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TYR Tactical Awarded Multi-Million Dollar Overt Integrated Armor Contract by the Federal Bureau of Investigation

Monday, March 22nd, 2021

In August 2020, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) awarded a fixed firm price Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) for the FBI Overt Integrated Armor. This win marks the second contract award from the FBI for TYR Tactical body armor in a row, the first being the ULVCT contract in March 2020. The TYR Tactical EPIC FED design solution outperformed all other competitors in the most rigorous testing requirements established in the Body Armor Industry for both ballistic and performance capabilities. The BPA awards a spending maximum of $30M over five years.

Mr. Beck, TYR Tactical’s founder, CEO and designer emphasized “This partnership with the FBI gives TYR Tactical the ability to protect agents to the greatest ability technology can offer. I do this because it is my passion and I focus my career and livelihood on this mission, serving those that serve and protect us.”

Mission sets that agents are exposed to change rapidly in the field. TYR Tactical’s EPIC Fed is a modular, tailorable, scalable solution that allows agents to scale their body armor while in the field. The body armor vest provides soft and hard armor protection and attachment of various pouches, zip-on back panels, and ballistic accessories. Its design is a quick-release Taktic buckle system that provides easy access to agents for donning and doffing their vest. Built-in magazine and administrative pockets keep agents organized and prepared for the unknown. Strategically placed identification placard locations are in five vest areas, ensuring proper identification regardless of the agent’s position. The feature-rich, full coverage body armor vest is designed for the male and female anatomy. TYR Tactical has been creating female body armor since 2013 and has several patents based upon its unique shape and design. Over the years, the extensive testing that has taken place is applied to this carrier’s design for the FBI.

TYR Tactical utilized its patented Ballistic Vein as a staple to the integrity of this carrier’s ballistic performance. The Ballistic Vein increases the ballistic performance by up to 40% reduction of backface in comparison to other competitors performance. Additionally, the ballistic vein is a patented panel suspension and energy dispersing platform that retains the carrier in proper alignment, prevents bunching, and supports the soft armor to improve edg shot protection.

TYR Tactical’s soft armor, NFA3/10, is designed to be a flexible, light-weight patent-pending solution that is certified NIJ 0101.06 Level IIIA and the FBI’s demanding ballistic standards.

This opportunity has led to an increase of 22 jobs in Peoria, Arizona, manufacturing the EPIC Fed Body Armor and Soft Armor.

The EPIC FED will be released and featured in TYR Tactical’s 2021 catalog. Continue to check our Instagram, Facebook, and website, www.tyrtactical.com, regularly for updates. For further questions, email info@tyrtactical.com or call 623-240-1400.

Here is a copy of the Press Release:

Posted in Advertiser, Armor, Contracts, LE, Press Release | 2 Comments »

AARDVARK Named Exclusive North American Distributor of Sky-Hero LOKI MK2

Thursday, March 18th, 2021

La Verne, CA: AARDVARK is excited to announce that it has partnered with Sky-Hero of Belgium to be the exclusive North American distributor for the LOKI Mk2 Tactical sUAS. Designed in conjunction with several of the world’s top counterterror units, LOKI Mk2 is a rugged, purpose-built sUAS intended to act as a scout for close-quarter, confined space, and indoor missions. LOKI Mk2 requires no internet service, no GPS, no phone or tablet connection, and has no forced software updates, making it mission capable in seconds from virtually anywhere. LOKI Mk2 performs in almost any lighting condition, seamlessly transitioning from sunlight to complete darkness. With a highly sensitive Night-Day + IR sensor camera and high-gain microphone, LOKI Mk2 provides real-time video and audio back to the team.

