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Archive for 2009

Army Evaluates New Buttstock for M-240B, M-249

Wednesday, August 12th, 2009

Photo: Vince Little, The Bayonet

The Fort Benning based Maneuver Battle Lab recently evaluated of a new style of buttstock for the M240B and M249 machine guns. 10 Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 29th Infantry Regiment, participated in the three-day experiment which included live fire and Individual Movement Techniques. The new buttstocks, modified after feedback from a Limited Objective Evaluation conducted last year, are adjustable from 10.125 inches to 7 in five increments, each approximately .75 inches apart. Additionally, the adjustment differs from the current issue stock with the buttons being vertical instead of horizontal and featuring only one button instead of two in order to adjust the buttstock.

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The Challenges of Camo in Afghanistan

Tuesday, August 11th, 2009

Strike Hold! has put together an excellent article on the challenges of providing effective camouflage for troops serving in Afghanistan. It seems the British are now starting to ask about their force’s patterns as well. An article appeared in the Daily Mail and one of the headlines was “Soldiers forced to dye their own camouflage gear in MoD blunder”. The photos in Stike Hold!’s story tell all and American readers should pay particular attention to very last one (shown here).

In it we see a US Marine in MARPAT-Desert, a very effective pattern; for the desert. This is the ultimate problem with specialized patterns. They are tuned for particular environments and once you are in another, you really stick out. It can be like showing up to a black tie function dressed for a costume ball, only deadlier. So answering Congressional concerns over Army camo in Afghanistan may not be as simple as “replace UCP”. It is highly likely that logisticians (and leaders) will look at Afghanistan and say “Desert”. The desire to field a desert uniform for a country with multiple environments will have similar consequences to what we see happening here with US Marine and British Army personnel. A universal pattern becomes very desirable in an operational area where troops could be in the city in the morning and an area with lush vegetation by evening.

Be sure to read the entire article.

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New TAD Gear Website

Tuesday, August 11th, 2009

TAD Gear launches their new website today. Over the next couple of days, DNS servers will update the new site. Lots of new images were shot and new products are being unveiled along with the new site.

visit tadgear.com.

Tags: TAD Gear
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IR Callsign Patches

Tuesday, August 11th, 2009

Tidewater Tactical is now offering reversible IR Callsign Patches. They are Black on one side and Tan on the other. The Tan side is solely IR reflective and the Black combines Glow in the Dark alpha-numerics with an IR reflective cut out. They laser cut the IDâ€™s alpha-numerics from the face fabric whether Cordura or IR tape. The outer edges of both sides are color matched hook tape so that the panel may be affixed to uniforms.

The patches are available from Tidewater Tactical.

Note, these products are protected by ITAR and cannot be exported.

Tags: Tidewater Tactical
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Enhanced Butt-Pad from Magpul

Monday, August 10th, 2009

Magpul has just released the Enhanced Rubber Butt-Pad, as an optional replacement butt pad for the CTR and MOE Mil-spec stocks as well as the UBR stock. At .70″ thick it is designed for enhanced shoulder purchase as well as offering improved recoil reduction.

To purchase visit www.magpul.com.

Note: May not be compatible with CTR or MOE Commercial stocks due to Receiver Extension clearance issues.

Tags: Magpul
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Media Picks Up FR Fiber Story

Monday, August 10th, 2009

In Mid-July we wrote about concerns over the sunset of the Berry waiver afforded FR-Rayon fibers produced in Austria. Now CNN has picked up the story. Unfortunately, the waiver extension has been defeated in the Senate. However, the House will consider the measure when they return from recess. It’s still not too late to weigh in with your Representative in support of the waiver extension.

Tags: Rayon
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Camelbak’s New Products

Monday, August 10th, 2009

Camelbak unveiled a couple of new technologies the recent OR Summer Market in Salt Lake City, Utah. While they are intended for the commercial outdoor market, they have great applicability in the tactical realm as well.

Camelbak Flow Meter

The Flow Meter is designed to measure how much fluid has been consumed, how much remains in the reservoir, and how much time remains until the reservoir is empty. It can also be set to see if you are consuming fluid at a preset rate in order to help avoid heat injuries. While new reservoirs will be available with the Flow Meter already installed, units will be available to modify existing products.

These products will be available as early as Fall 2009 from Camelbak.

Tags: Camelbak
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Kinetic Charger

Sunday, August 9th, 2009

Argentine industrial designer Lola Mensa has unveiled the Cargador De Celular, an environmentally friendly concept device designed to attached to your running shoes in order to generate energy while running or jogging. Once you finish with your workout you plug your mobile device into the charger and voila!; Renewable energy. I gotta say, I love the packaging.

Apparently, the social meme believes that such technologies are new. A piezoelectric system built into the heal of boots to provide a trickle charge for batteries was demonstrated in the early 90s. Of course that was a defense technology and wouldn’t be considered “good”. At any rate, perhaps technologies such as the one proposed by this industrial designer will be perfected and integrated into Soldier Systems equipment as well commercial products.

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