GORE-TEX Military Fabrics

Archive for June, 2010

The MAGLETT

Monday, June 21st, 2010

We recently found out about the MAGLETTâ„¢ from Tuff Products. Designed by Ichiro Nagata, MAGLETTâ„¢ is an acronym for Magazine Wallet and holds all of your EDC items. More than anything else it is adaptable. The MAGLETTâ„¢ and has 2 larger pockets that can hold Cell Phones, M16-style Rifle Magazine and 4 smaller pockets to hold Credit Cards, Drivers License, Emergency Cash, Folding Knifes, Pistol Magazines etc. The inner most pouch can be worn inside the belt or pants and features a Tactical Pen Pocket which just so happens to accommodate the Kunai Tactical Pen also designed by Ichiro Nagata. It also features a 2 inch belt loop and is made in the USA. Available in Black and Coyote. Tuff Products was founded by Natt Stevens, formerly of Bianchi and Aker Leather.

Tuff Products

High Gear Launches Website

Sunday, June 20th, 2010

HIGH GEARâ„¢ training suits and accessories by London Bridge Trading Company, Ltd. are now featured on www.highgearsuit.com.

We have covered the HIGH GEARâ„¢ line in the past and it includes the Close Quarter Combat Chest Guard, Marking Cartridge Ready helmet, Decon Zone sanitizing system, Martial Arts Chest Protector, Anti-Fog/Anti-Scratch Visor and storage bag.

One of the best things about this new site is that it features videos of HIGH GEAR in action, and describes ways to use HIGH GEARâ„¢ to take your scenario-based training to the next level.

HIGH GEARâ„¢ products can also be purchased through ADS via several procurement vehicles.

John Kidd Pinup Artist

Sunday, June 20th, 2010

There have been several modern pinup artists who have hit the military scene over the past few years. While John Kidd has begun to make a solid name for himself in his home, the UK, he is relatively unknown here in the US. We at SSD think that it’s high time we changed that. He does an excellent job of producing customized icons for units incorporating not only attractive ladies but the unit’s defining imagery. Additionally, he has begun to produce some excellent commercial art for vendors.

Some samples of John’s work as well as his contact info can be found here. Additionally, he is available on Facebook www.facebook.com/militarypinups as well as Myspace www.myspace.com/militarypinups. He IS a pinup artist so the art depicted at the link may be considered by some as NSFW.

US PALM Offers the AK30-10

Saturday, June 19th, 2010

SGCUSA.com has just added a 10-round California legal version of the popular US PALM AK30 magazine. The AK30-10 uses the same body as the AK30 but introduces a block that restricts the magazine to accepting only 10 rounds. It is available in Flat Dark Earth as well as Black.

Army Names Ground Soldier System Nett Warrior

Saturday, June 19th, 2010

As the Army celebrated its 235th birthday on June 14th, a small ceremony was held in the Pentagon naming the Ground Soldier System in honor of World War II Medal of Honor recipient COL Robert B. Nett. The idea is similar to the Abrams tank and Bradley fighting vehicle. Not to trivialize the selection but we are sure it didn’t hurt that COL Nett had a cyber-esque name. But, truth be told, COL Nett was one hell of a man and one hell of a warrior. It’s a great honor for both him and the program.

“One of the things we discussed … was that we knew we wanted to maintain a warrior ethos, “COL Will Riggins, PM Soldier Warrior said. “We knew we wanted to honor a great American hero. We knew that we wanted it to be a maneuver leader. This is a leader system — to make them more effective. So it was a pretty easy choice.”

According to an Army press release, COL Nett, who died in 2008, enlisted in the Army in 1940, at the age of 17. He served until 1978, and attained the rank of colonel during his service. It was because of his actions during World War II, while serving as part of the Philippines Campaign, that he was awarded the Medal of Honor.

On Dec. 14, 1944, Nett was serving as a lieutenant in the Philippines. He served as part of Company E, 305th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division. Nett commanded Company E in an attack against a reinforced battalion of Japanese that had held up the American advance for two days. Nett led the assault against the enemy soldiers.

