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Next-Generation Bomb Suit Lightens Load for Marines

Wednesday, October 23rd, 2019

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. —
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Marines will soon receive a lighter and more capable bomb suit for protection against various threats.

Fielding in 2020, the EOD Advanced Bomb Suit incorporates several 21st century, next-generation technological advancements intended to help EOD Marines withstand arduous conditions on the battlefield.

The system protects against severe injuries caused by blast overpressure, shrapnel, heat and impacts. The suit also comprises an elaborate integrated ventilation system to reduce heat stress and improve breathing.

“The new EOD bomb suit provides the warfighter with additional protection and flexibility,” said Fernando Pena, Marine Corps Systems Command’s project officer for the suit. “It is a superior suit compared with the previous system.”

In 2014, the Corps fielded an innovative bomb suit that has provided protection to the warfighter. However, because threats are ever-evolving, the need to find new ways to safeguard EOD Marines is paramount in carrying out missions and defeating adversaries.

Master Sgt. Zachariah Kindvall, an MCSC subject matter expert for the EOD bomb suit, says the new system helps meet the warfighter’s ever-changing needs.

“The new EOD bomb suit will add another level of personal protection equipment for Marines to use,” said Kindvall. “It provides a higher level of protection than what we currently have.”

The EOD suit meets or exceeds the performance and characteristics of the legacy system. For example, the newer system has a more ergonomic design, offers superior overall balanced protection, and provides greater situational awareness and operational capabilities, said Pena.

Kindvall noted how the suit offers more comfort, reducing the risk of fatigue. He said engineers emphasized the design and fitting of the suit, making it easier for the warfighter to maneuver. The clothing is also easier to don and doff compared with the previous system.

“The foot protection, in particular, is much easier to walk in and provides much more comfort and protection,” said Kindvall.

Additionally, the suit is significantly lighter than its older counterpart—a characteristic of the system Kindvall says can help Marines. Lightening the warfighter’s load is important because too much gear can wear on the warfighter. The new bomb suit reduces weight while also enhancing protection and communication.

“Lightening the load gives Marines more flexibility during missions—even if it is just a reduction of a few pounds,” said Kindvall. “That weight reduction can be significant.”

Both Pena and Kindvall are confident the system will be advantageous on the battlefield. As Pena explained, the warfighter can investigate and perform render-safe procedures involving an improvised explosive device knowing the suit’s added stability can protect them from serious impact and other hazards.

“We as a program office must be proactive in understanding the dynamic changes of today’s threats as well as future threats,” said Pena. “The new EOD bomb suit helps to support this idea.”

By Matt Gonzales, MCSC Office of Public Affairs and Communication | Marine Corps Systems Command

Posted in Armor, EOD, Guest Post, MARCORSYSCOM, USMC | Comments Off on Next-Generation Bomb Suit Lightens Load for Marines

DEVCORE Plate Carrier Backpack Up for Pre-Order

Tuesday, October 22nd, 2019

Developmental Warfighter Gear PCB sets new standard for “low-pro”

For Immediate Release

DEVCORE Gear is happy to announce that its PCB (Plate Carrier Backpack) is now available for pre-order, with fulfillment to begin during early November. The PCB is not just another “bulletproof backpack” or armored backpack with soft armor panels stowed inside. It is a rapidly deployable, fully modular plate carrier concealed within a sturdy, well-designed, but innocuous backpack. In short, it’s legitimately “lowpro”.

In addition to housing a front and back hard-armor plate carrier, the BCB is perfectly capable of concealing SBRs, PDWs, AR15 pistols and the like and allowing their deployment on demand. This isn’t an SBR bag used to stow a weapon for transit. This pack maintains the weapons in a ready status so they can be produced and presented quickly at need.

Soldier Systems Daily readers may enter SSD25 at checkout to receive a 25% discount on their purchase.

As you can see, the wearer can go from backpack to armed up and pistol ready in just a couple of seconds. Readying a long gun requires less than another couple of seconds. This makes it a superb option for lowpro and low visibility work in semi- or non-permissive environments. It would also serve well in those situations where it’s better to remain low key and prepared vs. “jocked up” and ready. Such operations might include surveillance, hiding “in plain sight” in a crowd during high profile events, pre-positioned support elements of PSD personnel, and similar mission sets.

