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Archive for June, 2021

Army Leverages Virtual Reality to Understand Network Influence

Saturday, June 5th, 2021

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — Immersive virtual reality isn’t just for amusement parks, the U.S. Army is funding research that uses it to understand group dynamics.

The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, known as DEVCOM, Army Research Laboratory funded scientists at Kent State University’s Electrophysiological Neuroscience Laboratory to create an immersive virtual reality lab that can be used in tandem with their other biophysiological technologies to advance an interdisciplinary understanding of group dynamics.

Immersive reality combines virtual reality with images, sounds, or other stimuli to provide an engrossing environment.

According to Dr. Bruce West, a senior Army scientist, the military is becoming increasingly reliant on small special operations teams, but little is known about how small groups function in these extreme environments. The research team uses cutting edge electrophysiological and physiological equipment to probe team functioning and decision-making under threat.

“In order to make valid and efficacious practical recommendations for small special operations teams in the modern global military context and other threat environments, Soldiers can benefit by training in immersive virtual environments to make them feel like they are really there,” said Dr. Lisa Troyer, program manager, social and behavioral sciences, ARL. “The immersive virtual reality system at Kent State University is developing more valid, impactful knowledge about how teams and individuals navigate dangerous environments.”

The lab includes cutting edge virtual reality headsets with three-dimensional eye tracking and omnidirectional treadmills, which can be integrated with EEG and other emerging biometric technologies.

“With this lab, ENLoK is generating path-breaking social science discoveries,” Troyer said. “The team’s efforts are leading the use of immersive virtual reality and capabilities to identify neurological signals of influencers in groups that can support Army missions by better understanding Army influence networks as well as adversarial groups.”

In earlier research, also funded by ARL and published in Social Psychology Quarterly, the Kent research team conducted a series of experiments manipulating status and used brain activity analyses to successfully identify neurological signals during social interaction that are unique to others’ perceptions of high status actors and their influence over group members.

“Understanding the consequences of status-based behavior in a variety of settings, including small team contexts, can help the Army prepare and train for modern military operations,” said Dr. Will Kalkhoff, ENLoK’s director and professor of Sociology at Kent State University. “The Army can also use the knowledge we are developing to better understand how influencers in allied groups support Army missions through their social networks or how adversarial groups mobilize.”

Now, the research team at Kent State is partnering with MILO, an Ann Arbor, Michigan-based component of Arotech’s Training and Simulation Division that provides immersive training solutions for military and law enforcement organizations around the world. The objective is to improve police and military readiness by integrating rigorous social science with emerging technologies already in use throughout the Department of Defense.

“Support and assisted facilitation of this kind of social research is exactly why we established the MILO Cognitive Division,” said Robert McCue, MILO’s general manager. “Our ultimate goal is to advance the scientific understanding of behavior and decision-making under threat and, in so doing, reduce danger to our servicemen and women and improve mission success by facilitating team functioning under threat.”

By U.S. Army DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory Public Affairs

Silvus Enables Push-to-Talk Interoperability Across Disparate Devices and Networks

Friday, June 4th, 2021

New StreamLC Software Platform Provides Rapid and Secure Radio Over IP Voice Communications

Los Angeles, California (May 25, 2021) – Silvus Technologies, Inc. (“Silvus”) today announced the release of StreamLC, the first family of software apps designed to enable Radio Over IP (RoIP) voice communications between StreamCaster MANET radios and Android or Windows devices running on any network. Designed for rapid deployment, the StreamLC client empowers End User Devices with Push-to-Talk (“PTT”) capability which is fully interoperable with Silvus StreamCaster radios’ native PTT capability, supporting a wide variety of mission critical operations – including communication with a command center or with disparate teams operating across private and public networks.

StreamLC can extend PTT functions wirelessly for covert operations, provide PTT capability to multiple operators throughout a headquarters facility, and enable remote PTT capability around the world via Internet/VPN access. Additionally, LTE data networks can be bridged into a StreamCaster network enabling a broader hybrid network footprint with instant PTT communications to improve reliability and connectivity.

“We pride ourselves on supporting our customer’s needs by developing solutions that make StreamCaster radios adaptable and easy to use. With the release of StreamLC, we are enabling Radio-over-IP interoperability between Silvus StreamCaster radios and Android and Windows devices,” said Jimi Henderson, Silvus Vice President of Sales. “The ability to support numerous off-the-shelf end user devices, coupled with the simplicity of StreamLC’s controls and operations, make it a valuable tool for users across the military, law enforcement and emergency services.” 

For more information on StreamLC or to request a StreamCaster radio demo, visit silvustechnologies.com or email info@silvustechnologies.com.

