This is kind of like when I was a kid and the Sears Wish Book would arrive. Lots of new stuff to digest in addition to the compound armor compatible clothing system. You also have gloves and base layers to learn about. Additionally, the catalog tells their materials story so you will get some insight on how they maintain the edge.
For those of you fortunate enough to be attending SOFIC you can can check out the new line in person at the Campbell Conference Room at the Embassy Suites.
The new Mk 4 Osprey body armor is a huge evolutionary step for the British Soldier and will make its combat debut this Fall in Afghanistan on the backs of the 16th Air Assault Brigade.
In addition to better protection, some of the improvements over the current version include non-skid shoulders, the plate is now carried in a pocket inside the vest making it less bulky, and has a new ribbed material lining to improve breathability.
The Osprey Mk 4 also integrates even more PALS webbing than its predecessor and will be issued with 23 pouches which include:
* 3 x SA80 single magazine
* 4 x SA80 double magazine
* 3 x single SA80 magazine with elastic pull-cord
* 2 x smoke grenade
* 2 x anti-personnel grenade
* sharpshooter magazine
* utility
* water bottle
* light machine gun magazine – 100 round
* first aid kit
* 2 x 9mm pistol magazine
* underslung grenade launcher – 8 round
* commander’s pouch
The photo is a great comparison shot from the Osprey Mk 3 and desert DPM to the new Mk 4 and Crye Precision developed Multi Terrain Pattern combat uniform. Armor that is actually fielded will also be in MTP.
US PALM started out with a vision of an affordable plate carrier for use by the man defending his castle. Nothing too fancy, with simplicity key to the design. It also needed to carry everything on one package so in 5 seconds the user could transform himself from naked to fully equipped. What they came up with is simply remarkable. With five different designs, there is a solution for everyone. Even if the AR15, AK47, .308, or Pistol variants don’t fit your exact needs, a MOLLE version allows you to tailor a dedicated solution. Regardless of configuration, each Defender comes with a front panel equipped with Level III armor and is designed to accept a Large ESAPI plate. An optional armor equipped rear panel is also available.
Berry compliant and manufactured from 500D Cordura, the Defender series is available in Black, Khaki, Coyote, and MultiCam. www.US-PALM.com
About a year and a half ago Wild Things began development on a variety of new tactical clothing items. Combining decades of climbing and expedition experience with user feedback, Wild Things was able to create a fusion of Alpine and Tactical. The line sticks to Wild Things’ core competencies yet is very extensive consisting of High Loft, Low Loft, Soft shell, and Hard shell options. The pieces are designed to be used as part of a layered clothing system but several stand out for use individually. Additionally, everything in the new line has stood up to the rigors of combat and is now available for sale to both individuals as well as units from Wild Things’ new website. Did we say that it’s all available now and in MultiCam? All of the styles are available in X-Small through XX-Large.
Hard Shell Jacket
-Designed to be worn over body armor
-Made of 3-layer eVent® waterproof/breathable fabric
-Waterproof zippers
-Fully adjustable hood is helmet-compatible
-Two inset sleeve pockets with pile tape patches
-Two handwarmer pockets
Hard Shell Pants
-Made of 3-layer eVent® waterproof/breathable fabric
-Waterproof zippers
-Adjustable waistband features belt loops, Velcro® side tabs, and back elastic with suspender loops
-Two cargo pockets
-Zippered hems to pull on over boots
High Loft Jacket
-Designed to be worn over body armor
-Shell is made of 70 denier textured nylon fabric
-6 oz PrimaLoft® Sport synthetic insulation
-Fully adjustable hood is helmet-compatible
-Two hand warmer pockets are lined with 2 oz quilted PrimaLoft®
-Two interior mesh pockets provide storage and a place for wet goods to dry out
-High collar keeps neck worm even when hood is down
High Loft Pants
-Shell is made of 70 denier textured nylon fabric
-4 oz PrimaLoft® Sport synthetic insulation
-330d Cordura® reinforces the rear, knees and instep
-Grommets for cords to keep bottom hem down during movements
-Elasticized waist and side seam zippers
Low Loft Jacket
-Body is made of 70 denier textured nylon fabric
-Nylon rip stop lining is quilted to 2 oz PrimaLoft® synthetic insulation
-Sleeves feature abrasion resistant panels from elbow to cuff
-Two inset sleeve pockets with pile tape patches
-Two handwarmer pockets
Soft Shell Jacket Lightweight
