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Gentex Awarded Aviation Contract for Groundcrew Communications Headset System by UK MoD

Wednesday, May 12th, 2021

THE UK MINISTRY OF DEFENSE SELECTS THE OPS-CORE ADAPTIVE MISSION PLATFORM (AMP®) COMMUNICATION HEADSET FOR ITS AIRCRAFT MAINTAINERS

CARBONDALE, PA May 12, 2021 –

Gentex Corporation, a global leader in personal protection and situational awareness solutions for defense forces and emergency personnel, announced today that it has been awarded the contract for Groundcrew Communications Headset System (GCHS) by the United Kingdom Ministry of Defense for the Ops-Core AMP® Communication Headset. Beginning in Fall of 2021, groundcrew aircraft maintainers will wear the connectorized AMP® Communication Headset with Near Field Magnetic Induction (NFMI) earplugs.

The AMP® Communication Headset was vetted for both fixed and rotary wing applications by MoD groundcrew aircraft maintainers working in high noise environments. It will integrate into existing communications systems. The AMP® Communication Headset’s 3D Hear-Through (3DHT) technology allows aircraft maintainers to retain situational awareness while meeting UK requirements for hearing protection.

“We are proud to have been chosen by the UK MoD to protect their aircraft maintainers,” said Robert McCay, Vice President at Gentex Corporation, “It is a continuation of our longstanding relationship with the UK armed forces, both air and ground.”

The AMP® Communication headset is CE approved EN352.

Gentex’s portfolio of products includes helmets, optical protection, respiratory, and situational awareness solutions. For more information visit, www.gentexcorp.com/gentex/defense/air.

Posted in Comms, Contracts, International, Press Release | 1 Comment »

Champion Announces New Small Frame Ear Muffs

Wednesday, May 5th, 2021

New Muffs Designed Specifically to Fit Small Frame and Women Shooters

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – May 3, 2021 – Champion Range & Targets, makers of interactive and challenging target systems and trusted eye and ear protection, announced today the arrival of their new Small Frame ear muffs. These new muffs are designed specifically to fit smaller heads, making them ideal for shooters that find traditional hearing muffs too large.

“At Champion, we are constantly looking at the hearing protection market in order to bring the best products to the shooting industry,” said Will Hemeyer, senior product manager for Champion Range & Targets. “Premium materials and comfort have been a key component of our new hearing protection over the last few years. These small frame muffs were developed based on feedback from shooters with smaller heads who had tried traditional muffs but found them to be too big and uncomfortable. Based on their feedback and from others across our retail channels, we now have the most comfortable set of slim muffs on the market that users can obtain in five exciting color patterns.”

Champion Small Frame sound dampening ear muffs offer the same great protection shooters have come to expect from Champion, with a noise reduction rating of 21 dB, comfortable headband and adjustable fit for a wide range of ages. These lightweight, low-profile muffs are made for all-day comfort and superior hearing protection at the range. Multiple color options are available, including black, gray, pink, orange and blue.

The muffs are also priced for entry-level shooters with an MSRP of $14.95. For more information about these or other Champion hearing protection products, visit championtarget.com.

Posted in Comms, For the Ladies, Press Release, Shooting Sports | Comments Off on Champion Announces New Small Frame Ear Muffs

DISCO32 – Mil-spec Nexus U94 with Black Hardware

Wednesday, May 5th, 2021

DISCO32 offers a Mil-spec Nexus U94 with black hardware which is designed to be used with actual Military Headsets that use Dynamic Microphones and standard NATO wiring. These include popular headsets like MSA Sordin and the 3M Peltor COMTAC Series.

If you are looking for the solution to using your military headset with your commercial off the shelf radio with an Ailunce HD1 style plug this is it.

