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FirstSpear Friday Focus – New FS Strandhögg Front Panels

Friday, January 2nd, 2015

In this week’s FirstSpear Friday Focus we are going to take a look at the new replacement front panels for the popular Strandhögg Plate Carrier which make it even more customizable than before. It’s important to mention right up front that there are two variants of the Strandhögg Plate Carrier; MBAV cut and SAPI cut. There are two new Front Panels so it’s important that you not only specify which style of Front Panel you want but also which type of armor you are using.

In addition to attaching via patented Tubes connectors, both styles continue to offer the same padding and ventilation features of the standard Strandhögg Plate Carrier. The photo below gives you a side view.

AK Front Panel

The first Front Panel for the Strandhögg Plate Carrier is the the AK Purpose Built model. Additionally, it will fit the FS AAC Plate Carrier. Built with the same padding and ventilation features found in its modular brother this front panel features sewn on pockets accommodating 3 single 30 round magazines for the AK47 or 74 series rifles, secured with elastic cord and FS Speed Tabs. A 6/12 modular pocket attachment field is found above the magazines for utilizing 6/12, 6/9 or MOLLE style pockets. This panel will be available for purchase 1 February 2015 for SPEAR/SAPI Cut Plates in sizes M, L & XL as well as the popular MBAV Cut in sizes S/M, L/XL & XXL in MultiCam, Coyote, Ranger Green, and Black.

Modular Wing Front Panel

The second Front Panel incorporates Modular Wings which give you some additional real estate for pouches on your vest. The panel incorporates a left and right wing with a 6/12 Pocket Attachment Field that allows you to select how you want to use the space back behind your Tubes/Cummerbund. Like the AK Panel, this version also integrates the padding and ventilation of the FS Strandhögg Plate Carrier. This panel will be available for purchase 1 February 2015 for SPEAR/SAPI Cut Plates in sizes S, M, L & XL as well as the popular MBAV Cut in sizes S/M, L/XL & XXL in MultiCam, Coyote, Ranger Green, and Black.

www.first-spear.com

Tags: FirstSpear
Posted in Armor, Load Carrying | 6 Comments »

Sneak Peek – LBX 0300

Wednesday, December 31st, 2014

The LBX 0300 armor carrier will launch at SHOT Show along with a whole slew of other new products. LBT has quite a bit in the way as well so make sure you stop by their booth.

Tags: LBX Tactical
Posted in Armor | 12 Comments »

BulletSafe – Bulletproof Baseball Cap On Kickstarter

Tuesday, December 23rd, 2014

BulletSafe has recently launched a Kickstarter page for a bulletproof baseball cap, designed to function as a more ‘grey’ alternative to traditional ballistic helmets for Law Enforcement and civilians. The cap is a Flexfit, six-panel cap which includes a BulletSafe ballistic panel. Prototypes of the cap have been tested up to NIJ Level IIA standard, having stopped .40, 9mm, .22 LR, and .38 caliber rounds, and BulletSafe expects the full production model will meet those same standards.

www.kickstarter.com/projects/CalmTom/the-bulletsafe-bulletproof-baseball-cap

Tags: BulletSafe, Kickstarter
Posted in Armor | 56 Comments »

Point Blank Enterprises Uses DSM Dyneema for US Army Gen II Soldier Plate Carrier System

Tuesday, December 16th, 2014

DYNEEMA FORCE MULTIPLIER TECHNOLOGY MEETS CHALLENGE OF PROVIDING NEXT GENERATION PROTECTION FOR U.S. ARMY

Point Blank Enterprises uses DSM Dyneema material innovation to develop Generation II Soldier Plate Carrier System armor designed to maximize mobility and provide superior protection

Stanley, N.C., Dec. 16, 2014 – DSM Dyneema, the manufacturer of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMwPE) fiber, branded as Dyneema, and a world leader in life protection materials and high performance fibers, announced today that the U.S. Army has chosen a new body armor system that incorporates Dyneema Force Multiplier Technology to deliver unparalleled ballistics protection combined with unprecedented weight reduction.

Point Blank Enterprises, the worldwide leader in the production of soft body armor, designed the advanced ballistics package incorporated in the new system – the Generation II Soldier Plate Carrier System (SPCS).

