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AUSA – Gore Military

Wednesday, October 24th, 2012

Gore Military showed a prototype reversible garment. It features symmetrical performance meaning, the laminate is printed on both sides and provides full camouflage and full waterproof breathable performance no matter which side is out. Reversible shell garments have been done before, but not with a single fabric.

They’ve done this through some creative garment design that includes common pockets with dual openings and patterned seam tape. This version is the soon to be replaced UCP on one side and OCP (MultiCam) on the other. With the Army poised to select a new family of camouflage patterns, this type of garment adds a great deal of versatility is a single jacket.

www.goremilitary.com

Tags: AUSA, Gore Military
Posted in AUSA, Camo, Clothing, Materials | 5 Comments »

MOLLE Field Expedient Hardware Repair Kit

Monday, October 22nd, 2012

Elite Defense is offering a MOLLE Field Expedient Hardware Repair Kit made up of GhillieTEX IR signature reduction buckles from ITW Military Products.

Kit includes –
1 – 2″ Blast Buckle
1 – 1/2″ Field Expedient SR Buckle
2 – 1″ Split Bar GT Ladderloc
2 – 1″ Field Expedient GTSR Buckles

www.elitedefense.com/manufacturers/itw-military-products/molle-field-expediant-hardware-repair-kit

Tags: Elite Defense, ITW Military Products
Posted in Materials | 1 Comment »

Gore Military – Pyrad

Monday, October 22nd, 2012

We continue our coverage of WL Gore’s various technologies and their military applications with Pyrad. It’s a self-extinguishing fabric technology that adds heat and flame protection properties to non-FR textiles.

First unveiled at last year’s AUSA, Gore Pyrad is one of the most exciting new technologies I’ve seen. It offers enhanced heat and flame protection using non-FR textiles. Think about that. You can still have performance of the fabrics you are comfortable with yet enhance their capabilities by incorporating an FR coating. Now the Pyrad technology has to be applied to the fabric prior to being assembled into finished goods so Pyrad won’t do anything for gear you already own, but could be a great option for future purchases.

Gore takes standard nylon, polyester and other fabrics and hardens them through laminating the Pyrad technology. This allows them to exploit all of the basic fabric’s strengths like nylon’s fast dry out times as well as enhanced camouflage through colorfastness and enhanced UV resistance. Additionally, not only is Pyrad resistant to flame but also self-extinguishing.

If you are attending AUSA this week in Wash DC be sure to visit the Gore Military booth #2925 to check out Pyrad. Additionally, ADS has incorporated Pyrad into their Dismounted FREE system so visit booth #2413 to take a look at an application of Pyrad. If you can’t make it, keep an eye out here on SSD where we’ll continue to show you new applications of the Pyrad technology.

www.goreprotectivefabrics.com

Tags: ADS Inc, AUSA, Pyrad, WL Gore
Posted in ADS, AUSA, FR, Materials | Comments Off on Gore Military – Pyrad

Now Available A-TACS FG Camo Sniper Gear from Tactical Concealment Mfg

Friday, October 12th, 2012

Tactical Concealment Manufacturing is well known for their purpose built ghillie suits and accessories. Now, they have introduced A-TACS FG to their line up.

The MAMBA Suit in A-TACS FG Camo
For operators who want the BEST ghilliesuit base available the choice is clear… GhillieSkins Mamba in A-TACS FG Camo. The Mamba is in a class all of its own. It’s built from scratch and constructed from the highest quality materials and highest performance fabrics available. Ultra lightweight and strong as nails, the Mamba is provided ungarnished allowing the operator to garnish it as best suited for their operating environment. Superior design and quality workmanship attribute to its popularity with military special operation teams. The Mamba offers the operator full body concealment. The Mamba is combat proven and the “King of Choice”. This suit is built so well it will likely last an entire career span for a military/LEO sniper. Designed and built to deliver the “to hell and back” reliability operators come to expect from Tactical Concealment.

