While SIG’s booth is dominated by their machine gun and rifle options on the heels of their US Army Next Generation Squad Weapons program win, they’ve got a few other gems off in the corners like this P320 concept which shows the modularity of the platform and the art of the possible for users of Modular Handgun System.
It’s configured as an XCarry model and outfitted with a flat trigger, flared magwell, FOXTROT2 weapon light, MODX-9 suppressor (Mk27), and ROMEO2 reflex sight.
If it wasn’t enough that Crye Precision launched an entire alpine clothing line at SHOT Show they are following it up with a new member of the JPC line. Meet the R-Series JPC.
Made up of 16 components, the R-Series takes modularity to a new level for the JPC. They’ve strengthened the vest to to improve load carriage and changed how you size the vest by developing a single front panel and leaving sizing selection solely to the rear panel.
This new front panel standardizes the amount of load carriage real estate across your force, regardless of individual stature. This means that smaller troops will be able to carry the same gear as those with wider chests. That’s because designer Matt Johnson developed a plate pocket that will accept not only different sized plates, but also different shapes.
Thanks to the scalability of the system, you can also configure it for simple load carriage missions where no armor is desired, or for front plate only with a chest rig like the Rhodesian rigs issued early in the war.
If you don’t need both front and back panels, there’s both a dedicated assault harness, or conversely you can set up a pack.
In addition to cummerbund options, R-Series also includes radio, magazine, and accessory pockets which can be mounted beside or below the front and back panels giving numerous options. These pockets also make the load more streamlined.
In addition to beefing up the design to accommodate heavier loads which are generally more suited to AVS, Crye also integrated cable management channels throughout the design to help with keeping everything streamlined.
I am very impressed with the versatilty of this new system and it offers a more coat effective alternative for those organizations who are considering AVS.
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.
