One of the coolest things to come out of this year’s SHOT Show is the ULoop. I’m mentioning it again because it may have been lost in the noise of our SHOT coverage.
BFG has given it the code name of ‘Uber Loop’. It’s a quick-detach version of the Universal Wire Loop, and can be quickly attached to smaller eyelets found on HK, SIG and FN weapons. In fact, it will attach on several weapons that don’t have sling attachment points such as through eyelets, holes in railed handguards, and on KeyMod rails.
I really like the versatility of the ULoop and the fact that the coated cable is quiet and won’t tear up plastic components on a weapon.
Additionally, the sling can remain attached to the ULoop and it is simple to attached and detach from the weapon.
Available in 1.00″ and 1.25″ sizes, the ULoop can easily be painted.
In late February Gibbz Arms released their patent pending GAMA system along with letters to brands that license other, similar weapon accessory attachment systems to adopt theirs, alleging that it pre-dated the other systems.
This was quickly followed by statements of reply from both Magpul and Gibbz Arms.
But now, the situation has taken a different direction. According to documents obtained by SSD, Magpul has filed suit in Federal District Court in Austin, Texas against Gibbz Arms.
Specifically, Magpul claims that Gibbz Arms has violated three of their patents (8,925,236 B1; 9,239,209 B2 and 9,239,210) and they are suing for treble damages, attorney fees, delivery of all infringing items produced by Gibbz Arms to Magpul for destruction, and a permanent injunction against producing, selling or offering products that infringe upon Magpul’s patents.
Earlier this week, Gibbz Arms released their GAMA attachment system along with their patent data as well as letters to potential licensees. They sent us this statement to clarify that they have so far, not filed any legal actions regarding their IP.
Recent chatter within the firearms industry, related blogs and social media, has suggested that Gibbz Arms has filed a civil action against various manufacturers who produce and market accessory mounting systems which are covered by Gibbz Arms’ pending patent applications for its GAMA System. To date, Gibbz Arms has not initiated any legal action against any manufacturer. Nor has Gibbz Arms threatened litigation against any manufacturer for infringement.
Although Gibbz Arms made its initial patent filings in January of 2013, the company had developed and began producing and selling its GAMA System products by late 2012. GAMA System Handgaurds and accessories were displayed at both Shot Show 2013 and Shot Show 2014. Since that time, Gibbz Arms has produced and sold thousands of GAMA System components, including hand guards and rails.
As a superior alternative MIL-STD-1913 and other rail accessory mounting systems, demand for the GAMA System has increased. In an effort to maintain continuity and to ensure quality production of its patent pending design, Gibbz Arms began offering a license agreement to manufacturers currently producing, and to those seeking to produce the GAMA System technology on March 1, 2016.
This image from the September 28, 1959 issue of ‘Life’ magazine depicts a developmental US Army clothing system reportedly intended for wear on a nuclear battlefield. While the gloves, mask and coveralls are interesting, what is really cool is the helmet, complete with IR goggles.
The plastic helmet integrates the AN/PRC-34 radio, the developmental Soldier Radio of its day and an attempt to replace the large, walkie-talkie PRC-6 squad radios. The two studs along the crown of the helmet hold the antenna in place when not in use. In this photo, the antenna is deployed. Between the M-1 helmet-style webbing and the shell was a snag of wires.
But the IR goggles are the real treat here, considering this photo is coming up on 60 years old. First off, they are binocular and mount in a similar fashion to what we still do today. You can also see the battery pack at the rear of the helmet. A later version of the helmet was developed that offered some ballistic protection as well accommodations for a newer radio variant, the PRC-36. However, this radio was not integrated directly into the helmet.
“The Pentagon Wars” has long been a comedic look at how a military acquistion program can go sideways. Ultimately, the Bradley Fighting Vehicle turned put to be critical to our Army’s success but it was initially intended as an upgraded M-113.
VANCOUVER, B.C. – Mission Ready Services Inc. (TSX-V: MRS) – Mission Ready Services Inc. (“Mission Ready” or “MRSI”) is pleased to announce that it has signed an exclusive Patent License Agreement (the “Agreement”) with the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center (“NSRDEC”), through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Protect the Force Inc. (“Protect the Force” or the “Company”). The license terms will provide Protect the Force with exclusive rights to market the Integrated Body Armor Garment (“Next Generation Body Armor”) anywhere outside of the U.S. Federal Government, including local and state law enforcement agencies, as well as internationally to markets such as the Canadian Army and all NATO countries and partners.
Developed over the past 4 years – under a Broad Agency Announcement for the Army Next Generation Body Armor – through a successful joint effort between Protect the Force and NSRDEC, the Integrated Body Armor Garment is a revolutionary breakthrough in soldier protection technology and answers the need for a high-mobility, light-weight Next Generation Body Armor. The Integrated Body Armor Garment is the basis for the Company’s previously announced Ballistic Combat Shirt (“BCS”) and Tactical Police Shirt (“TPS”).
