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Archive for the ‘Armor’ Category

Tactical Tailor’s Hybrid Enhanced Vest

Thursday, July 30th, 2009

The Tactical Tailor Hybrid Enhanced Vest (H.E.V.) is manufactured from 1000D Cordura with an air mesh lining. The design features modular webbing on all sides and is fully adjustable to fit most wearers. Safety features include a dual cummerbund system for proper vest posture and positioning on the body as well as a pull-over flap for quick removal in emergency situations. Internal pockets accommodate standard size plates and soft armor for most ballistic vests up to 17″ x 24″ front and 18″ x 22″ back. Also included with the H.E.V. are removal side closures with elastic for better fit and adjustment, padded shoulder straps with integrated microphone epaulets for added ease and comfort, and a heavy duty drag handle. The entire package has an empty weight of only 4.5 lbs. Soft armor packages are available exclusively to military and LE personnel with proper credentials. Available in Black, Coyote Brown, Ranger Green, and Multicam from www.tacticaltailor.com.

Tags: Tactical Tailor
Posted in Armor, Load Carrying, Multicam, PALS | Comments Off on Tactical Tailor’s Hybrid Enhanced Vest

Chest Rig Armor Interface Kit

Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009

Ever wanted to attach your chest rig directly to your armor but wanted to to be able to get it off quickly?

Down Range Gear can help you do just that. Providing more of a service than a product, according the the owner of Down Range Gear, they work directly with the customer to develop a custom product. The goal is to identify the equipment used and deliver a set of buckles customized for the combination of vest and rig along with instructions on how to set it up but just as importantly, how to use it. Using the four to six points of attachment found on most chest rigs they anchor compatible buckles directly to the vest in order to support attachment of the chest rig.

Customer participation is necessary to make the process work and pictures of the vest and the chest rig are almost always required to determine the best course of action. Further customer interaction and input is solicited through the build process in order to ensure a custom fit. With the myriad possible vest and chest rig combinations, there is no definite, single system and end user preference figures heavily in the final product.

Lastly, no matter what happens, Down Range Gear makes every effort to:
1. Not have the customer send any equipment in.
2. Not permanently alter either piece of equipment and ensure the chest rig can continue to be used with the harness as originally designed.
3. Ensure the anchor points and mating solution are easily understood, can be installed by the user and modified or repaired in field conditions.

Turnaround time is typically an astounding two to three days on a project. Only small design houses can provide service like this and it is imperative that we support them whenever possible. For more information on this service as well as the full line of Down Range Gear products, visit them on the web.

Tags: Down Range Gear
Posted in Armor, PALS | Comments Off on Chest Rig Armor Interface Kit

IOTV Award

Tuesday, July 21st, 2009

On 17 July, 2009 Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Dir of Clothing & Textiles awarded contract number SPM1C109C0022 for $39,371,150.00 to KDH Defense Systems of Johnstown, PA for production of 65,000 VEST, BODY ARMOR (Improved Outer Tactical Vest).

The carriers will be produced by four sub-contractors who are required simply because of the demands of the delivery schedule which requires delivery of the 65,000 vests between September and December of this year. They are: DJ Manufacturing Corp. of Caguas, Puerto Rico, Eagle Industries Unlimited (Front Line Defense International, Inc.) of Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, Eagle Industries Del Caribe Inc. of Lares, Puerto Rico, and Savannah Luggage Works of Vidalia, GA.

Announcement of this award may come as a sigh of relief for some as it had been delayed several times. Interestingly, the companies involved in this award, as well the finalists in the Releasable Plate Carrier program may indicate a passing of the torch, so to speak, from the larger, more traditional armor companies to smaller manufacturers. Also, as two of the four finalists for that program will be heavily invested in producing IOTVs until the end of the year it will be intriguing to see if there now continues to be a delay in announcing the award for the Releasable Plate Carrier. Additionally, Eagle Industries has captured a notable portion of this business which seems to indicate a new emphasis on large piece contract sewing since being purchased by ATK.

Tags: Eagle Industries, KDH
Posted in Armor, Contracts | 1 Comment »

Armor Insert for SOC-C Belt

Friday, July 10th, 2009

Blue Force Gear has just released the armor insert for the SOC-C Modular Padded Belt. Manufactured from Dyneema, the NIJ IIIA-type panels replace the closed foam panels that the belt ships with.

