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USMC Scalable Plate Carrier Follow Up

Thursday, October 9th, 2008

The Marines recently fielded a new Scalable Plate Carrier. At the time of the article we did not know the manufacturer but we can now confirm that it was designed and manufactured by Eagle Industries. At the recent AUSA annual meeting Eagle displayed a version of the carrier in UCP but while several units are interested in the product, there have been no overtures from PEO-Soldier. However, as more and more Soldiers see their Marine brothers in arms wearing the lightweight armor, we expect them to begin to request similar systems.

Tags: MARCORSYSCOM, Plate Carrier
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Load Bearing Armor from Archangel Armor and Mystery Ranch

Monday, October 6th, 2008

Newcomer to the armor game Archangel Armor has teamed with load bearing genius Mystery Ranch to produce what we consider the next evolutionary step in body armor design; Load Bearing Armor. Take a look at the photo above. Mystery Ranch has adapted their pack frame system to distribute the load across the shoulders and waist like a pack. Additionally, this design provides for better air circulation and helps to eliminate injuries from back face deformation. The design utilizes life support capable Cobra buckles to bear the weight of the armor and any plates or packs attached to the frame. They are currently working on a single pull cut away system that will activate all of the buckles simultaneously and will simplify reassembly to, in the words of developer, Paul Carter, “20 Seconds”.

You really have to see it to believe it and this video shot by Marine Corps Times at Modern Day Marine gives you a pretty good idea of the concept.

Photo and video from Marine Corps Times.

Tags: Archangel Armor, Mystery Ranch
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Diamondback Tactical Year End Sale

Thursday, September 18th, 2008

Diamondback Tactical has just released a sale catalog. There is also a “Lucky 21” sale featured on the back cover of the catalog. When you purchase any combination of three pouches from the list of 21 different pouches shown, you get them for $21.00 while they last (buy as many as you like but hurry, they’re limited to stock on hand).

Sale prices in this catalog are good through December 31, 2008. Certain restrictions apply.

The sale catalog is available here.

Tags: Battle Lab, Diamondback Tactical
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Russ Innovations Incorporated – Flak Vest Hangers

Sunday, September 14th, 2008

I have seen a lot of guys building Rube Goldberg contraptions to air out their armor after a mission. I recently ran across Russ Innovations’ design. They offer a hanger designed to not only dry the vest between uses but provides a handy way to store it or configure it for use.

The hanger on the right is slightly larger and designed for full military armor.

As you can see from the side view, the design allows for ample air circulation and the hanger can be hung up or opened like an easel.

The price is reasonable and it is warrantied for 25 years from the date of purchase. Available from Flakvesthangers.com.

Photos property of Russ Innovations Incorporated.

Tags: Armor Hangers, Interceptor, IOTV, MTV, OTV
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NIJ Releases New Body Armor Standard

Friday, July 25th, 2008

http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/223054.pdf

One important statement was placed in the Forward.

“Publication of this revision of the standard does not invalidate or render unsuitable any body armor models previously determined by NIJ to be compliant to either the NIJ 2005 Interim Requirements or the NIJ Standardâ€“0101.04 Rev. A Requirements. While it may not necessary to remove these existing armors from service, agencies are advised to always require their procurements to meet or exceed the most recent and up-to-date version of this standard.”

One reader’s initial perusal identified the following changes:

1. Removal of Type I standard
2. New as well as conditioned armor shall be tested
3. Type IIA projectile velocities higher
4. Ranges for all velocities (acceptable velocity error levels), new velocities for most levels is “(old value+error) +/- error” …so the mins are the same as the old values
5. New level added – Type IIIA for high powered handguns (.357 SIG and .44 mag)
6. Added diagram for helping determine penetration depth – just a format change to the document
7. Requirements added for testing systems with and w/o plates “in conjunction armor” when the inserts are removable
8. Changed the terms used for designating penetration
9. Multiple sizes of armor vests shall be tested
10. Conditioning requires tumbling vest and humidity/water exposure

Tags: NIJ
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Eagle Industries Launches New Law Enforcement â€œLEâ€ Product Line

Friday, July 25th, 2008

St. Louis, MO â€“ Eagle Industries today announces the launch of its new, Eagle-branded â€œLEâ€ product line specifically designed to meet the needs of the law enforcement community.

