FirstSpear

Archive for the ‘Press Release’ Category

The Next Generation of Night Vision Enhancement Systems, Now Commercially Available Exclusively from TNVC: Optics 1 ECOTI

Tuesday, November 24th, 2020

November 24, 2020, Redlands, CA

At TNVC, we have always strived to bring the absolute best in night vision, thermal and visual augmentation systems technology to all of our customers – military, law enforcement, and civilian.

We’re extremely proud to announce that we have partnered with Optics 1 to bring the most advanced thermal overlay system available, direct from the manufacturer with full customer and product support as the Exclusive Commercial Distributor of the ECOTI Enhanced Clip-On Thermal Imager.

Available now for $8,399.00, for a limited time only during our Black Friday Sale, TNVC will be offering free overnight shipping (expected delivery early-January 2020) for all ECOTI units purchased between now and December 4th.

tnvc.com/shop/optics1-e-coti

The ECOTI is the next generation in Visual Augmentation System (VAS) technologies, and is 100% available NOW to vetted civilian customers exclusively through TNVC. ECOTI offers unmatched capabilities and performance, and is truly a game changer.

As the exclusive authorized factory-direct distributor of the ECOTI, TNVC will offer ECOTI’s full suite of accessories, available Q1 2021. Accessories include: 6-Cell GPS-enabled External Battery Pack and Cable, Eyepiece Adapter, Replacement Brackets, and BNVD adapter cable for use with the AN/PVS-31A BNVD’s Cold Weather Battery Pack (CWBP), also available through TNVC.

The Optics 1 ECOTI utilizes the latest generation Thermal Overlay technology and is currently fielded to the United States Marine Corps as a part of the Squad Binocular Night Vision Goggle (SBNVG), as well as other U.S. DoD and international SOF entities.

Available for years to military and government customers, ECOTI provides users the advantage of long-wave IR thermal imaging when added to a traditional Image Intensification (I2) night vision device, allowing users to get inside the enemy’s OODA loop by providing unparalleled level of situational awareness, threat and target detection and identification.

Previously available to government customers only, the ECOTI is a small thermal monocular that clips on to a traditional I2 night vision goggle, such as the PVS-14, RNVG, DTNVS, PVS-31A BNVD, SBNVG, and GPNVG. ECOTI is now available to vetted civilian customers exclusively through Tactical Night Vision Company. While some thermal systems have previously been available commercially, they have typically been a generation behind the latest military systems or with uncertain origin.

The ECOTI is an improvement over the legacy AN/PAS-29A COTI first introduced almost a decade ago by Optics 1. ECOTI has a 640×480, 60Hz sensor (compared to COTI’s 320×240 / 30Hz), and has increased field of view by 50% from 20o to 30o. It provides the user with a high definition, real-time thermal overlay. Users can select between Outline, Patrol, and Full Thermal modes, as well as white and black hot polarities. It also has pre-programmed environmental settings to provide the best possible detection in a multitude of operating environments.

Despite the numerous enhancements in performance and capabilities compared to the legacy COTI, the ECOTI is almost a full two ounces lighter. To lighten the load even more, ECOTI is also available without the internal CR123 battery and powered by the Optics 1 6-Cell GPS-enabled External Battery Pack.

ECOTI has a multitude of applications for law enforcement and civilian customers. The thermal detection capability is useful for SAR operations, fugitive and suspect pursuit, and hunting in thick brush or heavy vegetation. Unlike other weapon-mounted thermal scopes and handheld thermal monoculars, ECOTI allows users to be heads-up and hands-free.

Unlike Image Fusion systems such as the FGE and ENVG-B, the ECOTI is a clip-on thermal overlay with a dedicated power supply. A loss of power or damage to either the night vision goggle or ECOTI does not deadline the entire system; users can use one without the other. They can attach the ECOTI to its Eyepiece Adapter and used as a handheld thermal monocular.  Image Fusion systems have complicated and costly maintenance and repairs, leaving users blind in the night.

Optics 1 ECOTI is the next generation of night vision enhancement technology, Available now exclusively through TNVC:

tnvc.com/shop/optics1-e-coti

Dead Air Silencers Signs Industry Veteran, Ernie Beckwith, as New President

Tuesday, November 24th, 2020

Former Dead Air Silencers President, Eric Rogers, moves into the CEO position.