The pack would also obviously be an excellent way to keep active shooter response kit on standby or as the primary holdall for bail-out bags, bug-out bags, and get-home kits.

DEVCORE will not ship ballistic armor OCONUS.

Current inserts include:
• IFAK module (medical kit insert)
• Admin Pouch (utility insert)
• Chest holster (PCB plate carrier holster module)
• Covert rifle case (long gun weapon module)

FEATURES
? Rapid deployment armor system is interchangeable for armored protection with either soft IIIA armor or hard armor plates
? Front and back armor is concealed within hidden backpack compartment until it’s deployed
? Bottom concealed compartment has a quick release pull handle for rapid deployment of various inserts such as the DEVCORE Medic Kit, DEVCORE Utility Kit and other custom inserts coming soon.
? Full zipper front main compartment with interior Velcro panel to secure various pouches and accessories for storage and transport
? Front zippered slash pocket to stow personal items such wallet, phone and other smaller items
? Padded exterior back panel for comfort fit
? Padded low profile adjustable shoulder straps
? Slim comfort adjustable waist belt with exterior lined Velcro to secure deployed front armor carrier to front torso
? Adjustable quick-release chest strap to stabilize backpack when in use
? Hidden document compartment accessed behind waist belt connections on back exterior panel

PRODUCTS SPECS
? Backpack built from 1000D Ballistic Nylon
? YKK zippers throughout
? Large Velcro panels
? Breathable mesh padding
? Main Backpack Dimensions: 20 in. L x 13.5 in. W x 7 in. D
? Middle Concealed Compartment Dimensions: 1 in. L x 12 in. W x 2 in. D
? Back Armor Insert Pocket: 14.75 in. L x 11 in. W x .75in. D
? Weight, backpack only with empty carrier: 7 lbs.
? Weight with front & back level IIIA Soft Armor Panels: 10 lbs.
? Weight with front & back Hard Armor Panels: 13 lbs.
? Proudly made in the USA

Learn more: www.devcoregear.com; take a look at what believe to be the best tactical pen around while you’re there.

Contact Brian Miller: contact@abxgroupinc.com

Posted in Armor, Press Release | 2 Comments »

HRT – RAC Plate Carrier

Saturday, October 19th, 2019

HRT, an Ohio based company, has just released a revolutionary RAC™ plate carrier system featuring the industry’s first highly modular MultiZip™ back panel system. Originally a tactical training- company, HRT saw the need for a rapid-reconfigurable gear carrying system. Unable to find any industry solution, HRT decided to make their own. “We feel we have a natural advantage in the gear industry. Not only do we distribute our own products, each piece of HRT gear was conceived from true real-world experience, and fine-tuned through routine training exercises, furthermore, the RAC’s modular nature allows us to stay competitive and deliver innovative new accessories in an ever-changing industry.” The HRT RAC™ was vigorously tested by Law Enforcement and Military communities alike prior to its release.

The RAC™ plate carrier is based on HRT’s proven HRAC plate carrier, with the addition of the innovative MultiZip™ dual-zipper back panel attachment system. Allowing weight saving by only using mission essential gear, the dual zipper design gives users the ability to quickly re-configure the top and bottom of the rear plate pocket independently of each other, while also accepting full-length panels for large items such as rain gear, helmets or breaching tools.

The RAC™ itself is light weight and fully adjustable with comfortable low-profile shoulder straps and optional cummerbunds. The RAC™ is also quality from the ground up: from the Teflon-coated genuine Cordura, to Velcro-branded hook and loop, using ITW buckles and YKK Zippers, just to name a few. Aside from what the customer can see, all HRT carriers feature reinforced stitching, heavy nylon-bonded threads, quality sewing, and proper bar tacking. All HRT products come with an industry-leading LIFETIME warranty.

