For those of you asking for more lumens, SureFire is introducing the XC1-B which ups the lumens from 200 to 300.
You’ll notice a slightly different form factor with the battery cap slightly protruding.
Additionally, the switch now offers momentary on as well as constant on.
Bottom line, more lumens, same run time.
We showed you this helmet yesterday in conjunction with the release of the Ballistic Ears and Visor. It’s completely new and called the EXFIL Ballistic SL. It weighs 2.22 (size 1) or 2.31 (size 2) complete with shell, rails, retention and impact liner.
It also introduces the SL Rail which is 25% lighter than the standard EXFIL Rail and will accept the Ballistic Visor.
One way to tell the SL from previous versions of the EXFIL Ballistic Helmet is by the Wilcox SL Shroud (at the top of the dual image). It offers a 35% weight reduction over the the previous W Shroud. Manufactured from an aluminum insert and glass filled Polymer body, it is compatible with retractable lanyard systems.
It’s certified to NIJ IIIA. The 9mm backface signature is <25.4mm @ 1195 ft/sec. Frag performance is 17 gr v50 >/= 2400 ft/sec.
Two years ago, WL Gore launched Katana, the first fabric in their Advanced Combat Fabric line. This latest version is called Excalibur. While Katana was dialed in for hot weather use, Excalibur is more a broad utility fabric. Think cold to hot weather. This is thanks to its 18% ePTFE fiber content combined with NYCO. It also offers high durability due to the construction which features twisted ePTFE adding strength by increasing tear and snag resistance. Also, it dries faster thanks to lower water weight gain. All of this combines to a higher strength fabric for a given weight.
To put this in perspective, current NYCO fabric used in ACUs is 6.5 oz. Katana, which is primarily for hot weather is 5.3 oz and Excalibur is 6 oz per square yard. What’s more, NYCO’s air permeability (how well it breathes) is 8 cfm, while Katana is 70 Cam and Excalibur is 40 cfm. Katana allows you to radiate heat very rapidly promoting evaporites cooling. Excalibur on the other hand hits the sweet spot for cooling while keeping cold wind from blowing right through your clothing.
Excalibur is currently undergoing evaluation by all of the services.
At AUSA, Knight’s Armament Co displayed an example of their 7.62mm NATO Assault Machine Gun. Basically, it’s a big brother to the 5.56mm variant we recently featured. Since they are finalizing production of the 5.56mm gun, they wanted to start development of the 7.62mm version in order to provide as much part commonality as possible between the weapons.
It weighs in at 12.5 lbs, features a hard Picatinny Rail on the Receiver and can be fired without the removable stock.
FN America breaks down SCAR modularity in this single graphic, which also serves as the backdrop to their AUSA booth.
Notice the caliber options along the bottom: 5.56mm, 7.62mm, 6.5mm CREEDMOOR, and .260 Remington.
While the Invisio Intercom in fact envisioned for use in vehicles, it’s plug and play architecture also makes it suitable for use in command posts or other locations where multiple control units, intercoms, headsets and interface cables are in use.
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Oct. 9, 2017 – Greater threats and changing missions demand a higher caliber of head and body protection than what many militaries around the world use today. 3M will be showcasing a family of soldier protection solutions that address this need in Booth 7243 at the AUSA 2017 Annual Meeting and Exposition.
Among the 3M offerings on display will be the new Combat II Ballistic Helmet L110. This state-of-the-art helmet delivers 3M’s highest ballistic protection to date. Developed by Ceradyne, Inc., a 3M company, the L110 helmet is based on technology that has been tested, fielded and proven with the U.S. military.
“There’s tremendous interest globally for head protection that defends against today’s most prevalent threats, like explosive devices and rifle bullets, at the lightest possible weight,” said Cheryl Ingstad, business manager, Advanced Ceramics Platform – Defense, 3M. “We put our scientific expertise to work to deliver exactly that in the L110 helmet. We look forward to discussing the L110 helmet, our range of innovative soldier-protection offerings and future advancements at this year’s event.”
3M representatives will also be available at AUSA to discuss the company’s support for the U.S. Army’s Soldier Protection System (SPS) program.
Ceradyne was awarded a low-rate initial production (LRIP) contract in 2016 for the program’s Integrated Head Protection System (IHPS) component. The IHPS will give soldiers a lighter-weight ballistic helmet system with passive hearing protection and increased blunt impact performance. The 3M IHPS offering is currently undergoing government testing.
Ceradyne was also awarded an LRIP contract for the SPS’s Vital Torso Protection (VTP) component, which seeks to give soldiers lighter-weight body armor inserts. Government testing of these inserts has been completed.
With more than 70 years of support for the U.S. Armed Forces, 46 technology platforms and proven performance in the field, 3M can help program managers solve their toughest challenges. Life-saving 3M innovations include: lightweight ballistic helmets and body armor, aircraft armor, 3M™ PELTOR™ tactical communications, and respiratory, hearing and eye protection.
For more information about soldier protection solutions provided by 3M, visit www.3M.com/Defense.
The new Ballistic Ears attach at the TW Rail 2.0 and new SL Rail. They are rated to Level IIIA and offer room for the wear of earpro underneath. Ears will be available by end of fourth quarter 17.
The visor is frag rated and uses an adapter to attach to the new SL Rail. Available January, 2018. More info on the SL Rail soon.