Kamas, Utah (November 2020) – Dead Air Silencers announce Ernie Beckwith, a firearms industry veteran, has joined the Dead Air team as their new president. Eric Rogers formerly held the position and will now occupy the CEO seat. Mr. Beckwith brings to Dead Air a wealth of experience within the firearms industry. Before his new position with Dead Air, Mr. Beckwith was with FN America for nine years with his last position being Director of Retail Sales.

“Dead Air Silencers is an innovative company with a progressive team of dedicated professionals committed to producing products of uncompromising quality,” Mr. Beckwith commented. “I am excited to be part of the Dead Air team and am looking forward to assisting with their future growth and success. Great things are on the horizon, so stay tuned!”

Eric Rogers, CEO of Dead Air Silencers, added, “Dead Air has grown from a start-up just six short years ago, to the number one market leader in our industry. We are thrilled to bring Ernie into the fold and view his addition as an essential step towards consolidating and growing our business. Ernie’s leadership and drive will add tremendous momentum to the brand and our company as a whole. We are excited to have him.”

Dead Air Silencer’s industry-leading products include the NOMAD, SANDMAN, and WOLVERINE line for centerfire rifles; the WOLFMAN and GHOST for centerfire pistols; and the MASK for rimfire. Dead Air also designs and produces muzzle brakes and flash hiders.

For more information on Dead Air Silencers, visit www.DeadAirSilencers.com.

Rheinmetall Unveils Its New Mission Master – Armed Reconnaissance system: Enhanced Situational Awareness and Frontline Fire Support

Tuesday, November 24th, 2020

Rheinmetall’s game-changing Mission Master Autonomous – Unmanned Ground Vehicle (A-UGV) family has just gained a new member: the Mission Master – Armed Reconnaissance. Equipped with intelligence-gathering technology and a Rheinmetall Fieldranger remote-controlled weapon station (RCWS), the new Armed Reconnaissance module is designed to collect tactical intelligence in the area of operations while providing frontline fire support whenever necessary.

Crewless recon missions maximize troop security

Autonomous robotic vehicles offer countless advantages, including in a reconnaissance context. The Mission Master – Armed Reconnaissance is designed to execute high-risk scouting missions and deliver a real-time common operating picture without putting soldiers in danger. Since an enormous volume of data is gathered during missions of this type, Rheinmetall’s new A-UGV is equipped with resilient, highly reliable systems. Its payload consists of long-range EO/IR sensors, a surveillance radar, a 360° full ring camera, a laser rangefinder and a laser designator to identify potential threats. To further enhance the line of sight for the sensors while keeping a concealed posture, the reconnaissance payload is installed on a 3.5-metre expandable mast with a tilting mechanism. This convenient feature allows for increased and safe transportability on any platform, even a CH-53 or CH-47 Chinook.

The Armed Reconnaissance module also features radio-agnostic architecture, which means it can accommodate any type of radio that customers may need. The bidirectional communication system permits clear exchanges with HQ and other A-UGVs, giving commanders greater situational awareness. When engaging enemy forces, the Rheinmetall Fieldranger Light 7.62 mm RCWS will provide much more firepower than the usual man-carried section weapon. Engagement of targets is remote-controlled, never autonomous.

Safe operation at all times

As with the other modules of the Mission Master family, the Armed Reconnaissance owes its autonomous functions to the Rheinmetall PATH autonomous kit (A-kit). Proven, agnostic, trusted and highly autonomous, PATH is designed to enable military vehicles to operate in unmanned mode, freeing up soldiers for other duties and keeping them out of immediate danger. The A-kit provides a wide range of teleoperation options for the Mission Master, including a tablet, smartwatch, soldier system, and single-hand controller. These devices enable full access to advanced PATH features such as follow-me, convoy and autonomous navigation modes. Each control mode incorporates multiple layers of protection to ensure that the vehicle operates safely at all times. Moreover, Rheinmetall is committed to keeping a man in the loop in all kinetic operations, assuring that a human decides when to open fire, never a machine.

