Ring in the New Year with some new eyewear.
Between now and the end of the day Friday January 6, 2012 Soldier Systems Daily readers will receive 30% off in the Revision online store when they enter the code SOLSYS during checkout.
www.revisionmilitary.com/store
Velcro USA Inc, has announced its official launch of printed loop technology at Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2012. This product allows loop product to blend with the camouflage patterns of soldier and professional user uniforms, thereby improving overall performance of clothing and individual equipment. That’s right, camouflage printed Velcro is finally available.
In a press release Velcro USA had this to say:
“Printed loop technology has been a priority for Velcro USA Inc since it was determined by the Department of Defense that signature management is paramount for our men and women in uniform. Focusing on every opportunity for improvement in signature management necessitated the development of previously unavailable printed loop that would blend seamlessly into combat uniforms.”
This isn’t the first time that Velcro has developed new products specifically for the military. They went on to say, “Velcro USA Inc has been working with the DoD for several decades to develop hook and loop technologies that directly meet unique mission needs. The company has recently invested significant energy in a robust research effort to arrive at next-generation products that improve performance of uniform and equipment for our soldiers and end-users. Notably, printing on loop type material is extraordinarily difficult, particularly when ensuring that the stringent technical requirements of the DoD are met.
“This printed loop technology is a breakthrough product that greatly enhances soldier performance in combat and meets a direct need of the US military. We are extremely proud at Velcro USA Inc. to work with the DoD to develop solutions for the needs of our men and women in uniform,†said Will Tagye, Senior Marketing Manager-Government for Velcro USA Inc. “Our employees in New Hampshire are dedicated to manufacturing in the United States and ensuring that we do not lose the capability to develop and field these vital technologies for our soldiers and professional users. This is just the beginning of many new exciting products to expect out of Velcro USA Inc.â€
The new printed hook and loop technology is available to DoD contractors and other tactical and commercial customers now. Interested parties may see the technology firsthand on several new pieces of equipment at the Shooting Hunting and Outdoors Show (SHOT) in Las Vegas, January 17-19, 2012 or at the Velcro USA Inc. Booth, #155-317, at Outdoor Retailer Winter 2012 taking place in Salt Lake City, January 19-21, 2012.
The US Army dropped a presolicitation over the holiday break for an “Advanced Combat Helmet Maxillofacial System.” According to the FBO posting it is a set aside for small business and must not change the standard ACH:
“Product Manager Soldier Protective Equipment (PM SPE) is looking for a commercially available product that can provide ballistic, blast and blunt impact protection in the maxillofacial region to increase soldier survivability. The system must be able to integrated on the current Advanced Combat Helmet and provide modularity which allows for commanders in the field to either wear the face shield or ballistic mandible separately or as an integrated system. The maxillofacial system shall not change the current form, fit, function of the helmet and maintain the current helmet sizing profile.”
Sounds like it might just be written for MTek Weapon Systems’ G-Series Faceshields. Their FAST G3A has been purchased in limited numbers by the Rapid Equipping Force and used by cupola gunners in combat.
The Army intends to procure only one type of system with an initial quantity of one hundred and sixty (160) systems will be procured with options for an additional two thousand (2,000) systems. The actual RFP will come out on 13 January and offerors will have until 14 February to reply.
The Israeli bandage has become the most ubiquitous field dressing in IFAKs. However, many carry a well packed kit and do not know what is in it. Additionally, they haven’t trained with the equipment. Our friends at Dark Angel Medical alerted us to this instructional video from PerSysMedical. it provides a great overview.
We want to remind you that this video does not replace proper medical instruction from a qualified instructor. No matter the subject, seek out qualified instructors and practice regularly.
Fans of the G4TV show “Bomb Patrol Afghanistan” may find a new article on PopSci interesting. It covers the tools and equipment used by our EOD forces.
Currently, the US Marine Corps issues the Rugged All Terrain (RAT) Combat Boot in both Hot and Temperate Weather variants produced by several manufacturers including Wellco. AFMO currently has a smoking deal on the Hot Weather version of these boots which have become very popular due to their “shark skin” capped toe and heel. They feature a lace to toe upper with nylon sides to help combat the heat paired with a Vibram sole.
Get yours from www.afmo.com.
TASC clothing was formed to produce performance apparel using natural fibers. I had read a couple of reviews and the other day I ran across their boxer briefs at a local outdoor store. So, I picked a pair up. TASC claims that the material will remain odor free. While I haven’t worn them for a week straight like some testers, I can say that they are very comfortable, featuring flat seams and a fabric made from 55% Organic Cotton, 40% Viscose from Bamboo, and 5% Elastane. Additionally, there is a knit fly which helps keep the air flowing. Although my experience is still new, I haven’t noticed any stretching out of shape. Based on this product, I’m looking forward to finding some of their t-shirts as well.
Currently available in Black with a couple of acid green stitches that are barely noticeable. Having said that, the guys at USN should go crazy for these.
On Saturday, President Obama signed the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act into law during his vacation in Hawaii. As we have seen already here on SSD, there has been some controversy over certain provisions concerning detainment of terrorist suspects that were contained in earlier versions of the legislation before it was signed into law.
How an idea becomes a bill and then a law is pretty straight forward on the surface but the more complex the legislation and the more encompassing the issue, such as defense funding, the more amendments are tacked on meaning the bill can evolve and include issues that have nothing to do with the overarching intent. And then, there is that pesky issue of the House and Senate passing differing versions of the same bill. If the differences can’t be rectified via amendments then the bills go into conference committee with representatives from both chambers. While conventional wisdom says that there is gridlock in Washington, Congress sure can work out their differences in conference. The legislation that President Obama signed into law last week was the latest version of the bill, agreed upon by both houses of Congress.
Prior to its passage there were some rather disconcerting items in the proposed law that dealt with the indefinite detention of US citizens accused of being terrorists by the US military. Fortunately, they were removed in the wash. The House Armed Services Committee posted Highlights from the Conference report. Please visit and read:
http://armedservices.house.gov/index.cfm/files/serve?File_id=6bbafd38-7aae-46f9-b856-31652b920f1f and http://armedservices.house.gov/index.cfm/files/serve?File_id=23d194d7-78c9-4c57-b2d9-31bc3bb7daeb.
“The Conferees balance this approach with the conviction that the erosion of citizens’ civil liberties in the pursuit of security constitutes a victory by the enemy. To that end, these provisions do not extend any new authorities to detain U.S. citizens and explicitly exempt U.S. citizens from provisions related to military custody of terrorists.”
In addition to these statements from the HASC, President Obama made a signing statement, specifically addressing these issues. A signing statement is made by the President when he signs legislation into law and uses it to show how he intends to enforce the measures.
“My administration will not authorize the indefinite military detention without trial of American citizens. Indeed, I believe that doing so would break with our most important traditions and values as a nation.”
Unfortunately, there is an internet meme loose on the web that continues to misinform readers that the law now requires the indefinite detention of American citizens by the US military. Furthermore, fearmongers are using this misinformation to captivate and mislead the uninformed.
We urge you to research the actual law and to spread the word. There are a lot of tidbits in the Act that are more likely to impact international affairs and our economic recovery.
