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Archive for the ‘Multicam’ Category

Camouflage Patterns, Concepts and Design/Analysis Tools

Thursday, June 3rd, 2010

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.

Tags: Natick
Posted in Camo, Contracts, Multicam | Comments Off on Camouflage Patterns, Concepts and Design/Analysis Tools

Army Seeks FR Patch Kit

Wednesday, May 26th, 2010

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.

Posted in FR, Materials, Multicam, PEO-Soldier | Comments Off on Army Seeks FR Patch Kit

Brits Recommended MultiCam to US Army? Excuse Me While I Guffaw

Friday, May 21st, 2010

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, â€œWe 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.

Tags: Crye Precision
Posted in Camo, Clothing, Foreign, Multicam | Comments Off on Brits Recommended MultiCam to US Army? Excuse Me While I Guffaw

Army to Field an Additional 26,800 Plate Carriers

Thursday, May 20th, 2010

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.

Posted in Armor, Multicam, PEO-Soldier | Comments Off on Army to Field an Additional 26,800 Plate Carriers

Fielding the OEF FR ACU

Monday, May 17th, 2010

As most of you know by now, the MultiCam version of the Fire Resistant Army Combat Uniform slated to be issued to troops in Afghanistan has been officially dubbed the OEF FR ACU. This is because it is supposed to only be used in Afghanistan (Operation ENDURING FREEDOM). I guess someone forgot that operations in the Philippines are also part of OEF. But then again, I don’t share PEO-Soldier’s wishful optimism that commanders in other areas won’t want their troops to be outfitted in MultiCam as well. I mean after all, testing has demonstrated it is a very effective pattern in a variety of environments. Why wouldn’t a commander want his troops outfitted in the best equipment available.

At any rate, where are those new OEF FR ACUs anyway? Well, the Army is on its way to fielding, working its way through the procurement process, but meeting the goal of July is going to be difficult if not impossible. The recently released pre-solicitation doesn’t close until 1 June. Then, the Army still has to release an actual solicitation which is usually open for about 30 days, make an award, deal with any protests that might arise, wait for uniforms to roll off the line, and finally distribute them. While mills are chugging away manufacturing FR Defender-M from Tencate, none of the manufacturers of uniforms will place orders for fabric until they receive a contract so there is only so much leaning forward in the fox hole that can be done.

One of the reasons that PEO-Soldier isn’t jumping into MultiCam with both feet is that the Army hasn’t made a long-term decision about camouflage yet. PEO-Soldier says that the Army is moving toward a decision on Phase IV of the camo project but thus far, almost nothing has been released on what exactly this phase entails. Hopefully, we will begin to see some transparency considering the brouhaha raised over the selection of the Universal Camouflage Pattern.

Tags: Multicam
Posted in Camo, Clothing, FR, Multicam, PEO-Soldier | Comments Off on Fielding the OEF FR ACU

Tdi Arms Now Manufacturing in the US

Sunday, May 16th, 2010

Several firms have come together to offer a unique set of products and services. Tdi Arms America offers original Tdi Products in partnership with Covert Coatings for the “Ultimate in Weapons Accessories Technology”. Mil Spec camouflage is now available as an option on all Tdi Arms products with either a Water Transfer or a Vinyl Wrap Cover.

Both Tdi Arms America and Covert Coatings products are distributed by Tdi Lakota Holdings. There is also another element to this business that may interest many SSD readers. Lakota Archery offers original bows handcrafted on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation in Timber Lake, SD, by gifted individuals who have a proud tradition of their craftsmanship and expertise.

Tdi Arms was established in 2002 in Israel to manufacture weapon accessories. Lakota is well known to many SSD readers as the first company to be licensed by Crye Precision to offer MultiCam water transfer services.

www.tdilakotaholdings.com

Tags: Tdi Lakota Holdings
Posted in Industry, Multicam, weapons | Comments Off on Tdi Arms Now Manufacturing in the US

MultiCam-tinged Flecktarn Abounds

Tuesday, May 11th, 2010

In addition to TacGear’s MultiCam-esque Flecktarn offering, a new pattern has emerged in Germany called Arid-Flecktarn that is definitely inspired by MultiCam but features Black rather than the Dark Brown shade found in the real thing. It is purely a commercial pattern and has not been adopted for use by anyone. The garments are sewn in the same style as US-issue ACUs.

