Earlier today I waxed nostalgic about woodland camo. Turns out, I’m too sexy for my cammies. Or maybe it’s too chubby for my cammies since it seems that hipster, heroin chic has adopted the Woodland pattern.
Tactical Hipster provided this graphic that explains what I was feeling. The question I have now is, will we ever miss UCP?
Are you a Tactical Hipster?
I knew Rich Landry before he was cool. Before he had that awesome mustache. But even then that guy knew load carriage. Today, if you say ‘Army’ and ‘load carriage’ in the same sentence, you’d better add ‘Rich Landry’ to it.
Landry is an individual equipment designer with the Load Carriage Prototype Lab, Product Manager Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment, at Natick Soldier Systems Center. Recently, Landry and another cool guy, but of the grey beard variety, Murray Hamlet began work on a device that would give Soldiers access to a packboard type of a platform. They took the frame and suspension from the Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment, or MOLLE, Medium rucksack and came up with a removable PALS panel.
“This is just a pack board, or a foundation for an entire range of tactical equipment beyond that of what we call the Soldier’s fighting load,” Landry said. “Anything that is MOLLE compatible, you’re going to have the ability to have a suspension system that’s designed to support upwards of 60 pounds that you can truly tailor specific to what your tactical mission is.”
The answer is the Modular Backpack Panel, or MBP, which increases the versatility of the MOLLE Medium. As it is, MOLLE Medium was developed to give the Soldier carriage for up to 60 pounds of essential gear for 72 hours.
“We’ve had calls from various organizations that carry all kinds of odd loads,” said Landry, adding that the rucksack sometimes was in the way. “Anybody who’s carrying large, crew-served weapons would find this application useful, the mortar guys, who are carrying a base plate, the tube, the various rounds, etcetera. They could utilize a modular setup to support those unusual loads.”
“It’s very basic load carriage capability,” Landry said. “They still need to carry their basic, critical individual equipment. So we will provide a set of larger pouches, which will attach to the panel but still allow the larger items to be carried.”
I saw a prototype months ago and look forward to hearing how the fielding goes and how Soldiers use it in the field.
The Web Marketing Association announced today that www.warriorprotection.net, the recently launched homepage of the Warrior Protection and Readiness Coalition, has won its 2012 Award for Outstanding Achievement for Web Development in the Non-Profit Standard of Excellence category. Liesl Grebenstein and Matt Sparkes of ADS Ventures teamed with the design group at BlueLuna of Waltham, MA to develop the aesthetics, content and interface of the new and vastly improved WPRC site. The ADS team initiated the re-design in an effort to provide the WPRC with a more user friendly and dynamic portal as part of a broader marketing and member development program. Congratulations to the BlueLuna team for this outstanding recognition.
For more information the Web Marketing Association 2012 award recipients visit www.webaward.org.
Just this week I began looking at Woodland camo with a renewed sense of nostalgia. It had been long enough since the services had dumped it like an ugly girlfriend and I had even asked someone to do something for me in Woodland. It was well on its way to ‘cool’ again, at least for me. But then I was forwarded and advertisement from Barneys. Looks like Woodland skipped straight from lame to hip. Me and cool got left in the dust.
Polartec, the developer, manufacturer, and marketer of Polartec performance fabrics, has worked closely with US Special Operations Forces and one of their fabrics was chosen for use in the first standard issue combat shirt developed specifically for the needs of SOF.
Designed by Patagonia, the Special Operations Forces’ (SOF) Protective Combat Uniform (PCU) Level 9 Shirt is currently being fielded to all US SOF users, and will enhance their combat advantage in the world’s most hostile conditions.
Designed to be worn next-to-skin, the new PCU level 9 combat shirt integrates Polartec Power Dry fabric in the shirt’s torso to provide moisture management, breathability, stretch, quick drying and comfort. Power Dry features a patented bi?component knit construction with two yarns. One picks up the sweat from the skin and the other disperses the sweat to the outer layer to rapidly dry it. It moves 30% more moisture than single component fabrics.
The Power Dry used in Level 9 is printed in a variety of camo patterns and also offers FR properties.
