We’re just a couple of weeks out from the annual Special Operations Forces Industry Conference in Tampa, Florida. One again, there will be a SOF SELECT: SOFIC Operator Pavilion, held in the Oasis Ballroom of the Westin Waterside Tampa, right across the bridge from the convention center.
Hours:
Tuesday, May 21, 2018
9am – 6pm
Wednesday, May 22, 2018
9am – 5pm
Thursday, May 23, 2018
9am – 1pm
SOF SELECT is presented by Cove Event Management.
You may recall the IMR-Blue concept photo in the recent story about Air Force Small Arms modernization.
While not exactly the clearest of photos, you can discern that the rail isn’t something we’ve seen before. Turns out it’s a new DD rail variant, designed specifically to inform a sources sought inquiry by a Marine Corps Element. They required fixed Picatnny rail at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock st the business end, along with M-Lok along the rest of the rail.
Internally, DD is calling it RIS III Red. It’s their first hybrid rail. It uses the same six bolt attachment as the RIS II, which the Army’s SEP program determined as best in categories of durability and reliability during a recent test of Free Float Rails for the M4 carbine.
Unobtanium from Daniel Defense.
Last week, I stopped by MATBOCK’s shop in Virginia Beach to check out their new Ghost Heavy material. It boasts 750 lbs sq in tensile strength and over 400 lbs tear strength.
Previously, the J-LIFT was made from Trelleborg material, weighing 36 oz.
Now, it’s made from MATBOCK’s new Ghost Heavy material and weighs just 12.4 oz. You can also see how small the litter folds up, fitting in this pouch.
So far, they haven’t been able to get the material to absorb anything, meaning it can be deconned over and over. It also features all Kevlar stitching.
The panels are big enough for wrist carry and it accepts poles.
The material is also now on the R-LIFT l, bringing the weight down to 5.5 lbs with the backpack.
This is an inline change for both systems; same part number, same price.
Costa is displaying several models of sunglasses intended for low viz operations where the wearer wants performance without the tactical black paint job.
At the top of the photo is the Blackfin with Grey frame and Silver Mirror lens, while lower frame is the Fantail also in Grey with Green lens.
Both styles are available with prescription lenses as well as a variety of lens colors and finishes including Blue Mirror for use in the open ocean and Copper Silver Mirror for use inshore.
SSD Readers enjoy $15 off your first purchase by using code SAVE15 on www.provengo.com/register
As you know, The Lost Arrow Project is Patagonia’s efforts to to support Special Operations Forces and other government customers. At SOF Select they are exhibiting this concept uniform.
The challenge they gave themselves was to create a new 3-season uniform which could replace both combat and field garments in USSOCOM’s Protective Combat Uniform Level 9. Although, this project is still in its infancy, the fabric they selected is very breathable for use in hot environments. Additionally, the bags of pockets are all internal for a sleeker garment.
Visit with these great companies:
Blue Force Gear
Cascade Designs
Costa del Mar
Daniel Defense
Eagle Industries
High Threat Concealment
Kryptek
Massif
Matbock
Mystery Ranch
Ops-Core
Patagonia
Point6
Princeton Tec
Salomon
SCUBAPRO
Smith Optics
S&S Precision
Suunto
Velocity Systems
VZ Grips
SOF SELECT is in the same location as last year, the Oasis Ballroom in the Westin Waterside Tampa, a quick 4 minute walk from SOFIC/Convention Center and attached to Jackson’s.
Hours:
Tuesday, May 22, 2018
9am – 6pm
Wednesday, May 23, 2018
9am – 5pm
Thursday, May 24, 2018
9am – 1pm
SOF SELECT is presented by Cove Event Management.