While engaged with the enemy, Nett managed to kill seven Japanese using his rifle and bayonet. Despite being seriously wounded, he continued to lead his Soldiers. He was wounded an additional two times while attempting to achieve their objective.

The Nett Warrior system is currently undergoing developmental testing of 60 systems from three vendors and is expected to enter service in 2013.

The Buzz

Friday, June 18th, 2010

Well the main stream media finally caught up with us again this week. US Today published an article that the Army is going to eliminate Velcro from the cargo pockets on the ACU. This is hardly breaking news. We did a story on this last August, detailing numerous changes to the ACU. Unfortunately, Defense Supply Center Philadelphia who manages sustainment contracts for the ACU as well as the FR ACU which worn in combat, has yet to implement the improvements to any of the uniforms they are buying. PEO-Soldier on the other hand, is purchasing FR ACUs in MultiCam from a different contract so that combat troops in Afghanistan will have the advantage of the improved design.

The real irony in this, other than US Today chasing a story that is almost a year old, is that Velcro was added to the ACU based on use by Special Operations Forces. Big Army wanted what was perceived to work and they got it. Naturally and almost immediately, Soldiers began to complain. With Velcro, a little goes a long way.

SOFIC 2010 – It’s a Wrap

Friday, June 18th, 2010

Brought to you by Extreme Outfitters

The mood was lighthearted and foot traffic was brisk on third and last day of the Special Operations Forces Industry Conference Thursday.

More than 300 vendors worked under the banner “Accelerating the Force” and welcomed long lines of anxious patrons who sought refuge from the heat in the air-conditioned Tampa Convention Center.

Richard “Dick” A Cheniae of Bates boots from Virginia Beach, Virginia, said he was disappointed in the overall low turnout.

Bernadette Sumner of Wide Open Industries of Exton, Pennsylvania, said that although the number of patrons was limited, those who did show up were interested in their blast mitigating vehicle seats.

“We had lots of vendors,” Sumner said. “It was good for networking.”

Larry Connolly of Moorefield Training Center from Moorefield, West Virginia had his own challenges promoting a new business that offers firearms training, combat driving and special tactics.

“We’re a new company, so we hope to get our name out there,” Connolly said. “We’re making good contacts and meeting with some clients face-to-face as opposed to email or on the phone. We’re such a comprehensive company that we can support everything they need to do.”

Moorefield’s strengths include a positive location – only two hours drive away from Washington, D.C. – and the fact that they conduct all their training on a single piece of property.”

“The biggest challenge is trying to explain who we are and what do,” Connolly said. “The turnout was good, (especially) seeing all the different vendors.”

Connolly, like many others, used the opportunity to network with others in the industry to establish collaborative efforts between those who provide goods and services, until they can return next year.

BY ERIC STEINKOPFF
EXTREME OUTFITTERS STAFF

PSP and Revision Terminate Arrangement

Friday, June 18th, 2010

In a press release issued earlier this week, Pacific Safety Products and Revision announced they have agreed to terminate the arrangement agreement made last month wherein Revision would pay Cdn $0.18 per share for PSP stock. PSP was unable to garner sufficient support among its shareholders to ratify the sale. PSP will reimburse Revision for $150,000 in transaction costs.

However, PSP has announced the sale of its headborne system assets to Revision for $1,275,000. Mr. David Scott, Chief Executive Officer of PSP stated: “The headborne program was established by PSP to develop new protection products for future market opportunities. To date the Company has made advances in the development of products; however, significant further investment is required in order to capitalize on these anticipated market opportunities. Given the state of the industry and the current economic conditions, the Company simply does not have the capital required to continue its headborne R&D program and Revision’s offer provides the Company with the opportunity to monetize this asset.” One example of the technologies developed by PSP is the Tactical Impact Protection System. Their headborne systems division is the crown jewel of PSP and will be a perfect addition to Revision which began their own headborne work over a year ago.