I know, I know, these things have shown up all over the web. I have been asking and asking PEO-Soldier for pictures and they have politely informed me that they aren’t quite ready to release any photos yet. The UCP-Delta uniforms and equipment have been in theater for awhile now but the MultiCam test items just reached troops within the last two weeks. So I can understand their position. What’s the point of just looking at one side of the equation? I mean someone may see that only UCP-D photos are out there and say that the Army is biased and already made up its mind.
Ironically, we all get to see our first glimpses of UCP-Delta in use on CNN. And then, today, DoD’s Digital Imagery & Video Distribution System releases several photos of US troops in Afghanistan doing what they do; soldiering. It just so happens that some of them are wearing UCP-D.
Now, I am sure you have noticed that some of the troops in the photos are from the 82d Airborne Division (2d Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment to be exact). No, they were not initially intended to participate in testing. About 1,000 uniforms were made in UCP-D, plus about 200 extras. CJTF-82 made the decision on who would receive test items and not PEO-Soldier. 3-61, being a squadron, rather than a battalion, has well under 1,200 Soldiers and consequently, the decision was made to spread the wealth so to speak. Looks like the paratrooper wearing the Arc’teryx Kneecaps is a Grey Group customer (just sayin’).
The Tactical Assault Platform (TAP) is in UCP-Delta.
Pictures of 4th ID Soldiers wearing MultiCam ACUs also began to show up. Unfortunately, it seems that their MultiCam TA-50 hadn’t been issued when these were taken.
We have been receiving reports regularly from our readers that the New Zealand Army is updating its individual equipment but the Army itself issued a great poster detailing the features of the new Soldier Survivability Gear.
According to Chief of the Army MAJ GEN Rhys Jones, “There are currently 790 New Zealand Defence Force personnel deployed on 14 operations, UN missions and defence exercises in 10 countries around the world.†The NZ Army began issuing the equipment to these troops in October and much of it would be familiar to Soldier Systems Daily readers. In addition to the SOCOM issued BAE RBAV and BPG Serpa holster, the Kiwis are also receiving the Camelbak Trizip based on a Mystery Ranch design. Additionally, they are being issued Camelbak gloves, Streamlight Sidewinder lights, ESS ballistic glasses, Revision ballistic goggles, Garmin GPS. The only item that you would have trouble finding here in the US is the Rabintex helmet.
•The new advanced combat helmet is 0.5kg lighter than its predecessor, has an internal mounting system that makes it more comfortable to wear and allows greater functionality with ballistic glasses or communications equipment.
•The improved body armour (IBA) provides enhanced ballistic and fragmentation protection and is now sized to the individual rather than one-size-fits-all. The IBA also includes side, groin and bicep protection should it be required by the wearer and has a modular webbing system so soldiers can customise the pouches they attach directly to their webbing.
•The IBA is fully modular and also has a quick release system to enable the user or another person to discard the vest quickly if the user is injured or submerged in water.
•The improved patrol pack is ergonomic in design, has an adjustable, removable back comforter and is adjustable for height.
•The Revision Desert Locust ballistic goggles were selected as they offered the greatest durability and functionality. These protect the wearer against blast fragmentation and other non-ballistic threats whilst also protecting the eyes from wind, sand, dirt and snow.
•New individual general purpose torch: The Sidewinder stood out as the individual torch choice as it is small, light-weight and has excellent functionality. It provides four types of light: red, blue, white and Infra-red. It has four levels of brightness on each including a strobe function. The torch also comes with a helmet mount so that it allows a hands-free operation. With the IR function it significantly improves the local area illumination when used with an night vision goggles.
•Improved individual GPS: The Garmin 60cX GPS is a unit that provides a cheap but very functional GPS. The Garmin provides colour mapping and new maps can be downloaded via the internet as required. The users found it easy to operate and accurate as an individual navigation aid for tactical commanders.
S.O. Tech is in the process of adding to their modular Battle Load Carrying System (BLoCS) line. Their newest piece is the Angled Dump Pouch.
Two variants are available. A standard model and the zippered version (shown). The unique designed is intended to ensure magazines lay flat in the pouch. The zippered version is designed to assist in extracting magazines from the pouch. The opening features a removable elastic opening to quickly reconfigure the pouch’s use as its deep design offers ample room for magazines or for use as a Sensitive Site Exploitation bag. Additionally, it rolls up and out of the way when not in use yet the top is reinforced with stiffeners to keep its shape.
While the pouch is currently made from 500D Cordura, an ultra-lightweight version is in development to even further reduce the weight and bulk of the item. It easily attaches to belts and other platforms via the integrated PALS-compatible Flex-Tabâ„¢ (seen above).
Berry Compliant, the Angled Dump Pouch is available in Coyote, Black, Ranger Green, UCP, and MultiCam (20% additional charge). Other colors on special order.
The 03 Modular Split Front Chest Harness was developed by serving Law Enforcement Officer Jeff Carpenter in order to satisfy his needs for a tailored load carrying solution. He prefers a two piece design but felt that most two piece chest rigs were either too large and/or too cumbersome for his needs. Additionally, many available designs are geared toward military users while he participates in a great deal of tactical training in addition to his LE duties.
Specifically, he wanted a two piece chest rig design that was:
-Modular
-Versatile
-Light Weight
-Low Profile
-Well balanced
-Quick and easy to put on
-A design that would not interfere with the gear that he would be wearing no matter if he was wearing a suit, Patrol uniform, plain clothes, or SWAT uniform
The design went through an evolutionary period and finally ended up at Bravo Company with manufacture by our good friends at Blue Force Gear. This Chest Rig is exclusive to Bravo Company and cannot be purchased through BFG.
While it’s a fairly simple affair, the Chest Rig offer a lot of capability and holds four 30 round AR-style magazines internally. Additionally, the hydration carrier is removable and there are 12 channels of PALS webbing on the front of the rig for modularity. The padded shoulder straps attach to the rig via the innovative Adjustable Load Bearing Strap System developed by Stephen Hilliard at BFG.
You can read about the entire development process here. The author goes into great detail and explains why he made the decisions he did. It is a great case study in the evolution of a load carrying solution.
The 03 Modular Split Front Chest Harness is available in MultiCam, Coyote Brown, and Black and is Made in the USA with top quality materials including 500D Cordura. To order visit www.BravoCompanyUSA.com.
This isn’t just some sale. This is a blowout and it’s on from now until the 6th of January, 2010! Look for discounts of 30-40%!
Since this is an LE sale naturally everything is in Black. With 49 items on special, you need to check out the values online.
