February 2022 | Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

Archive for February, 2022

Massif Returns To Its SAR-Focused Origin With A Suite Of Battle Proven Garment

Tuesday, February 22nd, 2022

Massif dedicates its innovation expertise to FR garments specifically designed for First Responders by o ering a comprehensive collection of flight-ready gear

ASHLAND, Ore. – February 22, 2022 – With over two decades of experience creating pioneering flame-resistant (FR) apparel for the U.S. Military, Massif® is today announcing its new First Responder Collection. Massif is returning to its roots in search and rescue (SAR) innovation with a dedicated new true navy blue colorway, bringing its proven flight-ready apparel to Helicopter Emergency Management Services (HEMS) and Law Enforcement (LE) personnel.

The collection is built around Massif’s revolutionary 2-Piece Flight Suit and ElementsTM Jacket – First Responder and also includes the surprisingly a ordable lightweight and midweight Inversion Base Layers.

Flame-resistant fabrics and uncompromising performance apparel are essential for keeping people safe in the world’s most challenging environments. Born from highly functional flame-resistant SAR clothing and tested through years of military experience, there is no one better to answer the call than Massif. After years of being selected by DOD as the pinnacle of FR gear in aviation, Massif is now o ering the same benchmark gear to those who have desired commercial colorways for use in their respective communities.

The flagship piece in the true navy blue First Responder Collection is the years-in-the-making 2-Piece Flight Suit. Designed around direct user feedback across multiple military branches and aviation platforms, the Massif team wanted to enhance the capabilities of the modern aviator and aircrewman with innovative design features unique to their garments. Long-awaited and overtly requested by HEMS and LE, this suit includes an original patented attachment system that allows flexibility and movement between the pants and jacket while still aiding coverage in flash events. Mesh-lined pocket configurations give the jacket enhanced heat-stress mitigation and quick-drying capabilities that have transformed the comfort of the garment, and naturally, the user.

Massif didn’t stop with the 2-Piece Flight Suit when designing and implementing this new collection, and also launched true navy blue FR Inversion Base Layers in lightweight and midweight options, as well as its battle-proven Elements Jacket. Each of these pieces perfectly integrates with the 2-Piece Flight Suit and together allow for e ective layering options to support any aircraft, job or mission. Inversion Base Layers o er superior moisture management and next-to-skin comfort using a proprietary fabric that excels in stretch and recovery. Engineered with a tri-blend yarn system that provides unparalleled performance across multiple environments, these are the perfect complement to pair with the 2-Piece Flight Suit.

On the other end of the layering system, the Elements Jacket – First Responder is a high-performance softshell made from Battleshield X fabric featuring WINDSTOPPER ® technology by GORE-TEX LABS. This helps the user stay warm, protected and comfortable in some of the world’s harshest climates. This extremely durable, highly breathable garment o ers multi-directional stretch, excellent wear resistance and a superior warmth-to-weight ratio. Its functional design is engineered to withstand extreme conditions and is ideal for those that need to remain on the scene during an emergency.

“Massif is dedicated to keeping people safe, including those that are called on to protect and support others in an emergency,” said Christine Collins, Vice President and General Manager at Massif. “The 2-Piece Flight Suit is pioneering our push into the First Responder space. We are dedicated to protecting all of our customers that work in the most challenging environments including on land, or in the air.”

The Massif First Responder collection will be available in February 2022. All Massif Garments are 100% Made in the USA and Berry Amendment Compliant. For more information on Massif, visit massif.com, or see what the company is up to on Instagram and Facebook.

Posted in Clothing, FR, Press Release | Comments Off on Massif Returns To Its SAR-Focused Origin With A Suite Of Battle Proven Garment

PROJECT7 Armor – Scalable Plate Rack

Tuesday, February 22nd, 2022

PROJECT7’s Scalable Plate Rack combines some of the best technologies in industry including laser cut Angular Webless MOLLE/PALS load bearing surfaces built from Blue Force Gear Ultracomp and FirstSpear’s Tubes closure system.

