HSGI has introduced a new Riggers belt which integrates AustriAlpin’s D-ring buckle.
There’s also a new mounting option for TACO pouches that relies on Velcro one-wrap to put them right in the belt.
As an added bonus, they also previewed a new TACO handcuff pouch.
The Cable Management Clip from OTTO is a PALS compatible means to route and manage communications on your kit. Reusable, it’s available in a black, tan, flat dark earth and OD green.
D3O has introduced a new two-piece, integrated knee pad system. The outer shell is a hard plastic, protecting the knee from hard knocks and sharp objects. It also features a flat spot to make taking a knee a little more natural. Leveraging D3O’s Trauma Reduction and Unrivalled Shock Technology (TRUST) technology, the insert is made from two different 3D0 high performance materials for comfort and shock mitigation. The LITE foam offers cushioning and the D3O XT absorbs shock, particularly over the knee cap.
The pads can be worn in three ways. The insert alone inside a kneepad slot. The two components together inside a kneepad slot. Or, the insert inside the slot and the outer shell on the exterior of the slot. The four slotted circles you see at the edges are the tops of tabs that line up with slots on the insert. You twist them to lock them in place in order to keep the two pieces together.
Available soon in the US through Tactical Distributors, it can be integrated into many existing trousers by wearing just the insert piece or the two components together, inside a kneepad flap. Additionally, new pants can be manufactured to accept the D3O pad system by sewing 14 small sized buttonholes in order to accommodate the interface. This will allow users to wear the hard shell outsert on the outside of the knee in order to protect the fabric as well as the knee and the holes offer custom fit.
SIG SAUER showed us their quick attach/detach suppressors offered in (l-r) .338, .30 and 5.56mm. We haven’t fired them so we can’t speak to performance or how the attachment contributes to suppressor blowback. However, just looking at them, there is an interesting feature. The system consists of a tapered adapter that is attached to the barrel. The suppressor attaches directly to the taper and a lock twists into place. The taper gives a lot of contact surface between the adapter and the suppressor. There are no shims or crush washers here; at least to mount the adapter. If you are going to run a muzzle brake, it does require a crush washer for proper alignment and it screws into threads in the adapter. The brake and suppressor do not contact one another.
In these CAD drawings provided by SIG you can see how this attachment works. The suppressor rests against the taper.
You can also see in this exploded view how the brake screws into the adapter.
Although we didn’t photograph it, SIG is working on a new suppressor coating that they feel they can keep the suppressor (within CSASS parameters) cool enough to touch (~140 deg F) without burns.
General Dynamics was exhibiting their Flyer vehicle, selected for use by USOCOM. Fighter Design USA had several accessories on that vehicle including these quick release ratchet straps to hold cargo in place.
Ratchet straps are commonly used to secure odd sized loads to the exterior of vehicles. The problem is that you can necessarily access them very quickly as you pop the ratchet loose, fighter Design’s Adam Slank took a look at it and came up with a different way. The solution is simple, yet ingenious making it easier to quickly access the equipment held in place with the ratchet strap. You pull a single pin and the entire strap is free. I really like solutions like this.
As part of their Tactical Communication and Protective System entry, Sylinx offered the U.S. Army what they are calling TCAPS Lite to help mitigate Noise Induced Hearing Loss. It offers the same Active Noise Reduction and volume control switches/battery case of the popular Clarus comms headset but without the ability to connect to a radio. This device offers a lower cost option for those not equipped with a radio but yet still require ANR which not only protects hearing but also increases situational awareness.
Based on feedback from the field, Rocky has updated their Jungle Boot, introduced about 18 months ago.
In addition to the no-snag lacing they introduced last year, they’ve replaced the 550 cord laces with FR laces that don’t absorb water.
They also slightly modified the balance of Cordura and leather area coverage to enhance breathability and they’ve incorporated a more durable ankle reinforcement.
The biggest upgrade is in the sole. The older sole is on the left and the new model which incorporates a distinct heel is on the right. They also depended the lugs and made the gaps wider to more easily deal with mud.
W.L. Gore & Associates has announced it will be featuring its expanded line of FR military apparel, consisting of several jackets. The Improved EWOL now features Pyrad face fabric rather than the Nomex fabric on the current model. I have long been a fan of Gore’s Pyrad technology which retains the performance of the base fabric yet adds FR capability.
The full release can be read below:
ELKTON, MD, OCTOBER 13, 2014 – – W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., will be featuring its expanded line of flame-retardant (FR) military apparel at the 2014 AUSA Exposition in Washington, D.C., October 13-15, in Booth 2719. The portfolio includes: Gore’s FR Lightweight Loft (LWL) Jacket; GORE® PYRAD® Hardshell Jacket; EWOL (Extreme Weather Outer Layer) Jacket; and an IWOL (Intermediate Weather Outer Layer) Jacket. All products meet or exceed industry standards for flammability and thermal protective performance. Standards include, where applicable: PYROMAN™ – ASTM F 1930; Thermal Protective Performance (TPP) – ISO 17492; Flammability – Folded Edge Flame Test Method – ASTM F 1358; and Vertical Flame Test Method – ASTM D 6413.
The GORE® PYRAD® Hardshell Jacket incorporates a self-extinguishing fabric technology that offers protection in heat and flash-fire incidents. The fabric increases thermal protective performance and reduces potential for burn injury. It provides increased thermal stability and maintains physical integrity in the event of exposure to heat and flames. Further, the jacket is waterproof/windproof/breathable due to its GORE-TEX® fabric construction, making it not only protective but comfortable to the wearer in extreme environments, as well.
Gore’s FR Lightweight Loft (LWL) Jacket, which features GORE® PYRAD® Flame Retardant, provides proven heat and flame protection against battlefield hazards without sacrificing protection from the elements, especially cold temps. Gore’s FR Lightweight Loft Jacket provides heat and flame protection, is highly breathable, dries fast and packs quickly.
Gore’s next generation Extreme Weather Outer Layer (EWOL) jacket provides weather protection utilizing a waterproof, windproof, and breathable GORE-TEX® membrane combined with GORE® PYRAD® Flame Retardant. It is comfortable, provides antistatic protection, and offers penetration resistance against JP-8, DEET, petroleum, oils, and lubricants.
The Intermediate Weather Outer Layer (IWOL) jacket is constructed from a MASSIF® fabric featuring GORE® FR Stretch technology in a revolutionary nylon-faced, flame resistant, water resistant laminate. This extremely durable, highly breathable fabric offers a superior warmth-to-weight ratio. GORE® membrane technology provides weather protection from rain and wind. The result is a high quality, comfortable, softshell jacket with heat and flame protection.
GORE® PYRAD® Flame Retardant is an advanced laminate technology that offers an optimal combination of thermal / flashover burn protection, environmental protection, and comfort. This unique technology self-extinguishes flames so that the fabric does not continue to burn. Traditional non-FR textiles will continue to propagate flame, exhibit melting and dripping, and increase the potential of burn injury to the skin. GORE® PYRAD® Flame Retardant increases thermal protective performance and reduces potential for burn injury.
For more information on Gore’s line of FR garments, visit Gore at the 2014 AUSA Exposition in Washington, D.C., October 13-15, in Booth 2719.