By utilizing an analog-based communications system, the connection between the sUAS and Stand-Alone Ground Controller has no lag or freezing issues, preventing crashes and ensuring real-time intelligence. Moreover, the ability to control multiple sUAS simultaneously from a single controller allows a single pilot to observe several areas at once. The LOKI Mk2’s rugged design and integrated flight stabilization system ensures total flight control in very confined spaces, as well as the ability to withstand the “full contact” nature of indoor flight. If crashed during an operation, the LOKI Mk2 can remotely self-right, allowing the mission to continue.

“We’re very excited about the capability the Loki Mk2 can bring to our operators. Although consumer sUAS systems certainly bring enhanced capability, there is nothing on the market that is purpose-built for tactical operations like LOKI. This system allows a pilot to put a camera anywhere, which prevents having to put an operator in harm’s way. I’m convinced this system will save countless lives.”
– Jon Becker, CEO, AARDVARK

LOKI Mk2 is now exclusively sold in North America by AARDVARK. Developed, tested, and built in Europe by NATO allies, the LOKI Mk2 is the go-anywhere, secure, and easy to use sUAS your operation has been waiting for. Visit Loki.AardvarkTactical.com to learn more.

To download the brochure, click here.

Posted in LE, Press Release, UAS | 1 Comment »

TYR Tactical Awarded Multi-Million Dollar Concealable Body Armor Contract by the Federal Bureau of Investigation

Monday, March 15th, 2021

In March of 2020, the Federal Bureau of Investigation awarded a fixed price Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) for Ultra-Low Vis Concealable Body Armor. The TYR Tactical Ultra Low Vis Compression Top (ULVCT) design solution outperformed all other competitors in the most rigorous testing requirements established in the Body Armor Industry for both ballistic and performance capabilities. The BPA awards a spending maximum of $30M over five years.

Jason Beck previously held the FBI contract from 2002 – 2013 under his former company. Bringing this contract back under his leadership with TYR Tactical’s design and manufacturing capabilities has been a mission in the making since the establishment of TYR Tactical in 2010. Mr. Beck states “This award encompasses what our mission is here at TYR Tactical, Innovate or Die. We live by this mantra and it is enstilled in all of our products. Each product that is designed is tailored to the user to enhance their capabilities. TYR Tactical will always focus on innovating new and better products and push our industry to do the same. We are honored and proud to serve the men and women of FBI and other DOJ agencies.”

The ULVCT is the most concealable vest that TYR Tactical has ever created. Based upon the FBI’s rigorous requirements, TYR Tactical was able to implement their design philosophy of fit, form, and function into a tailorable ULVCT. This carrier forms around the user so that it allows for complete movement without compromising concealability. The gender variations provide comfort for both male and female anatomy, giving proper coverage to female agents where this has been an oversight in the past. TYR Tactical has been designing female body armor since 2013 and has been awarded several patents based upon its unique shape and design. The extensive testing that has taken place over the years has been applied to the design of this concealable carrier for the FBI.

TYR Tactical’s soft armor, NFA2/10, is designed to be a flexible, light-weight, ultra-low vis patent-pending solution that is not only certified NIJ 0101.06 Level II, but also the FBI’s demanding ballistic standards.

This opportunity has led to an increase of 14 jobs in Peoria, Arizona, manufacturing the Ultra-Low Vis Concealable Top and Soft Armor.

The ULVCT will be released and featured in TYR Tactical’s 2021 catalog. Continue to check our Instagram, Facebook, and website, www.tyrtactical.com, regularly for updates. For further questions, email info@tyrtactical.com or call 623-240-1400.

Posted in Advertiser, Armor, Contracts, LE, Press Release | 3 Comments »

Spirit of Blue Awards Tourniquet Grant to Oceanside Police Department

Sunday, March 14th, 2021

OCEANSIDE, CALIFORNIA – March 10, 2021 – The Spirit of Blue Foundation announced that it has awarded a Safety Equipment Grant to the Oceanside Police Department (OPD) to outfit their entire force of officers with lifesaving tourniquets inside of rugged carrying pouches. The OPD uniform policy was amended to include mandatory wear of the North American Rescue Gen7 C-A-T Tourniquet inside of a Blue Force Gear Tourniquet NOW! Pouch as part of its official uniform. The grant was funded in large part by a strategic partnership with Law Enforcement United, along with contributions collected by the Oceanside Police Officers’ Association through a GoFundMe campaign, and is valued at $17,588.

