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FirstSpear Friday Focus – Brawler FR Shirt

Friday, November 9th, 2018

All new from FS, meet the Brawler FR Shirt.

Typically most FR garments are stiff and uncomfortable with a blocky fit due to the nature of the fabrics used. The Brawler on the other hand uses 6.5oz Tencate Twill that is durable yet extremely light and comfortable . Material make up is a 65% FR Lenzing / 25% Para-Aramid / 10% Nylon blend that offers excellent Flame Retardant characteristics and assists in defeating or mitigating heat transfer to your skin.

The Brawler features a zipper front opening, reinforced with webbing sewn buttons. The protective collar can be fastened up around your Neckie or left open, multi positional cuffs, and a security strap to keep the sleeves rolled up. To make the most of hot weather versatility, the Brawler has breathable mesh in the bottom and back of the front pockets, arm pits, and across the entire back yoke.

As with all FS products, there’s a very interesting story behind the name:

In late 1966 through early 1967 US Marines in I Corps Tactical Zone South Vietnam began aggressive patrolling to enforce and establish the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between the two Vietnam’s. Commanders at the strategic level during that time believed that the war would devolve into a static scenario just as the Korean Conflict had previously. Unit Commanders were encouraged to “patrol aggressively” and “define the DMZ” in favor of South Vietnam. To maintain communications security, radio brevity pro words were assigned to articulate specific combat contacts without divulging great detail. For the Marines of I Corps at that time a “Scrap” was a Small Unit Contact generally Unit on Unit and confined to Small Arms, a “Brawl” was a full engagement involving Combined Arms and Support. The patrolling actions and border battles at that time increasingly contributed to large scale operations that became known collectively as the Battle of Con Thien.

First Spear has elected to the name our heavier weight FR Garment the “Brawler” and our light weigh FR Garment the “Scrap”, initial editions of these will be released in FS Sand which is a close to USMC Coyote as we could get in this base material.

Made in the USA with USA Materials. Available now.

www.first-spear.com/technical-apparel/outerwear/brawler

Tags: FirstSpear
Posted in Advertiser, Clothing, FR, FS Friday Focus, Guest Post | 4 Comments »

Widget Wednesday: Creating an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) in austere environments

Wednesday, November 7th, 2018

An SPM-622 Squad Power Manager and a few cables is like having a multi-tool for power in your rucksack. With such a system, troops can “scavenge” power from vehicle batteries or power-out ports and from solar panels or blankets to recharge batteries and run equipment – anywhere, any time.

The SPM-622 is particularly useful as an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS). Simply connect the SPM to a rechargeable battery, an AC wall outlet, or portable generator, and the device, or devices, you want to keep powered up. As long as AC power is available, the battery is kept fully charged-up, and power for the radio is automatically converted, balanced and passed through by the SPM. The diagram below shows how this can be done to provide uninterruptible power to a SatCom radio system.

If the AC power fails, the SPM will automatically switch to drawing power from the back-up battery so that the radio remains powered up. The user is alerted to the change on the SPM’s screen, but no action is required. Once AC power is available again, the SPM will automatically revert to drawing power for the radio from the AC source, as well as simultaneously recharging the connected back-up battery.

Additional back-up power storage capability for critical equipment can be achieved by connecting up to 3 more batteries to the SPM. As long as AC power is available the SPM will keep all connected batteries topped-up, if/when the AC power fails the SPM will automatically switch to drawing power from the battery with the lowest state of charge – ensuring the most efficient use of the back-up power available.

If you need further assistance, contact Support@Protonex.com. Visit www.PTXnomad.com for further info about the wide range of applications and equipment supported by the SPM-622 Squad Power Manager.

Posted in Advertiser, Guest Post, Power | 1 Comment »

Brigantes Presents – High Angled Solutions – Hilleberg Keron 4Gt

Wednesday, November 7th, 2018

The Hilleberg Keron (“grouse” in Sami ) 4 GT has been at the top of the list for explorers and arctic adventurers for many years. Its durability, stability, simplicity and roomy interior that made it popular in the civilian world are the same properties that make perfect for the military user. Being able to increase strength by using threading two 10mm poles into each pole sleeve, mean it can deal with the worst weather and wind.

