Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

UF PRO to Debut Striker ULT Combat Pants Next Month—Garment has Same Characteristics as U.S. Army Improved Hot Weather Uniform

May 19th, 2021

TRZIN, SLOVENIA (18 May 2021)—UF PRO today announced it will begin selling its new Striker ULT Combat Pants on 10 June. Weighing less than a kilogram, Striker ULT offers excellent durability, breathability, and quick-drying characteristics while maintaining low weight, the company said.

“We built the Striker ULT from the ground up with one objective in mind: to maximise the performance and comfort of those who wear it, whether they’re engaged in operations in a hot desert, tropical environments, or right here in temperate Europe,” said Armin Wagner, head of UF PRO product development.

“To help us achieve that objective, we use NyCo Extreme as our base material,” Wagner continued. “NyCo Extreme is a nylon-cotton ripstop fabric 17 percent lighter than regular NyCo. It also resists tears three times better, has 10 times greater breathability, and dries 35 percent faster.”

A unique feature of the Striker ULT Combat Pants is their new Waist/Flex System. According to Wagner, this system keeps the pants properly fitted to the wearer’s body.

The Waist/Flex system—made with Schoeller-dynamic stretch panels—includes an integrated under-belt (with space for the wearer’s unit insignia). “Waist/Flex System’s midsection is plastic-reinforced, button-secured, and adjustable to prevent upward shifting of the under-belt, even if a heavily laden battle belt is worn atop it,” Wagner indicated.

The likelihood of the Striker ULT Combat Pants developing folds or sliding down along the hips is virtually null owing to air/pac® pads inserted at the rear of the waist, he noted.

“The pads create adhesion where the body curves in, so the pants stay right where they’re supposed to as the wearer moves about,” Wagner explained. “Without the pads, there would be a gap between the pants and the wearer’s lower back—and the presence of that gap is what would allow the pants to slide down.”

Wagner contended that the Waist/Flex System not only makes a direct, significant contribution to the wearer’s performance in the field, but also increases comfort.

Comfort is enhanced in other ways too, Wagner assured. One is by means of strategically located vents.

“The NyCo Extreme material by itself is very breathable, but there will be times when they’ll want to bring more airflow inside the pants to further counter the heat,” said Wagner. “So we designed our Striker ULT Combat Pants with operable vents in the side pockets and lower legs.”

Wagner said there are a total of six side-pockets stitched into the pants. Each is ultra-large, which permits the wearer to carry sizable additional gear along on the mission.

“So that the gear carried in the pockets doesn’t shift around inside, each pocket comes with a bungee cord along the upper edge, plus additional elastic bands inside,” he revealed. “The pockets have a sealable flap secured with Canadian rubber buttons. We’ll be including an easy-to-use kit for wearers who want to replace the buttons with hook-and-loop strips. As well, the pockets feature a vertical zipper that makes gear retrieval simple and fast from a kneeling position.”

Another key feature of the Striker ULT Combat Pants is their built-in knee pockets. These pockets hold UF PRO’s battle-proven, knee-protection system that allows wearers to shield knees from either impacts or sharp objects, Wagner said.

The knees of the pants are adjustable, he added. “This lets wearers calibrate the pants to the shape of their body. Also, the interior around the knees is lined with moisture-wicking 37.5™ technology material to draw away sweat.”

The new Striker ULT Combat Pants also include boot hooks. “The boot hooks are attached to the bottom of each leg,” he explained. “When you connect the laces of your boots to these hooks, the pants stay put.”

Once the Striker ULT Combat Pants become available for purchase, buyers will be able to obtain them in two colors—Brown Grey or MultiCam.

The pants are expected to be priced at €239 per pair, said Wagner.

For more information about the UF PRO Striker ULT Combat Pants, go to www.ufpro.com/pants/combat-pants/striker-ult-combat-pants

For more information about other UF PRO combat pants, go to www.ufpro.com/pants/combat-pants

For more information about the full line of UF PRO tactical gear, go to www.ufpro.com

Posted in Advertiser, Clothing, Materials, Press Release | 3 Comments »

Active Protection System for Lynx IFV: Market Breakthrough for Rheinmetall’s New StrikeShield — €140 Million Order from Hungary

May 18th, 2021

The 209 new Lynx infantry fighting vehicles recently ordered by Hungary from Rheinmetall of Germany will be equipped with Rheinmetall’s StrikeShield hard-kill active protection system, or APS. Hungary is the latest customer for this innovative technology, which has formed part of the Rheinmetall portfolio since 2006. It will be supplied by Rheinmetall Protection Systems GmbH. The order is worth over €140 million. Hungary’s decision in favour of StrikeShield was driven by the NATO member’s commitment to taking part in demanding missions where modern anti-tank weapon systems present a dangerous threat to own forces.

