Canada’s One Shot Tactical invited Blue Force Britney and Larry Vickers up to their facility. The resulting video showcases “range-time” highlights, behind the scenes footage, as well as new products from Blue Force Gear such as the Rack-minus and the (VCAS) Vickers Combat Application Sling.
This video produced by LabZero Productions
The FN Advanced Carbine is the weapon submitted to the US Army’s Individual Carbine program.
It’s been described as “SCAR on Jenny Craig” and has had small, incremental changes to comply with the Army’s length and weight requirements. For example, the stock is slightly shorter and the front sight has been moved from the gas port to the rail. Additionally, the barrel now has the FNC profile in front of the gas port. One big change, a non-reciprocating charging handle.
FN has also introduced a PDW to support an ICE requirement. Once again based on the SCAR platform, the PDW has a 6.75″ barrel with an operating system optimized for the short barrel. What’s really cool is that they developed a non-reciprocating charging handle for the PDW that can be retrofitted to existing guns!
For future improvements of the PDW look for additional calibers such as .300, 6.8 and 6.5 was even mentioned. I’m looking at this and thinking MP5 replacement.
Both the CamelBak Big Jump and Talon-G have been airdrop certified by the Airborne and Special Operations Test Directorate. This means that procedures have been developed and certified as safe for airborne operations. However, it does not mean that these are Government developed issue items nor that they are endorsed by the military. On the contrary. CamelBak developed these packs on their own dime based on user driven requirements and worked through the arduous process of getting them certified so that they can be used by US military airborne units. Jumpers look for a 1st/507th PIR Memorandum of Record date 1 Dec 2011 Subject: Rigging and JMPI Procedures for the CamelBak Talon-GTM which stipulates how to rig the packs. They both features the same air items integrated into their design.
Both the Big Drop and Talon-G accommodate a 100 oz (3 L)OMEGA WaterBeast Reservoir and are available in Coyote, MultiCam and UCP. They are panel loaders featuring an Integrated Single Point Release (ISPR) on the bottom with a zippered pouch cover. They also have channels within the back panel that secure excess harness webbing during jumps. Additionally, noiseless zipper pulls snap together to secure pockets during jumps.
It really comes down to size. The Big Drop is obviously larger (4275 cu in / 70.04 L) than the Talon-G (2563 cu in / 42 L). Be sure to visit CamelBak at AUSA to check out these packs. Interestingly, these packs are currently only offered to authorized DoD users due their very specialized nature so this is a great opportunity to see them in person. For further information visit www.camelbak.com.
Some readers from Down Under shared this advertisement from a 1982 issue of “Playboy” magazine (apparently, the mail is very slow). It depicts what they think may be the first example of a commercial hydration pack. I know I didn’t receive my first militarized Camelbak until 1991 when Jeff Wemmer was still there.
It really looks like more of a spray for cooling than a true hydration pack. What do you think?
Right after SHOT Show Infidel Caps had their first patch case made custom. They used it for several shows and then introduced it to their friends at Mil Spec Monkey who offered some design input. Then, they took it to Tactical Tailor and presented the idea to their design team. After a couple of more additions and design tweaks, they went into production. They are now very happy with the design of the Infidel Caps Patch Case, available at www.milspecmonkey.com.
When closed, the case resembles a covert weapon case measuring 15”H x 29”L x 1.5”W, a 3” x 5” Velcro Loop panel on the front and back for nametapes and other patches, dual zippers and carry handles. When unzipped, you find 3 zippered pockets, one larger and two smaller for paperwork, additional patch storage, etc.
When fully unfolded, it covers an area of 29” x 94” (2,726 sq in). Each of the 6 internal panels of Velcro Loop measure 15” x 28” (420 sq in) for a total of 2,520 square inches of useable patch space. Each case has a total of 10 grommets, 5 across the top and 5 across the bottom, to hang on your wall or on the edge of your show table. If you prefer, it fits quite nicely on any standard 8 foot table.
The perfect option for your growing patch collection or for those who sell patches at local shows. While numbers will vary based on patch size, Infidel Caps tells us that they have had as many as 484 patches on the panel at one time. Currently available in both Black and Coyote Brown.
I first published an article on the Smock last November. It’s getting cold outside and the time is now to get your hands on a Smock. This article isn’t the be-all-end-all word on Smocks, but it’s a good start.
Finally, the smock is beginning to gain some traction here in the US. We’ve written about them in the past, mentioning smocks from Drop Zone, the now defunct EOTAC, SOD Gear, Level Peaks, SORD, Vertx Vertx smock and the FirstSpear Squadron Smock. But, we’ve never really talked about them and explained what they are all about.
Even though we are slow to adopt, they are literally a concept unlike anything we have in the US. I’ve heard them compared to the M65 field jacket but that idea is simply uniformed. A smock isn’t just a coat.
