0735 – terrorists Atta and al-Omari board American Airlines Flight 11, along with the rest of the Flight 11 hijackers.
0759 – American Airlines Flight 11 departs towards Los Angeles International Airport.
Archive for 2018
9/11 Memorial – As It Happened – 0700
Tuesday, September 11th, 20189/11 Memorial – As It Happened – 0600
Tuesday, September 11th, 2018
0600 – terrorists Mohammed Atta and Abdulaziz al-Omari traveled to Logan International Airport from Portland International Jetport in Portland, Maine.
0652 – fellow terrorist Marwan al-Shehhi called Atta at Logan to confirm the plans of the attack.
Shadow Systems – Gen3 G17 LFT Hybrid Grip Slide
Tuesday, September 11th, 2018Shadow Systems showed me this slide during the NRA Show and I have been waiting for it come out.
The LFT Hybrid Grip Slide was designed with Lead Faucet Tactical’s Dan Brokos. Brokos is a retired Army Special Forces Sergeant Major. Before founding Lead Faucet Tactical, Brokos served as the NCOIC of Ft Bragg’s Range 37, Home of the Army SF CQB and Sniper school.
Designed for use with the Gen 3 G17, the Hybrid Slide is cut for an RMR Optic. It also incorporates a front gripping surface with both directional serrations as well as an insert of die cut grip tape.
According to Shadow Systems, Brokos discovered that each surface has benefits in different conditions and with or without gloves. Combining the two means positive control all the times that is not uncomfortable or “too sharp.” Racking the slide also feels significantly easier for those with a weaker grip who have trouble overcoming the recoil spring.
• Excellent performance in muddy, wet conditions, and extreme cold
• Best-in-class grip surface when operating in gloves
• Commercial adhesive backed grip tape stays where you put it
• Cut for Trijicon RMR
LFT Hybrid Slide Includes:
• Stripped 17-4 Stainless Steel Slide
• DLC (Diamond-like Carbon) finish
• Rough grit gray, medium grit gray, medium grit pink grip tape inserts
• Slide is completely stripped and does not include Channel Liner
Persistent’s Low-SWAP Mobile Ad Hoc Networking Embedded Module Receives New Security Validation
Monday, September 10th, 2018The new FIPS 140-2 Level 2 validation means the Embedded Module not only meets its Level 1 cryptographic data security requirement, but it also has in place physical security mechanisms, such as tamper-evidence, allowing it to handle sensitive data transmission.
“Now, all of our main products running the Wave Relay® MANET routing protocol are FIPS 140-2 Level 2,” said Eric Stern, Director of Engineering at Persistent Systems. “This is critical for our customers in the federal government, U.S. military and special operations, who require extremely secure networking.”
Persistent’s suite of Wave Relay® MANET products have been engineered to meet information assurance requirements in any use case, whether it is a person carrying an MPU5 or an Embedded Module built into a UAV, UGV, or sensor. This is especially important for Wave Relay® Ecosystem partners who have incorporated Wave Relay® MANET radios into their products and are competing for government programs with FIPS requirements. The Wave Relay® Ecosystem is an alliance of industry-leading companies that develop and build products connected via the Wave Relay® MANET.
Persistent products have consistently met strict security requirements, with every product achieving both Level 1 and Level 2 FIPS 140-2 validation.
Persistent’s principal product is the handheld MPU5 MANET radio. The MPU5 allows users to transmit and relay voice, video, text, and sensor data in a true peer-to-peer fashion, without the need for external communications infrastructure. In July, it received its FIPS 140-2 Level 2 Security validation.
The Embedded Module, now likewise validated, delivers the same data networking capabilities, but in a smaller form factor, which can be built into an unmanned aircraft, ground robot or sensor. “This validation marks the Embedded Module as the go-to Wave Relay® MANET integrator for all systems and sensors,” Stern said.
Certificate numbers and information for each FIPS 140-2 validated Wave Relay® MANET product are as follows:
• Certificate #3183 – MPU5 – Level 1
• Certificate #3234 – MPU5 – Level 2
• Certificate #3180 – Embedded Module – Level 1
• Certificate #3259 – Embedded Module – Level 2
SOFWERX Forming SOF/Service/OGA Council for Innovation and Agile Acquisitions
Monday, September 10th, 2018SSD readers are innovators and a quite a few of you currently serve in a variety of roles. SOFWERX is looking for innovators and is forming a council at their facility in Tampa, Florida, consisting of SOF, Military Service and OGA representatives.
