During a recent trip to the Scout Shop, I saw a display of survival bracelets. Granted, you can pick these up virtually anywhere. What’s made these stick out was that the buckle is embossed with the Boy Scouts of America. Made by Bison Designs these are available exclusively from the BSA and some of the proceeds go to “Wounded Veterans.”
We ran into Georgia-based Exotac at Blade Show where Tactical Fanboy shot this accompanying video. They are our kind of people. They manufacture a small line of quality outdoor and urban gear with each product produced in smaller quantity runs to allow them to constantly improve their offerings.
Their flagship product is the nanoSTRIKER, a collapsible ferrocerium fire-starter. Due to its small size, they had to develop a new striker which is constructed of two different grades of stainless steel (330 and 440C). Additionally, the replaceable ferrocerium rod works even when wet, for up to 1000 uses.
It’s available in Black, Gunmetal, OD Green, Blaze Orange, and Titanium (for a $48.00 upcharge).
Exotac will be at OR Summer Market in SLC this weekend in Booth #PV339.
Coming soon to a DA hit near you, Ground Mobility Vehicle System (ver 1.1) is SOCOM’s concept for a new truck to replace their HMMWV-based systems currently in service. Since the solicitation is expected to kick off in September, several companies have been showing their wares. However, one company has been flying under the radar yet delivering capability for years.
The Search & Rescue Tactical Vehicle (SRTV) produced by BC Customs (BCC) is in the tactical family of SXOR Mobility Vehicles. The SRTV is a platform based family of vehicle utilizing identical components with multiple body configurations. The result is a range of dimensions, crew compliments, and capabilities with no additional training or sustainment requirements.
The SRTV is constructed of MIL-STD aircraft tubing, minimizing weight, maximizing strength, and providing a skeletal base for multiple types of Commercial off the Shelf (COTS) ballistic and blast armoring. BCC has utilized readily available components from the Rock/Desert racing industry with special attention paid to redundant systems required for military operations.
The SRTV has produced documented speeds of over 100 mph; vertical grades over 70 degrees, side-hill angles of over 60 degrees including a vertical step of 3 plus feet. Additionally, the SRTV can exceed double its curb weight in payload. BCC has been at this for some time and has integrated all standard military vehicle requirements such as run flats, open electronics (including Tactronics’ C4I system) as well as redundancy in all major operating systems.
There are weapons mount options: Fore and aft crew serve weapon mounts, 360 degree turret with roll protection, and standard swing arm mounts. BCC has also been working with Garwood Ind to integrate their M134 Minigun, FN to integrate their light Weapon Stations, and MSG for multiple weapon stations.
Nicknamed the “Warthog” by users, the SRTV-5 has an internal crew of three with options for up to two additional crew and two internal (roll protected) patients. The SRTV-5 is internally loadable in the CH-53E and CH-47 with rapid ground mobility within one minute.
The SRTV-22 (Osprey) variant has an internal crew of three with options for two additional crew or two (roll protected) patients, but loses either one crew member or patient as required. The variant is designed to quickly load and unload from the V-22 with no major adjustments other than collapsing the roll protection. With practice, this can take the crew only a few seconds. The body is built to meet all V-22 tolerances, including ramp over angle and footprint. Additionally, it is less than 900 lbs per wheel, making it ideal for use as an Internally Transportable Vehicle (ITV) and can be ordered with the V-22 trailer. The ramp angle and weight per wheel issues are two of the biggest issues facing vehicle designs intended for the V-22.
In addition to SOCOM interest in a new vehicle, the USAF’s Guardian Angel community recently released their third RFI in as many years looking for a specialized light rescue vehicle capable of internal and sling load transport as well as airdropability. Additionally, the RFI mentions a vehicle that can transport two PJs as well as two litter patients. BCC seems well positioned for this Guardian Angel Airdroppable Rescue Vehicle (GAARV) requirement. All SRTV variants can carry two external patients (Stokes, Israeli, Talon, or pole litters) without roll protection. Additionally, BCC is working with the Air Guard for airdrop certification.
For example, the SRTV-3 was originally designed for USAF Guardian Angel Forces in 2004 and fielded in 2007. Additionally, the SRTV was included in the Air National Guard’s (ANG) FY09 Weapons Systems Modernization Requirements documents specifically for Guardian Angel use.