A comprehensive Mission Master family

The new Armed Reconnaissance module is the latest addition to the modular Mission Master family, widely acclaimed for its all-terrain manoeuvrability and ability to keep troops safe when deployed in harm’s way. The Cargo module can carry over half a ton of supplies, relieving the burden on troops keeping them fresh. The Fire Support modules boost the combat power of dismounted units, while the Rescue module autonomously evacuates casualties and carries specialized equipment for medical interventions in the field. In addition, every single module is equipped with a Blue Force tracking system that is fully compatible with NATO standards.

Like all members of the Mission Master family, the Armed Reconnaissance version is already networked to the Argus soldier system and Rheinmetall Command and Control Software, which can be installed in any user’s battle management system.

Power of the Wolf Pack

The addition of the Armed Reconnaissance to the Mission Master suite turns Rheinmetall’s groundbreaking Wolf Pack concept into a reality. The Wolf Pack consists of multiple Mission Master vehicles efficiently operating as a team in order to accomplish missions of all types, including zone surveillance, reconnaissance, target position transfer and slew-to-cue. All units communicate with each other and use artificial intelligence to maintain the total situational awareness necessary for carrying out their missions.

A genuine force multiplier, the entire Wolf Pack can be managed by a single operator from anywhere using the LTE network, SATCOM, or military cloud. It is an intuitive concept that enables one operator – rather than multiple uncoordinated operators – to focus on the overall mission rather than managing all the tasks of each A-UGV. As Rheinmetall continues to develop new modules for the Mission Master family, the Wolf Pack’s range of capabilities will only increase, significantly improving the military’s ability to achieve overmatch against increasingly capable enemies.

GALLS Helps Agencies Streamline Procurement Process and Save Money

Monday, November 23rd, 2020

GALLS® eQuip is a custom, online solution allowing agencies more power and savings when buying uniforms and equipment. In 2019, over 83K users saved over $30 million.

Lexington, Ken. (November 2020) – GALLS, LLC®, the leading distributor of uniforms and equipment to public safety agencies, set out to change how agencies purchased uniforms and equipment in 2016 by launching GALLS eQuip, an online solution that allows agencies to custom order uniforms and equipment and manages the entire process from procurement to accounting. Since then, agencies, small to large, experience average savings of $370 – $500 per officer through the GALLS eQuip program. Now, due to this year’s strain on agency budgets, GALLS eQuip makes even more sense.

GALLS eQuip is an easy-to-use, flexible online system that offers a complete solution to ordering uniforms and equipment, uniform embellishments, product tracking, reporting, and billing, all in a real-time environment. GALLS eQuip helps the agency purchaser select and customize products, manages the entire allotment and allowance process, produces live reports, and streamlines the billing and accounting processes; in other words, it manages the entire agency’s uniform and equipment needs while saving money. 

Besides its cost savings benefit, GALLS eQuip allows individual officers to order accurately and reduces order errors. GALLS eQuip also includes Body Armor Tracking, another solution that logs individual officers’ body armor equipment, serial numbers, and even tracks expiration dates. Body Armor Tracking eliminates the need for alternative spreadsheets and other manual tracking systems, while alerting the agency of users and when equipment needs to be renewed.

GALLS eQuip Asset Management Tool allows officers to load, receive, and issue inventory. An agency’s custom eQuip site features customized inventory categories and reduces unwarranted spending by real-time inventory data.

“Every agency’s requirements are unique and GALLS eQuip is set up to allow every agency their own dashboard to manage their uniform and equipment programs,” Mike Fadden, CEO of GALLS, stated. “GALLS goal is to equip our public safety pros with the best available product in the most efficient and cost-conscious way possible. That is what GALLS eQuip delivers: tremendous product offerings, customization, tracking, asset management, and accounting services, all on one very easy to use online platform.”

To find out how your agency can save time and money with GALLS eQuip custom online solution, visit www.galls.com/equip.

Drone Pilot Academy Ready for Action as Drone Surveying Distributor for Microdrones

Monday, November 23rd, 2020

Rome, NY –Drone Pilot Academy, based in the United Kingdom, a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) accredited training provider since 2015 and commercial drone retailer since 2017, has partnered with Microdrones as an authorized distributor of drone surveying equipment throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland.

