Tactical Electronics has been in business since 1999 and is well known for their under the door camera commonly used by SWAT teams. Over time they have refined their technology and introduced new products, leading to the introduction of the new modular, CORE system which consists of two grip options and four camera heads. The user mixes and matches the components for the intended application.
The Grip holds the electronics and the heads are used for different applications. Grips are the CORE Grip and the CORE Pole Grip. Both accept any of the heads (the Pole Grip doesn’t accept the articulating head). Integrated into the CORE Grip is an eye piece for up close work. Additionally, there is a wrist mounted monitor, for wireless remote viewing, which relies on digital encrypted radio for the link.
Heads offered are CORE Flex Camera, CORE Under Door Camera, CORE Pole Camera and Articulating Scope.
In addition to color or B/W images, Tactical Electronics also offers a thermal image. However, they’ve now introduced an overlay mode, similar to I2/Thermal fusion, which provides outlines of objects unto the thermal image. In the graphic above, you can see what the thermal image looks like alone, and then below, how it looks in overlay mode. The enhancement is striking.
Rocksmith Precision is making quite a name for themselves in building specialized tools for the EOD community. However, at Warrior West I saw their Rocksmith 30:1 cutter and thought of several other uses for this amazing hand powered cutting tool such as breaching and technical survelliance applications. In a show filled with awesome kit, this is the coolest product I saw at the show.
That 30:1 in the name means exactly what it implies, offering a 30:1 mechanical advantage thanks to the design which allows the user to configure the handle in one of two ways (seen below). I used it to snip a chainlink like it was butter and I also used it to open up 14 gage material used in CONEXs. All of that with my hand. Plus, it will go right through welds, unlike power tools. Additionally, you can begin your cut with a simple 1/4″ entry hole. Currently, they offer two styles of swappable blades. One is for chainlink and the other is for sheetmetal.
If all of that wasn’t enough, it is 7″ long and weighs less than half a pound. That’s the kind of a tool you don’t want to leave behind.
The Universal Power Kit, based on Protonex’ industry-leading SPM-622 Squad Power Manager, dramatically reduces the weight and clutter of batteries, chargers and power adapters currently used by military EOD teams.
The original SPM-612 EOD kit, pioneered by Protonex in partnership with the Office of Naval Research (ONR), Naval Sea Systems Command (NavSea) and Navy EOD Training & Evaluation Team Two, was deployed to all Navy EOD teams in 2014. The teams subsequently reported a reduction in charger and adapter weight from 45-lbs. to 9-lbs., with a correspondingly large decrease in space taken up in the EOD team vehicle.
The Navy EOD teams were also the first to request that Protonex package each intelligent power manager kit in a rugged “roll kit”, keeping the equipment organized and ready for use while decreasing volume and weight. More than 90% of all power management kits shipped to every branch of the U.S. military and many allied militaries are now requested in nylon roll kits.
The updated EOD Universal Power Kit includes the SPM-622 Squad Power Manager, with additional power-handling and intelligence, as well as full waterproofing (the SPM-622 can be used while submerged up to 1-meter). Additional equipment support also now includes the latest Minehound® and other metal detectors, as well as DeWalt® and Snap-On® tool batteries and other EOD-specific equipment.
“The new enhanced EOD universal power kit builds on the capability established with the original SPM-612 kit and gives today’s EOD teams the most advanced universal power solution available,” said Michael Skinkle, Protonex EOD Account Manager. “When used in conjunction with our Adaptive Battery Charger, EOD teams have a total power management solution that is more efficient and rugged than other options.”
The SPM-622 EOD kit (Protonex part number 010-458) is available directly from Protonex or through GSA Advantage, the NSN Class IX Schedule from ADS, Darley Defense and Federal Resources.
For further information about the SPM-622 Squad Power Manager, and the full range of Protonex power management solutions, visit www.PTXnomad.com.
