TenCate will be holding their 4th Annual Defense Leaders’ Reception at AUSA 2014 on October 14th, 2014 – booth 651, from 1630 to 1830. The Honorable Robert “Bob” Livingston will be attending the reception as a special guest. Refreshments and hors d’oeuvres will be provided.
If you happen to be at AUSA 2014, be sure to stop by the Ops-Core booth (#1561). They’ll be launching the ACH Upgrade Kit as well as displaying various products from their line. There’s always something floating around in their display that I’m not allowed to write about yet.
DSM Dyneema has announced their plans to display a concept vest for women at the upcoming AUSA 2014. The full release can be read below.
Stanley, N.C., Oct. 9, 2014 – Bringing to life the extreme performance characteristics that make Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology (FMT) the ideal solution for modern armor designs, DSM Dyneema will display a concept vest envisioned for women at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting & Exposition, Oct. 13-15, 2014, in Washington, D.C. (Booth #961).
Leading armor manufacturers continue to adopt Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology at a rapid pace, utilizing the material to deliver protection for law enforcement and military applications with the market’s lightest weight, thinnest profile and the best in ballistic protection. Application specialists developed the idea for the female concept vest to showcase to armor manufacturers the nearly unlimited potential of the Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology material to enable groundbreaking innovations for next-generation armor designs.
“We will clearly demonstrate to AUSA attendees the versatility of Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology for almost limitless innovation in armor. Manufacturers are able to take advantage of the technology to develop and bring to market armor that offers extreme light weight and thinness, with no compromise in maintaining high ballistic protection,” said Shitij Chabba, global business segment director, DSM Dyneema.
Among the most prevalent recent concerns voiced by military leaders and civilian stakeholders is the need to address the unique challenges faced by servicewomen tasked with an increasing variety of roles. Body armor incorporating Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology can serve as an equalizer for female soldiers and can support the U.S. Army’s Soldier 2020 initiative, which focuses on expanding the role of women in the military.
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 a soldier’s comfort and agility with fewer layers of material and increased flexibility. Ballistic performance benefits include outstanding multiple hit performance and superior protection against angle and edge shots as well as special threats such as fragments from improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Built on DSM Dyneema’s Radical Innovation Platform, this technology combines breakthroughs in polymer science, next-generation ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMwPE) fiber technology and unique uni-directional engineering. The leading-edge technology offers armor manufacturers the potential to realize dramatic improvements in a wide array of personal and vehicle armor applications.
Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology is already being utilized in vests, inserts, helmets, extremity protection, and in hard armor for helicopters, patrol boats and land vehicles. The innovative material is produced in the United States at DSM Dyneema’s Greenville, N.C. manufacturing facility.
In addition to the concept vest for female soldiers, the company’s booth will also spotlight examples of the breadth and depth of applications for Dyneema® fiber technologies. These encompass performance textiles including flexible, durable cut-resistant gloves and sportswear; strong, lightweight ropes and lines for maritime, offshore, industrial and yachting applications; nets for such commercial applications as aquaculture and cargo transport; and performance auto safety gear such as racing seat belts. DSM Dyneema management and technical experts will be available at the booth to discuss how Dyneema® fiber can significantly reduce weight and profile while dramatically increasing the strength, reliability and performance of defense and law enforcement products.
Join the BE Meyers team in DC for AUSA, next week, 13-15 OCT, Booth #432. Email sales@bemeyers.com for an appointment.
October 7, 2014 – SIBAT – the International Defense Cooperation Division of the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD) – will present an array of innovative technologies for today’s asymmetrical warfare at the Israel Pavilion at AUSA. These solutions, some of them presented for the first time, were developed in order to reduce injuries to uninvolved populations during fighting within urban centers. The systems were developed in close cooperation with the IDF and were proven to have saved lives in recent conflicts.
According to the Director of SIBAT, Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Mishel Ben Baruch, “Today’s asymmetrical warfare is unique in that it is taking place less near uninhabited border areas, and has moved into population centers. For this reason, Israeli companies are developing technologies that prevent, as much as possible, injuries to innocent bystanders. In addition, due to the dynamic nature of the threats, there is a growing need to shorten the sensor-to-shooter loop by rapidly identifying the target – and quickly and precisely initiating countermeasures.”
“In the Israel Pavilion, a wide range of advanced technologies will be presented, including intelligence and surveillance solutions designed to deliver accurate real-time intelligence pictures that enable significantly more precise targeting. Other solutions include unmanned systems and robotics that can replace and protect soldiers in dangerous locations and prevent collateral damage.”
“The Israel Defense Ministry recognizes and appreciates the contribution of Israel’s SME defense companies that consistently develop cutting-edge technologies that are innovative, unique, modular and flexible. These companies are able to respond quickly to customers’ evolving needs and to urgent demands from the field.”
“As in years past, we will promote cooperation between Israeli and American companies at AUSA – an approach which has proven successful in dealing with reduced defense budgets – and remaining competitive in a crowded market.”
This year, the following companies will present their technologies at the Israel Pavilion:
Beth-El Zikhron Yaaqov Industries, Ltd.
Beth-El designs, develops, and manufactures Environmental Protection Systems handling full CBRN and TIC (Toxic Industrial Chemical) filtration, ventilation, air conditioning, dust filtration and carbon monoxide (shooting fumes) filtration for use in vehicles, tents, containers and shelters. Beth-El’s 24/7, lightweight and compact systems – being used by more than 60 armies worldwide and compliant with NATO and MIL-STD standards – offer the highest protection at very low power consumption. They have been tested and certified by International Standards Institutes and laboratories from countries all over the world.
