October 2016 | Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

Archive for October, 2016

Introducing New A-TACS LE-X

Thursday, October 6th, 2016

Last year A-TACS Camo introduced its A-TACS iX (Intermediate Xtreme) pattern as the central pattern in their “X” camo lineup. Later, they followed with the introduction of A-TACS AT-X, (Arctic Tundra Xtreme) which was quickly adopted by the Norwegian Special Forces. Now Digital Concealment Systems is releasing a new and enhanced version of their original Law Enforcement Pattern called A-TACS LE-X (Law Enforcement Xtreme).

Like the original A-TACS LE pattern, the new LE-X variant was developed primarily for use by Urban and Metropolitan SRT teams conducting low-light operations. The pattern is also suited to a wide range of other tactical military and law enforcement applications.

The Black, blue and grey coloration in A-TACS LE-X also works well with the black nylon gear utilized by many SRT personnel, which allows for easier integration into service.

In the coming weeks and months, new A-TACS LE-X will be introduced on a wide range of uniform and nylon gear options by a CORE group of A-TACS Camo brand partners including TRU-SPEC, Tactical Tailor, OPS Gear, Tactical Performance Corp. and others. Press releases and availability dates on specific product offerings will be forthcoming. For additional information, contact A-TACS Camo by e-mail at: info@a-tacs.com

Tags: A-TACS
Posted in Advertiser, Camo, LE, Press Release | 27 Comments »

Mustang Survival Debuts First U.S. Coast Guard-Approved Racing Personal Flotation Device

Thursday, October 6th, 2016

The new EP38 Inflatable PFD will be on display at the Annapolis Boat Show

Bellingham, WA – Mustang Survival, the North American manufacturer of innovative solutions for the most demanding marine environments, proudly unveils the all new EP38 Inflatable PFD at this week’s Annapolis Boat Show (Booth B57). As the only U.S. Coast Guard-approved race-compliant PFD, the EP38 Inflatable is the latest addition to Mustang Survival’s EP Ocean Racing Series.

With M.I.T. Membrane Inflatable Technology™ materials inside, the innovative construction of the EP38 Inflatable PFD makes it better-fitting, incredibly pliable and easier to repack. The low profile back-of-neck, vest-style design and improved weight balance, combine to remove pressure from the back of the neck – a chief complaint of the traditional horseshoe PFD design.

“With fifty years of experience engineering products for the most demanding users, Mustang Survival continues to innovate and bring gear that delivers the ultimate experience on the water,” states Jason Leggatt, vice president and general manager for Mustang Survival. “The feedback from the elite sailors who have been wearing the new EP38 has been overwhelmingly positive. Comments about its lightweight feel and ease-of-donning, thanks to the two side adjusters, means the crew can easily get on deck in a hurry in case of an emergency. It’s being called a ‘game changer’.”

Features of the EP38 Inflatable PFD (MSRP: $350):

· Hydrostatic Inflator Technology (HIT™) will only inflate when submerged and not in rain, spray or high humidity

· 360° Motion – low profile chassis designed for maximum range of motion during high output grinding and sail changes

· Membrane Inflatable Technology™ materials inside reduces weight and increases flexibility

· Back mounted storable spray hood

· Internal storage for AIS, PLBs, strobes and other electronics

· Integrated sailing harness with soft tie-in

· Removable crotch straps

· Marine grade retro-reflective materials

· Marine grade whistle

· Lifting loop

Designed for the most serious ocean racers, EP Ocean Racing Series apparel utilizes military grade fabrics that are being offered to consumers for the very first time and are built to withstand the most demanding conditions. Available now, the EP Ocean Racing Collection, including the new EP38 Inflatable PFD, can be found at specialty retailers in North America. Visit www.mustangsurvival.com/epoceanracing for more information.

Tags: Mustang Survival, Safariland Group
Posted in Press Release | 1 Comment »

KDH Defense Systems Chooses Honeywell Materials For Products Designed For US Military Protection System

Wednesday, October 5th, 2016

Spectra Shield® and Gold Shield® help military achieve goals for reducing soldiers’ body armor weight

MORRIS PLAINS, N.J., Oct. 4, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Honeywell (NYSE: HON) announced today that KDH Defense Systems will use Spectra Shield® and Gold Shield® ballistic composite materials to create new soft armor vest systems as part of the U.S. Army’s next-generation Soldier Protection System (SPS).