The sand, nearer a coyote or tan, colour option means the tent can be easily used in a variety of environments. For the Arctic, the tent can be used in conjunction with the size specific multi-spectral camouflage nets from Saab Barracuda. The combination of the strong tent and the advanced, lightweight camouflage net combine to provide the military user with a reliable, concealed shelter, in the most challenging environments.

For more information get in touch by email on international@brigantes.com or for UK customers warrior@brigantes.com.

Posted in Guest Post, Mountaineering, Shelter | Comments Off on Brigantes Presents – High Angled Solutions – Hilleberg Keron 4Gt

Army’s Soldier and Squad Performance Research Institute Will Increase Lethality, Resilience

Tuesday, November 6th, 2018

NATICK, Mass. — “No Soldier ever fights alone,” says Cynthia Blackwell, the S2PRINT project director at the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center, or NSRDEC.

The ways in which Soldiers interact individually, in squads and on small teams play a key role in success on the battlefield. This is one of the main ideas behind the creation of the Soldier Squad Performance Research Institute, or S2PRINT.

NSRDEC and the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, or USARIEM, have joined together to lead the development of this state-of-the-art facility, which is slated to be built at the Natick Soldier Systems Center in Natick, Massachusetts.

The institute will empower NSRDEC’s and USARIEM’s world-class scientists and engineers with a controlled, cutting-edge, and mission-relevant environment in which to perform applied studies to uncover ways to optimize Soldier and squad performance and enhance combat readiness.

U.S. Soldiers with the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) engage opposing forces in a simulated exercise during Saber Junction 18 at Hohenfels Training Area, Germany, Sept. 26, 2018. The ways in which Soldiers interact individually, in squads and on small teams will be a key area of study for the Army’s new Soldier Squad Performance Research Institute, or S2PRINT. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Gabrielle Weaver)

S2PRINT’s emphasis is on Human Performance Optimization, with research focusing on the individual Soldier’s and the squad’s cognitive, social, physiological, physical, and nutrition-based performance. Blackwell explained that S2PRINT will provide the Army with a greater understanding of teams, leading to the optimization of team interactions and team dynamics.

S2PRINT will help researchers to develop validated performance and training strategies; tools and interventions for the Soldier, leader and small unit; techniques to mitigate injury; and interventions to increase Soldier and squad resilience and longevity.

Studies performed in the S2PRINT facility, which will include several operationally relevant laboratories, will help researchers baseline, measure, predict and optimize individual and small unit readiness, performance, and resiliency across real-world, mission-essential tasks. Outcomes/findings of this research will ultimately help improve readiness, enhance mission performance, and increase Soldier and squad lethality.

The new facility will also enhance NSRDEC’s and USARIEM’s already strong collaborations with top-notch academic institutions, cutting-edge industrial partners, and other DOD agencies and initiatives. As with other work performed by NSRDEC and USARIEM, the knowledge obtained through S2PRINT will lead to technologies and informational resources that will benefit not only warfighters but also first responders.

Moreover, Natick will be able to develop and evaluate prototype gear and emerging technologies more quickly than ever before, accelerating the delivery time of critical information and equipment to troops in the field — all while reducing costs.

S2PRINT is expected to become operational in the spring of 2023.

By Jane Benson, NSRDEC Public Affairs

Posted in Guest Post, Profession of Arms | 4 Comments »

Max Talk Monday: Mission Focus & Will To Win

Monday, November 5th, 2018

This is the eleventh installment of ‘Max Talk Monday’ which shares select episodes from a series of instructional videos. Max Velocity Tactical (MVT) has established a reputation on the leading edge of tactical live fire and force on force training. MVT is dedicated to developing and training tactical excellence at the individual and team level.

