I just thought it was interesting. It kind of looks like a Kamov and a Cheyenne had an illicit rendezvous. This would have been cool in the 60s.
Archive for May, 2013
SOFIC – Sikorsky
Friday, May 17th, 2013Breaking – Magpul Still Moving Despite Colorado Sheriff Lawsuit
Friday, May 17th, 2013Although Colorado Sheriffs Against Gun Control are introducing a lawsuit to challenge the state’s recent rash of restrictive firearms legislation, Magpul remains committed to leaving the state. Even if the laws are overturned.
Magpul released to following statement:
Just to clarify, we are still moving, regardless of the outcome of this legal action. That train has left the station, and we are well into the selection and negotiation process as well as arranging many elements to be prepared to launch and already moving some production out of state.
This lawsuit, however, could have national implications. If this suit can get a mag ban struck down as unconstitutional, the nation may see a ripple effect across other states who choose not to trust their Citizens with their natural rights. That makes this fight worth fighting even more than just the implications for CO, which would have been enough to get us involved.
Stay tuned for more information on how to help this effort, for CO and for all states that currently have unconstitutional magazine restrictions.
Magpul has also announced that they will join in the law suit.
MAGPUL INDUSTRIES ANNOUNCES LAWSUIT TO INVALIDATE COLORADO GUN CONTROL MEASURES
Denver, Colorado – May 17th, 2013 – Magpul Industries, an Erie, Colorado, based manufacturer of firearms accessories, announced today that it has joined 53 Colorado County Sheriffs and other plaintiffs in filing a lawsuit this morning to invalidate gun control measures recently passed by the Colorado legislature and enacted by Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper.
The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court and establishes that Colorado House Bill 1224 (magazine restrictions) and House Bill 1229 (universal background checks) violate the constitutional rights of lawful gun owners located in Colorado.
Duane Liptak, Director of Product Management and Marketing for Magpul Industries, said that these gun control laws do nothing other than restrict the ability of law abiding citizens to defend themselves and Magpul is committed to invalidating these infringements:
“Colorado’s recently passed gun control laws are a direct assault on the constitutional rights of the responsible people who live in and visit this great state. These laws will do nothing to enhance public safety and only place unreasonable limitations on the ability of law abiding citizens to defend themselves. While Magpul is currently in the process of moving its operations out of Colorado, we will not turn our back on our native state. Extreme gun control interests have forced the passage of these unconstitutional laws in Colorado, and as a company, we are resolved to restore those rights to the people.”
Magpul’s outside legal counsel, Jon Anderson, of Holland & Hart LLP, said that the Colorado gun control bills are unconstitutional and so poorly drafted that the new laws would be enforced in an inconsistent manner:
“Colorado’s gun control laws are in direct conflict with the U.S. Constitution. In addition, these bills were so poorly drafted that no one agrees on the scope of the government regulation. If teams of lawyers cannot agree on what these bills prohibit, how can we expect citizens to abide by these laws and how can we rely on law enforcement to implement these laws in a consistent manner?”
Magpul will continue to support productive efforts to FREE COLORADO from government regulations that imperil the rights of law abiding firearm owners.
SOFIC – Inflatable SATCOM Antennas from GATR Technologies
Friday, May 17th, 2013Comms guys might get jazzed over this, particularly anyone providing commo at the task force level.
GATR Technologies offers 2.4 meter inflatable SATCOM antennas. They are relatively lightweight with a single band antenna weighing in at 99 lbs in two shipping cases. Additionally, it can be set up in less than 30 min with no special tools.
Available in Ku-, X- and C-bands with Ka band later this year.
Sneak Peek – Tactical Tailor Universal Knife Sheath
Friday, May 17th, 2013
Tactical Tailor showed me their new Universal Knife Sheath. It features an injection molded insert to contain the blade which can be removed and is held in place in the fabric carrier via a tab in the rear. But that isn’t the only new molded piece here. The MALICE clips are a new model sized specifically for this project. You will also notice the resin impreganted nylon backer. Expect to start seeing this on all TT pouches in the future.
Coming Summer 2013 from www.TacticalTailor.com
SOFIC – Raven Concealment Systems Low Viz Blowout Kit
Friday, May 17th, 2013Here are a couple of shots of the new RCS Low Viz Blowout Kit. This kit is mounted on a Raven Concealment Systems ModuLoader Frame.
The Tourniquet Holder design is from Eleven 10.
The tourniquet carrier uses no straps or flaps, yet securely holds a CAT TQ in any position. The best part about this component is that it requires no secondary motions to deploy the TQ; simply grab the CAT and draw it from the carrier.
The mini-blow out kit uses a compact pull-out pouch containing a trauma dressing, Quick Clot Combat Gauze, Russell Chest Seal, and a pair of gloves.
CADEX Press Release Regarding Patent Rights for Rifle Chassis
Friday, May 17th, 2013design following the settlement of Ashbury suit
Quebec, Canada – May 16, 2013 – CADEX Inc. (CADEX Defence, Inc.) and Ashbury International Group, Inc. recently settled a nearly 18-month legal battle concerning modular sniper rifle stock design elements. Following the May 2 settlement, CADEX retains the production and sales rights to its existing Strike Dual Rifle Chassis design and will continue manufacturing and selling the dual rail rifle chassis system in the United States and globally.
