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MOHOC Launches New Camera to Maximize Situational Awareness

Tuesday, May 17th, 2022

A Real-Time Video Sensor at the Tactical Edge

SOFIC, Tampa, FL. MOHOC, Inc., creator of the world’s first military-optimized helmet cameras, announced today the launch of the all-new MOHOC® 2 Camera.

While the original MOHOC® Camera is used primarily for recording video to an SD card, the MOHOC® 2 Camera is built to stream real-time video over mobile ad hoc networking (MANET) radios. Designed as a live sensor for the hyper-enabled operator, it maximizes situational awareness at the tactical edge.

Dan Fuhrman, VP Product Development, described the new technology, “We continually listen to feedback from operators, and their #1 request has been to improve the camera’s transmission. We thoroughly studied this input, innovated, and MOHOC® 2 now marks our evolution from an after-action review device to a real-time streaming tool for mission-critical information.”

MOHOC® 2 utilizes a radically improved sensor offering 20X better low-light performance than its predecessor. It is smaller, lighter, and simpler to operate than the original MOHOC®, but with the same low-profile, helmet-contour, and military-grade ruggedization. Additional features include a rotating lens, Curvelock™ Velcro® mount, and connectors canted to minimize snagging.

The camera is designed with extensive input from leading C5ISR companies for plug-and-play, resilient comms within integrated tactical networks. Built in multiple video formats tailored to the protocol of specific tactical radios, the first MOHOC® 2 model (released today) outputs SDI video compatible with the Persistent Systems MPU5 MANET radio. Additional models with IP, USB, and HDMI video formats are expected starting in Q3, and specialized ports and connectors are available for custom-build solutions. All MOHOC® 2 Cameras are made in the USA.

www.mohoc.com

Posted in Optics, Press Release, SOFIC | Comments Off on MOHOC Launches New Camera to Maximize Situational Awareness

Trijicon MRO Ranger Wrap

Tuesday, May 3rd, 2022

Ranger Wrap offers self-applied Cordura fabric skins for optics whoch both protect and provide camouflage.

The MRO model was a difficult optic to design due to the lack of flat surfaces a lnd their goal of minimizing the number of pieces.

Made from Mil-spec Cordura fabric and 3M adhesive. 100% made in the USA.

www.rangerwrap.com

Posted in Camo, Optics | 6 Comments »

Vortex Drops New Laser Rangefinder Lineup

Thursday, April 28th, 2022

Three new options deliver increased speed and accuracy for hunters and shooters.

BARNEVELD, Wis. – Whether your perfect day consists of time at the range or on the mountain, three new laser rangefinders from Vortex® will help you do what you love and do it well.

The time-tested Vortex® Razor® HD 4000 is now joined by the new Viper® HD 3000, Diamondback™ HD 2000, and Crossfire™ HD 1400 laser rangefinders. Each unit comes equipped with a powerful HD optical system and soft carry case.

VIPER® HD 3000 LASER RANGEFINDER

Whether you’re in open country or tall timber, precision and speed mean the difference between filling your freezer and tag soup. The Viper® HD 3000 laser rangefinder gives you the tools to act quickly and confidently, with a 3,000-yard max range, and 2,000 yards on game.

• 7x magnification

• Red OLED display for stellar low-light performance

• .1 yard increment display

• Line of Sight and Horizontal Component Distance range modes and Scan Feature

• Normal, First, Last, and ELR target modes

• Tripod compatible to get the most out of its range

• $599.99 MSRP – Viper® HD 3000 Laser Rangefinder

DIAMONDBACK™ HD 2000 LASER RANGEFINDER

If ranging targets at 1,000 yards and beyond is a staple in your repertoire, your laser rangefinder needs the horsepower to go long and the toughness to stand up to the field. The ultra-fast Diamondback™ HD 2000 gives hunters 2,000 yards max range, and 1,400 yards on game.

• 7x magnification

• Red OLED display for stellar low-light performance

• .1 yard increment display

• Line of Sight and Horizontal Component Distance range modes and Scan Feature

• Normal and Last target modes

• Tripod compatible to get the most out of its range

• $449.99 MSRP – Diamondback™ HD 2000 Laser Rangefinder

CROSSFIRE™ HD 1400 LASER RANGEFINDER

If you’re on the hunt for the perfect go-to laser rangefinder for archery and rifle hunters alike, you’ve found it in the Crossfire™ HD 1400. It carries light at only 4.8 ounces and hits hard, offering up to 1,400 yards max range, and 750 yards on game.

