During last year’s Rampart Range Day Galvion collected data for their helmet sizing app. This year, they continued the process but for the new Hellbender helmet rather than the Cayman series. Additionally, they collected data on some new helmet accessories I’m not allowed to show yet.
I rally have no idea why I’m looking up but I must have had a good reason.
This is the latest incarnation of the DNS Alpha GORE-TEX coverall but beefed up as an overgarment for freefall parachuting.
It also includes a removable insulated liner.
The rear incorporates stretch panels.
This image offers a good view of the sleeve and thigh pockets as well as Velcro fields to attach equipment.
Here you can see the full length zippers, thigh stretch panels, and internal booties.
And finally the left upper quadrant of the coveralls.
I’d call it a Fallschirmspringeranzug. Hopefully, we’ll see these begin to see these show up soon for US MFF jumpers.
This and other products shown at Rampart Range Day are available for unit and agency orders in Canada and the US through Rampart.
Redlands, CA — Tactical Night Vision Company (TNVC), an industry leader in visual augmentation systems, night vision education, and end-user driven solutions, is proud to announce the launch of the TNVC Filmed Super Gain (FSG) tubes and systems. TNVC FSG is a U.S.-made, Gen. 3 auto-gated image intensifier tube developed to deliver enhanced performance and improved operating capability at an affordable price for modern night vision users.
For years, TNVC has worked to bridge the gap between professional-grade capability and the practical realities faced by military personnel, law enforcement professionals, prepared citizens, and first-time night vision users. The TNVC FSG image intensifier tube (IIT) continues that mission by offering a readily available, American-made IIT with increased luminance gain and improved perceived image quality without requiring users to enter ultra-premium price categories.
Exclusive to TNVC, The FSG tube was developed in partnership with a leading U.S. image intensifier manufacturer in response to a Federal government requirement for improved performance in low-light environments. TNVC’s FSG IIT’s feature a specialized power supply which increases the luminance gain beyond traditional Gen. 3 tubes, providing a noticeable improvement in perceived brightness, image amplification, and usable environmental information.
In practical terms, the increased gain of the TNVC FSG tube enhances how much information the user can process in difficult lighting conditions, allowing even lower-spec’ed (e.g.,max 1800/max 2000 FOM) tubes to punch above their weight class.
Greater amplification supports improved target recognition, environmental awareness, and operating flexibility in darker or more variable conditions where standard-gain systems may begin to lose clarity or detail.
As image intensifier tube performance has continued to evolve, modern tubes have achieved lower overall noise levels, allowing increased luminance gain to provide even more meaningful information to the user. Similar to the original SuperGain release, Filmed SuperGain technology increases perceived brightness and image amplification while taking advantage of improved manufacturing consistency and cleaner signal performance.
Tube data records (“spec sheets”) only tell part of the story. The benefits of increased gain are not limited to abstract metrics or image appearance alone. The brighter image produced by FSG tubes allows the user’s pupil to remain smaller, even in low-light conditions where traditional image intensifier tubes may begin to dim. This physiological advantage can effectively improve perceived visual acuity, helping users process more environmental information while reducing eye strain and fatigue during extended use.
Importantly, these improvements do not come at the expense of durability or service life. FSG tubes maintain the same reliability, robustness, and expected lifespan as traditional image intensifier tubes.
What does this actually mean to the end-user?
For years, many consumers, both government and prepared citizens, have focused heavily on Figure of Merit (FOM), calculated through Signal-to-Noise Ratio multiplied by Center Resolution expressed in line pairs per millimeter (lp/mm), as a primary measure of image intensifier performance. TNVC FSG tubes with increased gain provide users with more useful information under challenging conditions. Instead of simply making an image brighter, TNVC FSG technology helps preserve detail, enhance scene interpretation, and improve how effectively users can process their environment.
