Israel’s Agilite produced the new Platforma ACH helmet cover for ArmorSource. It is made from a combination of mesh and 4-way stretch along with an elastic bungee that run the length of the cover. This elastic will also cradle the CORE Survival HEL-STAR strobe.
The cover also incorporates pile sections to accommodate the ArmorSource Rail. This rail will mount via Velcro and with the Platforma cover you do not need to even affix pile tape to your helmet as the ASR will attach right to the cover.
D3O is a British form that specializes in solutions for impact protection. Specifically, they developed shock absorbing materials as well as engineered applications for those materials. At AUSA they exhibited several products that are part of their Trauma Reduction Unrivaled Shock Technology line.
These knee pads incorporate an external hard shell and offer both comfort for wear as well as shock mitigation.
The TRUSt Helmet Pads utilize D3O’s new Decell material that exceeds the current ACH standard by 33%. It is a 7-piece design that will work with most helmets that accept Velcro-in pads. It comes packed in a mesh bag that is interestingly, intended for retail sales.
“THROUGH GORE’S PARTNERSHIP WITH RAVEN AEROSTAR, A WORLD CLASS MANUFACTURER, THE NEMESIS TURKEY SUITS WITH GORE MULTISPECTRAL CONCEALMENT TECHNOLOGIES OFFER A TRULY REVOLUTIONARY PROTECTION CAPABILITY FOR THOSE GOING INTO HARM’S WAY.”
– JOHN HOLCOMBE, W. L. GORE & ASSOCIATES CO-INVENTOR AND BUSINESS LEADER
Awhile back we told you that WL Gore was about more than just waterproof/breathable jackets. They design and manufacture (or license to others) a wide variety of technologies. In the defense sector alone they have been a constant source of innovation in the soft goods arena. The latest examples of this are the new GORE® Multispectral Concealment Technologies and the associated NEMESIS™ line of Garments, Personal Hides & Equipment Covers, Multispectral Signature Concealment from Raven Industries. Raven Aerostar has a long relationship with WL Gore and manufactured the initial ECWCS garments back in the mid-80s so it’s no surprise to see them introduce this new technology.
Commonly referred to as the Turkey Suit due to its resemblance to the suits worn by hunters. The NEMESIS™ garment seen above features a face fabric in a developmental, proprietary WL Gore camouflage pattern. Considering they have introduced commercial hunting patterns it should be no surprise that they also have military patterns.
But the underlying technology in this material is what’s important. Quite simply, garments made from GORE® Multispectral Concealment Technologies greatly reduce the range of detection from sophisticated multi-spectral (Visual/NIR/SWIR/MWIR/LWIR) sensors.
The NEMESIS Turkey Suit is available in a broad range of military camouflage textile patterns, including Digital Desert (compatible with AOR1 and desert MARPAT), Digital Woodland (compatible with AOR2 and woodland MARPAT), and Transitional (compatible with multi-terrain patterns).
Sizes available: Small/Medium or Large/Extra Large
The garment is available for authorized users on www.gsaadvantage.gov, just search for “turkey suit”.
I’ve been following the development of the Rail Attached Communications (RAC) headset for some time now and I’m glad to see it out there. Ops-Core has worked hard with their customers to offer something unlike any other head set on the market. First off, it was designed from the outset to work with the Ops-Core helmet and integrates seamlessly with other helmet system components such as the ARC Rail. The RAC headset works with FAST and Sentry helmet models.
While the outward appearance hasn’t changed much throughout development, lots has been done to refine the ergonomics and improve performance. For example, the team went through multiple iterations to offer an ergonomic earcup with contoured cushions. With almost every headset out there, the part of the earcup that sits against the ear is flat. Unfortunately, the human head is far from flat and everyone’s is slightly different. Not only is the shape of the RAC earcup not flat, it’s also not the typical oblong found with other earcups but rather an asymmetric shape.
They combines this ergonomic earcup with a gimbal mount so that it can fit as close to the head as possible in order to maximize protection.
This gimbal and mount system has a stop that holds the earcup just off the ear.
