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PECOC Update

Monday, November 17th, 2008

The British military continues development of its Personal Equipment and Common Operational Clothing (PECOC) program to serve as a bridge between Soldier 95 kit and the planned Future Integrated Soldier Technology (FIST). Press reporting continues and in addition to the previous piece on the BBC, on 3 November 2008, The Times published an article on PECOC.

In the photo you can see an example of the new Hybrid Cam Day Sack.

Examples of trials clothing that have been seen feature Napoleon pockets to maintain a low profile under armor, stand up collars and full bicep pockets with velcro. The Smock is expected to under go some changes from the current SF smock and a second insulated, waterproof jacket is planned. Interestingly, every time the UK issues a new Smock it is based on the current issue SF Smock, which naturally changes as well. Additionally, it looks as though Britain will adopt the MOLLE standard for attachment systems as they move closer and closer to purchasing new equipment.

Finally, amid concerns of third party kit of dubious quality, there are indications that the UK military may follow a plan similar to the “Certified Team Soldier Gear” initiative proposed by the US Army’s PEO-Soldier for distinctive markings or tags on issue equipment. This will be to educate Soldiers and leaders on whether equipment has been vetted for issue by MOD.

Photo from UK MOD via The Times.

Tags: PECOC
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Army Combat Shirt v5.3

Thursday, November 13th, 2008

The Army Combat Shirt has only been an issue item for about a year but much of its success can be attributed to PEO-Soldier’s decision to field the garment immediately and improve it over time. In fact, although the basic concept has stayed constant, the design has been in a perpetual state of change. At the recent SOFEX at Ft Bragg, NC we got a chance to take a look at the latest version (v5.3) of the ACS at Massif’s booth. While this version has not yet been approved for procurement, it features design refinements specified by PEO-Soldier. Many Soldiers will be happy to hear that noticeably absent was the “Army of One” logo.

Manufactured from Massif’s proprietary Blaze, Breeze, and Helium fabrics, the ACS is completely FR, even incorporating new flame resistant resin zippers. The Blaze fabric is a four way stretch and used for the sleeves and under arm panels. Designed with comfort under body armor in mind, the ACS is constructed with flat seams and features raglan sleeves. The body is formed from Breeze fabric and the modesty panel designed to cover the breast area is made from Helium fabric. A high mock-T collar prevents chaffing caused by the IOTV’s high collar.

While garments in other color schemes (including Multicam) are currently on the drawing board, development of military variants including the Airman Battle Shirt and a khaki version for the Navy has priority.

Currently, the ACS can only be ordered by members of the United States Army. To order contact Massif Mountain Gear Company.

Tags: Army Combat Shirt
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Navy to Test Digital Field Uniforms

Wednesday, November 12th, 2008

The Navy is fully aware that their new Navy Working Uniform (NWU) isn’t suited for every environment and have from the beginning of the program promised to field a combat uniform for their ground forces who find themselves primarily in the Naval Special Warfare Command and the Naval Expeditionary Combat Command. On November 5th Navy BUPERS officials announced that they would test a minimum of two variants of woodland and desert camouflage patterned NWUs.

Rumor has long been that one variant would be based on the Marine Pattern (MARPAT) without the Eagle Globe and Anchor and that a second possible pattern for test is a pattern developed for use by SOF.

Although the Navy intends to procure both woodland and desert variants of the new pattern, they have expressed an interest in uniforms already in use by the other services in order to speed up fielding. For example, many Individual Augmentees have been using Army ACUs in the CENTCOM AOR. If this course of action were selected, the Navy would field a different style of field uniform than the Marine Combat Utility Uniform-based NWU. However, it is important to note that no matter what pattern or uniform style is selected it will not preclude Sailors from having to possess NWUs.

Tags: Navy, NWU
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Outdoor Research Modular Glove System

Monday, November 10th, 2008

USSOCOM has awarded Outdoor Research, Inc. (OR), a $54 million, five-year contract to manufacture the Outdoor Research Generation II Modular Glove System for U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF). What is important about this announcement is that it is for the second generation glove system. In 2001 OR was also awarded a Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) grant to develop the original modular glove system. Although a full contract was never awarded for full procurement due to competing priorities for dollars, the handwear developed under the SBIR was purchased with unit O&M dollars. Additionally, the research yielded excellent results and brought OR’s military and commercial lines further forward. This latest generation of handwear is FR and offered in brown rather then the black of the earlier family of gloves. The FR fabrics are offered in conjunction with Massif.

