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Archive for the ‘Parachuting’ Category

M3 SkyFins from MATBOCK

Monday, March 25th, 2013

Although few troops conduct military free fall (MFF) operations, MATBOCK specializes in developing niche products. Their new M3 SkyFins (patent pending) make life a little easier for jumpers.

Civilian jumpers have been using pants and suits to help them have more control, more power and track farther in the sky for years; however, military issue combat pants haven’t offered those same capabilities; until now. Named after Matt “Maddog” Mason, the M3 SkyFins were specifically designed for use with SOCOM’s issue PCU Level 9 pants with Crye knee pads. Additionally, MATBOCK is working on a slight modification for the M3 SkyFins to accept the “snaps” that can be found on the latest issue Level 9 pants by Patagonia.

Keeping with their motto, Lighter Faster Warriors, MATBOCK incorporated a VS-17 day signal panel to the inside of each SkyFin. The M3 SkyFins can easily be removed once on the ground and can be combined to make a bigger signaling panel, if needed.

www.matbock.com

Tags: MATBOCK LLC
Posted in Clothing, Parachuting | 4 Comments »

Sneak Peek – M3 Sky Fins from MATBOCK

Monday, February 25th, 2013

Ever imagine having the same level of control while freefalling in your combat uniform that you have while wearing a RW suit? Well MATBOCK’s M3 Sky Fins won’t get you all the way there but you feet are going to be much more aerodynamic. What’s more, they stay put while jumping yet are easily removed once you hot the dirt. Coming Soon.

www.MATBOCK.com

Tags: MATBOCK LLC
Posted in Clothing, Parachuting | 3 Comments »

MultiCam Wing Suit

Monday, February 11th, 2013

The MultiCam Pattern website shared this cool photo of Red Bull Air Force skydiver, Jeff Provenzano‘s new MultiCam wingsuit. It’s an Apache Rebel made by Tony Suits and is crafted from Duro Textiles’ MultiCam Theta fabric. He’s already jumped from 13,500 feet and flew for 3mins and 20secs in this suit.

Tags: Duro Textiles LLC, Multicam, Redbull Air Force, Tony Suits
Posted in Multicam, Parachuting | 10 Comments »

Forces Focus – Operation Serval – 2e REP Combat Jump into Timbuktu

Wednesday, January 30th, 2013

To quote my friend Yancey, “Seems like the French had themselves a combat jump in Mali.”

This video by Pascal DuPont is the long version that shows the airland on the 27th of January into Gao and then concludes with the jump into Timbuktu on the 28th by the French Foreign Legion’s 2e REP ( 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment) including Harfang drone footage. Then there’s a bunch of other stuff.

Tags: 2e REP, France, Mali
Posted in Forces Focus, Foreign, Parachuting | 3 Comments »

USAF Selects Storm SRTV as GAARV

Saturday, January 19th, 2013

In an award announced 17 January, 2013, the US Air Force has selected the HDT Storm SRTV as the Guardian Angel Air-Deployable Rescue Vehicle. As you may recall, the GAARV is an airdroppable, all terrain vehicle designed to transport Guardian Angel Weapon System members which consists of the Combat Rescue Officer (CRO), Pararescue (PJ), and SERE careerfields and their patients/survivors out of bad guy territory. As PJs are the guys who generally do this for a living, it will be for their use.

It’s good to see that the Storm SRTV won considering they have been chasing this requirement from the beginning. Since we first wrote about this BC Customs design, HDT purchased the rights and saw it through to the win.

Unfortunately, I don’t have a photo yet of the exact model that won but this is a photo of a Storm variant and looking back at the earlier BC Customs photos should give you a good idea of how this went.

Tags: GAWS, HDT
Posted in Contracts, Mobility, Parachuting, SERE | 5 Comments »

SHOT Show – PHATS Suit

Wednesday, January 16th, 2013

Parachutists High Altitude Thermal Suit developed jointly with Airborne Systems and Wild Things. Initially, it was developed for a French requirement but refinements were made at the request of Natick and USSOCOM. Offered in XXSmall through XXLarge but its oversized to fit over the jumper’s clothing and basic equipment.

PHATS has been highly tuned for use by free fall parachutists. For example, there are multiple zippered vents so that the jumper doesn’t overheat on the ground or on the flight. Additionally, the front of the PHATS has less insulation than the rear since the parachutist will have equipment on his front. They made this change after jumpers from multiple units found that the insulation could be removed. Where insulated, it features gridded fleece. Additionally, it’s a softshell for wind and weather resistance.

As you can see, it covers the entire body except for the head to accommodate a helmet an oxygen mask. The coverall design even covers the feet for insulation as well as to mitigate wind resistance issues. There is a waist adjustment that is covered by the front opening and the main opening features a flap with magnetic closures. Gauntlet-style handcovers are also integrated into the design. Additionally, the rear of the legs feature clear pouches for chemlights. This allows jumpers to recognize one another in the air. Finally, there is an external forearm pocket on the left sleeve and large zippered cargo pockets.

Tags: Airborne Systems, SHOT Show, Wild Things
Posted in Clothing, Parachuting | Comments Off on SHOT Show – PHATS Suit

Forces Focus – Philippine Army MFF

Wednesday, December 19th, 2012

Tags: Republic of the Philippines
Posted in Forces Focus, Parachuting | 1 Comment »

Core Survival Launches New Website

Thursday, November 29th, 2012

Core Survival, makers of the HEL-STAR series of strobe lights, has updated their site.

In addition to the new look, the site has been tailored for viewing on various mobile devices including iPhone, Android, Blackberry, and Windows phone.

www.coresurvival.com

Tags: Core Survival
Posted in Industry, Lights, Parachuting, SERE | 2 Comments »