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FirstSpear Friday Focus: Cummerbund Roundup

Friday, April 4th, 2025

FirstSpear’s cummerbund offerings provide enhanced modularity, speed, and protection to support a variety of mission profiles. Each cummerbund is purpose-built to enhance FirstSpear’s plate carriers, providing mission-driven adaptability, protection, and rapid gear access.

RIGID CUMMERBUND

The RIGID CUMMERBUND is designed for rapid donning and doffing using 2” Tubes, ensuring compatibility with all Tube sizes. Built to integrate seamlessly with the Instant Access Back Panel, it enhances load carriage efficiency with an exterior 6/12 attachment field for modular pocket configuration. The interior loop field allows for the attachment of FirstSpear’s Ragnar pockets, providing additional storage options while maintaining a low profile.

ADAPTIVE CUMMERBUND

The ADAPTIVE CUMMERBUND is built for maximum flexibility, allowing users to quickly swap between land and maritime configurations using Tubes technology. With Tubes on the front, this cummerbund requires the TUBES™ RETRO-FIT CUMMERBUND, ATTACHMENT PANEL, enabling users to set their fit once without repeated adjustments. Engineered to support soft armor inserts, it provides mission-adaptive protection without sacrificing speed or efficiency and eliminates the hassle of hook and loop, allowing for near-instant transitions between operational setups.

OVERLAP CUMMERBUND

The OVERLAP CUMMERBUND enhances protection by providing additional soft armor coverage where the Tubes connect, ensuring greater security without compromising mobility. Designed for seamless integration with various FirstSpear carriers it optimizes load carriage efficiency. The interior allows users to keep magazines and gear close to the body, creating a streamlined profile ideal for confined spaces and dynamic operations. This cummerbund supports modular attachments through FirstSpear’s 6/12 technology, further enhancing customization, and was designed to benefit users needing expanded magazine capacity beyond front-loading setups while maintaining full vest functionality.

RETRO-FIT CUMMERBUND

The RETRO-FIT CUMMERBUND brings the advantages of 6/12 and Tubes® technology to carriers that use traditional hook and loop flap systems. Designed for seamless integration, it allows users to upgrade their load carriage platform without needing an entirely new vest. This cummerbund supports soft armor inserts and 6″x6″ hard plates, enhancing protection while maintaining a lightweight and modular design. Included in the kit is the OVERLAP CUMMERBUND and all necessary attachment components, making installation straightforward. With its innovative design, this cummerbund provides a secure, adaptable, and modernized fit for users seeking enhanced functionality in their existing carrier systems.

FirstSpear is the premier source for cutting edge-tactical gear for military, law enforcement and those who train.

For more information visit First-Spear.com.

Posted in Advertiser, Armor, FS Friday Focus, Guest Post, Load Carrying | No Comments »

Qilo Tactical’s x Perroz Designs – Safari Collection Season VI

Thursday, April 3rd, 2025

Built for the kind of safari where the animals shoot back.

Safari Collection season VI – “The African Dictator Special” is inspired largely by the sartorial choices of Mobutu Sese Seko who was a Congolese politician and military officer who renamed Congo to Zaire and ruled it for 26 years from 1971 to 1997.

He was well known for donning his iconic leopard print hat.

Drops this Friday, 3PM EDT. All items are made in Canada by Perroz Designs and distributed by Qilo Tactical.

Posted in Armor, Camo, Helmets | No Comments »

Adept Armor Unveils Ivoryguard, an Ultra-Lightweight Foam Redefining Ballistic and Impact Protection

Friday, March 7th, 2025

Now integrated into the Storm Foundation Plate, Ivoryguard™ enhances durability and energy absorption while making the ultra-light NIJ-III/RF1-rated armor even lighter.

Denison, TX. (March 2025) – Adept Armor, pioneers in next-gen protective solutions, today launched Ivoryguard™: a breakthrough foam technology that defies conventional engineering limits. At just 0.068 gm/cc, it’s lighter than silica aerogel – often called “the world’s lightest solid” – yet tougher than traditional heavy-duty foams used in armor, helmet padding, and other high-impact applications.

In head-to-head tests, Ivoryguard outperformed leading materials by 20-360 percent in weight-adjusted energy absorption. Even that alone positions Ivoryguard as a major innovation in high-performance superfoams – as the lightest heavy-duty foam – but raw performance is only half the story:

Engineered for extremes: Far less temperature-sensitive than the competition, Ivoryguard maintains performance in environments from -40°C to scorching desert heat, and is currently being investigated for use in stratospheric drones operating at -50°C in ultra-high-UVR conditions.

Built to last: Closed-cell foam structure repels moisture and chemicals while staying odor-free.

Outstanding engineering properties: 180 percent elongation, 2.5 MPa tensile strength, and tear resistance exceeding 45 N/cm – a combination of properties which makes for a material that’s ultra-plastic yet damage resistant.

