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Archive for the ‘PALS’ Category

Juggernaut Defense – Wedge Radio Dock

Wednesday, April 30th, 2014

During last week’s Warrior Expo Juggernaut Defense showed me the latest iteration of their Wedge Radio Dock. It’s based on a system they’ve been using and improving over the past several years. I really like the attachment system that interfaces directly with PALs webbing.

The Wedge.Radio.Dock™ was designed to directly attach any “bottom-battery” style tactical radio to a dismounted warfighter’s kit and provide a battery eliminator interface for connecting larger capacity batteries for extended mission performance. The patent pending PPIP (Polymer PALS Interface Plate) directly attaches to the armor eliminating the need for a radio pouch. The increased thermal conductivity of the radio’s surface allows the radio to run much cooler addressing the issue of overheating radios.

A BOA® closure cable secures the radio up against the PPIP and allows for many radio sizes and thicknesses to be attached. This also protects the radio keypad and display against the PPIP but still allows access to the HMI by simply releasing the BOA® reel and hinging the radio out from the armor, without disconnecting and cables or antennas.

The Wedge.Radio.Dock™ is IP-67 dust/immersion rated, MIL-STD-810G, and MIL-STD-461 qualified. A 24″ cable from the Radio.Dock terminates in a Glenair plug and connects to any Nett Warrior style battery (Li-145 or Conformal style) or to a 25/5590 battery with the X590-C adapter offered by Juggernaut Defense. Voltage input range is 9-35VDC. Compatible radios include: Thales MBITR/MBITR2 (including Mission Modules), Wave Relay MPU-4, Harris AN/PRC-152A/7800T, L3 SIR 2.5 Tac Rover, and Coastal Defense MVR-IV.

www.juggernautdefense.com

Tags: Juggernaut Defense
Posted in Comms, PALS, Warrior Expo | 4 Comments »

Mystery Ranch Says “F U” to PALS

Sunday, December 15th, 2013

Mystery Ranch is constantly looking for a better mousetrap and when a military customer asked for a MOLLE compatible attachment system that doesn’t rely on a snap. They looked at several other, available types but eventually settled on this in-house solution which they feel is ultimately more secure when under load. The simple toggle and loop can be used as a belt loop or woven into MOLLE platforms. The Ghillie-Tex toggle is from ITW Military Products and the loop is a 2mm woven cord. The first two inches of the web strap is stiffened to facilitate weaving while the remainder of the web strap remains supple.

The new Mystery Ranch Toggle and Loop is now found on all their MOLLE compatible pouches.

www.MysteryRanch.com

Tags: Mystery Ranch
Posted in PALS | 16 Comments »

Sneak Peek – Improved MALICE Clips from Tactical Tailor

Monday, November 18th, 2013

During a recent trip to the Pacific Northwest I has to opportunity to visit Tactical Tailor factory where I saw their injection molding machine pumping out 4 new MALICE clips every 45 seconds. But there was something different about these MALICE clips. I asked if I could share a few details and here’s your scoop.

The new design enhancements give the MALICE clip a slightly different look which sheds some weight. The curved design also makes it easier to thread the MALICE clip through webbing. Additionally, TT has changed the formula of the polymer to add strength yet give it a more flexible feel. In fact, the new model has already tested at over 20 times as strong as the current version and 40% lighter.

They’ve also been working to improve how they mount the MALICE clip to pouches. You may notice that here they are using a backer made from impregnated nylon.

Look for new the MALICE clips soon in both short and long sizes.

www.TacticalTailor.com

Tags: Tactical Tailor
Posted in Materials, PALS | 21 Comments »

Tactical Organizer

Monday, July 29th, 2013

This PALS compatible organizer from SHTF measures 16” x 50” and will accommodate up to 200 lbs. it can be hung on a door or wall as well as stored in a trunk. It seems to be simple, yet effective. Available in Black and Green.

www.shtfstore.bigcartel.com/product/shtf-own-tactical-organizer

Tags: SHTF
Posted in PALS | 7 Comments »

Blade Show – Steel Flame

Friday, May 31st, 2013

Steel Flame has introduced these new MOLLE Bands. Made from copper, they take on a great patina and Derrick stamps various symbols into the MOLLE Band which fits a standard PALS bar. They are a little bit of a bear to get in place but once they’re there, they aren’t going anywhere.

