In addition to the new TAA compliant gloves we showed you yesterday, Beyond is also introducing a standard five finger glove a s a two-piece three finger mitt system that takes you down to -70 F. Both are touch screen compatible.
As an added bonus, Beyond also has a Cordura Gaiter.
Coming soon.
S&S Precision created a MOLLE adapter for the PECI TFFS (Tactical Flotation Support System) model 5326. The TFFS 5326 is usually attached to either side of a web belt at the wearers waist and provides 80 lbs of buoyancy.
This adapter will work with PALS platforms including the S&S Precision PlateFrame Modular cummerbund.
Watershed makes a wide variety of dry bags for recreational, industrial and military use. These are three of their utility pouches which are offered as part of their Maritime Backpack Suite. They include the Swimmer’s Utility Bag, Manpack Radio Bag, and Waterproof Individual Pouch.
The SUB is designed to carry the M53 protective mask or a similar sized item. The WIP accommodates a MK48 box mag, IFAK, or similar items. The Radio Bag will fit the AN/PRC-117G and accessories.
Regardless of size and intended use, they all have several design features in common. Watershed bags are made from abrasion resistant polyurethane coated fabric with seams sealed via RF welding. They also use a YKK Aquaseal waterproof zipper, and oral inflate/deflate valve with cover.
There is also a PALS compatible mounting system as well as both horizontal and vertical belt loops. Drainage points are also built-in at the ashes of the mounting system. There’s also a laser cut retainer for the T-shaped zipper pull so it doesn’t inadvertently open if caught on something.
These bags are all Berry compliant and available for sale to government customers, regardless of stock notices on the website.
www.drybags.com/bags/military-waterproof-bags
Designed to fit the AN/PRC-152 family of radios, the LBT Light Modular Comms Pack can be configured with shoulder straps or attached to armor back panel. It features industry standard zippers and PALS compatible zipper adapters are available for vests without integrated zippers.
There’s a zippered outer mesh pocket at the back of the pack and the radio can be accessed via a U-shaped zipper. Additional top access is provided through a flap which secures via Velcro.
As temperatures take a dive layering becomes crucial. Enter FirstSpear’s ACM400 Merino Wool line. The FirstSpear Lightweight Vest (LWV) is low bulk, high warmth garment. Additional features include the quarter-zip closure in the front. Along with the external and hidden internal chest pockets which are lined with a lightweight comfort mesh. In the back, there is a hem scoop into a tailcoat style to cover your waistband when active or bending over. The LWV is designed with a closer fit to take advantage of the natural stretch feature of FS400 and be comfortable under a shell or additional layer.
What makes this merino package so unique is that it is a bi-ply material, not a blend. Using a super-fine polyester on the interior and merino wool layer on the exterior, this material combo does some very incredible things. When the user sweats or gets wet the poly layer will quickly wick away moisture from the body and transfer it to the absorbent wool layer. Once the moisture permeates into the wool layer it allows the poly to dry very quickly which helps avoid the typical stink you find with other synthetic layers, additionally wool is naturally antimicrobial which makes it incredibly difficult for the garment to produce bacteria that causes odors in all synthetic base layers. Furthermore, once the moisture is absorbed into the wool layer it will keep the user insulated and warm even when wet.
Another garment in the ACM400 lineup to consider is the Mid Shirt. The Mid Shirt is durable and ultra-soft with a 2/3 length front zipper that allows extra ventilation when you really warm up. The high collar keeps your neck covered and is great for when you are working with a sling.
“Excellent mid layer, insanely comfortable. I’ve been a cotton thermal guy for decades, saving the expensive wool layers only for those coldest hunts/trips. This ACM MID 400 though, has now changed all that. The ability of this shirt to wick sweat/moisture from the body to keep that chill away is awesome. Sizing is accurate and the extra length to stay tucked in is welcomed on this 6’2″ frame. The 2/3 zip allows you to regulate venting and is stellar at keeping wind chill at bay combined with one of the neckie’s. Quit reading reviews, invest in your base layer and thank First-Spear later.” — Online Reviewer
The Mid Shirt and LWV are Berry Compliant (100% American Made with 100% American Materials) and are available in Black, Charcoal, Commando, Manatee Grey and Sand. The composition and fabrication of the FS ACM 400 is exclusive to First Spear!
To check out FirstSpear Merino wool products, click here. For more information, check out First-Spear.com. To discover more about FirstSpear’s technology, check out First-Spear.tech.
Beyond has introduced a line of Trade Act (TAA) Compliant gloves. Seen here are three of the five styles which are all built for cold weather. Depending on the option, they will protect you down to -17 C / 0 F.
Touch screen compatible, they are available now, in stock, and ready to ship.
Thyrm is launching a limited run of DarkVault-Comms gear cases in MultiCam and MultiCam Black soon.