Reducing body armor weight is a key goal for the Army. The SPS is a modular, scalable and tailorable system designed to provide an overall weight reduction of 10 percent. It is comprised of five subsystems, one of which is the Torso and Extremity Protection (TEP) subsystem that aims to achieve a 26 percent weight reduction. KDH Defense Systems will incorporate Spectra Shield and Gold Shield with its own ballistic designs to produce several TEP products.

“The key to reducing body armor weight is combining state-of-the-art ballistic designs like KDH Modular Scalable Vests with next-generation materials like Honeywell Shield,” said Dave Herbener, president and CEO, KDH Defense Systems. “We are committed to leveraging the most innovative technologies to help protect the brave men and women serving in the U.S. military.”

Short Bark Industries is also using Spectra Shield to create Ballistic Combat Shirts (BCS) for the SPS TEP system. The company specializes in soft armor, tactical wear, gear and accessories for the military, governmental agencies and law enforcement.

“Honeywell Spectra Shield is a key material to create armor that meets the military’s rigorous requirements for weight, mobility, flexibility and protection,” said Lisa Held Janke, president and CEO, Short Bark Industries, LLC. “Our team works tirelessly to develop solutions that help protect soldiers from the ballistic threats they face in combat.”

Armor made with Honeywell’s Spectra Shield and Gold Shield products were chosen by soldiers after a U.S. Military Human Factors Evaluation. These armor systems demonstrated improved mobility and flexibility, in addition to reduced weight, compared to systems predominantly made with woven aramid.

“The next generation of soft body armor uses Spectra fiber instead of aramid fiber for optimal performance and protection,” said Lin Murray, armor program manager for military and law enforcement at Honeywell Packaging and Composites. “Our collaboration with innovative companies like KDH Defense Systems and Short Bark Industries ensures that the U.S. military and law enforcement have the most advanced ballistic protection available.”

Spectra Shield technology is a patented Honeywell process designed to optimize the ballistic performance characteristics of Spectra fibers. Spectra Shield and Gold Shield products have been widely adopted and proven for the most advanced armor applications globally, from bullet-resistant vests, breast plates and helmets to combat vehicles and military aircraft—all of which require lightweight solutions and superior performance.

Honeywell maintains an active Spectra fiber and ballistic materials research program focused on continuous improvement and development of high-performance materials. For more information, visit www.honeywell-spectra.com.

Tags: Honeywell, KDH
Posted in Armor, Materials, Press Release | Comments Off on KDH Defense Systems Chooses Honeywell Materials For Products Designed For US Military Protection System

The Aimpoint 6x Magnifier Is Coming

Wednesday, October 5th, 2016

This image at AUSA from Aimpoint claims that the 6x magnifier is coming but I’ve got a feeling it’s really only just breathing hard.

Tags: Aimpoint
Posted in AUSA, Optics | 16 Comments »

AUSA – Colt CSASS 901

Wednesday, October 5th, 2016

Tags: Colt
Posted in AUSA, Black Rifle | 17 Comments »

AUSA – Mayflower Jungle Rig from Velocity Systems

Wednesday, October 5th, 2016

Velocity Systems continues to refine their Mayflower Jungle Rig. Those of you familiar with pre-GWOT British load carriage systems, particularly those used by British SF, will recognize the design inspiration at work. For example, a bungee is routed through the pouches in order to reduce bounce.

Below, you can see the pad. While it’s stiffened, it has spacer mesh and ventilation holes cut in the stiffener. Additionally, you can see the use of Blue Force Gear’s Helium Whisper.

Material selection was very important. The ULTRAcomp fabric is stiff enough to give the pouch and lid body so that the rig doesn’t flop around, despite its light weight. This construction also makes it easier to insert magazines. The Mayflower Jungle Rig offers both 2 x 7.62 magazine and 3 x 5.56 magazine pouches. In addition to Velcro closures, they’ve also incorporated Side-Release buckles for use during mobility, maritime and air operations on the magazine and GP pouches.

This photo gives you a different perspective of the pouch construction. The ULTRAcomp wraps around bottom of the pouch. There are also drain holes in the bottom of the pouches.

