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Archive for the ‘Armor’ Category

WTF’s Plate Carrier 06

Monday, October 12th, 2020

WTF’s Plate Carrier 06 is made in the USA from US made, milspec, solution dyed, Berry compliant, IRR compliant nylon fabrics. Plate Carrier 06 is available for small, medium, large, and x large SAPI and 10 x 12 plates.

Plate Carrier 06 accepts WTF’s Accessory Panels, SwiftClip® placards, and similar. Plate Carrier 06 accepts WTF’s proprietary G Hook back panels and cummerbunds attached with hook and loop. Plate Carrier 06 plate bags have a generous stretch panel and will accept a wide variety of industry standard size plates in respective sizes.

VELCRO® Brand USA hook and loop panels both front and back accept IFF, ID, etc. On both plate bags, two webbing loops accept split bar female buckles for accessory panel docking. VELCRO® Brand USA One-Wrap strips make hydro and commo management easy and quick. PALS (often erroneously referred to as MOLLE) back panels, hydro back panels, aid and litter back panels, explosive breaching back panels, thermal breaching back panels, commo back panels, and other back panels offer added value and versatility to scale as necessary.

Optional shoulder pads (sold separately) enhance comfort and routing options while further reducing fatigue.

Plate Carrier 06 uses MIL-DTL-32439 500D nylon, 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, and well compensated skilled labor to produce a cost effective, versatile, scalable, plate carrying solution.

Plate Carrier 06 is manufacturable. Whether for direct or dealer sale, this design is realistic for us to keep in stock or near stock with (as close to) on demand cut & sew (as we can get) and replenishing inventory on the fly. This design represents a balance of durability, ease of assembly, machine operator fatigue reduction, COTS materials use, cost effective cut and sew methods, self jigging/locating design, scalability, and usability.

Plate Carrier 06 is lightweight. A size medium Plate Carrier 06 is just under 1lb / 450g with Cummerbund 02 and without an accessory panel.

wtfidea.com

Posted in Advertiser, Armor, Press Release | 6 Comments »

US Army Tests Aluminum Foam for Protection Against Blasts

Monday, October 12th, 2020

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. – Forward Operating Bases are typically surrounded by barbed wire, concrete barriers, gates, watchtowers and other infrastructures. A new material – aluminum foam – may be a possible solution for additional force protection, due to its ability to absorb energy from blasts.

The aluminum foam is added to panels clad with steel that are part of existing structures or bolted together to create larger structures. The panels are also used in jersey style barriers to protect against truck bombs.

Aluminum foam was recently tested in a lab and at an explosives testing range at Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey, with funding from the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense- Global Capability Programs Foreign Comparative Testing program. The FCT program provides funding to acquire, test and evaluate mature products from foreign industry that may fill a capability gap or satisfy an urgent need. The aluminum foam is manufactured in South Korea and Canada.

“In products where you need a good amount of strength and stiffness that aluminum provides but not all the weight, using the foam opens up a lot of engineering design space without increasing cost,” said Calvin Lim, engineer at Picatinny Arsenal.

Aluminum foam is inexpensive to produce, and it can be made into various sizes and shapes, including panels. While it is currently manufactured and shipped from South Korea and Canada, several companies in the United States are interested in expanding production to make aluminum foam. Creating an affordable supply chain in the U.S. will eliminate difficulties with shipping the product outside the country and create additional jobs in the U.S.

Testing to verify and confirm the manufacturers’ claims was conducted at Picatinny Arsenal. Explosives were initiated next to the aluminum foam panels, which were held in place with I-beams.

“These tests showed how the aluminum foam prevents energy from being transmitted to the other side. To fully replicate previous test data, a higher amount of explosives is needed,’’ Lim said.

Testing was initially conducted in South Korea; during testing, the panels absorbed the energy from the blast, collapsing its cellular structure and preventing any damage from transmitting to the other side. The tests at Picatinny Arsenal, as well as upcoming tests, will determine if aluminum foam will be beneficial for the Army overall, as well as other services.

