Ultra-Lekki Plate Carrier – or Ultra Light PC is SPECOPS.PL’s answer to the latest move toward webbing free PALS compatible carriers.
Consisting of a dual 750D Cordura laminate, the carrier is designed to carry two SAPI plates with the option of attaching side plates via MOLLE pouches.
Available in two sizes which corresponds to small/medium and large/x-large plates, the carrier weighs in at less than 400g.
Available in all SPECOPS colors.
Unfortunately, we were remiss in wishing our French readers a happy Bastille Day. July 14th is their day of national independence and France was instrumental in our fight for independence. Each year the French celebrate with a large parade in Paris. Enjoy this year’s parade.
Once again, we apologize for missing Bastille Day. Vive La France!
We’ve received word that they’ve been adopted by military and Fire/Rescue units but it’s pretty to cool to hear about these Agilite products being used in a mine rescue.
Innovative rescue products designed for the Israeli Army and top US Special forces were used in a dramatic rescue underground in South Africa yesterday.
At least eight people were rescued after a nightmare three day ordeal underground that left three dead, allegedly at the hands of an armed rival illegal mining crew.
Graham Holmquist, from volunteer rescue organization, Riga Rescue, used Agilite’s “Instant Harness” a product that has become a must-have for many hikers, to lower a South African Police interpreter down into the shaft to communicate with the injured miners regarding the procedures to follow.
The Instant Harness is designed for scenarios where military, police, fire, rescue personnel or hikers require a harness without warning and without needing to carry a rapelling harness with them at all times.
“There was one point when we thought we would not be able to get the stokes basket safely into the mine shaft and we were going to use the IPC to extract the patients.” Said Holmquist who later tweeted:
“@Miracle_Medical I can tell you! That is one kick ass harness and every person in EMS, SAPS, FD, should have one”. on
To those unfamiliar, the “IPC,” known as “The Human Backpack” is another innovative Agilite rescue product that shot to fame when it was adopted by top United States Marine Corps units a year ago and a remarkable video showing the device in use with Israeli Commandos went viral. The IPC has even been adopted by disabled people.
“We have only been supplying Agilite equipment for a number of weeks now and people’s reactions to it have been both incredible and immediate. Clients in all sectors are now buying Agilite gear from us as its quality and innovative design is unsurpassed.” Said Jennie Greenhill of Miracle Medical, a distributor of emergency equipment in South Africa who supplied the rescuers. “The Agilite products come battle-tested but they’re already facing local challenges of a different kind here.”
This is the Smilodon from Canadian knife maker Peter Marzitelli. Check out his full line.
Thanks Hopper for the tip!
Remember this photo we posted of a blue variant of the Australian MultiCam Pattern developed for the Royal Australian Air Force? Apparently, it promoted a query to the Department of Defence.
Questions:
1.) Are there any variants (colour variants or otherwise) of the AMP being tested, considered, or evaluated. In particular, is there a ‘blue’ RAAF version as seen here (https://soldiersystems.net/2013/06/27/an-raaf-variant-of-amp/)
2.) Are there publicly available results of the comparative camouflage testing in which AMP featured? If not, when are these expected to be made available.
3.) What is the timeframe for the rollout of AMP to various units (including an variants), and will CPCU uniforms also be replaced?
A Defence Spokesman responded to all of the questions with this statement:
RAAF and Army currently wear the same Disruptive Pattern Camouflage Uniform (DPCU). RAAF is currently considering alternative patterns and/or colours which would easily identify Air Force personnel from Army personnel. The new uniform would provide the same protection from the elements as DPCU.
The image you are referring to is a prototype only. It was developed to provide a visual comparison to DPCU. This prototype is not being further considered. Patterns and/or colour variants of the new uniform are currently under development, hence no further information on timeframes can be provided at this time.
While we’re happy to see that this isn’t something that the RAAF plans on fielding, we have to wonder what these other variants might look like.
Thanks to N for the heads up!
Last week in the village of Steenwijk, the Dutch joint Soldier Systems Knowledge Centre (joint kenniscentrum militair & uitrusting) presented a display of some of the latest camouflage work.
On display was an entirely new pattern which is intended for all personal equipment, regardless of the uniform being worn (NFP-woodland or NFP-tan) like the OCIE pattern of the US Army Camouflage Improvement Effort. The pattern is still awaiting final approval from the Commander of the Dutch Forces with fielding commencing around 2014/2015. This should also include a new set of equipment with a plate carrier as a base, instead of the cureent issue ops vest.
Of particular interest was a trial uniform in Dutch DPM being worn by one of the Centre’s officers. It offers a different cut and pocket layout.
Earlier today, Arc’teryx shared a story about Canada’s RONIN Rescue being the first North American team to compete in the annual GRIMP DAY (Group de Recconnaissance Interventione Millieux Perilleux) held in Belgium. This year’s event was in June and saw 34 international teams of rescue workers consisting of police, army, and civil defense experts competing in a number of rope rescue scenarios.
If I’d say, I have one take away from the article, it would be, “Vive le Difference”. Not only do we have different protocols here in Canada and the US than those in Europe but the environments are somewhat different as well. Differences in TTPs served as both help and hindrance for Team RONIN Rescue. Initially, the them used North American safety protocols to rig their systems but found themselves falling behind by mid-day as they negotiated six different scenarios. But their different point of view also helped them.
“There’s no wide stairways and elevator access to transport your gear; anchor points are very different. So we adapted,’ explains team leader Kevin Ristau. “For example, we approached a parking lot extraction like a confined space scenario, raising and lowering our patient on a 4:1 mechanical advantage system. No other team even thought to approach the location in that manner. We gained time with that one.’
As for how Arc’teryx fits in to, they provided some great clothing for the team.
This kind of out of the box thinking is what Arc’teryx is all about. “These guys operate at the very highest level of skills and resourcefulness. It’s a privilege to work with them,’ says James Bronson, Arc’teryx Pro and Industry Sales Supervisor. Bronson supported each member of the team with a Heli Guide Jacket in addition to the Talos LT Halfshell and Drac Pant from Arc’teryx LEAF (Law Enforcement Armed Forces).
To read the whole piece visit www.arcteryx.com/Article.aspx?EN&article=GRIMP-DAY-Canadian-Style
-L Graves
Björn from Poltec asked us to say “Hi” and that he had a great day at the range!
Weiß Du Patrick, als Ich junger war, wohnte Ich in Würzburg. Ich war beim FernspahAbteiling der 3. Inf Div.
