From Ural Russian Motorcycles comes the Ural Patrol T. A copy of the WW-II era BMW bike used by German forces, the Ural Patrol T combines old-school style with modern features like two-wheel drive and off-road suspension at a much cheaper price then the average antique original.
We are fortunate enough to have this report on Advanced Combat Infantry Equipment System, Japan’s Soldier modernization effort from one of our readers.
Japan’s ACIES system consists of HMD, wearable computer, protective gear, weapon, and monitoring capability integrated as a system, and it is designed to share the information among the troops and C2 element to fight effectively and efficiently. Unlike the legacy Japanese military hardware, the ACIES will utilize large volume of COTS item as well as foreign source to save development cost and prevent obsolescence issues.
Program:
Since the delivery of the first ACIES demonstrators to the trial unit in late 2008, multiple trial ran were conducted throughout Japan. Based on the data compiled from trials the final ACIES design process is currently on-going. Hitachi won the final competition as the prime contractor in the summer of 2010 to design and manufacture the final design of AICES. Delivery of the initial low rate production models are expected to start around winter of 2011 to the Infantry School.
System components:
Helmet:
Modeled after the MICH helmet, inside has cushion pads and four point suspension system. This helmet will not have any ballistic protection capability, and it is “bump†helmet (shrapnel protection may be added). Japanese MoD came to a realization that with new threats on the horizon, ballistic helmet is just added weight for the users and dropped the ballistic capability in favor of adding more electronic components. The new helmet will have mounting stations for the NOD built by NEC, HMD built by Shimadzu, headset, microphone, LAN antenna. There’s also a small uncooled IR camera developed by NEC for the helmet which weighs about 70g. Only 2Mega pic, but able to identify the human face at distance up to 200m.
Body Armor:
New body armor system is in design. It may have large flap opening design rather than US IOTV side opening design. This vest will have ample MOLLE webbing all around to accommodate various pouches, battery pack, computer, and comm items to be mounted. Current demo unit has 9mm protection level, and can accommodate hard plates on both front and back (no sides). The final version will have NIJ Level IV without hard plates.
Computer and other electronic sub systems:
One of the key elements of the ACIES is the ability to process visual data from multiple source and position data, and distribute among other ACIES wearers as well as C2 element. In order to sustain the safe and secure data transmission, the robust data link capability is required. On the back of the body armor is the wearable computer’s main system. Batteries, large data processor, LAN, gyro, atmosphere pressure gage, GPS, (gigantic) cooling fans, and others are all in this portion. To power the ACIES system, dual battery sources are considered. At the AUSA in 2010, an American business, Brentronics Inc, claimed to have won the portable battery portion of the ACIES program.
Radio:
Lightweight UHF and VHF radios have been developed and fielded for the program.
Vehicle:
Monitoring system will be mounted on the LAV or APC along with the relay station for the radio and sensors worn by the dismounted troops. Also ACIES battery recharging station will be also mounted on the same vehicles. This will allow the dismounted ACIES wearers to return to the “mother ship†and quickly recharge their secondly batteries or replace the dead one with fresh ones quickly and continue their mission.
Weapon:
Howa’s Type-89 rifle has been redesigned to accommodate the Picatiny style rail system and polymer based retractable stock. Shortened carbine barrel has been also designed and may be adopted as a part of the program. Weapon also has a laser designator and integrated IR camera built by NEC. This IR camera data, along with the helmet mounted one, can be manipulated via fore grip control unit. Fore Grip control system is similar idea as the computer’s mouse, and the wearer will see through the HMD display and move the arrow symbol around and click on the menu, etc. Wearer can also aim and fire the weapon behind obstacle, just pointing the gun without exposing the body. The development of the new Howa rifle system is on-going, though European designed rifles are under evaluation to replace Type-89s.
UGV & UAV:
A softball sized throwable UGV is a part of the ACIES to provide visual data feed for the ACIES wearer in safety. Once tossed to the ground, the operator can maneuver it using a grip type controller (may be integrated to a weapon control) and provide visual data through its IR camera. Ball shaped UAV has also been developed and can accommodate small payload such as the IR camera for tactical visual feed to the ACIES wearers.
-Tom I
Unveiled at the 2010 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas, the Toyota Tundra Sportsman is a collaboration with Bass Pro Shops. Designed to take not only your deer stand but your entire hunting camp with you, Toyota touts it as “a command center for extended hunting trips” and “the ultimate sportsman fantasy transport and base camp. For example, there is a food preparation area in the tailgate, including a white gas stove and built-in 7-gallon water tank. Additionally, it sports a fold-down workbench, long gun storage and a pistol safe.
