GORE-TEX Military Fabrics

Colt Reintroduces the Anaconda Revolver

March 22nd, 2021

WEST HARTFORD, CONN., (March 22, 2021) — Colt’s popular Snake Gun revolver series gains a new addition with the updated Anaconda. The Anaconda is a six-round, large frame, U.S. forged stainless steel double-action revolver chambered in 44 Magnum. It is available nationwide at Colt Stocking Dealers for $1,499 MSRP.

The 2021 Anaconda has been fully re-designed to utilize an oversized Python action with a bulked-up frame for added strength. The leaf-spring action provides a non-stacking, smooth-as glass trigger pull. Recoil-absorbing Hogue overmolded grips are interchangeable with all Colt Python grips. The sights are elevation and windage adjustable, and interchangeable with a simple Allen key.

Its iconic profile comes from the full-lug, ventilated rib barrel, available in 6″ and 8″ lengths. A recessed target crown offers protection and like all Colt revolvers, the cylinder rotates clockwise. The frame is drilled and tapped for optic mounts, making the Anaconda an unstoppable huntsman’s sidearm.

“The Anaconda is a legendary piece of the Snake Gun series and fills a unique space in the revolver market,” said Justin Baldini, Product Director at Colt. “Our team was dedicated to making this revival worthy of the Colt name while serving the needs of today’s gun owner.”

First manufactured in the 1990’s, it is now the fourth Snake Gun re-released by Colt. The Cobra, King Cobra, and Python have all seen a successful re-introduction to the market. The Anaconda is manufactured at Colt headquarters in West Hartford, Connecticut.

www.colt.com

TYR Tactical Awarded Multi-Million Dollar Overt Integrated Armor Contract by the Federal Bureau of Investigation

March 22nd, 2021

In August 2020, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) awarded a fixed firm price Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) for the FBI Overt Integrated Armor. This win marks the second contract award from the FBI for TYR Tactical body armor in a row, the first being the ULVCT contract in March 2020. The TYR Tactical EPIC FED design solution outperformed all other competitors in the most rigorous testing requirements established in the Body Armor Industry for both ballistic and performance capabilities. The BPA awards a spending maximum of $30M over five years.

Mr. Beck, TYR Tactical’s founder, CEO and designer emphasized “This partnership with the FBI gives TYR Tactical the ability to protect agents to the greatest ability technology can offer. I do this because it is my passion and I focus my career and livelihood on this mission, serving those that serve and protect us.”

Mission sets that agents are exposed to change rapidly in the field. TYR Tactical’s EPIC Fed is a modular, tailorable, scalable solution that allows agents to scale their body armor while in the field. The body armor vest provides soft and hard armor protection and attachment of various pouches, zip-on back panels, and ballistic accessories. Its design is a quick-release Taktic buckle system that provides easy access to agents for donning and doffing their vest. Built-in magazine and administrative pockets keep agents organized and prepared for the unknown. Strategically placed identification placard locations are in five vest areas, ensuring proper identification regardless of the agent’s position. The feature-rich, full coverage body armor vest is designed for the male and female anatomy. TYR Tactical has been creating female body armor since 2013 and has several patents based upon its unique shape and design. Over the years, the extensive testing that has taken place is applied to this carrier’s design for the FBI.

TYR Tactical utilized its patented Ballistic Vein as a staple to the integrity of this carrier’s ballistic performance. The Ballistic Vein increases the ballistic performance by up to 40% reduction of backface in comparison to other competitors performance. Additionally, the ballistic vein is a patented panel suspension and energy dispersing platform that retains the carrier in proper alignment, prevents bunching, and supports the soft armor to improve edg shot protection.

TYR Tactical’s soft armor, NFA3/10, is designed to be a flexible, light-weight patent-pending solution that is certified NIJ 0101.06 Level IIIA and the FBI’s demanding ballistic standards.

This opportunity has led to an increase of 22 jobs in Peoria, Arizona, manufacturing the EPIC Fed Body Armor and Soft Armor.

The EPIC FED will be released and featured in TYR Tactical’s 2021 catalog. Continue to check our Instagram, Facebook, and website, www.tyrtactical.com, regularly for updates. For further questions, email info@tyrtactical.com or call 623-240-1400.

Here is a copy of the Press Release:

Advancement Creates Nanosized, Foldable Robots

March 22nd, 2021

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — Army-funded researchers created nanosized robots that could enable locomotion, novel metamaterial design and high-fidelity sensors.


