While it’s a fashion statement, TNF has put together some pretty cool kit. Known as the Purple Label line, the Fall lineup is offered in Australian Disruptive Pattern. Here, you see a Gore-tex jacket, Fleece vest, and Day pack. The downside? They are only available in Japan.
Innovative Flight Solutions (IFS) based in Virginia Beach, Virginia and is an independent developer of alternative flight solutions for use in both defense and commercial applications.
Under development for 8 years, IFS’ most recent achievement is the “Stalker” Powered Parafoil. The Stalker can be flown either manned or unmanned, from altitudes ranging 5 feet to 20,000 feet, and as slow as 17 knots or as fast at 68 knots. In addition to its airborne capabilities, in ground mode the Stalker has the capacity to transverse paved and unimproved roadways, grass fields, beach, desert and other challenging terrain. On a paved road the Stalker can reach speeds in excess of 70 mph.
The Stalker’s distinct capabilities are ideal for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) programs as well as use in border patrol, psychological operations (PSYOPS, now called Military Information Operations), and as a combat Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). With a standard flight time of 4.4 hours, and an optional extended fuel cell increasing its range to 19.8 hours, the Stalker can also be used for forward scouting ahead of convoys, delivery to remote terrains, medevac, sniper operations, etc. Due to its simplicity in maintenance, small storage area, and ease of flight any platoon leader or area commander can now have immediate and total control of an air asset.
Unlike fixed wing aircraft, the Stalker cannot be rolled, put into a dive, or stalled It can also handle IFR (no visibility) flight conditions. According to the FAA, the Stalker “… it [sic]one of the safest, stable and versatile aircraft in existence…” It can carry a useful payload of 747 pounds in manned flight and as a UAV has a useful payload of 1,047 pounds.
IFS works with the Aviation Sciences department at the University of Maryland to conduct its research and development while manufacturing is done by a leading defense contractor. Extensive testing has been completed in conjunction with Anti-Terrorism Force Protection exercises at eleven (11) military bases. All testing has been successful.
The Stalker will be on display at GSS Gear’s New Breed of Warrior being held September 10-11, 2010.
Darley Defense hosted “Darley Defense Day†near Ft. Polk on Tuesday. Darley is probably best known for the firefighting equipment but has recently gotten involved in special operations and tactical equipment, in a BIG way. Initially to be held on Ft Polk itself, Darley got word literally 24 hours before the show was to open that having it on base was a no-go. A garrison marplot apparently got involved for reasons that may have been righteous, were possibly spurious, or most likely stoopid, but who are we to judge? The end result saw the show moved literally at the last minute to a hotel in the nearby metropolis of Leesville.
Now, we personally think Leesville is on par with Mos Eisley, but the show itself was great. This was largely due to the Herculean efforts of Todd Kasper (SFC, retired), local Darley coordinator and event POC. If you’ve never met him, Todd’s a hard-working SOB with a great sense of humor, unmatched energy and excellent taste in hair gel. (Great guy; should never be prescribed personality-enhancing medication.)
There were a number of luminaries from the tactical industry there, including representatives from Tactical Tailor (we’ll be telling you about an outstanding new pouch they’re putting out; it’ll make you smack your forehead and wonder why you didn’t think of it yourself), Eye Safety Systems Inc. (more commonly known as ESS, and wait until you wear the new temples for the Crossbow glasses, they’re awesome), Peak Beam Systems, Beamshot, Duostock Designs, Going Loud Tactical Outfitters, Ontario Knife Company, Rocky Boots, Wellco Boots, The Mako Group…you get the idea. There were actually a couple there we didn’t initially know anything about, like for instance Wild Things Tactical. How we’ve managed to spend years in this line of work without hearing of them we haven’t figured out but rest assured we’ve since been educated. (They provide inclement weather gear to snake-eaters from every branch and many Federal agencies, and provide every Marine’s ‘happy suit’.) WT Tactical had a couple of really sweet new pieces, which we’ll go over soon.
We met many Soldiers from a variety of outfits, including 10TH Mountain and the 509’s Geronimos. We remember one mean looking Sergeant Major in particular, giving all the gear a very critical eye; pretty sure he was with the OPFOR unit, but not sure. He had a shaved head, rasping voice and looked like all the spare flesh and sense of humor on had long since been boiled away, leaving just gristle, dick and backbone behind.
We didn’t talk to him.