It is based on Max Talk 018 which is a discussion on being mission focused, and how the will to win will allow you to not only build the whole warrior, but will allow you to achieve your goals.

MVT Tactical ManualMax is a tactical trainer and author, a lifelong professional soldier with extensive military experience. He served with British Special Operations Forces, both enlisted and as a commissioned officer; a graduate of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Max served on numerous operational deployments, and also served as a recruit instructor. Max spent five years serving as a paramilitary contractor in both Iraq and Afghanistan; the latter two years working for the British Government in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Website: Max Velocity TacticalYouTube: Max Velocity Tactical

Posted in Advertiser, Guest Post, Training | Comments Off on Max Talk Monday: Mission Focus & Will To Win

BE Meyers & Co “MAWLR” LX570 Official Debut

Monday, November 5th, 2018

SEMA 2018 finished last week, wrapping up the first year of B.E. Meyers & Co.’s participation in one of the world’s premier auto shows. While SEMA may seem an unlikely place to find a laser manufacturer, B.E. Meyers & Co., who is known for innovative defense and aerospace solutions, had something truly unique to share with the automotive industry. The “MAWLR”, a Lexus LX570 that B.E. Meyers & Co. and Defconbrix transformed into the ultimate overland vehicle, was unveiled at SEMA in the Toyo Tires Treadpass. It is extremely rare to see an LX570 configured for off-road use, and none have a story quite like the MAWLR’s.

When Sean Jennings of Defconbrix picked up the Lexus LX570 from B.E. Meyers & Co. in Redmond, WA last February, it was a completely stock vehicle with a long way to go before it would become the MAWLR. The Lexus had belonged to the founder of B.E. Meyers & Co., the late Brad Meyers. To honor Brad’s adventurous spirit, and his legacy of ingenuity, Matt Meyers, CEO of B.E. Meyers & Co., decided to turn the LX570 into a project build with a unique vision. The MAWLR would parallel the qualities that make B.E. Meyers & Co. products successful, specifically the MAWL® (Modular Advanced Weapon Laser).

Purpose-Built

As a company that focuses primarily on laser systems for night operations, the B.E. Meyers & Co. team needed a vehicle that could navigate the rugged Pacific Northwest terrain in low-light, and no-light conditions. The MAWLR is purpose-built to transport equipment to remote destinations for product demonstrations, testing, and photo shoots.

Weapon-Ready

The MAWLR is weapon ready, equipped with a TruckVault featuring designated space for rifle platforms, laser systems, and accessories. A large roof rack easily accommodates additional gear in travel cases.

Rugged and Dependable

Custom armor, all-terrain tires, and all-wheel-drive ensure the MAWLR can make it from point A to point B in the varying climates of the Pacific Northwest. The MAWLR can transition from Washington’s snowy mountain passes, to wet rainforests, and sandy deserts, all without breaking a sweat.

All the Photons

Whether demonstrating the latest laser technology, or shooting machine guns on a photo shoot, the B.E. Meyers & Co. team can often be found making magic happen during hours of complete darkness. Extensive aftermarket lighting on the front and rear of the MAWLR provide the lumens necessary to navigate to and from remote destinations at night.

B.E. Meyers & Co. and Defconbrix will be revealing the official build list once the project is officially completed.

The B.E. Meyers & Co. MAWLR build by Defconbrix can be followed on Instagram (@the.mawlr), and Facebook (@mawlr).

www.bemeyers.com

Tags: BE Meyers & Co
Posted in Advertiser, Guest Post | 9 Comments »

SCUBAPRO Sunday – Clearing Your Ears

Sunday, November 4th, 2018

The inability to clear ears not is one of main reasondivers can’t start a diver or finish it if they cannot clear at the start. It is easy to clear/equalize your ears almost all the time. Even the best of divers can have trouble clearing on a dive. But with a few of these technic’s I hope that you won’t have to end a dive because of ear problems. Some of these also work for skydiving or flying. It is always a good practice to try and clear your ears before you even get into the water. At your dive brief, the Dive Supervisor should ask everyone if they canclear their ears.