Cornell University researchers created micron-sized shape memory actuators that fold themselves into 3D configurations and allow atomically thin 2D materials with just a quick jolt of voltage. Once the material is bent, it holds its shape, even after the voltage is removed.

To demonstrate the technology, the team created what is potentially the world’s smallest self-folding origami bird.

“The research team is pushing the boundary of how quickly and precisely we can control motion at the micro- and even nano-scales,” said Dr. Dean Culver, program manager for Complex Dynamics and Systems at Army Research Office, an element of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, known as DEVCOM, Army Research Laboratory. “In addition to paving the way for nano-robots, the scientific advancements from this effort can enable smart material design and interaction with the molecular biological world that can assist the Army like never before.”

The research may result in future applications 10 to 20 years from now, he said.

In a peer-reviewed article published in Science Robotics, researchers said this work could make it possible for a million fabricated microscopic robots releasing from a wafer to fold themselves into shape, crawl free, and go about their tasks, even assembling into more complicated structures.

“We humans, our defining characteristic is we’ve learned how to build complex systems and machines at human scales, and at enormous scales as well,” said Prof. Paul McEuen, the John A. Newman Professor of Physical Science at Cornell University. “What we haven’t learned how to do is build machines at tiny scales.”

This is a step in that basic, fundamental evolution in what humans can do, of learning how to construct machines that are as small as cells, he said.

The researchers ongoing collaboration has generated a throng of nanoscale machines and components, each seemingly faster, smarter and more elegant than the last.

“We want to have robots that are microscopic but have brains on board,” said Prof. Itai Cohen, professor of physics at Cornell University. “That means you need to have appendages that are driven by complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor transistors, basically a computer chip on a robot that’s 100 microns on a side. The hard part is making the materials that respond to the CMOS circuits.”

This shape memory actuator developed by the research teams allows them to drive with voltage and make the materials hold a bent shape. The machines fold themselves fast–within 100 milliseconds. They can also flatten and refold themselves thousands of times and they only need a single volt to be powered to life.

“These are major advances over current state-of-the-art devices,” Cohen said. “We’re really in a class of our own.”

These actuators can bend with a radius of curvature smaller than a micron–the highest curvatures of any voltage-driven actuator by an order of magnitude. This flexibility is important because one of the bedrock principles of microscopic robot manufacturing is that the robot size is determined by how small the various appendages can be made to fold. The tighter the bends, the smaller the folds, and the tinier the footprint for each machine. It’s also important that these bends can be held by the robot, which minimizes the power consumption, a feature especially advantageous for microscopic robots and machines.

The devices consist of a nanometer-thin layer of platinum capped with a titanium or titanium dioxide film. Several rigid panels of silicon dioxide glass sit atop those layers. When a positive voltage is applied to the actuators, oxygen atoms are driven into the platinum and swap places with platinum atoms.

This process, called oxidation, causes the platinum to expand on one side in the seams between the inert glass panels, which bends the structure into its predesignated shape. The machines can hold that shape even after the voltage is removed because the embedded oxygen atoms bunch up to form a barrier, which prevents them from diffusing out.

By applying a negative voltage to the device, the researchers can remove the oxygen atoms and quickly restore the platinum to its pristine state. And by varying the pattern of the glass panels, and whether the platinum is exposed on the top or bottom, they can create a range of origami structures actuated by mountain and valley folds.

“One thing that’s quite remarkable is that these little tiny layers are only about 30 atoms thick, compared to a sheet of paper, which might be 100,000 atoms thick. It’s an enormous engineering challenge to figure out how to make something like that have the kind of functionalities we want,” McEuen said.

The team is currently working to integrate their shape memory actuators with circuits to make walking robots with foldable legs as well as sheet-like robots that move by undulating forward. These innovations may someday lead to nanorobots that can clean bacterial infection from human tissue, microfactories that can transform manufacturing and robotic surgical instruments that are 10 times smaller than current devices, according to Cohen.

The team is also researching the principles that need to change in order to design, manufacture and operate machines at this scale.

In addition to ARO, the National Science Foundation, the Cornell Center for Materials Research, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, and the Kavli Institute at Cornell for Nanoscale Science funded the work.