CADEX announces the end to a patent infringement suit brought by Ashbury, who alleged that the earlier generation single rail CADEX Strike rifle chassis had infringed an Ashbury patent. CADEX ceased production of its single rail rifle chassis in mid-2012 when CADEX unveiled the Strike Dual Rifle Chassis design. During the litigation and settlement agreement between the two parties, Ashbury acknowledged that CADEX’s current Strike Dual Rifle Chassis design does not infringe the U.S. patent rights Ashbury holds on its single rail design. In the settlement agreement, Ashbury also agreed that CADEX will not be required to pay Ashbury any royalty or other license fees for CADEX’s continued manufacture and sale of its Strike Dual Rifle Chassis System and further agreed that CADEX’s distributors will not be required to pay any royalty or license fees related to such sales.
“CADEX intended to fight this case until realizing that there was a superior design – the CADEX Strike Dual Rifle Chassis – and that it was not infringing technology. Once CADEX realized they had a superior technology, that clearly did not infringe the Ashbury patent, CADEX had to make the best business decision as to how to settle the lawsuit”, said CADEX CEO Serge Dextraze. “CADEX’s priority was to make sure that CADEX can continue to move forward with its Strike Dual Rifle Chassis product line in the United States and globally, and CADEX has accomplished this goal. CADEX’s second priority was to settle the lawsuit over technology, which had become irrelevant to CADEX’s product line, and CADEX was able to do that inexpensively. It is already well known that the CADEX Strike Dual Rifle Chassis is the best product ever shown and offered on the market. With its recoil mitigation capabilities and attractive and unique style, we are not surprised the CADEX Strike Dual Rifle Chassis attracts that much attention. The CADEX Strike Dual Rifle Chassis is the most unique high-end product ever produced and available on the market.”
As a condition for settlement, Ashbury insisted that CADEX consent to a final judgment stating that Ashbury’s U.S. patent rights on the single rail design are valid and that CADEX’s older single rail chassis design infringed these U.S. patent claims. To entice CADEX’s consent to the judgment, Ashbury offered to settle for a single payment of $50,000 rather its previous demand of $325,000. The wording of the final judgment was carefully tailored to make it clear that only the CADEX Strike single rail design was capable of infringing Ashbury’s U.S. patent, which requires a single, unified or monolithic rail across the top of the chassis – this is not the case with the CADEX Strike Dual Rifle Chassis.
“The average patent case costs in excess of a million dollars to resolve through trial, making these nuisance value settlements attractive. To be clear, there was no trial or court hearing on the merits of anyone’s claims in this case. The resolution was entered into voluntarily. Happily, and with great relief for everyone, it is now clearly established that CADEX has, and will keep, all patents rights for the CADEX Strike Dual Rifle Chassis product line”, said Steven G. Hill of Hill, Kertscher & Wharton, LLP, who acted as lead counsel for CADEX during the case.
As of today, CADEX proclaims that both CADEX and its distributors will no longer be distracted by the now-settled litigation and instead may concentrate on the manufacture and sale of CADEX Strike Dual Rifle Chassis system. CADEX has designed and manufactured various chassis style stocks since 2005, which have been and continue to be used by multiple military and law enforcement agencies. Many of CADEX’s early generation design elements were also chosen for incorporation into the current US Army XM 2010 sniper weapon system.
CADEX’s current Strike Dual Rifle Chassis design features major enhancements that provide operators a solid, accurate chassis-type firing system that requires no tools to adjust the stock for length and comb height. The CADEX Strike Dual Rifle Chassis also features a unique ability to be disassembled for operator-level field maintenance. The keys to this capability are a two-piece top rail and a removable lower frame with magazine well: these advancements simplify disassembly without the need to remove either the rifle action from the chassis, the day sight or rear portion of the receiver rail. Since introducing its first sniper rifle chassis system, CADEX continues to develop improvements and innovative state-of-the-art rifle chassis designs. These are and will continue to be exemplified by the current CADEX Strike Dual Rifle Chassis.
USSOCOM to Develop Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit
Friday, May 17th, 2013On 15 May, at the start of the Special Operations Forces Industry Conference, U.S. Special Operations Command, Headquarters Procurement Division issued Solicitation Number USSOCOM_RFI_ST(TALOS), a special notice seeking industry collaboration with their Science & Technology community for the development of a Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit (TALOS).
The request is pretty straightforward but the path to get to a fielded product remains murky, particularly as defense procurement budgets have been slashed. Many in industry are rather shy about sharing cutting edge technologies with government in the absence of a value exchange. However, this might make for a great dual-path strategy for companies that developed concepts for Big Army’s SPS and are looking for a return.
Before I go any further, this sounds fantastic and this is the stuff that SSD exists for, but two observations. First, this sure looks, sounds and smells like it should be a BAA. And, once again, I have to ask, why wasn’t this project begun at any point over the past 11 years of war? At any rate, here’s what SOCOM has in mind.
