedient screwdriver. Additionally, there is a built-in cord cutter and a bottle opener.
SureFire Edge
LENGTH CLOSED 4.7″
LENGTH OPEN 8.1″
BLADE LENGTH 3.4″
WEIGHT 5.5 oz.
The modified spear-point blade is crafted from 154 CM steel and the the 7075 aluminum frame features a liner lock. Notice the prominent hex openings along the handle and set into the blade which can be used as wrenches (7/16″, 3/8″, 5/16″, 1/2″ nuts). It also features an integral finger guard/flip-open lever and a pocket clip.
With the exception of the prototype M300 all of the products will be released soon. For additional information visit www.surefire.com.
Soldier Systems APBI Slides
Wednesday, September 9th, 2009We have been somewhat remiss in letting you know that the Soldier Systems APBI slides have been published. However, we have been informed that some of the presentations have been altered from what was shown at the event and others are missing altogether. Other than that, they are quite informative.
