DuPont has produced several shorts that combine marketing and information. You could almost call them infomercials for the tactical industry. I really like them and this one is my favorite.
It takes you on a quick tour through history highlighting DuPont’s relationship with our military. DuPont of course, is the producer of such fabrics as Nomex® and Kevlar®, both critical to Soldier Survivability. Check out Dupont’s web presence at www.whatkeepsyousafe.com.
UPDATE: According to solicitation ARMYCAMOUFLAGEINDUSTRYDAY posted yesterday on Fedbizopps, the U. S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development & Engineering Center (NSRDEC) and the Product Manager Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment is sponsoring an industry dayrom 0900-1100 hrs on 28 October at NSRDEC in Natick, MA in the Carney Hall (Bldg#1), Hunter Auditorium. As you may have heard, the Army is assessing different camouflage patterns for use in Afghanistan (as well as other locales) and is seeking the expertise of the textile printing industry to determine the feasibility to consistently produce these colors and patterns in multiple substrates. All textile industry attendees (sorry looky lou’s) must have a US citizenship and register by email with Alison.spurr@us.army.mil by close of business on 26 October 2009. Contracting Office Address: RDECOM Acquisition Center – Natick, ATTN: AMSRD-ACC-N, Natick Contracting Division (R and BaseOPS), Building 1, Kansas Street, Natick, MA 01760-5011 Point of Contact(s): Stacey Smith, 508-233-5118
We updated Alison Spurr’s email address. We apologize for any confusion.
Strategic consulting firm continues its expansion with appointment of Natick Soldier Center executive and addition of leading manufacturers of protective technologies.
Protect the Force, LLC announced today that Francisco J. Martinez, formerly Project Officer for the U.S. Army – Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center; Program Executive Office Soldier; Special Operations Command has joined Protect the Force, LLC as Partner and the company’s EVP for Product Development and Technology Integration.
“Francisco brings over 19 years of experience in the Textile Technology field. He has a proven track record of understanding complex personal protection challenges and rapidly developing solutions that have saved lives and prevented injuries for our nation’s armed forces and Homeland security operators. His level of energy and outside the box thinking will prove critical in Protect the Force’s commitment to providing best in class services to its clients†said Gary Hess, Protect the Force, LLC CEO.
Over the last five years at Natick, Mr. Martinez has worked effectively at developing integrated solutions for military combat clothing & individual equipment systems. He has been a forerunner in optimizing and creating test methodologies which more closely replicate real life combat scenarios in a reproducible and scientific environment.
His established and extensive relationship with industry, academia, medical and science and technology organizations both domestically and internationally creates an extremely unique source for product development and technology integration. Francisco’s Subject Matter Expert opinion in the area of flame and thermal protection is highly sought after and remains mission critical to the Global War on Terror. Mr. Martinez has been the recipient of multiple awards and recognitions throughout his career and most recently represented the U.S. Army at the NATO Combat Clothing and Individual Equipment Protection committee.
Clay Williamson, Protect the Force, LLC President, remarked, “Francisco’s appreciation for what truly is important and necessary to protect our forces, his constant and tireless search for solutions, industry and government network and passion to make a difference will result in success for Protect the Force. Francisco stands out as a technology innovator and pioneerâ€
Mr. Martinez will establish a third key location for Protect the Force, LLC in Natick Massachusetts.
The company also announced today that American Apparel, Inc., and PBI Performance Products Inc. have joined its growing list of clients. American Apparel is a high quality manufacturer of military apparel and uniforms. The company is one of the largest military “cut and sew†operations in the country and is currently providing fire resistant combat uniforms to both the U.S. Army and Marine Corps. PBI Performance Products is a world leader in the advanced materials and fabrics industry. The PBI fiber will not burn in air, does not melt or drip, and will retain its strength and flexibility after exposure to flame. PBI fibers form the backbone of various fabric blends, providing flame-resistance and thermal protection with the highest level of comfort, durability, and protection.
To learn more about Protect the Force, LLC vsit them on the web at www.protecttheforce.com.
Patria Aviation Oy has revealed information about their new fabric based antenna system.
The design is formed into a flexible patch made from pliable conductive material that can be affixed to clothing and may lead the way toward more conformal technologies. Intended for use with cellular communications and associated GPS systems, the patch is supposedly able to “maintain a strong radio signal, even when the patch is bent vertically, horizontally or diagonally” and “send location information to a remote user”.
