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Archive for the ‘FR’ Category

Protect The Force, LLC

Tuesday, September 8th, 2009

Protect the Force, LLC announced today the formation of their new company as a result of merger of Government Sales Group and Protect the Force. The new company is unique in that it focuses its considerable experiences and relationships on helping manufacturers of personal protective products and equipment streamline and accelerate the processes of development, fielding, contracting, and commercialization of products into the first responder and military segments of the U.S. Government.

The merger doubles the size of the company and adds a number of respected international manufacturer’s to its customer ranks. Clients include: Air Systems, Bright Star, Cocona, Crye Precision, Elkhart Brass, Higher Dimension Materials, Honeywell First Responder Products, Hurst Jaws of Life, Kappler, Lenzing Fibers International, Scott Health & Safety, Tencate Defense and Tactical, and Trident One.

“Our nation’s warriors and first responders deserve the very best life saving and performance enhancing technologies now. Our team knows firsthand what can happen when we fail in this essential mission. We have assembled a group of quality U.S. manufacturers who are committed to this cause”, noted Clay Williamson, Protect the Force President. Mr. Williamson, a recently retired Army Acquisition Corps Officer, started Protect the Force after years of working to better protect soldiers against the devastating effects of burn injury.

The two companies became acquainted after working together for a mutual customer. The company’s CEO, Mr. Gary Hess indicated that the merger was an obvious path to take. “Government Sales Group had significant expertise in the areas of sales and marketing within the Federal first responder markets and was looking to expand into other federal government markets. With this merger we have successfully accomplished this goal and have added significant capabilities and deep relationships in the areas of military research & development, product fielding and program level acquisition”.

Protect the Force is led by an impressive group of executives. In addition to Mr. Hess and Mr. Williamson, the Company announced that Mr. Bobby Feigler will continue in the role of Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Feigler brings significant corporate and early stage company experience to the team.

For more information, visit them on the web at www.protecttheforce.com.

Army Combat Pants Update

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009

Army Combat Pants
We recently mentioned that the Army is working to pair the Army Combat Shirt with a Pant. A successful Limited User Evaluation earlier this year is going to be followed up with a rather extensive Field Trial in Afghanistan early next year.

Crye Precision Knee Pads
Yes, they look mysteriously like Crye knee pads.

While there is still no formal requirement for the ACP, newly revealed plans include integrating the trouser’s special features into the ACU. Naturally, by extension, any changes made to the ACU will also be made to the FR-ACU. So, perhaps by 2011 we could begin to see the ACU transform once again into an even more combat focused uniform. What will be interesting to see is if it can survive peacetime.

The New Wonder Twins – Massif and Gehring

Friday, August 28th, 2009

How could you call the combination of manufacturers of FR combat uniforms and the producers of specialty fabrics anything else? Yesterday, Massif Mountain Gear Company and Gehring Textiles announced that they have entered into an exclusive agreement to jointly develop and supply military forces around the world with a new generation of flame-resistant fabrics and apparel. Under the terms of the agreement, Massif will become Gehring’s exclusive customer for new flame-resistant fabrics developed by Gehring, or jointly by Gehring and Massif, for apparel, headwear and gloves. Gehring will continue to sell certain styles in its current line of flame-resistant fabrics to existing customers. Furthermore, this agreement will extend access to these innovative fabrics to Outdoor Research who is a strategic partner with Massif.

Massif produces the Army Combat Shirt and Gehring is widely known for their fabrics including Tweave. Outdoor Research produces FR hand and head wear from fabrics supplied by Massif.

ACU Improvements

Wednesday, August 19th, 2009

Over the last year the PEO-Soldier’s Program Manager for Soldier Protection and Individual Equipment has undertaken a major project to make incremental changes to the ACU. In an interview earlier this week with LTC Mike Sloane (Product Manager Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment), Mr. Todd Wendt (Deputy Product Manager Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment) and Mr. Fred Coppola (Deputy Project Manager Soldier Protection and Individual Equipment), we discussed these new improvements.

See the latest information after the jump.

USAF RFI for FR Cold Weather Clothing

Tuesday, August 18th, 2009

Earlier this month the USAF’s 77th Aeronautical Systems Group at Brooks City-Base, TX released a Request For Information (RFI) seeking data on Fire Resistant Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) and Modified-COTS Extreme Cold Weather clothing. This is in anticipation of an Industry Day set for November. They are only looking for information on Berry compliant materials/capabilities or Berry waivered materials and information.

Interested parties should reply following the instructions found on www.fedbizopps.gov.

FREE Components by Massif ADS

Friday, August 14th, 2009

The U.S. Army has selected five garments from Massif Mountain Gear Company’s flame-resistant product line for inclusion in the Fire Resistant Environmental Ensemble (FREE). FREE is a multi-layering system of performance cold weather garments designed specifically for aircraft and combat vehicle crew.

Massif FREE Vest

The five Massif garments included in the FREE program are Massif’s next generation Elements™ softshell jacket, pants, and vest, and the all new Massif Elements Lite™ jacket and pants. These innovative softshell garments provide flame-resistant weather protection for a wide variety of cold and wet weather scenarios without sacrificing comfort or performance.

Massif FREE Jacket

Massif’s Executive Vice President Chris Wasgatt said, “The selection of garments for the FREE cold weather layering system is the culmination of a competitive two-year testing and evaluation process designed to outfit soldiers with the best flame-resistant garments available today. We are extremely proud that five of the core garments chosen for this program are Massif products and will serve our soldiers who operate in some of the world’s toughest environments”.

Massif garments and fabrics are made in the U.S.A. and are currently worn by ground troops, Special Forces, aviators and other military personnel based in Iraq, Afghanistan and other parts of the world. In addition to supplying FREE garments, Massif is also the designer and fabric supplier of the Army’s flame-resistant Army Combat Shirt, new Winter Army Combat Shirt, and the still under development Army Combat Pant.

The Prime Contractor for FREE is ADS. The contract consists of a base year, with three additional option years. For more information on the FREE program, please visit: https://peosoldier.army.mil/factsheets/SEQ_CIE_FREE.pdf.

Media Picks Up FR Fiber Story

Monday, August 10th, 2009

In Mid-July we wrote about concerns over the sunset of the Berry waiver afforded FR-Rayon fibers produced in Austria. Now CNN has picked up the story. Unfortunately, the waiver extension has been defeated in the Senate. However, the House will consider the measure when they return from recess. It’s still not too late to weigh in with your Representative in support of the waiver extension.

Massif WACS

Monday, August 3rd, 2009

Massif Mountain Gear Company has just released the new Winter Army Combat Shirt (WACS), a new flame-resistant cold weather garment based on their Army Combat Shirt design issued to US forces since 2007. The WACS retains the features of the ACS that have made it so comfortable and user friendly but have integrated new materials for cooler climes. The soft and stretchy HotJohnsâ„¢ fabric used on several of Massif’s cold weather FR pieces is used on the torso and the Elementsâ„¢ softshell fabric sheds wind and rain and its fleece lining is cozy and warm yet retains flame protection and durability for areas not protected by body armor. Massif developed the WACS in cooperation with the U.S. Army and conducted extensive field-testing for the best design possible. Available in Small-XXLarge, all fabrics used in the WACS meet the stringent ASTM F2302-03 performance specification.

Winter Army Combat Shirt

Sales are restricted to US military members. Visit www.Massif.com for more information.