Using revolutionary Dyneema Force Multiplier Technology, Point Blank developed the core ballistics package for the SPCS to create the lightest soft armor system ever to be fielded to the U.S. Army. The lighter weight ballistics package meets the Army’s requirement for the SPCS to provide protection equal to the current Improved Outer Tactical Vest (IOTV), but in a standalone capacity that reduces the soldier’s load and provides optimum mobility.

“Dyneema Force Multiplier Technology helps armor manufacturers achieve the goal of combining the best protective performance with the lightest possible weight,” said Shitij Chabba, Global Segment Director, Life Protection, DSM Dyneema. “We are very pleased that our latest material innovation has achieved qualification for an advanced program like SPCS that must meet modern mission requirements.”

Built on the company’s Radical Innovation Platform and manufactured in Greenville, N.C., Dyneema Force Multiplier Technology combines breakthroughs in polymer science, next-generation UHMwPE fiber technology and unique uni-directional engineering. Compared to body armor made from traditional materials such as aramid, protective vests engineered with Dyneema Force Multiplier Technology can reduce weight by up to 30 percent, while enhancing comfort and agility with fewer layers of material.

“Current and near-term predicted threats dictate that service personnel exhibit greater flexibility than ever before and an ability to respond quickly and decisively to changing conditions,” said Sam White, Executive Vice President, Point Blank Enterprises. “The combination of our cutting-edge ballistics package design and DSM Dyneema’s breakthrough Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology has resulted in an unmatched ability to accomplish the critical objectives of SPCS specifications, all while delivering the lightest and highest-performing protection. We’re honored to partner with DSM Dyneema to bring this game-changing system to our service men and women, and remain committed to protecting those who risk their lives every day to safeguard ours.”

www.dyneema.com

www.pointblankenterprises.com

Tags: DSM, Dyneema, Point Blank Enterprises
Posted in Armor | 11 Comments »

FirstSpear Friday Focus – Overlap Cummerbund

Friday, December 12th, 2014

For this week’s FirstSpear Friday, we take a look at a brand new product: the Overlap Cummerbund.

Developed at the request of a FS Professional User, the Overlap Cummerbund is designed to provide additional overlapping soft armor at the front side of the plate carrier where the Tubes closure system meets. The additional soft armor tucks in behind the Tubes allowing full opening and closing of the vest.

The Overlap Cummerbund has been modified so that the body side allows for the attachment of Ragnar Pockets. This means that magazines and other items can be held in close to the body, providing a more streamlined silhouette, a benefit to users who are working in or from a vehicle, conducting tubular assaults, or who simply wish to carry more magazines than a traditional front loading carrier would allow.

Main Features:

Soft armor inserts extend behind the tube and overlap the body of the plate carrier, while still allowing full functionality of the Tube system.

Body side of cummerbund now has loop allowing you to attach pockets from the Ragnar Pocket Suite (our full Velcro backed pockets)

The back bungee cord has been replaced with Velcro and stretch material.

The Overlap Cummerbund is going to be offered immediately as an upgrade to existing FirstSpear carriers, such as the Strandhögg, and will offered in limited colors and quantities.

www.first-spear.com/home.php

Tags: FirstSpear
Posted in Armor, Load Carrying | 2 Comments »

Saab Barracuda – Soft Armor System

Wednesday, December 3rd, 2014

Saab Group based in Sweden has developed a Modular Soft Armor protection system. It is modular in that it consists of hollow panels which can easily be joined together with standard tools before being filled with the anti-ballistic ceramic cores. These panels can also easily be integrated into any new military or civilian vehicles and infrastructure, or existing vehicles and infrastructure. The system weighs only 180 kg/m² with a thickness of 120 mm which can be compared to concrete at 500 kg/m² and RHA at 200 kg/m². Perhaps most importantly, it has been tested to offer ballistic protection of up to NATO 7.62 AP ammo, STANAG level III.

www.saabgroup.com

Thanks to ‘Jim’ for the tip!

