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U.S. Department of Justice Body Armor Challenge: How Long Does Body Armor Really Last?

Sunday, September 16th, 2012

During Friday’s Safety Datapalooza at the White House, the Department of Justice announced the Body Armor Challenge which hopes to find a technical solution to provide tools to determine the integrity of soft body armor.

While manufacturer data is a good starting point, it does not take into account environmental and operational factors that may impact the useful lifespan of a vest. They are interested in helping a user determine at what point a vest no longer offers acceptable ballistic performance. Ultimately, this information will help user and manufacturer alike.

“The Office of Justice Programs is committed to exploring all avenues to expand its research initiatives. The Body Armor Challenge is a unique opportunity to further support the health and well-being of our public service officers by strengthening the reliability of their body armor,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Mary Lou Leary.

According to the DoJ this is a multi-phase Challenge. Submission dates are from September 14, 2012 to December 14, 2012. Winners will be announced on March 15, 2013. Competitors are encouraged to think creatively about how open data, data sharing, and crowdsourcing of data can play a role in the development, operation, and ongoing improvement of the solution. Winners of the Body Armor Challenge may have the opportunity to showcase their ideas to stakeholders participating in the Administration’s Materials Genome Initiative, which speeds the discovery, delivery and manufacturing of new materials.

Visit nij.gov/funding/2012/body-armor-challenge for complete rules and information.

Tags: Department of Justice
Posted in Armor, LE | 1 Comment »

DBT Announces New DoD Program Director and National Sales Director

Friday, September 14th, 2012

Diamondback Tactical has hired Mike Jewell as Director of DoD Programs,. They’ve also promoted Norm MacLeod to the position of National Sales Director for State and Local Law Enforcement.

“We are excited about the value that Mike and Norm bring to our sales team,” says Roland VanSkiver, Vice President of Global Sales for Diamondback Tactical. “They bring a wealth of knowledge, and have a strong passion for serving this industry with hard work and integrity.”

As Director of DoD, Mike Jewell will be responsible for the development and maintenance of new business within the defense and military sectors. Jewell served 11 years in the United States Air Force Security Forces as a military working K-9 handler. He has served in Operation Southern Watch, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and an assignment to the USMC 1st FAST and 13th MEU (SOC) in support of Operation Resolute Response. Jewell has also worked as a part of the protective security detachment team for DynCorp in support of the U.S. State Department CIVPOL program in Baghdad, Iraq. Jewell was instrumental in the initial development of Diamondback Tactical’s DoD program as the Military Special Operations Program Manager.

As National Sales Director Norm MacLeod will be instrumental in strengthening Diamondback Tactical’s state and local distribution network for domestic sales, and for providing day-to-day guidance for the state and local sales force. Prior to his promotion as National Sales Director, MacLeod served as the Northeast region account manager for Diamondback Tactical. MacLeod has more than 32 years of experience holding various positions throughout the body armor industry and law enforcement field. Most notable were his contributions as Director of Law Enforcement Sales with Tri-Tech, Inc., special operations for the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office, and a highly decorated Petty Officer in the U.S. Coast Guard. Macleod served in the Persian, Gulf Desert Shield and Desert Storm operations.

www.diamondbacktactical.com

Tags: Diamondback Tactical
Posted in Armor, Industry | Comments Off on DBT Announces New DoD Program Director and National Sales Director

Revision Batlskin ACH MPS Range of Motion and Weapon Sighting

Tuesday, September 11th, 2012

When Revision’s Modular Protection Attachment System first hit the market a year ago, one of the thing the guys immediately commented on was weapon sighting. The concern was that you wouldn’t be able to fire your weapon and that range of motion would be inhibited by the hard armored mandible. To answer these questions Revision has produced these two videos. Granted, it’s not going to be perfect. The weapon wasn’t designed for a shooter with a huge jaw. But, they have accommodated weapon use in balancing protection and movement by suggesting a couple of TTPs. One will be familiar to guys who were in during the old days when we fired with pro masks. With the “angle” technique, you cant your weapon sight toward your eye. It’s actually a bit easier with a CCO than using standard iron sights on the carrying handle. The other technique, the so-called “index” is a concept many have adopted in shooting. It posits that if your finger pints at it, you’ll hit it, at least at close range. Revision suggests this for CQB distances of 10m or less.

