High Speed Gear gave us a peek at their new Radio TACO. Coming early December, it stems from customer demand for a radio variant. Naturally, testers are already coming up with myriad ways to capitalize on its size and versatility.
Archive for the ‘Load Carrying’ Category
Source Vagabond – Virtus
Tuesday, September 22nd, 2015Virtus is the British Army’s latest Soldier Protection initiative. During DSEI we showed you the helmet component of Virtus band 1, manufactured by Revision. We stopped by the Source Vagabond booth where we got a closer look at the armor and load carriage components of this new system that begins fielding this month to the British Army. Over the next seven years, the entire Army will be outfitted with Virtus which consists of over 50 items consisting of Head Subsystem, Load Carriage Subsystem, Hydration Subsystem, Extremities Subsystem, Torso Protection Subsystem, Chassis Subsystem and Pouches Subsystem.
The Scalable Tactical Vest is the heart of the system and allows the wear of concealable armor, wear as a plate carrier, combining the two as a body armor vest as well as the addition of extremity protection including neck, bicep groin and lower back armor.
The right side of the vest features a Velcro shoulder strap which is used by the wearer to don and doff it under admin conditions. Conversely, the cutaway system is located on the left side of the chest and only releases the left side of the vest. The cutaway consists of upper and lower molded plastic pins that fit through channels in hinge-like buckles, lining up at the left shoulder and left cummerbund area. There is a pull tab that must be pulled outward (perpendicular), away from the vest. To pull up or down means that the opposite pin will not be activated.
Attached to this Scalable Tactical Vest is the Dynamic Weight Distribution spine bar. The DWD is adjustable up and down allowing the wearer to transfer the weight of the STV to the hip belt. We have written about Source’s DWD in the past as it is licensed to Force Protector Gear here in the US.
This is the hip belt along with low profile suspenders for wear under the MTV.
This is the front buckle of the Hip Belt.
The DWD can also be used with any of the pack options. Below is the 90l version.
In addition to the 90l pack, there are 45l assault packs and leader packs.
Source specializes in hydration and they’ve offered two carriers with Virtus.
The program also offers a variety of PALS compatible pouches. All issue items are in Multi Terrain Pattern but there were a couple of items in Coyote in the booth which were easier to examine than the camouflage examples.
Virtus does not include clothing items. The current fielding of Band 1 incorporates existing soft armor and plates. Band 2 of Virtus which will commence soon examines new plates and armor. Band 3 will add power and a databus to the armor and load carriage.
DSEI – CQC Ltd
Monday, September 21st, 2015 
CQC Limited has been manufacturing combat clothing and equipped for the UK Ministry of Defence and allied nations for over 60 years. As you can see from their booth, they are still going strong.
High Threat Concealment/ADS/SIG Sauer Range Day – LBT Tactical K9 Harness
Friday, September 18th, 2015
The Tactical K9 Harness is a harness made for canines in the 75-85 lbs. range. It features heavy duty mesh side walls, a 1000D Cordura spine with Lycra sides, and an additional, optional zip-in sizing panel which allows the harness to fit on larger, 100+ lbs. dogs.
The harness clicks in through 3 Cobra buckles and #10 YYK zipper, and has elastic binding around the shoulder and back for comfort. The harness also features a MOLLE webbing panel for pouches and/or a camera system, two reinforced handles, removable repel straps, and loops for strobes and lights.
The Tactical K9 Harness is available in Black and MultiCam.
High Threat Concealment/ADS/SIG Sauer Range Day – Ballistic Off-Body Bag (BOBB)
Friday, September 18th, 2015
The Ballistic Off-Body Bag or BOBB is a Progressive F.O.R.C.E. Concepts design for a “purpose-built shoulder bag of discreet non-tactical appearance”. This translates to a satchel-style, non-“tactical looking” bag that allows users to discretely carry a sidearm, accessories, and other equipment in scenarios when wearing concealing clothing would be impractical, such as when in gym clothes or in hot weather, or when not wearing pants with belt loops.
The BOBB quickly opens, revealing a holstered pistol and a large IFF panel, to which users can attach their ID or Credentials. The BOBB features Level IIIA ballistic panels which extends to both segments of the opened bag, offering 6″ x 18″ of armor coverage. The strap system can be adjusted to pull over both shoulders after it is deployed, so the bag, and by extension the armor, covers from the chest to the groin of the user. Behind the holster panel is a gear storage compartment for magazines, accessories, and other equipment.
The BOBB is manufactured by Velocity Systems, and the custom holster is manufactured by High Threat Concealment. It is available in a variety of colors, including Black, Gray, Forest Green, and Navy Blue, with custom colors upon request.
High Threat Concealment/ADS/SIG Sauer Range Day – High Threat Concealment
Friday, September 18th, 2015Yesterday, High Threat Concealment, ADS, and SIG Sauer held a range day at C2 Shooting Center. The event was fairly low-key and casual, but we still got to see a few new products while we were there.
HTC Reduced Capacity Blowout Kit
The Reduced Capacity Blowout Kit was born from requests for a lower-profile blowout pouch compared to HTC’s standard Blowout Kit. Coming in at 5.5″ x 5.5″ x 1″ compared to the standard Blowout Kit’s 6.5″ x 3.5″ x 1.5″, it is perfectly sized for a minimalist GSW / IFAK kit.
A couple of additional changes include the removal of the dual top-mounted tourniquet straps, which was replaced with an elastic retention sleeve on the bottom of the pouch, and the new carry strap system, which attaches to the exterior of the pouch, keeping the strap out of the way during carry while still making it easily accessible.
HTC IWB Pistol With Light Holster
HTC has developed an IWB holster for pistols with weapon lights. It features dual adjustable tension screws and an adjustable cant. The model shown to us at the range was for a Glock 19 with an InForce APL, although we were told that they will offer models that accommodate a variety of pistols and mounted lights.
The Holster can also be outfitted with various mounting options, such as the belt clip or IWB loops.
HTC IWB Pistol Magazine Holder
Continuing with the concealed carry theme, we were also shown this IWB Pistol Magazine Holder. It features dual adjustable tension screws, and ‘ambidextrous’ magazine insertion. The model shown was designed for a Glock magazine, although other pistol magazine models will be made available.
Evolution Holster
The Evolution Holster is a multi-function holster that comes as a kit, allowing the user to configure for OWB, IWB, or appendix carry, with or without cant. Below you can see the appendix carry configuration in action. These holsters are going to be issued as part of a recently awarded State Department contract.
Some Updates On PenCott Camouflage Products
Thursday, September 17th, 2015
Slovenian tactical clothing company UF PRO offers some impressive products, however they have been difficult to procure for the North American customer, until now, that is. Canadian company SEALS Action Gear has become the North American distributor for UF PRO, and will be carrying their full line of products in the full colorway UF PRO offers, including PenCott patterns. Last month, we featured a story on SEALS Action Gear and their adoption of PenCott patterns for several of their in-house designs.
Additionally, German tactical gear company Tasmanian Tactical is now offering various packs and load carrying gear in PenCott GreenZone, including, but not limited to, the TT Raid Pack MK III PC, TT 3 SGL Mag Pouch BEL PC, and TT Tac Pouch 4 PC horizontal.
DSEI – Radnik Active Gear
Thursday, September 17th, 2015
At DSEI, we run across many international companies offering both clothing and equipment. We thought it would be interesting to share some of them with you like India’s Radnick Active Gear.
