Did you read this book like I did? If so, did you know that the Casca images by artist Darrel Millsap on the cover of every title were based on this photo of author Barry Sadler?
And, did you know that Special Forces Veteran Barry Sadler also wrote and performed the song “The Ballad of the Green Berets” which hit Number 1 on the charts in the Spring of 1966?
Sadler passed away in 1989 of complications following a gun shot wound. Although, the Casca-series of books are still being produced.
I’ve heard lots of rumors concerning Army camouflage but late this afternoon at AUSA I was approached by several soft good companies that they had been informed, off-the-record, by a Government source close to the program that the US Army would indeed adopt OCP as its camouflage pattern. The source of this information is very reliable. Apparently, the companies were informed to help assuage uneasiness in the industrial base.
The source confirmed that the Army was unwilling to make an official announcement at this time due to the federal government’s current budget woes. The party line remains that it just wouldn’t look right to give the appearance of spending money so recently after the shutdown.
However, according to the information received by SSD, the Army will eventually make an official announcement and plans to begin fielding OCP to new accessions beginning in FY15 with uniforms for the rest of the force starting in FY16. According to the source, the reason for the delay is that the Army plans to tweak the colors in the pattern slightly. Interestingly, the source also claimed that the Army would have access to the woodland and arid environmental patterns as well.
When asked about the time gap until the new patterns are fielded and the requirement for the Army’s incumbent UCP, the source answered that analysis indicated that there were enough uniforms already in stock or on order to support the force except for some odd sizes based on current demand models.
I’m glad to hear that there are some moves being made behind the scenes but I wish the Army would just cut the cloak and dagger and announce a plan. Purchasing additional ACUs in UCP is just a waste since they plan on replacing them. Make the announcement now and speed up the timeline.
Jeff Pufahl from HDT Global shows ADS TV the Containerized Weapon System (CWS).
The CWS is a Tricon container optimized to provide rapid organic direct fire-power support for Combat Outposts, Forward Operating Bases, Ports, Lodgements and Shipboard-defense applications.
Visit ADS for more information.
DI Optical USA is the US subsidiary of South Korean firm DI Optical. They are the main supplier of scopes for the South Korean Army and their machine gun optics are being looked at by several organizations here within the US. I spoke with Vice President Michael Beltrane about the company.
But the big story is that DI Optics USA will be going commercial at SHOT Show for both here domestically and internationally.
This photo serves only as a preview of the classes of optics they will be unveiling. If anything, what you see here will only be more compact next time you see it. Of particular interest to me is the middle optic which is larger than an MRDS but smaller than what most of us consider a micro sight. Beltrane told me he plans on releasing five models that range from a mini red dot all the way up to a rifleman’s optic. Additionally, they will be offering a 3x magnifier and they have already identified a mount for the magnifier from a major mount manufacturer.
David Hendrickson from AeroVironment takes time to talk with ADS TV about the Puma AE
UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System).
Visit ADS for more information.
Israel’s Agilite produced the new Platforma ACH helmet cover for ArmorSource. It is made from a combination of mesh and 4-way stretch along with an elastic bungee that run the length of the cover. This elastic will also cradle the CORE Survival HEL-STAR strobe.
The cover also incorporates pile sections to accommodate the ArmorSource Rail. This rail will mount via Velcro and with the Platforma cover you do not need to even affix pile tape to your helmet as the ASR will attach right to the cover.
Al Zaccor from Solar Stik talks with ADS TV about their 3KW Hybrid Power System, a portable solar assistant that reduces run time and fuel consumption of deployed generators.
Visit ADS for more information.
D3O is a British form that specializes in solutions for impact protection. Specifically, they developed shock absorbing materials as well as engineered applications for those materials. At AUSA they exhibited several products that are part of their Trauma Reduction Unrivaled Shock Technology line.
These knee pads incorporate an external hard shell and offer both comfort for wear as well as shock mitigation.
The TRUSt Helmet Pads utilize D3O’s new Decell material that exceeds the current ACH standard by 33%. It is a 7-piece design that will work with most helmets that accept Velcro-in pads. It comes packed in a mesh bag that is interestingly, intended for retail sales.
