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Polartec Announces 2017 Apex Design Award Winners

Wednesday, November 15th, 2017

(Andover, Mass.) – (November 14, 2017) – Polartec, the premium provider of innovative textile solutions, announces the winners of its 2017 Polartec APEX Awards, an annual design award program celebrating the finest products made from Polartec fabrics, and the designers behind them. The winning products were selected based on skilled and creative uses of Polartec fabric technologies.

The winners are:

Adidas Terrex Agravic Alpha Hooded Shield Jacket, a women’s outdoor jacket made with Polartec® Alpha® insulation, designed by Tim Maud

Arc’teryx Nyara Wrap, a fleece wrap layer made from Polartec® Thermal Pro® fleece, designed by Edita Hadravska (available spring 2018)

Blackyak Combat Shirt, a hybrid shirt made from Polartec® Power Grid® fleece, designed by David Randall

Burton Minturn Hooded Full-Zip Fleece, a midweight fleece layer made from Polartec® Classic shearling fleece (available fall 2017)

Citera Neocity-65 Jkt, a practical M65-style jacket made from Polartec® NeoShell® breathable waterproof fabric, designed by Naoki Ei

Fox Racing Attack Pro Jersey, an advanced mountain bike jersey made from Polartec® Delta® cooling fabric, designed by Jake Theno (available spring 2018)

Mountain Hardwear Atherm Hooded Jacket, an ultimate breathable insulation piece, made from an extraordinary combination of Polartec® Alpha® Direct, Polartec® Alpha®, and Polartec® High Loft™ insulations

Norrøna lofoten Power Shield Pro Alpha Jacket, a revolutionary jacket made from a unique combination of Polartec® Power Shield® Pro breathable weather protection and Polartec® Alpha® insulation, designed by the Norrøna R&D department

Oiselle Flyout Tank, Short Sleeve and Long Sleeve, women’s tops made from Polartec® Delta® cooling fabric, designed by Nelle Horsley

P1G-Tac FRS Delta, a hot-weather field training shirt made from Polartec® Delta® cooling fabric, designed by 281Z Development Group (Konstantyn Lesnik, Oleksandr Polevara, Valery Chernenko, Artem Livushevsky)

Taylor Stitch Hawkins Jacket, a classic 60/40-style jacket made from new knit Polartec® NeoShell® breathable waterproof fabric, designed by Nick Kemp

Every winner is an embodiment of Polartec fabric innovation and design inspiration, and the winning designers are being recognized with a Malden statue, an industry award unlike any other, and images celebrating the Science of Fabric.

www.polartec.com

Tags: Polartec
Posted in Industry, Materials, Press Release | 4 Comments »

HENSOLDT Avionics provides Proof of Interoperability with Partners during NATO “Bold Quest” Exercise

Tuesday, November 14th, 2017

Taufkirchen/Germany, 9 November 2017 – HENSOLDT, the leading independent sensor house, provided proof of the performance and interoperability of its avionics computer with data-link functionality during the NATO “Bold Quest” exercise in Ft. Stewart close to Savannah/Georgia. The exercise was aimed at testing and improving the communications equipment of the allied troops as the most important requirement for the interaction of multinational forces.

“In multinational missions, the success of a mission and the survival of soldiers from NATO and allied countries depend to a decisive extent on everybody having the same situation picture at the same time,” explained HENSOLDT’s CEO Thomas Müller. “Bold Quest proved that our avionics computer is the right equipment for giving helicopters and combat aircraft the advantages of digital data exchange.”

During Bold Quest, HENSOLDT supported German units taking part in the exercise by providing equipment not dependent on any platform to enable the exchange of data between planes and helicopters in the air as well as between flying platforms and ground stations. This involved the HENSOLDT avionics computer being installed in a Learjet belonging to the aerial target company GFD (Gesellschaft für Flugzieldarstellung) on a test basis and being successfully synchronised with the reference system of the US Army – the DVMT (DACAS VMF Messaging Tool).

GFD takes part in Bold Quest, in which their planes with the necessary equipment simulate Tornado combat aircraft, on behalf of the German Armed Forces. Currently, many types of planes and helicopters are not yet equipped with interoperable data links. This means that tactical maps have to be updated by hand and tactical information has to be exchanged via radio telephony, which takes a lot of time and mistakes can sometimes occur.