Valsalva

This is the most common way to equalize. I am sure you learned it when you first started to swim. This method teaches you to pinch your nose so that no air can pass through your nostrils, and then gently “blow” your nose. This forces air into your inner ear space, equalizing the pressure within to the outside pressure often with an audible popping or clicking sound. The key to this is the word “gently.” Don’t blow your eardrums out before you dive.

Frenzel

To perform this maneuver, you thrust your jaw forward. This slight shift in your natural anatomy will cause the Eustachian Tube to straighten and open, thus allowing gases to travel in the direction of higher pressure to lower pressure until full equilibration occurs.

Voluntary tubal opening

Try yawning with your mouth closed by contracting the muscles in the back of the roof of your mouth and throat while pushing your jaw forward and down. Tensing and stretching the muscles pulls the eustachian tubes open.

Toynbee

The Toynbee technique of clearing your ears is to pinch your nose and try to swallow. This tenses the muscles in the throat and soft palate to pull the tubes open, while your tongue compresses air against them. This results in a decreased pressure against the middle ear and Eustachian Tube, which will open in response.

Lowry

This is a combination of Valsalva and Toynbee. Pinch your nose and then blow against your closed nose while swallowing at the same time.

If your ears are particularly stubborn while trying the equalizing methods tilt your head from side to side or look up towards the surface. It helps stretch the folds surrounding the eustachian tubes making it easier to open them.

Medication

First, it is not recommended to take anything before you dive. If you have to dive and do take a decongestant, make sure it will last for the duration of the dive.

Good Luck and I hope this helps.

Tags: Scubapro
Posted in Advertiser, Guest Post, Maritime | 5 Comments »

Widget Wednesday: C4 Assets Increase Small Unit Lethality

Wednesday, October 31st, 2018

“Lethality” is the new hot Pentagon buzzword, but it also harkens back to the age old Infantry principle of “Find ‘em, Fix ‘em, Finish ‘em” – what could be called “The Lethality Triangle”, if it has a name. On the “Finish ‘em” side, both the Army and Marine Corps have small arms programs underway that will bring significant increases in squad-level small arms firepower and lethality.

In terms of “Find ‘em” and “Fix ‘em”, the proliferation of small, rugged and portable command, control, communications, and computer (C4) assets has dramatically enhanced the level of firepower that small units can bring to the fight – at the right time and in the right place. Programs such as the US Army’s Nett Warrior and the USMC’s Modernized Rifle Squad, incorporating a designated ‘systems operator’, are significant steps forward in creating technologically-enhanced fighting units.

Sgt. Nathaniel Shaver trains on the Precision Fires-Dismounted system, a software application hosted on the Nett Warrior End User Device. (Photo Credit: Dan Lafontaine (PEO C3T))

Operational environments however present significant challenges to keeping small unit C4 assets up and running so that units can cut through the fog of war, dominate the battlespace and win the fight quickly and efficiently. Our rugged, portable, intelligent power management solutions are in the field already and have been proven on numerous deployments in some of the most austere environments possible.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Ryan Skinner prepares to fly the InstantEye during the Infantry Platoon Battle Course as part of a training deployment. The InstantEye is a small unmanned aerial system used to be deployed at the squad level for quick and local surveillance and reconnaissance. (U.S. Marine Corps photo/Released)

Troops are already able to draw power from any available source; such as a vehicle battery or DC outlet, a solar blanket, a field generator, standard commercial primary batteries, and most US and Allied Forces military-issue rechargeable batteries. And thanks to our plug-and-play smart cable technology, troops are also able to carry fewer batteries– helping to simplify battery logistics and reduce combat loads.

A Panther 2 SATCOM system powered by an SPM-622 integrated solution in service with a USASOC unit.

Our Power Management systems currently support a wide range of C4 equipment, including:
• radios and SATCOM systems
• laptops, tablets, and smart phones
• GPS systems, laser markers and designators
• and more…

Keep your C4 assets running – no matter where you are.