B5 Systems

Archive for the ‘Mobility’ Category

TacJobs – Local Motors

Friday, December 9th, 2011

Agreed, this doesn’t sound like your typical TacJobs posting, but then again, Local Motors isn’t your typical company. They are a TacHackers dream come true. They specialize in custom kit builds of Fighter class rally cars. Additionally, Local Motors is the company that was chosen to crowd source a future combat vehicle concept for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency called Flypmode (XC2V).

They currently have 10 openings for qualified applicants. These aren’t your typical sales jobs. Local Motors is seeking forward looking types who are great at what they do, whether technologist, engineer, logistician, or automotive professional. Check out what Local Motors has to say about their ideal candidates:

Are you positive, supportive and inspiring to others?
Do you get things done? Are you independent, and yet take direction well?
Are you passionate enough to work at a start-up?
Do you want to be a part of changing our world in a meaningful way?

You may be a recent graduate with relevant school projects or endless hours of relevant tinkering behind you. You may have a couple of years experience under your belt developing slick user interfaces. Either way, you are both talented and organized.

Their current openings are at www.local-motors.com/about/careers/technology/.

Spike’s Tactical Rally Fighter Walkaround

Tuesday, November 29th, 2011

We are big fans of Local Motors and their Rally Fighter kit car. It turns out that Spike’s Tactical is an even bigger fan. They went out and built a custom version of the Rally Fighter for themselves. Photographer John J Irvin captured this walk around of Spike’s creation.

Local Motors on the Rally Fighter:

The Rally Fighter is a premium, authentic off-road experience. It is capable of racing the deserts of the American Southwest and handle the city streets. But build in an extra 10 minutes on your commute to answer questions, it’s a head-turner!

The Rally Fighter is the first vehicle by Local Motors and will be built with the our customer in Phoenix, Arizona.

www.rallyfighter.com

GD Buys FPI

Tuesday, November 8th, 2011

Chances are good that if you’ve got any time around MRAPs you know Force Protection, Inc. General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) has agreed to pay $5.52 per share of common stock for a total of about $360 million to purchase FPI. This move isn’t really that surprising as for the last five years GDLS and FPI have partnered in the production of the Cougar. However, considering that both the Army and Marine Corps have discussed curtailing their MRAP buys, the timing seems somewhat late.

Conversely, this move does help GD further corner the US armored vehicle market. Already, they manufacture both the Abrams main battle tank and Stryker infantry combat vehicle. Additionally, as you may recall, FPI developed the JAMMA for use as a SOF Internally Transportable Vehicle. With GMVS 1.1 in full swing, this move may help strengthen the case for the JAMMA.

“Force Protection complements and strategically expands General Dynamics’ armored vehicle business, adding new products to the expansive portfolio of combat vehicles that we currently manufacture and support,” said Mark C. Roualet, president of General Dynamics Land Systems. “In addition, Force Protection’s skilled workforce provides high-quality support and sustainment services to an installed fleet of approximately 3,000 vehicles, strengthening our ability to support assets deployed with U.S. forces around the world. With this acquisition, we will create new opportunities to serve domestic and international customers alike.”

Michael Moody, chairman and chief executive officer of Force Protection, Inc., commented, “After careful consideration of the strategic direction of Force Protection, our board decided that a sale to General Dynamics would maximize value for our stockholders. With their armored vehicle business, General Dynamics will be able to pursue opportunities that we could not have pursued as a stand-alone company. As part of the General Dynamics family, our innovative products and offerings will continue to provide militaries worldwide critical assets that save troops’ lives.”

www.forceprotection.net

Valkyrie Advanced Development Group

Monday, November 7th, 2011

Although Valkyrie Advanced Development Group is a new company they bring decades of experience to the table in a variety of tactical arenas including apparel, armor, and personal equipment to vehicle development. Using a skunkworks approach to product development, below you can see their inherent capabilities. With location in Mesa, Arizona and Ouray, Colorado, Valkyrie can conduct extensive test and evaluation on solutions they have developed.

Take for example this trailer, developed for a mobility requirement. It was designed to increase the load capacity and range of a prime mover tactical ground vehicle for small units. Look for a more in-depth article on this technology here in the near future.

Interested parties should contact Valkyrie Advanced Development Group directly whether seeking solutions or opportunities to invest.

valkyrie-adg.com

EXO

Friday, November 4th, 2011

EXO from Exoconcept is a surface watercraft designed to assist swimmers. Exoconcept advertises “No Emission + No Noise + No Smoke + No Maintenance.” Sounds like it might be useful for certain surface swimmer or rescue applications. If not, it looks like one hell of a lot of fun.

Available in various models, the EXO is made from ABS plastic or carbon fiber and powered by a 3.5, 4.5, or 7 kw electric motor connected to a water jet drive.

www.exo-concept.com

Osprey – Special Operations Patrol Vehicles Afghanistan and Iraq

Wednesday, October 26th, 2011

The new title from Osprey Publishing, “Special Operations Patrol Vehicles Afghanistan and Iraq” (New Vanguard 179) is a great companion to author Leigh Neville’s other Osprey titles focusing on Coalition SOF in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The work does a good job of covering almost all of the vehicles used by SOF in the modern era. Unfortunately, it’s only in the text and not with photos. However, the book gives a great basic overview of the vehicles and serves to help the reader understand why there is a requirement for a purpose built SOF Ground Vehicle the so-called Ground Mobility Vehicle 1.1. Additionally, the artwork by Richard Chasemore is fantastic and should be sold as prints to men in the units who use these vehicles. They are very detailed and very accurate.

Land Rover Defender Commercial

Tuesday, October 25th, 2011

Now, if they’d just start bringing them into the US.

Misty Mountain Cadillac Tactical Climbing Harness

Wednesday, September 21st, 2011

At Outdoor Retailer, Misty Mountain showed me their new Cadillac Tactical Climbing Harness but it was still a few weeks from release. But now, it’s fully available.

Misty Mountain is well known within the relatively small cadre of military mountaineers. They reached out to these customers before beginning work on the Cadillac and asked what these professionals were looking for. According to Misty Mountain, they were repeatedly told, “strength, durability, comfort, and abrasion resistance, plus ease of use while wearing gloves, and strong connection points for easier, safer transitions. Make it easy to adjust, lightweight, and super burly so it can stand up to the nastiest environments.” Taking this guidance they set out to create the Cadillac Tactical sit harness.

They’ve used the latest materials to create this harness. Misty Mountain’s description is more than adequate:

The new Cadillac Tactical features a monochromatic color scheme, four quick adjust buckles for ease of fit, four strong, integrated nylon gear loops with TRELLEBORG high abrasion reinforced Kevlar fabric. TWEAVE DURASTRETCH High Tenacity Nylon inner layer is durable and abrasion resistant. Removeable leg loops feature auto-block loops for easy rappel back-up, adjust for dorsal rise and offer quick release option. Wide, layered comfort comes from tough 1000 Denier CORDURA nylon laminate sublayer to spread forces over a wider surface area of closed cell, cross-linked .25″ EVAZOTE foam padding. Soft foam edges roll for comfort, and black anodized 6061 T-6 Aluminum 2 piece quick adjust buckles work smoothly but lock as needed with 1″ tubular Climbspec nylon webbing.

Cadillac Tactical harness strength rated to 16 kN (3,600 lbs), gear loops and rear haul loop rated to 10 kN (2,250 lbs).

The Cadillac is a sized harness offered in XSmall – XXXLarge. Berry compliant and available in Coyote or Black, if you’re at Modern Day Marine next week, stop by the Extreme Outfitters booth and check out Misty Mountain.