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Wild Things Releases Tactical Outer Layers

Friday, June 4th, 2010

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 eVentÂ® 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 eVentÂ® waterproof/breathable fabric
-Waterproof zippers
-Adjustable waistband features belt loops, VelcroÂ® 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 PrimaLoftÂ® Sport synthetic insulation
-Fully adjustable hood is helmet-compatible
-Two hand warmer pockets are lined with 2 oz quilted PrimaLoftÂ®
-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 PrimaLoftÂ® Sport synthetic insulation
-330d CorduraÂ® 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 PrimaLoftÂ® 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

www.wttactical.com

Tags: Wild Things Tactical
Posted in Clothing, Multicam | Comments Off on Wild Things Releases Tactical Outer Layers

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