Venom, the new equipment line from Bulldog Equipment has unveiled their new logo.
Archive for 2010
Venom Unveils Logo
Wednesday, March 17th, 2010Oasis Sniper Camo
Wednesday, March 17th, 2010
Awhile back we shared with you video of MMI’s new camo pattern designed for use by snipers. At the recent NAVEXFOR expo they unveiled a new color variant called ‘Oasis’ which is more of a woodland pattern and here you can see it applied to a developmental over suit. In addition to the top shown there are also chaps available. Designed to keep the wearer as cool as possible, the material is also FR and provides an additional amount of signature suppression.
Contact www.mmi-fed.com for more info.
Germans Purchase New Fire Support Vehicle
Wednesday, March 17th, 2010Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) handed over the first series-production vehicle of the Joint Fire Support Team (JFST) FENNEK to the German Federal Office of Defence Technology and Procurement (BWB) and the Armed Forces at the artillery school in Idar-Oberstein on Thursday, March 11, 2010.
The new vehicle is based on the FENNEK all-terrain vehicle. The JFST coordinates command and control with indirect fire of land, airborne and shipboard assets, increasing their effectiveness. Two vehicle configurations will be fielded, ground-ground, which will coordinate artillery assets as a forward observer and air – ground, which will function as a forward air controller. Speaking on behalf of KMW, Jürgen Weber said “This highly sophisticated system provides the Bundeswehr with a new, urgently required capability. Opponents can be reconnoitered, identified and geographically positioned up to a range of several kilometers during day and night time. The information gathered by the JFST is vital to the forces of the Army, Air Force and Navy.â€
The Bundeswehr has identified a requirement for 40 vehicles and has an order in place for 20. The vehicles, with a laser pointer and illuminator, integrated onto the system, will improve the capability to use laser-guided munitions with a future extended function. Acquisition of these advanced vehicles elevates the Bundeswehr’s net centric capabilities.
Copyright 2010 Sal Palma
New Lightweight Multi-Hit Plate from Velocity Systems
Tuesday, March 16th, 2010Velocity Systems has just released the latest addition to their Phalanx line or armor plates. It is a new lightweight, multi-hit plate that is going to be a game changer. Take a look at the specs and you’ll see why.
7.62 x 39 Armor Piercing Incendiary (API-BZ) Multi-hit
7.62 x 39 Ball, Mild Steel Core Multi-hit
7.62 x 51 NATO Ball Multi-hit
5.56 x 45 NATO M855 Multi-hit
5.56 x 45 NATO M193 Multi-hit
5.45 x 39 Ball Multi-hit
Now, granted, these are in conjunction plates meaning they require soft armor backers (IIIA), but you get all of this in a plate that weighs 4 pounds for a medium. Ok, stop reading for just a sec and let that sink in. Now I am going to repeat myself….4 pounds. Additionally, the ceramic plates are a mere half inch thick and formed in the SAPI shape so you can use them without having to purchase an entirely new carrier.
Yes, that is MultiCam. It’s part of Velocity’s philosophy of “safety measure by design†so you won’t mistake the plate for anything else. To order visit www.velsyst.com.
US PALM AK30 Magazine Now Available
Tuesday, March 16th, 2010
Scottsdale Gun Club has just added the AK30 magazine from US PALM to their website. The name is pretty self-explanatory. It is a 30 round polymer magazine for the 7.62 x 39 AK family of weapons. The five sided box design eliminates a removable floor plate found on other magazines. The AK30 has a unique low-friction semi-floating follower that is slotted to allow for easy magazine cleaning and hassle-free maintenance. It can be cleaned with simple soap and water and dry material flows free through the vented follower design. The chromium-silicon spring that is heat treated, stress relieved and Mil-Spec corrosion resistant coated so cleanings or exposure to the elements won’t result in rust. Life expectancy for this spring is 100,000+ cycles. The AK30’s locking surfaces are reinforced by a stainless steel cage that has been molded into the entire top of the magazine. Additionally, the front and rear of the magazine integrate a serrated surface and the flat sides are molded in a waffle pattern. Another interesting feature is the angle on the toe of the AK30 making it possible to use a vertical fore grip. Available in Black and Flat Dark Earth from sgcusa.com.
