American Safety Equipment Co out of Virginia Beach has added S&S Precision to their GSA schedule which can make procuring their wares a much simpler process.
The following items are already listed on the schedule with additional items added regularly –
Manta Strobe
V-Lite
M-ax Mount
M320 Holster
Kangaroo Insert
Weaponlinks
This is something you don’t see every day. Ft Knox has put out a solicitation for WWII USGI militaria for use on mannequins. That alone in unusual. Even more so, is that they are using an online reverse auction to buy the stuff. Considering the cost of authentic gear, not to mention reproductions and the large sizes of some of the items, the chance that the Army will get ripped off on this deal is very big. There’s no such thing as a bargain on WWII collector’s items.
001 M1 HELMET; SIZE 7, 7 EACH WWII AND 3 EACH LATE-WAR/POST-WAR 10 EA
002 M1941 FIELD JACKET, SIZE 42 7 EA
003 M43 FIELD UNIFORMS INCLUDING WOOL TROUSER AND WOOL SHIRT, SIZE 42 3 EA
004 ARMY HBT TROUSERS, SIZE 36 3 EA
005 ARMY HBT TROUSER BELT, SIZE 36 3 EA
006 ARMY HBT SHIRT, SIZE 36 3 EA
007 ARMY HBT CAP, M1943, SIZE 7 3 EA
008 ROUGHOUT SERVICE SHOE, SIZE 9 10 EA
009 M1938 LEGGINGS, SIZE 3 10 EA
010 TROUSER BELT, SIZE 45 10 EA
011 HAVERSACK 10 EA
012 M1923 CARTRIDGE BELT 5 EA
013 T HANDLE SHOVEL W/COVER 10 EA
014 M1910 CANTEEN WITH CANTEEN COVER 10 EA
015 M1924 FIRST AID POUCH 7 EA
016 M1942 FIRST AID POUCH 3 EA
017 PISTOL BELT AND THOMPSON MAGAZINE POUCH 4 EA
018 PISTOL BELT AND CARBINE MAGAZINE POUCH 3 EA
019 WOOL SHIRT, SIZE 17X34, 6 EACH ENLISTED AND 1 EACH OFFICER 7 EA
020 WOOL TROUSER, SIZE 34 7 EA
021 JEEP CAP 2 EA
022 CAPTAIN COLLAR RANK, US SET INFANTRY SET, 29TH ID PATCH 1 EA
023 M1 HELMET, ECONOMY 1 EA
024 M1943 FIELD JACKET, SIZE SIZE 36 1 EA
025 M1943 FIELD JACKET LINER, SIZE MEDIUM 1 EA
026 M1943 FIELD TROUSER, SIZE 36 1 EA
027 LEATHER PALM & WOOL GLOVES, SIZE MEDIUM 1 EA
028 WOOL SCARF, GRAY 1 EA
029 SHIPPING
SEK Solutions has announced that it has been awarded an order from the US Marine Corps to supply 2,613 AquaSource Water Tanker 5 Gallon (20L) Collapsible Water Bags manufactured by Source Hydration for the Marines’ Mountain Cold Weather and General Support Equipment Program.
Developed specifically for the requirements of the US Marine Corps, the Source Aquasource reduces the weight of the system by 13.4 pounds compared to the old Collapsible Water Bag procured through the Marine Enhancement Project. In addition to its primary function as providing a water resupply system that is more easily transported by a Marine Rifle Squad during dismounted operations, the Source Aquasource also provides capability to function as a Vehicle Hydration System for mounted operations when paired with the Vehicle Hydration Hub Upgrade Kit, as well as being able to be used as a Field Shower system when paired with the Field Shower Upgrade Kit.
AquaSource is a durable, collapsible, backpackable hydration alternative to traditional water cans. Source uses a Glass-like reservoir technology that helps eliminate fungus and the absorption of odd tastes by the bladder.
Project Manager Soldier Weapons has released a Sources Sought Notice for a Compact Semi-Automatic Sniper System (CSASS). A Sources Sought Notice is a tool used by acquisition officials to query industry on their ability to satisfy a requirement before it is finalized. It serves as a sanity check for a requirement from an industry standpoint as they provide feedback on their capabilities and their capacity to satisfy the need. Additionally, it may uncover a capability that was unknown to those in Government.
In this case, they are conducting a “market survey to identify potential sources for manufacturing a complete system or reconfiguring some or all of the existing 7.62 x 51mm M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System (SASS).”
The current M110 is a lightweight, direct gas operated, semi-automatic, box magazine fed, 7.62 x 51mm rifle intended to engage and defeat personnel targets out to 800 meters.
Specifically, the are looking for the ability to reconfigure existing M110s or, manufacture new complete systems to meet the following criteria:
1. Operation: Semi-automatic
2. Caliber: Compatible with 7.62x51mm NATO cartridges
3. Accuracy: Capable of 0.60″ AMR at 100m or better with match ammunition.
4. Size: Overall length shall be reduced using a shorter barrel and/or collapsible buttstock. Maximum overall assembled length of the rifle shall be not greater than 36 inches with the stock at its shortest position and no sound suppressor mounted.