Fully tested on MSA Sordin, 3M Peltor Comtac, OTTO Tac and Ops Core Amp Communication Headsets (Headsets require down-leads with NATO WIRING)

Features:

All Black Hardware

Custom Amplification Circuitry

Cable Length 20 inches

Assembled in the USA

Compatible with the following radios:

Ailunce HD1

Retevis: RT82, RT87, RT29, RT47,RT4

www.disco32.com/products/u-94-a-ailunce-hd1

Posted in Advertiser, Comms | 2 Comments »

Noisefighters and 4D Tactical Introduce Heatsync, A Sweat-Wicking, Silver-Embedded Fabric Ear Pad Cover for Headsets

Tuesday, April 20th, 2021

GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN (19 APRIL, 2021)

NOISEFIGHTERS and its development partner 4D TACTICAL today announces the public launch of the HEATSYNCTM sweat-wicking, form-fitting fabric ear pad cover for headsets. Heatsync addresses the #1 problem with over-the-ear headsets: in hot weather, there is internal sweat accumulation and excessive heat buildup. A form-fitting cover — made 100% in the U.S.A. from advanced materials including 4D Tactical’s NanoTech silver-embedded, antimicrobial, wicking fabric — is pulled tight over the headset’s existing ear pads. In use, the Heatsync draws perspiration out from the inside of the headset and helps cool the wearer through the evaporative process, while also eliminating the slimy feeling normally associated with pressing wet rubber ear pads against the head in hot weather.

“Teaching over 70 classes a year, I practically live in hearing protection. The comfort and protection Noisefighters products offer is second to none, and the new Heatsync has only made it better. Goodbye, sweaty earpro!” said Erik “Trek” Utrecht, owner of Michigan Defensive Firearms Institute (MDFI: https://trainmdfi.com). MDFI is a Michigan-based training company that trains over 1500 students annually with the goal of building responsibly-armed citizens that are confident and competent with their defensive tools.

Photo showing the Noisefighters Heatsync in coyote brown and black colors installed on headsets, with Qore Performance IceVents Ventilated Headbands additionally installed.

“After more than two years of development, I’m extremely excited to get Heatsync out into the world. Being able to partner with 4D Tactical on this product is a dream come true, as their leadership team brings decades of experience to the table and a standing in the industry that’s really unmatched,” said Neal Brace, inventor of the product and owner of Noisefighters. “Heatsync is, to my knowledge, the first viable answer to the problem that my customers have brought up time and time again: in hot weather, how does one stay cool, or at least comfortable, while wearing a headset that is designed to seal the noise out? The solution we came up with is tightly form fitting, keeps the ear cup cavity fully open for comfort, and ensures the noise seal is totally closed for safety. It doesn’t rely on electronics, just specially-engineered fabrics and a clever design.”

4D Tactical’s leadership team, including CEO Heidi Dennis and Vice President David Dennis, said in a statement that they were, “[…] very pleased to have had the opportunity to collaborate with Noisefighters. We feel the Heatsync product provides significant improvements to conventional headset ear seals. We hope this is just the beginning of our collaboration with Noisefighters.”

Photo showing the Noisefighters Heatsync in coyote brown installed on a headset and attached to a helmet.

Heatsync is a universal cover designed to fit every headset that uses the industry standard 4″ (102 mm) tall by 3″ (76 mm) wide oval or rectangular ear pads of thicknesses between 0.5″ (12.7mm) and 0.75″ (19mm). A stainless steel expanding spring is included to lock the Heatsync cover to the inside of each cup on the headset and keep the ear cup cavity open. The cover was tested and proven to fit all current headsets from Ops-Core®, Peltor®, Howard Leight®, Sordin®, Walker’s Game Ear®, and many brands of aviation headsets, as well. It may fit other headsets with slightly smaller, larger, or even fully circular ear pads with different thicknesses, as well, due to the stretchable fabric construction. Installation is very fast, easy, and reversible, with no evidence of the cover ever having been attached.

Photo showing the form-fitting nature of the Noisefighters Heatsync sweat-wicking fabric cover, shown in both coyote brown and black colors.

During extreme cold weather use, the cover additionally provides an insulative barrier between the freezing cold rubber ear pads and the user’s face. The Heatsync’s proprietary fabrics are also pleasing to the touch and add a noticeable amount of comfort versus rubber ear pads. The design is fully compatible with either foam-filled or gel-filled ear pads, and its highly-compliant fabric is a perfect fit with Noisefighters’ Sightlines gel-filled ear pads that feature a patented relief cut feature for glasses arms to pass through.

