The Turtleskin Snake Armor has been tested against all biting snakes in North America, most in Australia and several in Africa. They are currently selling them to Border Patrol as well as utility workers and outdoorsmen in snake ridden areas.
Available in gaiters and chaps, the Snake Armor will also protect the wearer from brush. Made in USA, they’ve been submitted to the Soldoer Enhancement Program.
Based on development of USSOCOM’s TALOS program, the Kinetic Operations Suit from Revision Military incorporates a variety of technologies.
Most obvious is the distinctive Armageddon camouflage pattern. The operator wears the Prowler exoskeleton powered by Revision Sharepack. The exoskeleton bears the weight of the system as well as ancillary mission equipment. And can be up armored with XSAPI level plates as well as frag protection on the lower leg. Up top is the Vertical Load Offset System which equates to zero helmet weight born by the operator’s neck. The ballistic helmet is 100% polyethylene with cutout for use with augmented vision systems. The ensemble also includes a scalable armor vest that goes from 18% vital area chest coverage all the way up to 60%.
www.revisionmilitary.com
These slides are from the recent Soldier Protection System – Torso and Extremity Protection meeting with industry. It provides some background on the program as well the individual components. This is not the full slide deck. We left out several administrative slides which were not germane to educating our readers about SPS – TEP.
Initially, the Army plans to give two companies contracts to produce TEP. Its TDP is owned by the government and they will buy about 5,100 units at first. Eventually, the contract could go to over 36,000 systems.
It looks like the BOIP includes two Ballistic Combat Shirts for each system although with integrated armor, we are unsure if it is removable or how they will be laundered if it is not. Then, there’s the whole “shirt with integrated armor during a waterborne operations” issue that will eventually emerge.
Finally, although the images feature a helmet, this compotent of SPS has not yet been announced.
May 11, 2015: In the wake of school shootings and terrorist attacks, Miami based Armour Wear, LLC has set out to solve a problem: How to create lightweight and unobtrusive ballistic protection for everyday use that anyone can afford.
In late 2014, Armour Wear, LLC launched its own line of American made hard and soft body armor, as well as tactical nylon to the US market to make sure the people of the United States have the opportunity to protect themselves and their families with the best quality at a reasonable price. With prices starting at $35.99 for soft armor panels and $114.95 for hard armor, protecting yourself and those you love has become a reality.
Learn more at: www.armour-wear.com
It would certainly seem so. Although no formal announcement has been made regarding the winner of the Soldier Protection System program, the Army seemingly prematurely (how is April 24 for premature?) posted an announcement for a Pre-Solicitation Meeting for Product Manager Soldier Protective Equipment (PM SPE) Soldier Protection System Torso Extremity Protection. That’s to give potential manufacturers a heads up on what they’ll want produced.
What’s interesting is the timing (24 April, 2015) and wording of the announcement.
The purpose of this meeting is to communicate the updates to the proposal and technical requirements of the SPS-TEP program should the Government Design be selected as the highest rated system out of the developmental program.
I’ve never seen them plan a meeting based on a product that may potentially be selected and notice they didn’t announce meetings in the off chance that they chose any of the three commercial contenders (Hawk, Point Blank or Safariland).
If that wasn’t enough, the Army also announced that they plan to release a Request For Proposals for the Torso Extremity Protection – Ballistic Combat Shirt component of SPS as well as the Modular Scalable Vest on May 21st. They’ll also be releasing solicitations for the Load Distribution System on or about 15 May. Sounds like they know what they want and don’t have to work out any IP issues; once again pointing to the government candidate.
For those interested, the government solution will look quite similar to this stand up image displayed during a design review late last year.