The US troops have been holding the Bold Quest exercise twice a year for 15 years. The purpose of this exercise is to test and improve the interaction between the US Armed Forces and their allies in realistic scenarios.

www.hensoldt.net

Tags: HENSOLDT Avionics
Posted in Comms, International, Press Release | Comments Off on HENSOLDT Avionics provides Proof of Interoperability with Partners during NATO “Bold Quest” Exercise

Warrior Protection And Readiness Coalition Announces New Additions To Board Of Directors And Welcomes New Industry Members

Tuesday, November 14th, 2017

Personal Protective Equipment Industry Association Adds Eight New Member Companies

MARBLEHEAD, MA (November 13, 2017) – The Warrior Protection and Readiness Coalition (WPRC) is pleased to announce two new additions to its Board of Directors, the election of a new Chairman of the Board and the elevation of the founding Chairman to the position of Chairman Emeritus.

The newly elected Directors of the WPRC are Dr. Scott Hartley of BAE Systems and Mr. Bruce LaFlam of Milliken and Company. At the WPRC’s annual Board Meeting held in October, Mr. Frank Montie of Brookwood Companies was elected to serve as the next WPRC Chairman of the Board. Founding Chairman Mr. Luke Hillier will be stepping up to Chairman Emeritus of the association.

Regarding these recent changes to the Board, WPRC Executive Director David Costello said, “The PPE and OCIE industry is quite fortunate to have business leaders who selflessly step forward to lend their expertise and experience to the WPRC’s industry efforts. This leadership has been exemplified by founding Chairman Luke Hillier, who in 2009 had the vision of bringing a disconnected industry together to work towards ensuring that the U.S. armed services has a robust industrial base to support their future needs. The WPRC has tremendous momentum and our association will continue to benefit from his role as Chairman Emeritus. I look forward to working with our new Chairman of the Board Frank Montie, our Directors and members to continue to advance our industry’s advocacy programs.”

This year the WPRC has led efforts to expand domestic sourcing requirements to the Department of Homeland Security, worked to protect the Berry Amendment, promoted the use of Best Value contracting methodologies for the PPE/OCIE industry and supported additional funding for the Soldier Enhancement Program (SEP) and the Rapid Equipping Force (REF).

As the WPRC expands its efforts, innovative companies have continued to join the association. Recently, Blue Force Gear, Brittany Global Technologies, DRIFIRE, INVISIO Communications, Mystery Ranch, SERKET USA, Source One Tactical, and Tencate Advanced Armor have joined with over 40 other companies to add their voice to the advocacy efforts of the WPRC. The added impact of these industry leaders is critical to advancing the WPRC mission to support the equipment and advanced clothing needs of the Armed Services and Department of Homeland Security.

Blue Force Gear – Blue Force Gear designs weapon slings and leads the lightweight equipment revolution with its Ten-Speed® multi-use pouches. Unrivaled innovation and attention to detail set Blue Force Gear apart from others in the tactical equipment industry. www.blueforcegear.com

Brittany Global Technologies– Established in 1939, Brittany is a leading manufacturer of specialty fabrics and technology solutions with a focus on advanced textiles for the U.S. armed services. www.brittanyusa.com

DRIFIRE – is the premier provider and developer of high performance flame resistant (FR) fabrics and protective apparel to the government, industrial, racing and consumer markets. DRIFIRE, makes flame-resistant apparel for every branch of the U.S. military as well as the oil and gas, chemical, and electric utilities industries. www.drifire.com

INVISIO – is a global market leader within advanced communication and hearing protection systems. The company develops and sells advanced systems that enable professionals in noisy and mission critical environments to communicate and work effectively, while protecting their hearing. www.invisio.com

Mystery Ranch – is committed to building the finest load carriage equipment in the world. A product-driven company from the beginning, MYSTERY RANCH designs packs for the job that needs to get done, for the people committed to doing it, with the best materials available and the most durable construction methods that exist. www.mysteryranch.com

SERKET – designs and manufactures technical apparel solutions for those who protect and serve in the Armed Forces and Federal Law Enforcement. The company’s mission is taking a cerebral approach to improving comfort and performance of uniform systems by embracing emerging technologies. www.serketusa.com

Source One Tactical – is a company with a mission to solve critical problems facing those in perilous environments. Using advanced innovation, the company partners with technology leaders to enhance operational effectiveness. www.sourceonetactical.com

Tencate Advanced Armor – is a major provider of personal protection solutions for police departments, federal agencies, and large multi-year government programs. The company provides a diverse portfolio of stand-alone (SA) and in-conjunction (IC) plates with special capabilities to meet the needs of those in harm’s way. www.tencateadvancedarmor.com

The WPRC is the unified voice of advocacy for the individual and unit level equipment needs of the warfighter and peacekeeper. The leading tactical equipment, apparel, materials, and technology companies of the WPRC are committed to ensuring that American service members and Homeland Security personnel are provided with superior products built by a robust industrial base, now and in the future. For a complete listing of WPRC member companies, please visit www.warriorprotection.net.