Range of Motion

Weapon Sighting

www.revisionmilitary.com/products/head-systems

Tags: Revision Military
Posted in Armor, Helmets | 12 Comments »

Agilite’s Tactical Hi-Vest Now Available in A-TACS AU Camo

Monday, September 10th, 2012

Israeli gear manufacturer Agilite’s signature product, the Tactical Hi-Vest, is now available in A-TACS AU Camo.

The Tactical Hi-Vest can fit up to 12 thirty round M4 magazines and includes a binoculars/night vision goggles tether, a pull strip for storing spare batteries and 7” knife sheath as well as a compass pouch and compartments for storing radio codes, chemlights, a compass, etc.

The Tactical Hi-Vest also integrates with the Agilite Modular Assault Pack (AMAP) (as shown in photos) for an additional 15 liters of load-bearing real estate that attaches/detaches in seconds without the added bulk of an external day pack.

www.agilitegear.com

Tags: A-TACS, Agilite, Digital Concealment Systems
Posted in Armor, Camo, Foreign | 3 Comments »

Please Don’t Do This At Home

Thursday, September 6th, 2012

If you are going to video yourself shooting someone in the armor in your spare room, at least button up your shirt. Tactical Fanboy recently ran this video of Italy’s B-Max demonstrating their armor plates.

Tags: B-Max, Italy, Tactical FanBoy
Posted in Armor, Foreign, TFB, WTF? | 4 Comments »

Insane Deal from TYR for Labor Day Weekend!

Saturday, September 1st, 2012

TYR-DFAV-14KIT (Plate Carrier and 2 each Level 4 Plates) – $299.95

DFAV Plate Carrier with 2 Level IV Plates

This INSANE deal will be offered only during the Labor Day Weekend and they have a very limited supply.

DFAV-14 Carrier
• Designed Utilizing 500D Cordura
• Padded Adjustable Shoulders
• Adjustable Side Buckles
• Colors: Black or Navy
• Carrier Weight: 1.6 lbs
• Plates and Carrier Weight: 16.65 lbs. (Large)

Level 4 Stand Alone Plate
CPA26LSC-IV has been found by NIJ to comply with the NIJ 2005 Interim Requirements. Compliance at “threat level IV” requires that tested armor samples protect against 30-06 AP 166 gr. bullets to a velocity of 2850 ft/s.

The offer is extended to Military, Law Enforcement, Private Military Contractors, and Private Security Detail personnel with Proper ID and civilians with proper documentation (see affidavit). NO sales to foreign countries or APO, FPO. All Sales are Final.

www.tyrtactical.com

Tags: Tyr Tactical
Posted in Armor, Sales | 2 Comments »

S&S Precision Eye Candy

Friday, August 31st, 2012

We just got a photo of our new S&S Precision Plate Frame. It was created specifically for SSD. We’ll pick it up after the weekend and give an in-depth report.

www.sandsprecision.com

Tags: S&S Precision
Posted in Armor | 10 Comments »

FirstSpear Flotation Cummerbund in Action

Wednesday, August 29th, 2012

FirstSpear has been working diligently to integrate flotation directly into their armor systems. An important factor in their work is that flotation be as unobtrusive as possible. Also, flotation isn’t the primary mission of the armor, but rather an additional survival capability for users who work in a maritime environment. They’ve done a great job and have provided us this video of the system in action. In this demonstration we see a flotation system that is an integral component of the cummerbund of a new Strandhögg Plate Carrier.

In the video there is an operator who has been forced to abandon ship or otherwise has found himself in the drink. In most instances he would be weighed down by his armor and equipment and if it weren’t for the FirstSpear flotation integrated into his armor’s cummerbund he would have to ditch his equipment or worse yet, he might drown. However, once activated the flotation brings him right to the surface. At this point, he will not only just survive, but can also stay in the fight by returning fire if needed.

This system isn’t intended as a set of waterwings for use by those who can’t swim but rather for use in emergency situations, just like the belt mounted flotation systems already in use by some SOF and parachutists. The difference is that this system is integrated directly into the armor vest so it’s not an extra piece of kit you have to don. Additionally, unlike belt or underarm systems, the FirstSpear flotation won’t get in the way of other equipment or be affected by it when activated. Think of it as an insurance policy. It’s always there when you need it.

www.first-spear.com

Tags: FirstSpear
Posted in Armor | 5 Comments »