Blue Force Gear has launched a new website specifically for the Denied Area Pattern line. www.dappack.com includes information on the DAP Pack as well as 12 of the Dappers designed to serve as accessories. Ultimately the sky is the limit with the number of Dappers, but the initial push includes everything from a PALS-compatible panel to a laptop sleeve as well as velcro backed versions of their successful 10 Speed pouches. You can’t order them yet, but head on over anyway and drool.
American pack maker Kifaru recently discussed the issues that surround offering printed webbing on their web forum. Due to the cost involved with stocking additional materials in various sizes to manufacture packs with both printed Multicam and UCP webbing, combined with low market demand, they have decided to delay altering their line. However, they announced that they will now accommodate special orders, with a slight catch. You will have to provide the webbing.
Anyone interested in this option will need to contact Janice at the shop to get the correct Bill of Materials and be prepared to pay a 10% surcharge for a custom pack. This is the same procedure for other custom pack options they have offered in the past.
To order any of the Kifaru line of packs visit www.kifaru.net.
We would also like to take this opportunity to welcome Kifaru International as a new sponsor of Soldier Systems Daily.
Beginning today Mystery Ranch is discounting several packs. Quantities are limited and the sale ends when they are sold out.
Foliage NICE Frame and ACU Crew Cab $420.00
Normal retail is $490
CBMR Cerberus $259.00
Normal retail is $479.00
To order, head on over to MysteryRanch.com.
Please note that Mystery Ranch refers to Universal Camouflage pattern as ACU.
Over the last year or so there has been an increased interest for a large pack with fixed pockets similar to the venerable ALICE pack. Naturally, most users want an improved pack frame and suspension and several options have begun to be offered on the market. The modified ALICE Rucksack or MAD is the latest design from RFI Gear and utilized the Down East Airborne 1606Â frame. The pack body is crafted from Burly 500D Cordura and critical wear points have been reinforced. The pack features eight zippered pockets, two slot pockets as well as a flat pocket.
An internal hydration pocket holds a 100 oz reservoir. The lid is elasticized to provide a weatherproof closure and a storm skirt enhances weatherproofing and provides increased capacity for large loads. There are slot pockets for skis or mortar tube The pack features attachment points for ALICE clips and pockets and there is a velcro strip for name tag and cat eyes. There are also three grab handles as well as compression straps.
Dual density foam (1 ” thick) is used to pad the frame, shoulder, and waist. The shoulder pads integrate overload stabilizers and both the shoulder and sternum straps feature the Snap Dragon quick release buckle.
The MAD features a 3500 cu in body augmented by 2000 cu in of pocket space all packed in an 8 lbs 6 oz package.
It is made in the USA and currently available in UCP as well as Air Force Digital Tiger Stripe(shown) but other colors can be accommodated on special request. To order contact RFI Gear.
Kifaru will be holding their annual Military West Coast Demo on 27 June, 2009 from 0900 – 1800 at the Corralitos Women’s Club in Watsonville, California. As Kifaru did not attend SHOT Show this year, this will be the first public unveiling of many of their new products. Owner Patrick Smith and military programs front man Mel Terkla will be on hand to demosntrate the products as well as answer questions.
Kifaru has a full announcement in the Military section of their message board and is in the process of collecting RSVPs.
The Pack is the second platform in the Denied Area Pattern line from Blue Force Gear. Intended to mask the true purpose of the equipment, the DAP Pack is a very simple affair but very well designed. There are loops on the top and sides of the pack for routing commo wires and hydration tubes and can also be secured to restrict the opening of the main compartment. Additionally, the shoulder straps are a low profile affair.
The DAP Pack is a panel loaders that opens fully to expose a velcro field inside the pack’s body. The DAP line is actually a full system consisting of platforms such as the Pack and Discreet Case as well as a forthcoming family of pouches and accessories that attach to the velcro field.
The pack also features a bungie X-harness to help compact the load or to quickly stow items like jackets. Like all of the DAP line, the Pack is available in UCP, Black, Ranger Green, Coyote, Khaki, and Multicam as well as the non-traditional colors Burgundy, Royal Blue, and Emerald Green.
The DAP Pack is made in the USA and available from Blue Force Gear.
Australian gear manufacturer Special Operations Research & Development was founded by former members of the Australian Special Forces community. They have developed an impressive array of products for the individual Soldier. Many of their products have been issued National Stock Numbers by the ADF. The list runs the gamut from radio to dump pouches and armor to ammo carriers.
One product on the list is the Variable Armor Carrier (VAC) and it is currently issued to select Australian Forces. The VAC comes in two styles, a releasable version for water operations and a non releasable version. It holds armor and plates as well as featuring a removable cummerbund (referred to as “Wings”) which can also be armored and also incorporates a drag handle.
See the entire list at www.sordaustralia.com.
Down East has been selling a demonstrator pack for several months now. It does the job of showing off the utility of their 1606 frame but it doesn’t have all of the bells and whistles that they feel would properly compliment their frame.
In order to rectify the situation they recently entered into a collaboration with Eagle Industries to produce a modular pack system based around the 1606 frame. So far two prototypes have been built and Down east hopes to go into production later this year with a model based on lessons learned from the demonstrators.
The main bag is about 2000 cubic inches and with all of the compartments extended and filled it maxes out at 5100 cubic inches. It is manufactured from 500D Cordura and features a removable lid, sleeping bag compartment, radio pocket, and numerous compression straps to help manage the load.
The lid can be separated from the pack and used as an assault pack. It is designed with easily deployable, simple set of shoulder straps and accommodates a water reservoir.
The pack also includes a rain cover that stores in a small slot at the bottom of the pack. The rain cover is lightweight and stays attached to the pack via a tether. Not only does it protect the pack’s contents from the environment it also provides a smooth exterior so that attached items are less prone to snagging and can be used to adapt the pack to changing operational environments through camouflage patterns applied to the cover.
There are numerous features that we have not disclosed in this article for two reasons. First, they may not find their way into the final design and second, we see no reason to give Down East’s and Eagle’s competition a leg up.
The pack is still in prototype phase and several will be going out for field testing this summer. Based on feedback the pack may enter production as early as this Fall.
