Imagine 8 common tools in a package no larger than a common house key. Now imagine that is the same general shape as that house key and will blend in with the rest of your keys right on your key ring. Well imagine no more. The KeyTool Keyring Multi-tool combines 3 sizes of screwdriver, nail file, finger nail cleaner, Bottle cap opener, wire cutter, and tweezers.
While it would probably be a lot more airport friendly if it didn’t have the name for every tool printed out right on the side of the thing, it does look to be pretty handy.
During Outdoor Retailer we were introduced to Drift Innovation, a company which specializes in wearable Point of View cameras. They have already established quite a following in the action sports community but told us that they are beginning to see sales to military customers.
Their flagship Drift HD170 offers quality 1080p and 720p HD as well as standard definition (WVGA) video for $329.99. It relies on a rechargeable internal battery. There is also a standard version of the 170 that uses AA batteries and retails for $199.99. Drift has developed a Tactical model, seen below.
The unit relies a fish eye lens so it takes in a wide field of view and is a compact 133 (L) x 50 (D) x 33 (W) mm. As you can see from the button layout it is simple to use which is important for such a device when mounted to a helmet or weapon. There is also a remote switch that can easily be attached to a weapon’s forearm. Additionally, it features an integrated screen for instantaneous feedback in the field. Finally, video is saved in .MOV format with no obscure codecs so it can easily be shared and stored.
It seems that the SCAR WARS have entered their cartoon phase. The Firearm Blog picked up a story from the Belgian news website Leosir.be ” that, “le (FN) SCAR is destined to replace the M14 and M16 and that up to 10,000 could be ordered by the American Army.”
Wonder who was behind this one. The very short article reads like an FN press release; a couple of facts sprinkled with a whole lot of wishful thinking.
Tags: FN Posted in weapons | Comments Off on This is Just Sad
DuPont’s Spruance facility in Richmond, Virginia recently hosted SSD for an in depth look at Fire Resistance and Ballistic Protection.
Back in the 60s a new class of fabrics was developed, called Aramids with DuPont at the forefront of their creation. Two fabrics in this class have become the cornerstones of modern Soldier Survivability; Kevlar and Nomex. They provide Ballistic and Fire protection respectively. Kevlar was initially developed by DuPont for tire belts but not put to its current use until the early 70s. Nomex on the other hand was quickly integrated into flying and space suits not long after its creation.
The most compelling portion of the visit was the ThermoMan lab. Composed of 122 sensors, ThermoMan was designed with the assistance of NC State. In addition to the mannequin, there is also a skin burn injury model that takes data collected at the sensors and displays how a thermal threat would equate to an injury to the human body. One interesting aspect of the ThermoMan over other testing methods such as the commonly used vertical flame test is that the ThermoMan tests not only the material’s performance but also the garment’s overall design and construction. This is a critical factor in protecting a wearer from thermal threats. If a flame can get inside a garment then the wearer might as well not be wearing FR at all. Interestingly, the pocket configuration of the issue flight suit is designed to provide additional protection for the wearer by doubling the layers of Nomex in certain key areas. Testing has revealed that most injuries actually occur after the flame threat is removed and the wearer is subjected to residual heat retained by the garment.
We witnessed two burns consisting of a 3 second burn delivering 6 calories. It is intended to replicate a JP4 fire. In the first burn, an issue CWU-27/P US issue flight suit manufactured from Nomex III.
As you can see, minimal damage was sustained by the ThermoMan due to the material and design of the flight suit. it is important to note that while the ThermoMan does a great job predicting injuries, actual injuries may vary due to a wearers body and the fit of the garment. Experience has shown that 1% injury equates to 1 day in the hospital. In this case, the ThermoMan indicated 7% injuries.
In the second, a similar looking flight suit manufactured from 65/35 PolyCotton was subjected to the same threat. PolyCotton, a mixture of 65% Polyester and 35% Cotton is commonly found in Chinese made garments. There IS a place for this fabric, but as you will see in the video, it isn’t in a flame threat environment. Rather, PolyCotton is a cool fabric and very good for use in warm climates. The choice of materials goes back to our recent article concerning knowing your equipment, the threat, and environmental conditions and making an informed choice about which equipment to choose. As you can see the PolyCotton not only caught on fire but it continued to burn even after a direct flame was removed. In this case, the ThermoMan sustained 75% injuries.
During our visit to the ballistics lab we witnessed a demonstration of testing of an armor vest and were introduced to the various apparatus used during testing. Additionally, we were given the opportunity to try out first hand correctional armor which is designed to stop stab and puncture threats. We were amazed at how much differently ballistic and correctional armor reacted to the icepick type of shiv commonly found in correctional facilities. The bottom line is that correctional armor works.
We were fortunate enough to be able to discuss a variety of current Soldier Systems issues with the DuPont team but probably the most important message we got was that DuPont is constantly looking at new ways to use their flagship products. Adaptability is the key as they not work to improve the performance of their materials but also as they seek new ways to use their products as well as combine them with other fibers.
While in years past many vendors would have pushed monolithic solutions to threats, it makes more sense now to develop hybrid solutions that combine multiple fibers into a more robust material. This way, the best characteristics of different materials can be combined into a common solution.