Like the HRAC, the front of HRT’s RAC™ plate carrier accepts all HRT placards including the highly anticipated Maximus placard designed by Army Ranger hall-of-famer MSG (ret) Howard “Max” Mullen Jr. The RAC™ is also compatible with various other placards from leading industry gear designers, ensuring future expansion as our nation’s threats continue to shift.

www.hrttacticalgear.com

Posted in Armor, Load Carrying, Press Release | 2 Comments »

Saber Solutions LLC AVS JPC Tubes Cummerbund Conversion Kit

Friday, October 18th, 2019

The Tubes Cummerbund Conversion Kit brings quick donn and doff capabilities, elimination of noise and wear from Velcro® panels, and consistent cummerbund placement to the AVS™ and original JPC™ plate carriers.

Through the use of our conversion kit, all modifications can be completed by the end-user without the lead-time associated with a custom shop. This allows for minimum down-time and the ability for the operator to fine-tune the system to their liking with varying placement and configurations.

Additional benefits include reduced gap between cummerbund and front plate pocket for ideal pouch placement, retaining side plate pouch compatibility, and a low-profile, seamless form factor. Now available and ready to ship in Black, Ranger Green, Coyote Brown, and Multicam.

sabersolutionsllc.net

Posted in Armor, Press Release | 3 Comments »

It’s Finally Here! The FLEX Releasable Cummerbund Kit IOTV (FRC Kit IOTV) from Arbor Arms

Tuesday, October 15th, 2019

Arbor Arms has adapted their FLEX Cummerbund retro fit kits to the Army’s IOTV4, SPCS, MSV and many other armor systems that utilize the Duraflex Quad release system. The Arbor Arms family of cummerbunds are in use with a wide range of units; US, British and other NATO Special Forces, Marine Force Reconnaissance, DEA SRT, CBP Special Teams. Although many Arbor Arms designs are geared towards the high end this cummerbund kits marks a move towards improving armor ergonomics for the average Soldier on the line.

The Cummerbund

Arbor Arms FLEX cummerbunds are a skeletonized 3 MOLLE row cummerbund, made of their proprietary slotted MOLLE elastic. This allows for expansion and contraction not just through the full breathing cycle but during movement and non-standard shooting positions. At the same time it can support a full combat load of magazines, radios and side SAPIs without allowing them to sag or bounce on ones hips while running. It also allows for perfect ergonomic fit to every soldier male or female of every size and body type. Due to the proprietary manufacturing process this elastic is woven with the MOLLE slots in it which gives I a much longer service life than sewn elastic while maintaining the ability to mount MOLLE pouches both internally and externally to the cummerbund.

The Front

The FRC Kit IOTV used the Duraflex Quad Release 1.5” female buckle sewn to an 70 series aluminum spreader bar that interfaces with their proprietary slotted MOLLE elastic. The aluminum spreader features split bar attachment so that the elastic can be changed out by the end user in case of damage while in the field.

The Back

The kit comes with 3 rear mounting options; a MOLLE stick Interface for the IOTV which is compatible with either a 550 cord lacing, or with 6 Snap On Tension locks. The 6 Snap On Tension locks can also be attached directly to the lowest 3 MOLLE rows on the rear plate bag with the excess elastic of the cummerbund routed under the c-bun flap.

Learn more about the FRC kit IOTV and the rest of the Arbor Arms family of cummerbunds at www.ArborArmsUSA.com/army-iotv

Posted in Advertiser, Armor, Press Release | 5 Comments »

Soldier Integrated Protective Ensemble

Saturday, October 12th, 2019

The Soldier Integrated Protective Ensemble Advanced Technology Demonstration was conducted in the fall of 1992 at Fort Benning, Georgia.

These photos of SIPE components were taken by Natick Research, Development, and Engineering Center.

Download the report here.

Posted in Armor, Clothing, Digitization, History, Load Carrying | 7 Comments »

KDH Defense Systems and Armor Express to Showcase Next-Gen Soldier Protection Equipment at the 2019 AUSA Conference

Saturday, October 12th, 2019

Eden, NC and Arlington, VA, October 10, 2019 – KDH Defense Systems, Inc. (“KDH”) and Armor Express, both industry leaders in the manufacturing and distribution of high-performance protective solutions, will be demonstrating some of the most technologically advanced ballistic systems, carriers and hard armor solutions available, at the Annual Meeting and Expo of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA). KDH and Armor Express will be exhibiting at booth #4043 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., on October 14-16.

