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Modular Skeletonized Container Sling Makes OR Debut

Thursday, August 2nd, 2012

Making its debut today at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market is the Modular Skeletonized Container Sling (MSCS), a new collaborative project between ITS Tactical, Zulu Nylon Gear and Liberty Bottleworks.

Designed and manufactured by ITS Tactical and Zulu Nylon Gear right here in America, the MSCS represents a fresh new approach to a bottle carrier. Their goal was to break the mold of current bottle carrier designs that utilize a pouch-like design, adding unnecessary weight and bulk. They’ve certainly succeeded.

Featuring a lightweight skeletonized design made from HDPE stiffened double-layer webbing, textured pull-tab for a non-slip grip and shock cord retention to allow one-handed container deployment, the MSCS is fully adjustable to fit multiple container styles and diameters. It can also be mounted via MOLLE/PALS and adapted to accommodate any belt size.

I am very happy to see this project come to fruition as I have several Liberty Bottles and, other than bottle sleeves on packs, there is no way to carry them efficiently, until now.

Stay tuned for ordering info.

Tags: ITS Tactical, Liberty Bottle Works, Outdoor Retailer, Zulu Nylon Gear
Posted in Industry, Outdoor Retailer | 1 Comment »

US Army Seeks M110 Compact Semi-Automatic Sniper System

Tuesday, July 31st, 2012

Project Manager Soldier Weapons has released a Sources Sought Notice for a Compact Semi-Automatic Sniper System (CSASS). A Sources Sought Notice is a tool used by acquisition officials to query industry on their ability to satisfy a requirement before it is finalized. It serves as a sanity check for a requirement from an industry standpoint as they provide feedback on their capabilities and their capacity to satisfy the need. Additionally, it may uncover a capability that was unknown to those in Government.

In this case, they are conducting a “market survey to identify potential sources for manufacturing a complete system or reconfiguring some or all of the existing 7.62 x 51mm M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System (SASS).”

The current M110 is a lightweight, direct gas operated, semi-automatic, box magazine fed, 7.62 x 51mm rifle intended to engage and defeat personnel targets out to 800 meters.

Specifically, the are looking for the ability to reconfigure existing M110s or, manufacture new complete systems to meet the following criteria:

1. Operation: Semi-automatic
2. Caliber: Compatible with 7.62x51mm NATO cartridges
3. Accuracy: Capable of 0.60″ AMR at 100m or better with match ammunition.
4. Size: Overall length shall be reduced using a shorter barrel and/or collapsible buttstock. Maximum overall assembled length of the rifle shall be not greater than 36 inches with the stock at its shortest position and no sound suppressor mounted.
5. Weight: Weight shall be no more than 9.0 lb for the unloaded rifle without optics and accessories.
6. Grip: A modular, adjustable pistol grip.
7. Trigger: A non-adjustable match style trigger.
8. Hand guard: A fore-end that includes a fixed 12 o’ clock rail with configurable 3, 6, and 9 o’ clock rails.
9. Sound suppressor: A muzzle mounted, detachable sound suppressor.
10. Muzzle device: A compensator/muzzle break compatible with the sound suppressor.
11. Bipod: Tool-less detachment featuring cant and pan/track capability.
12. Day optic: An Army specified variable power day optic and compatible rings.
13. Back up sights: Iron sights offset 45 deg from the DOS.
14. Sling attachment: Flush cup, quick detach sling attachment points.
15. Barrel and Receiver Life: Significant improvement from M110 requirements while enduring higher rates of fire.

In addition to the above listed enhancements, the CSASS must meet the operational and environmental requirements that were fulfilled by the original M110 SASS.

This means that the Army could be opening up the Compact Semi-Automatic Sniper System or M110 Carbine, as a free and open competition. There are some major implications here as Knights Armament Corp is the current incumbent for the M110.

The Government envisions the production requirement for CSASS is at an estimated range of 125 per month with a capability to ramp up to 325 per month.

