There is a great interview with Lee David Zlotoff, the creator of MacGyver over at Lifehacker. If you’re too young for MacGyver, it was a show about a secret agent who could solve any problem with the contents of his pockets.
Archive for February, 2010
The Man Behind MacGyver: Swiss Army Knife or Duct Tape?
Sunday, February 28th, 2010Field Gourmet – Condiments
Sunday, February 28th, 2010So you think you’re a real chef with the ingredients of an MRE? Maybe you have a zip-loc bagful of fast food condiments you use to zest up your creations. Well how would you like to take it to the next level? Packit Gourmet carries a veritable grocery list of eats for the trail but their condiments larder is amazing. If you’re interested in individualized packets of A1 sauce, they got it. Balsamic vinegar? check. They’ve got packets of common and not so common name brand condiments and have even put together kits of some of the most popular items. Condiments and more are available online at www.packitgourmet.com.
Tactical Pants Blog Interviews Fernando Coelho
Sunday, February 28th, 2010Tatical Pants Blog interviews EOTAC founder Fernando Coelho, but I won’t steal any of their thunder. Head on over and check it out.
Soldier Systems Daily Welcomes US Troops
Saturday, February 27th, 2010The Department of Defense has finally released a policy on the use of social media (Directive-Type Memorandum 09-026). Previously it was up to the individual services and sometimes units as to which, if any websites they would allow their personnel access to. Since Soldier Systems Daily uses a blog style, it was blocked on many military networks. So, for all of our brothers and sisters who couldn’t keep up with the latest in tactical news, we welcome you.
DTM 09 026
View more documents from Department of Defense.
New RPG Backpacks from BHI
Saturday, February 27th, 2010Go anywhere in the developing world and you are going to run across the RPG-7 or one of its clones. Up until now, if you needed to schlep its rockets around you were stuck with a rather spartan and often poorly made backpack. Notice I said, “Up until now” because Blackheart International has just released three new backpacks designed specifically for RPG ammo. These days, when I think about Soviet bloc weapons I think about Blackheart. They have really gone all out to develop effective training materials as well as identify accessories for small arms. Now that they have turned their attention to the RPG-7 you can carry it with ease. The packs all take their basic design from the issue items but let’s face it. The launchers themselves aren’t the paragon of manufacturing excellence and the backpacks were almost an afterthought. On the other hand, the new BHI packs will stay secured and not soak up water like a sponge as the older “issue” packs are known to do. You can see the three models in the photo below.
RPG Rocket Quiver This pack will hold two fully assembled rockets complete with attached boosters and the flap secured!
RPG Gunner Backpack This pack has four compartments that will hold two rocket main bodies and two separate boosters.
RPG Assistant Gunner Backpack This version holds three rocket main bodies and three boosters.
Internal configurations vary but regardless of pack model rockets and boosters are secure via a tri-fold flap system and the outer closure relies on the dependable, yet simple staple fastener closure used by the Spanish Army for for over twenty years. A modernized version of the non-mechanical closure used on the US M1956 ammo pouch, you simply pull the tab and it comes open. Additionally, an oil bottle/spare parts pouch is found inside the top flap. In addition to padded shoulder straps the packs all feature sternum and waist belts to help stabilize the load while moving rapidly under fire. They are available in Black, OD Green, Coyote and UCP.
To order visit www.BHIgear.com.
SOTech Tactical Mission Planning Set
Saturday, February 27th, 2010SOTech showed their new mission planning system based on their tactical symbology. The Tactical Mission Planning Set or TMPST (Pronounced TEMPEST) is designed for sand table exercises utilizing magnetized tiles developed as part of their popular Tactical Symbology Set. They can just as easily be used on a white board as the flexible write on-wipe off mate included with each set. Traditionally, Mil Std 2525C symbology is intended for forces above the small unit level but modern combat requires precise action down to the individual. SOTech’s new symbology is also just as effective for Law Enforcement as military and includes Police Officer, K9, media as well as other new symbols. TMPST allows the small unit leader to conduct sand table exercises, pre-combat rehearsals as well briefbacks.
Flexible Solar Cells
Friday, February 26th, 2010According to an article in New Scientist, a team at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena has developed a flexible solar cell made from an array of microwires encased in a clear flexible polymer. It uses just 1 per cent of the expensive silicon needed by a regular solar cell with the same output, and is just 5 per cent of the size. The flexible nature of the solar cells mean that they could be incorporated into shelters, packs, or even clothing. Even more important is that with this new technology, the cell only reflects half the light of a regular cell. This means less chance of reflection.
Drop That Hookah Pipe
Friday, February 26th, 2010
Normally, I am pretty unimpressed with knockoffs in industry. However, this one came straight from the company being ripped off. Apparently, there is a company named Zenobia selling hookah pipes, in Iraq. Pursuant to this enterprise they are selling a “hookah pipe carrier” that bears a strong resemblance to the SOTech Go Bag. Maybe we’ve stumbled on to the Iraqi version of the violin Case. I can hear the conversation at the checkpoint now, “Of course that’s not a Krinkov in my bag, it’s my hookah pipe silly.” If you want a real SOTech Go Bag, visit www.specopstech.com.
