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Archive for the ‘Packs’ Category

New Medical Bags

Thursday, November 17th, 2011

It seems as if we got hit with a quadruple whammy this week on medic bags (five if you count Mayflower’s Back Panel). We already covered the Low Profile Medical Kit from Phokus Research Group but there are a few other new models as well.

First up is the new ETA Trauma Kit Pouch from ITS Tactical. Developed in conjunction with ZULU Nylon Gear, the ETA Trauma Kit Pouch was designed to carry their Vacuum Sealed ETA Trauma Kit (designed to TCCC standards) as well as any other items the user needs to get at quickly. It is a compartmented design that is rapidly opened with the pull of a single loop connected to dual zippers. In addition to the main, rearmost pocket, there are two rear wing pockets large enough to store Decompression Needles and NPAs or other Airway devices. Additionally, the main flap panel design features the ITS Med Insert design. Finally, there is a channel between the pouch and MALICE clip webbing that will accommodate trauma shears, tourniquet pouch, or rescue hook.

Learn more at www.itstactical.com.

Next is the SPECOPS IPMED or Indywidualny Pakiet Medyczny or Individual Medical Packet. As you may recall, SPECOPS.PL is a Polish company. As you can see, the IPMED is a multi-component pouch designed to be worn drop leg style and consists of four parts including a removable, tethered envelope for medical supplies. Interestingly, it made from 770D Cordura (common in Europe) in Coyote Brown. It comes filled with a medical kit built to TCCC standards. Read the whole review at equipped.pl.

Finally, many of us are outdoorsmen but unfortunately, we don’t have the same level of medical gear for our outdoor pursuits that troops carry on the battlefield. Let’s face it, accidents happen in the woods. And if you’re hunting, trapping, or fishing, the results of an injury can be life threatening. That’s why our friends at Blackheart International developed the Sportsman Trauma Kit. Designed to fit in a cargo pocket, the was assembled by a former SF 18D and will feel very familiar to military personnel.

The kit Includes:
1 Custom bag, BDU Pocket Size
2 Krinkle Guaze
1 Emergency Bandage, 4″
1 Cravats
1 Casualty Cards (Triage Tags)
1 Asherman Chest Seal
1 Tourniquet, CAT one handed

There’s lots of great kit out there, and this is just the newest stuff. Make sure you take care of yourself and get the medical gear you need to keep yourself in the fight.

RFI Issued for USMC Corpsman Assault Pack

Thursday, November 10th, 2011

The Marine Corps has issued a Request for Information from industry for a USMC Corpsman Assault Pack to possible be manufactured sometime in 2012-2013.

Like all contracts Marine, the timeline is aggressive. A total of 10,000 complete USMC Corpsman Assault Systems at a rate of 1,000 complete USMC Corpsman Assault Systems delivered NLT 60 calendar days post First Article Test (FAT) approval and a sustained rate of 2,500 complete USMC Corpsman Assault Systems per month with delivery beginning NLT 90 day calendar days post FAT approval.

According to the RFI, the USMC Corpsman Assault System includes the following:

Qty Item

(1) Corpsman Assault Pack (22″ x 14″ x 4″) similar to the USMC Assault Pack

(18) Medical Inserts of varying dimensions to be mounted inside of the Corpsman Assault Pack

(1) Sustainment bag (20″ x 14″ x 4″)

(1) Trauma pouch similar to USMC combat trauma bag, NSN 8465-01-571-5231

(1) Thigh rig similar to the Advanced Life Support (ALS) leg kit, NSN 6515-01-531-6535

Like the new Marine Corps Pack System (originally called FILBE), it looks to be a Government owned design. They aren’t looking for industry’s good ideas. They’ve already seen those at trade shows and site visits. Instead, they’re looking for companies to tell them how they’ll build them and for how much.

Bravo to the Marines for updating the Corpsman pack. However, RFIs like this don’t make much sense, at least for their intended purpose. They’re still building Marine Corps Pack System and know what is out there manufacturing-wise and what it costs. All it serves to do is to cost a company money to answer the RFI. And, the RFI even admits:

“THE SUBMISSION OF THIS INFORMATION IS FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT TO PROCURE ANY ITEMS/SERVICES, NOR FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO PAY FOR THE INFORMATION RECEIVED. NO SOLICITATION DOCUMENT EXISTS.”

Rather, look at this as a warning order that something is coming down the pipe. Interested companies have until 1 December. Good luck!

BAE Systems Celebrates the 15 Millionth MOLLE Component

Tuesday, November 1st, 2011

Yesterday, tt a ceremony in their factory in McKee, Kentucky, BAE Systems celebrated the production of their 15 Millionth MOLLE component. In fact, about 10 million of those components originated at that very facility. It’s hard to believe but MOLLE itself is almost 15 years old. Developed in 1997 in conjunction with the US Army’s Natick Soldier Systems Center, MOdular Lightweight Load carrying Equipment or MOLLE is a system of individual load carrying components used primarily by the US Army. The heart of the system is the Pouch Attachment Ladder System (PALS) standard that allows the equipment to be tailored to the mission by configuring various vests, packs and armor carriers or “platforms”, as they are known, with specialized pockets and pouches to carry equipment. The beauty of MOLLE is that it is spirally developed. As new technologies and weapons are fielded, MOLLE can adapt by adding or dropping pouches and platforms. Not only has this happened several times over the life of the program but it has been fielded in no-less-than four camouflage patterns: Woodland, 3-Color Desert, UCP, and OCP. Associated systems such as the USMC’s ILBE, USAF DF-LCS, and SOCOM’s SOF-LCS as well as individual components have been produced in even more styles and colorways, but have all relied on PALS.

