SIG MMG 338 Program Series

Archive for the ‘Gadgets’ Category

AK47-Locating ‘Smart Dust’ Helmets

Sunday, March 29th, 2009

According to Vanderbilt University’s “Exploration” magazine, researchers at the Institute for Software Integrated Systems (ISIS) have developed a gunshot-locator net. By networking a helmet-mounted acoustic sensor system among a team of Soldiers, the system will correlate data collected by a larger number of sensors. The system is designed to not only provide the location of the shooter but also the type of projectile.

Read an interesting synopsis of the work from “Exploration” magazine. A paper from the team is also available here.

UK Operational Note Books from Rite In The Rain

Sunday, March 29th, 2009

Rite In The Rain, makers of waterproof paper, have developed a special version of their popular Notebooks specifically for UK forces. Each Green colored waterproof sheet is perforated for easy removal and features a grid to assist with making operational sketches and clear notes. Additionally, the last 16 pages serve as an Aide-memoire. See below for a sample.

Rite In The Rain UK Operational Notebook

Check out this video from RV Ops to see the advantages of Rite In The Rain products.

Rite In The Rain products are available in the UK from RV OPS.

New TAC-EYE® LT Display from Vuzix

Sunday, March 29th, 2009

Vuzix Tactical Display Group

We introduced you to Vuzix last Fall. At the time they were working on their new TAC-EYE® LT Display.

The new display mounts to standard ballistic sunglasses found on the Approved Products List (Revision, ESS, and Oakley) and is designed to meet MIL-STD 810F: Shock, Vibration, Water, Dust, Drop, Temp. The Display features a 30° Horizontal Field of View, SVGA+ (852×600) Color AMOLED, and is capable of displaying SVGA, NTSC, RS-170, and PAL formats.

TAC-EYE® LT Display from Vuzix

The TAC-EYE® LT is offered in three configurations; Video, VGA, and VGA/Video. Depending on which configuration you choose will determine which of the accessories your system will come with. There is a Mouse, Battery Box, and Inline Control Pad.

For more information contact Vuzix.

Battery Caddy from GG&G

Wednesday, March 25th, 2009

GG&G Battery Caddies

Three models of Battery Caddies are now available from GG&G. The Personal Caddy is available in AA 4-Rack and CR123 4-Rack configurations in OD Green color. The AA 12 Pack holds 12 AA batteries and offered in OD Green or Rescue Orange colors. Finally, the Original Battery Caddy stores 12-AA, as well as 4-AAA, 2-C, and 1-9 volt battery. It is equipped with a hanger and comes in Caution Yellow and Rescue Orange.

To order visit GG&G.

Pentax Releases Green DSLR

Wednesday, March 25th, 2009

We’ve been looking at new cameras to help enhance the look of the site’s content and ran across this today. Pentax is releasing a Green version of their popular DSLR.

Pentax DSLR in Green

This model is functionally identical to the $800 K-m (or K2000). Unfortunately, it’s a limited edition run only for sale in Japan.

Computers That Even Soldiers Can’t Break

Tuesday, March 24th, 2009

From “National Defense” magazine’s online edition comes this article on new displays. “Computers That Even Soldiers Can’t Break” details work being accomplished by the Display Center at Arizona State University. The goal is to produce flexible displays that are cheaply manufactured and come in rolls.

Popular Mechanics Duct Tape Test

Sunday, March 22nd, 2009

Popular Mechanics conducted a test of the leading brands of duct tape. They pitted them against three challenges: tensile strength, the tenacity of adhesive, and how it worked after a week underwater.

We don’t want to ruin it for you but the winner isn’t duct tape. For the entire report visit Popular Mechanics.

KAC’s BulletFlight Software

Saturday, March 21st, 2009

Knights Armament Company

The last time we featured Knight’s Armaments was in recognition of C. Reed Knight Jr.’s receipt of a top 10 army invention of 2007 for the M110 7.62mm Semi-Automatic Sniper System (SASS) that was Type Classified by the Army in 2007.

Knights Armament has now broadened their scope to include a fully functional ballistic computer, but this computer isn’t like anything you’ve ever seen. Unbeknownst to you, it may already be in your pocket. It’s an iPhone/iPod Touch application called BulletFlight that costs a meager $11.99. Consider for a moment what the competition offers. Less functionality for a higher cost and in a bigger package.

KAC’s BulletFlight

BulletFlight has been designed to fit everything from the need of the everyday range tinkerer to the functionality demands of the warfighter. It’s a dynamic solution that provides ballistic calculations out to 3000 meters helping you make your shot.

To use it, start with one of several built-in profiles including the Army’s M110 semi-automatic precision rifle, the 14.5 inch barrel SR16 rifle, .50 BMG M107, .308 M40A3, .308 M24, or start from scratch. With your saved weapon profile’s ballistic coefficients you are ready to begin. Next, provide variables such as range, angle of sight, temperature, and pressure. The BulletFlight will provide predicted bullet impact above or below line of sight in distance and MOA along with how many clicks to correct, velocity and energy at target impact and estimated flight time to allow proper target lead.

KAC’s BulletFlight

Overkill? Need the quick and dirty? After building a weapon profile and including environmental variables, switch over to the “Simple” mode. With a standard selection wheel for rapid range-to-target adjustment and wind speed and direction, you are ready to go.

Thanks to a dedicated customer base and the rapid feedback associated with iPhone applications, Knight’s Armaments have been able to pump out multiple revisions in short order.

Check out the newly released KAC Bullet Flight 2.0.0 with a full suite of upgraded functions including manufacturer ballistic coefficients, additional functionality in the simple mode, field table output, and automatic weather data gathering at www.knightarmco.com/bulletflight/index.htm
.
Current and future efforts focus on overcoming platform shortfalls limiting official military use of BulletFlight to include operational temperature, sustainable g-loads, and touch screen limitations of the iPhone/iPod platform.

KAC’s BulletFlight

Keep an eye out for the Knight’s Armament bracket for mounting your iPhone to your Picatinny rail in conjunction with the Otter Case.