Rather, the smock is much more than a simple jacket. In addition to use as clothing, the smock is also intended to carry much, if not all of the wearer’s fighting load. In fact, that was the point. They were originally envisioned to carry several days of combat equipment including rations, ammunition, and radios.
Primarily, the smock is a European concept and in particular, used by Commonwealth nations. I got my first SAS smock in 1989 in a trade for a poncho liner during an exercise in Belgium. Its use as an issue garment was traditionally restricted to Special Forces yet several nations have adopted it for general issue in one form or another. One example of a much watered down smock on general issue is the Canadian Army’s combat jacket. When this design was initially adopted in the 1960s it was envisioned that the Soldier would carry his ammunition and other fighting load components in the jackets pockets. What’s more, the British military now issues a Smock as a general purpose item.
There is very limited use of Smocks by US forces. During the early 1990s, an experimental clothing system called Battle Dress System (BDS) was developed by the US Army Special Operations Command. It was a layered clothing system that eventually became the Lightweight Environmental Protection sub-system of SPEAR. The outermost layer called the SOF BDU, was a solid grey combat jacket and over trouser. With its solid grey color the item was rejected due to institutional prejudice. When LEP was adopted, it was without the SOF BDU layer.
Issue items like the SAS Smock are pretty good, but commercial interests have taken them to a whole new level. Britain’s Special Air Sea Services has been manufacturing specialized variants of the smock since the 1980s. Other companies like Canada’s Drop Zone picked up the torch in the 90s and now, commercial items are more prevalent than the issue garment.
But, for me, the most ambitious smock project of late has been the FirstSpear Squadron Smock. I will be blunt. I love it. But, with it’s gridded fleece lined yoke, it’s a cold weather garment.
Smocks have made a lot of sense in Northern Europe where the cold wet climate requires layering. You see, as smocks are coat-like garments they are generally worn layered over shirts. In many climates the US military finds itself in, this would be too warm as a daily wear item. Rather, the US Army’s Extreme Cold Weather Clothing System in all three of its incarnations has offered various technical shells. It seems as if the US skipped the smock altogether, at least for a time. But, with the advent of the most modern smocks, new fabrics have been introduced into the design essentially making them softshells. Conversely, Australian Mission Pac has developed a MultiCam ripstop 100% Cotton Smock for use in warm climates.
Crye Precision debuted a warm weather Recce smock during SHOT Show 2012. Thus far, it has not been released for sale.
Other interesting concepts have been developed such as the Arktis SF Sleeveless Smock which looks like a hybrid between a smock and a 5.11 shooting vest.
Oftentimes, those with no experience with smocks will criticize the design. They don’t understand that use of a fully featured smock allows the reconfiguration of the load. For example, armor can be worn under the smock. Perhaps a chest rig may be required and perhaps not, but much of the items carried on the armor or in a pack can be carried in pockets, readily available.
With even more products hitting the market soon, smocks look to be making an indelible mark on the US market and as they become more and more prevalent, we will begin to see more widespread use, including on the battlefield. Think of the smock as yet another tool in the toolbox and use accordingly. Remember, it’s a tool, not the tool, and you’ll be ok.
-Eric Graves
The Editor
SSD
What’s your favorite Smock?
One of the coolest thing I saw during August’s Outdoor Retailer Summer Market was the debut of Rocky’s S2V outdoor line. Made up of both clothing and footwear, the pedigree of the line follows Rocky’s S2V military boots. Rocky also invested in working with Mountain Shepherd Survival School‘s experts to integrate survival and recovery tools right into the gear.
Every piece of kit I saw at OR is well designed. I’ve been wearing a Center Hold wind shirt in Black as weather permits and I’ve got to say that I like it. It features a nylon shell with a gridded polyester lining. As you can imagine, it’s very soft and could easily be worn next-to-skin. Additionally, the underarms are mesh combined with a zipper that lowers to mid chest to avoid overheating. In addition to thumb holes for cold weather the single, zippered chest pocket incorporates a small internal pocket that holds a bright pink marker panel to help you get found. If I have any complaints it’s with the zipper as it is a fine tooth model and fouled a couple of times on my when I tied to close it one handed.
Make sure you visit the website and check out the entire line. I’ve got my eyes on a couple of the other garments for this Winter. Coming Fall 2012, www.rockys2v.com.
Released later today, Triple Aught Design introduces a collared Ranger Jacket. Offered in Coyote Brown, Loden Green, Black and UE Grey, it is available in versions with pile tape patches on the biceps as well as without.
It features roomy chest pockets, dual bicep pockets and a forearm pocket on the left sleeve. It’s an athletic cut but it’s available in sizes Small – XXXLarge. I have to warn you, TAD products are tight runs and generally sell out the same day.
www.tripleaughtdesign.com/Apparel/Jackets/Ranger-Jacket
