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Archive for September, 2019

Army Project Brings Quantum Internet Closer To Reality

Saturday, September 28th, 2019

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — A U.S. Army research result brings the quantum internet a step closer. Such an internet could offer the military security, sensing and timekeeping capabilities not possible with traditional networking approaches.

The U.S. Army’s Combat Capability Development’s Army Research Laboratory’s Center for Distributed Quantum Information, funded and managed by the lab’s Army Research Office, saw researchers at the University of Innsbruck achieve a record for the transfer of quantum entanglement between matter and light — a distance of 50 kilometers using fiber optic cables.

Entanglement is a correlation that can be created between quantum entities such as qubits. When two qubits are entangled and a measurement is made on one, it will affect the outcome of a measurement made on the other, even if that second qubit is physically far away.

“This [50 kilometers] is two orders of magnitude further than was previously possible and is a practical distance to start building inter-city quantum networks,” said Dr. Ben Lanyon, experimental physicist at University of Innsbruck and the principal investigator for the project, whose findings are published in the Nature journal Quantum Information.

Intercity quantum networks would be composed of distant network nodes of physical qubits, which are, despite the large physical separation, nevertheless entangled. This distribution of entanglement is essential for establishing a quantum internet, researchers said.

“The demonstration is a major step forward for achieving large scale distributed entanglement,” said Dr. Sara Gamble, co-manager of the Army program supporting the research. “The quality of the entanglement after traveling through fiber is also high enough at the other end to meet some of the requirements for some of the most difficult quantum networking applications.”

The research team started the experiment with a calcium atom trapped in an ion trap. Using laser beams, the researchers wrote a quantum state onto the ion and simultaneously excited it to emit a photon in which quantum information is stored. As a result, the quantum states of the atom and the light particle were entangled.

The challenge is to transmit the photon over fiber optic cables.

“The photon emitted by the calcium ion has a wavelength of 854 nanometers and is quickly absorbed by the optical fiber,” Lanyon said.

His team therefore initially sent the light particle through a nonlinear crystal illuminated by a strong laser. The photon wavelength was converted to the optimal value for long-distance travel — the current telecommunications standard wavelength of 1,550 nanometers.

The researchers then sent this photon through the 50-kilometer-long optical fiber line. Their measurements show that atom and light particles were still entangled even after the wavelength conversion and the distance traveled.

“The choice to use calcium means these results also provide a direct path to realizing an entangled network of atomic clocks over a large physical distance, since calcium can be co-trapped with a high quality “clock” qubit. Large scale entangled clock networks are of great interest to the Army for precision position, navigation, and timing applications,” said Dr. Fredrik Fatemi, an Army researcher who also co-manages the program.

Story by U.S. Army CCDC Army Research Laboratory Public Affairs

Photo courtesy IQOQI InnsbruckHarald Ritsch

You Never Know Where They’ll Show Up

Saturday, September 28th, 2019

These were taken at CFB Borden in Ontario during an RCMP Carbine Instructor Course.

Kit Badger – Squad Goals

Friday, September 27th, 2019

Varusteleka – Särmä TST M19 Combat Boots, Manufactured by Lowa

Friday, September 27th, 2019

Varusteleka just launched the new Särmä TST M19 Combat boots. These boots are a joint development between Varusteleka and Lowa. The aim was to create a robust combat boot, which works well in various Nordic climate conditions, maintains a grip on snow and works well in woodland type of terrain.

Features:

• Gore-Tex membrane
• Thick nubuck leather and Cordura
• Injection molded EVA multicomponent sole
• Speed lacing
• Weight approx 1430 grams (3.15 lbs) for pair
• Manufactured in the EU from EU materials

www.varusteleka.com/en/product/lowa-z-8n-gtx-sarma-tst-m19-combat-boots

UPC4 Plate Carrier Adapter System Available Now

Friday, September 27th, 2019

Modular, Adaptive, Quick Release Pack to PC Attachment

EEB960AE-2C77-4D60-A2EA-D19507C7AD79

Due to user requests for a universal, quick detach/reattach pack to plate carrier solution, the UPC4 Plate Carrier Adapter System is available for any PALS equipped pack or PC.

