August 2021 | Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

Archive for August, 2021

Matador Arms Announces the Montgo-9 Monolithic Blowback 9mm Upper Receiver

Thursday, August 26th, 2021

Matador Arms has announced the Montgo-9: a monolithic blowback-operated billet 9mm upper receiver that does not require an AR15 type buffer and buffer tube. Instead, it uses a blowback system with an internal buffer reminiscent of the AR18 (q.v.).

Manufactured in the USA, the Montgo-9 is compatible with any AR-15 and/or AR-9 lower, providing shooters with endless build possibilities while being compact and versatile.

The current version of the Montgo-9 is the “K” version, featuring a 5.5” barrel threaded to 1/2×28”. The back cap shows that no buffer is required, allowing for many compact options. In addition, the non-reciprocating charging handle is reversible. The Montgo-9 has a total length integral Picatinny rail on top and a 3.5” bottom accessory rail.

The Montgo-9 upper receiver is made of aluminum, and the bolt and trunnion are 4140 steel for durability. Weight is 3.5lbs with an OAL of 12.125” and a 1.47” width.

The Montgo-9 adds to Matador’s 9mm product offering. Matador recently announced their AR-9 80% billet lower receivers, the first run of which is shipping mid-September. Matador already manufactures the Mag-X, a mag block adapter enabling the use of P320, Glock, M&P, and CZ-75 pistol mags in their AR-15 lowers.

Matador’s Sidewinder is a folding buffer tube adapter that will fold up anything with AR buffer tubes threads WITHOUT a moving buffer inside. And, the adjustable Regulator muzzle brake comes in 9mm, which could top off the Montgo-9 perfectly. That’ll make for a nice little “hideaway” PCC, unless you’re using a drum mag or larger styles of extendo.

The Montgo-9 was scheduled to be on display at this year’s NRA show in Houston at booth #4809…now, not so much.

The MSRP of the Montgo-9 is (as of this writing) $549.99.

Shipping of the Montgo-9 is projected for Q4 of this year. To learn more about the Montgo-9, visit www.matadorarms.com for information.

Posted in Press Release, weapons | 4 Comments »

Shop Show Ft Bragg

Thursday, August 26th, 2021

Shop Show Ft Bragg will be held from 1000-1600, October 4th, 2021 at The Dropzone at Skydive Paraclete.

Presented by S&S Peecision, there will be some great brands there. BBQ and beer provided, with proceeds benefitting the Unit Scholarship Fund.

Shop Show is free to military, law enforcement, government and their guests.

See you there!

Posted in Tradeshow | Comments Off on Shop Show Ft Bragg

Why Sitka Arrowhead Relies On YKK Zippers

Thursday, August 26th, 2021

Sitka Arrowhead sent us this great post in why they rely on YKK waterproof zippers for their garments. The details matter and using the best components creates the best garments.

BLUF: Ounces Equals Pounds

At first glance insignificant, however, small parts and components (commonly referred to as trims in the textile industry), play a major role in the final weight and function of technical apparel. From G-Hooks, zippers and zipper pulls to cords and cord locks. Even down to the granular choice of thread. Trims sourcing and development is a foundational element in all Sitka Arrowhead product development. After all a product, much like a team, is only as strong as its weakest link.

Giant of Small Parts

Within the global apparel industry nobody understands the importance of premium trims more than the Japanese brand who have made focusing on the tiny details their big mission, YKK. Self-reflect and chances are the zipper pull on your jacket has YKK stamped on it? The YKK brand is synonymous with the zipper and all its associated hardware. Dedicating the last one hundred years to developing, engineering, and manufacturing premium zipper systems; that not only continue to function through extended use, but are precisely engineered to not fail you when failure is not an option. Because let’s face it, a jacket without a zipper is essentially useless.

To achieve a true best-in-class Gore-Tex® product, all components of the SITKA Arrowhead Wet Weather Protective (WWP) collection meant focusing on attention to detail holistically, fabrics, trims, fit, form, function and construction. For no-fail zippers that pass the Gore-Tex® Storm Test, we naturally looked to YKK.

AquaGuard® Zipper

YKK® AquaGuard® Zippers have a water-repellent polyurethane film coating that helps shed water from the zipper opening. A DWR treatment to the polyester tape side increases the surface tension and adds an extra level of protection to prevent water leaking through. These zippers are strong, have a smooth operation and can be depended upon to withstand the harsh environments that our WWP Jacket and Pant has been designed for.

ARROWHEAD Application

YKK components selected by SITKA Arrowhead have a matte PU finish and are made in the USA. This makes them purpose built for the current Berry Compliant WWP MDW Jacket and Pant ensemble, soon to be joined by a Half Bib Pant in Winter 2021-22.