“We are very grateful for Spirit of Blue’s generosity. In the past, individual officers have purchased their own tourniquets and put them to use when providing aide to injured members of the public. With Spirit of Blue’s very generous donation, all officers are now positioned to aid one another and our community, should the need arise,” commented Capt. Fred Armijo, Interim Chief of Police for the Oceanside Police Department. “We are also very grateful for the efforts of Oceanside Firefighter-Paramedic Bryan Howell for spear-heading this effort.”

Firefighter-Paramedic Bryan Howell of the Oceanside Fire Department had originally launched the effort to equip OPD officers with tourniquets. He often supports the OPD SWAT Team as a medic and recognized that officers lacked this lifesaving tool. He created a GoFundMe page, in collaboration with the Oceanside Police Officers’ Association, and began taking donations in from members of the community. Spirit of Blue became aware of the campaign and offered to cover the balance of funds required in order to get the tourniquets purchased.

Tourniquets have proven to be incredibly effective in stemming blood flow to an injured extremity, and their use has vastly improved the survivability of soldiers in combat over the last two decades. That learning overseas is now being leveraged to save injured law enforcement officers here at home. When only precious minutes exist to treat such an injury, tourniquets are able to be applied individually or on a fellow officer to prevent excessive blood loss until that individual can be placed into medical care. As a secondary benefit, officers who carry a tourniquet are also able to use them to rescue a member of the community who may have experienced a similar type of injury. Spirit of Blue Foundation will replace any tourniquet that is used in the line of duty for the duration of an officer’s career so that no officer who uses their tourniquet will have to go without one in the future.

To date, Spirit of Blue has granted 4,420 tourniquets nationwide which have resulted in 14 documented saves – 13 of community members by officers with granted equipment and one save of a Kentucky State Trooper which came in June of 2019.

“This is a great department,” stated Dale Stockton, Spirit of Blue Board Chairman. “They were very appreciative and I know these tourniquets will go a long way towards enhancing safety for their officers and community members.”

The lead sponsor for the grant was Law Enforcement United (LEU), who has supported Spirit of Blue with over $382,000 in safety grant funding since 2015. LEU is an organization of active and retired police officers who honor fallen officers and raise funds to assist charitable organizations that serve the law enforcement community. Each year LEU members ride 250 miles or more into Washington, DC to participate in National Police Week events and carry flags in honor of fallen officers which are given to the surviving family members upon their arrival. Since its founding in 2009, LEU has raised over $7,250,000 for law enforcement causes.

Other sponsors include the Ford Fund and Sportsmen Organized for Law Enforcement, along with assistance from North American Rescue and Blue Force Gear who offered special pricing on the equipment.

On average, 150 officers are lost in the line of duty each year, but losses have increased dramatically due to COVID-19, reaching 354 last year. The leading cause of death (other than disease) was automobile related with 47, while firearm deaths followed closely at 45 in 2020. The reality of these statistics, and the increasing number of underfunded law enforcement agencies across the country, fuel the Spirit of Blue safety grant initiative.

The Spirit of Blue Foundation actively encourages the public at large to honor and appreciate law enforcement officers who serve and protect our communities. By supporting the Spirit of Blue Foundation, the public can make an impact in the lives of law enforcement officers every day. To learn more about the Spirit of Blue, or to become an annual member, visit www.spiritofblue.org.

Posted in Charity, LE, Medical, Press Release | Comments Off on Spirit of Blue Awards Tourniquet Grant to Oceanside Police Department

Air Force Security Forces Center to improve US government-wide working dog programs

Sunday, March 14th, 2021

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas (AFNS) —

The Air Force Security Forces Center-led Government Working Dog Category Intelligence Team aims to improve the cost, process and procurement of government working dogs across 14 federal agencies.