Photo showing both colors of the Noisefighters Heatsync with product packaging.

Heatsync is made in the U.S.A. and is fully Berry Amendment and TAA compliant.

Heatsync’s MSRP is $90, with product launch sale pricing set at $75. Noisefighters offers a discount program for LEO / MIL and veterans / EMS / FD / security professionals / defensive tactics instructors, with details available on its website on the FAQ page. Organizations looking to purchase in bulk can inquire about a volume discount.

Noisefighters has the Heatsync available for sale on its website and will soon make it available through its extensive, worldwide dealer network.

CONTACT:

Noisefighters
www.noisefighters.com team@noisefighters.com
616-226-3551
Instagram: @noisefighters

Posted in Comms, Press Release | 1 Comment »

goTenna Pro X Deployment Kit Tutorial

Sunday, April 18th, 2021

This is a tutorial on how to use the goTenna Pro X Deployment Kit. With this kit, your team can create an ad hoc mobile mesh network with up to 30 VHF or UHF devices at a moment’s notice.

This compact and ruggedized network management kit is used by teams operating goTenna Pro X devices and third-party software like ATAK in complex environments where no service is not an option.

For more information on the goKit, visit: gotennapro.com/products/gotenna-pro-x-deployment-kit

Posted in Comms, Guest Post | 2 Comments »

FirstSpear Friday Focus— Comm Pack

Friday, April 16th, 2021

Based off of the popular Exigent Circumstance Pack, the Comm Pack offers a distinctly urban style. The zippered main compartment offers ample storage for a wide variety of communications devices or other equipment and the cable access ports are discreetly located. Inside, there’s a padded laptop sleeve and zippered mesh pocket.

• Discrete backpack
• Distinct urban feel
• Internal laptop sleeve
• 2 Sizes: 980 cu in or 1800 cu in

The pack incorporates padded shoulder straps with QR buckles as well as a low profile, padded haul loop handle at the top of the pack. The mesh, padded back of the pack offers the distinctive FirstSpear logo stitched design. Each side of the pack features a mesh pocket for water bottles or other items. There is also an exterior, beavertail-style flap with dual zippered compartments for quick storage. Additionally, there is a flat zippered pocket at the front of the pack under the flap.

The Comm Pack is available in Black, Blue/Silver, Ranger Green/Coyote and the Ripstop Light Grey.

Check out the Comm Pack at www.first-spear.com/comm-pack-and-comm-pack-large

Posted in Advertiser, Comms, FS Friday Focus, Guest Post, Packs | Comments Off on FirstSpear Friday Focus— Comm Pack

U.S. Inauguration’s Military Units Used Draper-developed WebTAK for Communications, Situational Awareness

Thursday, April 15th, 2021

CAMBRIDGE, MA—April 15, 2021—At the recent presidential inauguration, public safety was top of mind as thousands of military personnel were posted throughout the U.S. Capitol and the surrounding neighborhoods. Behind the scenes, a new software program developed by Draper called WebTAK gave military units a way to communicate and respond to potential threats in real-time.

The software is based on the Android Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK), which was developed by the Department of Defense and used by Special Operations forces and warfighters. ATAK has been tested through years of real-world use in combat situations, by more than 10,000 active warfighters.

After countless successful military operations, ATAK has grown to a broader product line known as TAK, which is also known as the Tactical Awareness Kit. The software has been deployed on popular technology platforms that include Android OS (ATAK), Microsoft Windows OS (WinTAK) and soon on Apple OS (iTAK). Now, along with contributing to the development of ATAK and WinTAK, Draper has developed a web-based version called WebTAK.

At the inauguration, WebTAK was used to share situational awareness and coordinate across multiple agencies. While specifics of the deployment are unavailable for security reasons, the goal of WebTAK is to enhance decision support, situational awareness (SA) and protect military and civilian populations from threats, both intentional and incidental, including chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high yield explosives (CBRNE).

