SOFREP Editor Brandon Webb told me a few weeks back about an upcoming event that you won’t want to miss. In the premiere webisode of “Inside the Team Room” Brandon will join fellow Navy SEALs Chris Kyle and Marcus Luttrell for an interview format show hosted by actor Pat Kilbane (Mad TV, Seinfeld and Discovery’s Dark Secrets).
“Inside the Team Room” premieres 10 April. Visit www.SOFREP.com to learn more.
Blackheart International has launched a new website intended specifically for communications requirements.
Primarily informational, the new BHI commo site is great for contracting officers and other procurement personnel. It’s easy to use and presents all of the critical information on the top-selling commo brands in one location. The site also includes part numbers and descriptions on those hard-to-find components and sub-assemblies and all part numbers are designated as “GSA schedule” where applicable, so there’s no confusion as to whether an item is on BHI’s GSA schedule or not.
Ceradyne was recently awarded a contract for their Enhanced Combat Helmet for use by the US Army and Marine Corps. One of the key ingredients to the success of their design was DSM’s Dyneema HB80 unidirectional (UD) composite. HB80 happens to be the only material that passed stringent ECH testing and is currently used in vehicle armor applications.
In a press release, Dr. James Zheng, chief scientist Soldier Protective and Individual Equipment, PEO Soldier said, “The ECH program represents a major advance in helmet technology that can deliver enhanced superior protection for our troops. Our close collaboration with leading industry partners such as Ceradyne and DSM Dyneema enabled us to utilize their valuable technological expertise and support, resulting in the new ECH helmet.”
Ceradyne, makers of the Enhanced Combat Helmet (ECH) has received the first (~$3 million) of possibly two low rate initial production orders. Ceradyne expects full rate production to commence during second quarter of calendar year 2012 with totals to exceed $170 million. It’s good to see this program moving forward after it was plagued with curing issues after showing initial success. According to Ceradyne and the Marine Corps, slight changes in the manufacturing process to accommodate the transition of tech development to production had to be dealt with to ensure consistent performance.
Called the Ceradyne Diaphorm Ballistic Helmet, the winning ECH design is twice the price of current Army and Marine Corps helmets, but provides up to 70% improvement in ballistic protection. In addition to delays, the program has received criticism over its arbitrary protection level (an undisclosed .30 threat) since there has been no move to dissipate the energy of such a round. Additionally, the size, weight and shape of the Army’s ACH was chosen for the ECH. Rather than decreasing weight and maintaining current ballistic protection to make troops more agile and to help offset the added weight of applique sensors and lights, the choice was made to maintain the current burden on the wearers neck and increase ballistic protection. Instead of telling industry that they wanted to defeat a threat, the Marine Corps wrote a requirement that boxed everyone into a narrow set of solutions.
On the other hand, both Soldiers and Marines will be receiving a new, more protective helmet. What’s more, the legacy Army’s ACH and USMC LWH both rely on Aramid fabric (Kevlar) while the ECH uses an advanced thermoplastic (PE) product. Reliance on Aramids for ballistic armor such as the IOTV and IMTV result in heavier armor systems. Hopefully, this paradigm shift in headborne systems will open up new materials options for body armor.
BAE Systems has been awarded a four-year Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) contract to produce Improved Outer Tactical Vests (IOTV) and accessories used by the US Army. That DLA awarded the contract lets you know that this is a sustainment contract.
“This award reinforces our position as a valued partner in the body armor market” said Don Dutton, vice president and general manager of Protection Systems at BAE Systems Support Solutions. “DLA continues to see demand for sustaining these life-saving products, as well as the value and quality that all of our equipment affords.”
The company has received an initial $48 million in orders, which are expected to be completed by February 2013. The total value of the contract orders could reach approximately $267 million over the next four years.
Interested in winning a Princeton Tec tactical light? PTEC is giving you three chances to do just that. To enter, post a photo of your helmet to your Facebook wall and tag @PrincetonTec. In the comments section tell PTEC why you need a PTEC light on your head. Cool factor counts!
You have until 25 March to enter and PTEC will announce the winners on the 27th.
PTEC Lights are Made in USA!
Check out the full rules at www.facebook.com/PrincetonTec.
US Air Force Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape Specialists join enlisted Pararescuemen and commissioned Combat Rescue Officers as part of the guardian Angel Weapon System charged with the execution of all five tasks of Personnel Recovery – report, locate, support, recover and reintegrate. Here you see but one aspect of the duties of a SERE Specialist; training and education.
There’s a lot of buzz about signature reduction, whether it’s multi-spectral camouflage for clothing and equipment or the noise and flash signature of small arms. To this end, BE Meyers has developed a family of flash hiders for 5.56 mm, 7.62 mm, and .50 caliber weapons. Bruce Westcoat, VP Business Development related to SSD, “BE Meyers flash hiders save lives. It’s simple; if the enemy can’t see you shooting at night they have nothing to shoot back at. That’s especially important if you’re manning a .50 cal or other machine gun that immediately draws return fire from the enemy.”
While often emulated, and sometimes even copied, BE Meyers flash hiders remain the pinnacle of the offset-prong style of flash hider. These flash hiders have been used extensively by US and coalition forces for years, and are the preferred flash hiders for the US as well as other nations Special Operations units. During testing by the US Special Operations Command to select a flash hider for procurement by the Rapid Equipping Force, in support Force Protection efforts in Afghanistan, the BE Meyers 5.56 mm flash hider was judged to be the best performing flash hider available.
In fact, over the past four years the US military has fielded more than 10,000 5.56 mm units. The REF order was for 4,050 alone. They’ve also purchased an additional 5,500+ 7.62 mm flash hiders and over 3,000 flash hiders in .50.
Flash suppression on the modern battlefield is a critical force protection issue as it removes the most obvious aim point for enemy return fire. It makes US forces less visible and reduces accurate enemy return fire. Additionally, it prevents loss of night vision, eliminates flash distortion of night vision devices, and allows the shooter to stay engaged instead of having to seek cover in expectation of immediate return fire.
The photos above show side-by-side comparisons of the BE Meyers flash hiders compared to the standard “bird cage” devices on a 5.56 weapon. The difference is remarkable. Additionally, the video at the beginning of the article demonstrates the flash hiders’ performance on 5.56 and 7.62 small arms as well as on an M2 .50 machine gun contrasted with standard configuration weapons featuring no flash suppression device. In each case, the standard devices show clear flash signatures, even when fired in very short bursts. The BE Meyers flash hiders show no visible flash signature. Most impressively, the .50 flash hider is equally effective in single round, short burst, and long burst scenarios, quelling the large and distinct flame signature of the M2. Further, the .50 flash hider attaches without the use of tools and is self-tightening. BE Meyers also makes flash hiders in other sizes and thread types to facilitate many non-US weapons.
During our research for this article, we spoke with Jeff Bradbury, BE Meyers Marketing Executive. He told SSD, Our flash hiders have been the first choice by US and allied Special Operations forces for years. They demand the best performance and we’ve delivered.” Extensively tested by DoD, BE Meyers flash hiders are designed and made in the USA. The difference that they make in reducing the visual signature of small arms is nothing short of amazing. But remember, these are flash hiders and are not designed as compensators. They aren’t going to control your muzzle climb. It’s a common misconception so don’t have any unrealistic expectations. If there is any criticism of the technology it’s that it isn’t out there in greater numbers.
For more information on BE Meyers flash hiders visit www.bemeyers.com. For unit and agency orders contact www.ADSinc.com/be-meyers.