The team recently submitted the Working Dog Category Intelligence Report, which looked into the requirements of maintaining working dogs within the Department of Defense, Department of State, Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice, in an effort to identify gaps and opportunities, recommend more effective and efficient sourcing strategies, close gaps between current practices and share government and industry best practices.

Scott R. Heise, team lead and director of Air Force Security & Protection Category Management’s Program Management Office for AFSFC, said “The report identified some crucial gaps, such as the procurement process.”

“All of us have the same need for working dogs, but the way we source them is very different,” Heise said. “Even our requirements are different and this inconsistency makes it difficult for the vendors to try to keep up and maintain a supply of high-quality working dogs. Simple things, like the age of the dog or the type of socialization it gets prior to delivery, present challenges for the vendors.”

“If all the agencies give vendors one integrated demand forecast, then the vendors can develop a better plan to meet our needs and satisfy the demand,” Heise added.

“The improved procurement process will allow Air Force Defenders the ability to better manage their MWD programs, making them healthier and stronger at the tactical, operational and strategic levels,” said Master Sgt. Steven Kaun, AFSFC Military Working Dog program manager.

“This streamlined process will pair up more canines with more handlers across the Air Force and allow garrison, and even up to combatant commanders, to have more assets on hand to accomplish their missions,” Kaun said. “And it also helps give some of our older, hard-working dogs a much deserved, timely retirement.”

In addition to the procurement process, the report provided six recommendations to improve the GWD program:

1. Establish an annual purchase forecast to both the contiguous United States and outside-CONUS vendors, which will help with the breeding and preparation process

2. Implement acquisition best practices to guide agencies during the procurement process

3. Provide the Customs and Border Protection Agency opportunities to work with OCONUS vendors, which will give the agency more options to source working dogs

4. Establish a small business breeder communication plan to help develop a larger U.S. vendor base

5. Build standardized U.S. government-wide working dog travel requirements for airlines

6. Develop a national emergency response plan for explosive detection working dogs

“What we expect from these recommendations is continued growth and maturation of the working dog program not only for the Air Force, but all 14 agencies,” Heise said. “We also see great potential to build the U.S. industrial base for government working dogs and ensure the participation of small businesses, and advance the goals of category management.”

Category management is an approach the federal government is implementing to help standardize procurement functions and share best practices across its agencies in the hopes of providing savings, better value, and efficiency. It is divided into 10 categories.

The AFSFC originally started a Category Intelligence Report on the Air Force-led DoD Military Working Dog program, but Heise saw opportunities to look beyond the services and include other federal agencies.

“Once we started, we saw how closely TSA worked with DoD on Lackland AFB, so I recommended to the Federal Category Manager that we make the CIR a government-wide effort,” Heise said. “She agreed and assigned me as the Government-wide Working Dog Team lead for the Security and Protection category.”

The newly-formed multi-agency team then researched and presented the six recommendations in the final Category Intelligence Report to Jaclyn Rubino, the government-wide Security & Protection Category manager. Rubino approved all recommendations and teams will now be assembled to create a category execution plan for each.

“This is the Air Force’s first interagency category management and Category Intelligence Report effort, and it’s an honor to be part of the team that will not only bring change to the Air Force, but other federal agencies as well,” Heise said. “I feel it speaks to the Security Forces Center’s mission, but on a larger, cross agency scale – to train, equip and manage program execution and provide expertise, and drive integration, innovation and advancement of Security Forces mission sets.”

