2009 | Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

Archive for 2009

FREE Components by Massif

Friday, August 14th, 2009

The U.S. Army has selected five garments from Massif Mountain Gear Companyâ€™s flame-resistant product line for inclusion in the Fire Resistant Environmental Ensemble (FREE). FREE is a multi-layering system of performance cold weather garments designed specifically for aircraft and combat vehicle crew.

The five Massif garments included in the FREE program are Massifâ€™s next generation Elementsâ„¢ softshell jacket, pants, and vest, and the all new Massif Elements Liteâ„¢ jacket and pants. These innovative softshell garments provide flame-resistant weather protection for a wide variety of cold and wet weather scenarios without sacrificing comfort or performance.

Massifâ€™s Executive Vice President Chris Wasgatt said, â€œThe selection of garments for the FREE cold weather layering system is the culmination of a competitive two-year testing and evaluation process designed to outfit soldiers with the best flame-resistant garments available today. We are extremely proud that five of the core garments chosen for this program are Massif products and will serve our soldiers who operate in some of the worldâ€™s toughest environmentsâ€.

Massif garments and fabrics are made in the U.S.A. and are currently worn by ground troops, Special Forces, aviators and other military personnel based in Iraq, Afghanistan and other parts of the world. In addition to supplying FREE garments, Massif is also the designer and fabric supplier of the Armyâ€™s flame-resistant Army Combat Shirt, new Winter Army Combat Shirt, and the still under development Army Combat Pant.

The Prime Contractor for FREE is ADS. The contract consists of a base year, with three additional option years. For more information on the FREE program, please visit: https://peosoldier.army.mil/factsheets/SEQ_CIE_FREE.pdf.

Tags: ADS, FREE, Massif
Posted in ADS, Clothing, FR | Comments Off on FREE Components by Massif

Point Blank Awarded IOTV Contract

Friday, August 14th, 2009

Apparently, the BIG one has been awarded. Almost prematurely ahead of any formal Army announcement Point Blank Body Armor, Inc. issued a press release late yesterday declaring that they have been awarded a five-year Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract from the US Army REDCOM Acquisition Center. This is for an as yet undisclosed portion of the production of up to 736,000 Improved Outer Tactical Vests and 253,000 Deltoid and Axillary Protection Systems (“DAPS”) under the “IOTV Main Buy” – Solicitation W91CRB-07-0079.

This award comes on the heels of a much smaller award in July for 65,000 IOTVs to fill an immediate need. Repeated delays of the “IOTV Main Buy” award have hit the armor industry hard, forcing layoffs so it will be welcomed as a sign of a longer-term turn around for that industry.

Jim Henderson, Acting CEO of Point Blank Solutions stated, “This is a major milestone for our Company as we believe we are one of only a few companies that can produce the IOTV and DAPS for the US Army over the next five years. We have been a chosen provider of the US Armed Forces for years and look forward to continuing to meet their requirements. While no additional awards have been made and competition continues to be fierce, we are confident that the steps we have and continue to take to improve our operations and manufacturing capabilities will position us as the best value, low cost provider in the industry.”

“The recognition and faith bestowed by the Army also reinforces our industry position as a leading, ballistics provider and should add incremental value for our Company and our shareholders,” Henderson concluded.

Once the formal Government announcement comes we will update this story as according to Point Blank’s own press release, they have been selected as a “chosen supplier” indicating that others may also be awarded.

Tags: IOTV, Point Blank
Posted in Armor, Contracts | Comments Off on Point Blank Awarded IOTV Contract

NEMO Gogo Shelters

Friday, August 14th, 2009

NEMO has been producing lightweight, innovative shelters for several years now. Their hallmark is the AirSupported Technology which precludes the need for traditional poles. Developed by NEMOâ€™s founder after his work on spacesuits and inflatable architecture with NASA, ASTâ„¢ is a system of low-pressure inflatable tubes (called airbeams) and lightweight pumps that provide a high performance alternative to traditional tent poles. Airbeams are made of two layers, similar to a bicycle tire. An outer layer provides the shape, strength and puncture resistance, while a thin inner bladder holds the air. Feeling winded from a long day humping a ruck? No problem. Each shelter comes with an innovative pump that can be operated by hand or foot and will not over inflate the airbeam.

Over the last year or so they have begun to adapt their innovative designs for military use. In fact, the Gogo was provided for use during the REF’s lightweight equipment demonstration.

The Gogo is a single wall, one person shelter. It includes a pump and stores in a dry-bag style stuff sack. It has 19 sq ft of floor space with an additional 4.5 sq ft under the vestibule. It’s low profile design is perfect for tactical bivouacs being just 27″ high yet the 42″ width and 113″ length allow you to spread out. It is lightweight (1.9 lbs) and packs to a compact 7â€ X 5.5â€. It features a quick set up (15 sec) and strikes even more quickly (5 sec).

The NEMO Gogo SEâ„¢ (shown in Multicam) shares of all the same stats of the standard Gogo but features an extra six inches of length. It also boasts an additional side door for entry, exit, and ventilation.

NEMO tactical shelters come standard in OD, but can be special ordered in special colors like the Multicam shown with a minimum order requirement. All of NEMO‘s tactical shelters are available from ADS.