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

Sneak Peek – Black Triangle Denim

March 21st, 2021

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Available 3/24. A year in the making. Black Triangle denim. Made in Los Angeles by PRISUM.US // 5 standard pockets // 5 non standard pockets // Full details on blktriangle.com

SCUBAPRO Sunday – Split Fins vs Paddles Fins

March 21st, 2021

When you first went thru dive school, you were giving a set of fins, and that’s what you used. When you got to your command after, you were giving a set of fins, and that’s what you used (most of the time). But as you started to see other guys at the team using different fins and you would ask, “Hey, where did you get those, and do you like them?” You would hear “they use to issue them” or “I bought them at Lynnhaven Dive” (or insect local dive store name). My point is sometimes you never know what else is out there, and I see a lot of people using gear they don’t like, but it is what they were issued.

In the big picture of dive fins, there are two basic blade types paddles and split. Both fins help you move underwater quicker and smoother, although there are distinct advantages and disadvantages of each kind of dive fin. So how do you choose what is the right fin for you? Well, the easiest way is to try different ones out. Remember also that gone are the days that one fin does it all, or I should say one fin needs to do it all. Many people love Jet fins, but there is no point in carrying them with you in the jungle for river and stream crossing or try and put them on over combat boots for an OTB.

In propulsion capacity and air conservation, split and blade fins often vary.

Split fins are based off of a whale’s tail with a slit down the middle, a relatively new choice for divers. When they came out. Instead of only moving them forward, this slit produces a vortex that lets divers get optimum thrusts and pace underwater.

Split fins act much like a propeller: the slit allows water to flow smoothly from both sides of the blade on the upward fin stroke, resulting in a foil shape. By creating the right lift, this shape helps you to step forward through the water. Split fins do not allow you to move fast in the water, and if you are a slow swimmer, there is a good chance you still will be. Their flow-through nature becomes less effective the harder you kick. Their design also provides less movement if you are pushing a lot of weight thru the water.

Paddle fins force the water back to help you move forward through the water, and they are more effective than split fins. Paddle fins often differ in length and stiffness, two factors contributing to speed and the kicking force required. Greater stiffness provides you with more forward momentum. Depending on the stiffness, this will make it harder to kick and lead to leg cramps. On the other hand, split fins do not have the rigidity of blade fins since they are relatively light and flexible.

Split fins channel any surface water in and out of their opening rather than over their arms. A spring-like movement is produced by this method, which provides a more robust and solid kick. Usually, you are using a flutter-type kick. It also decreases drag and effort, resulting in greater performance.

On most paddle fins, you will get spills of water over the sides of their blades. These fins are less powerful than split fins because of this reaction. It also results in more drag, and to go forward; you’ll need to kick more. That being said, many blade fins have ridges and stiffer sides to help fix that problem. The SCUBAPRO SeaWing’s and the Go Sport fins are just a couple of examples of that. I say those two because they are my go-to fins.

Split fins are said to be good for people with ankle or knee issues and divers who easily get cramps. Again, we say the same thing about the SCUBAPRO SeaWing’s  They are good for divers who only go straight without turns or moving in tight spaces. With the proper technique, the split fins can provide less joint pressure and pain because your strokes will feel less effective. I have found that they don’t give as much power for bigger divers, and if you have a lot of gear on, like a Dräger, a limpet, and your swim buddy, you have been pulling for two hours because he is “not a strong swimmer”. But they do have a place and a lot of people like them. The downside is. There are only two types, open or closed heal. There have not been any new break through’s when it comes to them.

Paddle fins are like the swiss army knife of fins. There are so many different ones to choose from that you can almost always find the right one for the job. They are ideal for use in strong currents or swimming against the tide. They allow you to use different kick styles in more technical dives, like the frog, scissor, reverse, or dolphin, to name a few. Those types of kicks are more effective with paddle-type fins. If you have to pull a lot of weight, like going over the beach with a ruck or have to perform a buddy rescue, blade fins are going to be the best for this. Paddles are also suitable for doing a hook and climb; if you are the guy with the pole doing the hook, paddles are the way to go.

To summarize, split fins have more efficient thrusts and oxygen conservation. They, however, have some drawbacks such as decreased speed and kicking ability. Paddle fins excel in both departments because they give you more strength underwater. Paddle fins may be used in a variety of situations, from combat swimmer to over the beach.

