SKD Tactical has just added the Shellback Tactical Banshee Plate Carrier to their offerings. Designed originally for LE use, the Banshee was recently approved for use by the LAPD.
Banshees in Coyote, Ranger, Multicam and Black are in stock, ready for immediate shipping. Banshees ordered from SKD Tactical ship Free and include a hook and loop flag patch.
The Backpack Shield BP3A Level IIIA Ballistic Plate is made from Kevlar, offers full NIJ level IIIA protection in the form of a simple plate that can be placed in packs, messenger bags, briefcases and other similar EDC bags.
The above plate was shot with 32 rounds of pistol ammo ranging from 9mm to 45ACP
This isn’t the first of its kind, but its interesting to see LaRue once again expand from their core business to offer their customers new products. And I think they are right on time with this one. If you or your significant other regularly carry a daypack or have children who do, then this is a great, simple addition to your EDC that gives you something to hide behind in the event you find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time. Think of it as insurance.
One point to consider is the weight. It’s 2 lbs. That’s a big deal to an adult or older kid but it could be a bit of a burden for a younger child in addition to his books. Also, consider the size when ordering to make sure you have a pack to fit. It’s 17” high x 12 wide” x .375” thick (Plate surface is roughly .25” thick). If your concern is to protect yourself or family, have the pack or attache accommodate the plate and not the other way around.
Manufactured in Austin, Texas, the Backpack Shield BP3A Level IIIA Ballistic Plate, is available at www.laruetactical.com/backpack-shield.
According to Tactical Assault Gear, both the Shellback Tactical Banshee and its radio pouch are now National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) certified. This is really big news for the Banshee product family. The Banshee scored 4.42 out of 5 and the radio pouch scored 4.58 out of 5 -two really great scores. Well Done!
According the the Department of Defense, on 21 September 2012 –
Leading Technology Composites Inc., Wichita, Kansas, is being awarded a firm-fixed-price contract (92222-12-0-0024), for the purchase or Special Operations Forces personal equipment advanced requirements ballistic plates in support of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). The contract value is not to exceed $24,912,093. The work will be performed in Wichita, Kan., and delivery will be completed by September 2013. U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity.
Diamondback Tactical announced that after a down select, it has been awarded the body armor contract for the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
“We are truly honored to have been selected as the exclusive provider to the FBI,” says Andrew Bair, CEO of Diamondback Tactical, “and we are committed to delivering our highest quality armor system to support the Bureau and protect its personnel. In addition, we are proud to have a premier customer like the FBI recognize the quality and market leadership of Diamondback Tactical, and we look forward to continuing our service and support to its critical mission.”
Prior to the contract award, Diamondback Tactical was the sole-source supplier for mission-specific tactical armor kits for the FBI-Defensive Systems Unit. With the new award, Diamondback Tactical will remain the exclusive provider for supplying the FBI with a tri-compliant ballistics package which is tested in accordance with the NIJ Standard-0101.06, the FBI 4.0 Protocol and the DEA (2009) Protocol.
“Diamondback’s state-of-the-art armor system is optimized for the demanding performance and functional requirements of the FBI and its agents, and we look forward to demonstrating our superior capabilities throughout the length of this five-year contract,” says Mike Runella, Director for Specialty Programs and Contracts at Diamondback.
Diamondback Tactical has a dedicated program management and production team aimed at meeting the requirements for the FBI under this contract.
We’ve shown you the Super Light Armor Applique Plate developed by Velocity Systems for the Ops-Core Ballistic FAST Helmet. However, there are far more Advanced Combat Helmets fielded. In fact, there’s an entire Army and Air Force worth out there. Early on in the development of the SLAAP, Velocity Systems produced a variant for the ACH’s geometry.
They produce blanks that are water jet cut to finish and using this process they can accommodate different NVG mounts/shrouds as well as rail systems. The model you see above is cut for a rail and NVG mount that takes up more vertical space than most others. Additionally, a Large/XLarge SLAAP weighs just a pound. Considering it will stop an AK round, that’s impressive.
SLAAP is THE answer to the rifle caliber threat.
SLAAP is economical. You purchase as much protection as you need. There’s no need to buy an entire new fleet of helmets that only stop an arbitrary threat. Both front and rear plates have been developed, and since they are easily attached to and detached from the helmet, SLAAP is scalable. You adapt to the threat and only use the amount of protection you need. SLAAP is effective. It defeats the threat you will see on the street; 7.62 x 39mm FMJ with mild steel core penetrator. Additionally, the technology is adaptable. Because it is a helmet accessory, new versions of SLAAP can be developed as new threats emerge.
Military or Law Enforcement, I encourage you to look at SLAAP if you are facing rifle caliber threats. Chances are very good that Velocity Systems has already built a model to fit your issue helmet. It is a major game changer for the ACH.
Raine Inc is expanding their product line to include tactical nylon. For example, this Modular Plate Carrier. It is a lightweight, scalable design.
The plate bags are available in Small/Medium and Large/XLarge. The cummerbund is attached in front via ITW G hooks and in the rear via T-handles which fit in between the PALS webbing making it easily replaced for size, reconfiguration or maintenance.
The plate bags are top loaders with a zippered closure and a rain flap. Height adjustment is at the rear of the bag.
Raine’s focus remains offering great gear at an affordable price. I’m quite pleased to see them evolve into new designs.
Look for the Modular Plate Carrier and other new items soon from www.raineinc.com