The FCT program provided funding to purchase additional aluminum foam for Insensitive Munitions testing with XM1128 artillery. This was proposed as a low cost, easy to implement packaging solution to reduce the sensitivity and collateral damage in sympathetic reaction and fragment impact scenarios. This testing has been slated but delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In addition to military uses, aluminum foam is used in a variety of applications including sound mitigation, highway barriers, and storm debris mitigation because of its unique properties.

Because of its versatility, aluminum foam has sparked interest and possible use for military ground vehicles, aircraft and watercraft due to its low weight, stiffness and buoyancy. Lighter vessels and vehicles will not only move faster and use less fuel, they will require fewer refueling trips and enable Soldiers to maneuver more easily.

The Army is working with several companies on additional energy and resource savings, including an energy conscious solution that melts raw scrap aluminum to create aluminum foam. This will reduce steps in the recycling supply chain, which will lead to cost savings.

Future efforts could include using aluminum foam to rapidly manufacture, ship and erect buildings quickly in key locations. Recent research shows many allied countries and adversarial countries have already been using aluminum foam to protect civilian and defense employees.

By Argie Sarantinos, CCDC Public Affairs

Posted in Armor, Army, Guest Post, Materials | 4 Comments »

FirstSpear Friday Focus— Retro-Fit Cummerbund

Friday, October 9th, 2020

This week’s focus is all about the Retro-Fit Cummerbund. Combining all the features of the Overlap Cummerbund, including a strong elastic back that provides security and comfort, the Retro-Fit Cummerbund is a great solution for those utilizing a different plate carrier that want to use FirstSpear’s 6/12 modular platform and Tubes technology. The low-profile loop interior for mounting our hook-backed Ragnar pockets for radios, extra mags inside the cummerbund, making users lighter and faster with a slimmer profile.

SPECS:

•Model: Retro-Fit Cummerbund

•Size: Small (26”–32”); Medium (32”–38”); Large (35”–41”); XL (38”-44”); 2XL (41”–47”); 3XL (48”–52”)

•Colors: Black, Coyote, Multi-Cam, Ranger Green

FirstSpear’s Tubes Rapid-Release Technology solves many of the problems with common closure methods on plate carriers. The common closure in the front with the hook & loop fasteners can present many performance failures. It not only adds bulk, it is noisy, and retains water and mud; from a safety standpoint, the hook and loop closures can cause cummerbund protection items (like side plates, inflatable flotation) to shift position and misalign from where they should be to offer maximum protection.

Tubes technology has solved all these challenges. Quick to close, and even quicker to remove, the Retro-Fit Cummerbund utilizes Tubes to allow end users to utilize this capability and the 6/12 Modular Platform without completely changing your entire load carriage platform. This kit is compatible with carriers that utilize traditional hook and loop flap systems and cummerbund pass-through channel. It accepts both soft armor and 6 in. x 6 in. hard plates.

Constantly pushing the envelope in technological advances to better serve the warfighter and first responders, check out First-Spear.com. To read more about our technology advancements, go to First-Spear.tech.

Posted in Advertiser, Armor, FS Friday Focus, Guest Post, Load Carrying | 8 Comments »

TYR Tactical Tuesday – Hard Armor Facility and HA3/ST Plates

Tuesday, September 1st, 2020

Since the beginning, TYR Tactical® has never stopped developing and improving upon their soft and hard armor offerings. They now offer Level II, IIIA, III and IV armor solutions. Additionally, they currently have the lightest Level IIIA, III and IV Shields on the market.

TYR Tactical® has invested nearly $14M to construct a New Armor Manufacturing Facility on their Peoria, AZ Headquarters Campus. This new building will house state-of-the-art presses and autoclaves to support hard armor production. This much needed expansion, along with their current in-house Ballistic Test Range, will give them unmatched armor development capability.

So why now? Owner & CEO Jason Beck had this to say about the driving force behind the Armor Facility Expansion: “As one of the few remaining family owned businesses in our industry I feel a responsibility to always be the guy making everyone else strive to get better. I felt the armor industry had grown stagnate, become too reactionary, and too contract focused. The industry stopped innovating and the end user community simply deserved better. We have had a very productive year in spite of the ongoing pandemic. Investing back into the company and our people seemed like the right thing to do. We are building a world class armor production facility and adding next generation equipment, to continue to push our industry and build kit for the Next Generation Warrior®. Innovate or Die®!”