The sides of the Magazine Pouches feature PALS webbing for the attachment of grenade or other pouches. Although it’s not specifically addressed in this article, there’s also a Grenade Pouch which will hold the M67. It can also be used for a compass or other items.

The GP Pouch is quite versatile. The pouch has a skirt to keep debris out and will hold jackets up to Arc’teryx Atom LT in size or the Velocity Systems Basha with bungees and pins. The GP pouch is also sized to accept several models of canteens including the Nalgene 32 oz, 44 pattern (or later) water bottle, and Canadian cold weather model. It will also accept the British two-piece mess tin.

While the shoulder straps are low profile for wear under packs and armor, they’ve introduced removable padded sections.

Considering the amount of carrying capacity, it’s extremely lightweight. I didn’t get to weigh it, but it was obvious when I picked it up. Much of this is due to the materials used in its construction.

No release date yet. They are still working a few components such as a 40mm pouch which integrates with the shoulder straps.

www.velsyst.com

Tags: Velocity Systems
Posted in Advertiser, AUSA, Load Carrying | 32 Comments »

AUSA – Revision Military / Milliken

Wednesday, October 5th, 2016

Revision Military has developed an interesting thermal signature management shroud using the Milliken Conceal fabric.

It uses a magnetic interface to keep it in place around eyepro. They’ve also created internal standoff around the nose and mouth to suppress hot spots created from exhalation.

Tags: Milliken, Revision Military
Posted in AUSA, Camo, Helmets, Materials | 7 Comments »

PdM-SCIE Issues RFI For US Army Jungle Combat Boot

Wednesday, October 5th, 2016

PEO Soldier’s Product Manager Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment (PdM-SCIE) has an ongoing program for an Army Jungle Combat Boot. However, a near-term operational requirement has been identified which needs to filled. Consequently, they’ve issued a Request for Information (RFI) to determine Industry’s capability to manufacture, and deliver, Berry Compliant Jungle Combat Boots (JCB) for this Directed Requirement (DR).

According the the RFI, “the goal of this DR effort is to meet an urgent fielding need for two (2) Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs), beginning with one BCT in March 2017 and the second BCT completed by September 2017. This RFI is intended to identify the capability of Industry to provide JCB in a shortened time frame for use by the combat Soldier operating in hot, wet tropical jungle conditions.”

We highly encourage imdustry to participate in this process because PdM-SCIE is using the data you provide to develop an acquisition strategy. Due to the short fuse on this requirement, they may have to fast track the procurement. The RFI states, “a formal solicitation may not be issued prior to entering into contracts. The information gathered will be used as market research and will be used to determine the Army’s contracting strategy, including the potential use of competitive, limited competition, and/or non-competitive actions, to meet this immediate need to field two BCTs based upon Industry’s capability to meet technical, quality, price, and delivery schedule requirements. Therefore, the information provided should be accurate and thorough enough to clearly demonstrate a company’s capability to execute to the schedules provided. The Government will independently review the information received as part of this RFI to determine a company’s capability to meet this DR JCB effort.”

In total, the US Army plans to field a total of 36,000 pairs. They aim to partially field one BCT by March 2017 with a strategy to issue the maximum amount or pairs of JCB in sizes of 8 ½ -11 (whole and half sizes) in Regular (D) and Wide (EE) width which are the most common sizes In Phase II, they’ll complete fielding of the First BCT as well as the Second BCT no later than September, 2017. The full size run is 3 through 15 (whole and half sizes) and 16 (whole size only) in widths Narrow (B), Regular (D), Wide (EE), and X-Wide (EEEE).

Industry has until 03 NOV 2016 at 12:00 PM EST to respond to this RFI, so sharpen those pencils.

For those of you who might be wearing this Jungle Combat Boot, the Army did give us an idea of what it will look like. It will be Coyote 498 in color with the Vibram Panama II sole along with leather lowers and nylon uppers. They’ve also specified a puncture resistant insole and drain perforations.

This is the Vibram Panama II Sole.

Once again, this effort is is separate from the Jungle Combat Boot Program of Record, which is the Army’s long-term solution and is still currently proceeding through the normal Defense Acquisition Framework. However, there may be additional RFIs issued in pursuit of that program.

Visit www.fbo.gov for full details.

Posted in PEO-Soldier | 33 Comments »