To find your ARROWHEAD Dealer – www.sitkaarrowhead.com/retail-locator

Posted in Advertiser, Guest Post, Materials | 4 Comments »

ACS Industries – Grenade Trigger Pouch Suite

Thursday, August 26th, 2021

We’ve mentioned the grenade trigger pouches from Israel’s Advanced Combat Solutions Industries in the past. Made from composite materials, it facilitates one-handed removal of the grenade and can be used by both the right and left handed. All versions incorporate seven safety mechanisms.

The line includes both Frag Grenade Trigger Pouch off the M67 and M26 as well as specialized models for the following Flashbang Grenades: Rheinmetall NICO and Rheinmetall MK13, CTS 7290 (Mini), Safriland Low Roll II.

The PALS compatible mounting system allows the pouch to be mounted at various angles.

Coming soon is the new Trigger Mag set to debut during Milipol.

www.acs-grenade.com

Posted in Load Carrying | 6 Comments »

ARKTIS Adds PenCott-GreenZone To Its Roster of Camouflage Patterns

Thursday, August 26th, 2021

“ARKTIS” is a legendary brand name within the UK and northern/western European military and law enforcement sectors. Originally founded in the town of Exeter in Devon by a former Royal Marine officer in 1985, the brand is now owned by Francis Dinsmore Ltd., a 230 year old textile producer in Northern Ireland.

ARKTIS was one of the very first companies that catered specifically to the needs of special operations forces, as well as regular units deployed on specialized operations – such as peacekeeping and patrolling. It could in fact be said that ARKTIS was one of the founding fathers of the revolution in military gear that we have seen develop over the past 25-30 years.

No company or brand survives by resting on its laurels though, and ARKTIS has always been known for innovating and making things that are better made and more attuned to the needs of end-users than standard options. This extends right down to the fabric that ARKTIS constructs its combat garments from. ARKTIS uses a tough, nIR-compliant, 50/50 poly-cotton ripstop fabric that is specially woven, printed, and DWR treated for them by Dinsmore.

Among various solid colors and camouflage patterns, ARKTIS is now manufacturing a range of their garments and headgear in the PenCott-GreenZone pattern. Officially licensed by Hyde Definition Ltd., ARKTIS GreenZone® camo garments are already in use protecting UK Police teams on special rural surveillance operations. A range of GreenZone items can also now be purchased by ARKTIS wholesalers and dealers – and also through the ARKTIS commercial webstore for individual purchasers.

PenCott-GreenZone was developed through years of independent research by Dom Hyde in the UK, and has been successfully proven as an amazingly effective camouflage pattern by users all around the world since its introduction to the market in 2011. The PenCott pattern geometry is so effective because it combines superior shape disruption as well as the illusion of 3D depth through texture matching techniques in a hybrid combination of omnidirectional micro, midi, and macro fractal elements.

See more about the whole family of PenCott patterns at www.pencottcamo.com and view the full range of ARKTIS GreenZone garments at www.arktis.co.uk.

Posted in Camo, International, Materials, Press Release | 3 Comments »

Army to Field Laser-Equipped Stryker Prototypes in FY 2022

Thursday, August 26th, 2021

WASHINGTON — The Army recently conducted a successful evaluation of a new directed-energy capability, moving the service one step closer to fielding a platoon of four laser-equipped Stryker combat vehicle prototypes next fiscal year, program leads said Wednesday.

The Directed Energy Maneuver-Short Range Air Defense system, or DE M-SHORAD, is a 50kW-class laser designed to protect divisions and brigade combat teams against unmanned aircraft systems, rotary and fixed-wing threats, rockets, artillery, and mortars, said Marcia Holmes, the deputy director of hypersonics, directed energy, space and rapid acquisition.

“Our goal is to deliver prototypes that Soldiers can use as the mission requires and that the Army can leverage as a baseline for a program of record,” Holmes said. “A Soldier-centered design is a key part to reduce risk and to ensure an operationally effective weapon system.”

A strong partnership between the Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office and science and technology industry leaders led to the development and implementation of the first prototype in 24 months, Holmes said.

The addition of the DE M-SHORAD and other directed-energy capabilities like the Indirect Fire Protection Capability-High Energy Laser, or IFPC-HEL, and IFPC-High Power Microwave are all designed to complement the Army’s kinetic air defense capabilities, said Craig Robin, deputy director of the RCCTO’s directed energy project office.

The unique design of the DE M-SHORAD leverages the Stryker’s gas-powered engine to energize its batteries, cooling system, and laser. The self-contained system has enough electricity to address multiple threats at a time before needing a period to recharge, he said.