During May’s Special Operations Forces Industry Conference I was taken to an offsite warehouse on the edge of Downtown Tampa’s in order to see the Polaris Defense DAGOR. What I saw was a vehicle larger than anything Polaris had ever offered. You could definitely see that it was a Polaris design, but it was a step up in size from the familiar MRZR. Under development for the past year, the DAGOR was originally created for an undisclosed customer, but it turned out that it fit two other niches quite well.
One of those niches is reflected in the full name of the vehicle: Polaris Defense DAGOR ultra-light combat vehicle. The Maneuver Center of Excellence is working on a requirement for an Ultra-Light Combat Vehicle. Primarily focused on the Global Response Force mission (aka airborne forced entry), the ULCV must be airdroppable and then derigged in two minutes, cannot weigh more than 4500 lbs, offer a 250 mile radius and carry 9 troops with equipment (3200 lbs).
The Army had just released a Sources Sought notice in January of 2014. The DAGOR was one of six vehicles to participate in the Platform Performance Demonstration (ULCV-PPD) from 9-13 June, at Ft Bragg which was used to validate those threshold requirements we just laid out. While the UCLV has been referred to as a “21st century Jeep” it’s actually being asked to do more than the Jeep ever could. For instance, as you can see from these photos taken during the PPD, you can actually fit an Infantry Squad in the DAGOR.
The DAGOR has already had limited public exposure during last month’s Maneuver Conference at Ft Benning as well as Modern Day Marine at Quantico Marine Base but Polaris Defense believes in the DAGOR so much that they started low rate initial production over the Summer.
Intentionally simplistic design of the DAGOR allows for maximum capability on a light-weight platform. It also allows for ease of operation, maintenance and sustainment in support of combat operations. Some of you will note the lack of armor. This is by design. The vehicles already at the Army’s disposal include armored mobility systems. Soldiers in the UCLV will be protected from kinetic threats by their Personal Protective Equipment and will rely on speed and maneuverability to avoid threats. Remember, the UCLV is intended primarily to satisfy a mobility requirement for airborne forces. It is meant to be light, fast and inexpensive.
The DAGOR weighs less than the 4,500 lbs requirement to maximize aircraft transport, operational range and increase vehicle payload. Most of the components that make up the DAGOR include readily available commercial off the shelf (COTS) driveline, controls and components. In fact, the initial customer insisted on such a design so that they could procure spares virtually anywhere. The engine too is a COTS component which burns diesel/JP8. These offer streamlined maintenance and operator training. But that doesn’t mean this is some simple pick-up. The DAGOR introduces a trophy truck-inspired suspension to carry 3,250 lbs of payload or an infantry squad at a higher rate of speed over terrain usually traveled on foot. The current ULCV requirement calls for 10% movement on primary roads, 10% on secondary roads, 75% cross-country and trails, and 5% in urban, rubble environment.
As you can see, it’s pretty straight forward and incorporates an open design in the cargo bed offering adaptability, plenty of room for cargo and ready access for to it. Although I wasn’t able to take any photos of the DAGOR during my brief time with the vehicle in May and I wasn’t able to drive it, I was allowed to sit in the various crew positions. To me, it is very much like a HMMWV except, smaller. In the driver’s seat, you have better visibility than with the HMMWV and the door threshold is very low. It’s very easy to ingress and egress, including the rear cargo area. Everything is closer at hand than with a HMMWV meaning it is a bit more cramped but you don’t have to reach as far for anything either.
While the DAGOR was not designed as an Internally Transportable Vehicle for the V22 Osprey, its narrow width allows rapid loading into rotary wing aircraft (CH/MH47) under ‘other than ideal’ conditions. It can also be sling loaded with the Army’s UH-60 Black Hawk in high altitude, hot weather conditions and naturally, can be rigged for Airborne insertion via fixed wing just like the MRZR. This narrow body also means it is highly maneuverable through areas inaccessible by other vehicles with its capacity.
As you can see from this slide of current and future technologies provided to the SEC last year by Polaris Defense, the DAGOR fits nicely into an expanded family of light vehicles. It also gives you an idea of its size in relation to the other Polaris Defense vehicles. In addition to the US Army’s ULCV requirement, it might well help round out USSOCOM’s Family of Special Operations Vehicles (below). That’s the other “niche” I mentioned at the beginning of the article.
All-in-all, the DAGOR is an interesting platform that can rapidly be procured and adapted to a wide variety of light vehicle duties that have been abandoned along with the entire CUCV and majority of the HMMWV fleets. No matter the branch of service or type of unit, everyone has a requirement for a light utility vehicle. Perhaps that solution is the Polaris Defense DAGOR. Be sure to check the DAGOR out at AUSA next week in Washington, DC.
The Army Game Project, the team behind the US Army sponsored video game, America’s Army, had a booth at AUSA. They were giving away the latest issue of the America’s Army comic book, which we honestly had no idea even existed.
Late last year 3M purchased armor producer Ceradyne. At this year’s AUSA Annual Meeting & Expo Ceradyne displayed their wares in the 3M booth. This new helmet, the 3M “Defender” Ultra Light Weight Ballistic Bump Helmet caught my eye but I was not allowed to photograph it. However, they did hand me a brochure. It leverages the technology they developed for the USMC’s Enhanced Combat Helmet program. I though I’d share the brochure with you. Hopefully, we’ll be able to share more at SHOT Show.
