ADS, Inc. has wond the contract to supply the US Marine Corps Advanced Integrated Solar Panel Case Assembly. ADS is providing the PAM Expedition Solar Arrays, a ruggedized, lightweight solar array that packages into a small volume, to fulfill the contract.
You can read the full story here: adsinc.com/news-release-marine-corps-systems-command
In January, MARCORSYSCOM released a pre-solicitation for an “Enhanced Flame Resistant Combat Ensemble” or EFRCE. While it sounds like something completely new, really what the Marines are looking for is a version of the Blouse and Trouser from the Flame Resistant Organizational Gear (FROG) that incorporates but improved fabrics and Permethrin treatment. There are no plans to alter the current cut or design of this popular uniform.
In terms of a general description, EFRCE is similar to the current Flame Resistant Combat Ensemble (FRCE) in the Marine Corps inventory; however, the design and fabrics used to construct the FRCE have been modified to increase durability (as such, producing the EFRCE)…Also, of note, following contract award, each shirt and trouser of the EFRCE must be factory permethrin treated and must conform to the permethrin concentration levels and percent bite protection requirements, as established by the Marine Corps.
They want vendors to use the following fabric types:
Cloth, Type I – Woven, Woodland, Marine Corps Pattern (MARPAT) Camouflage Printed
Cloth, Type II – Woven, Desert, MARPAT Camouflage Printed
Cloth, Type III – Woven, Navy Working Uniform (NWU) II, Desert Digital Camouflage Printed
Cloth, Type IV – Woven, NWU III, Woodland Digital Camouflage Printed
Cloth, Type V – Knit, Coyote, Solid (All Uniform Types)
Based on this, as you can imagine, the EFRCE will be offered in 4 variants:
As you can see, the Marines and Navy have no plans to abandon their camouflage patterns anytime soon. But, Marines and Sailors will have a great uniform in both woodland desert variants.
Class 1, Type I EFRCE Blouse and Trouser, Woodland MARPAT, with Durable Insect Protection
Class 1, Type II EFRCE Blouse and Trouser, Desert MARPAT, with Durable Insect Protection
Class 2, Type III EFRCE Blouse and Trouser, NWU II Desert Digital Camouflage Printed, with Durable Insect Protection
Class 2, Type IV EFRCE Blouse and Trouser, NWU III Woodland Digital Camouflage Printed, with Durable Insect Protection
As of now, the EFRCE will be produced by Hub Zone-based small businesses.
The GLARE Regulated Emission Collimated Ocular Interruption Laser (RECOIL) is BE Meyers’ entry for the Marine Corps’ Ocular Interrupter Program, a weapon borne non-lethal laser that delivers a bright beam of light that produces a dazzling or glare effect on a closing target to warn and/or suppress potential threats through increasing levels of visual degradation.
It features constant EyeSafe technology that delivers the precise amount of laser light to the target no matter if they are as close as 0 meters or as far out as 2,000 meters. That right amount is as determined by the standard irradiance guidelines established by US Navy S&T. It does this by determining the distance to the target and raising or lowering the irradiance (power of the beam) based on that distance. This means constant maximum allowable power on target and constant safe power and target.
If you are familiar with other Escalation Of Force devices you know that they are long and resemble a light saber. Some of these are difficult to adapt to a weapon. The GLARE RECOIL is Mil Std 1913 compatible with a built-in throw lever attachment and is rectangular with a similar size to an AN/PEQ-15. It is powered by 3 x CR123A batteries. The thing that I was most excited about was the new cover. You may notice in the top photo the rectangular lens. The cover rotates 360 degrees and can be lowered into place to protect the lens or spun up and out of the way for use. It has small detent stops so it will not spin uncontrolled. I really like the aesthetic and it gives the device a smooth look.
While it was developed to support the USMC JNLWD Ocular Interrupter Program, GLARE RECOIL is based on proven technology already fielded in over 35,000 EoF products. What’s more, it’s available now for for sale to approved US entities (i.e. DoD) per DoD and/or FDA regulations), or to an approved foreign entity per DoS/DTSA regulations.
In May the USMC approved the Combat Woodland Jacket (CWJ) for wear. The CWJ is manufactured by Short Bark Industries and designed with fabrics made by Gore and Milliken. This comfortable, lightweight, and windproof soft shell jacket, currently being procured in a desert camouflage pattern, is designed to provide Marines with enhanced weather protection from the environmental challenges encountered in woodland operations.
The Combat Woodland Jacket will be on display at the upcoming Modern Day Marine, September 24-26 at Booth #1423.
Tactical Tailor just informed us that they have been awarded a contract by the United States Marine Corps to provide four pouches for Marine use.
Today Tactical Tailor was advised they were selected to provide modular load-bearing pouches for the AN/PVS-14, AN/PRC-153 IISR and PRC 152. They will also be providing 40mm grenade bandoliers. Additionally, Tactical Tailor collaborated closely with partner Grey Ghost Gear to obtain the contract.
The NVG pouch, technically the AN/PVS-14 Night Vision Monocular and Rhino Mount pouch, was designed by Grey Ghost Gear in conjunction with USSOCOM personnel who were actually on the ground in Afghanistan at the time.
The 40mm bandoliers are one of the most widely-recognized pieces of gear Tactical Tailor manufactures and has been provided to numerous units at the local level. Now, it will be “standard issue” to all Marine grenadiers.
