Emdom-MM Immediate Access Pouch (IAP)
Kit Up! Puts SCAR Controversy to Bed
New Stuff from Sierra Designs for Spring 2011
Beyond Survival: Around the World Eight Times With Les Stroud
Classic Adidas Hiking Boots Get the Wookie Treatment
Archive for August, 2010
Arc’teryx Fall 10 Glove Line
Friday, August 20th, 2010The Alpha Project – Fall 10 Gloves from ARC'TERYX on Vimeo.
Arc’teryx took two years to develop their new patented glove technology pushing not only design but also materials into new areas. They are quite simply, amazing and Dan Green is a genius.
They have been adapted for the LEAF line. Check them out at LEAF.Arcteryx.com.
SwiftClip from Velocity Systems
Friday, August 20th, 2010
Velocity Systems was well represented at the recent TREXPO in Chantilly, Virginia. One of their most interesting new innovations is the SwiftClip attachment system which eliminates the need to wear yet another harness over your armor. Working with Mayflower to develop a way to more rapidly integrate chest rigs as well as other specialty items on to an armor vest or plate carrier, they wanted something system and adaptable to a wide variety of gear and was simple to use. They found it with the SwiftClip which is not only simple, but also provides a stable mounting solution.
The SwiftClip is designed to accept any chest rig or other item with an ITW 1″ male side release buckle. Both Velocity Systems and Mayflower products are Berry Compliant and available in a variety of colors and patterns including the US Army’s new OCP (MultiCam).
Disruptive Technologies
Friday, August 20th, 2010You may have heard the term but what it is it? And what does it mean to me? If you are reading SSD then you are most likely a member or student of the profession of arms. Pay attention here dear reader because pretty soon we are going to introduce you to what we consider a disruptive technology that may very well challenge our primacy in a particular facet of warfighting.
“Disruptive innovation is a term used in business and technology literature to describe innovations that improve a product or service in ways that the market does not expect, typically by lowering price or designing for a different set of consumers.”
-Wikipedia
The concept of Disruptive Technologies was coined by Clayton M. Christensen in his 1995 article Disruptive Technologies: Catching the Wave where he defines a disruptive innovation as a product or service designed for a new a set of customers.
“Generally, disruptive innovations were technologically straightforward, consisting of off-the-shelf components put together in a product architecture that was often simpler than prior approaches. They offered less of what customers in established markets wanted and so could rarely be initially employed there. They offered a different package of attributes valued only in emerging markets remote from, and unimportant to, the mainstream.”
While the idea was applied to how technology affects markets, it can just as easily be applied to warfighting. Wired’s “Danger Room” blog wrote a piece awhile back talking about how enemy belligerents can outsource or improvise their way into being a niche competitor with the US. Check out this PowerPoint briefing by Booz Allen Hamilton that illustrates this point. Commercial access to satellite imagery could be considered disruptive simply because an entirely new set of players have access to what was once the sole purview of the most advanced nation states.
As Moore’s Law makes high power computing more accessible to the masses, it becomes more difficult to maintain a technological edge. As commercial technologies are adapted for military and intelligence purposes, it becomes even more troublesome for the United States who has long maintained a distinct advantage.
Wanted – Native American Medicine Man
Thursday, August 19th, 2010We spend more time than we would probably like on FedBizOpps, but we didn’t catch this one ourselves. One of our readers with lots of time on his hands sent us this one. While to many, it will be a simple curiosity, ultimately, it goes to show the lengths that the US Government will go to to do the right thing and provide religious accommodation.
Federal Bureau of Prisons, FPC Duluth, Duluth, MN, is seeking a Native American Medicine Man to visit the facility four times a year and “conduct Native American ceremonies and provide instruction to inmates in the Native American Faith.
General Topics for Contractors – Native American
1. Red Road
2. All My Relation
3. Medicine Wheel
4. The Sacred Pipe
5. Sweat Lodge
6. Elders
7. Circle of Life
8. Traditions/Rituals
9. Prayers
10. Ceremonies
11. Fasting
12. Smudging
13. The Drum
14. Grandfather/Grandmother
15. Dances
16. The Medicine Pouch
17. Offerings
18. Decision-making
19. Ritual Objects
20. Eagle
21. Eagle Feathers
22. Nature Lessons
23. Family Relations
24. Parenting
25. Learning
26. Healthy Relationships
27. Culture
28. Healing Traditions
29. Herbal Medicines
30. Understanding Self
31. Respect
32. Traditional Games
33. Traditional Foods
34. Seasons
35. Healing Self
36. A Grateful Heart
37. Cleansing Ceremonies
38. What is the role of faith and Community Re-entry?
The contractor will provide 4 sessions per year. The sessions will either be on Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Pipe ceremony) or on Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (sweat ceremony).”