Mountainsmith Lumbar Packs

Friday, June 4th, 2021

Mountainsmith has been in the Lumbar pack business for decades. For example, this is the 2020 Tour, a 9 liter pack with the following features:

• Tuck-away waistbelt with forward pull adjustment webbing

• Front compression attachment system

• Strapette compatible (sold separately)

• Interior foam padded sleeve for tablet carry

• Smartphone compatible waistbelt pockets (Fits plus sized phones)

• FreeFlow ridged EVA backpanel padding

• Backpanel stash pocket ideal for securing passport, boarding pass, etc.

• Patented Delta Compression System load adjustment

• Side reinforced bottle pockets (fits up to 32oz/1L)

• Inner Sanctum™ interior zippered compartment for small valuables

• Waistbelt Fit: 28” – 48”

Check out the whole line here. However, we suggest you look at online retailers for models and colors you may want as many are out of stock at Mountainsmith.?

Red Dawn Camo Stencil Pack

Friday, June 4th, 2021

Vinyl Weapons Stickers’ Red Dawn Russian Camo Stencil Pack will allow you to recreate the pattern from that iconic movie.

Blackwater Nomad Giveaway: Enter until 02 JUL

Friday, June 4th, 2021

The Blackwater NOMAD12 giveaway is live.

“THE NOMAD 12 is for all the wanderers out there trying to find their way in life. We started with the limited edition Blackwater pump-action shotgun with FDE injection molded parts. Then the guys over at Red5Worx gave all the metal a custom M81 camo pattern Cerakote.”

“We topped this tool off with a Swampfox Liberator II red dot optic & an INFORCE WMLx WHITE/IR light to keep the party going well after the setting of the sun. Carolina Custom Foam finishes this kit off with a full custom NANUK case – guaranteed to be the envy of everyone at your local range.”

Prizes include:

• CUSTOMIZED BLACKWATER SHOTGUN
• INJECTION-MOLDED FDE POLYMER FURNITURE
• CUSTOM CERAKOTE BY RED 5 WORX @RED5WORX
• SWAMP FOX LIBERATOR II RED DOT OPTIC
• INFORCE WMLx WHITE/IR LIGHT
• CUSTOM NANUK CASE BY CAROLINA CUSTOM FOAM
• 20 ROUNDS OF BLACKWATER HEAVY HITTER 12 GAUGE SABOTS
• 2 x 5 ROUND MAGAZINES
• BLACKWATER SWAG KIT | STICKERS, PATCHES, SHIRT, HAT & HOODY

Enter online until July 3rd. 

Shield Arms Folding Lower Receiver: New Configurations

Friday, June 4th, 2021

The Shield Arms Folding Lower Receiver (FLR) is now available in pistol, rifle, and stripped lower configuration. As originally reported at the time of the first release (and as the name portends), the FLR is a fully-folding lower receiver that does not require an adapter. 

This lower is a patent-pending billet AR-15 lower receiver with a folding stock mechanism machined and built directly into the receiver, allowing the stock or pistol brace to fold without the need of an aftermarket folding adapter.

Each respective configuration is detailed below.

SA-15 FLR

A 16 in. folding rifle built on Shield Arms folding lower.

Build Specifications
  • Upper/Lower: 7075-T6 billet aluminum upper/lower
  • Barrel:
    • 16″ length, 5.56 NATO Chamber
    • Mid-length length gas system
    • 1:7 RH twist
    • 4150 CMV
    • Stress relieved after rifling
    • Black Nitride finish
    • M4 extension
    • .076″ gas port
  • Bolt Carrier Group
    • Black Nitride finish
    • Shot peened
    • Magnetic Particle Inspected
    • 9310 5.56/.223 bolt
    • 8620 M16 carrier
  • Handguard: Shield Arms 13″ MLOK
  • Trigger: Enhanced Milspec
  • Safety: Shield Arms Ambi Safety Selector
  • Grip: Magpul MOE SL
  • Gas Block: Shield Arms Adjustible Gas Block
  • Muzzle Device: A2
  • Buttstock: B5 Systems Bravo
  • Charging handle: Milspec
  • Weight: 6 lbs 10 oz
  • Ships with 1 magazine

SA-15 Folding 11.5 in. Pistol (5.56 NATO)

SA-15 Folding 11.5″ Pro Pistol built on the Shield Arms FLR for compact storage.

Build Specifications

  • Upper/Lower: 7075-T6 billet aluminum upper/lower
  • Barrel:
    • 11.5″ length, 5.56 NATO Chamber
    • Carbine-length length gas system
    • 1:7 RH twist
    • 4150 CMV
    • Stress relieved after rifling
    • Black Nitride finish
    • M4 extension
    • .070″ gas port
  • Bolt Carrier Group
    • Black Nitride finish
    • Shot peened
    • Magnetic Particle Inspected
    • 9310 5.56/.223 bolt
    • 8620 M16 carrier
  • Handguard: Shield Arms 10″ MLOK
  • Trigger: Enhanced Milspec
  • Safety: Shield Arms Ambi Safety Selector
  • Grip: Magpul MOE SL
  • Gas Block: Shield Arms Adjustible Gas Block
  • Muzzle Device: A2
  • Pistol Brace: SB Tactical SBA3
  • Charging handle: Milspec
  • Weight: 5 lbs 15 oz
  • Ships with 1 magazine

 

SA-15 Folding 11.5 in. A2 Pistol (5.56 NATO)

SA-15 Folding 11.5″ A2 Pistol built on the Shield Arms FLR for compact storage.