For interested parties, the response date is 14 August, 2012.

www.FBO.gov

Posted in Contracts, Industry, PEO-Soldier, weapons | 27 Comments »

Disruptive Tech – 3D Printed AR-15 Lower

Tuesday, July 31st, 2012

Tactical Fanboy picked this up the other day. Despite assertions elsewhere, by no means is this the first 3D printed firearm. It’s starting to make its way into the Main Stream Media and of course timing couldn’t be better so the ‘plastic’ gun and ‘anyone can print a gun’ talk has already started. To be sure, 3D printing is the next big thing. Industry is way out on front of Government on this issue as they are more concerned with patent and copyright infringement than anything else. Expect to see industry propose legislation to attempt to throttle printers in order to suppress certain types of items being produced.

The big issue in this instance is that a lower was produced. As far as ATF is concerned, that is the firearm. It is legal to build your own gun. However, as this technology proliferates, what would stop someone who cannot legally possess a firearm from printing critical parts and assembling a gun from the parts he couldn’t produce in house? A heavy question that balances liberty and social responsibility.

Will LE one day be on the lookout for unlicensed printers connecting to the network? Will everything we print have to be approved by a central server? Will printing certain items become illegal? These are all issues we will face in the not-too-distant-future. The capability presented by the 3D printer makes it an absolute Disruptive Technology.

HaveBlue of AR15.com has managed to create a working polymer AR-15 lower made from a 3D printer, specifically a mid 90’s Stratasys 3D printer. So far, the lower has been combined with a .22 LR upper, with over 200 rounds fired and no issues. A 5.56 upper was also used, with some feeding and extraction issues, however according to the creator this upper has also had problems with a standard aluminum lower.

A few other articles I’ve seen on this project have instantly jumped at the chance to (incorrectly) claim people now have the ability to create fully-functional firearms using just a 3D printer, so in the name of truth and fairness, I feel it’s important to mention that only the lower was created with the printer, not the trigger assembly and other required components.

AR-15.com thread detailing the project

haveblue.org

Posted in Black Rifle, Disruptive Tech, Gadgets, Industry, TFB, weapons | 11 Comments »

Proposed High Capacity Magazine Bans and the Military

Tuesday, July 31st, 2012

From 1994 until 2004 the American firearms industry suffered under a form of prohibition. The “Assault Weapons Ban” not only covered weapon features but also magazines over 10 rounds. This legislation did nothing to alter crime and, once lifted did not result in any increased gun violence. Overall, it was useless legislation.

These very magazines and weapon features that were banned under the “Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994” have been crucial to the US Department of Defense’s and our Allies small modernization as part of operations in Iraq as well as globally against piracy, terror and general mayhem. During the 10-year period of the AWB, US businesses curtailed small arms innovation. The point of a business is to make money. When there is little market for a product (as was the case during the AWB), the business case is not there to service it. This was most definitely the situation with magazines for the M9 Beretta Handgun. Many who served early in the war will remember poorly produced high capacity magazines for that weapon. This is because there was no competition in the marketplace due to a lack of market. Rather, government contractors for that magazine were able to produce products that performed poorly on the battlefield. There was no competition. There was no innovation.

Since the ban was lifted, an entire industry has grown and flourished, producing innovative solutions for both law abiding citizens and our military alike. American troops are the best equipped in the world and other countries look to us for technical innovation in small arms.

On the heels of the tragedy in Aurora, Colorado, opportunistic members of Congress have attached an amendment to (S.A. 2575) to the “Cybersecurity Act” (S. 3414) that would once again restrict these magazines that are critical to our military.

Contact your Congressional representation (switchboard 202-225-3121) and let them know how you feel about this proposed legislation and the hijacking of the Cybersecurity Act by opportunists. A strong American firearms industry contributes directly to our National Defense.