Industry Loses an Innovator
Thursday, August 19th, 2010
Richard John McCann A Patriot and True American Richard J. McCann unexpectedly died on Friday the 13th of August, 2010. Richard was born on December 16, 1957 in Kaiserslautern, Germany to Joseph & Evelyn McCann. They returned to settle in Spanaway, Washington in 1959, where he graduated from Bethel High School in 1976. Richard is survived by his wife Debbie; daughters Shelby McCann; Ashley & Josh Strauss; and his mother Evelyn. He was affectionately known as “Papa” to granddaughters Hailey and Rieley. Also surviving are his brother Michael (Jann), his sister Marguerite (Mike), and nephew Christopher. In addition Richard is survived by stepson Chesley III (Webber) and family. Richard is survived by many close friends who are like family, too numerous to count (you know who you are.) Richard was preceded in death by his father Joseph. Richard was a consummate second generation gunsmith and machinist, widely respected in his field. He was well known throughout the world for his expertise, knowledge, skill and abilities. Richard was an innovative rifle and knife designer. His MIRS rails system is widely used by American war fighters as well as assorted government agencies, NATO forces and law enforcement agencies throughout the free world. Richard was a life member of the NRA and Washington Arms Collectors (WAC). At Richard’s request there will not be a funeral service. A celebration of his life will be Sunday, August 22 at 11:00. It is being held at 320 – 127th St. East, Tacoma. Pot luck of your choice. Formal/business attire not allowed, casual attire by Richards’ request (wear what Richard would wear,) We will all miss his unique sense of humor; style; devotion and dedication. RICHARD HAS LEFT THE RANGE!
Richard’s wife Debbie will be assuming the helm of the business.
Published in News Tribune (Tacoma) on August 18, 2010
E&E Bags
Thursday, August 19th, 2010Call them what you will, E&E bags, bug out bags, or satchels, they are a long way from the salvaged Claymore bag you used back in the 80s. In fact, the modern E&E Bag was first developed for Diamondback Tactical by the founder of Mayflower Research & Consulting in 2003 based on his military experience. Over the past few years, the original design has been copied and modified by a slew of manufacturers, even morphing into the Courier Bag requirement for USSOCOM. The item is far from static and even Mayflower has improved on that first design.
The latest bag to hit the market is the Terrorist Interdiction Bag (TIB) from One Source Tactical’s Technical Services Division. It is the first bag of its kind designed to accommodate AK magazines. As you can see in the photo below, the retention tabs have been specially designed to secure the AK30 magazine from US PALM. Naturally, it will also carry other similar sized including M4 magazines.
Available in Black, Coyote, and MultiCam.
Beating a Dead Horse to Death
Wednesday, August 18th, 2010FNH USA does it yet again. They issued a press release on August 16th that says essentially…SOCOM informed FNH that the Milestone Decision Authority (MDA) made a Full-Rate Production Decision Review which occurred on July 30, 2010. Well, duh. The MDA made a Milestone C decision back in April and FNH USA made sure we all knew about it. This latest press release really means nothing without the revised Basis of Issue Plan (BOIP) which dictates how many and of which type of SCAR, SOCOM will purchase. To take it at face value, a reader would assume that SOCOM is going to buy oodles of Mk 16 and Mk 17 rifles along with Mk 13 grenade launchers. But the truth is, we don’t know how many they will purchase if any at all since SOCOM has said that they are going to purchase different numbers than originally planned.
The other issue with this press release is the following paragraph…
“FN Herstal, a worldwide recognized firearms supplier to generations of soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines since 1897, has ramped up production and assembly at its manufacturing facilities to meet the delivery orders placed by USSOCOM.”
Does this mean that the SCAR will finally be manufactured in the US? We don’t think so, but based on the context of the overall subject matter, it would leave the casual reader to make that assumption.
None of this would really be that big of a deal if FNH hadn’t run out and posted it on every military and firearms message board they could find. FNH continues to try and twist this thing and every time they publish another one of these ill conceived press releases they hurt their credibility and beg more scrutiny. Actually, it would explain a lot if the same folks who are writing their press releases were working on the SCAR program. If this is the case; stop.
We miss the FNH that was on top of their game building great machine guns. Please come back.
Feel free to read the entire thing here.