The Integrated Body Armor Garment contains a network of body armor panels that provides protection from ballistic threats while permitting a wide range of motion and providing increased comfort and breathability to the wearer. Mission Ready announced the filing of the patent application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as well as an international filing under the Patent Cooperation Treaty for the Integrated Body Armor Garment in a news release dated August 12, 2014.
Robert DiLalla, NSRDEC Team Leader for the Infantry Combat Equipment Team in the Warfighter Directorate, was named as an inventor on the patent applications licensed by Protect the Force. Mr. DiLalla worked closely with the Company in their effort to ensure that the Warfighters’ needs were addressed by the Integrated Body Armor Garment. Mr. DiLalla states, “It’s been extremely productive working with Protect the Force over the past few years developing advanced concepts for the next generation of Soldier protection. Clearly, we’re both excited that some of the concepts, such as the ballistic combat shirt, fared well during the Army development test phases for the Soldier Protection System program of record. Our goal from the beginning was to improve Soldier performance while maintaining the same ballistic protection as the current Interceptor Body Armor system. We were able to quantify significant performance increases in laboratory testing, but it was the exceptionally high user acceptance across three development test phases that indicated we had something revolutionary. While our mission here at the NSRDEC is to support the Warfighter I am pleased to know that this technology has application to better protect members of the law enforcement community both domestically and abroad.”
Francisco Martinez, Chief Technical Officer of Mission Ready states, “Considering the emphatically positive feedback we have received from user evaluations in a variety of tactical and combat-related environments, we are excited to receive this exclusive license from the U.S. Army providing a largely uninhibited path for the Company to pursue our sales and marketing efforts on a broad scale with a primary focus on national and international SWAT and Emergency Response Teams.
At DSEI we got to take a look at the Future Soldier Vision, the UK Ministry of Defence’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory’s conceptual vision of what the Soldier will look like in 2024.
Head Sub-System
Soldiers will have enhanced multi-spectral sensors enabled by modular integration, to provide mission-tailored systems at significantly reduced weight. Sensors will be capable of fusing their feeds and being shared between soldiers, providing collaborative targeting and engagement capabilities. For example this network capability will enable small unmanned aircraft systems to provide commanders with enhanced battlefield surveillance and target acquisition.
– Integrated sensors
– Integrated power supply
– Hearing protection system
– Respirator/mandible connector
Torso Sub-System
Soldiers will be able to tailor their protection according to the mission requirement, balancing protection with agility to provide optimal survivability. Future systems will consist of tiered, modular protection providing enhanced capability, without increasing weight. Design and integration with other elements of the soldier system will ensure legacy and future compatibility.
– Hard body armor
– Ratchet adjusting system
– Integrated connectors
– Asymmetric design
– Quick release cord
– Flexible shoulder pads
– Integrated power supply
– Integrated load carrying
Wearable Communications Concept
The advent of a body sensor network will provide real-time reporting of soldier health. Sensors embedded in the helmet, clothing, and smartwatch will monitor physical health and performance. Wirelessly linked to the soldier processing system, the availability of this data will allow the commander to make informed decisions during combat. If the soldier is seriously injured, information will enable medics to act faster during the ‘golden hour’ following trauma.
– Biometric data
– Push to talk
– Screen graphic
– Screen protection
– Accessing functionality
Smart Glasses Concept
The presentation of real-time data will enable greater clarity and quality of information throughout the operational system.
– Heads up display with augmented reality presentation
– Bone conducting headphones
– Integrated camera
– Power and data connection
Personal Role Computer Concept
Commanders and troops will be provided with information across a set of connected devices covering visual, acoustic, and tactile interfaces to access voice, data, video, and historical information. The information architecture will ensure commonality of data, with each device determining the appropriate means of presentation. Navigation system will incorporate simultaneous localization and mapping technology and be capable of operating in a global positioning system-denied environment.
– Screen protection
– Screen graphic
– USB protection
– Push to talk
– Camera
– Assembly
Weapon Concept
Individual weapons will have improved ergonomics, with effects spanning combinations of lethal and non-lethal capabilities. The ability to seamlessly provide targeting information between soldiers and their units will allow collaborative engagement to become commonplace. The increase in timeliness and accuracy of multiple weapon systems will result in a more effective fighting force.
– Enhanced stock design
– Digital optical weapon sights
– Adjustable down grip
– Adjustable pistol grip
Although not specifically mentioned in the other technology areas, they also displayed this conceptual boot.
Much of the development work was accomplished by Kinneir Dufort. They also had a display of the system in their booth.
Paul Kim was an engineer at SureFire for many years but over the past several he’s been working as a consultant.
One of his projects is this concept lantern for adjustable multi-directional and uni-directional beam distribution capability. It includes features like a folding handle, radio switch, USB In/Out, built-in 18650 Li-ion battery, H2O proof, etc.
