We have received this press release from Russian company Gear Craft. It offers an authentic and fascinating look into their latest commercial offerings.
War is dynamic. If you want to function efficiently in a rapidly changing environment, you have to be able to rapidly adjust yourself to it; this includes your gear. This statement is especially true for the reality of Russia’s modern war on terror, where an urban assault can quickly turn into a mountain trail pursuit.
That is why, we, Gear Craft, a young Russian company, in cooperation with the operatives of the FSB Special Operation Centre (Directorate “A” of the FSB Special Purpose Center (TsSN FSB) have developed a unique modular body armor and equipment mounting complex, called “Atom”.
“Atom” is a highly modular combat platform, which can be tailored perfectly to its user’s needs, converting from a JPC-style minimalist plate carrier to an assault armor vest in a matter of minutes.
Gear space is always limited. Especially when you are on a deployment. No one would have a supply truck packed with your stuff following you on the battlefield, unless you are some batman-type superhero, or navy. “Atom” is designed to be an extremely versatile platform, allowing its user to assemble a personalized multi-functional kit using a minimum number of modules, hence saving the precious space in a deployment pack. So yeah, we took care of the supply truck.
Regarding the platform itself, “Atom” packs several front and back panels, made to fit different Russian and foreign plate formats, including “Granit” (similar to “swimmer cut”), E-SAPI and Stand Alone. The versatility of the platform allows the combination of different type back and front panels, making it possible to, for example, have a full size front panel and a compact back panel.
One type of panels in particular, a multi-functional model called “Strelets” is capable of quick front plate extraction, allowing its user better and more comfortable prone body positioning and rifle shouldering; a feature, many high precision shooters will appreciate. Also, that same panel, due to its original shoulder strap design, can be easily adjusted to accommodate a change in clothes thickness, which allows its user to quickly swap layers without the need to readjust the shoulder straps entirely.
But it isn’t always about sniping or ambushes. Sometimes you need to knock right on the bad guy’s door. For this reason, all Elite Russian SF units fighting the war against terrorism use NIJ IV 6a class full height ballistic shields during their close quarters assaults. No one would run marathons with 61,7 lbs. ballistic shields of course, but nonetheless, the operator has to carry the shield the entire duration of the assault, and be mobile with it. For this purpose, all “Atom” back panels are equipped with a series of universal mounting points, which are made to accommodate the shield bearing modules. These modules help evenly distribute the shield weight across the entire upper-body, unlike traditional harnesses, which put the bulk of the weight on the user’s shoulders. Additionally, a front MOLLE section can be mounted over the front of the harness, allowing for extra gear and ammo space.
A fire fight in an enclosed space is almost always accompanied by high velocity shrapnel ricocheting off of any hard surface there is around. In such a fragmentation rich environment, the two body plates are just not enough. That’s why “Atom” accommodates numerous soft armor modules, designed to cover most of the upper body and protect its user from the deadly ricochets. These modules include anti-ricochet collars, shoulder sections and paddings, as well as quick-detach, camerband-mounted side inserts and groin flaps. All the modules can be mounted either individually to reinforce the weak spots, or as a complex, to significantly expand the body armor coverage.
As previously mentioned, “Atom” can include camerbands. And it does: a total of 5 different versions of camerbands, each made with a specific purpose in mind, and all of them compatible with any of the front/back panels. There are the light versions, which include standard and skeletonized camerbands, both of which are available in standard Velcro or quick detach “ROC” buckle versions. Additionally, there is a corset-type camerband, which overlaps with both the front and back panels. It’s intended use is urban assault, as it packs extra gear-mounting space and provides the best side protection of all the versions.
As you already know, the reality of Russian combat operations forces a rapid change of tasks and specializations. A shield bearer, operating from an MRAP in a local village today can be a heavy weapons specialist on a recon mission away from base tomorrow. That’s why it is crucial to have an ability to dynamically alter your load-out, adjusting your gear and armor setups for the current tasks. This is where the unprecedented versatility of the “Atom” comes handy.
Such versatility is achieved by standardizing all the attachment points and links. This means, that all the Velcros, Fastexes and quick-detach buckles used in the “Atom” are compatible and interchangeable among all the modules. Such standardization allows for roughly 60 basic setups, and over a thousand possible combinations of all modules. To make it easier for you, we have singled out our 4 main packages: “Standard”, “Strelets”, “Expanded” and “Ratnik”.
But all the features are nothing without reliability: battle operating conditions set very high standards for equipment quality and durability: everything an operative wears has to withstand rough handling, resist the elements and an occasional shrapnel volley. In manufacturing of the “Atom”, only the best quality materials from top Russian, European and US manufacturers are used. This guarantees high level performance and a long service life. And there aren’t just words: with the help of the “A” FSB detachment, we have conducted extensive combat testing of all the “Atom” modules: all the gear showed itself to be durable and easy to handle, earning the praise and trust of Russia’s elite terrorist fighters.