Overall, the meeting was excellent and we left with a greater appreciation of the level of commitment DuPont has to protecting our troops and public safety professionals.
The Air Force Personnel Center has launched a new website dedicated to uniforms. While it highlights all of the Air Force’s Garrison uniforms, the most appropriate ensemble in the inventory looks to be the Informal Uniform. Seemingly designed for their endless Casual Friday, it consists of a blue polo shirt and khaki slacks (yes, we said slacks). In reality it is intended for select Air Force organizations while traveling or under conditions where the other uniform combinations would not be appropriate. No mention is made of any of the service’s combat uniforms unless you count the poorly monikered Airman Battle Uniform.
At the recent TREXPO, we ran across a new technology that makes mobile video surveillance affordable to most any department of military organization. The one thing that struck as the adaptability of the system. It can be fitted to any vehicle with a standard trailer hitch and is powered through a simple cigarette lighter adapter. This means you don’t have to purchase an entirely new vehicle, but rather can adapt different vehicles for use as a surveillance system. For example, a van could be used during urban ops or a 4-wheel drive vehicle for use in rural areas and these same vehicles can be used for other purposes when the system is not in use. Additionally, it doesn’t require any long-term institutional training but can rather be learned on the job.
Both Luke and Holloman AFB have recently obtained a Mobile Video Surveillance (MVS) systems from Venture Tec LLC. The system is unique in that it incorporates an adjustable, telescopic mast hitch, which allows users to position the mast vertically at any location, including uneven or sloping terrain. The unit weighs approximately 85 pounds and unlike a trailer-mounted system, this surveillance system can be used anywhere the vehicle can go
The MVS system attaches to any vehicle with a standard 2†x 2†Class III receiver, requiring no vehicle modification and it pneumatically telescopes to elevations up to 32 feet. It’s simple to use, takes only a minute to raise or lower, and can operate day or night in all weather conditions. The MVS system can be equipped with a long range visible light camera and a thermal camera for complete darkness. All surveillance is done from inside the safety and comfort of the vehicle or command center, and all video is recorded with a date/time stamp. To operate the system, users simply tilt the mast to find vertical, lock it in place, and raise the mast to the desired height. The PTZ controller and video display provide an unparalleled view from above in all directions. When ready to relocate, users simply open the air release valve to lower the mast.
For more information, please visit www.mobilevideosurveillance.com.
It may not be the latest and greatest from Blue Force Gear, S.O. Tech, Blackheart, Mayflower, Agilite, Tyr or any of the other high speed, low drag manufacturers, but this new piece of kit may be good to go anyway. It certainly meets a need otherwise largely unmet in the tactical equipment industry—you can go to any one of a hundred different sites if you want a modular M4/AR15 magazine pouch, or visit your choice of at least as many places to pick up a 3-day assault pack or modular ruck.
That’s fine if you need kitted out to go kinetic. Where do you go to get jocked up for a dining out, team/platoon bbq or bachelor party?
After 5, apparently, or Urban Outfitters, or possibly Anvil Custom Leather, that’s where.
After 5 offers what thy call the Take-a-Shot Booze Belt—two holsters (sorry, neither SERPA nor Safariland SLS compatible) for bottles and six molded slots for your ammunition (shot-shell shotglasses included with the belt). It is made in the USA with 600 denier fabric, nylon webbing and molded foam. Apparently the holster and ammo can be adjusted as desired. Unknown whether it can be custom ordered with MOLLE attachments or not. The base price for this adult beverage LBE is $89.99…a little pricey for someone in the lower E-numbers, but not too much if you’re coming back from a tax exclusion zone in the AOR (or looking to get a present to welcome someone back from there).
Other options, which we find far superior to the classic beer-can holding ball cap, include the 6-beer beer bottle belt from Urban Outfitters:
Or, for occasions that call for a dressier look (though not mess dress) the black leather whiske
y bottle holster from Anvil (also available in brown and “dirty leatherâ€, which is perhaps more suitable for some civilian LE uniforms).
To date none of the above have been offered in Multi-Cam, A-TAC or any of the other progressive camouflage designs (we were really hoping for SURPAT) but don’t let that stop you from picking one up. Black goes with just about any camo there is and there’s always the patrol-ready beer can belt from DrinkingStuff.com, which can be rigged up with some modifications below your IBA or other armor (and is available in standard woodland camo). We don’t advise using the ones that carry glass containers if you’re in the field. Those should be reserved strictly for garrison use.
If you have any ideas for us to review, drop us a line at BreachBangClear.com or FaceBook.com/MadDuo; unless you’re going to complain about our opinions, writing style or philosophy in which case don’t bother. We just got in a brand new Rifleman’s Tool (very nice) and are still hoping to get a look at the Umbrella Corporation’s NFDD but as yet no firm word on the latter. MAD DUO OUT!
Imagine 8 common tools in a package no larger than a common house key. Now imagine that is the same general shape as that house key and will blend in with the rest of your keys right on your key ring. Well imagine no more. The KeyTool Keyring Multi-tool combines 3 sizes of screwdriver, nail file, finger nail cleaner, Bottle cap opener, wire cutter, and tweezers.