Build Specifications

  • Upper/Lower: 7075-T6 forged aluminum upper/lower
  • Barrel:
    • 11.5″ length, 5.56 NATO Chamber
    • Carbine-length length gas system
    • 1:7 RH twist
    • 4150 CMV
    • Stress relieved after rifling
    • Black Nitride finish
    • M4 extension
    • .070″ gas port
  • Bolt Carrier Group
    • Black Nitride finish
    • Shot peened
    • Magnetic Particle Inspected
    • 9310 5.56/.223 bolt
    • 8620 M16 carrier
  • Handguard: Magpul MOE SL Carbine-length
  • Trigger: Enhanced Milspec
  • Safety: Shield Arms Ambi Safety Selector
  • Grip: Magpul MOE SL
  • Muzzle Device: A2
  • Rear Sight: Griffin Armament M2
  • Pistol Brace: SB Tactical SBA3
  • Charging handle: Milspec
  • Weight: 6.0 lbs
  • Ships with 1 magazine

 

SA-15 Stripped Folding Lower Receiver

Stripped AR15 billet lower receiver built on the Shield Arms folding lower receiver.

Features

  • Built-in folding mechanism for compact storage – NOT AN ADAPTER
  • Machined from 7075-T6 aircraft grade billet aluminum
  • Ships with an h2 weight proprietary buffer
  • Accepts standard AR-15 magazines
  • Matte black hard-coat anodized per Mil 8625 Type 3 Class 2
  • Precision machined magazine well with beveled feed lip for easy mag changes
  • Caliber marking of “MULTI”
  • Compatible with most standard AR-15 components  and most aftermarket parts
  • Take down pin spring and detent hole is threaded for a 6-32 set screw for easy capturing (hardware included)
  • Upper tension screw behind grip screw (threaded hole with hardware included) to adjust any “slop” out of vertical fit between upper and lower
  • Threaded bolt catch pin (Threaded hole and hardware)

Learn more online at ShieldArms.com/SA-15.

KE Arms SHTF+ Wrap: Stop Heat TransFer

Friday, June 4th, 2021

The SHTF (Stop Heat Transfer) Wrap is a new option from KE Arms for hot weather, rapid-fire, and other incalescent shooting conditions, particularly with free float tubes. Manufactured in the USA and designed in conjunction with Russell Phagan, the SHTF+ Wrap reduces heat transfer to a shooter’s hand and reduces wear from barricades in training or competition.

Grunts: incalescent

KE Arms describes the Wrap thusly:

Storage in hot environments and rapid fire are both equally capable of making the free float tubes too hot to hold comfortably, reducing the shooter’s effectiveness. The Stop Heat TransFer Wrap attaches around the 9” to 15” aluminum free float tube on your AR15 rifle to reduce heat transfer to the shooters hand. The rifle can be handled normally after storage inside a hot vehicle and during rapid firing of multiple magazines.

The SHTF+ features thermal insulating material for even more extreme use (not recommended for use on silencers/suppressor directly). Reduce wear bracing on barricades in training or matches. Our customers in cold weather climates equally enjoy the SHTF wrap to stop cold transfer into their hands. The SHTF+ is 7? Long and can adjust to fit a wide variety of handguards.

It secures via hook and loop fastening (Velcro) to fit any handguard diameter. In addition to AR15 handguards, it will also work on FAL, Sterling, M1 Garand/M14 Fore ends, and potentially any other firearm with thin handguards needing additional insulation.

The SHTF+ Wrap and other accessories are available online at KEArms.com (@ke_arms).

FirstSpear Friday Focus: Two-Point Quick Release Sling

Friday, June 4th, 2021

This week’s Friday Focus is taking a look at the FirstSpear Two-Point Quick Release Sling. ?

• Quick release buckles
• Rapid adjustment
• Oversized padding

The Two-Point Quick Release Sling is the ideal accessory for any rifle. It is able to adjust rapidly and comes with oversized padding for added comfort. The quick release buckles are a reliable proven system which allows the wearer to breakout of the sling, if needed. Perfect for light or heavy weapons.

Available in coyote, multicam, black and ranger green.

For more information about FirstSpear slings, check out www.first-spear.com/two-point-quick-release-sling.