Adept’s flagship RF1 Storm Foundation Plate now integrates Ivoryguard, shaving another 0.1 lb. off an already featherlight design (down to 2.3 lb.) while maintaining combat-proven 0.9” thickness and NIJ III/RF1 ballistic rating. The result? Military-grade protection that feels effortless to wear, with further reduced backface deformation upon impact.

While born for ballistic challenges, Ivoryguard is sparking a materials revolution.

Aerospace: Ultra-light insulation and structural support for high-altitude drones.

Automotive: Durable crash absorption that doesn’t compromise mileage.

Sports: Helmets and torso protection pads that are lighter, more durable, and easier to care for.

It will become the material of choice for all those who demand protection that offers the best performance at the lowest weight, combined with extreme endurance and top-tier comfort characteristics.

“Ivoryguard closes the ‘impossible gap’ between weight, protection, and resilience,” said Jake Ganor, CEO at Adept Armor. “This isn’t just better foam; it’s a new design language for safety-critical industries.”

Adept is now offering Ivoryguard samples to qualified partners. Defense teams, engineers, and manufacturers ready to leapfrog competitors are invited to reach out.

For more information on Adept Armor or how to request an Ivoryguard sample, visit their website.

Posted in Armor, Materials, Press Release | 1 Comment »

RTS Tactical – Legion Shield

Monday, March 3rd, 2025

The Legion Shield from RTS Tactical features a Viewport and ballistic bolts. It is built and rated to defeat NIJ 0101.07 RF1 level threats.

The handle incorporates a vibration dampening pad to dissipate kinetic energy when taking hits and the corners feature rubber bumpers to protect then shield while using it as well as during transport and storage.

Additionally, the Legion Shield is compatible with Foxfury LED lights.

Offered in two sizes, 18″ x 32″ (16.8 lbs) and 20″ x 36″ (19.3 lbs).

To learn more, visit rtstactical.com/products/rts-tactical-legion-ballistic-shield.

Posted in Armor, LE | No Comments »

Rheinmetall Gladius Light – Special Networking for Special Operations Forces

Sunday, March 2nd, 2025

Soldier systems connect individual warriors on the battlefield with other actors, sensors, effectors and platforms, bringing them into the network-enabled operational loop. Rheinmetall has extensive experience in this area. Just in February 2025 the Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and In Service Support of the Bundeswehr (BAAINBw) has signed a framework contract with Rheinmetall Electronics GmbH for the follow-on procurement of soldiersystems ‘Infantry Soldier of the Future – Enhanced System’ (IdZES). The framework contract, with a maximum gross volume of €3.1bn, will run until the end of 2030. Overall, the German Armed Forces can thus initiate the proportional regeneration as well as the manufacturing and delivery of up to 368 IdZ-ES platoon systems and various options for the procurement of additional components and services. A platoon is a military sub-unit.

IdZ-ES is based on the soldier system Gladius 2.0. At Enforce Tac 2025, the Group will be presenting another version of its Gladius 2.0 soldier system, specifically designed to meet the needs of special operations forces. During development, the system’s designers kept a sharp focus on the need for lightweight, flexible systems that enable maximum mobility. The Gladius Light configuration has therefore been stripped down to its essentials. At the same time, however, care was taken to maximize flexibility, making it possible to include accessories needed for special operations. Moreover, the new configuration is specially designed to enable subsequent upgrades and extensions. The Gladius Light configuration is based on a lightweight tactical harness with scalable ballistic protection.

It includes:
-a radio for voice and data communication as well as GPS tracking for ‘blue force’ information;
-an advanced headset with various push-to-talk buttons (connected by cable or Bluetooth) for voice communication;
-an end user device (e.g. a tablet) for depicting tactical maps, assuring an uninterrupted exchange of information and improved situational awareness.

Posted in Armor, Comms, Digitization, International, Press Release, SOF | No Comments »

Integris and QinetiQ Collaborate on U.S. Army Helicopter Armor

Wednesday, February 26th, 2025

Integris and QinetiQ Join Forces to Enhance Survivability of Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA)

Legacy Resource for Defense Prime Contractors

25 February 2025 – Integris Composites, Inc., a global leader in armor protection for military, police and security has become a Tier 1 supplier of military helicopter armor for defense departments and prime contractors.

Integris Composites, a leading supplier of advanced armor systems, recently announced it is partnering with QinetiQ US to provide armor systems for the U.S. Army’s Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA)—the next-generation helicopter program that addresses the U.S. Army’s requirements for increased speed, range, and survivability.

“This collaboration builds upon Integris’ initial selection byBell Textron to provide armor systems for the FLRAA, further solidifying the positioning of Integris Composites in the cutting-edge military aviation sector,” said David Cordova, chief commercial officer of Integris, Inc.

ARMOR SYSTEM: Bell Textron, Inc. has selected Integris Composites to supply armor for the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA). The Bell V-280 Valor pictured here was chosen by the US Army as the winner of Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft Program. The new assault aircraft will fly twice as far and twice as fast as the current fleet.