Standard Features include:
– Constructed from A-TACS FG Camo NYCO fabric 1000 Denier Cordura A-TACS FG Camo Nylon Skid Protection
– Removable & Thickness Adjustable Padding on: Elbows, Forearms, Chest & Knees.
– Super Heavy Duty & reinforced Shin Guards Thread less Skid Surface Areas Throughout
– Nylon 550 Nylon Cord for Garnish Attach (Tighter grid work for more effective foliage attach).
– Closed-Chest System, side entry via Fastex buckles along side of blouse.
– Adjustable Hand Loops
– Blouse is upgradeable to accommodate Tactical Concealment’s adjustable sniper hood.
– Adjustable Foot Stirrups
– One-Size-Fits-All Sleeve length via wrist tension cords.
– One-Size-Fits-All Leg Length via ankle tension cords
– Adjustable Egress Suspension System (Crotch Strap) via Fastex buckle
– One-Size-Fits-All sleeve & pant length MOLLE webbing integrated on each trouser leg to accommodate your own custom gear pocket
– Adjustable V-Neck, preacher collar
– Reinforced seat and crotch using Cordura
– 2?-Wide belt loops around trouser waistband.
– 2? Wide duty belt, fully waist adjustable
– Inner knee abrasion protection
– Suspenders & tactical nylon adjustable belt included with purchase.
– Entire back of shirt is ventilated with super-tough A-TACS FG Camo mesh fabric
(more…)

Tags: A-TACS, Digital Concealment Systems, Tactical Concealment Manufacturing Corp
Posted in Camo, Materials | 1 Comment »

Mission Ready Services Acquires No-Contact LLC

Friday, October 12th, 2012

Mission Ready Services Inc announced today that they have acquired a 100% interest in No-Contact, LLC a research and development company focused on wearable technologies synthesizing advanced textiles with electronics and computation for personal protection and safety.

No-Contact’s technology is really cool. In January of 2010 we described it as “the stungun you wear“.

Founded by Adam Whiton, a PhD candidate from MIT, and apparel engineer Yolita Nugent, No-Contact’s proprietary technology known as Electro Muscular Disruption technology (“EMD”), was originally envisioned to protect women from sexual assault but security personnel and law enforcement officers soon realized it could also be used protect them when confronted with close-quarter assault situations. It delivers a high-voltage but low-amperage charge to deter, but not seriously injure, an attacker. They’ve worked out the kinks. It won’t affect the wearer thanks to a shock and waterproof barrier.

“We are excited to welcome Adam Whiton and Yolita Nugent to Mission Ready and feel that their expertise will be instrumental in the Company’s many research and developments projects moving forward. This acquisition furthers our Mission to offer unrivaled products and services in the global defense, security and first-responder markets,” said Rod Reum, President & CEO of Mission Ready.

No-Contact brings a great deal of expertise in integrating electronics with clothing. The implications are huge for the military and law enforcement markets as well as for consumers.

Tags: Mission Ready Services Inc, No-Contact LLC
Posted in Clothing, Digitization, Disruptive Tech, Industry, LE, Materials | 2 Comments »

Gore Military – OR Swoop Mitt

Friday, October 12th, 2012

We continue our coverage of WL Gore’s various technologies and their military applications with the Swoop Mitt from Outdoor Research. 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.

Developed for pilots and aviation crews operating in extremely cold conditions at high altitudes, the shell of the Swoop Mitt provides waterproof and breathable protection via a Gore membrane. The water resistant goat-leather palm provides a solid grip. The Swoop is a trigger finger mitt design which accommodates all fingers in the mitt cavity for greater warmth and dexterity. What makes it unique is that the mitt cavity can be peeled back and the entire hand can be pushed through the mitt when required. It is insulated with EnduraLoft, a high-loft insulation that springs back after compression. Used in conjunction with an FR liner glove such as a flight glove, the Swoop works as a full system.

Here is a video featuring OR’s Mike Christian that describes the Swoop Mitt.

www.GoreMilitary.com

Tags: Outdoor Research, WL Gore
Posted in Clothing, FR, Materials | 4 Comments »

TacHacker – Revitalizing Your Hardshell

Monday, October 8th, 2012

It’s that time of year again boys and girls. I’ve made this an annual post for the past few years. Winter’s on its way so this is the perfect time to pull your kit out and check it over before it’s needed.

It looks like it’s going to be a LONG winter. During a recent shooting class I attended it started raining day one and by the middle of the second day it looked like a blizzard. Most of my fellow shooters were wearing waterproof breathable outerwear and several began to feel clammy and then damp the longer each day progressed. A couple of guys were wearing issue Gen I ECWCS parkas. Probably not the best garment available as WL Gore long ago decided that the basic design could not meet their “Guaranteed to Keep You Dry” standards. Of course these jackets were old. More than anything, they needed some maintenance.