Tags: Saab
Posted in Armor, International | 5 Comments »

FirstSpear Offering Carrier + Ballistic Plate Sets

Wednesday, November 19th, 2014

Due to recent demand for armor carriers complete with plates, FirstSpear has launched a new Military/Law Enforcement-only section that currently features First On and Strandhögg armored carriers paired with FirstSpear Ballistic Plates.

I am a big fan of the First On which was developed as a low cost carrier for Active Shooter Response. These days, every law enforcement officer wears soft armor. The First On carries your hard plates as well as rudimentary gear such as ammunition and first aid items. During an Active shooter call or when entering a known hostile environment the First On can be rapidly thrown over your duty soft armor. It incorporates FS TUBES as closures which facilitate rapid donning and doffing. Finally, the First On features Velcro fields for identification.

The new First Ons are currently available in Black and Coyote. By popular demand, FS is now offering the First On with a Med Pouch and your choice of a FirstSpear standalone Level III or IV ballistic plates (set of two).

For those looking for a more feature rich carrier, I’d suggest you check out the Strandhögg which incorporates comfort padding and 6/12 mounting technology. It is compatible with both legacy MOLLE pouches as well as the FS line of 6/12 pouches which allows you to have more control of load configuration. Strandhöggs are available in Black, Coyote, Ranger Green, and Multicam.

FirstSpear Ballistic Plate Offerings with First On and Strandhögg

Blitz: Level IV Standalone – NIJ Standard 0101.06
– light AP protection (5.56x45mm-M855)
– advanced ceramic/composite design
– multi shot rated
-9lbs per plate

Patrol: Level III Standalone – NIJ Standard 0101.06
-100% polyethylene
-Neutrally buoyant
-multi shot rated
-3.5lbs

Available immediately to Government, Law Enforcement, and Military only.

www.first-spear.com

Tags: FirstSpear
Posted in Armor | 1 Comment »

PowerArmor Solar Panels From IDG Europe Are First To Provide Ballistic Protection, With Dyneema High Strength Fibers

Tuesday, November 18th, 2014

The Netherlands, 17 November 2014 – A new solar panel system for Defense Forces provides ballistic protection and is lighter and more portable than systems currently available. The PowerArmor™ unit from IDG Europe has low-reflectance solar panels protected by an anti-ballistic surface made in an exceptionally strong unidirectional fiber-reinforced composite.

The composite is based on an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber (UHMWPE) produced by DSM Dyneema and branded as Dyneema®, the world’s strongest fiber™. It replaces the aluminum normally used for portable solar panels, which provides no ballistic protection. IDG says this is the first time that solar panels have been given such a high level of ballistic protection. Panels made in Dyneema® also weigh around 20% less than aluminum panels of the same thickness.

DSM Dyneema and IDG Europe cooperated closely in IDG’s development of the dual-purpose system, intended to power electrical and electronic equipment used by armed forces in the field. The combination of ultra-light, low profile (anti-glare) solar panels and anti-ballistic panels with Dyneema® results in a system capable of providing energy and protection ranging from fragmentation to high-power rifle ammunition.

IDG Europe says that the switch from aluminum for the general-purpose stand-alone solar panels also meets calls from the market for lightweight units with high environmental resistance.

“As Defense Forces continue to carry more and more electronic systems into dangerous, inhospitable and isolated places, the need to keep portable electronic devices operable at all times in hostile environments is essential,” says Göran Johnson, CEO at IDG Europe. “With PowerArmor™, we think that we have a winning combination of solar panels that supply power and provide protection. We believe its chances are very good, especially as the two individual products were already being independently considered—and in some cases used in practice—by various Special Forces around the world.”

“Dyneema® offers the lightest armor protection materials in the market,” says David Cordova, Vice President Business Development for DSM Dyneema – Life Protection. “The combination of Dyneema® with the innovative low-glare IDG solar panels provides a unique value proposition to military personnel.”

IDG Europe introduced the PowerArmor™ concept at IESMA 2014, the conference and exhibition on Innovative Energy Solutions for Military Applications that took place in Vilnius, Lithuania, on November 12-14. IEASMA 2014 is organized by the NATO Energy Security Centre of Excellence, and the DELTA State Military Scientific Technical Center of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia.

www.dyneema.com/americas

Tags: Dyneema, IDG Europe
Posted in Armor, International, Power | 1 Comment »