BCC is currently working with the ANG on Airdrop and multiple MDS (aircraft type) ITV certifications to field a number of SRTV-5 and SRTV-22 variants for ANG rescue forces while awaiting the Air Combat Command (ACC) GAARV Solicitation process. BCC has recently fielded an SRTV-5 variant to the US Border Patrol special operations group BORSTAR. In addition to having an established product, they constantly work to improve existing vehicles as well as to develop new capabilities.
The Fire Steel, Blanket Pin, and Awl is a multi use product offered by Dave Canterbury of “Dual Survival” fame and Owner of the Pathfinder School, LLC. Inspired by a conversation with Rob Simpson of the Canteen Shop, the concept was combine a blanket pin with a fire steel. In fact, you may have seen this in use on “Dual Survival” when Dave’s partner Cody Lundin wraps himself in a buffalo cape (episode: Frozen Plains).
It is offered in two sizes, naturally referred to as Small and Large. The smaller one can be used as a belt buckle so you can always have it on you. However, it do so it is recommended that you slightly modify it by shortening the pin.
Naturally, it’s primary function is as a fire steel. But, this device allows you to take a wool (or in a pinch other type) blanket and use it as a cloak, clasping it in front. Finally, it can be used as an awl, with the loop of the steel making an excellent handle.
While there’s no catchy name for this product, I’ll call it the “Awl-in-One.”
stores.thepathfinderschoolllc.com
UK-based Random House imprint Century has purchased world rights, including serial, for a survival-style handbook written by the British Army called “Be the Best at Just About Everything”. Set to be released in October, topics include how to survive an avalanche, cross a crocodile infested swamp, drink from a cactus or iron the perfect shirt. The book will promoted by the Army’s recruiting service with the PR campaign to include serving soldiers in the roles of “ordinary people doing extraordinary things”.
Tim Andrews, Century commissioning editor, said: “The British Army is a unique military institution, one that has constantly evolved and transformed itself and rightly has an international reputation as a prestigious, innovative and heroic organisation. This book reflects those values, and will be one of the most original, entertaining – and useful – gift books of the year, and a dead-cert Christmas present for fathers and sons up and down the country.”
If you’ve been around the trade show circuit for any amount of time, you’ve probably seen Ultimate Survival Technologies and their line of cool survival gadgets and armor systems. There are a few other pieces going on there but they generally keep that stuff behind closed doors.
Last week they announced: “Ultimate Survival Technologies (UST) of Monroe, Washington, has just announced the sale of its Recreation/Commercial Division to Revere Supply Co, Inc. of Jacksonville, Florida. The acquisition of the division will give UST the opportunity to solely focus on their military and law enforcement sales channels, with capital to expand current research and development initiatives in body armor, CBRNE defense, tactical gear and mobility systems.”
Awesome for them and awesome for Revere Supply as the products they purchased the rights to are well, pretty righteous. They include their patented all-weather fire starting systems, targetable and unbreakable signal mirrors, a premium outdoor saw, a low profile whistle, an ultralight emergency stove, and kits in which the tools are combined. Interestingly, UST will retains the sale of these products to the military so the Revere sale is purely for the commercial market.
Naturally, those involved in the deal made a few statements.
“We are very excited about what this means for our customers,†said Chris Venti, President and CEO of UST. “Revere is a well-established company with a great track record for customer service and a vast history in the survival and recreation industries. This transition will put us in an even stronger position to continue to innovate for and focus on our military and government customers.”
Revere President Andrew Kaufmann said this about the purchase: “Revere is focused on growing our business in the outdoor, aviation and leisure marine markets. We see the purchase of UST’s Recreational Division as a key acquisition that will help us to achieve this goal.â€
Check out Tactical Fanboy’s article on Zippo’s new products unveiled at SHOT SHow. Zippo lighters have been accompanying GIs into battle since WW II and their new items will be even more useful for military customers.
Solkoa’s Ultralight Multi-purpose Aluminum (SUMA) container measures 2-1/2″w x 4″l x 1-1/2″d and is a great way to package your survival kit or other small items that need to be protected from crushing as well as the elements. It is machined from a solid billet of 6061 aluminum and then hard anodized and can be used for cooking in a pinch.
The SUMA container is available in a variety of finishes and can also be laser etched. Additionally, as you can see in the photo, special lids can be machined with raised symbols. However, a lot of guys using these are applying sticky Velcro to the lid and attaching a flag or other near recognition symbol to the face.
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