As a Microdrones distributor, Drone Pilot Academy will offer Microdrones Integrated Systems that come with everything a commercial user needs to get started using drones for surveying and mapping – the UAV, the sensors, and the software and hardware. In addition, the Microdrones as a Service (mdaaS) sales model will allow Drone Pilot Academy to broaden the drone surveying market with convenient hardware and software packages at affordable monthly payment and rental options.

Drone Pilot Academy Managing Director, James Ixer, first took notice of Microdrones during a CAA training course for one of their customers. “We experienced the seamless Microdrones workflow, from the ease of mission planning with mdCockpit to reliable flight performance, and the end results of possessing and visualizing the data,” said Ixer. “At the end of the day, the data, combined with the mdaaS sales model, is what really sold us. Previously, drone LiDAR solutions were prohibitively expensive for most mainstream operators due to the large capital outlay required. We were drawn to Microdrones when we saw the mdaaS Rent-It option that allows customers to maximize their cash flow with manageable monthly payment options.

As their name implies, Drone Pilot Academy offers a variety of pilot, surveying, and mapping training courses to help their customers make the most of their drone surveying equipment. Ben Evans, the Business Development Manager, is ready to conduct demonstrations and show customers how easy it can be to get started with drone surveying. “Having a training academy,” Evans said, “means not only can we supply the drone but we can get them the appropriate qualifications and exemptions to integrate and operate the microdrones fleet into their business model. We’re ready, willing and able to conduct demos throughout the UK at a location of convenience for prospective clients.”

David Pendrill, the Microdrones regional sales manager for Northern Europe, looks forward to the new partnership with Drone Pilot Academy. “These guys are going to be able to offer the best of both worlds,” Pendrill explains. “With their vast experience training drone pilots combined with the ability to offer advanced drone surveying equipment from Microdrones they’ll be able to demonstrate to customers how easy it is to adopt the Microdrones workflow and create new business opportunities.”

The Drone Pilot Academy Limited (DPA) is a commercial drone retailer and a CAA authorized training provider for those who wish to use drones for both commercial or recreational use. They provide courses in PfCO CAA Drone training, surveying, thermal detection, safety, video editing, a drone cinematic masterclass and customized training courses.

Their instructors have an extremely credible background and are all ex-military aviators with a wealth of experience in training and instruction to help guide customers through the commercial course or the practical flight training.

For more information about Drone Pilot Academy visit www.dronepilotacademy.co.uk

Pelican Launching Its 14QT Personal Cooler, the First Cooler to Separate Wet and Dry Storage, on Black Friday 2020

Monday, November 23rd, 2020

TORRANCE, CA – November 19, 2020 – The new Pelican™ 14QT Personal Cooler is the first on the market to separate wet and dry storage, and it will be available at www.pelican.com on Black Friday 2020. It features a dry-box section in its lid to separate electronic devices and flat personal items from internal ice and the elements outside. It also boasts an easel slot for smart phones and tablets.  

“Designed for either every day carry or weekend adventure, the Pelican 14QT personal cooler features will enhance your journey,” said Stephan Corti, Pelican’s Chief Commercial Officer. “Its industry leading wet/dry storage separation will keep your meal and drinks at the right temperature for a day and a half.” 

The Pelican 14QT personal cooler fits up to six standard beverage cans, as well as two Pelican™ Ice Packs. The freezer-grade gasket, PRESS & PULL™ latches and 1.5” thick polyurethane foam work together to offer up to 36 hours of ice retention. Additional features include:

• A removable inner tray to keep non-perishables cool and dry
• An integrated bottle opener with a magnet that catches bottle caps
• A snap in flexible lid organizer
• A wide grip handle and a walk-way cut out for easier, ergonomic transport

With an MSRP of $99.95 USD, it is available in White/Gray or Dark Gray/Green and is covered by a three-year limited warranty. 

Pelican Products, Inc. is a portfolio company of Behrman Capital, a private equity investment firm based in New York and San Francisco.

PHLster Enigma

Monday, November 23rd, 2020

-Available late November, 2020.