Story by By Malcolm McClendon, Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center Public Affairs

Photo by Airman 1st Class Jason W. Cochran

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, K9, LE | 1 Comment »

Spiritus Systems Presents: An Introduction to the Direct Action Resource Center’s Law Enforcement Counter Terrorism Course, Level 2

Thursday, March 11th, 2021

The Direct Action Resource Center located in North Little Rock, Arkansas provides professional training to Military, Law Enforcement and Citizens. Spiritus Systems had the opportunity to attend the Law Enforcement Counter Terrorism Course, Level 2 or “LECTC2” recently.

The course was comprised of professional SWAT and Patrol officers from around the country and has a prerequisite of “LECTC1” to attend. This class was 6 days long and included copious amounts of explosive breaching, live fire CQB, live fire sniper support and contested force on force sim munition training.

DARC recently released a full class calendar for 2021 on their website and will be expanding their open enrollment offerings to include both the TUSC (Tactical Urban Sustainment Course) and Precision rifle TUSC. Spiritus Systems plans to release additional content over the coming year that brings those online closer to the action at DARC and give a glimpse of the advanced training that happens at the island.

For a full class description and attendance requirements please contact the Direct Action Resource Center at www.darc-usa.com.

To learn more about Spiritus Systems products you can visit www.spiritussystems.com.

Posted in Advertiser, Guest Post, LE, Training | 5 Comments »

Support the 2021 Danger Zone Auction for the Brian Terry Foundation

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2021

Normally, the Danger Zone auction is held during an evening event at SHOT Show. With this year’s cancellation, the Brian Terry Foundation decided to go virtual, 29 March – 5 April, 2021.

Brian Terry Foundation was created to honor the life, service, and sacrifice of Brian Terry. The foundation raises awareness on border related security issues that affect the overall safety and welfare of U.S. Border Patrol agents. The foundation also raises money for the families of fallen U.S. Border Patrol agents and provides educational scholarships for students pursuing a career in law-enforcement.

Please participate in this year’s online auction either as a vendor or bidder. To become a vendor, visit www.trainmdfi.com/DangerZone. If you want to bid, watch this space for a link to the auction, as we get closer.

Posted in Charity, Fundraising, LE | 3 Comments »

5.11 Announces Partnership with 3M on New Carbon Black Uniform Application

Friday, February 26th, 2021

Irvine, CA (February 24, 2021) – 5.11, Inc., the global innovator of purpose-built apparel, footwear and gear, is excited to be the first in the public safety space to offer 3M™ Scotchlite™ Carbon Black embellishment now available through the 5.11 Custom Shop in Manteca, CA. This patented reflective film has a high level of durability while still maintaining flexibility which makes this glass bead technology a perfect candidate for application to uniform and outerwear alike.

Officer safety is the primary intent of this product giving off-angle brightness in low-light situations, however, remaining a muted appearance during daylight conditions. Unlike other treatments, 3M™ Scotchlite™ Carbon Black will not lose the dark coloration or reflective properties while still maintaining a peak performance for the life of the product.

3M™ Scotchlite™ Carbon Black Embellishment for 5.11

“While not replacing the ANSI Level 2 Reflective Vest, Carbon Black is an all-the-time option to aid in better viability during low-light situations and has a clean look to maintain traditional appearance that our law enforcement end-users expect,” said Matt Page, 5.11’s Vice President of Global Product.

Capability for embellishment is near limitless from custom agency or standardized law enforcement callout. Additional recommendations are to include piping around sleeves and stripes down pant and pocket to allow more points of viability. “We have had great initial feedback from early field testing with select agencies,” says Brian Tripp, 5.11’s Vice President, Guardian Sales Division. “Improvements in uniforms to elevate officer safety is paramount, and 5.11 strives to drive this effort.”

For additional information or sample interest around 3M™ Scotchlite™ Carbon Black embellishment, please contact 5.11’s Innovation Team at innovation@511tactical.com.

Learn more about 5.11’s best-selling gear and accessories at www.511tactical.com. Find a full list of 5.11 company-owned retail stores at www.511tactical.com/locations.

Posted in Advertiser, Clothing, LE, Materials, Press Release | 1 Comment »