Endeavor Robotics is a Massachusetts-based robotics company which is a designer and supplier of robots for Defense, Law Enforcement, and industrial industries worldwide. They will be at SOFIC 2017, Booth 2021, displaying the Kobra system with integrated Remote Operated Weapons Mount System from Precision Remote, along with their uPoint Multi-Robot Control System.
Visitors to this year’s SOFIC Show in Tampa, Florida (15-18th May 2017) will be able to see innovations like floating body armour, ballistic protective underwear and terrorist vessel-disabling launchers when they drop by BCB International’s booth (1501).
For over 160 years, BCB International Ltd have been developing products designed to help our Armed Forces operate and survive in extreme situations.
As their Managing Director, Andrew Howell, explained they will have on display a number of proven innovations which will be of interest to SOFIC visitors: “Our mission here at BCB International has always been to design, manufacture and supply life-saving equipment for our brave servicemen and women who are out there every day putting their lives at risk for our defence and security.
“We will be exhibiting three core products which were designed to maximize the operational performance and survivability of Marines. The first one is a self-inflating body armour which automatically inflates within seconds of being immersed in water and positions the wearer on his/her back to keep their airways clear. It also boasts a removable lifejacket which can be taken off if an operation needs to be pursued on land.
“One of the things a soldier fears the most during combat operations, is being maimed by roadside bombs, better known as IEDs (improvised explosive devices). BCB are the pioneers of protective under-garments, dubbed ‘Blast Boxers’. We will be displaying our range of ‘Blast Boxers’ on our stand. Made from comfortable and ballistic materials including Kevlar, they are worn instead of underwear and help to protect a soldier’s groin area, through which key arteries run, against small fragments projected in an IED explosion.
“Our ports, docks and rivers are vulnerable to piracy, acts of terrorism and narcotics trafficking. Provided in boat-mounted and handheld formats, our non-lethal fast boat stopping systems ingeniously use compressed air and a range of specialized projectiles to intercept vessels weighing up to 3 tonnes and rigid inflatable boats travelling at a speed of 45 knots in seconds. More and more law enforcement authorities are using our boat stopping systems to protect our coastal waters and waterways.
“We look forward to discussing the enormous benefits of our equipment to visitors at the Show.”
TEA will unveil the new ARES Multi-comm Push To Talk & In-Ear System at next week’s SOFIC.
The new TEA ARES multi-comm PTT and In The Ear solution is capable of interfacing with all current DoD radios, headsets and platforms (LAND-SEA-AIR), phones, tablets and intercom systems. It incorporates a new industry leading “Echo Cancellation” technology that will allow the device to handle full duplex audio on two separate channels and also can accommodate talk group select options when needed. Also compatible with current dual NET radios being used today
Unique Features Include:
New ergonomic design for ease of use even when wearing gloves
Single or multi-comm configurations – including remote PTT/O2 cable for HALO configurations
Compatible with TEA’s complete suite of headsets for both land and maritime use
Newly designed flat “Easy Clean” connectors
IP 68 rated for submersability
Fully repairable
Easy operator/unit level programming or updating if needed (Custom programs available)
Newly designed secure clothing clip
Low Power Consumption for extended periods of use
Superior Protection and Comfort
See the ARES Multi-comm Push To Talk & In-Ear System, along with the entire TEA Headsets line in Booth #1200 at SOFIC.
Join Magpul, May 16-18, at the Bayside Ballroom in the Embassy Suites during SOFIC, in their Whiskey Locker for a variety of opportunities to recharge your batteries, network, and check out their latest products.
At next week’s Special Operations Forces Industry Conference in Tampa, Florida, WL Gore & Associates, Inc will exhibit uniforms made from the latest versions of fabrics enhanced with their ePTFE (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene) fiber technology. We first introduced you to the technology during SOFIC 2015.
As reminder, these are the performance enhancements, thanks to the inclusion of ePTFE.