• 5x magnification

• Red TOLED display optimized for low light

• .1 yard increment display

• Line of Sight and Horizontal Component Distance range modes and Scan Feature

• Normal, First, and Last ranging modes

• $269.99 MSRP – Crossfire™ HD 1400 Laser Rangefinder

To learn more about the all-new lineup of Vortex® laser rangefinders and how they stack up against previous models, tune in to episode 233 of the Vortex Nation™ Podcast. For an in-depth look at which rangefinder is right for you, check out “Rangefinder Modes – EXPLAINED!” on the Vortex® YouTube channel.

For a list of specifications, frequently asked questions and high-resolution images, check out the Vortex New Product Portal. For more information, visit VortexOptics.com.

Posted in Optics, Press Release | Comments Off on Vortex Drops New Laser Rangefinder Lineup

Kinetic Development NOX

Thursday, April 28th, 2022

The NOX allows the addition of a nighttime optical device such as night vision or thermal to be mounted directly in front of your spotting scope. The NOX attachment was designed as a direct add-on attachment for the KDG Optics Hub, but could also be used as a stand alone unit. Machined from 6061 aluminum and hard anodized black for a rugged versatile platform, the NOX utilized standard 1913 picatinny rail to affix your sight and is completely adjustable for length and height to fit a wide variety of spotting scopes and nighttime devices. Utilizing the industry standard ¼ x 20 thread the NOX also allows for the installation of any standard arca mount and a variety of tripod mounts to be attached. Paring your nighttime optics with our universal sidelok mount will allow for quick installation or removal of your nighttime optic as the mission deems fit. Own the night with the new KDG NOX Attachment.

kineticdg.com/product/nox-attachment

Posted in Advertiser, Optics, Press Release | Comments Off on Kinetic Development NOX

Revision Delivers Next Generation Micro Heads-Up Display to U.S. Air Force Rescue Unit

Thursday, April 28th, 2022

Essex Junction, Vermont (April 28, 2022) – Revision Military, a leading producer of protective eyewear for military, law enforcement, and civilian users, has recently completed the delivery of 50 prototype micro heads-up display systems to the U.S. Air Force’s 129th Rescue Squadron as part of an Air Force program to explore new technologies. The Revision Smart Eyewear powered by Ciye enhances situational awareness and mission effectiveness while offering state-of-the art ballistic eye protection.

The Revision Smart Eyewear powered by Ciye HUD system, is based on commercially available technology developed by Ciye, a U.S.-based leader in fitness tracking technology. The U.S. Air Force provided development funding for the device through the Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL) AFWERX small business innovation research grant program.

“The goal in creating this system is to give the wearer access to essential tactical information in real-time without overwhelming them, all while providing ballistic eye protection,” says Revision CEO Amy Coyne. “The smart eyewear is based on Revision’s longstanding expertise in providing combat-proven solutions that protect our men and women in uniform.”

While wearing the 1.9-ounce smart eyewear, the user looks up and to the left to see an array of user-selectable data fields related to navigation. The display is only visible when needed, leaving the wearer’s entire field of view free from distracting information.

“The display is not in the user’s field of view,” says Ciye CEO Yuri Zhovnirovsky, “giving the wearer access to information without compromising situational awareness. A critical information need for the military is ‘where am I, and where am I going.’ Normally, you’d have to stop what you’re doing and consult a map or device to figure that out,” says Zhovnirovsky, “but with our device navigation and movement are seamless.”

Once the user selects and downloads a route from the Android or iOS smartphone app using a Bluetooth connection, the unit then runs autonomously, displaying route direction, moving time, and distance data that’s dynamically updated in real-time in three visible fields.

The smart eyewear contains a ballistic lens, an integrated display, GPS and antenna, a compass, accelerometer, gyroscope, and a 12-hour battery. The unit is semi-autonomous, only requiring a smartphone app to set navigation waypoints and configure the display. The battery is rechargeable in 30 minutes using a common USB power bank. The entire system is contained within the footprint of a set of spectacles that are designed to integrate with existing helmets and communication headgear.

As part of the Air Force Program trials, search and rescue personnel used the smart eyewear preloaded with mission navigation waypoints before their aircraft took off. Once on the ground, rescuers used the navigation HUD to guide them directly to their objective without using critical time in the landing zone to consult handheld navigation aids. An arrow pointing to the waypoint or objective, along with time and distance to the objective was displayed and updated in real-time as the wearer moved. Without needing to reference maps or tablets, the personnel had greater situational awareness and were able to move more efficiently through complex terrain.

