TYR Tactical

Archive for the ‘Materials’ Category

Army Combat Shirt v5.3

Thursday, November 13th, 2008

The Army Combat Shirt has only been an issue item for about a year but much of its success can be attributed to PEO-Soldier’s decision to field the garment immediately and improve it over time. In fact, although the basic concept has stayed constant, the design has been in a perpetual state of change. At the recent SOFEX at Ft Bragg, NC we got a chance to take a look at the latest version (v5.3) of the ACS at Massif’s booth. While this version has not yet been approved for procurement, it features design refinements specified by PEO-Soldier. Many Soldiers will be happy to hear that noticeably absent was the “Army of One” logo.

Manufactured from Massif’s proprietary Blaze, Breeze, and Helium fabrics, the ACS is completely FR, even incorporating new flame resistant resin zippers. The Blaze fabric is a four way stretch and used for the sleeves and under arm panels. Designed with comfort under body armor in mind, the ACS is constructed with flat seams and features raglan sleeves. The body is formed from Breeze fabric and the modesty panel designed to cover the breast area is made from Helium fabric. A high mock-T collar prevents chaffing caused by the IOTV’s high collar.

While garments in other color schemes (including Multicam) are currently on the drawing board, development of military variants including the Airman Battle Shirt and a khaki version for the Navy has priority.

Currently, the ACS can only be ordered by members of the United States Army. To order contact Massif Mountain Gear Company.

See CarbonX® on the Outdoor Channel – Tonight

Monday, November 3rd, 2008

CarbonX

CarbonX®, the FR fabric will be demonstrated on the Outdoor Channel’s “MOTOR MANIA” tonight at Monday, November 3rd at 4:30pm or 9:00pm EST (see local listings). They will demonstrate CarbonX® versus their leading competitor on a mannequin in a full gas fire.

A mannequin, outfitted in a 50/50 split garment – one half CarbonX®, the other half a well-know material in the racing market – will be set alight. Spectators will watch as the mannequin is doused with racing fuel, ignited and allowed to burn until the fuel has burned off.

CarbonX® fabric does not ignite, burn, char, shrink or significantly decompose when exposed to intense heat or flame, molten metal, or arc flash. CarbonX® is quite popular in the motor sports community but has not found favor in the Soldier Systems industry as it is not Berry compliant. For more information on CarbonX® go to Chapman Innovations.

Ardica Technologies – Updated

Wednesday, October 29th, 2008

Ardica Technologies

Ardica Technologies specializes in lightweight, environmentally friendly fuel cells. They are concentrating on developing consumer and commercial wearable heat and power as well as portable soldier power. Several companies are beginning to integrate the technology in to their garments. The heart of the matter is Ardica’s Moshi Power System, which relies on new Lithium Ion battery technology coupled with a micro controller and a wall charger. A technology connector kit is also available which comes with a backpack cable and a three-in-one connector for both running and charging various consumer electronics.

Ardica Technologies

Not only will the system power an on board heater for either eight and-a-half hours on low heat or three hours on high (peak 100 deg), it will also charge ancillary gear such as up to 11 full charges on a cellphone or a whopping 20 on an iPod. Considering the possibilities, the added cost of $35 to $50 per garment is reasonable. However, weight is still an issue. Each Lithium Ion battery weighs half a pound with a total system weight of one pound.

Ardica Technologies Lithium Ion Battery Pack

For more information contact Ardica.

Velcro Alternative?

Tuesday, October 28th, 2008

One of the winners of the last year’s Pop Sci Inventor awards was Leonard Duffy’s “Slidingly Engaging Fastener”. Although Duffy has succeeded in developing a great alternative for Velcro, his original intent was to develop an improvement to the zipper after a bag he was carrying wouldn’t close. The fastener works through a matrix of injection molded “islands” resembling clubs from a deck of cards that lock into one another. Duffy previously won a NASA inventor’s award for a wrap around cast using the fastener that he developed for his sister-in-law when she injured her wrist.

Leonard Duffy’s “Slidingly Engaging Fastener”

The inventor claims it supports eight times the weight of Velcro, doesn’t lose it’s stickiness and best of all is silent. Unfortunately, no one has picked it up for development yet but it looks like it has potential in the tactical nylon industry.