Tags: Warrior Protection and Readiness Coalition
Posted in Industry, Press Release | Comments Off on Warrior Protection And Readiness Coalition Announces New Additions To Board Of Directors And Welcomes New Industry Members

Lancer-Systems Supports End of Watch Raffle for Two Slain Kissimmee Police Department Officers

Monday, November 13th, 2017

Lancer-Systems, manufacturers of Hybrid Advanced Warfighting Magazines, carbon-fiber handguards and a range of L15 and L30 rifles, is honored to sponsor a custom built Lancer-Systems L15 Patrol Rifle Raffle. The income of which will benefit the families of Officer Matthew Baxter, EOW 08/18/2017, and Sergeant Richard “Sam” Howard, EOW 08/19/2017.

Said Ross Botha, Lancer Director of Government & International Sales: “This is a small gesture by Lancer-Systems to try and help make their loved ones’ lives a little easier. It is hoped that this raffle will bring in much needed funds for those left behind by this tragedy.”

Raffle tickets for the L15 Patrol can be purchased starting 11/13/2017 through George Montgomery (Kissimmee Police Department), call him on 407-847-0176. Cost is $20 per ticket, 3 tickets for $50 or 6 tickets for $100.

The drawing will be held on Saturday, January 13th, 2018, at the 3 Sisters Speakeasy Restaurant in downtown Kissimmee, FL

Please support this very worthy cause.

Tags: Lancer Systems
Posted in Fundraising, LE, Press Release | 5 Comments »

Arnold Defense Introduces Air Platform-mounted Rocket Launchers to the Middle East Defense Market at the Dubai Airshow 2017

Sunday, November 12th, 2017

Dubai, November 12, 2017: Arnold Defense, the US St Louis-based international manufacturer and supplier of 2.75-inch rocket launchers, is displaying its new, ultra-light LWL-XII and M260 2.75-inch/70mm Weapon Systems at the Dubai Airshow, United Arab Emirates, November 12-16, 2017.

Apaches heading out on a support mission, equipped with Arnold Defense’s M261 rocket launchers (image courtesy of Arnold Defense)

Arnold Defense is the world’s largest supplier of rocket launchers and the Company has manufactured more than 1.1 million 2.75-inch rocket launchers since 1961 for the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force and many NATO customers. The Company designs and manufactures rocket launchers that can be customized for any size, weight, capacity or form factor for platforms in the air, on the ground or at sea.

Arnold Defense’s rocket launchers are designed and built with combat-proven technology and they comply with stringent U.S. airworthiness and safety standards. The Company’s products include the new, ultra-light LWL-XII (on display on stand 1584) that weighs just over 60 pounds (27 kg) empty . Other core products include the 7-round M260 (on display on stand 945, C13)and 19-round M261 commonly used by U.S. Army helicopters; the thermal coated 7-round LAU-68 variants and LAU-61 Digital Rocket Launcher used by the U.S. Navy; and the 7-round LAU-131 and SUU-25 flare dispenser used by the U.S. Air Force.

Traditionally, 2.75-inch rocket systems have been used as an area suppression weapon, ordinarily deployed by aviation assets. The Arnold Defense team is currently developing the FLETCHER smart, laser-guided 4 round launcher, which will be available in 2018. A special forces vehicle mounted FLETCHER prototype, unveiled at DSEI and AUSA this year, utilizes the advancement of laser guided rocket technology to meet the modern demands of air, land and marine-based, mounted and dismounted asymmetric warfare, for special and conventional forces.

Jim Hager, President and CEO of Arnold Defense said “Arnold Defense is exceedingly well established in the air environment with our rocket systems being used on air platforms globally, so we are very excited to have our combat-proven technology on display at the Dubai Airshow”.

