The Drifire Level 1 FR T-shirt feels like a performance shirt. It features phase change material to proactively regulates skin temperature and reduces perspiration up to 34%. You can feel yourself cool off as soon as you put it on.
Offered in Tan 499, Coyote and Black.
www.drifire.com/drifire-fr-l1-performance-fit-short-sleeve
Subsequent to the Gentex RAILINK announcement, Princeton-Tec has released their RAILINK Switch MPLS light which is designed to interface specifically with the RAILINK node, using parasitic power supplied by the RAILINK battery pack.
Because there are no batteries, it weighs just 13 grams and offers Red/IR LEDs with a simple switching system.
princetontec.com/product/switch-railink
Designed specifically for use with the Gentex RAILINK the HEL-STAR Rail Strobe comes in pairs which are intended to be mounted at Node 2 on the RAILINK. This placement moves the strobe off of the top of the helmet, yet allows for full visibility of the strobe.
The HEL-STAR Rail Strobe offers dim and bright power visible light along with an IR function.
I spoke with Jamey Caldwell of 1MinuteOut and he pointed out several features. This overt/covert rail mounted marker offers weight reduction through the elimination of redundant batteries and increases mobility due to its low profile footprint. Jamey has been using this system for over a year and explained that the slick design makes it easier to maneuver in confined spaces.
Something old, something new. Velocity Systems has a great display in the SOF SELECT pavilion featuring their Mission Configurable Chest Rig worn with a great reproduction Tigerstripe Advisor uniform.
CARBONDALE, PA, MAY 16, 2022 – Gentex Corporation, a global leader in personal protection and situational awareness solutions for defense forces, emergency responders, and industrial personnel, announced today a preview of its advanced concept for Ops-Core® ARC rails for FAST® helmet systems, the Ops-Core RAILINK® power and data system. This patented, first-of-its-kind, fully integrated, in-rail solution simplifies the life of the user, enabling multiple helmet-mounted systems from a single, centralized power source.
With RAILINK, Gentex Corporation unveils a highly integrated, versatile, open architecture, scalable ecosystem for current and future headborne systems. This new family of products enables rapid and effective integration of technological advancements in personal protection and situational awareness. The RAILINK platform facilitates integration of a broad range of sensors, displays, augmented reality capability, and wireless functionality on the headborne system to improve protection and lethality without impacting the effectiveness of the user or increasing their burden. Gentex is currently collaborating with Princeton Tec, SureFire and CORE Survival, and looks forward to working with future innovation partners on expanding the sensory, accessory and capabilities of RAILINK.
RAILINK is powered by a central helmet power center, feeding power to, and sharing data between, an array of smart nodes and a VAS/NVG interface that allows the user to operate a wide variety of sensor systems. With power and data being run through smart nodes, external cabling is eliminated, simplifying helmet set up, streamlining snag hazards, improving power management efficiency, optimizing open data sharing protocol and clearing ARC rail space for future technology insertion.
“RAILINK is designed to anticipate future technological advancement,” said L.P. Frieder III, president and chief executive officer at Gentex Corporation, “This is an excellent example of how collaboration with customers and industry partners can accelerate the introduction of innovative solutions. We’re excited to see where this platform can go.”
RAILINK will be available for sale late in fourth quarter 2022 and production deliveries to our lead US customer will begin in December 2022.
From their booth in the SOF SELECT pavilion BFG shows us a very specialized piece of kit.
The Breacher’s Leg Bag is designed to keep strip charges at the ready.
This is a special order item from www.blueforcegear.com.
Australia’s Platatac is exhibiting in the SOF SELECT pavilion and gave us a sneak peek of the new Craighead pouch which was developed in conjunction with Christian “Obi-Wan Nairobi” Craighead.
This belt mounted panel integrates two pistol magazine slots with a single rifle slot which is surrounded by a simple dump pouch. The mag slots are all Kydex lined but can be set up with bungees.
It’s great to be back in person at the 2020 SOFIC presented by the National Defense Industry Association. This is always old home week for me and many others as we run into people we’ve served or worked with. It’s also an international year so attendance should be way up after a two year virtual hiatus.
