National Molding has developed a new product called the J Hook designed to attach shock cord or paracord to MOLLE. The J Hook engages a standard bar tack and will maintain it’s position regardless of any tension on the cord. It can be removed or repositioned easily and under extreme load will snap free without breaking. They are available in black as well as any of National Molding’s standard military colors.
Every two weeks SSD showcases a different MultiCam print fabric from Duro Textiles LLC. This week, we are covering Beaver. MultiCam is a single camouflage pattern designed to help the wearer hide in varied environments, seasons, elevations, and light conditions. After a great deal of commercial success and adoption by elements of US Special Operations Forces, in 2010 MultiCam was selected for use by the US Army as its Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern (OCP).
This technical stretch fabric is designed for extreme-performance outerwear applications. By using a 3-ply laminate 4-way stretch composite is a waterproof breathable fabric. For added protection, they have applied branded NanoSphere® water repellent finish to the outside. This is a great solution for those companies that have been asking SSD about an off-the-shelf softshell fabric.
Specs:
Finished Width – 55 inches cuttable
Finished Weight – 3.75 oz/yd² approximately
Fiber Content – 93% Nylon/7% Spandex
Specific Properties – NanoSphere® Water Repellent
Download test report here.
Crye Precision actually chose Beaver for their FieldShell due to its lightweight properties and foul weather performance. The FieldShell features a unique, armor compatible venting system that unzips radially around the axis of the shoulder. This means it is accessible whether you are wearing armor or not. Additionally, the jacket features a lined collar and flat hidden-zipper front, as well as discreet zip mesh pockets for internal storage as well as inset bicep pockets.
Duro offers progressive pricing based on the number of yards ordered. For more information on this or any of the full line of MultiCam fabrics visit www.multicamfabric.com or email Galpen_Ben@DuroLink.com.
Ceradyne was recently awarded a contract for their Enhanced Combat Helmet for use by the US Army and Marine Corps. One of the key ingredients to the success of their design was DSM’s Dyneema HB80 unidirectional (UD) composite. HB80 happens to be the only material that passed stringent ECH testing and is currently used in vehicle armor applications.
In a press release, Dr. James Zheng, chief scientist Soldier Protective and Individual Equipment, PEO Soldier said, “The ECH program represents a major advance in helmet technology that can deliver enhanced superior protection for our troops. Our close collaboration with leading industry partners such as Ceradyne and DSM Dyneema enabled us to utilize their valuable technological expertise and support, resulting in the new ECH helmet.”
Ceradyne, makers of the Enhanced Combat Helmet (ECH) has received the first (~$3 million) of possibly two low rate initial production orders. Ceradyne expects full rate production to commence during second quarter of calendar year 2012 with totals to exceed $170 million. It’s good to see this program moving forward after it was plagued with curing issues after showing initial success. According to Ceradyne and the Marine Corps, slight changes in the manufacturing process to accommodate the transition of tech development to production had to be dealt with to ensure consistent performance.
Called the Ceradyne Diaphorm Ballistic Helmet, the winning ECH design is twice the price of current Army and Marine Corps helmets, but provides up to 70% improvement in ballistic protection. In addition to delays, the program has received criticism over its arbitrary protection level (an undisclosed .30 threat) since there has been no move to dissipate the energy of such a round. Additionally, the size, weight and shape of the Army’s ACH was chosen for the ECH. Rather than decreasing weight and maintaining current ballistic protection to make troops more agile and to help offset the added weight of applique sensors and lights, the choice was made to maintain the current burden on the wearers neck and increase ballistic protection. Instead of telling industry that they wanted to defeat a threat, the Marine Corps wrote a requirement that boxed everyone into a narrow set of solutions.
On the other hand, both Soldiers and Marines will be receiving a new, more protective helmet. What’s more, the legacy Army’s ACH and USMC LWH both rely on Aramid fabric (Kevlar) while the ECH uses an advanced thermoplastic (PE) product. Reliance on Aramids for ballistic armor such as the IOTV and IMTV result in heavier armor systems. Hopefully, this paradigm shift in headborne systems will open up new materials options for body armor.
Delta is the latest fabric in our ongoing bi-weekly series presented by Duro Textiles LLC focusing on the various materials they offer in the MultiCam camouflage pattern. MultiCam is a single camouflage pattern designed to help the wearer hide in varied environments, seasons, elevations, and light conditions. After a great deal of commercial success and adoption by elements of US Special Operations Forces, in 2010 MultiCam was selected for use by the US Army as its Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern (OCP).