Now that this initial field trial with the Air Force is complete, Revision and Ciye will continue to evolve the product into a state of operational readiness, identify stakeholders and further define end user requirements. For more information, please contact the team at solutions@revisionmilitary.com.

Posted in Advertiser, Digitization, Optics, Press Release | 2 Comments »

DoD IG Releases Report on Audit of the Army’s Integrated Visual Augmentation System

Wednesday, April 27th, 2022

The Department of Defense Office of the Inspector General has released their report on an audit to determine whether Army officials effectively managed the Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) program to meet user needs.

IVAS is a $21.88 Billion program to field a militarized version of Microsoft’s HoloLens. Modifications were based on seven requirements that enhance the Soldier’s decisions and capabilities to execute combat tasks with speed and precision identified by the Soldier lethality cross-functional team: communication, lethality, mobility, protection, situational awareness, survivability, and training and human performance.

This program is so important to the Army that it even has its own Program Manager under PEO Soldier. During development PM IVAS used Soldier Centered Design during multiple testing events in the IVAS rapid prototyping phase. This process is intended to ensure that Soldier needs are considered when making design tradeoffs and production decisions. A core metric is user acceptance.

Unfortunately, the IG found that program officials did not define minimum user acceptance levels to determine whether IVAS would meet user needs because Army policy does not require program officials to define suitable user acceptance levels.

Consequently, the IG recommends that the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology) develop Army?wide policy requiring program officials to define suitable user acceptance measurements for testing and evaluation.

Furthermore, they also recommend that the Program Executive Officer Soldier define clear measures of user acceptance levels to meet user needs before Soldier Touch Point?5 testing of IVAS. In addition, they recommend that the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology), as the decision authority for IVAS, verify whether the Program Executive Office Soldier meets established user acceptance measures and addresses Soldier?identified issues before IVAS production.

This should help satisfy those who feel that the program is moving too quickly, is technologically immature, or does not have Soldier buy-in.

Posted in Optics, PEO-Soldier | 2 Comments »

Aimpoint Awarded New Contract for Fire Control Systems by U.S. Armed Forces

Monday, April 25th, 2022

Manassas, Virginia – Aimpoint, the originator and worldwide leader in reflex sighting technology, has been awarded a new contract for supply of the Aimpoint® FCS13RE Fire Control Systems to the U.S. Military. The system is currently being deployed as the primary Fire Control on the M3E1 MAAWS lightweight 84mm Carl-Gustaf produced by SAAB Dynamics for use by the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Special Operations Command.

The FCS13RE is a direct view, Dynamic Universal Reflex Sight, which utilizes an integrated laser range finder and ballistic computer to give the gunner an aiming point corrected for range, type of munition, terrain angle, and environmental conditions. In addition to the 84mm Carl-Gustaf, the system can also be utilized on other weapons including the AT4, 40mm high velocity grenade launchers (Mk19, Mk47, and GMG), .50 caliber heavy machine guns (M2), and the M134D Minigun. The FCS13RE provides an extremely high probability of first round hits on both stationary and moving targets during day and night. The system can be enhanced with a magnifier, a thermal imager, and is compatible with all generations of military night vision.

“We are proud that the Aimpoint Fire Control System was the selected optic for the MAAWS weapon platform.” said Thane Smith, Professional Sales Director at Aimpoint Inc. “The FCS13RE has a proven hit probably of over 90% for the max effective range of the Carl Gustaf weapon system and is also capable of mounting to various crew-served weapons. Aimpoint will continue to produce the highest quality weapon optics that increase lethality and survivability of our service members.”

For more information on the Aimpoint FCS13RE or any other Aimpoint product, visit the company’s webpage: www.aimpoint.com/products/product-series/fcs-series

Posted in Advertiser, Contracts, Optics, Press Release | Comments Off on Aimpoint Awarded New Contract for Fire Control Systems by U.S. Armed Forces

TangoDown Lens Guard for the Aimpoint ACRO P2

Thursday, April 21st, 2022

TangoDown® Inc. is pleased to announce the release of the Lens Guard for the Aimpoint® ACRO P2 optic (AALG-001). The AALG-001 offers impact protection to optic front lens. The lens guard is made of aerospace grade aluminum and finished with a Type III hard coat anodize. This lightweight addition to your optic is easy to install (please read installation instructions first).