Although split fins have some advantages over paddle fins, it’s difficult to say if they’re better. One of the biggest advantages over the split fins is that there are so many types of paddle fins. It comes down to trying both types of fins out and decide for yourself. I like to look at fins like shoes (I was going to say running shoes, but I do not run, everyone knows it breads cowardness). You are not going to wear the same shoes in the jungle that you would in the mountains. So, if you look at fins like that; you might be able to use just one set but having more than one opens up many more options and helps you do the job better and posable easier.

The fins have the Matbock Skins for SCUBAPRO, Jet fins, Seawing and Go Sport fins.

www.matbock.com/collections/skins/products/scuba-pro-skins

Blast From The Past – The Master-at-Arms Discontinued BSA Merit Badge

March 21st, 2021

This photo is said to be of Boy Scouts participating in the short-lived Master-at-Arms badge. It was one of the original 14 merit badges which debuted in the 1910 version of the Boy Scout Handbook and unfortunately, this one lasted just a year. The badge was missing from the 1911 version of the manual when it was released.

To earn the badge, a Scout had to master three of the following combat skills (the surviving manual says two):
-Single Stick
-Boxing
-Ju Jitsu
-Wrestling
-Gymnastics
-Quarterstaff Fencing

Kirk Lawson has introduced a reproduction of the original merit badge pamphlet. The drawings come from this manual and you can buy a print version here and download an ebook here.

Interestingly, the pamphlet is dated 1925 but it would not be unheard of for a merit badge pamphlet to continue to be published even after it was no longer a merit badge because they were printed by private publishers at the time, and not by BSA.

Can you imagine such a merit badge today?

SIGHTRON Premium Sports Optics Announces New SIII PLR Riflescope Series

March 21st, 2021

Youngsville, NC- April 16th, 2021 – SIGHTRON, one of the world’s most innovative optical observation and aiming device companies, is proud to announce the launch of the Precision Long-Range (PLR) Riflescope Series. The SIGHTRON SIII PLR Series takes long-range competition and target shooting into the future. Models include the 8-32×56, 6-24×50,10-50×60 and 6-24×50 FFP (first image focal plane).

“We are excited to launch this new riflescope series,” said Mack Matsumoto, President of SIGHTRON. “Our engineers worked hard to improve the precision, function, and cosmetics of the already popular SIII Long-Range Series. You will immediately notice the new look, and experience a higher level of precision from the new internal Zero-stop to the Zact-7 Revcoat Plustm multicoating technology that improves light transmission, color and clarity.

The SIII PLR Riflescope Series features 30mm tubes, a new internal zero-stop mechanism and several illuminated reticle options. Designed for long-range target and competition shooting, the series is designed to provide premium performance in an affordable package.  All models sport a black satin finish with high visibility markings to quickly identify your scope’s settings. The large, oversized tactical knobs are easy to adjust in any weather condition and are resettable to zero. The new internal zero-stop mechanism provides a tactile and audible positive stop for dead-on zero setting. The windage knob is marked for left and right, so there is no second guessing when making adjustments.  The new PLR offers either ¼ MOA or .1 MRAD ultra-precise adjustments.

For superior performance, SIGHTRON created a new Zact-7 Revcoat Plus™ Enhanced Lens Coating for increased light transmission and improved clarity. SIGHTRON’s patented ExacTrack Windage and Elevation System is standard on all models.  The revolutionary ExacTrack System provides super-precise windage and elevation adjustments while maintaining a positive point-of-contact with the internal erector tube. From zero to the most extreme adjustments, you will never experience drift.  All reticles in the PLR series are illuminated with a side-mounted 11-position on/off rotary-type dial which uses the CR2032 battery.  The side-mounted focus system has been redesigned for improved close focus performance.

The SIGHTRON SIII PLR FFP Riflescope has all of the same features and benefits as the SIII PLR 2nd image focal plane except the reticle is in the first image focal plane. This allows the shooter to range and holdover with speed and accuracy, knowing that the reticle dimensions will remain constant on all magnifications. All SIGHTRON riflescopes are nitrogen-charged for a 100% waterproof and fog proof system.

PLR Riflescopes include:
• 3-inch Sunshade
• CR2032 Battery
• Flip-up Lens Covers
• Torx Key and Allen Wrench for Adjustments
• MSRP: Starting at $1,149.99

For more information on the new SIII PLR line and the complete product line from SIGHTRON, please visit sightron.com or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sightroninc.

Sneak Peek – AXL Advanced Eclipse Belt

March 20th, 2021

Somthing different is coming from AXL Advanced.