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Archive for 2019

BE Meyers & Co Announces MAWL-X1, New DoD MAWL Variant

Monday, September 16th, 2019

September 16, 2019 (Redmond, WA) – B.E. Meyers & Co., Inc. is proud to announce the addition of MAWL®-X1, a United States Department of Defense specific variant of the company’s highly successful MAWL® (Modular Advanced Weapon Laser) line of high-powered aiming and illumination laser systems for individual and crew-served weapons.

In 2017 B.E. Meyers & Co. submitted a Flat Dark Earth, Near-Infrared / Visible MAWL® featuring the EC2 threaded Endcap to the Soldier Enhancement Program (SEP) via the U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence, known as the MAWL®-X1. Following submission, PdM-SPTD procured it for Limited User Evaluations, which were conducted by various Combat Arms including units within the 82nd Airborne Division, 173rd Airborne Brigade, and the 2nd Infantry Division, among others. Approximately 766 MAWL®-X1 units have been fielded since 2018.

True Modularity

The MAWL®-X1 is a truly modular design comprised of three separate Head, Body, and End-Cap components, which allows it to be sustainable at a supply chain level. As an ambidextrous system, it can easily be configured for either right or left-handed shooters.

The “Alt Mount” Body allows for increased versatility across multiple weapon platforms, including the M4/M16, M27, M249, M240G, and precision rifles.

Superior Ergonomics

As with all MAWL® variants, the MAWL®-X1 is designed for intuitive operation: in the dark, under stress, and with gloves on. Featuring a simple switch mechanism with finely balanced power and divergence presets, the MAWL®-X1 allows for target transitions from close to long range in under a second.

Unparalleled Range and Clarity

B.E. Meyers and Co.’s optimized VCSEL technology delivers vastly increased performance, beam quality, beam clarity, and efficiency to the end-user. The MAWL®-X1 features balanced and stacked beams to increase situational awareness and overcome photonic barriers created by external light sources.

For more information on the MAWL®-X1 please click here.

For more information on procurement, please contact info@bemeyers.com.

Posted in Advertiser, Optics, Press Release, Sensors | 16 Comments »

You Never Know Where They’ll Show Up

Monday, September 16th, 2019

Greetings from Kabul!

Posted in KCRF | Comments Off on You Never Know Where They’ll Show Up

Handheld Tablet Improves Situational Awareness for Marines

Sunday, September 15th, 2019

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. —

During Island Marauder 2019, Marines will demonstrate the effectiveness of several Marine Corps Systems Command technologies—including a handheld system that helps the warfighter navigate on the battlefield.

The Marine Air-Ground Task Force Common Handheld is a tablet-based communication system that enhances situational awareness on the battlefield. The device enables dismounted Marines to leverage commercial smart devices to plot and share locations.

The device includes pre-installed tactical applications to eliminate the need to juggle multiple technologies for various capabilities, lightening the load for the warfighter.

“MCH is essentially an interactive tactical mapping program with a GPS navigation software and a chat functionality,” said Maj. Richard Beeson, MCH project officer at MCSC. “The technology feeds the battalion’s current operational picture with real-time friendly force positions and allows this battlespace awareness to be shared down to the squad-leader level.”

The tablet feeds the information into Networking On-the-Move, while simultaneously transmitting it to the Combat Operations Center, where command leaders can use the information to make critical battlefield decisions.

Through MCH, commanders can disseminate orders, graphics and digital data, providing Marines the ability to visualize the commander’s intent and scheme of maneuver.

“It helps Marines to share enemy locations in real-time in an easily understood digital, moving map format,” added Beeson.

MCH enables warfighters to pass messages to one another in real-time—similar to text messaging—allowing the commander to make faster, more effective, decisions. It also assists the warfighter in deciphering whether an explosion was caused by enemy or friendly fire.

“MCH is a Command and Control situational awareness system that gives the squad leader and platoon commander a better understanding of the battlefield to make tactical decisions,” said Justin Meidinger, an engineer for MCH. “This system helps them have a better idea of what is going on around them.”

Earlier this year, the Corps fielded an early release version of the system to Marines. In fiscal year 2020, the warfighter will receive an updated version of the MCH that allows Marines to communicate with one another through several additional joint communication systems.

Later this month at Island Marauder, Marines will demonstrate the effectiveness and interoperability of MCH by linking it with other satellite technologies. The risk-assessment evaluation is intended to reduce miscommunication among Marines who use communication technologies. Beeson raved about the benefits of MCH and how the system supports the warfighter.

“MCH allows for communication, collaboration and coordinating among units,” said Beeson. “It helps everyone to be on same page. MCH increases the digital lethality of Marine infantry squads while reducing the risk of friendly fire.”

By Matt Gonzales, MCSC Office of Public Affairs and Communication | Marine Corps Systems Command

Posted in Digitization, Guest Post, MARCORSYSCOM, USMC | 8 Comments »

C2R-FAST – Low Profile Discrete Carrier

Sunday, September 15th, 2019

C2R-FAST showed their new Low Profile Discrete Carrier at DSEI. The They tell us they have had Prototypes our for awhile now, but this is the final production ready system. They plan to also offer accessories such as the drop pouch seen on the Grey version at the bottom of the photo. Available in a range of colors.

