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Archive for the ‘Comms’ Category

New Message Checklist Holder from CP Gear

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

In Commonwealth militaries, the troops use what is called a “Tactical Aide Memoire” or TAM, a sort of checklist on steroids. We have checklists in the US military and some are even standardized, often operation specific but we have never seemed to adopt them to the same level as the other English speaking countries. Additionally, they have the best issue Field Message Pads, built to last and with gridded pages perfect for making sketches and writing out messages. Us? Not so much unless you want to invest your own money.

CP Gear has developed a new Field Message Pad holder designed to accept your checklists and notebook and organize them so that you can use them together. That’s right, one setup and you can reference your SOPs and write everything out from one cover. It has a 20 page checklist protector on the exterior (empty checklist sleeve is included), and a zippered notebook cover (notebook not included) sized to fit the green â€˜Federal Supply Service Book, Memorandumâ€™ â€“ NSN 7530-00-222-3521 used by so many US personnel. The notebook and checklist book can be accessed independently from one another or at the same time. With this, there is no need to rely on the heavy and bulky â€˜Flight Crew Checklistâ€™ used by many for SOP lists like 9 Line Medevac, IED Reports, and so forth.

Available in Black, Coyote Brown, UCP, and MultiCam from CP Gear.

Tags: CP Gear
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MBITR Pouch from Bulldog Equipment

Monday, December 14th, 2009

Bulldog Equipment offers an entire line of Berry Compliant tactical nylon. One of their latest products is a pouch for the AN/PRC-148 Multiband Inter/Intra Team Radio (MBITR).

What makes Bulldog’s offering unique is that it is designed to have the radio pulled away from the body to facilitate manipulation of the controls. The radio is pulled forward so all you do is look down and you can see the face. Additionally, the retention system keeps the radio attached even if the top buckle is undone. The pouch is PALS compatible but can also be belt mounted.

To order visit www.bulldogequipment.us.

Tags: Bulldog Equipment, MBITR
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What’s the Frequency Kenneth?

Tuesday, September 15th, 2009

A funny thing happened the French on the way to fielding their new Future Soldier System FELIN (Fantassin Ã Ã‰quipement et Liaisons IntÃ©grÃ©s, English Integrated Equipment and Communications Infantryman). It seems that in 2013, the French Government is going to sell off the frequency spectrum used by FELIN. I Love it when a plan comes together. The FELIN information network sub-system operates in the 802 – 862 Mhz range which is scheduled for sale in 2013. Yes, that says “sale”, as in someone else will own it and the French Army will no longer be authorized to use it. This means that prime contractor Sagem will have to alter the software of the radio and no one has yet publicly disclosed how much this will cost. Sagem is currently filling orders for 5,045 FELIN systems to be delivered through the end of 2010.

Another issue beyond cost is performance. The current radio has a range of 1km in open terrain, 600m in urban areas, and only 100m indoors. Concerns have been expressed that a new, higher frequency range will be further inhibited in areas of high biomass such as jungles.

The RIF or information network sub-system consists of a radio with integrated global positioning system (GPS). This voice and data network connects the Soldier to others in the section and to the section commander, who is connected to the SITEL battle management system in a combat vehicle. SITEL, also developed by Sagem, is being fitted to all French Army vehicles. The RIF relies on the Thales Communications PR4G VS4 frequency-hopping radio for tactical internet connectivity and links to the vehicle’s SITEL.

Recent versions of FELIN have boasted a new Tenue Combat (combat uniform) that more resembles the loose “Guerilla” suits of the 50s and 60s than the current issue tight fitting uniform. Additionally, the camo pattern seen in the photo above was an affectation of Sagem and will not be a part of the FELIN which will retain the current issue CCE pattern. CCE is similar in coloration to the old US issue Woodland pattern.

Tags: FELIN
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Fuel Cells or Molotov Cocktails?

Sunday, August 16th, 2009

As we have seen some battery technologies can be dangerous. In this article Sal Palma discusses how new fuel cell technologies can be just as deadly.

Read the article here.