The Tundra Sportsman started as a 2011 Tundra double cab 4×4 with the optional TRD Rock Warrior package and 5.7L V8 power plant and 6-speed automatic. They also added a custom air intake and snorkel, as well as a custom exhaust that exits through the center of the pickup bed and rear deck. In addition to a 3-inch lift, the Tundra Sportsman features 18†teflon coated ATX wheels and Nitto Mud Grappler 33×12.5 tires.
The 86-square-foot platform atop the truck and can be accessed via a side-mounted ladder and doubles as a hunting blind or sleeping quarters.
Unfortunately, you won’t be ordering one of these from your local Toyota dealer. This concept car was designed to increase brand awareness for Toyota and Bass Pro Shops and “push the creative boundaries of truck utility.”
From Bogert Group and Bearse USA comes a fabric turret cover for the MRAP and up armored HMMWV. Based on requirements directly from troops in Afghanistan, Bearse developed a cover to combat issues such as corroded ammo and links as well as slippage on truck floors and electronics faults due to water.
Bearse started the project based simply on a need from a unit in Afghanistan and worked with them to perfect the design. What is even more impressive is that they did it for free. Only after the final covers were fielded and they started to get more requests for the covers did they decide to work with Bogert Group to offer them. Designed to be affixed to the turret when not in use they not only keep water and snow out of the vehicle, but they also protect the turret itself as well as the interior from the effects of the sun.
Crafted from 500 denier nylon UCP material on the outside lined with a ripstop nylon on the inside it features grommets around the edges as well as bungees to help keep the fabric taut. Some of the improvements that were made to the covers while under development was the addition of extra materials around the edges so it would hang further over the lip of the turret and resist pooling water from torrential downpours.
To learn more visit www.bogertgroup.com.
No, you can’t store a vehicle in it, but it looks like you can keep your ammo from rolling around in your trunk. Simple and functional. Since it’s called a Medium storage bag on the web site we expect to see more of these in other sizes. Berry compliant and available in Coyote and MultiCam.
The DTV (Dual Tracked Vehicle) Shredder was designed by Ben Gulak of BPG Werks. I don’t know if you would call it a “skateboard” or not, maybe it’s more of a scooter. The DTV is somewhat modular. It seems that the steering bar can be replaced with a handheld accelerator module. Additionally, it can be configured for remote control operation. Designed to take up to a 40 degree slope and with a top speed of 30 mph it’s definitely an interesting concept. The down side? It’s powered by MOGAS.
Innovative Flight Solutions (IFS) based in Virginia Beach, Virginia and is an independent developer of alternative flight solutions for use in both defense and commercial applications.
Under development for 8 years, IFS’ most recent achievement is the “Stalker” Powered Parafoil. The Stalker can be flown either manned or unmanned, from altitudes ranging 5 feet to 20,000 feet, and as slow as 17 knots or as fast at 68 knots. In addition to its airborne capabilities, in ground mode the Stalker has the capacity to transverse paved and unimproved roadways, grass fields, beach, desert and other challenging terrain. On a paved road the Stalker can reach speeds in excess of 70 mph.
The Stalker’s distinct capabilities are ideal for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) programs as well as use in border patrol, psychological operations (PSYOPS, now called Military Information Operations), and as a combat Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). With a standard flight time of 4.4 hours, and an optional extended fuel cell increasing its range to 19.8 hours, the Stalker can also be used for forward scouting ahead of convoys, delivery to remote terrains, medevac, sniper operations, etc. Due to its simplicity in maintenance, small storage area, and ease of flight any platoon leader or area commander can now have immediate and total control of an air asset.
Unlike fixed wing aircraft, the Stalker cannot be rolled, put into a dive, or stalled It can also handle IFR (no visibility) flight conditions. According to the FAA, the Stalker “… it [sic]one of the safest, stable and versatile aircraft in existence…” It can carry a useful payload of 747 pounds in manned flight and as a UAV has a useful payload of 1,047 pounds.
IFS works with the Aviation Sciences department at the University of Maryland to conduct its research and development while manufacturing is done by a leading defense contractor. Extensive testing has been completed in conjunction with Anti-Terrorism Force Protection exercises at eleven (11) military bases. All testing has been successful.
The Stalker will be on display at GSS Gear’s New Breed of Warrior being held September 10-11, 2010.
It has been over two years since we wrote about the Flipfin product from Omega Aquatics. Since then they have attracted the attention of military divers and swimmers and have developed the Stealth model specifically for this community. We were fortunate to check out this new model last week at the Warrior Expo – East. They still do the same job, propulsion in the water with the blade down but accommodate mobility when dry or moving through surf with the blades in the up position. The big difference is that this model was designed specifically for military use and features a large foot pocket for boots as well as being neutrally buoyant.
Offered in Black as well as Orange, the Stealth Flipfins are available from ADS or from www.flipfins.com.
Tags: ADS, Omega Aquatics
Posted in ADS, Mobility | Comments Off on Stealth Flipfins
