GORE-TEX WINDSTOPPER

Archive for the ‘Materials’ Category

NTOA – Mayflower Research & Consulting

Monday, September 19th, 2011

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At NTOA’s annual meeting in Richmond, VA Mayflower Research & Consulting, LLC gave us a sneak peek of a version of their GEN IV UW Chest Rig manufactured from LiteLok, a material created by Glen Raven Technical Fabrics and offered in MultiCam by DURO Industries. Weighing 30% less than traditional 500D nylon, LiteLok offers outstanding abrasion resistance and is often seen in soft armor carriers.

The GEN IV carries 4 ea 5.56mm magazines, 2 pistol magazines, up to 2 small radios (PRC-152/MBITR) and also features 2 GP pockets.

http://www.mayflower-rc.org

TacHacker – Duro Overruns

Sunday, September 18th, 2011

Occasionally, we get inquiries from those looking for a few yards of this or that so that they can take on a do-it-yourself project. There are plenty of places to source fabric, but one that everyone who manufactures soft goods should check is Duro Textiles, LLC. They hold the license for MultiCam and print a wide variety of patterns on even more fabrics. Check this link for overrun offerings.

CamoScience App Makes Custom Precision Camo Design a Reality

Tuesday, September 13th, 2011

Soldier Systems Daily unveils exclusive photo evidence.

We have mentioned Special Operations Apps and their CamoScience app in the past. CamoScience is an App for Smart Devices like the iPhone 4/5 and IPad 2.

Interestingly, SOA contacted us after reading the recent article published last week here on SSD concerning NECC’s (Naval Expeditionary Combat Command) lack of an issue combat uniform and a version of what appears to be unique Navy DIY Camo. They provided these pictures as photo-evidence of a new solution for the unique requirements of expeditionary units like the NECC and SOF.

As you can see, MW R&D and Special Operations Apps have moved past the proof of concept phase by showing these first public photos of CamoScience App Designs being printed digitally-direct to fabric and using MW R&D’s proprietary processes.

This is a custom camouflage design made real by combining elements from:
-Smart Device
-Reliable Intel (GEOINT)
-Digitally Printing Direct-To-Fabric
-Just-In-Time Custom Manufacturing

According to the company’s President, K. Dominic Cincotti, MW R&D and SOA are in talks now with leading Tactical and Hunting/Outdoor Companies to utilize this new proprietary process. Cincotti is the inventor of Photographic/Camera derived Camouflage.

“The truly great thing about using our process and this App is that it would allow for SOF to make their own CAMO designs”, Cincotti said.

“Operators could use the latest technology, without having to rely on ‘CAMO Artists’, with little knowledge of SOF operational or tactical concerns. The App even converts photos to MilSpec colors if that need exists.”

In 2007 Photo-Realâ„¢ and Photo-Stealthâ„¢ camo debuted. They were printed onto special adhesive vinyls and applied to SOF hardware and equipment. In 2009 a unique grip was added to these technologies and was applied to weapons.

Today, Soldier Systems Daily received these first photos of this new type of camo, produced using completely digital means on textiles. According to the company, a wide range of textiles and fabrics can now be utilized. The printer applies the pattern directly to your grey goods.

SOA in association with MW R&D are now in beta-testing with new Apps for release this winter.

specialoperationsapps.com

Whiskey 5 with Duro

Friday, August 19th, 2011

Who


Duro Textiles, LLC

What
Duro is a textile technology company that specializes in printing, dying and coating “troop protecting” fabrics for the US military. We are also very proud to be the exclusive commercial and international distributor of MultiCam™ woven fabrics.

Where
We are located in Fall River, MA. We are very active in the military, tactical, and hunting markets.

When
Duro started in 1947.

Why
These days, the only way to stay competitive as a textile manufacturer in the United States is to focus on technology. At Duro we pride ourselves on our diligence and search of the newest and greatest products that will protect our soldiers, law enforcement as well as our civilian users.

www.duroindustries.com

5.11 Tactical Introduces New Fabric

Tuesday, August 16th, 2011

5.11 Tactical® just released Flex-Tac®, a patent pending new fabric that is lightweight, features increased breathability, stain resistance and colorfastness and most importantly it stretches almost 20% more than traditional tactical pants. Available August 2011, 5.11 is introducing the new Stryke® Pant with Flex-Tac® as their next generation tactical pant.