Eagle Industries has a long history of success providing high quality, trusted gear to law enforcement officials. The new â€œLEâ€ product line marks the first time that the company has offered a comprehensive catalogue of Eagle-branded nylon gear uniquely designed to meet the needs of the law enforcement community.

â€œEagle has for thirty years operated with â€˜Quality by Designâ€™ as our guiding principle,â€ said Eagle Industries Vice President Scott Carver. â€œBy creating the new LE Division, we are able to better focus our development and design resources on understanding and responding to the needs of our loyal customers from the law enforcement community.â€

The LE Division of Eagle Industries offers police tactical nylon products ranging from ballistic vests to equipment bags and pouches to holsters and other accessories. LE Division products are made of U.S. materials and assembled at an Eagle Industries-owned facility in the Dominican Republic.

â€œBy establishing an assembly operation in the Dominican Republic, Eagle is certain to remain competitive in the law enforcement, homeland security, private label and international markets,â€ said Eagle Industries Director of Law Enforcement Programs Ben Lenett. â€œOwning and operating the facility allows us to maintain control over the quality of our products and our production schedule to best serve the needs of our law enforcement customers.â€

Eagle Industriesâ€™ LE Division products are made from U.S.-produced materials, in line with the companyâ€™s commitment to domestic sourcing.

About Eagle Industries
Eagle Industries is a world leader in tactical nylon gear for the military and law enforcement community. Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, Eagle Industries began its business in 1974 in the ownerâ€™s basement and was incorporated in 1982. Today, Eagle Industries employs more than 2,300 people worldwide and manufactures and distributes more than 5,000 products. Eagle Industries continues to abide by its â€œQuality By Designâ€ guiding principle and remains a family-owned and managed company. For more information, visit www.eagleindustries.com.

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TAG Releasable Plate Carrier

Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008

Recently TAG introduced the Rampage, a split front plate carrier designed to accommodate any size trauma plate. The carrier has a removable cummerbund as well as removable side plate pouches. Designed to accept a soft armor package, the split front allows you to quickly don and doff the carrier via side entry.

Rampage Plate Carrier

TAG has also released the Rampage Armor Package, a Level IIIA soft armor made of 100% Twaron exclusively for TAG by International Armor. The Rampage Soft Armor includes the front panel, back panel, and cummerbund armor and weighs 2lbs 12oz.

New Releasable Plate Carrier

But TAG didn’t stop there. Almost immediately they began work on the next evolutionary step in Plate Carriers; Releasability. TAG combined their highly successful vest cut away system with the innovative design of the Rampage. Soldier Systems Daily had a chance to view the design last week and we are very excited about the potential. We have always been a fan of their cut away and appreciate the engineering that went into the design. You can see the cut away pillow at the neckline just above the flag. They have also integrated non-skid panels in order to provide a stable platform for small arms. This new carrier is poised to be released soon.

For more information contact Tactical Assault Gear.

Tags: Plate Carrier, TAG
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BAE ECLiPSE Modular Vest Program

Saturday, July 5th, 2008

Many already know that BAE’s Specialty Defense division won the USSOCOM contract for the SPEAR BALCS armor carrier. Their offering is called RBAV for Releasable Body Armor Vest and is designed to accommodate BALCS sut soft armor as well as front and rear plates. What most people don’t know is that it is now available commercially as the Releasable Body Armor Vest – Special Forces and that it but one product in an entire family of body armor carriers.

In addition, BAE is also offering the vests:

The Releasable Body Armor Vest – Homeland Security is intended for the Law Enforcement role. Similar to the SOCOM issue model but it also features Velcro on the chest and upper back to accommodate removable “Police” patches.

The Mounted Crewman Protective Vest is still under development but the concept unique to the ECLiPSE line. Resembling a slimmed down cross between a plate carrier and concealable armor package, the MCPV was designed with the tight spaces armor crewman have to contend with in mind.

The Tactical Body Armor Vest was designed for those who do not require a cut-away system.

The Enhanced Concealable Military Protective Vest is a low profile carrier which incorporates side pockets for magazines.

BAE offers their vests in Coyote, Khaki, Ranger Green, Black and Universal Camo but some products may not be available in all colors.

The ECLiPSE line is available from BAE.

All photos are property of BAE.

Tags: BAE, BALCS, RBAV, SPEAR
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