It features a streamlined, athletic design to provide full range of motion and allow normal shooting positions. PROJECT7’s “Structured-Texture” shoulder design provides a soft, natural, and high friction shooting platform unencumbered by buckles, straps, external pads, or overlapping armor. The Patent pending, Three-Piece Cummerbund (3PC) design for operator specific sizing, ideal weight bearing, with broad adjustability, and rotational flexibility for unrestrained movement.

They’ve also provided interns cable routing channels and bar tacked anchors for the installation of PROJECT7 ILB Packs and 1PS Single Point Slings.

Additionally, the SPR accepts Upper Arm Protection and Groin & Femoral Protection.

The Scalable Plate Rack is available in Medium, Large, and X-Large platform sizes with eight different cummerbund sizes and offered in the coloring colors:

– OD / OD
– OD / Black
– Black / Black
– MultiCam

www.project7armor.com/spr

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TMS Tuesday – Types of Training: Online vs. In-Person

Tuesday, February 22nd, 2022

A dryer, a toilet, a flashlight, and a refrigerator door. Although you may not be an expert on these items, you could probably find out how to fix them all by watching a YouTube video. But can you expect the same success by watching a video or taking an online course on a trauma-related skill? Let’s try and figure it out.

Over the years, trauma and austere medicine is often described as a contact sport; let’s face it, when things get hectic, you have got to get in there and get your hands dirty. However, to do this well, you need competent instruction. You will probably not be able to achieve this through online education alone. While online training has its strengths, it’s a poor substitute for quality in-person training for trauma medicine. It all comes down to getting your hands dirty, and that is where online training loses out. Having a competent instructor watching you or watching them demonstrate a task (especially one that you might have to perform under stress) is still not replicable online.

That’s not to say online training is without benefits. For example, in today’s pandemic, factors like ease of access, cost-effectiveness, and social distancing sometimes make online training the only option available for staying current or improving your skills. Here are some ways to use online training to augment and enhance your knowledge, skills, and even improve your in-person sessions:

Pre-Training Materials:

Online materials like videos, PDFs, or PowerPoint presentations you provided to students or read before attending the class. Having a better understanding of the subject before training cuts down on time spent hammering in on more straightforward topics and allows you and the instructor to focus on the more complex subjects.

Post-Training Materials:

Online training works great to refresh our memory after hands-on training is over and later provides reference materials for study.

As you build your skills in trauma medicine, in-person training with a competent trainer teaching solid, evidence-based instruction should always be your first choice. However, using online training to augment this will only make you a more qualified provider in the long run.

At TacMed™, we offer TMS University™, our online training portal, for e-learning and information-sharing to find relevant information of pre-hospital trauma treatment and equipment. This online platform is a great opportunity to have better knowledge pre-training and serves as a great tool to refresh your memory post-training.

For access to TMS University™, check out tacmedsolutions.com/tms-university.

Posted in Advertiser, Guest Post, Medical, Training | 1 Comment »

AFR Capabilities Enable Immediate Ocean Rescue

Tuesday, February 22nd, 2022

PATRICK SPACE FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) —

The Air Force Reserve Command’s 920th Rescue Wing conducted a multi-person medical airlift in support of a critically-injured person aboard a cruise ship 600 nautical miles off the coast of Florida, Feb. 15.

The 920th RQW launched two of its HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, two HC-130J Combat King II aircraft, and a team of pararescuemen within three hours of notification to rendezvous with the ship and transport a patient and ship’s nurse to a Florida hospital.

“The combined capabilities of our special mission personnel and aircraft permitted us to provide immediate support,” said Col. Brian Diehl, 920th Operations Group commander. “Our constant planning and preparation allowed both operations and maintenance teams to shift rapidly from a normal training day to successful completion of this mission with very little notice.”