The system consists of five types of compatible handwear: a contact glove, a flame resistant combat glove, an intermediate waterproof glove, an extreme cold weather waterproof glove, and extreme cold weather waterproof mitt. Each set of gloves is Berry compliant and can be worn alone or in conjunction with other pieces in the system. I had an opportunity to look at the individual pieces at Outdoor Retailer and am very impressed. The gloves are for the most part refinements of military gloves they have been producing for the last couple of years. I have been using OR gloves for over ten years and these are the best products they have ever developed.

I think mountaineering legend Mark Twight sums it up best. “Using modern materials and their up-all-night ingenuity, the designers worked closely with military users to develop the Modular Glove System,â€ said Mark Twight, elite alpinist. “For over 20 years, OR has been testing handwear in the harshest environments on earth. No company is better positioned to build gloves for the U.S. Special Operations Forces.”

For more information visit Outdoor Research. The SOCOM Gen II Modular Glove System is available for purchase from ADS.

Outdoor Research Modular Glove System, Generation II: Firebrand Mitt (top left), Firebrand Glove (top right), Poseidon Glove (bottom left), Overlord Shorty (bottom center), Hurricane Glove (bottom right).

Photo courtesy of Outdoor Research.

Tags: Outdoor Research
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EOTAC Clothing Update

Sunday, November 9th, 2008

I recently received a package of EOTAC’s new clothing. As many of you probably already know, the folks at EOTAC had previously designed and marketed clothing for another brand and while they still share some similarities (as do most of that market), there are some glaring differences. The most obvious is fit, and EOTAC has gotten it right. As soon as I slipped the pants on I noticed how much better the fit was from even the preliminary prototypes I had tried on over the summer.

The key to this change is their new proprietary Tact-Fit system. Details are still under wraps but from what I have gathered, EOTAC has taken the time to refine their fit based on anthromorphic data collected from American men at arms.

Additionally, EOTAC has introduced new fabrics and has tended to many of the small details they were unable to fix due to an obsession on the bottom line by their previous partners. Some examples of EOTAC’s improvements include superior color matching, correcting the placement of the knee pad pockets, and additional stitching on the trouser line. For the Field Jacket, the material has been improved and the cuff closure has been drastically improved from the variant they developed for a competitor. The entire line has been modified and enhanced and you will see more info over the next few weeks.

EOTAC’s ordering system is active. You can check out the clothing and order at www.eotac.com.

Tags: EOTAC, Tacti-Fit
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Gen III ECWCS Article in Infantry Magazine

Thursday, November 6th, 2008

PEO-Soldier has placed a concise one page description of Gen III ECWCS in order to inform a wider audience about its properties. We highly recommend that Soldiers give a copy to leaders who may not be as in tune with innovations in Soldier Systems items.

You can read the article at Infantry magazine.

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Blackhawk High Performance Fighting Uniform

Tuesday, November 4th, 2008

Unveiled at SHOT 08 in Las Vegas, the HPFU consists of four components: Jacket, Shirt, Pants, and Vest. The system was developed by Brian Abrams of Adventure Tech as they were brought into Blackhawk’s stable of outdoor and tactical companies. With the exception of the vest which is designed to be worn in conjunction with the shirt, all of the clothing features Blackhawk’s proprietary Integrated Tourniquet System (ITS). It was this feature that helped persuade the Navy to purchase the uniforms for some of its ground combatants.

Jacket

Shirt

Pants

Vest

Available in Black, OD and Desert Digital with Multicam available in the future, all of the HPFU items are available here.

Photos from Blackhawk Products Group.

Tags: Blackhawk, HPFU
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215 Gear’s Blended Operator Hat

Saturday, October 25th, 2008

As 215 Gear claims on their website, “This is not your typical baseball hat”. I first saw this cap on the head of 215 Gear’s owner during the 1st Annual GQ Workshop sponsored by DIY Tactical, Grey Group Training, and Soldier Systems Daily and I thought, “Cool!”.

Ok, so its blended, but what does that mean? Well, it features side mesh panels that help with air circulation, and that my friends is an industry first. Sure, you’ll say that truckers did it first, but no one else has adapted the style to the operator hat. Now that feature alone would make the hat worth ordering but 215 Gear also integrated a few other features. The brim’s underside is a black velcro pile to help shield the eyes from glare and serve as a platform for small lights. Additionally, a square of velcro pile has been sewn to the crown of the hat where a button is normally found. This can be used to affix IFF squares. A 2″ x 3″ velcro pile patch has been sewn to the front and rear of the cap in order to attach flags and other patches. Finally, the size is adjustable at the rear via a velcro closure.

One size fits all and available in Multicam with Khaki panels or Khaki on Khaki. Made by American craftsmen right here in the USA, 215 Gear offers a lifetime guarantee for the hat.

To order check out 215 Gear’s website.

Tags: 215 Gear
Posted in Camo, Clothing, Multicam | Comments Off on 215 Gear’s Blended Operator Hat