StrikeShield is the third and latest generation of Rheinmetall’s acclaimed Active Defence System (ADS) technology, a specific variant of hard-kill APS. It is a distributed system whose sensors and countermeasures are integrated into the contours of the entire vehicle. Among other benefits, StrikeShield has the lowest emissions in the electro¬magnetic spectrum on the market, as well as the fastest reaction time in ambush and multi-hit situations. It protects the vehicle from shaped charge warhead threats such as rockets or missiles by neutralizing incoming projectiles before they hit the platform itself.

The StrikeShield APS will be mechanically integrated into hybrid armour tiles on the Lynx. Instead of conventional passive add-on armour modules, the platform will feature spaced passive armour tiles that incorporate the components of the APS between an outer ply and inner tiles mounted on the vehicle’s hull.

“We see huge benefits from hybrid designs”, declares Dr Manfred Salk, CEO of Rheinmetall Protection Systems GmbH. “The effects that passive armour protects you from are standardized and well understood. Hybrid designs are different. They allow us to do a much better job of dealing with new effects and threats, such as residual energy from a disabled rocket hitting the vehicle and deflagrating. The combination of our passive and active technologies into hybrid systems therefore offer our customers unique benefits with regard to the protection capability, but also weight- and cost-efficiency.“
Rheinmetall Protection Systems GmbH is Rheinmetall’s center of excellence in survivability technologies, formed in 2019. Core of the product strategy is the hybridization of armor solutions, which provide the outlook to lighter and sensor based survivability solutions for armored platforms.

www.rheinmetall.com

Posted in Armor, Contracts, International, Press Release | Comments Off on Active Protection System for Lynx IFV: Market Breakthrough for Rheinmetall’s New StrikeShield — €140 Million Order from Hungary

Jankel Delivers ‘Next Generation’ Guardian Counter Terror Assault Vehicle-Urban (CTAV-URBAN)

May 18th, 2021

Jankel, a world-leader in the design and manufacture of high-specification defence, security and NGO protection systems, has delivered the first of their ‘next generation’ Guardian Counter Terror Assault Vehicle-Urban (CTAV-URBAN) to an undisclosed customer. Based on the latest 2020 Ford F-550 platform, the Guardian CTAV-URBAN features a new Mobile Adjustable Ramp System (MARS) from long-standing partners Patriot 3 who work exclusively with Jankel in the UK.

Firmly established as one of the premier global suppliers of armoured counter terror adapted vehicle systems, Jankel, with Patriot 3, have developed and integrated a new version of the MARS ramp system for Guardian CTAV-URBAN that delivers a narrower, lighter, single ramp, fully hydraulic variant that will allow counter terror teams to effectively operate in tighter spaces and more restricted city environments. Retaining the Ford OEM aluminium body, Jankel engineers have developed an armour suite that mounts within the vehicle without compromising structure, rigidity or durability. The integration of the new MARS ramp onto the Jankel Guardian CTAV-URBAN includes the flexibility to remove the MARS system, if needed, as well as the development of numerous other innovative enhancements in platform protection and tactical systems.

Jankel has a history dating back to the early 2000’s of providing the very best tactical counter terror platforms. With this new CTAV-URBAN variant, Jankel has customised the platform to meet the exact customer needs and tactics. The vehicle has been fully tested to prove the durability, reliability and maintainability but also to validate the advanced handling and performance characteristics expected of a truly tactical counter terror assault platform. Working closely together with Patriot 3, the CTAV-URBAN ladder system has been developed and refined to retain all of the MARS standard functionalities yet deliver additional options packaged in a single ramp configuration.

Charlie Fuqua, Elevated Tactics Sales Manager from Patriot 3 said: “we have had an ongoing working relationship with Jankel since the mid-2000s and have supplied numerous multi-mission vehicle solutions to defence and law enforcement end users around the world.” He went on to say: “Patriot3 looks forward to continuing our Jankel partnership with the introduction of the new CTAV-URBAN (complimenting the CTAV), as well as future developments to meet our customers ever evolving operational requirements.”

Andrew Jankel, Chairman at Jankel Group said: “we’ve worked with Patriot 3 for many years on a number of successful specialist vehicle-based projects so delivering the first of this next generation Guardian CTAV vehicles to an exceedingly important customer is a continuation of an already strong partnership”. He added: “Effective partnering is one of our key strengths here at Jankel and our partnership with Patriot 3 is another fine example of how we bring capability, innovation, flexibility and agility together to deliver and support the very best products and services, driving mission success”.

www.jankel.com

Posted in International, Mobility, Press Release, SOF | Comments Off on Jankel Delivers ‘Next Generation’ Guardian Counter Terror Assault Vehicle-Urban (CTAV-URBAN)

Outdoor Research Hires GM to Drive Continued Growth in Military, Tactical Arenas

May 18th, 2021

David Hein brings 24 years experience in the category from GM/management roles at 5.11 Tactical and Dickies.