It does have a few drawbacks based on how you look at it. The systems is currently optimized for use with Iridium satellite phones and is incapable of receiving calls, but rather only in placing them. At any rate, the concept works and could be used as-is in several situations, particularly in the realm of sensors.
There were a lot of great products at last week’s Modern Day Marine expo at Quantico, Virginia.
Wilcox Industries showed their new interface for the Ops-Core mount.
Speaking of Ops-Core, they debuted several new products available in early 2010. This eye shield was actually developed a couple of years ago but placed on hold while they refined the FAST technology for a military customer. The lens slides up and down on a track located inside the shell. It will replace the front brow pad inside the helmet as a unit and is ready to go awaiting production of the actual clear shield which will be manufactured by Oakley.
The Smith Optics Elite Division crew was on hand.
Australian firm Global Safety Solutions & Management PTY LTD exhibited their new wet weather laminate material. It is used in the current Australian issue foul weather clothing system.
Inert Products, LLC displayed a wide variety of training aids including the M4 “rubber duck” as well as other inert training aids.
Benchmade Knives showed a set of their HK signature knives packed inside a pistol case. The combo pack includes a 20-Tools-in-One mutli-tool, LED light, and Ally knife.
Protect the Force, LLC announced today the formation of their new company as a result of merger of Government Sales Group and Protect the Force. The new company is unique in that it focuses its considerable experiences and relationships on helping manufacturers of personal protective products and equipment streamline and accelerate the processes of development, fielding, contracting, and commercialization of products into the first responder and military segments of the U.S. Government.
The merger doubles the size of the company and adds a number of respected international manufacturer’s to its customer ranks. Clients include: Air Systems, Bright Star, Cocona, Crye Precision, Elkhart Brass, Higher Dimension Materials, Honeywell First Responder Products, Hurst Jaws of Life, Kappler, Lenzing Fibers International, Scott Health & Safety, Tencate Defense and Tactical, and Trident One.
“Our nation’s warriors and first responders deserve the very best life saving and performance enhancing technologies now. Our team knows firsthand what can happen when we fail in this essential mission. We have assembled a group of quality U.S. manufacturers who are committed to this causeâ€, noted Clay Williamson, Protect the Force President. Mr. Williamson, a recently retired Army Acquisition Corps Officer, started Protect the Force after years of working to better protect soldiers against the devastating effects of burn injury.
The two companies became acquainted after working together for a mutual customer. The company’s CEO, Mr. Gary Hess indicated that the merger was an obvious path to take. “Government Sales Group had significant expertise in the areas of sales and marketing within the Federal first responder markets and was looking to expand into other federal government markets. With this merger we have successfully accomplished this goal and have added significant capabilities and deep relationships in the areas of military research & development, product fielding and program level acquisitionâ€.
Protect the Force is led by an impressive group of executives. In addition to Mr. Hess and Mr. Williamson, the Company announced that Mr. Bobby Feigler will continue in the role of Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Feigler brings significant corporate and early stage company experience to the team.
For more information, visit them on the web at www.protecttheforce.com.
While not Velcro per se and not really the answer to most soft good problems, the new Metaklett fastener from the TUM Institute of Metal Forming and Casting in Munich, Germany takes a new look at the hook and loop concept.
Manufactured from perforated steel strips 0.2 millimeters thick, one kind bristling with springy steel brushes and the other sporting jagged spikes, the Metaklett can support a maximum weight of capable of supporting 35 tons at temperatures up to 800ºC when pulled in the direction of the plane of the strips, and a square meter can hold a perpendicular load of seven tons.
How could you call the combination of manufacturers of FR combat uniforms and the producers of specialty fabrics anything else? Yesterday, Massif Mountain Gear Company and Gehring Textiles announced that they have entered into an exclusive agreement to jointly develop and supply military forces around the world with a new generation of flame-resistant fabrics and apparel. Under the terms of the agreement, Massif will become Gehring’s exclusive customer for new flame-resistant fabrics developed by Gehring, or jointly by Gehring and Massif, for apparel, headwear and gloves. Gehring will continue to sell certain styles in its current line of flame-resistant fabrics to existing customers. Furthermore, this agreement will extend access to these innovative fabrics to Outdoor Research who is a strategic partner with Massif.
Massif produces the Army Combat Shirt and Gehring is widely known for their fabrics including Tweave. Outdoor Research produces FR hand and head wear from fabrics supplied by Massif.