In contact with the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center at Tyndall Air Force Base, the team executed the airlift under Defense Support of Civil Authorities. DSCA is the process by which United States military assets and personnel can be used to assist civil authorities during emergencies and other specific events.

Reaching the ship’s remote location required three aerial refuelings en route, provided by one HC-130J, while the second Combat King II performed double duty as a spare tanker and went directly to the vessel to initiate coordination from the air.

Once at the location, and under the command of the 920th RQW’s 301st Rescue Squadron, the HH-60s took control, examined the ship and conditions to position successfully from the air, insert two pararescuemen who were hoisted down, and immediately began preparing the patient and ship’s nurse for the emergency transport. Once prepared, the PJs, pilots, and special mission aviators worked in concert to hoist them into the helicopter, where the patient was stabilized while en route to a Florida hospital.

The entire extraction took less than four minutes.

“High seas, strong winds, and a ship going 10 knots added a lot of dynamics to this rescue as we worked on getting these people up into the aircraft, but this is what we train for” said a 301st RQS pilot. “When they say that there is a real-world rescue to execute, our focus is on saving lives.”

The 920th Maintenance Group generated six aircraft and ensured they were crew-ready in less than one hour. This feat required inspecting, fueling, and configuring the aircraft for the mission while executing other aircraft maintenance requirements.

“Much like our wing exercises that simulate Indo-Pacific region travel over long distances of water in a short period of time, our training and preparation allow us to ensure aircraft are ready for real-world events at a moment’s notice and shows the importance of getting aircraft back to flight line 100% ready for any contingency at any time,” said Lt. Col. George Cole, 920th Maintenance Group commander.

The rescue mission covered just under 1,100 miles round trip over open ocean and completed in eight hours.

Based at Patrick Space Force Base, the 920th RQW is AFRC’s only combat search and rescue wing. Its primary mission is to plan, lead, and conduct military rescue operations and missions to deny competitors and adversaries’ exploitation of isolated personnel.

By Lt Col Ian Phillips, 920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs

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Mobility and Firepower: Rheinmetall Presents the Lynx 120 Mechanized Fire Support Vehicle

Monday, February 21st, 2022

Rheinmetall has just unveiled the latest addition to the company’s Lynx next-generation combat vehicle family. The Düsseldorf-based technology group has now developed a mechanized fire support variant of the Lynx KF41 IFV. Called the Lynx 120, this unique platform merges a tried-and-tested turret concept and the proven 120mm smoothbore cannon with the Lynx KF 41 chassis. The new mechanized fire support variant of the Lynx offers the user outstanding fire support and anti-tank capabilities.

Thanks to a well-balanced blend of lethality, protection, mobility and survivability, the Lynx 120 is the perfect additional battlefield asset for Lynx platform users. Featuring off-the-shelf components, meticulous engineering reduces the vehicle’s weight, while customizable protection packages round out the package. The vehicle architecture has been simplified and provides an open ‘plug-and-play’ capability for future upgrades, while complying with, and adapting to, NATO standards.

Because armed forces have to cope with future challenges such as high-tech combat systems at a time when conventional solutions and concepts have reached the limits of their performance, the Lynx 120 is designed to deliver maximum lethality and firepower on tracks paired with the latest defence technologies to keep adversaries at bay.

Utilizing the Lynx KF 41 modular chassis and a scalable large-calibre turret concept, the Lynx 120 is a high-performance solution, harbouring vast growth potential and an assured overmatch capability. Just a couple of weeks ago, Rheinmetall Defence Australia unveiled a combat support vehicle (CSV) variant of the Lynx: now there is the fire support version as well.

The basic idea behind the Lynx 120 design concept is to provide a combat system that offers maximum operational performance in combination with logistic advantages within a reasonable timeframe at a realistic cost.

The vehicle’s main armament is a Rheinmetall 120mm smoothbore gun, derived from the main armament of the Leopard 2. It can fire state-of-the-art DM11 programmable high-explosive (HE) projectiles. Its secondary armament includes a coaxial machine gun. Moreover, the commander’s independent weapon station will feature an additional .50 cal. machine gun.

