Can you believe it’s next week? If you’re on the West Coast make sure you head to Warrior Expo West in San Diego, California May 2nd and 3rd.
In addition to access to the latest warfighting technologies, look for these seminars –
Tactical Combat Casualty Care: New Updates
How to Prevent Death Related to Sudden Cardiac Arrest
“Time Lost is Brain Lost” – Early Detection of Intracranial Hematomas
Energy Efficiency and the Modern Warfighter
Warrior Expo WEST 2012
May 2 | 0930 – 1600 PDT
May 3 | 1030 – 1500 PDT
San Diego Convention Ctr
San Diego, CA
Pre-registration remains open through 1159 PM 25 April, 2012.
ADS and Ultralife bring you the Ultralife A-320KT 20-Watt total solution amplifier kit, designed specifically for man portable communication applications. It provides single battery operation (up to 15 hours on a 5590) as well as true DAMA, SINCGARS, and HAVEQUICK compatibility (no accidental stepping on adjacent nets). The A-320 amplifier weighs only 24 ounces and is the center piece of a kit that includes a quick-release mounting bracket, 90-512 MHz multi-band antenna, radio-to amp RF cable, antenna and angle adjustable antenna mount with RF cable. All told, the entire system weighs less than 3.1 pounds.
One of the coolest things about this system is the unique MOLLE compatible carrier for the amplifier which allows you to attach it directly to your gear. It also allows the amplifier to swing open for adjustments.
There’s a lot of buzz about signature reduction, whether it’s multi-spectral camouflage for clothing and equipment or the noise and flash signature of small arms. To this end, BE Meyers has developed a family of flash hiders for 5.56 mm, 7.62 mm, and .50 caliber weapons. Bruce Westcoat, VP Business Development related to SSD, “BE Meyers flash hiders save lives. It’s simple; if the enemy can’t see you shooting at night they have nothing to shoot back at. That’s especially important if you’re manning a .50 cal or other machine gun that immediately draws return fire from the enemy.”
While often emulated, and sometimes even copied, BE Meyers flash hiders remain the pinnacle of the offset-prong style of flash hider. These flash hiders have been used extensively by US and coalition forces for years, and are the preferred flash hiders for the US as well as other nations Special Operations units. During testing by the US Special Operations Command to select a flash hider for procurement by the Rapid Equipping Force, in support Force Protection efforts in Afghanistan, the BE Meyers 5.56 mm flash hider was judged to be the best performing flash hider available.
In fact, over the past four years the US military has fielded more than 10,000 5.56 mm units. The REF order was for 4,050 alone. They’ve also purchased an additional 5,500+ 7.62 mm flash hiders and over 3,000 flash hiders in .50.
Flash suppression on the modern battlefield is a critical force protection issue as it removes the most obvious aim point for enemy return fire. It makes US forces less visible and reduces accurate enemy return fire. Additionally, it prevents loss of night vision, eliminates flash distortion of night vision devices, and allows the shooter to stay engaged instead of having to seek cover in expectation of immediate return fire.
The photos above show side-by-side comparisons of the BE Meyers flash hiders compared to the standard “bird cage” devices on a 5.56 weapon. The difference is remarkable. Additionally, the video at the beginning of the article demonstrates the flash hiders’ performance on 5.56 and 7.62 small arms as well as on an M2 .50 machine gun contrasted with standard configuration weapons featuring no flash suppression device. In each case, the standard devices show clear flash signatures, even when fired in very short bursts. The BE Meyers flash hiders show no visible flash signature. Most impressively, the .50 flash hider is equally effective in single round, short burst, and long burst scenarios, quelling the large and distinct flame signature of the M2. Further, the .50 flash hider attaches without the use of tools and is self-tightening. BE Meyers also makes flash hiders in other sizes and thread types to facilitate many non-US weapons.
During our research for this article, we spoke with Jeff Bradbury, BE Meyers Marketing Executive. He told SSD, Our flash hiders have been the first choice by US and allied Special Operations forces for years. They demand the best performance and we’ve delivered.” Extensively tested by DoD, BE Meyers flash hiders are designed and made in the USA. The difference that they make in reducing the visual signature of small arms is nothing short of amazing. But remember, these are flash hiders and are not designed as compensators. They aren’t going to control your muzzle climb. It’s a common misconception so don’t have any unrealistic expectations. If there is any criticism of the technology it’s that it isn’t out there in greater numbers.