Compatible with non-light-bearing holsters which have a Modwing, Darkwing, RCS Vanguard wing, or other concealment claw/wing with a 5/8ths on center hole spacing below the trigger guard of the holster.

-MSRP $85, holster shell not included.

Enigma isn’t a holster. Or a belt. Or a belly band. Or any other device you’ve encountered. 

It’s so different, in fact, it’s in a whole new category of its own. Enigma is the world’s first concealment chassis, giving you unparalleled concealment, stability, and performance. Using high tech materials, it turns your favorite Kydex holster into an ultra-low-profile concealment system that’s completely independent of your clothing. 

Enigma’s chassis means you can train hard, fight hard, and live how you want, with confidence that your gun will stay put. Every part of Enigma was designed with performance in mind. Made from an ultra-light, high-strength woven polymer laminate, the heart of Enigma is the winged faceplate.  It stabilizes your gun while adding zero bulk to the front of the holster. 

Train safely with Enigma’s secure retention and stable platform.  It stays in place during repeated draw/reholster cycles, thanks to its unobtrusive adjustable leg-leash.  And your kydex holster shell stays open, allowing for safe one-handed reholstering.  

While it’s optimized for the PHLster Pro Series, Enigma is modular.  It will also fit other AIWB holsters that use a Modwing, Darkwing, Raven Concealment wing, or other IWB concealment wing with a 5/8ths on center hole spacing. 

Enigma is unmatched in concealment and performance. 

We’re all used to hearing advice like, “dress around the gun,” or, “get a better belt,” or, “try a smaller gun” when dealing with the challenges of concealed carry. Bellybands and other alternative carry methods don’t conceal well, aren’t secure, and require constant adjustment. 

Enigma is a no-compromise concealed carry solution.  Its 12-point adjustable platform allows you to fine-tune concealment in ways that aren’t possible with conventional carry methods.  Once you adjust Enigma for optimum concealment on your unique frame, you simply set-it-and-forget it with the quick-latch Fidlock magnetic buckle.  Just click and go.

From the gym, to the team room, to the board room, Enigma stays put and stays with you.

Fine tune your concealment by adjusting grip tuck and grip rotation.

Set a natural grip angle.

Eliminate muzzle poking and printing.

Grab and go with the secure magnetic-assisted buckle.

Train safely with Enigma’s secure retention and easy reholstering.

Stay cool and comfortable all day with Enigma’s low profile, lightweight, minimalist platform.

Enigma Tech 

Using the latest in high tech materials and manufacturing, the heart of Enigma is the winged face-plate. Made from an ultra-light, high-strength woven polymer laminate, it stabilizes your gun while adding zero bulk to the front of the holster. Enigma’s chassis is stronger and stiffer than any comparable textile, yet it’s ultra-thin and unobtrusive. It holds up to high stress applications and can withstand repeated flexing without cracking, fraying, or breaking. And we’ve laser-cut it to be more flexible where it needs to be, while still providing structural support and stability where required. 

The Enigma concealment system is modular and will attach to non-light-bearing, AIWB holster shells that use a ModWing, DarkWing, Raven Concealment wing, or other IWB concealment wing using a 5/8ths inch hole spacing. 

The Enigma belt is comfortable and durable, made from mil-spec 17337 webbing. Once you’ve sized the belt to fit your waist, you can set it and forget it. Don and doff the Enigma quickly and easily using the included Fidlock magnet-assisted buckle, which provides both security and convenience. There’s no need to thread and adjust the belt every time you put it on.  Securing the latch is easy and intuitive, even if your garments obscure your view of the buckle, or if you have limited mobility or hand strength. The Fidlock buckle basically locks itself, and unlatches with an easy-to-grip fob.

The buckle attachment to the face-plate is lined to help prevent direct contact between the buckle and the body. The buckle attachment also allows you to hot-swap the Fidlock for your choice of buckle and will accommodate any 1.5 inch buckle you prefer, including Cobra buckles. 

Enigma Story 

Dive deep enough into high-level concealed carry and you’ll find Runcible Works. Known for their experimental and obsessively innovative holster systems, Runcible Works creates bespoke, self-contained concealment systems for carrying in any attire.  They combine high tech materials with sophisticated, ergonomic design principles to build deep concealment gear with the lowest possible signature.  Runcible Works pioneered the concept of building the belt, holster, and accessory carriers into a single platform that functions in any environment from yoga class to entangled ground-fighting and grappling. 

