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DuPont CoreMatrix—The Most Advanced, Flexible Ballistic Solutions

Wednesday, September 8th, 2021

Every minute of every day, military personnel, law enforcement officers and security professionals around the world are putting their lives on the line to protect others. For these brave men and women, it’s just part of the job.

At DuPont, we believe that the brave deserve the best. We’re proud of our long history of helping to protect these everyday heroes and we are committed to providing new, innovative solutions as the threats they face continue to change and evolve.

That’s why we’ve added DuPont™ CoreMatrix™ Technology to our family of protection solutions, which includes innovative products such as DuPont™ Kevlar® for ballistic vests and shields, and DuPont™ Tensylon® for hard armor applications.

DuPont™ CoreMatrix™ Technology enables the lightest, most flexible ballistic solutions that meet National Institute of Justice (NIJ) standards for enhanced durability. This globally patented technology, available exclusively from DuPont, uses needle punching technology to infuse fiber in the Z direction, creating a monolithic structure used in today’s most advanced body armor packages.

DuPont™ CoreMatrix™ Technology disperses the impact energy 360 degrees, significantly enhancing ballistic performance compared to traditional woven structures that are stitched together and primarily disperse energy in the X and Y planes.

“By adding this third dimension of protection, DuPont™ CoreMatrix™ Technology combined with DuPont fiber technologies provides unmatched strike face performance while delivering superior protection against edge shots, multi hits and fragment threats,” said Steven LaGanke, Global Defense Segment Leader, DuPont Water & Protection.

This superior ballistic performance allows for lighter weight solutions, which are more comfortable to wear. Hybrid package solutions made with DuPont™ CoreMatrix™ Technology also offer increased flexibility and a softer feel against the body, further enhancing comfort.

“When it comes to choosing soft armor or bomb suits, the level of protection against ballistic threats always takes priority over the wearer’s comfort. After all, it could be a matter of life or death,” noted LaGanke. “With DuPont™ CoreMatrix™ Technology, there are no tradeoffs required. That’s why we believe it is a paradigm shift in ballistic protection.”

In addition to enabling comfort without compromise for wearers, hybrid package solutions made with DuPont™ CoreMatrix™ Technology mean ease of manufacturing. These hybrid fabric solutions are available in different layer counts and yarn deniers so there are fewer SKUs to keep in inventory and there is no need for layer counting or complex design. Manufacturing time is also significantly reduced because a simple “stack & tack” method is used, and no labor-intensive quilt stitching is required.

DuPont™ CoreMatrix™ Technology combined with DuPont fiber technologies opens a world of possibilities. It gives manufacturers greater design freedom than ever before to deliver the best, most flexible and lightest weight solutions available to protect those who put their lives on the line to protect others.

To learn more about DuPont™ CoreMatrix™ Technology, visit www.dupont.com/brands/core-matrix

Posted in Advertiser, Armor, Materials, Press Release | Comments Off on DuPont CoreMatrix—The Most Advanced, Flexible Ballistic Solutions

Blackhawk Releases Foundation Series Tac Nylon Gear

Thursday, September 2nd, 2021

Lightweight Plate Carriers, Chest Rigs and More Offer Unmatched Durability

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – September 2, 2021 – Blackhawk®, a leader in law enforcement and military equipment for over 20 years, has announced the introduction of its new Foundation Series Tac Nylon gear, offering more modular capabilities, stronger construction and lighter weight than the typical ballistic nylon gear found on the market.

At the core of the Foundation Series is a durable nylon laminate material and a low-profile, laser-cut design. This delivers one of the lightest plate carriers available without sacrificing durability. This suite of tactical gear is also designed for increased comfort thanks to adjustable straps and elastic construction.

The Foundation Series is exceptionally modular, allowing users to customize their setup with whatever gear they need. Integrated MOLLE backers or “tuck straps” are laser cut into the material rather than sewn on, which, combined with the system’s polymer stiffeners, gives users a stronger attachment system for their pouches and other equipment.

“Everyone’s always heard that you can’t achieve success without a solid foundation, and that was certainly an inspiration for our new Foundation Series,” said Nick Ferros, Tactical Product Manager for Blackhawk. “Our latest offering provides limitless customizable options for all levels of shooters who take their gear and training seriously. With its elite modularity, quality and comfort, the Foundation Series is definitely in a class of its own.”

Foundational to the series are the chest rig, gun belts, as well as the Small/Medium and Large plate carriers. Each Foundation placard (sold separately) has side loops for fast attaching split bar buckles, which not only allows for quickly swapping out placards, but also helps pull the chest rig to the body, keeping it secure when users are on the move. The Foundation Series Chest Rig features low-profile shoulder straps paired with an adjustable waist strap to accommodate a wide range of body types.

The Foundation Series Plate Carrier is just as flexible, adaptable and lightweight. It features a four-inch elastic cummerbund that accommodates magazines, tourniquets, radios and other accessories. Four-way stretch material on the interior accommodates multiple plate thicknesses and a one-piece exterior panel naturally pulls the plates against a user’s body. The same placard mounting interface on the plate carrier mirrors that on the chest rig, allowing users to rapidly move essentials between the two.

