Ottawa, Canada/ 01 February 2017 PHLster & Millbrook Tactical Inc. are dedicated to provide world-class operational equipment to law enforcement, military, government agencies and the civilian shooter. They have teamed up to bring the entire PHLster product line to Canada through Millbrook’s Canada wide dealer network. Dealer inquiries should be directed to info@millbrookcanada.ca.
We recently mentioned the Dutch Arm’s Smart Tactical Vest which featured the equipment variant of the Netherlands Fractal Pattern.
Not long ago, there was a meeting where testing of new C4I and personal equipment was discussed. A platoon had tested the equipment (from Elbit and Marom Dolphin) and direct feedback was offered, along with the opportunity to ask questions directly from the program lead and business representatives.
There was a mix of the woodland and desert versions of NFP on hand. Noteworthy, is that some of the armored vests incorporated the T-belt system which acts as a spine, transfering the weight of the vest to the hips. It was mentioned that this system will probably be issued. Also, a backpack included a hinge system allowing it to use the hip belt while carrying an armored vest.
Implementation should start near the end of 2017.
MKEK’s MPT-76 or National Infantry Rifle is a modular battle rifle designed to replace the G3 currently in service with the Turkish Armed Forces. Chambered for 7.62x51mm NATO, the MPT features a free-floating, cold hammer forged 16″ barrel with a 1:10 twist rate, and a short-stroke gas piston system. A bit of AR influence can be found in the MPT’s design, in regards to the forward assist, rearward charging handle, and selector switch; these later two components, along with the magazine release are also designed to be ambidextrous. The MPT also features a retractible buttstock; modular quad rail forend; folding front and rear sights; 20-round translucent polymer magazine; and grenade launcher and shotgun interfaces.
INVISIO (IVSO) has received a follow-up order for communication and hearing protection systems from one of the company’s existing customers within NATO. The order is worth approximately SEK 11 million and delivery is planned to take place in the first part of 2017.
INVISIO’s advanced communication systems with hearing protection enable professionals working in noisy and mission-critical environments to communicate and collaborate effectively. The systems consist of headsets and control units connected to an external team radio or a vehicle’s intercom system, for example.
Late last Fall, the Philippine Army adopted a new camouflage pattern (Army CAMOPAT) developed by Canada’s Hyperstealth Biotechnology Corp. Hyperstealth has been quite successful in developing patterns for other international clients including Jordan, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Jamaica and the Mexican Marine Corps as well as developmental efforts in support of both the US Army and Marine Corps and the Canadian military’s CBRNE unit.
The Rappler.com published a sighting of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, a retired officer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, wearing the new pattern during a gisit to Lanao del Sur.
Beginning in 2016, the Dutch Army purchased 80 Smart Vests. The Smart Vest is a ballistic vest with an integrated, mobile communication system which includes GPS and Blue Force Tracking, and is a part of the material project, Improved Operational Soldier System (VOSS). With a comms package by the Israeli firm Elbit and battery and GPS systems from Thales Netherlands, the Army plans to begin fielding 5,500 examples of the Smart Vest in 2017.
In the photo below, from the Dutch Army newspaper, a member of C Company from the 42nd Battalion “Limburgse Jagers”, tests a prototype of the Smart Vest, which took place over a three week period. The evaluation results will be shared with the manufacturers for any possible improvements.
As you can see in this second photo, the Smart Vest is in the equipment camo variant of NFP. During the US Army’s Camouflage Improvement Effort, there was to be a family of camouflage patterns developed with three-to-four patterns, all sharing common shapes and geometry. The first would be for Transitional use. Additional bookends for Woodland and Arid environments were to be offered as well as an optional fourth pattern specifically for use with Organizational Clothing and Individual Equipment, although most contenders chose to use their Transitional patterns for this purpose. The Netherlands Fractal Pattern program takes a similar approach, with specialty patterns for different environments. Coincidentally, this is the first public photo of the NFP equipment pattern. The combat shirt is a trial version as well, although it is in a Coyote color.