Tags: Fuel Cell
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nPower Personal Energy Generator

Thursday, August 13th, 2009

Developed by Tremont Electric based in Cleveland, Ohio the nPower Personal Energy Generator (PEG) is very lightweight, ultra rugged, and completely silent. The PEG weighs a mere nine ounces packed into a nine inch long cylinder that harvests kinetic energy from the human stride and turns it into 2.5 watts of electricity.

The commercial technology has been adapted for military use and undergone limited evaluations by the Army, Marines and a Joint customer. There are currently two militarized versions of the device and they’re developing some additional versions for specialized use. The first version powers a handheld device (ie, a Garmin GPS, iPod, etc) and the other is a backpack-mounted version that can power a Toughbook, a radio, or other tech a warfighter may have. Both of these devices can, in theory, provide power indefinitely, as long as youâ€™re moving. Current systems are crafted from Anodized Aluminum but plans are afoot to transition to Carbon Fiber in order to shave weight.

The military handheld device comes in two sizes. The first is nine inches long, nine ounces, and power output at 5 watts and the second is six inches long, weighs seven ounces, and power output at 2.5 watts. It can be mounted to PALS webbing.

Additionally, they have demonstrated a larger backpack mounted laptop device. It is envisioned to be comprised of two larger units running in parallel inside of a dedicated backpack. To work successfully it demands more mass so a minimum load of 30 lbs is required. While it is heavier, it will produce up to 100 watts.

The PEG offers a couple of operational advantages not realized with many other technologies. It is temperature independent so it will work in arctic and desert environments with no modification. Additionally, it has no thermal signature like fuel cells, which means it cannot be detected in the Infrared spectrum.

Tremont Electric was recognized by Business Week as one of America’s most promising start ups.

Visit Tremont Electric for more info. Tremont Electric is represented by Technical Applications Group.

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IR Callsign Patches

Tuesday, August 11th, 2009

Tidewater Tactical is now offering reversible IR Callsign Patches. They are Black on one side and Tan on the other. The Tan side is solely IR reflective and the Black combines Glow in the Dark alpha-numerics with an IR reflective cut out. They laser cut the IDâ€™s alpha-numerics from the face fabric whether Cordura or IR tape. The outer edges of both sides are color matched hook tape so that the panel may be affixed to uniforms.

The patches are available from Tidewater Tactical.

Note, these products are protected by ITAR and cannot be exported.

Tags: Tidewater Tactical
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Zinc Air Batteries

Friday, August 7th, 2009

Other than the fact that they are lightweight and reliable, the single greatest thing about Zinc Air batteries is that they are not HAZMAT. That alone is worth its weight in gold. Imagine a life with out the trials of dash twos. And now, with the video just released by Blackheart International, we know just how hazardous traditional lithium batteries can be.

Leaders are beginning to seriously discuss the Soldier’s load and engineering tools like SWAP (Size, Weight, and power) analysis used to look at aircraft and vehicles are beginning to be applied to the grunt. When you stack an 8180/U battery up against a 5590/U using those criteria, the Zinc Air technology wins hands down. What’s more, they are safer and as the video demonstrates, will continue to provide power even when damaged by projectiles. The 12/24 Volt 8180/U battery has an NSN and is available from Blackheart International. Additionally, there are numerous adapter cables available to help you use the battery with a variety of communication and electronic devices.

Tags: Blackheart International, SWAP, Zinc Air
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Digital Ears Invisio X50

Monday, July 20th, 2009

The Digital Ears X50 is a digital in-ear bone conduction headset system with built-in active hearing protection. It uses bone conduction which captures vibrations caused by speech which travel up the jaw bone to the ear. This helps eliminate ambient noise and produce clearer voice signals. Additionally, the system features electronic hear-thru and impulse noise protection (Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of 23db) with volume control for enhanced hearing. Finally, the X50 is designed for dual communication with radio autosensing and full-duplex/VOX capability. Consequently, unlike other Invisio products, the X50 is designed to worn in both ears.

The ear piece features the Soft SpringTM which adapts to the contours of the ear to provide a secure fit and enhance comfort as well as compatibility with helmets, eyewear, and protective masks.