That ran articulation/latch also allows the RAC to be rotated back out of the way on the helmet (either one side or both) for storage.
Here is an older photo of a developmental system that will show you how the stowage function works.
The RAC also offers 3D hearing technology (3D HT) for natural hearing restoration and reproduction of ambient sounds with a high degree of directional accuracy. It’s done through their sound processing software. In fact, it’s unlike any other headset I’ve seen.
There’s something else here that is new to me. The RAC utilizes in-the-ear plugs. Now you might see this and go, “So what?”, but this is different. These optional inductance receiver ear plugs are wireless and use magnets to produce sound and increase hearing protection above conventional ANR levels.
It turns itself off after 2 hours in order to conserve batteries but only after an audible warning tone. Auto shutdown can be averted by touching either one of the on/off/balance/volume control buttons. The RAC includes a noise canceling boom microphone but can also be connected to a pro-mask microphone if needed. Finally, the RAC is IP-68 submersible to 6m and available in a Black or Tan.
Make sure you stop by the Gentex booth at 3:30 PM today for the launch party. See you there!
Silynx Communications launched two new products at AUSA. Both feature voice prompt feedback, are dual radio capable and submersible to 20m.
First up is the Clarus smart tactical headset system. It is a hear through system with a dual PTT controller that integrates the AA battery. This system comes complete with headset at under $800.
Second is the Maximus. It combines a slim main electronic unit with their new miniaturized control box. It provides passive and active noise reduction as well as intercom compatibility and sound localization. It can accept an internal AA battery or accept power from the radio.
Below, you can see the main electronic unit and its thin shape.
The coolest giveaway I saw at AUSA was the “Felin in Action” graphic novel in the French Army booth. It features the French Army’s Digitization suite (Felin) in action. The copy I saw was in English so I wonder if these are available for sale as it looks like it’s part of a series.
Colt debuted their new SWORD system at AUSA. The Sniper Weapon & Observer Reconnaissance Devices Technology Demonstrator is based on Colt Canada’s Small Arms Network Power Data System. It combines a laser designator equipped observer with snipers utilizing Android networked rifles.
SWORD not only allows the observer to designate targets for multiple shooters but the snipers can also share data across the network including live optic feeds.
The nodes in the network are IP based so data can be shared with anyone given permissions. The system can accept additional data inputs such as UAV feeds.
The various rifle mounted components include a networked optic and Android device which sit atop Colt’s powered rail which incorporates a battery in the buttstock. Alternatively, it can use a Panacis SharePack.
We stopped by Revision and they showed us a couple of technologies that they are adapting for use in USSOCOM’s TALOS (Tactical Assault Lightweight Operator Suit) program. The Prowler was developed with Canadian firm B-tema and serves as a lower extremity enhancement exoskeleton. Revision is also working to offer armor panels for the Prowler that will protect the legs and in particular the femoral artery from threats.
“Revision is committed to developing next generation Soldier protection. Two key technology programs that were launched at AUSA this year are the ‘Advanced Head Protection System (AHPS),’ and the ‘Prowler Human Augmentation,’ system.
The AHPS is a rifle round stopping helmet, with full maxillo facial protection, integrated electronics, integrated heads up display to Android, and pneumatic liner system that meets the new 14.1 fps impact requirement. The AHPS was developed in concert with the US Army Labs Natick.
The Prowler, is Revision’s Human Augmentation device. It increases a soldiers metabolic reserve while preventing short and long term injuries. The Prowler allows our soldiers to be more lethal on the objective while increasing deployability through reduced injury. The Prowler, has been tested by SOCOM and CANSOFCOM, and is under contract with the US Army Labs Natick. Shown to provide a 33% mechanical advantage, the Prowler proves to be the next human augmentation system.
Both systems are continuing to be innovated in support of several DoD and international programs as well as SOCOM’s TALOS program.”
Revision also showed us their .30 protective helmet solution that was originally developed for the US Army but is being adapted to the TALOS requirement. The Advanced Head Protection System will incorporate a .30 protective mandible and visor as well as the pneumatic, adjustable padding system and dual ratchet-style adjustment already available from Revision.