Posted in Camo, Foreign, Multicam | Comments Off on MultiCam-tinged Flecktarn Abounds

Arc’teryx LEAF Introduces New Armor Compatible Clothing System

Wednesday, May 5th, 2010

About six years ago two things happened to revolutionize military clothing. Crye released the Combat shirt and pants and Arc’teryx unveiled the tactical softshell. Over the last two years we have watched Arc’teryx develop a new clothing system that takes both of these concepts to the next level. The hybrid COMPOUND system is like nothing we’ve ever seen, strategically combining Arc’teryx styling with different fabrics in one garment to garner the desired affect for different areas of the body. Named after mythical hybrid creatures, the Chimera, Sphinx, Gryphon, and Minotaur blend different fabrics and weights for specific climate conditions and situations. Key highlights include:

CHIMERA LS Shirt:
Superb hot weather performance is provided by this perspiration-shedding next-to-skin shirt made of stretch-woven TweaveÂ® DurastretchÂ® LT in the yoke and shoulders and wicking Cyberknit in the torso. Stretch-woven cuffs seal nicely around the wrist; while zippered biceps pockets are perfect for storing small items. Available in Black and Crocodile, summer 2010.

SPHINX Half Shell:
This softshell is designed to be comfortably worn under armor, web gear, or while carrying a pack. Worn as a mid-layer or on its own, two different weights of TweaveÂ® four-way stretch woven fabric are utilized; TweaveÂ® DurastretchÂ® in the yoke and shoulders, and DurastretchÂ® LT in the torso (jacket). Available in Crye Multicam and Crocodile, summer 2010. Multicam SPHINX Half Shells are Berry Compliant (100% US labor and 100% US materials)

SPHINX Pants:
Tough, quick drying TweaveÂ® DurastretchÂ® combat pants with integral kneepad holders, 10 pockets and stretch scree cuffs. Crocodile and Multicam. Multicam SPHINX Pants are Berry Compliant (100% US labor and 100% US materials)

MINOTAUR Jacket:
The perfect combination of weather-resistance and windproofness in foul weather, this half-shell features 3L GORE -TEXÂ®WINDSTOPPER Â® with an easy-sliding micro-fleece backer in the sleeves, shoulders and collar. Versatile PolartecÂ® Power StretchÂ® fabric with HardfaceÂ® technology is used in the torso. The Minotaur can be worn on its own or under armour, chest rigs, and packs and the long torso tucks easily into combat pants. Full-length armpit zips make for easy venting in warmer weather. Available in Black and Crocodile, summer 2010.

GRYPHON Half Shell:
This robust zippered top features a unique hybrid of fabrics for all-weather duty. Waterproof and breathable 3-layer GORE -TEXÂ® XCR is used on the shoulder yoke and sleeves, while the roll-up hood is made of light weight GORE -TEXÂ® Pro Shell. In the torso, light, versatile and breathable four-way TweaveÂ® DurastretchÂ® stretch enhances freedom of movement. For added versatility, the patented roll-up sleeves allow for easy ventilation without removing armour/rig. Paired with the matching pants, the Gryphon is perfect for HALO/HAHO operations. Available in Black and Crocodile, summer 2010.

GRYPHON Pants:
Move fast, stay dry and stay ready to fight with waterproof 3-layer Gore-Tex hard shell and durable, breathable TweaveÂ® DurastretchÂ® soft-shell in a full featured combat pant. Integral kneepad pocket, stretch scree cuff, tool loops and 6 secure pockets. Available in Crocodile, summer 2010.

ATOM AF Jacket:
Round out your mission outfit with the new Atom AF jacket. An extra thick layer of synthetic Coreloftâ„¢ insulates the torso, but is compressible enough to pack into its own pocket. Cut extra large in the torso to slip easily over plate carriers and chest rigs without extra bulk in the arms and shoulder. Packs smaller than an football in its own pocket. Available in Crocodile, early fall 2010.

KNEE CAPS:
Lightweight and anatomically-shaped, this proven field performer protects the knees and has a new low profile, quick detach, tri-glide buckle. Available in Black and Foliage Green, early summer 2010.

All of these Arcâ€™teryx LEAF pieces will be available for sale summer, 2010. Visit www.leaf.arcteryx.com to keep up with LEAF news and product developments.

Visit Arc’teryx at ADS Warrior Expo West to see the products in action.

Posted in Arc'teryx, Clothing, Multicam | Comments Off on Arc’teryx LEAF Introduces New Armor Compatible Clothing System