GORE-TEX Defense Fabrics’ All Weather Integrated Clothing System

FirstSpear Friday Focus: Deuce And A Half Shorts

August 20th, 2021

Regardless if you are smashing personal bests’ on leg day, or chips from the comfort of your couch, the FirstSpear Deuce and A Half shorts have you covered (mostly). Like their namesake, they are a classic that always gets the job done. Nothing screams freedom like a super soft, comfortable silkies. These daisy dukes of freedom will serve you well.

• These shorts feature an elastic waistband and no drawstring for a comfortable, high-performance fit and feel
• Brief style liner in these shorts provide additional support and helps prevent chafing
• PT shorts feature a short inseam for optimal athletic capability
• Made of durable, moisture-wicking 100% nylon material that will help keep you cool and dry while you sweat
• Feature an inner waistband pocket for storing a key or money while exercising
• Available in Black with the FirstSpear Logo in S, M, L, XL, 2XL


Embrace the short shorts life. Featuring a 2.25” to 2.5’” inseam on all sizes.

Snag a pair before they’re gone www.first-spear.com/2.5-shorts.

Leaping Squirrels Could Help Scientists Develop More Agile Robots

August 20th, 2021

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — Understanding the split-second decisions squirrels make as they jump from tree branch to tree branch will help scientists develop more agile robots.

With funding from the U.S. Army, researchers at University of California, Berkeley studied how squirrels decide whether or not to take a leap and how they assess their biomechanical abilities to know whether they can land safely.

Understanding how squirrels learn the limits of their agility could help scientists design autonomous robots that can nimbly move through varied landscapes to help with military missions such as traveling through the rubble of a collapsed building to aid in search and rescue or to quickly access an environmental threat.

“The team at UC Berkeley is challenging the comfort zone of today’s robotic design in a very clever way, taking us one step closer to tomorrow’s truly autonomous and versatile robots,” said Dr. Dean Culver, program manager for Complex Dynamics and Systems at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, known as DEVCOM, Army Research Laboratory. “Studying organisms’ behavior, like jumping squirrels, lets the engineering community ask fascinating questions about an autonomous agent trying to navigate an uncertain environment. For example, what stimuli cause learning? How does the interplay between structural compliance in a limb and surprises in an environment permit adjustments during a maneuver?”

To tackle these questions, Dr. Robert Full, professor at UC Berkeley and former doctoral student Dr. Nathanial Hunt, now an assistant professor of biomechanics at the University of Nebraska, Omaha, joined forces with professor of psychology Dr. Lucia Jacobs and former UC Berkeley doctoral student Judy Jinn.

Jacobs and her students developed precise methods to study cognition in wild campus squirrels, and they proposed integrating these studies with biomechanics, extending Full’s laboratory models not only to mammals for the first time, but to a wild mammal–squirrels–that had experienced the full natural development of its agility.

In the journal Science, the researchers report on their experiments on free-ranging squirrels, quantifying how they learn to leap from different types of launching pads–some bendy, some not–in just a few attempts, how they change their body orientation in midair based on the quality of their launch, and how they alter their landing maneuvers in real-time, depending on the stability of the final perch.

“As a model organism to understand the biological limits of balance and agility, I would argue that squirrels are second to none,” said Hunt, now an assistant professor of biomechanics at the University of Nebraska, Omaha. “If we try to understand how squirrels do this, then we may discover general principles of high-performance locomotion in the canopy and other complex terrains that apply to the movements of other animals and robots.”

Researchers conducted the experiments in a eucalyptus grove on the UC Berkeley campus, where the Berkeley team enticed fox squirrels that roam the campus into sketchy situations where they had to decide whether to leap for a peanut or let it go.

They found that, as expected, the flimsier or more compliant the branch from which squirrels have to leap, the more cautious they were. But, it took squirrels just a few attempts to adjust to different compliances.

“When they leap across a gap, they decide where to take off based on a tradeoff between branch flexibility and the size of the gap they must leap,” Hunt said. “And when they encounter a branch with novel mechanical properties, they learn to adjust their launching mechanics in just a few jumps. This behavioral flexibility that adapts to the mechanics and geometry of leaping and landing structures is important to accurately leaping across a gap to land on a small target.”

The squirrels don’t balance the bendiness of the launching branch and the gap distance equally. In fact, the compliance of the branch was six times more critical than the gap distance in deciding whether to jump.

This may be because squirrels know that their sharp claws will save them if they miscalculate. Their claws are so failproof, Hunt said, that none of the squirrels ever fell, despite wobbly leaps and over- or undershot landings.