Tactical Tailor CEO Casey Ingels was preparing to fly to the Middle East to consult with representatives of USSOCOM at the time of this release. However, Lindsey Lea, Grey Ghost Gear Director of Business Development and High Despotrix, was happy to discuss the contract.
“This was the first really big collaboration between Tactical Tailor and Grey Ghost Gear,” Ms. Lea advised. “We’re especially excited because this was a specific request. They didn’t come to us and ask us to build something they’d already developed specs for. They contracted us to provide those pieces of gear because it has all been tested hard in the field. This is obviously great news. From a business perspective it’s obviously a great contract to win. From a personal perspective it’s very rewarding to know we’ve had a hand in putting the most rugged, purpose-built gear available into those Marines’ hands.”
The items and their NSNs include:
AN PVS 14 NSN 8465-01-620-7014 (Grey Ghost Gear Product)
PRC 153 Pouch NSN 8465-01-620-7045 (Tactical Tailor Product)
PRC 152 Pouch NSN 8465-01-620-7042 (Tactical Tailor Product)
40mm Grenade Multi Round Bandoleer NSN 8465-01-620-7022 (Tactical Tailor Product)
www.TacticalTailor.com
www.GreyGhostGear.com
The Marine Corps strikes again. This time it’s the USMC Corpsman Assault System which relies on a government owned design. So far the Marines have done this with several items including the IMTV and the USMC Pack. It means that commercial gear companies don’t have a shot at getting their designs into the hands of Marines and the issue equipment is designed by committee.
About a year ago, MARCORSYSCOM issued an RFI for production of a Corpsman Assault System consisting of:
Corpsman Assault System
Medical Assault Pack, CAS
Shoulder Harness Assembly, CAS
Shoulder Harness Pocket Assembly, CAS
Handle Assembly, CAS
Medical Sustainment Bag, CAS
Medical Thigh Rig, CAS
Belt, Medical Thigh Rig, CAS
Strap, Upright, Medical Thigh Rig, CAS
Strap, Medical Thigh Rig, CAS
Modular Medical Pouch, CAS
Narc Pouch, CAS
Medium Pouch, CAS
Large Pouch, CAS
Small Reversible Pouch, CAS
Medium Reversible Pouch, CAS
Elastic Panel, CAS
Double Pocket Panel, CAS
Stacked Pocket Panel, CAS
Triple Pocket Panel, CAS
I’m surprised it took a year for this to actually hit the pre-solicitation stage but the Marine Corps has done a very good job of keeping an eye on the programmatics side; synching dollars and programs. They know where their money is and when to spend it.
The Marines know what they want and are giving interested parties a heads up that they plan on buying up to 10,000 of these systems. Specifically, they want offerors to be able to produce at least 8,585 Corpsman Assault Systems within ten (10) months of contract award.
Patterns are available in the documentation for those interested in bidding. Feel free to read the whole thing at www.fbo.gov.
During a recent visit to my local Barnes & Noble I picked up a copy of “US Marine Infantry Combat Uniforms and Equipment 2000–12” from Osprey Publishing. Authored and illustrated by J Kenneth Eward it is very comprehensive. I really enjoy Eward’s style of illustrating which reminds me more of a photograph than a painting.
Eward has done an excellent job of cataloging the full gamut of Marine combat clothing and equipment. It’s all there, camouflage, utilities, armor and load carriage. Although, the Marine Pack System is still referred to as FILBERT, this slight oversight doesn’t detract at all from the book as the best reference guide yet to modern Marine equipment.
I was a bit surprised that they had titled the article through 12 considering the year wasn’t even over yet but the only thing I felt was missing was the woodland variant of the Combat Desert Jacket. The author did such a good job he even captured the Blackhawk Serpa holster adopted last year by the Marines as well as recent small arms developments such as the M27 IAR.
This is a must have for any one requiring a single source reference guide to modern Marine combat clothing and equipment.
www.ospreypublishing.com/store/US-Marine-Infantry-Combat-Uniforms-and-Equipment-2000–12
In this third of our coverage of WL Gore’s various technologies and their military applications our subject is the Woodland Combat Desert Jacket. While we are all familiar with the popular GORE-TEX brand, many do not know that WL Gore has worked extensively with the military since the mid-1980s to develop specific fabrics for various purposes.
The Marine Corps has adopted a woodland MARPAT variant of the popular Combat Desert Jacket. It’s an interesting garment. Based on the name alone you’d probably realize that it was originally issued in Desert MARPAT. Other than being developed specifically for use in South West Asia, another thing that you don’t normally see with military garments is that it is made up of multiple types of fabrics. It’s a softshell garment featuring a lightweight, water-resistant fabric with a Gore membrane that is engineered to withstand rain, wind, and sand. Additionally, there are strategically placed stretch zones for increased flexibility and mobility. There is also a moisture-wicking lining. The CDJ also incorporates 99.9 percent pure silver in the gridded fleece lining to inhibit the growth of odor-causing bacteria and fungi in the garment. Early in the production of the original CDJ there were issues getting the printing to match on all of the different fabrics, but they long ago mastered that issue and as you can see from the photo, it looks great.
This waist length jacket features a chest mounted rank tab as well as a single chest and bicep pocket. Finally, there are slash handwarmer pockets on either side.