Integris has awarded QinetiQ the contract to provide systems engineering and integration expertise for the materials technology that will be used on both the floor and wing of the advanced rotorcraft. Cordova said this is the latest collaboration in the history between QinetiQ and Integris.

The FLRAA program has entered the engineering and manufacturing development phase, with Bell reporting it has commenced detailed design work on six prototypes.

“We are extremely proud to be part of the team behind this innovative rotorcraft that is ushering in what will become the U.S. Army’s new long-range assault aircraft,” Cordova continued. The QinetiQ-Integris collaboration leverages Integris’ expertise in lightweight, fit-for-purpose composite military armor, which has been successfully applied to various aerospace projects.

Cordova said that Integris, in alignment with other industry partners, supports key program objectives, including Bell’s Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA), increased survivability, and alignment with the broader Future Vertical Lift (FVL) initiative, as the FLRAA progresses toward prototype testing in 2026 and fielding by 2030.

Global Helicopter Armor Resource

“Integris is today entering its fourth decade of business as a reliable resource for major military commands as well as a robust partner of choice for the world’s top defense contractors. We are a credentialed tier one supplier to aerospace original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and prime defense contractors throughout the world,” said Cordova.

The company is supplying armor kits for the new Boeing MH-139 Grey Wolf that will replace the UH-60 Black Hawk for the U.S. Air Force. “We are part of a storied lineage that traces its roots back to the iconic Vietnam-era ‘Huey’ (UH-1 Iroquois) and present-day Black Hawk, which since 1979 has been the Army’s Utility Tactical Transport Aircraft System (UTTAS),” Cordova continued.

Integris has provided ballistic protection for various international helicopter platforms, including:

Airbus H-125 – special lightweight, high-performance kits for U.S. Customs and Border Patrol

Airbus Military – H135, NH90, H145, H225M (Super Puma), H175, and potentially the H160

Leonardo Helicopters – AW159, AW101, and AW169

Trusted Resource

In addition to armor kits for rotorcraft, the company has been contracted to support Velocity Systems, the Battelle Memorial Institute, Mack Defense, American Rheinmetall Vehicles, and the Air Force Institute of Technology.

Integris also has a strong reputation for the body armor plates that protect military personnel around the world. “We are pleased to report that our Cratus™ Wave ballistic armor, an innovative thinner and heat stress-reducing body armor insert, was ordered by the U.S. Air Force 582nd Helicopter Group.

Posted in Armor, Army, Aviation, Industry, Press Release | No Comments »

Mehler Protection Introduces the HYVE: A Versatile Waistcoat with Integrated Plate Carrier

Tuesday, February 25th, 2025

FULDA, GERMANY (24.02.2025)

Mehler Protection proudly unveils the Hybrid Waistcoat (HYVE), a cutting-edge personal protection solution designed to meet the dynamic needs of law enforcement and security personnel. Combining a tailored waistcoatwith a fully compatible plate carrier, the HYVE provides an adaptable and efficient approach to tactical protection.

This innovative system seamlessly integrates a soft ballistic waistcoat with a detachable plate carrier, enabling users to independently enhance their level of protection based on situational demands. With its thoughtful design, the HYVE allows for quick adjustments during critical operations without compromising functionality or mobility.

The waistcoat offers personalised protection through a custom fit, ensuring maximum comfort and ease ofmovement for individual users. The detachable plate carrier, designed to accommodate ballistic plates at thefront and back, is a one-size-fits-all solution that can be shared among team members, making it a resource-efficient option. Importantly, the plate carrier can be added or removed in seconds, even under high-pressure conditions, without the need to adjust or remove the waistcoat itself.

Pockets and equipment remain accessible in their original positions throughout operations, ensuring uninterrupted usability. This intuitive and ergonomic design allows personnel to respond effectively in both standard and high-risk scenarios, enhancing their operational readiness and confidence.

The HYVE reflects Mehler Protection’s commitment to delivering advanced, flexible, and practical solutions for those working in demanding environments. It sets a new benchmark in modern tactical equipment, combining efficiency with user-centric design to address the uniquechallenges of today’s operational landscapes.

For more details about the HYVE and Mehler Protection’s advanced protective solutions, please visit here.

Posted in Armor, International, Press Release | No Comments »

RTS Tactical – Lead Entry Shield

Monday, February 24th, 2025

RTS Tactical doesn’t just make armor vests, they also offer armored shields like the Mini Shield we recently discussed.

If you’re looking for something a little more substantial, with a curved front and ballistic glass viewport, then you should check out their Lead Entry Shield.

Built and tested to NIJ 0101.07 RF1 standard (exceeds previous NIJ 06 Level III rating) the shield is 24″ x 36″ and weighs 26.4 lbs. The load is managaeble thanks to the Tri-Grip handle system.

The bolts are tested to RF1 standard with front, side and 30° angle impacts and the shield features RTS Tactical’s patent-pending boltless viewport which eliminates additional bolts and adhesives.

rtstactical.com/products/rts-tactical-lead-entry-ballistic-shield

Posted in Armor | No Comments »