A. INTRODUCTION: Science and Technology (S&T) Collaboration
This Request for Information (RFI) is NOT a Broad Agency Announcement, solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this RFI is to solicit technology demonstration candidates from Research and Development (R&D) organizations, private industry, and academia for inclusion in future experimentation events coordinated by the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). USSOCOM invites industry, academia, individuals and Government labs to submit technology demonstration nominations addressing innovative technologies leading to possible Government/Industry collaboration for development of USSOCOM technology capabilities supporting a Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit (TALOS). The intent is to accelerate the delivery of innovative TALOS capabilities to the Special Operations Forces (SOF) warfighter.
After review of the technology demonstration nomination submissions, the Government may invite select candidates to demonstrate their technologies at the USSOCOM sponsored S&T demonstration event. The demonstration venue will provide an opportunity for the submitter to interact with USSOCOM personnel for the purpose of USSOCOM assessing potential impact of emerging technology solutions on USSOCOM missions and capabilities. The intent is to accelerate the delivery of innovative capabilities to the SOF warfighter. Industry participation in demonstration activities does not suggest or imply that USSOCOM will procure or purchase equipment.
B. OBJECTIVE:
1. Background: These collaborative S&T demonstrations are conducted with representatives from Government R&D organizations, Academia, and Industry. S&T demonstration events provide an opportunity for technology developers to interact with operational forces and Government development personnel to determine how their technology development efforts and ideas may support or enhance SOF capability needs. The environment facilitates a collaborative working relationship between interested parties to promote the identification and assessment of emerging and mature technologies for the primary goal of accelerating the delivery of technology discoveries to the SOF warfighter. The event facilitates USSOCOM personnel to identify potential technology solutions, impacts, limitations, and utility to meet SOF technical objectives and thrust areas. Materiel solutions brought to the event should be at a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 5 or greater. Demonstrations may be between an hour and half a day in duration and may be conducted in unimproved expeditionary-like conditions. At the discretion of USSOCOM, respondents may be asked to complete a vendor loan agreement (see attachment).
2. Demonstration Focus: Demonstrations will be conducted from 8-10 July 2013, at or near MacDill AFB, FL and will explore emerging TALOS technology solutions for the advance enhanced mobility/protection capabilities to augment the direct assaulter. The goal of these demonstrations is to identify technologies which could easily be integrated to form an initial capability within twelve months. A secondary goal is to determine the feasibility of fielding objective capabilities within three years. Any TALOS technology-based demonstration conducted at the event shall be capable of supporting a SOF unit to provide a revolutionary improvement in SOF operations. Any and all TALOS solutions must include all necessary software and hardware to accomplish the mission. Direct Assaulter enhanced mobility/protective technologies may include, but are not limited to:
a. Advanced Armor: Materials to support next generation full-body ballistic protection
b. Mobility/Agility: Enhancement platforms such as powered exoskeletons
c. Situational Awareness (SA)
d. Light/noise discipline
e. Command, Control, Communications & Computers (C4): Such as conformable & wearable antennae and wearable computers
f. Individual soldier combat ready displays: Including non-visual means of information display, and potentially utilization of cognitive thoughts and the surrounding environment to display personalized information
g. Power generation and management
h. Thermal management of suit occupant
i. Medical: Embedded monitoring, oxygen systems, wound stasis, electromechanical compensation
Proposed solutions should take into consideration “lightening the load” of the operator, mentally and/or physically.
3. Security Requirements: Vendors should not submit classified information in the technology demonstration nominations.
4. Respondents interested in conducting demonstrations using technologies like: lasers, explosives, weapons using live fire, moving equipment, vehicles, and other technologies that present an occupational hazard shall prepare and submit a safety risk assessment. The risk assessment shall address the likelihood and severity of any inherent risks as well as risk mitigation measures required to bring the resultant risk to a low level. The risk assessment shall be submitted as an attachment to the experiment nomination. Reference MIL-STD-882D for instructions and information regarding risk assessments.
YADDA, YADDA, YADDA
Technology Demonstration nominations shall be submitted electronically via SORDAC’s BAA and RFI Submission Tool at http://www.socom.mil/sordac/Pages/BAAHome.aspx (like I said, sounds like a BAA to me)
YADDA, YADDA, YADDA
You’ll be responsible for your own expenses if you’re invited to participate. (I’m paraphrasing here.)
YADDA, YADDA, YADDA
D. BASIS FOR SELECTION TO PARTICIPATE:
Selection of respondents to participate will be based on the extent to which the technology represents a particular class or level of capability that can be provided to SOF.
Other considerations include:
– Technical maturity
– Relevance of or adaptability to military operations/missions
– Relevance to current operational needs
– Relevance to Event Focus Area
And then, there’s a bunch of other stuff you need to read if you are going to participate.
You’ve only got a short time to get your nomination (Response Date:
May 31, 2013 4:00 pm Eastern) in so drop what you’re doing, right now, and go read the whole thing at www.fbo.gov
Forces Focus – CANSOFCOM
Friday, May 17th, 2013
