The A-TACS LE camouflage was first introduced at this year’s SHOT Show and new products in this pattern will be on display by Propper International in their booth (#10764) at the 2014 show. Look early next year for the release of an ACU cut uniform among other products in the Law Enforcement focused pattern.
I know our friends at Predator BDU will have them.
Last week we told you about MSA Gallet’s new Accessory Rail Combat Helmet or ARCH.
The official designations of this new line of helmets are the Gallet TC 800 series and Gallet TC 500 series (MSA decided to revert to the previous Gallet name for them, in order to avoid confusing their clients with nomenclatures of helmets made in the now defunct US helmet factory).
The rails feature proprietary 360° rotating buckles on the front and lower back (three slots on each rail). Additionally, the removable “V” shaped, ratchet-style shroud clamps under the front brim of the shell, and bolts unto each of the upper portions of the side rails in the back. On top of the actual NVG interface (USGI/wilcox compatible), between the two “V” branches, they’ve added bungee ties that go all the way to the top, in order to secure strobes and other non-railed accessories.
It might seem odd to American readers that they would use a ratchet-style shroud but there are a lot of units, especially in Europe, that still use the Lucie NVG with its claw/strap system. Additionally, this solution means no pre-drilled holes in the helmet.
The other interesting thing about those helmets is that they come in only one shell size, with sizing adjustments made via removable pads. However, MSA will offer two harness sizes, as they have introduced a captive strap design similar to the one introduced by Ops-Core.
Specifically, the helmet models are 800/801/802 (first digit is shell thickness in millimeters, last is cut style), the fourth model released is the 501 (same naming convention applies). The 501 is the thinnest MSA available that still retains a frag rating. The line of ARCH is offered in NATO green, Black, Tan.
Blue Force Gear wants your feedback and has opened a survey. To help them out, all you have to do is review one product and get you’ll a 15% discount off your next purchase on BlueForceGear.com.
The Sportsman WV850 H.O. from Polaris is based on their MV850 which has been a military-only ATV. It is the first commercially available offering of the TerrainArmor™ non-pneumatic tires. It also incorporates an upgraded shock package and 600-lbs capacity steel racks. The Sportsman also incorporates Electronic Power Steering and a 11.75 gal. fuel capacity. The liquid cooled, 850cc 4-Stroke SOHC Twin Cylinder features electric fuel injection. It’s even offered in Avalanche Grey!
www.polaris.com/en-us/atv-quad/atvs/sportsman-wv850-ho-avalanche-gray/features
Tactical Apparel & Gear Company To Utilize Cutting Edge Technology In Design Of New Uniforms For NASCAR Officials
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (November 14, 2013) – NASCAR and 5.11 Tactical announced today at the NASCAR Fuel for Business Council Meeting in Miami a multi-year partnership that will designate the California-based company as the Official Tactical Apparel & Gear Supplier of NASCAR. As part of the new official partnership, 5.11 Tactical, a leader in tactical apparel and gear design, will produce high-performance uniforms for NASCAR officials across all three national series of NASCAR, as well as its national touring and weekly series.
Throughout the 10-month race season, NASCAR officials are challenged with one of the most physically demanding roles in the sport. The new uniforms will be designed to stand up to rigorous racing conditions, adapt to changing climates, and provide the durability and flexibility that are critical to perform the most strenuous of job functions in the garage. Images of the new uniforms are expected to be released in early 2014.
“The hard-working men and women that are tasked with officiating nearly 200 NASCAR sanctioned races each year should be outfitted with uniforms that ensure optimum performance and comfort throughout the demanding 10-month race season,” said Jim O’Connell, NASCAR chief sales officer. “5.11 Tactical has proven to be a leader in developing tactical apparel and we are proud to add yet another brand to our family of Official Partners this year.”
5.11 Tactical becomes the seventh company to officially partner with NASCAR in 2013. Official Partners that have entered the sport this year span across the technology, green, and automotive sectors, and include: Eaton Corporation, FDP (Duralast Brakes), HP, Liberty Tire Recycling, Prevost, and Sherwin-Williams.
5.11 Tactical will feature the NASCAR bar mark across its multiple digital channels including its corporate website and will display its purpose-built tactical apparel and gear at-track each weekend. 5.11 Tactical is currently in the process of developing a new NASCAR apparel line that is expected to be available in 2014.
“5.11 Tactical is proud to partner with NASCAR and we look forward to developing innovative gear that can help benefit the sport,” said Bob Neapole, 5.11 Tactical chief revenue officer. “Similar to NASCAR, our customer base is extremely brand-loyal. Having the opportunity to display the high-performance qualities of our purpose-built gear under the arduous conditions at-track each weekend will be highly beneficial to the broader 5.11 community.”
As part of this partnership, 5.11 Tactical joins the NASCAR Fuel for Business Council, which brings together an exclusive group of more than 60 Official NASCAR Partners four times per year to buy and sell products and services from one another. This exclusive business-to-business environment offers unique opportunities for many FORTUNE 500 companies to bypass the time and layers of corporate coordination that may exist to construct customized deals that help address specific business needs.