“They’re not always going to have their best performance–they just have to be good enough,” he said. “They have redundancy. So, if they miss, they don’t hit their center of mass right on the landing perch, they’re amazing at being able to grab onto it. They’ll swing underneath, they’ll swing over the top. They just don’t fall.”

That’s where exploration and innovation come into play as squirrels search for the best leaping strategy.

“If they leap into the air with too much speed or too little speed, they can use a variety of landing maneuvers to compensate,” Hunt said. “If they jump too far, they roll forward around the branch. If they jump short, they will land with their front legs and swing underneath before pulling themselves up on top of the perch. This combination of adaptive planning behaviors, learning control and reactive stabilizing maneuvers helps them move quickly through the branches without falling.”

One unsuspected innovation was that during tricky jumps, squirrels would often reorient their bodies to push off a vertical surface, like in human parkour, to adjust their speed and insure a better landing. Parkour is a sport in which people leap, vault, swing or use other movements to quickly traverse obstacles without the use of equipment.

“Learning from squirrels the limitations of improvisation with a given controller architecture and compliant actuators will help engineers understand how to design a robot controller and actuators to maximize improvisational capabilities,” Dean said. “To get to that next step for more agile robots, we first have to observe and quantify the ideas of adjustment and improvisation, which this research provides.”

This research complements earlier Army-funded research at UC Berkeley that developed an agile robot, called Salto that looks like a Star Wars Imperial walker in miniature and may be able to aid in scouting and search-and-rescue operations.

In additional to the Army, the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health supported this research.

By U.S. Army DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory Public Affairs

Terrain 365 Otter Slip Flip-AT

August 19th, 2021

Detent Slipjoint, Flipper Opening, Rustproof, Edge Holding Pocket Knife for All Terrains

Terrain 365™ introduces their new Otter Slip Flip-AT. Another variant of their popular Otter Series, and is a straightforward, detent type, slipjoint flipper. Made with 100% rustproof “All Terrain” construction, featuring their dendritic cobalt Terravantium™ blade alloy, custom turned titanium hardware throughout, titanium pocket clip and ceramic bearings. Available in full titanium or carbon fiber handles with a titanium detent leaf. This is also their most economic model their offer. This compact slipjoint is edge holding, quick, light, and engineered for practical use in any environment on land and even under water, without ever rusting, pitting or staining anywhere on the knife.

The Otter Flip-AT is available with Terravantium™ blades and either full titanium billet or carbon fiber handles.

Creative Director and Co-Founder Patrick Ma of Terrain 365 states,

“The Otter Slip Flip-AT is in our full rustproof ‘AT’ configuration and probably in its simplest configuration as a folder. Simple, elegant in form, easy to use with one-hand and slips into any pocket.”

The Otter Slip Flip-AT is available for $235 (Ti) and $225 (Carbon Fiber) on their website.

Kimber Introduces The R7 Mako

August 19th, 2021

The R7 Mako™: Kimber’s New High-Capacity, Micro-Compact Polymer Pistol

TROY, AL, Aug. 19, 2021 — Kimber Mfg., is excited to announce its entry into the polymer-framed, striker-fired pistol market with the R7 Mako, a micro-compact pistol chambered in 9mm.

Kimber reached out to carry enthusiasts and asked what was most important in a concealed-carry pistol; the resounding response included the requirement of an outstanding trigger and ability to carry with the confidence of having sufficient ammunition capacity for any situation.

Kimber addressed the trigger request with the R7 Mako’s unique flat-face Performance Carry Trigger™, which has a consistent short pull and a clean, crisp break, making the R7’s factory-set 5.0 to 6.75 pound trigger pull feel much lighter. The R7 Mako boasts class-leading 12-round capacity using the flush-fit magazine and 14-round capacity using the extended magazine.

Another distinctive feature is the R7’s stainless-steel slide, which wears an FNC finish, and covers the barrel hood to add rigidity, preventing debris from entering the pistol through the ejection port, and keeping the optic clean. The pistol also features ambidextrous controls for left and right-handed shooters, and the low-tilt, 3.37-inch, stainless-steel barrel mitigates recoil.

Topping off the R7 Mako is a set of TruGlo® Tritium Pro u-notch sights making target acquisition quick regardless of lighting conditions, and the slide on the R7 Mako Optics Ready (OR) model ships with a plate to protect the milled Shield-style footprint. The R7 Mako Optics Installed (OI) model includes a Crimson Trace® CTS-1500. Both R7 Mako models ship with a flush-fit 11+1 magazine as well as a 13+1 magazine, so the gun is carry-ready out of the box.  Additionally, 10+1 and 15+1 magazines will be available in the very near future.