For those of you unfamiliar with SPS, it is a PEO Soldier sponsored development program managed by PM SPE. There’s a head protection system that looks quite promising in light of the mediocre performance of ECH but right now we’ll concentrate on the Torso Extremity Protection system. While it includes armored combat clothing (BCS), Blast Pelvic Protector (BPP), and new Load Distribution System (LDS), the heart of SPS TEP is the Modular Scalable Vest which is one of four systems which integrates into the SPS TEP and consists of a low profile vest with four soft armor panels (one front, one back, and two side cummerbunds) covered in a camouflage cloth and hook and loop. Like current systems, soft armor panels are inserted into a tactical outer carrier that also accommodates hard armor protective inserts. The tactical outer carrier also contains two side plate pocket that will accommodate soft armor inserts. The outer carrier is made of a flame resistant outer cloth, webbings, hook/loop, polyethylene stiffener, a quad-release system, and several other non-ballistic materials.
The Load Distribution System is designed to offer the capability to redistribute the weight burden on the torso vest and load bearing while being carried horizontally, close to the body’s center of mass. The LDS is an integral part of the SPS TEP design with the LDS belt containing soft armor that provides fragmentation and handgun protection to the lower back and abdomen region. The LDS will provide Warfighters with the ability to mount additional equipment directly to the belt using the MOLLE retention system. The ruck integration component includes: a frame adapter, torso vest compatible shoulder straps, and an LDS belt adapter.
UPDATE – Although there is a helmet representing the Integrated Head Protection System in the photo above, it is not the subject of this article.
For this week’s Friday Focus, we’re taking a look at the Modular Armor Supplement System or MASS. MASS is a armor augmentation system which embodies the tenet “that when additional armor is necessary, it is time to get all you can functionally employ.” It consists of a series of interconnecting segments which offer additional protection to the neck/throat region, shoulders, upper arms, and groin. It comfortably integrates with a variety of FirstSpear plate carriers including the Siege R Optimized and MBAV Strandhögg.
Check out the video below to see how MASS connects to a vest.
Crye Precision has launched three new products which are now available on their webpage: the JPC 2.0, Loft Jacket, and LWF Jacket.
JPC 2.0
The latest iteration of Crye’s Jumpable Plate Carrier, the JPC 2.0 is a lightweight and minimal armor vest designed to maximize mobility and packability, while reducing as much weight as possible. The unloaded carrier weighs just over 1 lbs., and is highly configurable. The JPC 2.0 features the Skeletal Cummerbund system with Crye’s Integrated Attachment System which allows for pouches to be mounted to both the inside and outside of the cummerbund. Additionally, the JPC 2.0 is compatible with all AVS Detachable Flap systems.
Features
Colors: Black, Coyote, MultiCam, Ranger Green
cryeprecision.com/ProductDetail/blc06602lg0_jpc-20
Loft Jacket
The Loft Jacket is a midweight jacket that functions equally well as an outer garment and an insulation layer. The outer layer is treated with Nano STX which sheds moisture and snow. The Loft Jacket features an athletic fit for use under shells, so those looking for a looser fit should order one size up.
Features
Colors: Black, MultiCam, Ranger Green
cryeprecision.com/ProductDetail/aprjl102lg0_loft-jacket
LWF Jacket
The LWF Jacket is a lightweight jacket that functions equally well as a standalone jacket or as breathable insulation under a shell. Made from a single layer of custom fllece fabric, it features a “slick” outer surface which sheds water and dirt better than typical fleece. The LWF Jacket features an athletic fit for layering, so those looking for a looser fit should order one size up.
Features
Colors: Black, MultiCam
cryeprecision.com/ProductDetail/aprjf102lg0_lwf-jacket
Developed in conjunction with Chris Costa, the Armatus armor carrier has a new variant. Based on end user feedback, they’ve introduced a fully modular MAP system carrier.
In addition to removable panels up front there are also now removable rear panels.
It incorporates Hypalon shoulder straps with removable padding, a breathable mesh cummerbund and a streamlined front design that covers the attachment clips for the MAP.
Although it comes configured with a PALS panel they are also looking at introducing a pouch panel and a backpack panel.