Gentex Corporation was awarded a contract of $1.3 million for Phase 1 Development Testing of the Integrated Head Protection System (IHPS) component of the Soldier Protection System (SPS) by the U.S. Army. A multiple sequential contract, the overall contract value opportunity is $18 million.
The Gentex IHPS consists of an advanced, lightweight ballistic shell, an adjustable suspension system with an improved impact liner, a high stability retention system, a maxillofacial system (including visor and mandible), and passive hearing protection. The new system will be light weight with enhanced ballistic and non-ballistic protection, while providing superior comfort and fit, as well as earlier donning and doffing.
The contract was awarded by the U.S. Army Contracting Command – Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG), which provides comprehensive contracting support to meet the needs of the Joint Warfighter worldwide.
Program Promotes Higher Training Standards by Incorporating Military/Law Enforcement Methods in Mainstream Defensive Firearms Instruction
ALAMO, Calif. – November 18, 2013 – I.C.E. Training, one of the nation’s leading defensive training companies, and Practical Defense Training Technologies (PDT), a reality-based training solutions provider, have partnered to present the Reality-Based Training Instructor Development Program. Although gun ownership has risen dramatically in recent years, training has lagged behind, creating a huge gap between the number of civilians who own firearms, and those who have had sufficient training. Launching in January 2014, this program leverages reality-based training methodologies to improve standards in mainstream defensive firearms instruction. The program is designed for RBT instructors, NRA certified instructors, concealed carry weapon (CCW) and personal defense/home defense instructors. Some of the nation’s top civilian training companies, including 10X Defense, Safer Faster Defense, Bearco Training and Echo-5 Training Group, are among the first to be certified under the program.
A mainstay in the military and law enforcement communities, reality-based training provides the conditioning, decision-making skills and stress inoculation that can save lives in real-world scenarios. The Reality-Based Training Instructor Development Program safely and responsibly integrates RBT into mainstream defensive firearms instruction. Created by I.C.E. Training, this 30-hour program combines distance education, classroom sessions and scenario experiences such as home defense, vehicle CCW, public space CCW and armed robbery. Once certified, students will also receive a RBT product package that includes non-lethal training ammunition (NLTA) and PDT Technologies’ professional-grade personal protective equipment (PPE). The use of PDT’s professional-grade PPE, such as the Force 1 helmet, neck protector, chest protector and hand armor, enables course participants to learn military/law enforcement methods of progressive skill development using non-lethal training ammunition.
“The addition of a Reality-Based Training Instructor Development Course is a natural evolution,” said Rob Pincus, a nationally recognized defensive firearms instructor and owner of I.C.E. Training. “I’ve been involved in high-level RBT since 2000 and have been training others to teach for almost that long. The state of the industry, as well as non-lethal training equipment, have advanced to the point that quality force-on-force experiences should be available to the average person learning to defend themselves, their families and their homes. Teaching instructors how to conduct safe and effective reality-based training is the next step.”
Rob Pincus is also the developer of the COMBAT FOCUS Shooting program and the Personal Defense Video DVD Series. For well over a decade, he and his instructors have provided training to military special operations personnel from the U.S. Army, Air Force and Navy, law enforcement and security officers, and civilians interested in the defense of their families and homes. Pincus has published three books and written for a variety of trade media outlets including the Personal Defense Network. He appears as an instructor on television programs including The Best Defense and S.W.A.T. Magazine TV.
“Reality-based training exists today because of irrefutable data sets from the field supporting the validity of immersion-type training,” said Gordon Potter, president of PDT Technologies and a 15-year veteran of U.S. Army Special Forces. “What is so promising about partnering with I.C.E. Training is the way I see them shaping the future of dynamic critical incidents. I.C.E. continues to define the need for a broader understanding of sciences, neuroscience, physics, and physiology to effectively engage the whole person in personal defense training. Through this program, civilian trainers can add a dimensional difference to their existing programs and have the opportunity to use the same training products, techniques, and methodologies that have proven successful in the military and law enforcement worlds.”
Pricing and Registration
The Reality-Based Training Instructor Development Program will be held monthly across the nation beginning in 2014, with the inaugural course kicking off in Las Vegas on Saturday, January 18 after SHOT Show. The program will take place at Battlefield Vegas, a premier military-style training complex located just one block from the Las Vegas strip. The program is priced at $1499, which includes a $300 course fee and a product package comprising:
· Three (3) full sets of PDT’s personal protective equipment. Designed for non-lethal training ammunition engagement, each set includes the Force 1 helmet, neck protector, padded hood, chest protector, groin protector, hand armor, and a marking knife for CQB training.
· 500 rounds of non-lethal training ammunition (5.56mm marking cartridges)
· One (1) M-4/AR-15 conversion bolt.
The $300 course fee is due as a deposit upon registration. Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to complete their purchase of the product package for $1199. An upgrade fee applies for 9mm marking cartridges and a handgun conversion kit. Those who do not pass the course are ineligible to purchase the product package. Students must be certified firearms instructors (NRA, law enforcement agency, private sector certification, etc.) prior to attending the classroom portion of this program in order to be eligible for testing and certification. To register, please visit www.icetraining.us.