The Smart Vest is powered by the E-lighter, a Fokker developed portable diesel generator, which provides 48 hours of power. Like the Smart Vest, the E-Lighter is an independent subproject under VOSS, with development almost complete.
MINNEAPOLIS (December 20, 2016) — Public Works and Procurement Canada (PSPC) has awarded its Ultra-Light Combat Vehicle (ULCV) contract to Polaris, following an open and competitive bid process. The $15.5 USD million contract includes DAGOR vehicles, maintenance and operator training, spare parts, and the option for additional vehicles (at an additional cost) to meet the requirements of Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM).
Ultralight ground mobility is at the forefront of many military’s needs – especially the Canadian Special Forces, which can deploy on extremely short notice for counter-terrorism operations and other time-sensitive Special Operation Forces (SOF) missions. The DAGOR ultra-light combat vehicle is just as deployable and was designed to be modular and light-weight to support a variety of expeditionary missions.
The ULCV contract is structured to provide CANSOFCOM with a custom vehicle to meet Canada’s unique SOF requirement. The flexible DAGOR platform will undergo engineering and mission configurations to incorporate new features and capabilities, including redesigned payload configuration, weapons mounts, electrical system improvements, and integrated communication systems. The final vehicle configuration, testing, and production of the ULCV will be a collaborative effort with CANSOFCOM.
“We are extremely pleased to have won the contract following the competitive process to provide our DAGOR vehicles to CANSOFCOM as this major international program award builds on our strong current domestic base,” said John Olson, PhD, vice president and general manager of Polaris Government and Defense. “We are proud to partner with the Canadian government and industry to deliver this ground mobility capability and the lifecycle support to smartly sustain it. Our program management, engineering, operations, and logistics teams are looking forward to working closely with our Canadian customer.
Olson added, “We greatly appreciated PSPC’s professionalism and found the ULCV procurement to be rigorous, thorough and well-executed as they delivered clear requirements, were extremely responsive to industry questions, and crisply executed the entire effort.”
With seating for up to nine, DAGOR comprises the optimal balance of rapid air transportability, payload capacity and advanced mobility. DAGOR gives an advantage back to dismounted warfighters, allowing formations to move faster, carry more and significantly reduce combat fatigue. And its weight and size allow it to be internally transportable on a variety of in-service aircraft, including CH-47 and C-130.
Polaris Government and Defense vehicles deliver a coveted combination of deployability, versatility and off-road mobility, forged from more than 60 years of off-road vehicle experience that is simply unmatched. Vehicles include the rugged Sportsman MV 850, the modular and nimble MRZR, and the DAGOR, which expands upon the range, payload and off-road mobility of any previous tactical off-road vehicle. The enhanced tactical mobility provided by Polaris Government and Defense gives an advantage back to dismounted troops, allowing formations to move faster, carry more and significantly reduce combat fatigue. Polaris FSR support is scalable worldwide and includes military vehicle training, service and maintenance. It also can be supplemented internationally through the Polaris network of distributors. And because Polaris vehicles are in service throughout the world, there is a high degree of interoperability and commonality among U.S. and allied forces.
High Range Outdoors’ SR20 V2 Pack is now available. The SR20 V2, or Short Range 20L V2, is a 20 liter day pack designed for a wide rage of uses, including assault pack, lightweight overnight pack, or even a bushcraft pack. Available with either a roll top or draw collar, the SR20 features 4×7 side and 6×4 front MOLLE/PALS webbing for the attachment of additional load carrying pouches. The frame sheet, sternum strap, and compression straps are removable, and the SR20 also comes with an internal hydration sleeve & hose port. Additionally the SR20 comes complete with adjustable shoulder straps, an under ld pocket, and two accessory loops.
The SR20 V2 is being offered in the following colorways:
The SR20 V2 is made in Australia from US-sourced Cordura 500D nylon.
www.highrangeoutdoors.com.au/products/sr20-plain-colours
