The Battle of Long Tan is iconic in the Australian and New Zealand experience in the Vietnam War. A labor of love, this project has been a development for over 10 years.
In August 1966, in a Vietnamese rubber plantation called Long Tan, 108 young and mostly inexperienced Australian and New Zealand soldiers are fighting for their lives against 2500 North Vietnamese and Viet Cong soldiers.
In cinemas beginning August 8th in Australia. Hopefully, we’ll see it here in the US.
The Corvus Defensio Aimpoint Micro assembly fulfills one of our long cherished wishes. With regard to optics systems for assault rifles and semi-automatic rifles, we have long been convinced by so-called “piggyback” solutions for many different reasons. Since nothing can replace a classic red dot sight without magnification – and parallax free at best – in close range and any lighting condition, modern rifles in sports and military are most likely seen with these kind of sights. But in both areas, these weapons can be used effectively up to 500 meters. Here (and in the area of target identification also at closer distances), however, magnifying optics are of greater advantage. One approach is to use variable magnification optics, which can typically be magnified from 1-3x up to 1-10x and used as a red dot sight at simple magnification. The disadvantage of these systems, however, is usually that even with 1x magnification it must be targeted through an optical lens system, including effects such as exit pupil, correct eye relief, sometimes slight distortions and the so-called “eye box” (the picture is only visible in a limited area). Furthermore, each time the magnification is to be adjusted, the support hand must be removed from the weapon to operate any kind of lever.
With piggyback systems one can combine the advantages of both “optics worlds”. But these solutions bring various disadvantages. In most cases, the height of the piggyback mounted red dot sights is too high to ensure a neat attack with at least the touch of the chin to the stock. In addition, the red dot sights used are almost exclusively mini red dots based on the principle of open construction (eg Docter Sight, RMR, MRDS, etc.). This makes them particularly susceptible to contamination, as even a small foreign body over the exit point of the light beam causes the point to be invisible.
Corvus Defensio now dares claim to have developed a solution for the most compact, elegant, robust and reliable Red Dot / Optic combination. For the first time it is possible to combine our personally favored optics of both worlds, namely a Trijicon TA33 Compact ACOG with an Aimpoint Micro (H and T models, version 1 and 2 as well as Holosun derivatives) with the lowest possible height. These advantages are particularly evident when this combination is used with a Steyr AUG with the special Corvus Defensio housing rails, as this further reduces the overall height.
The Corvus Defensio TA33 APM mount allows direct attachment of Aimpoint Micro and Holosun red dot sights to Compact ACOGs of the TA33 series with mounting bumpers originally designed for Trijicon’s RMR series. Attachment of an Aimpoint Micro still allows ACOG height adjustment control and can be fitted with a clear, hinged Aimpoint protective cover to prevent dirt from entering the assembly and obscuring the ACOG’s eyepiece. Like all our products, the assembly is made of high quality 7075 aluminum and is milled from solid and hard anodized.
This is a direct link to TA33 APM photo Montage from Corvus Defensio.
CORVUS DEFENSIO: www.corvusdefensio.com
SPARTANAT: www.spartanat.com
The diving equipment company outer-limits is not only providing solutions for special forces they also lures them in to the mountains. There, at a lake, an international, professional clientele gathers to introduce the latest devices for working underwater. We were there last year and show you everything for Combat swimmers and amphibious forces.
The EXPERIENCE WEEK of outer-limits usually pushes operators to their limits. At least as far as the weather is concerned. Traditionally, it is rather cold and rainy. Last year, due to climate change: warm and sunny. The dive center on the lake offers ideal working conditions, the container serves as material store, the tent as an exhibition hall for the latest diving equipment.
Who works, should keep it easy. Every gram counts. RolaTube masts are made of composite material and can be rolled up easily. It does not always has to be an antenna.
outer-limits designed adapters and grappling hooks for the top, as well as an ultra-light flexible fabric ladder to make the boarding if not a snap, but a pleasure.
Advanced Scuba Diving Solutions are offered by SHARK MARINE. With floating GPS antenna, so the connection does not break off, as well as with DNS function for navigation without any surface connection.
The outer-limits EXPERIENCE WEEK is also very popular among special forces because the latest equipment can not only be viewed, but also experienced. Here it goes with sharkmarine directly into the water.
Into the water, perfectly equipped by outer-limits: divers with SIELMIMANO MK4 rebreather, outer-limits RIPSTOP drysuit and outer-limits tarable and submersible backpack. The Ops-Core BUMP helmet, the SCUBAPRO diving goggles with the tactical HUD, in addition with the navigation aid DIVE TABLET 2 from SHARK MARINE. Perfectionists are using fins with the new, stick-on camouflage strips in Multicam by SCUBAPRO.
Breaching is not just on land. Here are the underwater chrushing and spreading tools from LIBERVIT. It is a hydraulic system that operates completely independently off the surface. LIBERVITis the only manufacturer worldwide that offers such a surface-independent system.