The R7 Mako weighs in at 19.5 ounces, and measures a mere 1 inch wide, 4.3 inches tall, and 6.2 inches long overall.

For those looking to upgrade their standards, the gun is available for immediate shipment. For more information, visit R7Mako.com, and for all Kimber products, visit kimberamerica.com. MSRP: $799 (OI Model); $599 (OR Model).

Vigilant Security Services – Foreign Weapons Training

August 19th, 2021

Vigilant Security Services has reinvigorated their foreign weapons training, but now in Las Vegas.

They offer Non-Standard Weapon Familiarization, Armorer training and custom courses.

Students will also receive a complete set of 11 Non-Standard Weapon Manuals which cover weapon specifications & variations, operation, disassembly & assembly, firing procedures and misfire & malfunction drills.cover weapon specifications & variations, operation, disassembly & assembly, firing procedures and misfire & malfunction drills.

Visit www.foreignweapons.com

Behind The Scenes – Whiskey & War Stories Operation Eagle Claw M65 Reveal

August 19th, 2021

You’re probably seeing the earlier videos depicting the features of the iconic black over-dyed M65 Field Jackets which were modified for use by Delta’s Operation Eagle Claw rescuers.

The jackets are finished and ready for the Silent Warrior Foundation’s Whiskey & War Stories event and auction which kicks off tomorrow in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Big thanks to Alpha Industries for the jackets and Cory at Bergspitze Customs for making this happen!)

SWF President Dave Hall and Lona Spisso surprised Jim Fuller who donated a custom build AK for the auction with one of the Eagle Claw jackets. Greg Wong who works for Haley Strategic got a surprise as well as he was presented a jacket for his hard work behind the scenes at Whiskey & War Stories events over the years.

You don’t have to be at the event yo get in on the auction for some amazing items, visit whiskeyandwarstories2021.afrogs.org.

silentwarriorfoundation.com

silentwarriorfoundation.com/pages/6th-annual-whiskey-war-stories

www.alphaindustries.com

www.bergspitzecustoms.com

www.fullerphx.com

haleystrategic.com

SureFire Field Notes Ep. 65: The Importance of Being Familiar with a Fight with Greg Lapin  

August 19th, 2021

Greg Lapin runs Vida Jiu-jitsu and VATA Group Training. Greg spent eight years as a Louisiana Law Enforcement Officer with the majority of his time in Special Investigation and Narcotics units. He went on to work for Triple Canopy conducting high threat protection for the Department of State in conflict zones. Greg was then recruited for a Department of Defense program in which he also worked in conflict zones while deployed. He has conducted various missions for both government and non-government clients around the globe. Greg is currently a Sheriffs Deputy assigned to SWAT,  an instructor for both firearms and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and is also an avid USPSA competitive shooter.

www.vidabjj.com/schedule

www.vatatrainingcenter.com

www.surefire.com

Deckers X Lab Introduces A Performance Carry Pack For All Day Flow

August 19th, 2021

The NVRSTP Redefines Adventure Packs For The Everyday Consumer

GOLETA, Calif. – Deckers X Lab, the innovation department of Deckers Brands – owner of HOKA ONE ONE®, UGG®, Teva®, and Sanuk® – today announces the launch of the NVRSTP pack, the ultimate action pack for any adventure.

Whether competing in your next Ultramarathon, speed hiking, or just playing outside with the family or pets, the NVRSTP was designed to keep you out on the trail or micro adventure longer with total comfort and pocket accessibility. The NVRSTP is primed to set the standard that a pack should mirror the perception that a body in motion should stay in motion (no matter what the activity) with easy access to everything you need.

Weight distribution to enhance balance is at the forefront of design with 19 easy to reach pockets to house all your essentials. The NVRSTP has a 25L capacity and can extend to 40L with a unique roll top closure, hydration bladder compatibility, and the addition of a detachable organizer that can be synced tightly against the bag to secure your jacket or extra equipment. The NVRSTP is secured to the body with 3 adjustable side release buckles on the front.

Continuing to break barriers in innovation and design, but also in application, the NVRSTP will be your best performance carry option to optimize your everyday crosstown flow, all day trail stoke, or just effortlessly playing outdoors.

NVRSTP Features:
-25L Capacity (40L with roll top)
-19 Pockets (9 on front)
-Pockets within pockets
-Trekking Pole Holders
-Carabiner Assist
-Water Bladder Compatible
-Wet Bag
-Customizable/Flexible
-Advanced tech and materials for functionality, breathability and durability