Like ATAK, WebTAK is a geospatial collaboration platform that allows teams to share information and access data to improve real-time situation awareness. WebTAK provides a wide variety of useful SA functions including mapping and navigation, range and bearing, text chat, force tracking, geospatial markup tools, image and file sharing and video playback.

“For the first time, operators can access TAK from a password protected and encrypted website on any internet-connected device, instantly,” said Dan Nissen, a software engineer on Draper’s WebTAK team.

As the company’s technical director on WebTAK, Kyle Finley says Draper is not just about creating new technologies, but also ensuring that the full potential of those technologies is realized. “WebTAK’s foundation is a set of core capabilities built using modern web software principles and practices. The recent addition of plugin support to that core opens WebTAK to a whole new world of uses,” Finley said.

WebTAK’s Software Development Kit (SDK) gives developers a framework to quickly develop those custom plugins. These plugins enable rapid integration of innovative technologies into WebTAK, allowing the application to adapt to the continually evolving user needs for situational awareness. In other words, WebTAK was built to be flexible enough so when there is a new “must have” communication device or other technology, anyone with general coding skills can quickly write code enabling the use of that technology within WebTAK.

With WebTAK running on an internet-connected device, a user enters a URL, logs into the system and instantly receives information that can inform situational awareness of an event. The software offers protections through a secure socket layer and end-to-end encryption. As a device-agnostic application, WebTAK is designed to run equally well across various mobile or desktop devices.

“Maintaining continuous situational awareness is the foundation for maintaining security. With WebTAK, warfighters, first responders and public safety officials can customize their operating environment, depending on their role or mission, and benefit from anywhere, anytime secure connectivity through the internet,” explained Brad Vautour, sound designer and senior enterprise software engineer at Draper.

The work is sponsored by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). DTRA is funding development of ATAK, WinTAK, and WebTAK decision support tools, along with supporting leading edge technologies.

www.draper.com

Posted in Comms, Digitization, Press Release | Comments Off on U.S. Inauguration’s Military Units Used Draper-developed WebTAK for Communications, Situational Awareness

ISOtunes Sport Launches ADVANCE: Hearing Solution for Sport Shooters

Wednesday, April 14th, 2021

Carmel, IN – ISOtunes®, creator of some of the world’s most innovative outdoor hearing protection, recently announced it has officially entered the shooting sports market with ISOtunes Sport. Now ISOtunes is excited to announce one of the first products to come from its new Sport lineup, the ISOtunes Sport ADVANCE. Blending cutting-edge design with advanced protection, ISOtunes Sport ADVANCE is full of innovative features.

A tactical shooter’s dream, ISOtunes Sport ADVANCE is the first of its kind in-ear tactical hearing protection. The ADVANCE provides firearm enthusiasts a unique combination of protection and functionality. Environmental awareness, active gunshot noise reduction, Bluetooth connectivity, and a comfortable fit are just a few of the baseline features of the ADVANCE.

Thanks to features like Tactical Sound Control™ and SafeMax Technology™ the ISOtunes Sport ADVANCE does what no other sport hearing protection can do. The ADVANCE enhances your hearing by 8x while protecting you from high-impact noises in under 2 milliseconds. It has a noise-isolating microphone for clear communication in loud environments, provides up to 10 hours of Bluetooth connectivity on a single charge, and limits volume output to no more than 85dB for all-day, damage-free listening. ADVANCE’s innovative design allows it to weigh less than 24 grams and is completely dust, sweat, and waterproof with an IP67 durability rating. With an assortment of eartip options to guarantee shooters a comfortable fit, ADVANCE is an ideal hearing protection solution for shooters of all shapes, sizes, and activity levels.

The next generation of tactical hearing protection is here. Enjoy all-day safety, focus, and performance from the new ISOtunes Sport ADVANCE. For more information on the ADVANCE or any of ISOtunes’ other products, visit www.ISOtunesSport.com.

Posted in Comms, Press Release | Comments Off on ISOtunes Sport Launches ADVANCE: Hearing Solution for Sport Shooters