The Pull-Line Master was built for dismounted EOD operational requirements for quickly and effectively conducting remote pull procedures on suspicious items or ordnance. The kit includes 200 feet of Dyneema pull-line and a full complement of clamping, rigging, and cutting tools designed for quick attachment of the pull-line, decreasing time-on-target and limiting exposure to dangerous overpressure and fragmentation hazards. It also includes an additional 100 feet of pull-line and a smaller pouch for a reduced loadout as well as a hazard marking system suitable for day or nighttime use. The kit is PALS compatible.
Components:
(1) 200′ 7/32″ dyneema pull line
(1) 100′ 7/32″ dyneema pull line
(1) Titanium Grapple (TiGR)
(1) Hard storage case
(1) Large carry pouch
(1) Small carry pouch
The TiGR is Zero Point’s Titanium 3 Tine Grapple Hook. Each TiGR is tested to 1000 lbs pull before fielding.
Weighing in at 1.5 lbs, the kit is available in the following colors:
Coyote Brown
MultiCam
Ranger
Cop Black
ARID
A new video released by Morgan Advanced Materials showcases the outstanding performance of its Silverback 4020 Elite bomb disposal suit against four life impacting aspects of blast; flame immersion, high velocity fragment impact, blast pressure wave and ‘tertiary’ effects; across four different blast tests.
Critical to survivability, the tests illustrate the importance Morgan places on reducing the impact of blast pressure waves, which alongside flame and fragments, have devastating impact on internal organs without adequate protection. The testing was conducted at the independently certified OTS testing facility at Faldingworth (UK) and utilised a range of testing best practice, including key aspects of the NIJ 0117.00 Public Safety Bomb Suit Standard, in addition to other blast analysis including the Bowen Survivability Curve and overpressure reduction.
The first blast test shown on the video demonstrates the suit’s survivability when kneeling, measured against the NIJ 0117.00 Public Safety Bomb Suit Standard for an explosive of 0.567kg C4 threat at 0.6m. The recorded footage reveals that the suit provides a pressure reduction between 96.9% and 99.7%, achieving a position on the Bowen Curve showing more than 99% survivability probability (in a controlled test environment). Three further blast tests assess the suit’s survivability when standing, facing a 1kg (2.20 lbs) C4 threat at 1m, a 2kg (4.41 lbs) C4 threat at 2m, and a 10kg (22.05 lbs) C4 threat at 3m. All three tests returned a position on the Bowen Curve stating a survivability probability greater than 99% (in a controlled test environment), with a pressure reduction between 98.1% and 98.5% for 1kg and 10kg blasts.
In addition to ensuring the highest levels of survivability, the Silverback 4020 Elite is designed for enhanced manoeuvrability, providing the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) operator with the flexibility they require for operating in a restrictive environment. The business conducts its own manoeuvrability tests, testing flexibility to crouch, climb and crawl, furthermore the suit utilises a powerful demisting system embedded in the helmet for improved situational awareness. Advanced cooling systems, which incorporate a flame ingress brake mechanism are embedded into the suit enhance comfort and reduce operator fatigue. An innovative quick release system, allowing the user to evacuate the suit unaided in less than 25 seconds in the event of an emergency situation, is designed into the suit’s jacket and trousers.
Chris Davies, Technology Director at Morgan Advanced Materials’ Composites and Defence Business, commented: “We are delighted with the survivability performance of the Silverback 4020 Elite, reducing the impact of blast pressure waves has been a key focus throughout the design of the product, along with protection against flame and fragments. The suit’s high performance levels have been achieved through years of blast materials research and development, combined with leading garment engineering to create a truly world class highly flexible bomb disposal suit.“
The Mini Breakaway Pulley from Detonation Technology allows an EOD Tech to create a change in direction during a remote pull. A breakaway pulley can reduce the number of approaches that have to be made when remotely moving an improvised explosive device. The Mini Breakaway Pulley is small, measuring 3″x1″x.5″; light weight, at 2.5oz; and durable, being made entirely from Stainless Steel and Delrin. The breakaway action is triggered by a knot in the line, no additional parts needed. The pulley is built to use line between 5/64″ and 1/8″ (2-3 mm).