After years of operating in the same circles, we reached out to Runcible Works to help bring their concepts and expertise out of the mad-science laboratory and to the masses.  Together, we developed a streamlined and minimalist execution of their renowned, yet often difficult to obtain, systems. 

For two years, we explored materials, strategies, and executions, going back to the drawing board several times and starting from scratch. Enigma is the result of an intense and relentless collaborative process, the output of which is a unique and unprecedented piece of concealment technology and a patent pending. 

With our final drafts in hand by the summer of 2020, we knew that the Enigma required a special manufacturing partnership. Known for their materials and process expertise and innovation in the tactical equipment space, AXL Advanced was the obvious choice to help us get over the finish line and make the Enigma a reality. Their capability to produce durable, low-profile equipment for hard use applications, using the advanced materials required makes them the ideal candidate for the job.

www.phlsterholsters.com

Mack Defense Donates Proceeds from Mack Anthem Camo Diecast Sales to Fisher House Foundation

Sunday, November 22nd, 2020

ALLENTOWN, PA (Nov. 17, 2020) – Mack Defense in cooperation with Mack Trucks announced a multiyear partnership with Fisher House Foundation in which proceeds from the Mack Anthem® Digi Camo diecast model sales will be donated to the nonprofit serving military and veterans families. Mack will donate $20,000 this year for sales in 2019 and 2020, and will contribute up to $10,000 more next year as sales continue.

Fisher House Foundation builds comfort houses near military and Veterans Administration hospitals where military and veterans families can stay free of charge while a loved one is in the hospital.

“Mack Defense is committed to supporting those in the military and our veterans in any way we can to acknowledge their unwavering commitment to help protect and serve our country and its citizens,” said David Hartzell, president, Mack Defense. “We are proud to be able to donate to Fisher House Foundation proceeds from sales of our military-inspired Mack Anthem diecast model.”

The unique diecast model features a camo-wrapped Anthem model cab and the phrase “Salute to Service” on the trailer, along with the Mack Bulldog logo and the American Flag both prominently displayed. The diecast is sold through the Mack Shop, www.mackshop.com, item number M1216.

Since its inception in 1990, Fisher House Foundation has served more than 400,000 families, saved families an estimated $500 million in lodging costs and offered 10 million days of temporary housing. There are 90 Fisher Houses located on 25 military installations and 40 VA medical centers.

Founded by Zachary Fisher, who had been a prominent New York real estate developer and philanthropist committed to the U.S. Armed Forces and a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient recognized by President Bill Clinton, each Fisher House comfort home features seven to 21 suites, accommodating 16 to 42 family members and are between 5,000 and 16,800 square feet in size. All homes are professionally furnished with common kitchens, dining rooms and living spaces.

Fisher House Foundation also operates the Hero Miles program, which utilizes donated frequent flyer miles to fly family members to their injured loved one, and the Hotels for Heroes program, using donated hotel points to allow family members to stay near their loved one in a hotel for free.

“Fisher House Foundation thanks Mack Trucks for their generous contribution,” said Chairman and CEO of Fisher House Foundation Ken Fisher. “Mack Trucks understands the importance of keeping military families together at one of the most critical times – when loved ones are receiving care in VA and military hospitals.”

Featuring diecast metal construction with an opening hood and doors and authentic engine detail, the Mack Anthem Digi Camo diecast is a great addition for collectors and those wishing to support veterans. Built to a 1:50 scale, the truck has an accurately detailed cab interior, a pivoting fifth-wheel plate and a detachable trailer.

The donation to Fisher House Foundation is just one example of Mack’s support of the military and veterans.

Mack recently announced it would continue to support the American Trucking Associations Workforce Heroes program in 2021. The program supports military veterans by introducing and recruiting them to careers in the trucking industry. Mack donated a Mack Anthem® 70-inch Stand Up Sleeper model featuring a camouflaged-style wrap and outfitted with all of the latest safety technologies to the program, which visits schools, career fairs and military bases.