We caught up with D3O at OR and they gave us a quick glimpse of their new helmet pad system. Look for a full report soon on SSD soon.
Archive for the ‘Armor’ Category
OR – Catching Up With D3O
Friday, August 5th, 2011c2r Adopts A-TACS
Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011A-TACS has snagged their first British licensee and it’s c2r. You may recall we told you about their TacPad technology back in February. c2r has been around for a couple of years and they specialize in innovation. Once the mastered the technology to illuminate maps, charts and aides memoire, they turned their attention to armor carriers.
They developed the c2RMOR by adapting their plate carrier design to incorporate a load distribution system that transfers weight from the shoulders to the hips without compromising the ability of Soldiers to move naturally. The design is configurable via PALS for a variety of applications with additional lightweight cummerbunds available as well. It also features a built-in pouch for three magazines. To eject the inner plates, simply pull the two quick-release tabs on the front plate carrier. In addition to plates it also accepts level III soft armor backers. Finally, their design creates an air gap that allows cool air to circulate.
Development of the c2RMOR LITE followed the original C2RMOR platform as a cleaner, less cluttered design for use in low visibility applications. They kept the design flexibility concept, but left off the PALS webbing found on the the C2RMOR. Instead, the LITE offers a detachable magazine pouch on the front of the vest. Side pockets are integrated into the A-TACS printed elastic to allow for additional magazine storage. The back panel can be easily mated to their hydration pocket which is built around a source 2LPS water carrier.
In addition to a more widespread release c2r has decided to make their kit available in A-TACS.
Diggerworks – Cracking the ‘Nut’
Thursday, July 28th, 2011
This is officially my favorite Soldier Modernization briefing of ALL time. From the organization named Diggerworks, to the title of the briefing, this is just great. It also gives us some great glimpses into the Australian Defence Force’s fielding of the Enhanced Soldier Combat Ensemble in MultiCam.
Diggerworks is a “virtual organisation comprising agencies involved in soldier combat systems (SCS).” And, it is important to note that, “Diggerworks is not Land 125 rebadged.” This means they aren’t giving the program a spiffy new name but rather adding value by including more stake holders in the discussion.
Their mission is simple –
“Diggerworks is to identify options and deliver integrated soldier combat systems solutions in order to enhance the capability of the warfighter”
Moreover, they are working on Adaptive Acquisition which is something we’d like to see more of here in the US.
Adaptive Acquisition
– “Buy less more often”
– Enable change to happen quicker
– No longer is everyone to be equipped the same
– The close combatant is to be treated differently
Be sure to check out the entire briefing:
Revision to Develop Next Gen Helmet
Wednesday, July 27th, 2011Recently, Revision was awarded a three-year contract with the U.S. Army’s Natick Labs Soldier Systems Center worth $1,990,340 to develop a next generation helmet. Although you probably consider Revision just an eye pro company, they have been hard at work developing other protective products. For example, take the Eye Shield and Maxillo Facial Protection they showed at the 2009 AUSA conference.
According to a press release from the office of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), “The new helmet will integrate both ballistic impact protection and blast protection from rotational forces that are believed to contribute to the relatively high number of brain injuries suffered by soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. The helmet will have built-in communications systems, include enhanced chemical protection for the wearer, and will integrate a protection for the jaw and lower face.”
FirstSpear Platform Combinations
Tuesday, July 26th, 2011By now most of you have already checked out FirstSpear’sâ„¢ website or catalog and you will have noticed that they have worked hard to develop a system. Three of their platforms are designed to work alone or in concert with one another: The Sleeperâ„¢, The Beat Upâ„¢, and OAGREâ„¢.
The Sleeperâ„¢
Designed in conjunction with Crye Precisionâ„¢, the Sleeperâ„¢ is designed to wear over or under garments and can be worn alone or in conjunction with the other platforms featured in this article. It gets its name from
The Beat Upâ„¢ PC (Plate Carrier) – SAPI/ESAPI/SPEAR
The Beat Up gets its name from WW II’s Long Range Desert Group (LRDG). They referred to a raid as a “Beat Up†and FirstSpearâ„¢ developed it for just this sort of operation. It can be worn alone or in conjunction with the other platforms to beef up their protection level.
Operational Assault Ground Reconnaissance Exploitation (OAGREâ„¢) Tactical Vest
The OAGREâ„¢ was actually first conceived for use by Recce elements but the Assaulters saw it and recommended a few changes. It is great for those who need a more traditional load bearing or assault vest. It can be worn alone or over The Sleeperâ„¢. That you can add The Beat Upâ„¢ allows it to be instantly uparmored for the task at hand.
Here are some shots of various combinations. The Beat Upâ„¢ attaches to the other platforms via ITW G-hooks that attach to a discreet tab system.
Beat Upâ„¢ / Sleeperâ„¢
– shoulder straps and padding removed from Beat Upâ„¢
– Beat Upâ„¢ cummerbund attached to Sleeperâ„¢
– optional Beat Upâ„¢ attachment kit connects Beat Upâ„¢ to discreet tabs on Sleeperâ„¢
OAGREâ„¢ / Sleeperâ„¢
– Plate and soft armor inside sleeper
– Foam shoulder and waist pad removed from OAGREâ„¢
– Assaulters Gun Belt attached to OAGREâ„¢
Beat Upâ„¢ / OAGREâ„¢
– cummerbund, shoulder straps, and padding removed from Beat Upâ„¢
– optional Beat Up attachment kit connects Beat Upâ„¢ to discreet tabs on OAGREâ„¢
FirstSpearâ„¢ has gone to great lengths to incorporate the latest material technologies such as printed Velcroâ„¢ into their designs. Additionally, their products are Berry compliant and offered in Black, Coyote, Khaki, Ranger Green, and MultiCam.
SORD USA Variable Armor Carrier
Thursday, July 21st, 2011We received this photo today and wanted to pass it along. It does a great job of showing you the SORD Variable Armor Carrier as well as what it looks like in the A-TACS pattern.
SORD’s VAC is a pretty interesting design. Not only can it be used as a plate carrier, but the side wings, which can hold soft armor inserts as well as small hard plates, can be added or subtracted as needed. When you add the wings with armor and plates, you have a full armor carrier. That’s some serious scalability.
SPCS Cummerbund
Saturday, July 16th, 2011
We have finally located a photo of the new cummerbund for the Soldier Plate Carrier System. As you can see, it is not a tradition plate carrier cummerbund but rather an over sized side plate carrier. It’s main weakness is that it is suspended by two side release buckles on either end along with a single, adjustable “T” bar-style adapter that attaches via the diagonal back straps to a D-ring. It looks like this feature was added to help support the weight, but it’s still going to sag.
However, there are a couple of commercial solutions out there that adapt to the SPCS to provide a more traditional cummerbund.
Army Purchasing More SPCS
Thursday, July 14th, 2011For any of you that missed the saga that is the Soldier Plate Carrier System (SPCS) you can find a great synopsis here. Since downselecting the KDH design in SPD 7, the Army has procured an initial amount in UCP, purchased the Technical Data Package (TDP) from KDH, changed the colorway to OCP, and developed a cummerbund.
Now, Product Manager Soldier Protective Equipment (PM SPE) is seeking additional OEF Camouflage Pattern (OCP) Soldier Plate Carrier Systems (SPCS). In addition to 17,000 complete carriers, the Army is also seeking up to 42,000 OCP kits in order to modify existing SPCS and up to 32,000 cummerbunds with soft armor package. Additionally, 57 First Article Test vests will be be required within 30 days of contract award. The procurement is set aside from Small Business and offerors have until 8 August, 2011 to respond.