Delta is a Light-Weight Soft-Shell 40 Denier nylon 2-way stretch laminated to a Wicking/Anti-Microbial Knit. Take a look at the photo to the left and it shows what the fabric looks like. You can see a small ripstop pattern. It is IR treated and has a soft hand making it ideal for soft shell jackets. Additionally, the face is laminated to a moisture wicking knit backer which is toward the wearer and allows for quick drying comfort. The face fabric is also NanoSphere® treated and weighs about 5 oz/yd².
Download a test report for Delta here.
Vertx chose Delta for their Smock and Gunfighter top. It makes both products great for three-season wear. In addition to the fabric, the Smock has several other features not found elsewhere.
– Innovative design with a unique pocket layout
– Mesh lined dual pull pit zips
– Mag pockets inside chest pockets
– Skirt mounted mag pockets
If you are interested in the Smock visit wearvertx.com.
Duro offers progressive pricing based on the number of yards ordered. For more information on this or any of the full line of MultiCam fabrics visit www.multicamfabric.com or email Galpen_Ben@DuroLink.com.
Nike is introducing a new upper technology that resembles your grandmother’s crochet more than a running shoe. The ultralightweight Nike Flyknit combines yarns and fabric that are precisely engineered so that they only where they are needed. The result is a true minimalist shoe that is formfitting with a virtually seamless upper.
We’ve seen similar things done with clothing for years. It’s been done with for footwear with other materials as well such as leather. With the knitting, you can imagine how light it can be and yet maintain its strength.
Coming now from Nike.
Finally last November, after five years, the Air Force approved a lighter weight fabric for the Airman Battle Uniform. Previously, ABUs were manufactured from a 50/50 Nylon and Cotton twill. You old timers can think winter or heavy weight BDUs and you younger guys need to know that even the original BDUs weren’t as hot as the ABU.
But now everything has changed. ABUs will now be made from the same ripstop 50/50 blend of Nylon and Cotton used by the Army and they are beginning to roll of the production line at Propper. This newer fabric was first introduced in the early 1990s on the Enhanced Hot Weather Battle Dress Uniform. Why it took so long we will never know.
Something to remember, the ABU is not intended to be worn outside of the wire in combat environments.
New Air Force recruits will begin to receive the new version of the ABU at BMTS. But militarygear.com wanted us to pass this along.
“If you just can’t stand the heat anymore, you can pre-order the nylon-cotton ripstop ABU coats (MSRP $59.99) and ABU pants (MSRP $59.99) at MilitaryGear.com. The first orders are expected to ship around April 16, 2012.”
Men’s
militarygear.com/mens-propper-nylon-cotton-ripstop-abu-coats
militarygear.com/mens-propper-nylon-cotton-ripstop-abu-pants
Women’s
militarygear.com/womens-propper-nylon-cotton-ripstop-abu-coats
militarygear.com/womens-propper-nylon-cotton-ripstop-abu-pants
LiteLok is the second focus of our ongoing bi-weekly series presented by Duro Textiles LLC on the various fabrics they offer in the MultiCam camouflage pattern. MultiCam is a single camouflage pattern designed to help the wearer hide in varied environments, seasons, elevations, and light conditions. After a great deal of commercial success and adoption by elements of US Special Operations Forces, in 2010 MultiCam was selected for use by the US Army as its Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern (OCP).
Grey Ghost Gear uses LiteLok as one of the fabrics for their Lightweight Assault Pack. A simple, yet functional design it features a large main compartment as well as a side entry front pocket, modular webbing for attaching additional pouches and padded shoulder straps that stow away when not in use. The pack is already 30% lighter than comparable designs even before considering the weight savings of LiteLok. Additionally, the LiteLok provides a very good looking aesthetic with its visible ripstop weave.
Duro developed LiteLok fabric in conjunction with Glen Raven Technical Fabrics LLC. Weighing 30% less than traditional 500D nylon, Litelok exhibits excellent breaking strength and outstanding abrasion resistance performance. The double layer design is key to abrasion performance, while creating an ideal material for a lightweight backpack or vest.
Specs
Finished Width – 59 inches cuttable
Finished Weight – 5.4 oz/yd² approximately
Fiber Content – 100% nylon
Breaking Strength – 150/200 (warp/fill) (lbs, approximate)
Water Resistance – 127+ cm
Abrasion – may exceed 1300 cycles, H18 @500g
DOWNLOAD a LiteLok Test Report
Duro offers progressive pricing based on the number of yards ordered. For more information on this or any of the full line of MultiCam fabrics visit www.multicamfabric.com or email Galpen_Ben@DuroLink.com.
Tags: Crye Precision, Duro Textiles LLC, Glen Raven Technical Fabrics LLC, Grey Ghost Gear, Multicam
Posted in Materials, Multicam | Comments Off on MultiCam Materials – LiteLok