Just as Fiscal Year 2020 was closing out, the US Army awarded SIG SAUER an Other Transaction Agreements contract valued at $77,168,400.00 for the Direct View Optic program. SIG put up their TANGO6T which continues to rack up contract wins.
The Army envisioned DVO of being capable of variable power magnification with minimum magnification of 1.0x with no rounding and maximum magnification greater than or equal to 6.0 power.
Their rationale was that variable power magnification optics combine the capabilities of the non-magnified optic’s ability to engage close quarter targets with a fixed-magnification optic’s ability to detect, recognize, identify, and precisely engage targets at extended ranges. This allows the Soldier to have both critical capabilities without the limitations of either non magnified or fixed magnification optics.
The Army announced the program in June of 2019. It seemed to move rapidly at first, but then stalled as COVID-19 sidetracked many programs. The Army also used the time to consider prioritization of its Next Generation Squad Weapon program, intended to replace the 5.56mm M4A1 and M249 with new weapons firing a 6.8 x 51 mm round with increased range and penetration for use by close combat forces. These include Infantry, Cavalry Scouts, and Combat Engineers as well as those who provide them embedded support, such as Combat Medics. The Army has included its Special Operations Forces as well in the NGSW program.
Just when many expected the Army to cancel the program, they announced the contract award.
This is a TANGO6T mounted to the SIG SAUER SLSR in 6.8mm, their NGSW Rifle candidate, nicknamed the Spear.
The TANGO6T is a 1-6×24 riflescope featuring a Flat Dark Earth (FDE) anodized aircraft grade aluminum maintube, illuminated front focal plane reticle, an ultra-bright red horseshoe dot for fast daylight target acquisition, locking illumination dial, Power Selector Ring (PSR) Throw Lever, and a laser-marked scope level indicator for mount installation. All of the variants I have used so far have featured the red horseshoe dot.
The DVO version of the TANGO6T differs slightly from both the version already adopted by the Army for the Squad Designated Marksman Rifle and the version selected by US Special Operations Command for the Squad – Variable Power Scope program.
The SDMR optic procurement is complete and the S-VPS procurement is ongoing, with a new reticle, despite a lot of rumors to the contrary.
We’ll dispel another rumor as well. These are assembled in the US. No, the optical prescription doesn’t come from the US, no one’s does, at least not for any optic you’d want to use. But everything else is made here, and the whole thing is assembled here as well.
An initial version of the USSOCOM S-VPS.
There will be a new reticle for DVO. From what I understand it will be a BDC reticle for the M855A1 ammunition. It is also slightly shorter in length than the other versions. I’d expect a few other changes as well before it begins fielding, as this always happens. We’ll update you once we hear more.
The optic below was built for the DVO program. It’s the one mounted to the Spear above. The color variations in the photos are due to lighting.
Expect this procurement to move out quickly. Test and evaluation should proceed rapidly as the TANGO6T is already a known quantity. Conversely, this new optic will also have significant impacts on marksmanship training in how to properly use a variable power optic, beyond snipers and designated marksmen. That could mean the training base will have to adapt the SDMR new equipment training for a new caliber, and wider audience. The optics will likely be ready before the force is ready to receive them.
The first tranche of around 45,000 DVO are supposed to go to the US Air Force for use by Security Forces, which is the largest enlisted careerfield in the AF. This will satisfy a requirement we’ve been reporting on since 2018.
However, the US Army will assuredly buy off this contract as well. They awarded it after all. To be sure, the Army is committed to the Next Generation Squad Weapon – Fire Control solution currently being evaluated alongside the NGSW candidates. However, there are two issues afoot. First off, FC will be very expensive and likely only used with the next gen guns once they come online. The second issue is that the Army has almost one million M4/16 rifles in their inventory. Even if NGSW is completely fielded it’s well short of the inventory of rifles and machine guns it will replace. I estimate the M4 will remain in service well into the 2040s in very large numbers, as in hundreds of thousands. While the M4 won’t be the main battle rifle used by close combat forces, there is no reason to not replace the current fixed magnification (1x magnification) M4 COMP from Aimpoint with a variable power optic.
Consequently, there is already talk of a procurement of tens of thousands of DVO for use by close combat forces awaiting NGSW since DVO was written specifically for use with the M4A1. Yes, you read that right, the Army will buy this scope. Remember, the Army initially talked about purchasing 120,000 optics (to include other agency buys) when the requirement dropped.
There’s a lot of room in the contract to buy optics and they can modify it to buy even more if the need arises. Considering it’s an OTA, modifying the ceiling isn’t difficult. The Army just needs to be careful about how long they use the section 804 authority to purchase this piece of equipment (up to five years according to the award data).
However, once it is assigned an NSN, they can transition procurement into sustainment and have the Defense Logistics Agency manage procurement. Along with that move is generally a new contract opportunity and a chance for other vendors to compete to build it. This usually occurs once the initial contract runs out, which is around five years.
This program kicks off soon.