Luminance gain is one of the most critically important factors in how an image intensifier tube perform, however, it is usually relegated to the back seat because it is typically established by the manufacturer and remained relatively stable across production lines for decades. As a result, gain was often under-discussed when evaluating real-world image intensifier performance until TNVC’s release of SuperGain in 2022.
Unlike many specialty tube offerings that exist only in limited configurations, TNVC FSG tubes will be available across TNVC’s complete line of TN-built systems, supporting both manual gain-capable and automatic brightness control (ABC)-only configurations. This flexibility allows end-users to select the housing, feature set, and performance level that best aligns with their mission requirements and budget.
A Different Approach to American-Made Capability
TNVC has long advocated for supporting American manufacturing and maintaining a domestic industrial base capable of producing high-performance night vision systems. The launch of the TNVC Filmed Super Gain tube reflects that commitment.
While the market continues to see growth in lower-quality and overseas products, TNVC believes supporting U.S.-made technology and creating credible, accessible alternatives that consumers can realistically purchase. Rather than simply discouraging buyers from selecting imported options, TNVC invested in creating a lower-cost American-made solution that delivers meaningful performance gains while supporting U.S. industry, domestic manufacturing, and long-term lifecycle support.
This effort reflects TNVC’s longstanding philosophy that capability should not be limited only to premium-tier budgets.
Credible Capability at “Regular Earth People” Prices
The TNVC FSG tube is designed to fill a critical gap in the night vision market, delivering strong Gen. 3 performance and image quality, and American manufacturing pedigree at a price that remains attainable for widest possible range of users.
For many users, night vision has historically represented a difficult entry point due to cost barriers. TNVC believes that expanding access to capable systems strengthens the entire community of responsible end-users by increasing education, adoption, and practical training.
The TNVC FSG platform offers an opportunity to own a domestically produced Gen. 3 auto-gated image intensifier tube without sacrificing confidence in quality, reliability, or support.
As with all TNVC-built systems, the TNVC Exclusive Filmed Super Gain tube is supported by the same industry-leading lifetime limited warranty standard TNVC helped establish and continues to stand behind.
TNVC’s commitment extends beyond product sales, emphasizing lifecycle support, education, system integration, and long-term customer trust.
Because capability does not stop at purchase, TNVC continues to reinforce that equipment is only one part of the equation. Training, understanding, and application remain essential to maximizing performance in low-light environments.
The TNVC Filmed Super Gain (FSG) tube represents another step toward making reliable, American-made night vision more accessible to the people who rely on it.
TNVC Filmed Super Gain tubes and systems are now available, exclusively through TNVC and our dealers.
TNVC Filmed Super Gain Info and TNVC Filmed Super Gain Product Page
For additional information, visit TNVC online or contact the TNVC team to define your requirements and identify the best configuration for your application.
Meeting a 4 MOA standard is not the problem. Maintaining it across the force is.
The Army does not struggle to teach marksmanship. The Army struggles to maintain it.
That is not criticism. It is just reality.
Marksmanship is a perishable skill, especially in formations where range time is limited and priorities constantly compete for attention. Most Soldiers are not lacking motivation. They are lacking repetitions.
The standard itself is straightforward. The Army is looking for roughly a 4 MOA shooter, with 6 MOA generally considered acceptable. In practical terms, that means keeping rounds inside a 12-to-18-inch area at 300 meters. Enough to consistently hit an E-Type silhouette while allowing some margin for error.
The challenge is doing it consistently across the force.
That is where people often start searching for expensive solutions. New optics. New calibers. New technology. Meanwhile, one of the simplest tools for improving shooter stability continues to get overlooked because it is not flashy.
The adjustable two point sling.
Specifically, the Vickers Combat Applications Sling.
When Blue Force Gear conducts New Equipment Training with Army units fielding the VCAS, the same thing tends to happen. Shooters stabilize faster. Confidence improves. Qualification scores climb.
Not because the sling magically creates better marksmen.
Because stability matters.