The whole thing is complemented with a classic set of crushing and spreading tools from LIBERVIT.
Everything is ready for your use on the peaceful lake: crushing and spreading tool from LIBERVIT.
Off to the water and try it out personally.
Indigo Tactical offers special fins for emergency responders. The shutter looks like a ski boot
or can work with Velcro. The upper part is screwed to the fin, which is available in different sizes. The lateral stiffening parts are available in different degrees of hardness.
Knowing where to dive is one of the key challenges. UWIS from Finland has a practical solution for it.
The GPS system, triangulates the position of the diver and can be used where to prepare the dive.
The UWIS transmitter floats in the water.
The UWIS Tablet shows the exact position of the diver.
The complete, practical system comes in a suitcase.
Combat swimmers do not always have to rely on their physical condition: SUEX offers a variety of DPV’s and DPD’s (Diver Propulsin Vehicles and Diver Propulsion Devices) and DTC (Dry Tube Containers). These devices allow approaches from up to 25km away.
Ready for use: In front of the water a dive container with 30 liters (there are also 40, 80 and 120 liters), which is moved by combat swimmers with DPVs. SUEX is the world leader in the design and manufacturer of these specialized military devices. outer-limits is Senior Consultant of SUEX and responsible for international authority business as well as for training and education. Incidentally, the diver wears SCUBAPRO scuba diving goggles with the tactical Galileo HUD (Heads-Up Dive Computer), a full dive computer with GPS.
This is “heavy duty”: a diver equipped with the DEEP SEA system returns ashore. The DEEP SEA helmet is made of carbon, thereforeit is much lighter than other models. The production takes place in Switzerland at COMPOSITE Beat Engel.
The camouflage pattern from outer-limits is called chameleon. outer-limits dry suits are the ideal, durable workwear for amphibious special forces. Some drysuit models are also FR / flame retardant and have a minimized IR signature.
Always ready for action: the rebreather Mk4 CSC TWIN from SIEL/OMG has also been tested extensive. SIEL / OMG offers, as well as others, A-MAG and LOW-MAG versions. Enclosed the outer-limits drysuit suit for special forces in NATO green.
Quiet activity at the mountain lake. All special equipment is thoroughly tested.
Special production of a weapons bag from outer-limits for an international special unit. The weapon with optics is packaged waterproof during the dive. In case of emergency, glove penetration guarantees that the operator can shoot from the shell.
If you go diving, you need rock boots. Altama OTB Maritime Assault have prevailed internationally for easier tasks. They are also available at outer-limits.
On the lake: SR TACTICAL from Germany. Produced in cooperation with outer-limits an amphibious plate carrier, and also a weapon light which is submersible.
At the end of an outer-limits EXPERIENCE WEEK day, it´s getting quiet on the lake.
outer-limits is the international distributor for all those companies who presented their products at EXPERIENCE WEEK. All the equipment shown and the corresponding training are available via outer-limits. Contact: office@outer-limits.at
Outer limits on Internet: www.outer-limits.at
SPARTANAT: www.spartanat.com
Varusteleka is a leading Finnish purveyor of hard-to-find surplus and other outdoor equipment. They have created a house brand called Särmä with a goal of purpose built products at a great price. Their latest Särmä creation is the Wool Field Shirt.
Inspired by the Bundeswehr’s classic M-1975 field shirt, it is made from a fabric consisting of 65 % recycled wool, 30 % polyester and 5 % other fibers.
The Särmä Wool Field Shirt will be available for order beginning 17 August, which is incidentally the start date of their annual Lekafest. It will be offered in green and dark gray in a variety of sizes.
www.varusteleka.com/en/product/sarma-wool-field-shirt/62384
CHARLESTON, W. Va. — West Virginia Army National Guard (WVARNG) Special Forces Soldiers with the 2nd Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne) recently completed the first irregular and unconventional warfare training iteration for members of the Polish Territorial Defense Forces and Latvian Zemmessardze as a part of the Ridge Runner program in West Virginia.
Ridge Runner is a WVARNG training program that provides various National Guard, active duty, and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) ally nation armed forces training and experience to in irregular and asymmetrical warfare tactics and operations.
Both nations have newly established national guard-type forces for their militaries, the Territorial Defense Forces for Poland and the Zemmesardze for Latvia, that are focused on the defense of their homeland and resistance against an aggressor.
“The conclusion of this Ridge Runner training is an exceptionally important milestone for both West Virginia and our allies in Poland and Latvia, who we have a longstanding relationship within our State through the State Partnership Programs with the Illinois and Michigan National Guards,” said Maj. Gen. James Hoyer, Adjutant General of the West Virginia National Guard. “West Virginia is the perfect venue for our highly trained special forces to help these two nations’ military forces develop the skills vital to their mission at home, which is extraordinarily important in this era of geo-political uncertainty.”
