Designed with ERT/SWAT members in mind, the DS Tactical Blow Out Pouch can be worn on a duty belt (up to 2-1/4″) as well as PALS compatible equipment via MALICE clips. The tear away pouch holds a CAT Tourniquet on the outside, just under the flap for quick access and accommodates up to a 6″ Israeli bandage inside the pouch as well as other items in the internal mesh pocket.
The pouch features pile tape on the top for Blood Type/Medical Patches.
What I find funny is that the WP article makes it sound like SAIC is doing all of this great stuff for the employees facing cuts like career counseling and retraining as well as two months notice. The thing is, by Federal law, they have to do those things. The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) requires employers with 100 or more employees to provide notification 60 calendar days in advance of plant closings and mass layoffs.
It’s unfortunate to see more workers being laid off and I’m starting to see shades of 2008 all over again, except this time it’s defense rather than other sectors of the economy. The slowdown was coming but impending Sequestration threatens to force even deeper cuts to defense spending. This is bound to send ripples through the economy.
SAIC is making moves to split its business in order to evolve with the economy. Currently, plans call for a $7 billion-a-year Solutions company to focus on IT for Defense, Engineering and Medical. The other new business will be ~$4 billion-a-year services business like we commonly see today providing systems engineering and technical assistance, financial analysis and program office support.
This is the spec sheet on the upcoming ATOM slide for the GLOCK. It is a purpose built slide replacement with cut outs that will accommodate various red dot optics.
U.S. Tactical Supply now has the capability to produce custom IR Patches and Call Signs. Where this differs from current offerings is that they have the capability to rapidly produce call signs and custom IR patches with virtually any color / pattern or text. (Some patterns restricted to government customers only)
The samples you see illustrate that USTS can produce simple colors such as Green/Tan as well as more complex patterns. In addition, hey can render both simple text as well as a more complicated patterns such as insignia.
Filmed in August, CNN broadcast a report by Chris Lawrence entitled “New technology makes troops invisible.”
He interviews Guy Cramer of Canada’s HyperStealth Biotechnology Corp and partner of ADS Inc in their bid to win the US Army’s ongoing Camouflage Improvement Effort. The ADS/Cramer team produced the finalist US4CES pattern. Rumor has it that the Chief of Staff of the Army will be briefed this week on the results of the extensive testing undertaken to find a new family of camouflage patterns for use the the Army.
Cramer goes on to very briefly discuss his Quantum Stealth technology. As I understand it, CNN spent more than an hour with Cramer and yet edited it down to less than three minutes. It’s too bad because we want to hear Cramer speak more about his advanced camouflage concepts.
Magpul has just announced that they are shipping Pink MOE Carbine Stock, Pink MOE Grip, and Pink MOE Carbine Handguard. Each will be priced the same as the other color options and Pink is currently planned as a limited release. Pink XTM Enhanced Rail Panels and XTM Handstop Kits are also planned to be produced.
Visiting Wild River Outfitters today in Virginia Beach we ran across Hot Can. It’s a self-heating can of soup, coffee or hot chocolate. We picked up a few cans to try them out and thought we’d share our impressions.
First off, the instructions are simple, but like with any equipment, it’s best to figure out how to activate the thing when you aren’t freezing in the cold. For example, they tell you to turn it upside down and peel off the bottom label but you can easily push right through it to activate the heating element. Just shake it gently to mix everything up and once the indicator button changes color, you’re ready to go. When you flip it back over and remove the cap don’t toss it. You’ll want to replace it once you flip the soda can style opener so that you don’t burn your lips on the can. Admittedly, this was a little messy.
The sample was Cafe Latte but it really tasted more like mocha. Not sure what that was all about. Tasty, not unpleasant, but not what we were expecting. We’ve also got hot chocolate and tomato soup so we’ll let you know how those go on our next outing.
It’s worth keeping a couple around in the car during the winter or for other vehicle-borne ops. It’s kind of heavy to be carting around a premixed beverage with heater so I wouldn’t carry it in a pack. You’ll make better use of your fire making and water filter materials along with some coffee or bullion and a canteen cup. Lots more versatility there if you are living out of a pack.
They were $2.99 each so you are paying for expedience and convenience. Some will. Some won’t. Like I said. In a car during winter, it might be a welcome relief, absent a full survival kit.
Like other prepackaged self-heating ration items, Hot Can has its place. Check it out at hot-can.com.