5.11 Tactical engineered the new Flex-Tac® performance stretch fabric to offer 2-way horizontal stretch (20% more) with quick recovery and improved breathability and durability. Fibers are woven in a coil so they stretch and recoil each time extra mobility is needed. Traditional stretch fabric is typically made by weaving spandex in with a fabric making it heavy and less breathable with poor stretch recovery. It also breaks down easily when exposed to high temperatures, repeated washings, and any use that’s heavier than simply fashion. 5.11 Tactical also maintained the fade, soil, and water resistant properties of the original Flex-Tac fabric even when the fabric was stretched.

The story of the development of the new Flex-Tac fabric and associated Stryke pant is definitely worth sharing. Francisco Morales, President of 5.11 Tactical, took a trip to Jordan and the UAE, where he met with security contractors and elite US military operators who wear and are fans of the 5.11 Taclite Pant. According to a 5.11 press release, Morales pressed them for feedback on how the pant could be improved for their needs. “Create a performance stretch fabric,” was their overwhelming request and Morales knew that he had a groundbreaking task ahead of him.

He went to explain, “The goal was to add functionality for our tactical operators by increasing range of motion and reducing the amount of resistance the fabric would give them,” said Morales. “In order to maintain our durability and comfort we used the high strength-to-weight ratio of our popular Taclite™ fabric. This allowed us to keep the strong rip-stop weave and add the extra functionality that stretch delivers.”

www.511tactical.com

Stuff We Didn’t Write About

Saturday, August 13th, 2011

This Saturday sees the return of the long demented “Stuff we didn’t write about.” Quite frankly, it was a long week and we’ve barely recovered from OR.

So here are the topics:

Scots student makes breakthrough in ‘invisibility cloak’ theory

Company’s dummies help surgeons hone skills

Hacked toy truck saves soldiers’ lives (This is so 2003)

THE NORTH FACE – PONCHO Camouflage (This is so 1980s)

Crosscore, Inc. Announces Practical Training Tactical Action DVD Release Featuring Rotational Bodyweight Trainingâ„¢ and Kettlebell Training Led by Mark Toomey, Senior RKC Instructor

Haptic Vibrating Belts Guide U.S. Soldiers Through the Darkness

Project Run-a-Way: The Craziest Combat Outfits

HooToo Introduces Two Fashion Designed Cell Phone Signal Jammers

OR – CiloGear, The Coolest Thing at OR

Friday, August 12th, 2011

At OR everyone asked me about the coolest thing I saw. Granted, I’m a bit jaded, being exposed to new stuff all of the time. I’ve always maintained that the coolest stuff at OR can be found on the fringes and CiloGear is no exception. Well, no exception to that rule, because everything they do is exceptional. Well known within the climbing community Cilo caught the eye of a couple of military climbers. The rest is history being written.

These aren’t mainstream packs that a Grunt is going to use. They are way too specialized for that. For example, you aren’t going to see a pack covered in PALS webbing. If it’s there, it’s there for a reason. These are very specialized tools for a specialized community. Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, CiloGear was started by climbers, for climbers. They build to order and keep waste to an absolute minimum.

Taking this whole philosophy into account, as you can imagine they use some exotic materials to create their packs. Early on I talked about the advantages of Cuben fabric. They’ve embraced the technology and also run with a couple of forms of Spectra.

Take for example this 75L WorkSack. That is a 75 liter beast but when you consider the weight, you ask yourself, “How?” It weighs in at just over 2 lbs.

If you are the right customer, then CiloGear has the right gear for you.

OR – Cordura

Saturday, August 6th, 2011

Just a reminder that Cordura literally touches the lives of every service member. From the boots on their feet to the duffel bag they use to store their gear, Cordura is there.

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www.Cordura.com