Tags: Nemo
Posted in ADS, Multicam, Outdoor Retailer, PALS, Shelter | Comments Off on NEMO Gogo Shelters

Arc’teryx Atom LT

Thursday, August 13th, 2009

Inspired by the classic M-65 field jacket liner, the new Atom LT has taken “snivel gear” to a whole new level. Unlike it’s inspiration, the Atom LT serves duty as a layering piece as well as an outer garment. This was accomplished by a material selection of a wind resistant face fabric treated with a DWR finish augmented with Polartec Power Stretch with Hardface side panels. The trim fit allows ample movement through such design details as articulated elbows, underarm gussets, and stretch knit wrist gaskets. It also features two hand warmer pockets as well as a single internal pocket. Final details include a lower rear hem, lined collar, and main zipper with wind flap. Weighing in at a scant 11.5 ounces, the jacket compresses to next to nothing yet the Coreloft insulation regains loft almost instantly.

Available in Small – XXL in Crocodile and Black. For more information visit the LEAF program on the web. To order visit Grey Group.

Tags: Arc'teryx, Grey Group Training, Snivel Gear
Posted in Arc'teryx, Clothing | Comments Off on Arc’teryx Atom LT

A Picture Says a Thousand Words

Thursday, August 13th, 2009

U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Gina Vaile-Nelson, 133rd MPAD

Tags: ACU, Camo Controversy, Multicam
Posted in Camo | Comments Off on A Picture Says a Thousand Words

nPower Personal Energy Generator

Thursday, August 13th, 2009

Developed by Tremont Electric based in Cleveland, Ohio the nPower Personal Energy Generator (PEG) is very lightweight, ultra rugged, and completely silent. The PEG weighs a mere nine ounces packed into a nine inch long cylinder that harvests kinetic energy from the human stride and turns it into 2.5 watts of electricity.

The commercial technology has been adapted for military use and undergone limited evaluations by the Army, Marines and a Joint customer. There are currently two militarized versions of the device and they’re developing some additional versions for specialized use. The first version powers a handheld device (ie, a Garmin GPS, iPod, etc) and the other is a backpack-mounted version that can power a Toughbook, a radio, or other tech a warfighter may have. Both of these devices can, in theory, provide power indefinitely, as long as youâ€™re moving. Current systems are crafted from Anodized Aluminum but plans are afoot to transition to Carbon Fiber in order to shave weight.

The military handheld device comes in two sizes. The first is nine inches long, nine ounces, and power output at 5 watts and the second is six inches long, weighs seven ounces, and power output at 2.5 watts. It can be mounted to PALS webbing.

Additionally, they have demonstrated a larger backpack mounted laptop device. It is envisioned to be comprised of two larger units running in parallel inside of a dedicated backpack. To work successfully it demands more mass so a minimum load of 30 lbs is required. While it is heavier, it will produce up to 100 watts.

The PEG offers a couple of operational advantages not realized with many other technologies. It is temperature independent so it will work in arctic and desert environments with no modification. Additionally, it has no thermal signature like fuel cells, which means it cannot be detected in the Infrared spectrum.

Tremont Electric was recognized by Business Week as one of America’s most promising start ups.

Visit Tremont Electric for more info. Tremont Electric is represented by Technical Applications Group.

Posted in Comms, Gadgets | Comments Off on nPower Personal Energy Generator

Contractor BDU

Wednesday, August 12th, 2009

EMDOM USA in conjunction with Military Morons has produced a limited run of a Contractor BDU. Produced from a modified Propper Khaki BDU (65% poly, 35% cotton, rip-stop fabric) the Contractor uniform incorporates many unique features. The genesis of the design project goes back to 2006 and one of the most important features is the Khaki color favored by many in the Security Contractor business as well as those attending tactical firearms training.

While all tactical clothing has many common features, the Contractor BDU has a few that are not found on other garments. For example, three very distinct mods have been made to the top. The first is the letter jacket style collar, the second is the shortened sleeve length which replicates a jacket with the sleeve cuff turned up and the final feature is the wide take-up tabs on the back to adjust the fit of the uniform. Both the elbows and knees have been covered in 500D Cordura. The trousers also incorporate a hidden pocket in the rear of the waistband as well as specialized knife pockets on both slash pockets. Finally, there are two front pelvis pockets.

Read the Military Morons review here. To order visit www.EMDOMUSA.com.

Tags: EMDOM USA, Military Morons
Posted in Clothing | Comments Off on Contractor BDU

Personal Defense Readiness Website

Wednesday, August 12th, 2009

Blauer Tactical Systems (BTS) has just launched a website for its Personal Defense Readinessâ„¢ division. The new site, pdrteam.com, is a portal for everything related to BTSâ€™s Personal Defense Readiness (PDR) program and also serves as a resource for PDR coaches around the world to connect, share training tips, and network with one another.

The site has two interfaces: one public portal for those interested in personal safety, as well as information for martial artists and self-defense instructors as well as a second private section for certified PDR coaches. This section will include:

â€¢ Training Videos
â€¢ A Map of PDR Coaches Worldwide
â€¢ Personal Defense Training Tips
â€¢ The Latest Listing of PDR Courses
â€¢ Information on Becoming a PDR Coach

Renowned self-defense specialist Tony Blauer developed the PDR program for the general public. PDR is based on the S.P.E.A.R. (Spontaneous Protection Enabled Accelerated Response) Systemâ„¢, which is the only self-defense method that fully integrates the body’s reflexive responses and instinctive survival mechanisms.

PDR training provides realistic self-defense skills that are street applicable and integrates well with all martial arts and self defense programs. Students are exposed to aggressive, as well as defensive role-playing to simulate encounters and prepare them to react ethically and decisively to real-life aggression. The program also centers on BTS research on fear management, leading to greater self-knowledge and personal evolution. Consistent training also helps with achieving overall physical fitness, improved strength, cardiovascular conditioning, weight management and coordination.

For more information on BTS visit .www.blauertactical.com.

Tags: Blauer Tactical
Posted in Training | Comments Off on Personal Defense Readiness Website