September 24, 2019 (Birmingham, AL) — Emergent Rescue Systems, LLC today announced the release of its newest innovation, the UPC4 Plate Carrier Adapter System. The UPC4 was developed initially for HRE Pack attachment to the most common industry PCs.

The end result, however, is a modular system which adapts to any PALS/MOLLE equipped surface. Additionally, its adjustable quick release points allow fast detachment and simple reattachment.

The UPC4 is a full solution system with modular components.

Shoulder Quick Release Straps

Shoulder Quick Release Straps provide multiple quick release points across the shoulder and plate carrier front.

Its shoulder QR points can adjust to any position along the PC shoulder straps.

Shoulder Quick Release Covers

Shoulder Quick Release Covers provide a simple protective solution to securing cross-shoulder items. With a trifold design and QR pull tabs, removal and reattachment is simple.

Side Quick Release Strap

Side Quick Release Straps provide QR attachment points along the cummerbund that include strap tension adjustment at the ITW QASM buckles. For rear pack attachment, G-Hooks provide a low profile connection that is secure enough for harsh environments, yet detachable without a tool.

Vertical Adapter Locks

Vertical Adapter Locks convert horizontal to vertical PALS rows with a dual row adapter lock that remains in place under heavy load tension. VALs are designed as an adapter and stabilizer, eliminating QASM adapter twisting from single PALS row attachment.

Made in the USA. Berry Amendment compliant. Exclusive production by Zulu Nylon Gear.

Visit UPC4 Plate Carrier Attachment System for more info.

ROGAN Introduces Pocket Tools

Friday, September 27th, 2019

Check out the all new ROGAN Pocket Tools! These pocket prybars are designed to be used for everything you don’t want to risk breaking your pocket knife for! Save your knife for making fine cuts and these tools will handle all the gouging, prying, scraping, etc. All ROGAN Tools are 100% made in the USA and the bevels are ground by hand. We also offer a full line of accessories that include pouches, carabiners, patches and lanyards.

Check us out at www.roganusa.com

PHLster – ARC Enhanced WML Switch

Friday, September 27th, 2019

For years, serious shooters have been executing DIY modifications to their WML switches. Using JB Weld, putty, or epoxy, shooters have been improving their speed and consistency of WML activation by building up the small switch nubs on their lights. Drawing on those years of end- user experience, PHLster is excited to follow up their Surefire X300 Switch Enhancements with a set of switches for the Streamlight TLR-1s and TLR-2s.

Shipping as a set of two replacement switch paddles, the ARC allows users to decrease the distance between activation fingers and switches, optimize their light for right or left handed use, improve speed and consistency of activation based on their preferred method, and reliably engage the WML switches with gloved or wet hands.

Each kit includes two switches, both longer than stock. One switch is symmetrical and the other is asymmetrical. Users can choose between having equally long switches on both sides or having one side longer than the other, depending on their preference.

Switch installation is easy and requires no permanent modification. The stock switch paddles are removed and installed with a single screw, using the included hex key. And, the ARC switch enhancements fit pretty much every decent WML holster on the market, including Safariland and many, many others.

At launch, the TLR ARC is available at PHLsterHolsters.com and BigTexOutdoors.com for $24.99.

FirstSpear Friday Focus – ACM Field Shirt

Friday, September 27th, 2019

This Friday we are taking a look at the all American wool Field Shirts from FirstSpear. Available in short and long sleeve variations the Field Shirt is built from FS proprietary ACM BASE 100, the lightest weight merino wool package which happens to be 100% berry Compliant. This shirt works as an exceptional base layer to keep you cool when its hot or help trap warmth when your cold and even maintain insulation while wet. Blending comfort, performance, and fit to give you the very best functionality with the styles and colors to suit your next extreme adventure, train up and/or deployment.

Now available in sand, commando, charcoal, and black in sizes small – 2X. Now in stock and shipping.

https://www.first-spear.com/field-shirt-long-sleeve-acm-base-100

www.first-spear.com/field-shirt-short-sleeve-acm-base-100