In addition to what you see, Derrick shared that he plans to introduce Christian Crosses, Jewish Stars of David and Buddhist Wheels so that wearers can display their religious beliefs. He also mentioned working toward offering unit symbols as well. These are a great morale item whether military, LE or civilian.

www.steelflame.com

Tags: Steel Flame
Posted in MOLLE, Morale, PALS | 7 Comments »

Mayflower and Velocity Systems Churning Out Pouches With Helium Whisper Backers

Tuesday, April 30th, 2013

Here are some photos of Mag Shingles featuring Helium Whisper backers from Mayflower and Velocity Systems.

At today’s range day with Velocity Systems, Mayflower Research and Consulting and Grey Group Training I got a chance to check out some production samples of pouches with Blue Force Gear‘s Helium Whisper backers.

They are doing a great job adapting the Helium Whisper to their designs. What do you think?

Tags: Blue Force Gear, Mayflower Research and Consulting LLC, Velocity Systems
Posted in Load Carrying, Materials, PALS | 8 Comments »

So What’s This 6/9 Technology We Keep Talking About?

Wednesday, April 10th, 2013

Recently, I mentioned FirstSpear’s new 6/9 Modular Pocket Technology. Several friends immediately wrote to me thinking I had published a typo. Assuredly, FirstSpear has their 6/12 technology but what’s this 6/9 think we keep talking about?

Really, it’s pretty simple. FirstSpear developed this really cool, proprietary pouch attachment system called 6/12. Thing is, not everybody is ready for change. So, they went back to the drawing board and came up with the 6/9 Modular Pocket Technology, a completely backwards compatible PALS-style attachment system which holds the pouch closer to the platform than traditional MOLLE and also features weight savings (no snap or plastic stiffener). In fact, it holds pouches so much closer that the initial M4 mag shingles couldn’t be worn directly below an admin pouch on the front of a vest. Traditional PALS makes them stick out far enough that you can generally draw a magazine without hitting the pouch above. Not so with the new 6/9 equipped pouches. They fit so closely to the platform that there’s no standoff. Look below and you’ll see how 6/9 is a bit of a hybrid. They’ve used laser cut backers on the pouch combined with a woven strap that is similar to PALS.

Great idea, but, what to name it? 6/12 was named to signify that you are fully ready for action. The witty guys at FirstSpear thought about it and decided that if 6/12 is all the way there, then the 6/9 system will get you about half way, acknowledging it’s an improvement, and a pretty popular one at that. In fact, so much so, that after this Summer, FirstSpear will no longer offer PALS attachments on any of their pouches except via minimum quantity special order. So don’t fear 6/9 but rather embrace it if you must continue to rely on traditional MOLLE systems.

www.First-Spear.com

Tags: FirstSpear
Posted in Load Carrying, Materials, PALS | Comments Off on So What’s This 6/9 Technology We Keep Talking About?

The Army’s New Modular Backpack Panel

Thursday, September 27th, 2012

I knew Rich Landry before he was cool. Before he had that awesome mustache. But even then that guy knew load carriage. Today, if you say ‘Army’ and ‘load carriage’ in the same sentence, you’d better add ‘Rich Landry’ to it.

Landry is an individual equipment designer with the Load Carriage Prototype Lab, Product Manager Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment, at Natick Soldier Systems Center. Recently, Landry and another cool guy, but of the grey beard variety, Murray Hamlet began work on a device that would give Soldiers access to a packboard type of a platform. They took the frame and suspension from the Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment, or MOLLE, Medium rucksack and came up with a removable PALS panel.

“This is just a pack board, or a foundation for an entire range of tactical equipment beyond that of what we call the Soldier’s fighting load,” Landry said. “Anything that is MOLLE compatible, you’re going to have the ability to have a suspension system that’s designed to support upwards of 60 pounds that you can truly tailor specific to what your tactical mission is.”

The answer is the Modular Backpack Panel, or MBP, which increases the versatility of the MOLLE Medium. As it is, MOLLE Medium was developed to give the Soldier carriage for up to 60 pounds of essential gear for 72 hours.

“We’ve had calls from various organizations that carry all kinds of odd loads,” said Landry, adding that the rucksack sometimes was in the way. “Anybody who’s carrying large, crew-served weapons would find this application useful, the mortar guys, who are carrying a base plate, the tube, the various rounds, etcetera. They could utilize a modular setup to support those unusual loads.”

“It’s very basic load carriage capability,” Landry said. “They still need to carry their basic, critical individual equipment. So we will provide a set of larger pouches, which will attach to the panel but still allow the larger items to be carried.”

I saw a prototype months ago and look forward to hearing how the fielding goes and how Soldiers use it in the field.

Tags: Landry, Natick
Posted in MOLLE, Packs, PALS | 6 Comments »