Without a properly employed sling, shooters often spend the entire shot process fighting unnecessary movement. The rifle shifts in the shoulder. The reticle wanders. Small inconsistencies become misses once time and positional transitions get introduced.
The sling helps tie the rifle into the shooter instead of forcing the shooter to muscle the rifle through every shot.
That is not revolutionary. It is just effective.
That effectiveness is exactly why the Army authorized the Blue Force Gear push button sling as an approved attachment for the M4A1 platform through TACOM.
The important part is this is not about replacing training or pretending equipment solves everything.
It is about helping Soldiers apply the fundamentals more consistently under time and pressure.
Sometimes making better shooters is not about reinventing the rifle.
Sometimes it is simply about giving Soldiers more stability behind it.
Blue Force Gear continues supporting Army and SOF units with sling integration, New Equipment Training, and practical marksmanship application focused on helping Soldiers build confidence, consistency, and stability where it matters most.
Learn more about the Vickers Sling and Blue Force Gear’s full line of weapon slings and load carriage solutions at Blue Force Gear.
For units seeking to increase survivability and operational performance through reduced load carriage by upgrading to Helium Whisper, contact the Blue Force Gear Military Department or visit BlueForceGear.com.
When you say “waterproof breathable”, you immediately think of the company that created the category, GORE-TEX. This month, it celebrates its 50th anniversary of keeping us dry.
During a recent visit to WL Gore & Co’s headquarters in Delaware I had a chance to get a look at the history of this iconic brand. One of the most amazing pieces in their archive is this prototype garment which was worn during a camping trip by Founder Bill Gore’s family.
This no-frills parka design even features taped seams and led to the first crop of commercial GORE-TEX products including the Early Winters mountaineering tent. This was followed immediately with multiple clothing options.
Footwear wasn’t far behind and by 1979 GORE-TEX lined running shoes by Brooks had hit the market followed quickly by boots from Danner.
While my first encounter with GORE-TEX was in 1986 with a pair Danner Ft Lewis Boots and experimental Extended Cold Weather Clothing System (ECWCS), the first military use of a GORE-TEX product was almost a decade earlier in 1978 when a Marine Corps officer wore this Marmot Mountain Works jacket on a rotation to the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in California.
The color wasn’t right, but the material worked and within a few years Special Operations Forces were wearing commercial items to increase their operational capabilities. Take for example this lightweight 2-layer GORE-TEX ensemble in Woodland camouflage from the archives.
Today, GORE-TEX brand continues to innovate and you’ll find their products all over the battlefield including on this tethered drone which relies on a GORE brand cable offering both power and data transmission.
To learn more on this amazing history, visit www.gore-tex.com/about/50-years.
You’re going to want to download this one.
wilcoxind.com/backend/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Wilcox-Product-Catalog
Mustang Survival is introducing a new Waterproof Breathable Jacket intended for LE duty.
It features two large chest pockets, two internal pockets, a stowable hood, and full length underarm two-way zippers which allow you to expose your holster.
Based on concerns that water might still penetrate the waterproof Aquaguard zipper, the flap behind the zipper features a gutter to prevent any water getting in.
Mustang Survival products are available for agency and unit purchase in Canada from Rampart.
In conjunction with the new C25 General Purpose Carbine and C26 Full Spectrum Rifles displayed by Colt Canada at Rampart Range Day, they showed the latest upgrade to their EAGLE 40mm grenade launcher which is to be designated as the C27 by the Canadian military.
Seen above in its stand alone configuration with stock and optics rail, it can also be fitted to the 6 o’clock position on Picatinny rail equipped rifles with recoil lugs. It is held secured to the rail via the two captured pins.
Already in limited service with the Canadian Armed Forces, it has replaced the M203. This side opener features a double action trigger allowing the shooter to immediately mitigate a misfire without opening the breech to re-cock the weapon.
It features fully ambitious controls and the barrel can be configured to open to the left or the right.