“We are inherently committed to manufacturing the world’s most reliable and affordable rocket launchers. Through our innovation, integrity, dedication, technical expertise and customer-first focus, we continue to produce the very best rocket launchers in the world.

“Working together, we protect today’s warfighters, just as we have for the last half-century.”

See Arnold Defense’s rocket launchers on these stands, where Arnold Defense staff will be on hand to explain their systems to visitors and specific briefings/interviews can be facilitated, by appointment:
Arnold Defense M260 LWL is on display on the AAL Group (Airfreight Aviation Limited)/Lima Aviation LLC, stand 945, C13
See the Arnold Defense LWL-XII on the Bin Hilal Enterprises, stand 1584

www.arnolddefense.com

Tags: Arnold Defense
Posted in Press Release, weapons | 4 Comments »

Adventure Not War

Saturday, November 11th, 2017

Adventure Not War from Nimia on Vimeo.

Adventure Not War is the story of three U.S. veterans traveling back into the mountains of Iraq on a mission to heal wounds and experience the country and its culture without the shadow of war.

This film reveals a seldom seen beautiful underbelly in a place of devastation and creates space for healing wounds deeper than flesh and bones. Adventure Not War follows National Geographic Adventurer of the Year Stacy Bare and two other veterans Robin Brown and Matthew Griffin. The film follows the three US Military Captains on an unexpected journey to revisit Iraq, a country that has threatened their sanity since their time of service. This heartfelt film takes a new approach to war, empowering veterans to reclaim their lives and rewrite their histories in places where they served. We hope this film will help promote peace and a universal understanding that beauty can replace hatred if we strive for adventure, not war.

During their 2 week stay Stacy, Robin and Matthew traveled to Kurdistan to work alongside the non-profit Tent Ed, providing educational resources to children displaced by war and do the first ski ascent and decent of Mount Halgurd, the tallest peak within Iraqi boarders.

More info on Tent Ed here: tented.org/

ABOUT ADVENTURE NOT WAR:

Adventure Not War is an initiative founded by Stacy Bare that brings veterans back to the places they served. Adventure Not War aims to promote world peace & understanding through adventure.

More info on Adventure Not War here: www.adventurenotwar.com/what-is-anw

FROM STACY BARE:

“I came home from war. War never really left me.

Some of my friends came back in boxes. Others filled those boxes Stateside. Climbing and skiing kept me out of the grave.

In order to come all the way home and to leave war behind, I’m going back to ski and climb with a few friends.

More importantly, I want to show America places and people missed in normal war reporting. My goal is to highlight the shared humanity between those of us who fight wars and the people who live in the places where we’ve been. Responsible, global adventure is a key part of achieving global peace and understanding.

As part of this mission in partnership with friends and fellow veterans Robin Brown and Matthew ‘Griff’ Griffin, I went back to Iraq to visit Zack Bazzi and his work promoting education in refugee camps and to make a first ski ascent and descent of Mt. Halgurd, the highest mountain fully in Iraq.”

Tags: Adventure Not War
Posted in Media, Morale, Press Release | 4 Comments »

Hearing Loss is a Significant Factor for Many Veterans

Saturday, November 11th, 2017

RESTON, Va., Nov. 9, 2017—Given the fact that more than 37.5 million Americans suffer from some type of hearing loss, a growing number of consumers are having hearing tests and using hearing aids and other hearing assistive technologies. While the American Academy of Audiology is helping to educate the public on the importance of good hearing health, the organization also is trying to reach out to veterans. The Department of Veterans Affairs Annual Benefits Report for FY2016 indicates there were 1,084,069 veterans receiving disability compensation for hearing loss and 1,610,911 were being compensated for tinnitus (the perception of sound in the ears or head when no external noise is present, frequently is associated with hearing loss).

“When they were service members, many veterans were exposed to loud noises from sources such as aircraft, gunfire, or blasts. Hearing loss and tinnitus can be caused by loud sound exposure,” said Jackie Clark, Ph.D., president of the American Academy of Audiology and clinical professor at the UT Dallas School of Brain & Behavior Sciences. “Veterans who were exposed to blasts or who sustained a traumatic brain injury may also have difficulty with processing speech in background noise or in group situations, in addition to difficulty with balance function.”

Auditory processing disorder is a condition where some veterans score normally on hearing tests but have difficulty understanding speech especially when background noise is present. The condition often can be associated with blast exposure. Veterans with traumatic brain injury also may experience hearing loss, tinnitus, and balance problems.