“There are places where directed energy can provide a significant advantage,” he added. “All the bullets are built into the system, so the logistics associated with moving a platform and supplying it requires just gas and parts.”

Robin added that directed-energy systems are also more cost-effective from a life cycle perspective, making them a strategic tool to take out low-cost threats like an UAS to save the Army’s kinetic capabilities.

The Army plans to demonstrate the DE M-SHORAD capabilities during Project Convergence 21, where it will participate in a joint and coalition exercise later this year, said Col. Scott McLeod, the program’s manager.

“[PC 21] will be a big opportunity for us to show how we can integrate with our systems and demonstrate the capability against other threats,” McLeod said.

In July, the prototype proved its abilities during a combat shoot-off at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. During the event, Soldiers faced several realistic scenarios intended to refine future DE M-SHORAD characteristics, as program leads collected extensive data and user feedback to refine the system, McLeod said.

In addition to Project Convergence 21, the DE M-SHORAD development team will make minor adjustments to improve the device’s performance in the coming months, followed by several internal system verifications, he added.

“We are delivering a brand new capability -– it is not a modification or an upgrade. It is unlike any other system the Army has fielded to date,” McLeod said. “This event was a major step in the prototyping process and an informative waypoint as we move forward with building and delivering a prototype platoon in [fiscal year 2022].”

By Devon L. Suits, Army News Service

Posted in Army, Guest Post, weapons | Comments Off on Army to Field Laser-Equipped Stryker Prototypes in FY 2022

DroneShield Enters C-UAS Training and Simulation Market

Wednesday, August 25th, 2021

DroneShield Ltd (ASX:DRO) (“DroneShield” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce the release of DroneSim, a lightweight and rapidly deployable UAS/drone simulator that is able to mimic common drone signals for the purpose of C-UAS system testing and validation. The device is capable of generating aerial (UAV), ground (UGV) and water surface (USV) drone signals.

Constructed within a ruggedized hard case with MIL-SPEC connectors, DroneSim is durable and requires minimal training to install and operate. When connected to a network, DroneSim can be operated remotely. This allows for faster system testing and system testing in environments where drones may be unable to fly. An easy-to-use GUI allows the user to select between different drone/UAS protocols and requires minimal training to use. The product was developed in response to customer demand.

DroneShield’s CEO Oleg Vornik commented, “We are excited to launch DroneSim as our entry in the important market for training and simulation systems. As a global leader in the C-UAS space, DroneShield is well positioned to expand its solution ecosystem into this area”.

The product is expected to be of significant interest to a range of DroneShield customers globally across military, law enforcement, and Government agencies.

Posted in Press Release, Training, UAS | Comments Off on DroneShield Enters C-UAS Training and Simulation Market

Robotic Research Awarded SBIR Phase II Contract from Defense Threat Reduction Agency

Wednesday, August 25th, 2021

CLARKSBURG, Md., August 18, 2021–Robotic Research, LLC, a global leader in autonomous technology and solutions, announced today that it was awarded this summer a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II contract from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA).

As part of the two-year contract, Robotic Research will increase the capacity of its Pegasus Mini, the smallest of the company’s transforming drone/ground robot systems, which DTRA plans to incorporate into the Modular Autonomous Counter-WMD, Increment B (MACS-B) program.

Planned upgrades include changes to the airframe, battery, and computing and sensing capabilities.

“Early on, DTRA recognized how the warfighter could benefit from a hybrid unmanned system that both flies and drives. With their support, we created an initial Pegasus Mini prototype, and we now are advancing it further,” said George McWilliams, Director of Advanced Programs at Robotic Research.

Pegasus Mini weighs just four pounds and is the size of a football when folded up and carried in a backpack. Deployed in the field, it can change back and forth between modes as required by the user and the environment. This gives it access to areas that might stymie a standard ground robot or drone.

“Pegasus Mini can fly into three-story windows. It can perch and stare. It can autonomously navigate, explore and map enemy tunnel systems,” McWilliams said. “We see it as being a critical element in DTRA’s family of robotic systems as well as a powerful tool in the hands of other users.”

The SBIR Phase II, which will include demonstrations in operationally relevant environments, is set to end in June 2023. After that, company officials say Pegasus Mini’s design will be further refined based on user feedback. In the meantime, Robotic Research’s Pegasus line of hybrid unmanned vehicles has garnered interest from allied countries, and Pegasus Mini has received industry accolades.

In May, it was nominated by the Association for Unmanned Vehicles Systems International (AUVSI) as an XCELLENCE Award finalist.

Posted in Contracts, Press Release, UAS | Comments Off on Robotic Research Awarded SBIR Phase II Contract from Defense Threat Reduction Agency