-Low wet pick-up for faster dry time
-Faster dry time with moisture absorption
-High mechanical durability (break & tear strength)
-High strength to weight ratio (weight reduction)
-Low coefficient of friction offers low, wet cling and improved hand
-Tunable with other fiber blends inherent characteristics, like FR
Sounds like a wonder material, doesn’t it? Makes you wonder why they haven’t just made shirts and pants out of pure ePTFE right? Sure, they could make an entire garment from the fiber, but they haven’t gone that far yet. Incremental improvement is always easier to accept, so rather than introducing a radical new technology, they considered how to enhance existing materials by adding ePTFE into weaves with more traditional fibers. “We took the NYCO you wear now and made it even better. That was our starting block,” explained Dave Minor, Fibers Technology Lead at WL Gore & Assoc. Since it’s adoption in the early 90s for military field garments, NYCO is common ground for all of the services and was the perfect place to begin their work.
But, this isn’t Gore’s first go at fibers. You’re most likely familiar with WL Gore’s waterproof/breathable technology, known as GORE-Tex. However, that’s a membrane which is bonded to other face fabrics. WL Gore & Assoc is a worldwide corporation and boasts a wide range of technologies, including a great dental floss. Naturally, it’s strong, self lubricating and inert, meaning it won’t pick up any heebie-jeebies that might cause infections in your mouth. Later, they came up with a Gore thread, with the same properties. Looking back on those two products, you can see that the move to woven textiles was inevitable. However, in this instance, Gore set out to develop fabrics for military use, rather than looking first for commercial customers. The development didn’t happen overnight. Gore had to work with their supply chain to develop processes to weave the material and refine the ePTFE fibers introduced into the process. Few companies would take on the development of a completely new fabric technology without a formal requirement, leaving me very impressed with this investment.
While the fabric is a Gore product, it’s not GORE-Tex, meaning it’s not waterproof. Instead, it absorbs less water than traditional fabrics, due to the ePTFE’s inert nature. It also remains soft against the skin, yet strong. Product Specialist Cheryl Booth, emphasized the material’s attributes saying, “It’s super wicked strong.” Less water absorption doesn’t just equal more comfort, it also means it dries faster. To this end, I’d like to point out, some impressive numbers.
Dry Time Numbers/Increasing Strength When Wet Data
Dry time comparison based on MM-TS-07 test method shows Katana to dry in 20 minutes as compared to NyCo drying in 35 minutes.
Katana fabric will increase 15% in strength when wet. NyCo fabric will lose > 15% in strength when wet.
Although I found the technology remarkable the first time I saw it several years ago, Gore rested on their laurels. They’ve advanced the concept and made improvements from early construction. In addition to enhanced durability, they also improved printability and comfort. Those of you who are familiar with early uniforms made from Katana, may recall that the print looked washed out. To counter this effect, they moved the ePTFE fibers from the surface of the weave further to the rear. Not only did this result in richer printing, but more of the ePTFE is against the skin, resulting in increased comfort. The Saber fabric in the middle of the image below is from the first generation, while the MultiCam fabric to the left is from a recent production run. You can really see the difference the new weave makes.
The Katana fabric has been chosen for use in the Arc’teryx LEAF Assault LT line of hot weather uniforms and has already been adopted for issue by allied units. It’s a No Melt, No Drip material thanks to the NYCO content, but does not offer full FR properties. However, they also have a full Nylon fabric called Saber which is much lighter than Katana, and much softer to the skin. This was developed for customers who don’t require NM/ND. I expect to see this offered in a commercial garment soon as well. As I mentioned earlier, Gore is working on turning other combinations of fibers into fabric. It could be could be any fiber, created specifically to enhance certain characteristics, like full FR. Gore’s team continues to work with customers to identify requirements. Additionally, while ePTFE is white, it can be solution dyed and Gore has demonstrated the use of such ePTFE fibers in a new fabric called Scimitar, seen above next to Katana (L) and Saber (C). A full Scimitar uniform is seen below.
Be sure to see the latest Gore ePTFE Fiber Enhanced Fabrics as well as other technologies at SOFIC in booth #1420.
INVISIO Communications Inc. is now completely operational and the organization is capable of efficiently targeting customers within security and defense throughout the United States. The key focus is to support existing customers, partners and programs, increasing the customer base and to maintain and expand business networks.
During next week’s Special Operations Forces Industry Conference, you can check out INVISIO, who will be located just outside of the convention center at the Waterfront Boardwalk next to Jackson’s Landing, INVISIO Vessel Name: “La Dolce Vita”.
Come aboard to meet their new US Sales Team and check out their latest product line. Products will be available for live demonstrations. In addition to several radio control units, you may want to look at these headsets.
Finally, you can download their catalog here.