The original MOLLE Core Rifleman set incorporated a rucksack, load bearing vest, and pouches and included the so-called “probe and socket,” a quick-release between the pack frame and waist belt that might have been a little ahead of its time. The currently issued system includes a one-size-fits-all load bearing vest, Pack with and a fixed waist belt and a Tactical Assault Panel (TAP).

On hand at the event was Don Dutton, Vice President of BAE Systems’ Protection Systems. He related, “The MOLLE system provides users with a completely customizable set of equipment which allows for readiness, mobility and efficiency of the warfighter, reaching a milestone such as the production of 15 million components, is an exceptional achievement for BAE Systems and its employees to achieve. Our employees come to work each day knowing that the work they do, is helping our warfighters overseas.”

Also attending the celebration were Representative Marie Rader (R-Kentucky), U.S. Congressman, Harold Rogers (R-Kentucky), Major General Ed Tonini, The Adjutant General for the Kentucky National Guard and Sergeant Major Charles Williams of PM Soldier Protection & Individual Equipment.

“Job well done to the fine BAE Systems employees hard at work in Jackson County. This is a remarkable achievement,” said Congressman Hal Rogers. “Not only are these McKee sewing technicians making our region proud through exceptional craftsmanship, but they’re helping our warfighters stay well equipped and battle-ready with light-weight, adjustable gear. This work not only creates good paying jobs in southern and eastern Kentucky, but builds the security of our nation.”

www.baesystems.com

Marine Corps Family of Packs Hip Belt

Thursday, October 20th, 2011

The new Marine Corps Family of Packs features a molded hip belt which incorporates hardwear from National Molding. The 2” Techno Grab Tensionlock is combined with the Lock Monster Single bar Male and Female to create a simple, adjust hip belt.

As you can see, the belt is adjusted by pulling forward on the straps. You grab a side in each hand and pull forward with equal pressure.

www.NationalMolding.com

“You Saved a Life!”

Monday, October 17th, 2011

We received a phone call from our friends at Ares Armor on Friday afternoon. They told us that we had saved a life. “A life?” we asked. And then they told us this tale.

“During my last deployment to Afghanistan I was assigned to a embedded partnership platoon, whose primary duties we’re running an ANA NCO leadership course. One night the students invited us to a dinner consisting of fresh dead goat that expired due to gunasyphilaids and bread that is made with their feet. We were not taking our weapons to the event to be respectful and to show that they can be trusted, but I myself never wanted to be unarmed in hostile country so I decided to take my Rad pack with a pistol holstered on the inside, but more importantly along with the pistol I was able to fit 20 rip it cans to wash the diseased meat out of my mouth.

As the “dinner” night consisting of foot bread and diseased goat wore on, one of the Afghans started to become more and more hostile towards one of the other Americans. Till one point he walked out of the room yelling and then returned a few moments later with an AKM that he was wildly pointing around the room confronting my team mate with whom he had the altercation. I knew that I had to do something before rounds started to fly. So I stood up from my corner while running and deploying the rad pack at the same time.

In 3 seconds I have my front plate deployed and I’ve drawn my pistol. At this point I have my beretta shoved in his face “politely” asking for his compliance to get on the ground. Everyone in the room was not only surprised by the force of violence I was able to apply but the that I had a plate carrier/ pistol the whole time along with the sheer number of “rip its” that we used to wash the taste of meat that only Borat would love. The look on the perpetrator’s face was priceless, his mouth dropped open and his eyes were wide. He thought he was the only one in the room with a weapon… He was wrong. He brought a gun. I brought a gun, armor, and the element of surprise.

Your RAD pack’s shock and awe ability saved lives and stomachs that day.

Also, let Soldier Systems now that I learned of this product on their site and special thanks to them for that!”

In the end we thanked the folks at Ares Armor for being the guys that built the product that made it possible for one of America’s finest to save a whole bunch of lives. Ultimately, one man at the right place at the right time, did the right thing. He is the hero and he saved lives. Fortunately, he is a reader of SSD and found out about the RAD pack on our site. He then purchased a RAD Pack from Ares Armor and then USED it as it was intended. There isn’t much in life that can be better than that. THIS is why we do it.

Thank you anonymous American for doing the right thing, and thank you Ares Armor for building great products!

www.aresarmor.com

PenCott Coming to Grey Ghost Gear

Wednesday, October 12th, 2011

Coming soon from Grey Ghost Gear, equipment in Hyde Definition’s PenCott family of camo patterns.

www.greyghostoutlet.com

Source Hydration AquaSource 20l ADS Tactical

Friday, September 30th, 2011

The AquaSource 20l is the first accessory designed to fit the USMC’s new pack frame. As you can see, the AquaSource adapts directly to the Down East 1606 frame (and the Army-issue 1600 frame as well) allowing a single Marine to effect a water resupply for his Squad. The AquaSource holds 20l of water in its collapsible bladder which features Source’s Glass-like reservoir technology. There are multiple carrying handles including integral shoulder straps for use in a pinch. Additionally, it adapts directly to Source Hydration’s Vehicle Hydration System.

To order, military and agencies visit www.adsinc.com/source-hydration.

www.source-military.com

MDM – The Pack Formerly Known as FILBE

Thursday, September 29th, 2011

Propper International gave us a few minutes with this production example.

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Here you can see the details of the molded waist belt.

The Pack also comes with 2 Sustainment Pouches, a Horizontal GP Pocket, and a Hydration Carrier.

Finally, there is an Assault Pack. While it can be mounted crossways on top of the pack, it is really meant as more of a stand alone item. The channels along the back (seen under the shoulder straps) are open cell foam but we are told the material used will not absorb water. Additionally, the panel loader has an assymetric 2-way zipper that opens lower on the wearer’s left side. The outer pocket features an internal mesh pocket while the main compartment also has a mesh pocket and will accommodate a radio.