Offering a complete collection of tactical gear, the Foundation Series includes MOLLE and first responder placards, MOLLE belts, magazine and utility pouches, and more. Lightweight, low-profile and comfortable, the Foundation Series Gunbelt provides a secure all-day platform that’s perfect for professional use or active range training. The interior surface is sewn with a male hook that mates perfectly to the Foundation Inner Belt. In addition, Foundation Series Mag Pouches are available to fit a variety of AR15/M4 style, SR25/AR10 style, and common pistol magazines. They are designed to easily attach to any of the Foundation Series platforms and conform to the body of the magazines or other similarly sized items for a secure fit in a lightweight and slim package. Another popular addition is the Foundation Series IFAK (Individual First Aid Kit). This must-have pouch features a QASM surface bucket to hold first aid essentials securely while offering ambidextrous/one-handed access. Once deployed, the internal pouch lays flat or can be hung for easy access.

From its breadth of options and modularity to its light weight, durability and comfort, the Foundation Series is a premier solution for individual law enforcement officers and the tactical enthusiast that take their training seriously.

The Foundation Series chest rig platform (placard not included) has an MSRP of $54.95. Plate carriers have an MSRP of $149.95 and will be available in late 2021. Additionally, the Foundation Series can be purchased in a full bundle or pouch bundle. To learn more and to see the full lineup of Foundation Series pieces, head to Blackhawk.com.

Posted in Advertiser, Armor, Load Carrying, Press Release | 3 Comments »

Plate Carrier 13 from WhiskeyTwoFour

Thursday, September 2nd, 2021

Plate Carrier 13 is made in the USA and offered in multiple sizes to fit your plates. Included is a 6 cell, milspec elastic cummerbund. Each cell can accept mags, smoke, commo, pyro, TQs, etc. Please see notes below for the correct size to fit your plates

WTF’s Plate Carrier 13, is manufactured in the USA from US made milspec, solution dyed, Berry compliant, IRR compliant nylon fabrics. Plate Carrier 13 accepts SAPI, shooter, and swimmer cut plates. WTF’s Plate Carrier 13 accepts WTF Accessory Panels, SwiftClip compatible placards, and WTF’s Back Panels. Plate Carrier 13’s plate bags have a generous stretch panel and accept a wide variety of industry standard plates in respective sizes.

VELCRO® USA hook and loop panels both front and back accept IFF, ID, etc while serving as a mating surface for Back Panels and Accessory Panels. On both plate bags, two webbing loops accept split bar female buckles for Accessory Panel docking. Optional shoulder pads enhance comfort and routing options while further reducing fatigue. PALS and hydration Back Panels are available now.

Plate Carrier 13 uses MIL-DTL-32439 500D nylon fabric, MIL-W-17337 & A-A-55301 nylon webbing, A-A-55126 nylon hook & loop, A-A-59826 bonded nylon thread, MIL-W-5664 nylon elastic, safe and modern machinery, excellent lighting, cold air conditioning, and well compensated skilled labor to produce a cost effective, versatile, scalable, plate carrying solution.

Plate Carrier 13 is manufacturable and is kept in stock. If you can add it to your cart, it’s in stock and ready to ship.

Plate Carrier 13 (medium) is lightweight at just under 15.7oz / 444g with Cummerbund 13 and without an accessory panel or shoulder pads.

$99 introductory price.

wtfidea.com

Posted in Advertiser, Armor, Press Release | 3 Comments »

Stealth Armor Systems Wants Industry Feedback On NIJ 0101.07 Armor Standard

Wednesday, September 1st, 2021

NIJ 0101.07 Standard

Letter from the CEO…. Hello everyone, I am not sure if the various agencies on our list are aware of this, but the NIJ standard is changing, and I wouldn’t say for the better.

I have been in this industry for 33 years now and the NIJ 0101.07 standard makes the 6th edition I have personally participated in as a manufacturer of armor, and as a laboratory technician. The prior standards have never really been that great and lag times from passing of a model to listing date is usually 6 months. Here are the issues with the new standard I want to make everyone aware of:

~ In the rifle threats they haven’t definitively distinguished a viable threat level, they have RF1 and RF 2 with the same rounds and velocities with really only the M855 as the upgraded level.

~ The Fit audit is just a paper pushing firm that charges a lot of money to do what the NIJ should be doing.

~ The ubiquitous use of clay as a medium that is supposed to be a constant in the test and resemble the body during a ballistic event on body armor. Factually it never has.

Over the coming weeks I have decided as one of my final tasks in this industry prior to retiring probably in 2027 is outline the issues with the NIJ standard, and offer a more common sense approach to testing body armor that serves law enforcement better.

In order to do this I need your help, and specifically I would like to invite questions and comments about the standard, as to what you think it does, or any ideas that might help with this task. I think everyone wants the same thing here, the question is do we just go with the new standard, or do we say enough of bad practices and let’s do something about it. One thing I will say is that NIJ standard is heavily integrated into specifying practices that favor those who have a vested interest in money, such is the case in many areas of the commercial market, but that shouldn’t be a practice when it comes to officer safety, and part of officer safety is testing armor in a way that can be repeated, which has never been the case.