Download PDF here.

Check out the TYR Tactical® Level III HA3/ST Hard Armor Plates. Available now at www.tyrtactical.com.

HA3/ST Torso Plate: www.tyrtactical.com/products/details/hard-armor-plates/tyr-tactical-level-iii-ha3-st-hard-armor-plate

HA3/ST Side Plate: www.tyrtactical.com/products/details/hard-armor-plates/tyr-tactical-level-iii-ha-awpsb-66-hard-armor-side-plate

Posted in Advertiser, Armor, Guest Post | 1 Comment »

TYR Tuesday – IDTOUR VTS |Virtual Trade Show| Shield Spec Review

Tuesday, August 25th, 2020

Episode Nine of Innovate or Die® Tour Virtual Trade Show #IDTOURVTS is here!

Episode Nine:
IDTOUR VTS |Virtual Trade Show| Shield Spec Review

CQB Shield with Viewport Available Now:
www.tyrtactical.com/products/list/shield-systems/ballistic-shields-and-armor

New episode launching every Tuesday.

What is IDTOURVTS?
Our mission has always been about protecting those who run towards the threat. To that end, we created the Innovate or Die® Tour and Mobile Showroom. Over the past couple years it has allowed us to meet you face-to-face, gather your feedback and answer your questions.

Life has been put on hold for many people around the world, but you have not stopped risking your safety and health against all the threats we face today.

We can’t wait to meet you on the road again.

Thank you to the men and women of the armed forces, first responders and health care professionals who continue to put their lives on the line. You haven’t stopped working and neither will we.

Episode One:

IDTOUR VTS |Virtual Trade Show| PICO-DS & DSX Plate Carriers

Episode Two:

IDTOUR VTS |Virtual Trade Show| The Ultimate Range Bag

Episode Three:

IDTOUR VTS |Virtual Trade Show| Shield & Dolly System

Episode Four:

IDTOUR VTS |Virtual Trade Show| Huron™ Hot Weather Uniform

Episode Five:

IDTOUR VTS |Virtual Trade Show| PICO-MVW-DSX Plate Carrier System

Episode Six:

IDTOUR VTS |Virtual Trade Show| EPIC-DSX Plate Carrier System

Episode Seven:

IDTOUR VTS |Virtual Trade Show| Gunfighter Belts

Episode Eight:

IDTOUR VTS |Virtual Trade Show| Shield Camera System Preview

Posted in Advertiser, Armor, Guest Post | Comments Off on TYR Tuesday – IDTOUR VTS |Virtual Trade Show| Shield Spec Review

Hungarian Armed Forces Establish Joint Venture with Rheinmetall to Produce Lynx Infantry Fighting Vehicle

Wednesday, August 19th, 2020

Deal helps the Hungarian Army meet its NATO commitments through continued modernization of the country’s defence industry

Key facts

Major order: Hungary intends to procure the Lynx infantry fighting vehicle

Order volume expected to exceed €2 billion

New Joint Venture for the production of the Lynx in Hungary

First NATO and EU customer for Rheinmetall’s innovative Lynx IFV

With the signing of an agreement in Unterlüss on 17 August 2020, the government of Hungary has embarked on a massive programme worth over two billion euros to modernize the country’s defence industry and military capabilities. The move was announced by Hungary’s Secretariat of the Ministry for Innovation and Technology and the Commissioner for Defence Development. Rheinmetall, Europe’s foremost maker of army equipment, will be cooperating with Hungary to create a joint venture and production facility in Hungary to manufacture the most modern Lynx infantry fighting vehicle.

Hungary is the first NATO and EU member state to choose the Düsseldorf-based Group’s innovative new IFV. The step is of central importance in Hungary’s ongoing programme of military and industrial development, which aims to transform the Hungarian Army as quickly as possible into a world-class fighting force capable of actively addressing security challenges in the Euro-Atlantic region.

