Archive for June, 2012
Revision Military R&D
Wednesday, June 27th, 2012Powertraveller Solarmonkey Adventurer
Wednesday, June 27th, 2012This video gives a great overview of the Powertraveller Solarmonkey Adventurer. It’s a slimline, compact 2-panel solar charger with a 2500mAh internal lithium polymer battery. The clamshell design offers optimum weight-to-efficiency at just 265g and the 2 solar panels output 3 watt max. The adventurer features auto-load, self sensing switching technology, meaning when a device is connected, the adventurer will automatically start to charge your device and will optimise the charging parameters required.
The polysilicon solar panel offers photovoltaic efficiency up to 17% and features a USB 700mA @ 5v output, fully supporting Apple iPhones, iPads, iPods, mobile phones and other 5v gadgets such as portable games consoles, handheld GPS systems, e-readers, etc. This is possible through the use of a family of pigtail adapters.
The solarmonkey adventurer also has a solar energy detection feature which activates the incorporated state-of-the-art MPPT (maximum power point tracker) technology, allowing it to charge your device more efficiently in low light conditions. The solar panels will charge the internal battery in just 12 hours in optimum light conditions.
outdoor tactical.com/power_traveller
Canada Tranistioning to Enhanced Combat Uniform
Wednesday, June 27th, 2012Just one year ago we posted an article about Canada’s plan to transition to an “Improved Combat Uniform” based on their current issue item. The plan was to begin issue of this garment which integrates 17 improvements over the legacy garment starting in 2012.
Now, the Canadian DND has released a solicitation for what is termed an “Enhanced Combat Uniform.” It consists of Converged trousers and coats, combat, lightweight, CADPAT (Temperate Woodland and Arid Region). Converged means that it meets the requirements of both Army and Air Force.
The ECU Coat incorporates the following features –
a. stand up collar;
b. single breasted front closure with covered buttons;
c. loop fastener tape for rank badge on front fly cover;
d. loop fastener tape for name tape on right breast;
e. pockets with vertical slide fastener at the breast;
f. pockets with hook and loop flap at the hip area;
g. set-in two piece sleeves with hook and loop tab wrist closure;
h. semi-bellows pocket with vertical slide and loop for removable CADPAT patch on both
left and right upper sleeves;
i. double pencil pocket with hook and loop flap and web pull on both lower sleeves;
j. one-piece elbow reinforcement patches;
k. yoke;
l. action back; and
m. waist suppression at each back side.
These drawings will give you an idea of what the ECU Coat will look like.
The ECU Trouser incorporate the following features –
a. loose fitting;
b. two-way slide fastener fly front opening with button and loop assembly and tab closure on
waistband;
c. elasticated waistband on each back side;
d. front hip quarter-cut pockets with flap and hook and loop fastener;
e. semi-bellows patch pockets with covered buttoning flaps on side seams, thigh level;
f. front thigh to knee reinforcement panel with knee pad casing, hook and loop fasteners and
pull tab;
g. semi-bellows with double pencil pocket and flap with hook and loop fastener and pull tab;
h. back hip pockets with flap and hook and loop fasteners;
i. reinforced seat;
j. bottom leg hook and loop tab closure, with elasticated drawstring, cord lock and cord pull;
k. storm cuffs; and
l. six belt loops.
These drawings will give you an idea of what the ECU Trousers will look like
The ECU will continue to be issued in CADPAT-TW and AR and will not be offered in any other patterns. Additionally, the Hybrid Combat Shirt will be issued for deployed operations making the ECU Jacket the de facto top for domestic operations.
All photos DND
Missing Us in Your Facebook Newsfeed?
Wednesday, June 27th, 2012Facebook has developed this cool new feature to twist my arm into paying them to share my newsfeed with SSD readers that are our fans on Facebook. They want me to ‘promote’ my posts for a fee. For example, my reach has gone from about 2000 for each post to about 600 since they instituted this policy. However, you can ensure that you receive the SSD posts on your newsfeed by clicking the “Like” button for SSD and selecting “Show in News Feed”. Do this for all of your favorites.
CCT Down Under
Wednesday, June 27th, 2012
Royal Australian Air Force No. 4 Squadron Combat Controllers, Sergeant G (left) and Corporal R, conducting assault zone survey training with a Dynamic Cone Penetrometer and a handheld Global Positioning System.
Photos – © Commonwealth of Australia
Why? Well that’s a Darned Good Question
Wednesday, June 27th, 2012Recently, Riceball, one of our regular commenters asked this question –
“Why is it that lately whenever there’s an article on some piece of gear or another there’s at least one person who has to comment and say that gear X is a rip off gear Y? The way I see it, there’s bound to be a lot similarities when it comes to tactical gear, there are only so many ways that you can skin a cat after all. I’m sure that many or all of these companies could design gear that looks like no other but then it probably wouldn’t work like any other as well. This is not the world of fashion where looks is everything, in the outdoor industry (to include hunting, camping, tactical, and related industries) form follows function meaning that it has to work first before looking good.”
Truth be told, that’s a great question. What do you guys think?
Who’d a Thunk It
Wednesday, June 27th, 2012An article on camouflage with little new info has spawned an outrageous amount of misinformation. Amazing. All over the place I’ve been reading that the Army is replacing its camouflage uniform with patten X or pattern Y. All conjecture. The article is good, it’s just that this has all been talked about before. Except, they want to pin the tail on the donkey and I don’t see what good that will really do. It’s all water under the bridge. The institution has learned from the mistake and is taking action to ensure that any future camo patterns are well vetted to avoid any question as to how it was chosen.
But, let’s remember, the Army is LOOKING at camouflage. There is no transition path in place that turns the camouflage patterns PEO Soldier is currently evaluating into uniforms on Soldier’s backs. Cross your fingers and hope that the Army replaces the ill conceived, so-called Universal Camouflage Pattern.
And, visit SSD regularly to keep up with the latest news on the Army’s Camouflage Improvement Effort.
Nielsen – Social Media Report – Courtesy of Outdoor Retailer
Tuesday, June 26th, 2012Nielsen – Social Media Report – Courtesy of Outdoor Retailer
Lot of gems in here beyond the obvious…you guys spend way too much time on Facebook.