Although there weren’t vast numbers of Soldiers milling about, this Darley Defense Day seemed to be a great success. We had the chance to sit down for a few minutes with T.J. Gilroy over lunch (good chow, by the way) about their goals for the show and others liked it. Foremost among those goals was the desire to not only make themselves known as the newest part of the TLS Program (formerly “Prime Vendorâ€) and to educate soldiers about options in available and authorized kit that’s out there.
There was more to it…we’ll explain more as we go. Please check back periodically to read up on some of the wicked cool new kit we saw while we were there.
If you have any ideas for us to review or discuss, drop us a line at Breach-Bang-Clear or FaceBook.com/MadDuo; unless you’re going to complain about our opinions, writing style or philosophy (or you’re a sissy) in which case don’t bother. We’ve got upcoming articles on a half a dozen really cool new pieces of kit and a picture of when we were coined by GW of Tactical Tailor, so it would behoove you to PAY ATTENTION.
MAD DUO OUT!
Went to see “The American” last night and all I have to say is, “WTF was that?” The poster outside of the theater rocked, but trust me, you see all of the great parts in the trailer, minus the naughty bits. The sex scenes had more action than the action.
Ok, sure there are ample shots of Italian boobies and muff but you have to see Clooney in the buff as well (my eyes!). No thanks. Oddly enough, the “hero” of the story had a tattoo on his arm that was an amalgamation of the Special Forces Distinctive Unit Insignia, but the motto, “De Oppresso Liber” was replaced with “unintelligible ET VERITAS” which I take to be the the SWC motto but backwards if you replace “unintelligible” with “libertas”. All in all, soup sandwich. And then to top it all off, the main weapon was a Mini-14 that he referred to as an M14.
I was the youngest guy in the theater and the seniors in the audience either walked out or fell asleep the pacing was so slow. Pass on this one, and unless you have a fetish for naked Italian ladies or Mini-14s, don’t rent it either. Don’t wait for it to premier on network TV. Even though it will be free, they will cut the only redeeming quality; naked ladies.
I should have seen “Machete”.
Sayoc Tactical Group (STG) is exhibiting at New Breed of Warrior being held September 10-11, 2010 at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.
STG is dedicated to teaching modern, effective tactical training and to providing threat assessment and security analysis. The emphasis is on being proactive rather than reactive with practitioners taught how to resolve possible situations before they begin or escalate.
“The adage that he best defense is a good offense is never more applicable as when you are in a volatile situation, under stress, where your life is in jeopardy, “ says Christopher Sayoc, President of STG. “Our goal is provide students with the best situational assessment training available so as to perceive attacks and react appropriately. “ STG’s curriculum includes instruction in: multiple-blade deployment, combat firearms training, close quarters combat training, offensive and defensive driving, edge weapon concealment, projectiles, tactical apprehension, firearms retention, blade and empty hand grappling. STG also provides specialty courses in sentry removal, prisoner management and VIP protection.
Sayoc Tactical Group’s professionals retain particular aptitude in edged weapons tactics, training individuals ranging from the US Navy SEALS to Federal Air Marshalls. As part of the New Breed Of Warrior, STG will be providing a public demonstration of their tactics and methods.
PEO-Soldier announced earlier this week that it had begun fielding the Gen II Improved Outer Tactical Vest (IOTV) in the Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern (OCP). The pictures associated with the article are awesome and give you a great look at the new pattern. The photo below also shows a mounted TAP.
There are 17 improvements in the Gen II IOTV. Ultimately, the biggest improvement is probably the new sideplate pocket that is adjustable to the wearer. Many Soldiers found wearing sideplates almost unbearable. While the Army’s copy makes it sound like this is a whole new vest that is modular and scalable, ultimately, nothing is really that new. This is the same IOTV they have been issuing since earlier this year but what is important is that Soldiers deploying to OEF will be getting the latest in everything.
Having said that, it’s still an IOTV. Is it effective? Yes. Does it hinder mobility? Sometimes, like say if you are walking or climbing. Is it scalable? Sort of. If the IOTV were truly “all that”, the Army wouldn’t have fielded the Soldier Plate Carrier System and there would be no reason to undertake Soldier Protection Demonstration (SPD) 8 which is currently assessing Scalable, Modular armor vests from four different vendors including BAE, Point Blank, Armor Works, and PPI. These vests allow a Soldier to go from a concealable set up all the way out to full IOTV protection with all of the add-ons. The catch is that it has to be accomplished with one set up and must shave at least 10% off the weight of a fully jocked up IOTV.
Unfortunately, PEO-Soldier is staying mum on the subject of SPD 8 so we will wait to reveal more until they are ready.