A 360° camera system with automatic target detection and tracking reduces the crew’s workload in all operational scenarios.

Special protection modules enable a mission-specific response to ballistic threats, improvised explosive devices, explosively formed penetrators and artillery fire, and can be quickly mounted with limited tools. Moreover, the Lynx 120 can be readily equipped with the proven, already fielded Rheinmetall Active Defence System, or ADS, to defeat rocket-propelled grenades and antitank missiles. Additional armour packages and active protection systems can be provided on request.

Various nations are interested in acquiring the Lynx as a next-generation replacement for their aging inventories. The platform is currently a strong contender in Australian and Slovak IFV modernization plans and is competing for the USA’s Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) programme. Hungary became the launch customer in 2021. Going beyond strictly military aspects such as increased interoperability and capability upgrades, major localization elements form an integral part of these procurement plans, aimed at boosting local industry and creating jobs.

Posted in Advertiser, Mobility, Press Release, weapons | 1 Comment »

Levell III Duty Holster by Comp-Tac Earns NTOA Silver Rating

Monday, February 21st, 2022

HOUSTON, TEXAS – February 22nd , 2022 – Comp-Tac® is proud to announce recognition from the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) newly awarded silver status.

The NTOA has awarded silver status to the Comp-Tac® CT3™ and CT2-A™ Holsters. The CT3™ is a Level III holster that uses friction retention, an automatic ejection port lock, and a hood that must be released before the firearm can be drawn. The CT3™ is designed with the intent that a master grip is fully achieved before withdrawing the weapon. This combined with the autolocking ejection port lock and the intuitive self-activated hood system makes this one of the fastest Level III holsters available on the market today. This holster is available for fits with lights and fits without lights. The NTOA awarded the CT3™ silver status with a rating of 4.22.

The CT2-A™ also achieved silver status from the NTOA with a rating of 4.01. The CT2-A™ is a Level II holster that uses friction retention and an automatic ejection port lock that must be released before the firearm can be drawn. The CT2-A™, like all Comp-Tac holsters, is designed with the intent that a master grip is fully achieved before withdrawing the weapon. The intuitive, autolocking ejection port lock makes this one of the fastest Level II holsters available on the market today. This holster is available for fits with lights and fits without lights.

“I think this proves beyond a doubt that we are and will continue to do things for the right reasons. Keeping the safety of the officers in mind, yet not sacrificing the need for fit and function.” Said Gary Robbins, Director of Military & Law Enforcement for High Speed Gear®.

Previously in 2020 Comp-Tac® was awarded gold status by the NTOA for the Kydex® Tourniquet TACO® and silver status was awarded to the Warrior™ Holster and the Kydex® Handcuff TACO®.

The mission of the NTOA is to enhance the performance and professional status of law enforcement personnel by providing a credible and proven training resource as well as a forum for the development of tactics and information exchange. The Association’s ultimate goal is to improve public safety and domestic security through training, education, and tactical excellence.

comp-tac.com

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Mission Spec Starts New Series: ‘Because I Sew That’

Monday, February 21st, 2022

Today, Mission Spec (KS) has released the first episode of their new series ‘Because I Sew That’. A play on words from their previous series ‘Because I Know That’. Mission Spec has noticed the increase in DIY gear creation/modification by end users and seeks to tackle some of the more common questions received on the subject.

In this first episode Brent explains the relatively simple process of turning your CORDURA fabric into functioning webbing for applications such as PALS. “Nothing here is going to be hyper-complicated. This is really serving as a beginner’s guide to get people rolling. Seasoned Stitch-Operators are already going to know this stuff.” Says Brent.

Mission Spec welcomes suggestions for future videos and requests they be left in the comments section of the YouTube link.

www.MissionSpec.com

Posted in Industry, Press Release | 5 Comments »