-Tight weave nylon/spandex fabric provides stretch as well as wind and water resistance
-Two inset sleeve pockets with pile tape patches
-Zippered hand pockets are made with mesh pocket bags
-Articulated stow away hood
-Pit zips
Soft Shell Jacket
-Four-way stretch nylon/spandex blended fabric bonded to hydrophobic polyester fleece (Body)
-Two inset sleeve pockets with pile tape patches
-Zippered hand pockets are made with mesh pocket bags
-Articulated stow away hood
-Pit zips
Soft Shell Pants Lightweight
-Tight weave nylon/spandex fabric provides stretch as well as wind and water resistance
-Five belt loops are designed with first line in mind
-Two cargo pockets on the thighs
-Zippered hems to pull on over boots
Soft Shell Pants
-Four-way stretch nylon/spandex blended fabric bonded to hydrophobic polyester fleece
-Five belt loops are designed with first line in mind
-Four cargo pockets, two on the thighs and two on the calf
-Knife pockets are sewn onto both thigh cargo pockets for easy access
-Zippered hems to pull on over boots with gripper tape at the hem
Could the recent Sources Sought Notice from Natick for Camouflage Patterns, Concepts and Design/Analysis Tools be in support of the Army’s fabled Phase IV of their camouflage plan? We hear that so far only a few companies have ponied up and this has prompted Natick’s Multifunctional Materials Team, Warfighter Science, Technology and Research Directorate to extend the deadline from May 28th until June 18th. Interested parties should check out the Sources Sought Notice and respond if you have something of interest. Now is the time to stand up and be counted.
Apparently, whatever the final plan is for Phase IV it is supposed to be on the Chief of Staff of the Army’s desk by 14 November and word has it that the Army-wide adoption of MultiCam will be one of the courses of action. At this point, it is the path of least resistance since to do nothing and retain UCP would meet a great deal of operational resistance based on several rounds of testing. Additionally, industry is beginning to energize a supply chain for MultiCam that can be further ramped up to meet increased demand. We fully support the continued development of more advanced patterns but MultiCam increases capability immediately. What’s more we would like to see the Air Force adopt MultiCam at least for deployed forces.
PEO-Soldier is seeking a Flame Resistant Uniform Unit level Repair Patch Kit that has the capability to provide Infra Red (IR)/Flame Resistance (FR) protection in a self contained kit. According to the requirement, the “IR/FR Uniform Repair Kit must contain 8 patches (2 3×3,2 4×4, 2 5×5, and 2 5×7 inch kits) made of self adhesive Fire Resistant material that are intended to be used to repair Flame Resistant MultiCam & UCP uniform items.” The patch also needs to “adhere to the FR Army Combat Uniform (FR-ACU), the Improved Combat Vehicle Crewman Coverall (ICVC) and the Aviation Aircrew Combat Uniform (A2CU) or other flame resistant clothing items, covering any holes, rips or tears.”
They have already completed a sources sought notice and should begin to consider technologies soon in order to begin fielding this summer.
This is just precious. In a recent press release from the MoD, Colonel Stephen James, Project Team Leader for the Defence Equipment and Support Clothing Team, who was responsible for delivering the new British Multi Terrain Pattern to British forces had this to say, “We have presented the new designs to the US Department of Defense and, following our recommendations, the US Army are about to adopt the same technology for their uniform in Afghanistan.â€
Ok, so there you have it. The recommendation of the British Army, after their experience in adopting MTP a MultiCam-like pattern developed by Crye Precision, is what is responsible for the US Army’s recent decision to field MultiCam to units operating in Afghanistan. I guess it has nothing to do with the results of an arduous selection process carried out by PEO-Soldier and their partners at Natick, AWG, ATEC, and the Infantry Center in which MultiCam was deemed superior to the other candidates.
In order to support the switch to MultiCam for troops in Operation Enduring Freedom, the Army plans on purchasing an additional 26,800 Soldier Plate Carrier Systems in MultiCam to supplement the initial purchase of SPCS in UCP. PEO-Soldier has confirmed that they issued a sole source contract for 6,800 SPCS on May 5th and plan to issue an open solicitation for the remaining 20,000 in FY11. The Army is in the process of purchasing the Technical Data Package for the SPCS from designer KDH. The First Unit Equipped for the MultiCam SPCS will be in August. The First Unit Equipped with the SPCS in UCP was the 10th Mountain in January of this year.