This is an important note from Blue Force gear regarding the panels: “These soft armor panels are designed to replace the closed cell foam in our SOC-C Modular Belt. While the Dyneema armor package of this kit has been certified by NIJ against level IIIA threats, this particular belt configuration has not been certified. It is up to the customer to determine the suitability of this product for use in their particular application and customer assumes all risks associated with such determination. Blue Force Gear does not warrant this armor package for any particular purpose. Government issued identification required for purchase of this item. Law Enforcement or Military only for CT Residents. Purchaser is soley responsible for complying with all applicable laws.â€

Contact Blue Force Gear for more information.

Tags: Blue Force Gear
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IOTV Modular Assault Panel (M.A.P.) from Tactical Tailor

Tuesday, June 30th, 2009

Tactical Tailor designed their new Modular Assault Panel (M.A.P.) to work specifically with the issue IOTV, allowing you to carry your normal combat load yet still remove it in seconds, without removing your vest and, more importantly, without impeding the quick release function.

As with all Tactical Tailor products, the M.A.P is made in the USA from 1000D CorduraÂ® and features four heavy-duty Fastex buckles, velcro and their patented MALICE Clips to attach to the front panel of the IOTV.. It is available in UCP and Coyote Brown from Tactical Tailor.

Tags: Tactical Tailor
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Osprey Ground Assault Carrier Now for Sale

Tuesday, June 30th, 2009

Solo International, suppliers of the new Osprey Assault Armor Carrier have just put it up on their website for sale at a whopping Â£1000.00! Their website has a great deal of info on the new carrier that they claim is modular and scalable in nature, offering essentially three carriers for the price of one. Additionally, they confirm that the Osprey Assault carrier is manufactured overseas, “Designed By SOLO International in their own studios based in Hereford and manufactured overseas by SOLOHANDMADEPRODUCTS manufactures.”

Interested parties should contact Solo International directly via their website.

Tags: osprey
Posted in Armor, Foreign | Comments Off on Osprey Ground Assault Carrier Now for Sale

BBC Video of New UK Helmet and Armor

Sunday, June 28th, 2009

Posted in Armor, Foreign, Helmets | Comments Off on BBC Video of New UK Helmet and Armor

UK Releases New Helmet and Armor

Saturday, June 27th, 2009

The enhanced Mark 7 helmet and Osprey Assault body armor, which will provide equivalent ballistic protection to current systems but with a lighter weight and an improved fit were unveiled at the Defence Vehicle Dynamics (DVD) equipment show this week in Millbrook.

The MOD has ordered over 10,000 sets of the new helmets and armor under initial contracts worth Â£16m, with companies including NP Aerospace, Morgan Armour Ltd, Aegis Engineering Ltd, Seyntex and Solo International Ltd. The 10,000 sets are reported to go to Infantry, Engineers, and medical with all other general purpose forces retaining the Mk6a helmet and current Osprey armor.

Just as in the case of the MICH becoming the general issue ACH here in the US, the new Mk 7 is a variant of the AC900/600 helmet worn by UKSF on CT role. Of further evidence of SOF influence over kit design, the new armor carrier is supplied by Solo International located near Hereford, home of the British SAS. However, based on information we have received in the past we do not believe that this new equipment is a part of the PECOC program but rather an interim solution to solve an urgent operation requirement. This would also account for the relatively small procurement.

The new Mk 7 helmet features a four point chin strap for enhanced stability, particularly while wearing helmet mounted night vision devices. Additionally, the front lip has been cut back in order to increase visibility while in the prone and is reported to include configurable pads like the US ACH.

While we did say that the new Osprey carrier is being supplied by Solo International, it is interesting to note that they outsource their manufacture. Additionally, the UK does not have an equivalent of the Berry Amendment to ensure domestic production of defense textile articles so at this point we are unsure where the carriers will actually be produced. In addition to the carrier, a new, lighter armor plate is reported to be on it’s way to the troops.

Tags: PECOC
Posted in Armor, Camo, Foreign, Helmets | 1 Comment »