Posted in Congress, Industry, weapons | 19 Comments »

NavELite – A History

Sunday, July 29th, 2012

We recently started talking to a really cool company called NavELite. They came highly recommended by some mutual friends. They sent us this great company history as background for a story but we thought it was so good that we should run it as is. Read this tonight. It will come in handy tomorrow.

NavELite, LLC
A Company History
When Survival Counts!!

Who We Are
NavELite is a Florida Limited Liability Company established in October 2010. The NavELite Backlit Magnetic Compass (BLMC) was invented and patented by two Special Operation Soldiers (Carroll and Andy) during the onset of the Global War on Terror.
(more…)

Tags: NavElite
Posted in Industry, Sensors | Comments Off on NavELite – A History

Chinook Medical Gear Launches New eCommerce Website

Sunday, July 29th, 2012

Chinook Medical Gear has unveiled a completely redesigned corporate website designed to improve the online shopping experience. It features improved functionality, enhanced product findability and broader information to streamline the sales, transaction and check-out process. It also offers download options for requesting product catalogs, product data and instructions, as well as custom ordering solutions and requesting quotations. Users can also now find easier access to Chinook’s company blog, Facebook and Twitter pages.

“We pride ourselves on providing excellent customer service,” said Jessica Denison, COO for Chinook Medical Gear. “Our new website is an extension of that service, and our commitment to ensure our customers have a positive experience every time they visit our website. In addition to the online store, our goal is to provide credible resources and information for anyone searching for information on the products and services we offer.”

Chinook also plans to implement a robust YouTube strategy geared to provide customers with live product demonstrations and reviews. In response to customer demand, integrating PayPal payments is currently in the works for release later this summer.

www.chinookmed.com

Tags: Chinook Medical Gear
Posted in Industry, Medical | 1 Comment »

Haley Strategic Partners Disruptive Industries AAR

Friday, July 27th, 2012

Disruptive Industries is a unique, invitation-only event bringing together Haley Strategic Partners’ industry affiliates with military and law enforcement representatives. Many in the defense sector do not have military or LE backgrounds and this event gives them a little taste of what it’s like. For industry, experiences like this are invaluable.

Disruptive Industries is designed to teach, inspire, build relationships, open communications and create new channels for innovation in the defense sector. Every experience has been devised to accomplish each of these tasks in one way or another, from training classes to meals and other organized social events. And they did all of that. Feedback from the participants was that the experience really opened their eyes. The operational side of things got to learn about what it takes to develop new products and the industry reps learned quite a bit about how their products are used and received direct feedback on what works and what doesn’t. Literally every company that participated walked away with with new thoughts on what and how they build as well as a new appreciation for who they build for.

During an ice breaker the first evening we went around the room introducing ourselves and Travis Haley set the tone. He talked about “why” he does what he does and explained that he is in the business of helping people. That really resonated with me seeing as how that is exactly why SSD was created. In fact, my original site, The Gear Guru was created for exactly the same reason. What followed was four days of learning, fun, friendship and inspiration.

(more…)

Tags: Disruptive Industries, Haley Strategic Partners, HSP
Posted in Disruptive Tech, Industry, Training | 6 Comments »

Purnell – A New Brand of Workwear for Industrial Athletes to Debut at Outdoor Retailer

Friday, July 27th, 2012

This is exciting news. Originally developed for windmill techs, Purnell’s new line of performance workwear is targeted at a new audience; the Industrial Athelet. What I find fascinating about this is that we are beginning to refer to the Soldier and LE Officer as Warrior Athletes. The concept of an Industrial Athlete parallels the Warrior Athlete movement. Hopefully we’ll also see an emphasis on functional fitness as well as the development of performance clothing and equipment.

Let’s face it. Many construction and industrial jobs require the workers to face hazardous conditions and extreme weather. Items like this FR Harness Hoodie are designed to be worn by those who find themselves suspended in a harness. Also, I’d hazard a guess that this is the first time that features like bicep pockets have been integrated into industrial clothing. They’ve also introduced a lightweight as well as a non-FR version of the garment.