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Archive for 2009

USAF RFI for FR Cold Weather Clothing

Tuesday, August 18th, 2009

Earlier this month the USAF’s 77th Aeronautical Systems Group at Brooks City-Base, TX released a Request For Information (RFI) seeking data on Fire Resistant Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) and Modified-COTS Extreme Cold Weather clothing. This is in anticipation of an Industry Day set for November. They are only looking for information on Berry compliant materials/capabilities or Berry waivered materials and information.

Interested parties should reply following the instructions found on www.fedbizopps.gov.

New from Daniel Defense, the DDM4v2

Tuesday, August 18th, 2009

Daniel Defense had been receiving requests for a version of their new DDM4 with a more traditional 7.0 Omega X Rail System and they have answered with the new DDM4v2. The Omega rail is a free float system and features an integral QD Sling Swivel Mount with limited rotation. Additionally, it has the oval feel of the issue carbine handguard.

DDM4v2

Look for the new DDM4v2 wherever fine Daniel Defense firearms are sold.

Technical Applications Group

Monday, August 17th, 2009

Technical Applications Group LLC is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB). You could think of them as a rep group on steroids but they go beyond just representing a company’s products or shopping concepts. As they put it, they “bridge the gap between Industry capabilities and Government requirements.”

Technical Applications Group Industry Advocate

They enjoy a unique position as Trusted Agents of the Government and find, verify, and exploit the most innovative technology available, working with industry clients to create usable solutions for the military, intelligence, and security communities in the US and abroad. So what does this mean for a company with an innovative solution that they would like to market to the military? They are your Industry Advocate. Technical Applications Group has lists of military capability requirements at their fingertips. They scour the Earth searching for low hanging fruit that will satisfy said requirements and present their findings to the Government. Such solutions are called Commercial Off The Shelf items and can range from items that fill the bill right out of the box to to products that have to be modified.

Technical Applications Group Test and Evaluation

Technical Applications Group can help develop these COTS items through a rapid development test, fix, test strategy that gets the solution in the Warfighter’s hands in a fraction of the time of normal development.

Technical Applications Group Test and Evaluation Services

As their name implies, they focus on the more technical aspects of the defense industry yet stop short of major programs. One example is the Personal Energy Generator we recently covered.

Technical Applications Group Product Development

To learn more contact them at www.techappsgroup.org.

Chainsaw Bayonet

Monday, August 17th, 2009

Just when you think you’ve seen it all, something even better comes along. Obviously inspired by teh hit video game Gears of War, Aaron Thiel, an Army Infantryman, has invented an actual chainsaw bayonet. The 18-volt saw has been mounted on an AR-15, an AK-47, and even a semi-auto Saiga shotgun. Although it’s still a prototype, prospective buyers can purchase the bayonet by contacting Thiel via e-mail. It has a running price of around 300 dollars, “depending on options.”

Stark Equipment Sling Grip

Sunday, August 16th, 2009

Stark Equipment has begun shipping their latest product, the SE-2 Sling Grip for AR-15 style rifles. The SE-2 is the first AR-15 pistol grip to be integrated with an ambidextrous sling mount and is available in two versions. The Hook Mount provides a loop compatible with most common sling hooks and the Swivel Mount allows the attachment of push-button sling swivels.

The SE-2’s sling mount is located above the hand and below the buffer tube, with a low profile design that stays out of the way of even fully collapsed M4-style stocks. When added to AR pistols, the SE-2 provides excellent one-handed control while providing sling attachment that doesn’t clutter up the receiver extension.

Stark SE2 Sling Grip

Like the original SE-1 Pistol Grip, the ergonomic design of the SE-2 fits a wide range of hand sizes and shooting demands. Features include a smooth integral trigger guard to increase comfort, textured surface along the grip, and internal storage for batteries or other equipment.

The SE-2 Sling Grip is available in Black, Dark Earth and OD Green. For more information visit www.starkequipment.com.

Fuel Cells or Molotov Cocktails?

Sunday, August 16th, 2009

As we have seen some battery technologies can be dangerous. In this article Sal Palma discusses how new fuel cell technologies can be just as deadly.

Read the article here.

© Sal Palma, 2009. All rights reserved August 4, 2009

Pelican 2360 Tactical LED Flashlight

Sunday, August 16th, 2009

Below is a review by an Army Lieutenant we received of the new 2360 LED Flashlight from Pelican.

Pelican 2360 LED Light

The Pelican 2360 is small and lightweight, weighing approximately four ounces and just over six inches in length. It replaces the need for lithium batteries with 2AA regular alkaline batteries yet it still works up to the performance of a lithium battery, giving it on average, up to two and a half hours of battery life. The brightness of the 2360 can emit from 95 to 100 lumens making it one of the brightest 2AA flashlights I have seen. The body is constructed of aerospace grade aluminum and boasts an impact resistant LED which makes it very durable. It possesses a non-slip design and easy to operate tail switch button so that you may operate it in even the most difficult weather conditions. The 2360 also comes with a two way removable pocket clip which can secure it in your pocket, or on the brim of your hat. In short the Pelican 2360 Tactical Flashlight is small, durable, and efficient.

That is an excellent summary of the light. For more info visit www.pelican.com.

Absinthe & Flamethrowers: Projects and Ruminations on the Art of Living Dangerously

Saturday, August 15th, 2009

Absinthe & Flamethrowers

The work begins with a discussion on Thrill Seekers (Big T people) and those who are risk averse (little t people). I would say it’s a safe bet that most of my readers fall into the Big T category but the book features a simple questionnaire to help you figure it out if you haven’t already. The book is intended to help readers join those in the “Golden Third”.

Author William Gurstelle describes the “Golden Third”; “I found that moderate, rational, risk takers, that is, those with scores between the mean and one standard deviation to the right are the people who are most satisfied with their lives. I call that area “the golden third” because it’s roughly 1/3 of the population. Studies (and there are several) show that people who take just a bit more risks than average, that is, those who live their lives in the golden third, tend to do better than average. They tend to be more satisfied with their lives and more fulfilled.”

The rest of the book is a how-to guide of controlled mayhem designed to help you accept some controlled risk and get a few kicks.

Absinthe & Flamethrowers: Projects and Ruminations on the Art of Living Dangerously

Author