Interested participants can contact me at a.bain@stealtharmorsystems.com or 346-212-6318 (cell)

Allan D. Bain
CEO/CTO

Posted in Armor, Guest Post, Industry | 8 Comments »

High Speed Gear Launches Core Plate Carrier

Monday, August 16th, 2021

SWANSBORO, N.C. – August 17, 2021 – High Speed Gear® released its brand-new low-profile Core™ Plate Carrier for use with small, medium, large, and x-large SAPI plates.

The Core™ is a ruggedly-designed, affordable plate carrier built for law enforcement or range/training use. With padded shoulder straps and spacer mesh interior, the Core™ is comfortable and low profile. Despite its streamlined design, the carrier is sturdy and adjustable, while remaining versatile, comfortable, and has plenty of laser-cut MOLLE for scalability. Whether you’re an officer building your quick reaction/active shooter kit, a student shopping for required equipment for training, or a responsibly-armed citizen gearing up for tactical range time, the Core™ is the perfect carrier for you.

“The idea of the Core™ Plate Carrier began when we had customers of varying professions and backgrounds asking for a low-profile plate carrier,” said Bill Babboni, HSGI® vice president of sales and operations. “We went through multiple design variations to create the Core™ as we took in input from both law enforcement and military members. We wanted to bring all the features possible at this price point, with more accessories coming soon.”

The Core™ Plate Carrier is available in: Black, Coyote Brown, LE Blue, MultiCam, and OD Green.

Posted in Advertiser, Armor, Press Release | 2 Comments »

OTTE Gear Introduces LVZ / OVT Plate Carrier

Thursday, August 5th, 2021

OTTE Gear Todd Fairbairn showed me his new LVZ / OVT (Low Viz / Overt ) Plate Carrier a few months ago and I was impressed. After all, they had never done load carriage or armor carriers in the past and this laser cut carrier is well designed.

Intended for Low Viz wear under an outer garment, it can also be used in an overt role as it doesn’t sacrifice modularity. It’s designed to hold 10×12 Level III or Level IV hard armor plates as well as 10×12 soft armor style plate backers if plates are not needed.

It is constructed of 500D Cordura with Hypalon shoulders which have removable covers and 3D style spacer mesh inside. There’s also an elastic cummerbund with four slots on each side for radios or magazines.

It comes with a removable triple rifle mag shingle and there are two areas of loop for identifiers as well as integrated nylon vertical strips to accommodate QASM buckles (not included).

Offered in Coyote, Grey, Ranger Green, MultiCam, MultiCam Black and my personal favorite, Poppies of War.

Vest sizing is based upon plate size.

ottegear.com/products/lvz-ovt-plate-carrier

Posted in Advertiser, Armor | 1 Comment »

United States Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal has awarded Point Blank Enterprises, Inc. Contract for Concept Design for the U.S. Army’s Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) Program

Tuesday, July 27th, 2021

MIAMI LAKES, Fla., July 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal has awarded Point Blank Enterprises, Inc. (PBE) business unit, The Protective Group (TPG) a $60.6M Firm Fixed Price Contract for Phase 2, Concept Design for the U.S. Army’s Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) Program. The OMFV is planned to be an important weapon system platform in the Army’s Armored Brigade Combat Teams (ABCTs) and is part of the larger Next Generation Combat Vehicle Family of Combat Vehicles. The OMFV concept is envisioned to encompass future capabilities and basic operational requirements including: scalable survivability and protection, remotely controllable, preplanned growth to easily integrate future capabilities, embedded platform training, and decisive battlefield lethality. The Army plans for the first OMFV delivery in the fourth quarter of FY2028 for final testing with a final Full Rate Production (FRP) decision in the third quarter of FY2029.

Mark Edwards, Executive Vice President for Point Blank Enterprises said, “We are honored to be selected to participate in this essential Army combat vehicle program. We have assembled a diverse industry team that, like Point Blank, is fully committed to providing the most advanced and reliable products to our men and women in uniform. This award reaffirms our ability to assemble and manage diverse technical teams performing complex and innovative collaborative design engineering programs. Our OMFV design concept will not be constrained or limited by previous design engineering approaches or technologies that produced the last generation of combat vehicles. Innovative engineering solutions and continuously integrating improvements into our product designs are in our DNA, both of which are key to this phase of the OMFV program.”

For nearly 50 years, Point Blank Enterprises, Inc. has been a leading provider of threat protection products engineered to maximize user survivability.

Posted in Armor, Army, Contracts, Press Release | Comments Off on United States Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal has awarded Point Blank Enterprises, Inc. Contract for Concept Design for the U.S. Army’s Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) Program

Agilite K19 Plate Carrier-Brand New Version

Thursday, July 22nd, 2021

Agilite just released a brand new version of their popular K19 plate carrier that has a series of upgrades. Check out the video below that explains the new features:

agilitegear.com

Posted in Armor, International | Comments Off on Agilite K19 Plate Carrier-Brand New Version