In the words of the joint statement read by László Palkovics, Minister of Innovation and Technology, and Gáspár Maróth, Commissioner for Defence Development: “As part of its commitment to NATO, Hungary is replacing its heavy ground forces equipment. Following the tanks and artillery, it is now the turn of the infantry combat vehicles, which form the backbone of the capabilities set. As the most advanced system of its kind, the Lynx has demonstrated its suitability for a central role in the Army’s capabilities spectrum for decades to come. In keeping with earlier promises by the Hungarian government to enhance the nation’s armed forces, this cooperative endeavour extends far beyond the modernization of military technology. Partnering with a major European corporation will result in the modernization of our defence industry and thus to the expansion of our industrial portfolio.”

As Armin Papperger, chairman of the executive board of Rheinmetall AG, explains: “The Lynx’s market breakthrough is a major success for us. And the fact that we were able to convince Hungary – an important EU and NATO partner – to choose this innovative vehicle makes this success all the greater. In making this forward- looking procurement decision, Hungary’s top political and military officials have demonstrated real leadership. Not only does the move place Hungary at the forefront of European army technology. It reaffirms the Hungarian government’s commitment to being a reliable, more militarily effective partner of its NATO allies, a policy which it is pursuing with systematic energy.”

“We’re very proud”, said Mr Papperger, “to be able to make an important contribution to the sustained expansion of Hungary’s defence technology capabilities in cooperation with local industry. We look forward to working together with our Hungarian friends and partners, and will do everything in our power to assure the long-term success of this venture.”

Posted in Advertiser, Armor, Contracts, International, Press Release | 7 Comments »

Recon K9 Seeks and Finds New Ballistic Partner

Wednesday, August 19th, 2020

Pompano Beach, Florida August 17, 2020, Recon K9 announced today that they have selected Point Blank Enterprises (PBE) of Pompano Beach, FL as their official manufacturing partner for their K9 ballistics offering. Recon K9 is taking aim at the global tactical K9 market as they hone their focus on becoming the strongest and most sophisticated tactical K9 vest manufacturer for federal, law enforcement, and military working dog handlers.

“We’ve decided to really narrow our focus on doing what we do best, which is creating customer-centric K9 tactical vests that exceed the handler’s expectations and mission requirements. When deciding on who to partner with regarding our ballistic offering it became apparent that Point Blank Enterprises was committed to the same vision we have for superior quality and attention to our customer’s needs. They made our choice an easy one to make” stated Jason Watson, Founder and President of Recon K9 LLC.

Watson began developing working dog equipment for USASOC (United States Army Special Operations Command) back in early 2013 while working for Remington where he developed Remington K9. Several years later when Remington changed course, Watson transferred his passion and his products to Capewell Aerial Systems to start their own K9 tactical manufacturing operation. After two corporate sales to private equity firms, Watson decided to take the reins and spin off his own company with the blessings and support of Capewell to start Recon K9. “I finally get to call all the shots with regards to the products and performance we put out to the market. Recon K9 is the culmination of my 14 years in K9 product development. It’s more than a passion, it’s a desire to create the most excuse free canine equipment that the market has experienced”, Watson noted.

Jack Greenberg, a Director of Business Development for PBE said, “We’re very excited to collaborate with Recon K9 on their ballistic offerings. They have tremendous expertise in K9 applications, and now coupled with our superior ballistic solutions, I believe it’s a winning combo. We’re excited to support the global working dog community in a bigger way.”

Posted in Armor, K9, Press Release | Comments Off on Recon K9 Seeks and Finds New Ballistic Partner

TYR Tuesday – IDTOUR VTS |Virtual Trade Show| Shield Camera System Preview

Tuesday, August 18th, 2020

Episode Eight of Innovate or Die® Tour Virtual Trade Show #IDTOURVTS is here!

Episode Eight:

IDTOUR VTS |Virtual Trade Show| Shield Camera System Preview

Coming Soon 2021

CQB Shield with Viewport Available Now:

www.tyrtactical.com/products/list/shield-systems/ballistic-shields-and-armor