“This exercise provides us a unique set of skills needed in developing our unconventional warfare skill sets,” said Marek Zaluski, acting public information officer for the Polish Territorial Defense Forces. “Our primary role is similar to that of the National, which is to support the local communities. In addition, we serve as a reserve base for conventional forces. Here at Ridge Runner, we developed skills beyond that. We’ve learned how to work with Special Forces, serve as liaisons, how to speak the same language, have the interoperability and cooperation.”
He continued, “We greatly appreciate the opportunity to train with the West Virginia National Guard, through Ridge Runner and the State Partnership Program. All those skills being developed go right along with what we learn at home. The soldiers who came with us for this exercise were specifically handpicked from a larger group because they represent the skills needed to operate with the Special Forces community as liaisons, pathfinders, and as people who are the points of contact in case of an unconventional warfare situation.”
Ridge Runner’s mission is to develop and execute irregular warfare training across the State of West Virginia that contributes to the development of Special Operations Forces’ (SOF) and General-Purpose Forces’ (GPF) irregular warfare understanding and capabilities, in order to support national security.
The Ridge Runner program operates in different parts of the state because of its diverse training needs and the terrain the State of West Virginia offers. Ridge Runner is held numerous times per year to train forces in both the United States and around the world.
The State Partnership Program (SPP) is a National Guard Bureau initiative that links states and territories with partner countries around the world to foster mutual interests, establish long-term relations, enhance U.S. national security interests, and promote political stability. Through the SPP program, the Illinois National Guard is partnered with Poland and the Michigan National Guard is partnered with Latvia.
Story by CPT Holli Nelson, West Virginia National Guard
Photos by Edwin Wriston
Finally, the inaugural issue of the online magazine “Gear Up” is available.
It’s been a long go, but they just released the first issue. I am not involved, but you should check it out, all the same.
Check it out here.
The high-tech Rheinmetall Group continues to pursue a strategy of industrial consolidation. Now that the competition authorities have given the project the go-ahead, a military vehicle joint venture between Rheinmetall and BAE Systems in the United Kingdom is poised for final implementation.
Moreover, a buyback of shares held by MAN Truck & Bus SE in the joint venture company Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles GmbH (RMMV) is set to further strengthen Rheinmetall in the wheeled armoured vehicles realm, one of the Group’s mainstays.
The planned partial buyback of stock held by MAN Truck & Bus SE in the joint venture Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles GmbH (RMMV) increases the share of the present Tactical Vehicles business unit to 100%. The two partners will continue to cooperate in the field of military trucks through their joint venture Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles, in which Rheinmetall holds a 51% stake. The joint venture recently won major orders from Australia and the German Bundeswehr.
As co-owners of RMMV, Rheinmetall and MAN agree that the tactical wheeled vehicle business will grow more robustly under exclusive Rheinmetall management, i.e. outside the RMMV framework.
The Tactical Vehicles business unit is synonymous with products such as the Boxer and Fuchs/Fox wheeled armoured vehicles and the Survivor R tactical law enforcement vehicle. Rheinmetall was recently selected to supply Her Majesty’s Armed Forces with a large number of 8×8 Boxer armoured vehicles. Last year in Australia, Rheinmetall won a roughly €2.1 billion order for the Boxer, one of the largest single contracts in the Group’s history.
The share buyback is due to take place during the second half of 2019, taking retroactive legal effect on 1 January 2019.
Joint Venture with BAE Systems in Great Britain
In January 2019 Rheinmetall and BAE Systems announced that they would be setting up a UK-based joint venture to facilitate cooperation in the land systems field. Rheinmetall thus welcomes the recently published announcement of the British procurement authority CMA approving the creation of a military vehicle joint venture between Rheinmetall and BAE Systems. The formal foundation of the joint venture, to be known as Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land, is expected to take place shortly. The company will be located in Telford, England.
The new wheeled armoured Mechanised Infantry Vehicle for the British Army, and the pending modernization of the UK’s fleet of Challenger 2 main battle tanks, are two important projects which the new company will be vying for.
Rheinmetall’s Vehicle Systems division
The Vehicle Systems division of Rheinmetall AG was formed on 1 January 2016. With annual sales last year of €1.6 billion, it is one of the world’s foremost suppliers of military vehicles. The division is the Düsseldorf-based Group’s centre of excellence for military vehicles ranging from unprotected and protected trucks to heavy armoured fighting vehicles. Serving markets around the globe, the Vehicle Systems division is responsible for Rheinmetall’s complete spectrum of military trucks, including the TG and HX logistic vehicles; tracked and wheeled tactical vehicles like the Fuchs/Fox, Boxer*, Puma* and Lynx; and turret solutions for armoured fighting vehicles – all from a single source.
* jointly produced with other contractors