Used by every branch of the US military, the IZLID family of IR laser pointers and illuminators produced by BE Meyers. You’re probably quite familiar with their use by Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTAC) but these IR lasers provide a single solution for weapons aiming, target illumination, and communicating intent with other fire elements on the ground as well as in the air. The video above showcases footage from Iraq along with training ranges in the Southwestern US to highlight the IZLID 200P and the IZLID Ultra and how they enhance accuracy at longer ranges for crew served weapons in low light and night conditions. It also demonstrates the use of the IZLID family of products on helicopters for both door guns and installed weapons, and how the lasers can be used to communicate and coordinate Air Ground Integration.
Standard equipment for SOF elements and all JTACs, the IZLID line of IR lasers provides a critical tool to support long range weapon aiming, delivers unparalleled illumination for night time reconnaissance and surveillance, and is the standard tool for coordinating close air support.
Many JTACs carry two different IZLID products, the 195 mW IZLID 200P for immediate coordination with helicopters, and the 1,000 mW IZLID Ultra or IZLID 1000 for communication and directing aviation assets at greater distances.
Rugged enough to be used for weapon aiming on the M2 .50 Cal Machine Gun and mini guns, but light enough to be mounted on individual weapons or used by hand, the IZLID 200P and IZLID Ultra are versatile, dependable, and powerful IR lasers “battle field proven and ready to deliver a tactical advantage today.”
IZLIDs are also being used by both military and law enforcement Reconnaissance and Surveillance elements to illuminate targets of interest. The beam can be opened up to a flood and used to paint and illuminate an item for an IR camera system ground based or airborne.
The Tac Med Surgical Airway Kit – Hard Case is specifically designed to successfully establish and secure a surgical airway in any environment. Don’t let the “surgical” term in the name fool you into thinking this is intended solely for treatment facilities. Sure, it’s a great kit for clinical use, but it’s real forte is field use. That’s why all of the components are packed into a re-usable hard case that can double as a temporary sharps container or function as a drug box after the kit is used.
The case opens and lays flat creating a work surface while performing the procedure. The kit’s dimensions were based on a standard M-4 magazine pouch, allowing the kit to be stored in a pouch outside of the medics’ bag for rapid access. All components are sterile and ready to use so no time is wasted opening several packages to complete the procedure.
You may not be familiar with the name Atlantic Signal but they have a long history of producing specialized communications devices beginning in 1989 as New Eagle. Additionally, they’ve worked with Peltor on headset systems.
The real heart of this waterproof headset is the bone conduction technology which allows the user to “hear” radio communications through the facial bones rather than the ear canals. This can greatly enhance the situational awareness of the user because the ears are uncovered and free to hear ambient sounds. Naturally, the downside of this is that the ears are unprotected. This is why Atlantic Signal integrated the CAE technology.
They’ve taken their popular MH180V bone conduction headset and integrated the US Military approved 4th generation COMBAT ARMS EARPLUGS. The CAE offers an advantage that the wearer can hear ambient low level sounds but through a passive system the CAE blocks high noise including vehicle noises.
The audio transducers which are part of the bone conduction technology are located inside the headset housings positioned in the front of the ears. Incoming radio transmissions are transferred to the transducers, then through the temporal bones of the face and received in the inner ear.
In order to customize the fit, the wearer can choose from one of four different lengths (S-XL) of vertical, stainless steel, head frames. Additionally, the CAE can be stored in a holster on the headset when not needed. This keeps them close at hand, out of the way, and (relatively) clean.
Here, Atlantic Signal shows their Gladiator V Headset with integrated Mil Spec hearing protection. In the video, they not only highlight the salient features of the headset but also show how it can be worn with several standard military helmets.
Units and agencies can procure Atlantic Signal headsets through ADS.
We just received the following information from ADS regarding their US Army Camouflage Improvement Effort finalist patterns developed in conjunction with Guy Cramer. As you know from reading SSD, they submitted two pattern families named Alpha and Delta. We previously broke the story on the Delta patterns during SHOT Show. Interestingly, the cleaner Alpha pattern (seen here) outperformed the Delta variants during the Army’s Picture-in-Picture down-select process. Here are the first images and descriptions of the patterns released to the public. While these images are simulated, meaning the pattern has been superimposed on an ACU coat and an armor vest, they do give you a great idea of how the environmental-specific patterns will work with their OCIE pattern.