The key to any modern outerwear is its Durable Water Repellent (DWR) which serves as your clothing’s first line of defense against moisture. There are quite a few treatments available and different manufacturers have their favorites but they are usually are based on flouropolymers. These are PTFE molecules that are applied to the surface of the fabric and cured at high heat to make them adhere better and increase performance. These treatments have a fluorine atom at one end which is highly hydrophobic meaning it hates water. Heat causes the fibers to align themselves with their flourines exposed. Water tries to move away from the flourines resulting in beading. This allows the water to roll off without wetting the fabric. Interestingly, Quarpel (Quartermaster Repellent) was one of the first DWRs and used to treat field jackets and other military clothing items back in the 1960s.

Since most of us can’t run out and purchase a new jacket every time the DWR needs refreshing I thought it would be a good idea to share a few tips with you that will not only revitalize your garment’s DWR treatment but also extend the life of your clothing.

DWR treatments work best when they are clean. I realize this seems counter to what you think is right since a DWR generally lasts about 25 washings and tactical garments get quite a beating in the field, but you need to wash your clothing. The first thing is to avoid using liquid detergents as well as fabric softeners. Additionally, avoid optical brighteners as they are not good for DWR or IR treatments. There are wash in treatments you can purchase as well as spray on options to help renew your clothing’s DWR. However, wash in treatments may affect the breathability of your membrane. One of the best spray solutions available is Revivex from McNett and it is what I have used in the past. It also serves as a stain repellent. Revivex can also be applied to garments that never had DWR in the first place so if you have hunting or field clothing that you find yourself wearing in inclement weather regularly you may want to give it a once over. If you use a spray treatment be sure to evenly coat your garment while it is still damp after washing and to pay special attention to any seams.

There are two additional ways you can put some life back into your DWR without a full retreatment. One is to put the garment in a conventional dryer on warm and the other is to iron it on low heat. This helps realign the fibers. If water fails to bead up on the surface of your garment you will need to retreat.

No matter which method you choose, proper maintenance of your foul weather clothing’s DWR will help keep you warm and dry and extend the life of your equipment.

Tags: McNett, WL Gore
Posted in Clothing, Materials, Tachacker | 2 Comments »

Polartec Integral Technology for SOF PCU Lvl 9 Combat Shirt

Thursday, September 27th, 2012

Polartec, the developer, manufacturer, and marketer of Polartec performance fabrics, has worked closely with US Special Operations Forces and one of their fabrics was chosen for use in the first standard issue combat shirt developed specifically for the needs of SOF.

Designed by Patagonia, the Special Operations Forces’ (SOF) Protective Combat Uniform (PCU) Level 9 Shirt is currently being fielded to all US SOF users, and will enhance their combat advantage in the world’s most hostile conditions.

Designed to be worn next-to-skin, the new PCU level 9 combat shirt integrates Polartec Power Dry fabric in the shirt’s torso to provide moisture management, breathability, stretch, quick drying and comfort. Power Dry features a patented bi?component knit construction with two yarns. One picks up the sweat from the skin and the other disperses the sweat to the outer layer to rapidly dry it. It moves 30% more moisture than single component fabrics.
The Power Dry used in Level 9 is printed in a variety of camo patterns and also offers FR properties.

“Polartec is very proud of our longstanding development relationship with the Special Operations Forces. We are constantly challenged by the extreme performance that Operators demand of their clothing and equipment. These men are the tip of the spear of our country’s projection of power and always exhibit remarkable ability and patriotism. To be selected by this very demanding customer is a tribute to the abilities of the research and development team at Polartec who are honored to help support our warfighters.” said David Costello, Polartec Business Manager.

Polartec fabrics are found throughout PCU; in levels 1, 2, 3, 3A, and now 9. Additionally, Polartec offers numerous fabric solutions including wicking base layers, to insulation layers, to extreme weather protection and are utilized by the best clothing brands in the world

polartec.com

Tags: PCU, Polartec
Posted in Clothing, Materials | Comments Off on Polartec Integral Technology for SOF PCU Lvl 9 Combat Shirt