If you need a way to carry your new mags in style you might want to check out the AK Attack Rack (AKAR). It holds 4 AK30 magazines (or similar) as well as 4 pistol magazine which will also accommodate most high-cap pistol magazines, a folding knife, mini-gas canister, or similar sized items. Additional mags can be stored in the hidden universal pocket. Berry compliant and manufactured from Cordura and ITW buckles the AKAR is offered in Black, Coyote, Khaki, and MultiCam.
MultiCam and Tan 499
Monday, March 15th, 2010Soldier Systems Daily has been informed that the Army will pair color Tan 499 with MultiCam for all findings. For those unfamiliar with the term, findings are binding tape, buckles, snaps, zippers, hook and pile tape, etc.
Originally intended for use with the 3-color desert pattern, Tan 499 was the first IR Ghillie-tex color developed by ITW Nexus. Above are ITW Nexus color chips in Tan 499 and Coyote which are used in industry to demonstrate the colors. They are perfect for giving you an idea of the difference between the two shades.
While MultiCam printed webbing is commercially available from Texcel, it is about twice as expensive as solid colored, solution dyed webbing. This has caused a bit of reticence on the part of the Government and they are weighing the decision on where printed webbing would have the most effect.
MultiCam – Who Pays?
Monday, March 15th, 2010The easy part is done. A camouflage pattern has been selected for use in Afghanistan in accordance with the wishes of Congress. The hard part has now begun. Specifications have to be prepared, contracts let, and new equipment fielded. All in rapid fashion if the Army is going to meet its own deadline this summer. Fielding of a new pattern won’t come cheap. According to COL William Cole, the Program Manager for Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment at PEO-Soldier, thus far everything has been paid for with offsets meaning the money used to purchase FR ACUs in UCP will be used instead to procure MultiCam FR ACUs. Unfortunately, this won’t make up for everything. TA-50 such as MOLLE lasts a lot longer than uniform items. With over one million sets of MOLLE already fielded, equipment in MultiCam will have to be purchased.
U.S. Army photo by Spc. Albert L. Kelley, 300th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
An additional issue, particularly for industry are ancillary items such as gloves, hats, and even the webbing tape on load bearing and armor systems. What color will it be? With the switch to UCP came Foliage Green. What color will the Army specify for use with MultiCam? PEO-Soldier officials have stated that they are still considering the issue but with the new Army Combat Shirt in MultiCam sporting a Coyote Brown torso, chances are good that will be the accessory color (UPDATE: It’s sounding like Tan 499 will make the cut). Additionally, industry is already producing a wide variety of raw materials and finished goods in Coyote for the Marine Corps, SOCOM, as well as the secondary market.
So where will the money to pay for all of this come from? The Army hasn’t prepared any reprogramming actions moving funds from one account to another to pay for this. And if it is forced to, where will those funds come from? PEO-Soldier’s portfolio? Will the Army be forced to rob Peter to pay Paul? If this ends up being the case, the Soldier loses either way. As I see it, it is Congress’s bill to pay. Congress asked for it, the Army complied, and they have the facts to back up their decision. The Army’s leadership should approach Congress with a funding request to field adequate amounts of clothing and individual equipment in MultiCam. Congress should happily appropriate these monies. In fact, if anything, it will leave a lasting legacy in honor of the man who got this ball rolling in the first place, the late John Murtha.
iSnuff Pouch
Monday, March 15th, 2010
When Granite Tactical asked troops what load carrying products they really need, a resounding answer was a means to carry a handy can of snuff. Working with this in mind, Granite Tactical came up with this solution. Manufactured from lightweight 500D Cordura, it features a secure half zip opening. While still only a prototype it will be available soon from Granite Tactical.