5. Weight: Weight shall be no more than 9.0 lb for the unloaded rifle without optics and accessories.
6. Grip: A modular, adjustable pistol grip.
7. Trigger: A non-adjustable match style trigger.
8. Hand guard: A fore-end that includes a fixed 12 o’ clock rail with configurable 3, 6, and 9 o’ clock rails.
9. Sound suppressor: A muzzle mounted, detachable sound suppressor.
10. Muzzle device: A compensator/muzzle break compatible with the sound suppressor.
11. Bipod: Tool-less detachment featuring cant and pan/track capability.
12. Day optic: An Army specified variable power day optic and compatible rings.
13. Back up sights: Iron sights offset 45 deg from the DOS.
14. Sling attachment: Flush cup, quick detach sling attachment points.
15. Barrel and Receiver Life: Significant improvement from M110 requirements while enduring higher rates of fire.
In addition to the above listed enhancements, the CSASS must meet the operational and environmental requirements that were fulfilled by the original M110 SASS.
This means that the Army could be opening up the Compact Semi-Automatic Sniper System or M110 Carbine, as a free and open competition. There are some major implications here as Knights Armament Corp is the current incumbent for the M110.
The Government envisions the production requirement for CSASS is at an estimated range of 125 per month with a capability to ramp up to 325 per month.
For interested parties, the response date is 14 August, 2012.
Yesterday Colt announced their award for the M45 Close Quarter Battle Pistol.
Colt Defense LLC has been awarded an Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity contract by the U.S. Marine Corps for up to 12,000 M45 Close Quarter Battle Pistols (CQBP), plus spares and logistical support. The new CQBP is a direct descendant of the iconic Colt M1911 adopted by the U.S. military in 1911 and carried as the primary sidearm through all the major conflicts of the 20th century.
The CQBP contract is for a five-year period and has a potential value of up to $22.5 million. The CQBP expands on a long history of MARCORSYSCOM re-building original Government-issue 1911s, primarily for use by Force Recon and MARSOC units.
“This is a truly gratifying contract award,” said Gerry Dinkel, President and CEO of Colt Defense. “To have the 1911 selected again for U.S. Forces 101 years after its initial introduction is just an incredible testament to the timeless design and effectiveness of the Colt 1911. Colt Defense looks forward to another great partnership with the Marine Corps as we renew industry production of the military 1911.”
The initial Delivery Order on the contract is for 4036 CQBP, plus spares. Deliveries will begin later this year.
These rather interesting photos come from TEST REPORT FOR THE CLOSE QUARTERS BATTLE PISTOL (CQBP) BID SAMPLES, PHASE II and are of Colt test articles from the CQB Pistol solicitation which was just awarded to Colt yesterday. They depict various frame cracks.
Guns 11, 12, 14 and 15 (1-10 were not fire tested) fired 12,000 rounds before being deadlined due to visible safety-critical cracks found in the slides. Each slide had cracks in the same location, but they varied in size.
One gun had its recoil spring bend enough to bind the slide to the point it no longer could be tested, it was withdrawn from testing.
ADS Inc has released a few new photos of their US4CES family of camouflage, selected by the US Army as a finalist in their Camouflage Improvement Program. US4CES camouflage patterns share a common shape geometry and are offered in colorways developed specifically for Woodland, Arid, Transitional environments. Additionally, ADS and their partner Guy Cramer have introduced a specific color option for use with Organizational Clothing and Individual Equipment that is complimentary to the three environmental patterns. All four of these patterns are currently undergoing the most intensive camouflage testing ever conducted by the US Army or for that matter, anyone. In these photos you can see the various patterns in live environments.
BAE Systems has received a $7 million order from the US Army to produce and deliver parachute systems for use by Army Jumpmasters during airborne operations.
Based on BAE Systems’ FAA-certified Durachute technology, which has 36 different configurations with varying Automatic Activation Devices, canopy releases and ripcord handles, the Advanced Emergency Bailout Parachute (AEBP) is lightweight and can be worn in backpack style, or it can be incorporated into fixed-wing or rotorcraft crew seats.
“BAE Systems’ AEBP is environmentally-sealed with our patented technology,” said Greg Kraak, program director for Warfighter Equipment at BAE Systems Support Solutions. “This feature is a great benefit to the Army as it significantly reduces operational costs and extends repack service for up to five years.”
Another key feature of the environmentally-sealed technology is the parachute’s compact size when packed. This technology reduces the volume and bulk associated with packing a parachute, ultimately easing emergency egress from the aircraft.
The new $7 million order will be produced at the BAE Systems Phoenix, AZ facility. Deliveries are expected to begin this September and will continue through September 2013.
