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Archive for October, 2010

HULC’s Latest Look

Wednesday, October 27th, 2010

Lockheed Martin was displaying the latest version of their Human Universal Load Carrier (HULC) exoskeleton this week at AUSA. Currently, HULC only supports the lower extremities and is designed to fit the 95th Percentile Soldier. This version has two large battery packs that accommodate three BA5590s per side which will power the suit for a 20 mile movement. However, power consumption is based on activity and the models on display at AUSA were only using two batteries which could last for days based on use in the demonstration mode.

www.lockheedmartin.com

Learn More About the XM25

Wednesday, October 27th, 2010

Kit Up! sourced some excellent marketing footage of the ATK/HK XM25 Counter Defilade Engagement System in action. As we posted earlier this month, a small number of XM25s are headed downrange to spank some Taliban ass. Go check out the video and see why the Taliban should just give up now while there’s still hope.

FN’s New HAMR

Wednesday, October 27th, 2010

FNH USA has released the Heat Adaptive Modular Rifle (HAMR) at AUSA. Based on the FN SCAR 16 platform, the system was a contender for the USMC’s Infantry Automatic Rifle but lost out to the HK M27 which is based on the 416. FN claims that the HAMR is accurate to 1 MOA but did not differentiate if this was from an open or closed bolt. Additionally, FNH has announced that the HAMR boasts a controllable 650 rpm rate of fire.

So exactly what makes the HAMR unique? The capability presented is best described by FN’s own press release, “FN HAMR initially fires from the closed bolt in either semi-automatic or full-automatic modes. For added safety during sustained fire situations, the FN HAMR automatically transitions into open-bolt operation in both semi-automatic and full-automatic modes before reaching the cook-off temperature of the chambered cartridge. Once the chamber temperature has dropped to a safe level, the FN HAMR automatically transitions back to closed-bolt mode. These transitions between closed-bolt and open-bolt modes are thermally regulated by the FN HAMR and occur without any manual intervention by the operator.”

Ambitious, but it seems as though there is a certain amount of technical risk here. Whether the mechanism that transitions the weapon’s operating system from Closed to Open bolt is electrical or mechanical like the thermostat in your car’s cooling system, it is just one more thing to go wrong. However, the SCAR itself is the most tested rifle in the US military’s history and it is doubtful that FN would have brought the HAMR to market if it wasn’t ready for prime time. We will be interested to see how they went about managing the operating system.

We understand that the IAR candidate had a heat sink built into the design so the HAMR’s stated weight of 11.2 lbs is also of interest but this includes a Grip Pod. On a final note, as it is being offered as a full-auto weapon for military and LE use, the average shooter will never have access to the HAMR. However, we are glad to see that the technology is being commercialized in one form or another.

www.fnhusa.com

Gerber Unveils New Products at AUSA ADS

Tuesday, October 26th, 2010

Gerber Legendary Blades is known to unveil new tactical products as the Association of the US Army’s Annual meeting in Washington, DC and this year did not disappoint. This time, they released three completely new products as well as a new color (Tan 499) for the Strap Cutter which makes it OCP compatible.

The first and most impressive of the new products is the Cable Dawg. Designed specifically for communications troops, this tool will find a home with anyone looking for a handy tool for fiber optic and other IT-related work. Featuring wire cutter, CAT5 jacket cutter, RJ45 Crimper Head, Wire strippers, Knife blade, Magnetic driver extension with tool heads. Additionally, the handles are crafted from glass filled nylon to help reduce weight and the side of the handle that houses the driver extension and tool heads can be removed.

Gerber also introduced a new light, the Hands Free Recon (HFR-M) which is kind of a new take on the mini angle head. The on/off switch in on the top with the lights mounted perpendicular to the body. It includes four outputs including a low Night Vision System detection, White, Red, and IR. Additionally, you can choose low, medium, high, or beacon modes. Mounting options include helmet and MOLLE. Finally, the HFR can use AA or CR123 batteries for up to 6 hours of illumination.

We’ll leave that fourth product a mystery for now. After all, we have to leave something for the other guys to write about.

All Gerber products are available for unit or agency purchase from ADS.

Colt CM901 Photos

Tuesday, October 26th, 2010

At AUSA we were able to take a few snaps of the Colt Defense Multi-Caliber CM901 Modular Carbine.

You Can’t Keep a Good Monkey Down

Tuesday, October 26th, 2010

And that goes double for our favorite monkey, MILSPECMONKEY himself. He is constantly releasing new items but two recently caught our eye.

The first is the DeathMechanic Shirt. Available in a variety of colors this t-shirt is for people who fix things…… to death!

And next is the MONKEY key chain featuring his iconic logo. When we got one in the mail we almost ran out to buy a new car just so we would have some keys for it.

BHI Handguards Now Available

Tuesday, October 26th, 2010

Previously only available on their BHI-15 rifles, the Handguards are now offered in Carbine, Mid, and Rifle lengths. Blackheart brings up a pretty valid point. The average Picatinny rail has up to 40″ of rail space. Do you really need that much? BHI is betting that you don’t and has developed a handguard that allows you to incorporate small section of 1913 rail where you need it.

Their lightweight handguard is manufactured from MIL-SPEC Hard Anodized Aluminum and features mounting slots at the 45°, 90°, 135° and 180° positions as well as four sling swivel attachment points. Additionally, the handguard is knurled in order to maintain your grip.

www.BHIgear.com

Light My Fire Sporks

Monday, October 25th, 2010

The Light My Fire Spork isn’t that crappy spork your daddy used to get at KFC. Instead of a spoon with a forked edge, the Spork is a spoon on one side and a fork on the other, with a serrated edge, making it a knife as well. There are even different kinds of Sporks available, like the extra-medium, made to better reach into larger freeze-dried food pouches, as well as the large, which is used for cooking. Light My Fire also offers Plexiglass tubes, which hold Sporks in bulk, and can be ordered to hold pre-arranged color combinations, including our favorite, Combat. You can find Light My Fire Sporks at many outdoor retailers.

www.lightmyfire.com