Nike has released an updated model of the SFB boot for 2014. U.S. Patriot Tactical has an in-depth review of the new boot along with a comparison to the original SFB. If you’re interested, you can find the review at the link below.
blog.uspatriottactical.com/boot-shootout-the-original-nike-sfb-vs-the-new-2014-sfb
My friend Dave Hall and artist Elwood’Woody’ T. Risk pay homage to Kilroy as they raise money to film the documentary ‘Until It Hurts‘ about this unique piece of art of the same name.
On September 11, 2012, a Navy SEAL Sniper (SOCS Dave Hall, USN, Ret.) fired a .308 Remington 700 custom built for him by another former SEAL Sniper (SOCS Chris Higgins) at a humanoid target from 911 yards. The goal was to strike the black (scoring) part of the target 79 times (once for each fallen NSW member since 9-11). ‘Until It Hurts’ is the result of that effort.
A print of the original hangs proudly in my home. Visit www.indiegogo.com/projects/until-it-hurts-a-navy-seal-documentary to see how you can help.
Developed by a former SOF Medic, the SWAT-T is a multi-function tourniquet and trauma care device. While useful as a tourniquet, the SWAT-T also can be used as a pressure dressing and elastic bandage, and can be applied more rapidly and higher into the groin and axilla than other more traditional tourniquets. The SWAT-T also takes less space, costs lest, and thanks to its intuitive design requires less training than traditional tourniquets. I gotta tell you, I like the SWAT-T. It’s the only occlusive tourniquet that I know about so it can be used as a tourniquet or a pressure dressing.
For additional questions, TEMS has allowed us to share this Q&A sheet. To read it, click SWAT-T Q&A.
The .950 JDJ is the largest centerfire rifle ever made, built by SSK Industries of Ohio. Weighing in at 50 lbs., the rifle featured in the video is only the prototype variant, one of three total rifles built; the other two weigh in at 110 lbs. The JDJ fires a .95 caliber 2400 grain bullet at 2100 fps using 240 grains of powder, which generates 25,400 ft/lbs of muzzle energy and 277 ft/lbs of recoil energy.
Simply put, it’s extremely heavy, kicks like a mule, you’d be paying $40/cartridge, and you know you want one.
Canadian company Panacis has been making quite a bit of buzz over the past 18 months or so with their battery products for military applications; particularly the SharePack. Looks like they caught the eye of Revision which has been doing quite a bit of work in the Soldier Systems arena.
Montreal, QC (February 25, 2014) -– Revision Military, a world leader in protective soldier solutions, has expanded its capabilities by adding power management to its roster of integrated technologies, through the acquisition of Panacis, an Ottawa-based company focusing on Lithium ion rechargeable energy storage systems.
Advanced, electronic battlefield equipment such as networked radios, night-vision systems, GPS, smart phones and laptops, while increasing situational awareness and capability within smaller units, comes with the challenge of sustaining power for these devices, ideally without the weight and complexity that numerous types of batteries present.
“The opportunity for an integrated power management system that provides flexible storage and power management that can be easily adapted to a wide range of mission scenarios is extensive” said Jonathan Blanshay, CEO of Revision. “We are pleased to add power management – the ability to store, deliver, harvest, and share energy – to our roster of technologies in support of fully
integrating electronic equipment while lessening the battery burden on soldiers”.
Revision has been working collaboratively with Panacis on several projects, including reviewing power support for the “Prowler” Human Augmentation system and development of a conformal battery housed on the helmet developed for Natick under the HEaDS-UP ATO program, among a number of other initiatives where next generation energy management is crucial to soldier performance.
“We are delighted to be part of Revision Military and are looking forward to bringing our technological expertise, intellectual property, engineering strength and global program experience to provide highly efficient energy management and storage systems to the warfighter”, said Steve Carkner, founder and CTO of Panacis. “We welcome the opportunity that Revision offers to further commercialize our current products as well as new product ideas in support of Integrated Soldier Systems”.
“The expertise the Panacis team brings to the Revision portfolio of capability will allow Revision to offer a much more complete solution package to both users and partners such as Prime contractors” said Richard Coomber, Revision Military’s VP of Integrated Systems. “By integrating power, data management and protection in flexible ways Revision aims to become the solution provider of choice on a range of platforms. The history the Panacis and Revision teams bring in working together means that we can hit the ground running and deliver on our current projects and the exciting new ones our team can tackle, many of which are already in the pipeline”.
The acquisition is effective February 21, 2014, and the energy solutions team will continue to operate from Ottawa.
This photo is for those Big Green guys who’ve never heard of an Assistant Gunner. Apparently, the Rangers have figured it out.
Rangers from the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment lay suppressive fire during a live fire exercise at Fort Hunter Liggett, CA Jan. 31, 2014. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Steve Cortez/ Released)
Alexander Arms is a company that is best known for the .50 Beowulf cartridge developed by the company’s founder, Bill Alexander. They also manufacture parts, components, AR-15-style uppers, and full rifles for their proprietary cartridge in addition to the 6.5 Grendel (also co-developed by Alexander) and .17 HMR cartridges. Only relatively recently have they expanded their product line to include the NATO standard 5.56 cartridge.
We were recently invited out to C2 Shooting Center to try out the new Alexander Arms 5.56 ‘Alexa’ AR-15. The ‘Alexa’ features a fluted, chrome lined, mil-s-11595 steel cold hammer forged barrel, 16″, 1:7 twist. The upper is a flat top with extended feed ramps, and an M-16 style carrier group, chrome lined bores with fully staked gas key. The model at the range had the MK10 vented hand guard, made of G10 composite with corrosion resistant threaded inserts spaced to attach 3-inch Picatinny rail sections. Additional components included military specification stock extension tubes, an M4-style stock, and a military style trigger. The rifle was also outfitted with Manta rail covers and grip sleeves as well as an ACOG.
The Editor of SSD first fired the weapon at 50 yards in the prone position.
The left target resulted from using an unsupported rifle. The right target resulted from the rifle supported with a GPS.LE Grip Pod. As you can see, the Grip Pod was very successful in assisting with stabilizing what is an already accurate weapon.
The Editor also practiced a couple of standing-to-prone transition drills, deploying a separate GPS.LE with light rail to stabilize the rifle while prone.
While our time with the ‘Alexa’ was brief, Alexander Arms seems to have a winner on their hands. It’s a solid, accurate rifle with a crisp trigger pull that makes a fine addition to Alexander Arms’ product list.
There have been inquiries regarding color options for the CROPS CTR Belt aside from Black. Unfortunately, the CTR Belt will be available only in Black through the first production run. We were, however, sent images of a CTR set up for a sniper role and sprayed to match the operational environment.
As a reminder, the CROPS CTR Belt was designed as a lightweight rig, enabling the operator to carry their kit in a ‘low-profile’ manner. It has seen action in a covert role within Northern Ireland and Libya, worn underneath civilian clothing, in addition to Afghanistan on multiple compound raids.
No word on what color options will be available for the second run.
Those interested in purchasing a CTR Belt can contact Ben Wall of CROPS directly at info@crops.uk.com. The cost of the belt is £116, including postage. Be sure to mention the email associated with your PayPal account in the message, as that’s how the payment will be processed.