“We are excited to gather with America’s military and defense leaders to engage on the key issues and re- affirm our commitment to protecting all customers with the most innovative and reliable body armor solutions they require,” stated Lushana Offutt, Senior Vice President, Government Operations. “The systems we are producing for the U.S. Department of Defense and Federal agencies, are based on the real- world experiences of our service men and women. It is our honor to support them.”

Among the innovations to be showcased at AUSA are the:

Modular Scalable Vest (“MSV”) Gen II – The MSV-GEN II is the latest release from the Army and only produced by KDH. Chosen by soldiers, the vest offers enhanced protection and maneuverability at a significantly reduced weight. It includes both full Up Tactical and Concealable Vest components. The MSV-Gen II can be worn over the soldier’s uniform and is made up of the concealable components inserted into the tactical carrier.

Soldier Protection System Torso and Extremity Protection Blast Pelvic Protector (“BPP”) – The Blast Pelvic Protector is the latest addition to the soldier protective ensemble and its design underwent a stringent multi-year development program by the Army. The BPP offers both 9mm and Fragmentation protection to the vital pelvic area.

USMC Plate Carrier Gen III – This new carrier for the U.S. Marine Corps consists of a cummerbund style main vest with the option of using the Improved Modular Tactical Vest’s (IMTV) groin and lower back protection. The PC provides more efficient weight distribution and is designed to scale based on mission requirements. It features a 2-point cut away system, fully integrated side protection, communication routing channels, and increased MOLLE attachment points.

Naval Security Forces Vest (“NSV”) – The NSV consists of a base vest and modular components for tailoring protection levels to defeat multiple ballistic and fragmentation hazards while performing security and Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection. This new Naval Security Forces Vest features Level IIIA ballistic inserts, an outer carrier, and yoke and collar assemblies.

Busch PROtective AMP-1 TP Helmet – Designed for close quarter combat threats, the AMP-1 TP is constructed of a multi-layer aramid composite and a patented production technique that creates elite ballistic performance. Its increased edge and multi-impact capabilities enhance the helmet’s protective area by up to 50% compared to standard ballistic helmets, offering high fragmentation protection. It is certified to international VPAM-3 standards, as well as U.S. NIJ, DEA and FBI testing protocols.

Other ground-breaking solutions will be displayed, including offerings designed specifically for Federal and Domestic Law Enforcement. Among them, Armor Express’ Razor II ballistic system; American Revolution, Traverse and Lighthawk XT 3.0 carriers; Standard Outer Garment (SOG), Tactical Outer Garment (TOG) and Formal Outer Garment (FOG); and assorted hard armor/rifle plates.

Attendees are welcome to stop by booth #4043 to view firsthand and speak one-on-one with Company executives.

The Association of the United States Army’s Annual Meeting is the largest landpower exposition and professional development forum in North America. Taking place over three days, the Annual Meeting is designed to deliver the Army’s message by highlighting the capabilities of organizations and presenting a wide range of industry products and services. The conference comprises presentations on the State-of-the- Army, panel discussions and seminars on pertinent military and national security subjects, and a variety of valuable networking events. For more information, visit ausameetings.org/2019annualmeeting.

www.kdhdefensesystems.com

Posted in Advertiser, Armor, AUSA, Press Release | Comments Off on KDH Defense Systems and Armor Express to Showcase Next-Gen Soldier Protection Equipment at the 2019 AUSA Conference

FirstSpear Friday Focus – 10×12 Padded Plate Backer

Friday, October 11th, 2019

FirstSpear has just announced the 10×12 padded plate backers are back in-stock. Very popular plate carrier add-on the padded plate backer is an ultra lightweight non-ballistic insert designed to go inside your plate bag on the body side of the plate. Sold in packs of two, one side features deep channels to maximize airflow and increase comfort with minimal bulk. Works with nearly any vest that accepts soft armor or plate and can be used in multiple configurations based on user needs.

100% American made, in-stock and now shipping.

www.first-spear.com/platforms/platform-accessories/10×12-padded-plate-backer-non-ballistic

Posted in Advertiser, Armor, FS Friday Focus, Guest Post | 1 Comment »