The purpose is to increase and accelerate capabilities to the warfighter using agile acquisition processes and the SOFWERX platform:
• Cross leveraging networks & expertise to find best of breed and buy down risk
• Creating non-traditional technology opportunities
• Generating efficiencies through leveraged funding
• Applying flexible business methodologies
• Advancing cross cutting, high yield capabilities
For additional information visit www.sofwerx.org/council.
SureFire Launches New 1,000 Lumen Scout Light
Monday, September 10th, 2018
Fountain Valley, CA—SureFire, LLC, manufacturer of the world’s finest—and most innovative—illumination tools and tactical products, is proud to announce the launch of the all new M600U Scout Light. The M600U Scout Light is a lightweight weaponlight featuring an ultra-high-output LED that delivers 1,000 lumens of blinding white light. A proprietary TIR lens shapes the recoil-proof LED’s light into a beam with plenty of reach but enough surround light to accommodate peripheral vision, making the M600U ideal for medium to longer range applications. The rugged M600U attaches quickly and securely to any MIL-STD-1913 rail via its integral thumbscrew clamp. Constructed of lightweight aerospace aluminum, Mil-Spec Hard Anodized finish, and O-ring sealed to keep out the elements, the tough M600U will endure combat-like conditions without any sacrifice in weapon maneuverability.
To learn more, go to: www.surefire.com/m600u-z68-scout-light
Max Talk Monday – Why the ‘Lone Wolf Operator’ Will Die: Individual Assault
Monday, September 10th, 2018Max Talk 034: Why the ‘Lone Wolf Operator’ will Die (2): Individual Assault
This is the fourth installment of ‘Max Talk Monday’ which shares select episodes from a series of instructional videos. Max Velocity Tactical (MVT) has established a reputation on the leading edge of tactical live fire and force on force training. MVT is dedicated to developing and training tactical excellence at the individual and team level.
Somewhat provocatively titled, Max Talk 034 is a discussion and live fire demonstration of the disadvantages of working as a ‘lone wolf operator.’ This is a follow-on from Max Talk 033, where Max ran a break contact scenario as an individual. Here, Max conducts an assault as an individual and gives it a good shot with some Individual Movement Techniques (IMT), but clearly the inability to conduct proper fire and movement is an issue.
Max is a tactical trainer and author, a lifelong professional soldier with extensive military experience. He served with British Special Operations Forces, both enlisted and as a commissioned officer; a graduate of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Max served on numerous operational deployments, and also served as a recruit instructor. Max spent five years serving as a paramilitary contractor in both Iraq and Afghanistan; the latter two years working for the British Government in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
Website: Max Velocity Tactical
YouTube: Max Velocity Tactical
Revision Awarded Contract By US Coast Guard To Deliver Custom Bump Helmet Systems
Monday, September 10th, 2018Essex Junction, Vermont (September 10, 2018) – Revision Military, a world leader in military head systems and helmet solutions, has won a helmet contract with the U.S. Coast Guard (contract ID: 70Z02318DMNQ07400). Revision was competitively selected against other solutions and will deliver a custom helmet system inspired by the company’s Batlskin Caiman™ Bump Helmet System. The helmet system is built on a skeletonized, lightweight base that is ideal for affixing headborne equipment and is specifically designed for the turbulence and physicality of maritime and mobile maneuvers experienced by boat crew Coast Guardsmen.
“Revision’s proven strength is delivering tailored solutions built to the precise and unique demands of its customers,” said Jonathan Blanshay, CEO, Revision Military. “We are proud to continue this commitment through our development of the custom solution selected by the U.S. Coast Guard. Revision worked directly with users to tailor this helmet system to the challenges consistently faced by Coast Guard boat crews. This helmet system is particularly notable because it is based on some of the most exciting protective head systems developments Revision has made in in recent years. Leveraging the unique versatility and scalability of our Caiman Bump system, and the ultra-comfortable APEX Liner System developed for the Caiman suite, Revision is set to deliver a reliable protection solution that meaningfully enhances operational effectiveness for these dynamic users.”
The contract with the U.S. Coast Guard stipulates a 12-month base period, with four 12-month option periods, over which time Revision will deliver these custom helmet systems. Like this tailored Coast Guard boat crew system, Revision’s Caiman Bump Helmet consists of a reinforced polymer shell that places a premium on scalability and integration for maritime and mobile operations while providing blunt impact protection that meets U.S. Army ACH standards. The Caiman Bump system also features improved ventilation, five-size comfort fit, and comms system-ready geometry. The Batlskin Caiman Bump System is available as a global solution for other Coast Guards and Naval Boarding Parties seeking a unique combination of integration, scalability, performance, and protection.