“Polartec is very proud of our longstanding development relationship with the Special Operations Forces. We are constantly challenged by the extreme performance that Operators demand of their clothing and equipment. These men are the tip of the spear of our country’s projection of power and always exhibit remarkable ability and patriotism. To be selected by this very demanding customer is a tribute to the abilities of the research and development team at Polartec who are honored to help support our warfighters.” said David Costello, Polartec Business Manager.
Polartec fabrics are found throughout PCU; in levels 1, 2, 3, 3A, and now 9. Additionally, Polartec offers numerous fabric solutions including wicking base layers, to insulation layers, to extreme weather protection and are utilized by the best clothing brands in the world
Chris Costa runs a leg rig that utilizes TACO Pouches from High Speed Gear mounted to a dual-strap drop leg panel. TACOs come in different models that accommodate AR10/LR308 mags, AR mags, AK mags, Pistol mags and multi tools or flashlights.
The panel features the Costa Ludus Logo front bottom center.
The Leg Rig consists of –
Padded Leg Panel with a 1-1/2” Adjustable, Non-slip Strap
(2) DTACOS – Double Decker’s
(1) PTACO – Pistol
Available in any color as long as it’s MultiCam from www.costaludusgear.com.
Note: TACOS are threaded together and cannot be reused in other configurations
Climashield announced that their signature COMBAT continuous filament insulation was selected for the new and improved SOCOM-issue Protective Combat Uniform (PCU) Level 7 designed by Massif.
In extensive laboratory and field evaluations, Climashield repeatedly provided the right combination of technical elements to achieve greater warmth at lighter weights, significantly reducing the weight of the PCU. Designed specifically for use by SOF, the jacket, pants and vest boast a new, sleek design from Massif paired with Climashield COMBAT performance insulation. Along with superior ratings in thermal efficiency, Climashield COMBAT is durable, maintaining warmth throughout the life of the product even when stretched, packed or washed multiple times.
“When Massif was tasked with designing elements for the new PCU 18 months ago, the challenge was to increase functionality and reduce bulk while maintaining thermal efficiency in the process,” said Sarah Sameh, President and COO at Massif. “Climashield met our needs and we are grateful to have their brand and experience on board for these PCU garments.”
“From the zipper to the fabric, every element in the design of gear for the military is essential in providing the best protection for our troops,” said Brian Emanuel, General Manager at Climashield. “Massif is meticulous with each detail and Climashield is proud to be part of a superior product used around the world by the men and women serving in the U.S. Special Forces.”
Climashield insulation is manufactured in the U.S.A. in an ISO 9001-certified facility.
For a full look at the latest version of PCU check out our story at soldiersystems.net/2012/01/26/pcu-block-2-preview
We’ve shown you the Super Light Armor Applique Plate developed by Velocity Systems for the Ops-Core Ballistic FAST Helmet. However, there are far more Advanced Combat Helmets fielded. In fact, there’s an entire Army and Air Force worth out there. Early on in the development of the SLAAP, Velocity Systems produced a variant for the ACH’s geometry.
They produce blanks that are water jet cut to finish and using this process they can accommodate different NVG mounts/shrouds as well as rail systems. The model you see above is cut for a rail and NVG mount that takes up more vertical space than most others. Additionally, a Large/XLarge SLAAP weighs just a pound. Considering it will stop an AK round, that’s impressive.
SLAAP is THE answer to the rifle caliber threat.
SLAAP is economical. You purchase as much protection as you need. There’s no need to buy an entire new fleet of helmets that only stop an arbitrary threat. Both front and rear plates have been developed, and since they are easily attached to and detached from the helmet, SLAAP is scalable. You adapt to the threat and only use the amount of protection you need. SLAAP is effective. It defeats the threat you will see on the street; 7.62 x 39mm FMJ with mild steel core penetrator. Additionally, the technology is adaptable. Because it is a helmet accessory, new versions of SLAAP can be developed as new threats emerge.
Military or Law Enforcement, I encourage you to look at SLAAP if you are facing rifle caliber threats. Chances are very good that Velocity Systems has already built a model to fit your issue helmet. It is a major game changer for the ACH.