The severity of hearing loss sometimes can be reduced, improved, or reversed through surgery or medication. In many cases hearing loss is permanent; however, hearing aids and other hearing assistive technologies can help to improve hearing and communication abilities.

Though in the general population most people with hearing loss could be helped by hearing aids, only about one in five who would benefit from them actually use them.

Tinnitus, another condition that many veterans suffer with, is the number one disability among veterans. People with tinnitus may experience ringing sounds, a buzzing noise, a high-pitched whistle, or numerous other sounds. “Causes and effects vary and there isn’t a cure yet for tinnitus but there are tinnitus management techniques for learning how to manage reactions to tinnitus,” said Dr. Lynn Henselman, Department of Defense Hearing Center of Excellence, a collaboration between DoD and VA that focuses on the prevention, mitigation, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of hearing and balance problems in military Service members and their families and veterans. One such approach is Progressive Tinnitus Management, a program developed in VA and used in the VA and DoD,” added Henselman.

“While many veterans suffer with hearing impairment from exposure to loud noises associated with their time in the military, it is important that all veterans have their hearing checked,” Henselman said.

Henselman continued, “For these veterans, they may not only have noise-induced hearing loss from their military service but now age-related hearing loss may impact their ability to hear. Often, those who have lived with a hearing loss for a long time don’t realize the severity and how much benefit they’d receive from hearing aids and other hearing rehabilitation strategies.”

The American Academy of Audiology recommends that everyone see an audiologist to have their hearing checked. The Academy provides a list of licensed audiologists on its website: www.audiology.org. Click on “Find an Audiologist.”

Posted in Medical, Press Release, Veterans | 12 Comments »

TenCate Advanced Armor USA Completes AS9100 Certification to Target US Aerospace Armor Contracts

Friday, November 10th, 2017

TenCate Advanced Armor is pleased to announce the achievement of the designated aerospace AS9100 certification for its manufacturing and program office facilities in Hebron, Ohio. This certification strengthens TenCate Advanced Armor’s competitive position and standardizes quality, reliability and safety processes across its aerospace and defense programs.

With the award of the AS9100 certification, TenCate Advanced Armor has positioned itself as one of the only vertically integrated manufacturers of armor and force protection equipment in the United States operating under this stringent standard. Attaining the AS9100 certification is a major strategic achievement for TenCate Advanced Armor and has entailed increased attention to continuous improvement, operational control, supplier performance as well as quality management, processes, and procedures. The achievement marks another milestone in TenCate Advanced Armor’s enterprise to build a survivability manufacturing center-of-excellence at its facilities in Hebron, Ohio.

“Moving to the AS9100 quality standard made sense based on who TenCate Advanced Armor’s customers are,” said Todd Dunnagan, Vice President – Sales and Business Development at TenCate Advanced Armor. “Many of our customers supply the aviation industry and the DoD. Adopting the same quality management system that our customers use will provide both transparency and confidence that they are receiving the highest quality lifesaving equipment available. AS9100 will provide us the necessary metrics to not only measure our performance as a supplier, but it will also allow a streamlined means of continuous improvement to all of our employees, resulting in the best product for our customer today and in the future.”

The AS9100 certification reflects TenCate Advanced Armor’s commitment to meeting and exceeding the increasingly stringent industry requirements for aerospace related products. The AS9100 certification expands upon TenCate Advanced Armor’s existing ISO 9000:2008 Quality Management System, adding 80 additional requirements and 18 amplifications of existing requirements.

AS9100 was developed in accordance with NASA, the DoD, and the FAA, and is managed by the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG). This standard is strongly supported and adhered to by major aerospace OEMs and is being required by vendors within the supply chain on an increasing basis.

TenCate Advanced Armor USA provides survivability systems to private entities and for large multi-year government programs, uniquely designed for land systems, watercraft, and aerospace platforms. Capabilities also include state-of-the-art protection solutions as a tier one provider of personal protection products (P3) for police departments, federal agencies, and government programs. TenCate Advanced Armor is an OEM-independent entity that can partner with government and industry to analyze, advise, design, integrate, develop, manufacture, and manage survivability programs across life cycles.

www.tencateadvancedarmor.com

Tags: TenCate
Posted in Armor, Press Release | Comments Off on TenCate Advanced Armor USA Completes AS9100 Certification to Target US Aerospace Armor Contracts