This is a photo they shared to Instagram which shows better shoulder strap detail.

www.c2rfast.com/c2rfast/Home

Posted in Armor, DSEi, International | 4 Comments »

SCUBAPRO Sunday – The SeaBees

Sunday, September 15th, 2019

On September 1, 1942, the first Seabee unit to serve in a combat area, the Sixth Naval Construction Battalion (SeaBees), arrives on Guadalcanal.

I am not going to tell the story as there is a movie (with John Wayne one of the seven he dies in) and I posting a link at the bottom of an excellent article about them. What I am going to say is SeaBees are some of the hardest working people you will ever find. I would rather have 1 SeaBee that 5 other people. They have made almost all the camps I have been in since the first gulf war in 91 thru Iraq in the 2000s and they never stop working on them to making them better. They build they fight; (they can’t read or write) (that was a joke) you tell them you need something, and they will find it or make it. Indeed some of the unsung heroes of the military.

www.seabeesmuseum.com/seabee-history

archive.org/details/FightingSeabees44

Posted in Advertiser, Guest Post, Maritime | 11 Comments »

SERE: Learning to Survive at Sea

Sunday, September 15th, 2019

MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho (AFNS) —

From initial training to undergoing missions, aircrew have a dangerous and rigorous job. They must know what to do while flying and how to respond in some of the scenarios they might encounter.

One of these scenarios is the risk of having to bail out over the ocean.

“From the moment they eject up until they’ve been hoisted into a recovery vehicle, their lives are at risk in the ocean,” said Staff Sgt. David Chorpenning, 366th Fighter Wing survival, evasion, resistance and escape specialist.

To develop these skills necessary to stay alive, aircrew from the 389th and 391st Fighter Squadrons attended water survival training taught by SERE specialists Chorpenning and Tech. Sgt. Timothy Emkey.

During this course, aircrew attend an hour-long classroom session where they are instructed on what to do, what gear to use and how to survive in case they may have to eject over the ocean. The course covers what to do from the initial landing in the water until they’re extracted by either another ship or an aircraft.

“F-15E Strike Eagle crew members don’t have much equipment once they eject,” Chorpenning said. “They have no food and very little water. The ability to utilize the gear they do have to get rescued quickly is a crucial skill.”

After the classroom session, the aircrew are then taken out to C.J. Strike Reservoir where they disconnect their safety harness from the parachute while being dragged by a boat. This simulates the wind drag they might experience when bailing out over water.

During the last part of the course, aircrew must inflate their life raft correctly and demonstrate how to prepare for extraction.

“The worst dangers they face are the lack of resources, both from the environment and in their kit. The only thing the ocean provides is the potential to catch food,” Chorpenning said. “There’s no shelter, water or the ability to build a fire. Without the proper equipment, a human will quickly die on the open seas.”

From classroom sessions to field training, this course ensures aircrew have the ability and skills to survive life at sea.

“Knowledge of their equipment and water survival training significantly increases a crew member’s chance of survival,” Chorpenning said. “By familiarizing them with their gear and how to make the most of their environment, SERE improves their survivability and empowers them to return with honor.”

By Airman Antwain Hanks, 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Maritime, SERE, Training | 1 Comment »

Terrain 365 Invictus-AT

Sunday, September 15th, 2019

Technical, Rustproof, Non-Magnetic, Edge Holding Folder for All Terrains

Tuesday September 17, 2019 Terrain 365™ officially launches online their first folding knife the Invictus-AT, featuring their super alloy Terravantium™ blade. This technical framelock folder is engineered for use in any environment on land, in and even under water, without ever rusting, pitting or staining. The Invictus-AT is made with advanced and state of the art materials which are all 100% non-ferrous, non-magnetic, and rustproof. Terrain 365’s “AT” (A.ll T.errain) designated folders are required meet the trifecta of apex folding knife performance criteria; rustproof, non-magnetic and edge holding. The dendritic cobalt composition and our annealing process of Terravantium™ achieves all three.

The Invictus-AT is a collaboration between Terrain 365 and Prometheus Design Werx.

Creative Director and Co-Founder Patrick Ma of Terrain 365 states,

“The most significant factor behind all of the knives by Terrain 365 featuring our Terravantium is what goes into the super alloy and how we process it. The 2 primary material components are cobalt and carbide. It is their combined properties and how we process the precision bar stock castings that yields the superior performance characteristics. These types of cobalt alloys have actually been around for many years. Industrial applications are their use as engine valve seats, medical implants to lining the barrels of MK46 machine guns. Cobalt alloys are tough and long wearing. Unique to our Terravantium variety is that we do not roll our precision cast bar stock. This retains the original, dendritic crystalline structure of the carbide particles, best described as the microscopic saw teeth, which give our blades their cutting power and edge holding properties. Dendritic cobalt alloys are expensive and were not readily available to the consumer knife industry, but my partner and Co-Founder at Terrain 365, Michael Vagnino worked closely over years to develop and integrate a direct relationship with a foundry specializing in cobalt alloy so we are able to have a regular supply made to our specs and use in our edged tools. ”