SEATTLE, Wash. (May 18, 2021) – Building on its growing U.S. and off-shore manufacturing capabilities, Outdoor Research (OR), a leading manufacturer in the outdoor and tactical apparel industries, hired David Hein this month as General Manager of Military and Tactical.

Hein brings an extensive background working in the tactical, military and workwear markets. He will report to Outdoor Research President Roger Barton and help drive OR’s growth across those categories. Hein will work closely with the longtime Outdoor Research Tactical team who have been integral to the military business.

Hein joins Outdoor Research from 5.11 Tactical, where he worked for 12 years. His roles there included Vice President and GM as well as Merchandising Operations. Prior to that, Hein spent more than a decade at Dickies.

“What drew me to Outdoor Research is the people, the brand and the product,” Hein said. “One of the things that’s unique about OR is that we’ve got two U.S. manufacturing facilities that employ hundreds of people making top-tier and highly technical products here in America. That is a big deal right now and it represents a lot of opportunity. In our markets, there are very few companies that have the ability to manufacture products in house in the U.S.”

Outdoor Research has operated in the Government/Tactical arena for 30 years, building products for both elite units of the U.S. military and the tactical consumer market.

Contributing to its increased onshore manufacturing capabilities, Outdoor Research over the last two years has invested more than $5 million in improving R+D capabilities focused on these markets, including opening a second onshore factory in El Monte, California, while at the same time extensively modernizing and upgrading its manufacturing operation at its headquarters in Seattle, WA.

“Over the past three years Outdoor Research has made significant investments in the team members across the business that has resulted in driving record growth across all channels.” OR President Roger Barton said. “I am excited by the opportunity to add David’s extensive leadership experience to the team and the potential additional growth opportunities for the brand.”

Posted in Industry, Press Release | Comments Off on Outdoor Research Hires GM to Drive Continued Growth in Military, Tactical Arenas

USSOCOM Moves Forward with 5 Armed Overwatch Contenders

May 18th, 2021

Last week USSOCOM selected five candidates for their Armed Overwatch program which the Command places a high priority on to provide dedicated Close Air Support, precision strike, and airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) from austere locations in a permissive environment.

The candidate systems:

L-3 Communications Integrated Systems AT-802U Sky Warden

Leidos Inc Bronco II

MAG Aerospace MC-208 Guardian

Sierra Nevada Corp. MC-145B Wily Coyote

Textron Aviation Defense AT-6E Wolverine

Missing is the Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano or A-29, as it has been known during the cancelled USAF Light Attack Aircraft trials which seemed a serious contender when USSOCOM began talking about the need for an Armed Overwatch capability a few years ago. Even stranger, Air Force Special Operations Command is poised to begin operating three A-29s as part of their Combat Aviation Advisor mission.

It’s important to note that the Air Force also purchased several AT-6E Wolverine examples after cancellation of the Light Attack Aircraft program which it continues to experiment with.

However, the candidates selected are all noticeably different aircraft which will give the Command multiple data points to determine how to best fulfill their requirement.

USSOCOM is using the Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreement acquisition strategy. To mitigate risk, they’ve looked at this from the outset as leveraging Near Non-Developmental airframes from industry.

Despite this, last year Congress put the brakes on purchasing the aircraft but allowed the Command permission to conduct an evaluation during this year.

In all, USSOCOM plans to buy 75 Armed Overwatch aircraft to satisfy their global commitments. As an offset, it looks like AFSOC’s fleet of U-28A “Draco”, a legacy airborne ISR aircraft which is based on the Pilatus PC-12 will get the axe to help free up manpower billets, ramp space and the budget. Draco can’t fulfill the Armed Overwatch mission due to its lack of close air support capability.

Noticeably absent from the candidate aircraft are unmanned systems. During a SOFIC media round table yesterday, USSOCOM Acquisition Executive Mr Jim Smith explained that the Command always anticipated a mix of manned and unmanned systems, but in the future he expects Armed Overwatch to become even more capable by controlling semi-autonomous unmanned aerial systems as part of the program.

Despite the program’s foxua on manned aircraft, Dr Michael Vickers, former Army Special Forces Officer and CIA Operations Officer who just so happened to also serve as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations, Low Intensity Conflict and Interdependent Capabilities, made an rather compelling case in an Op-Ed in the Military Times for relying on the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper for the mission. He cited the lack of risk to a manned crew and noted that the aircraft is already in the inventory rather than a new system as well as a few other points. It’s worth a read, but keep in mind that he now sits on the General Atomics advisory board which manufactures the MQ-9.

To select the right aircraft for the job, Mr Smith laid out the criteria the Command would use to evaluate the systems with emphasis on what he described as the “move, shoot, and communicate” Key Performance Parameters.

– Austere Take Off and Landing
– Range / Endurance
– Weapons Employment (they will be interested for the evaluation)
– Communications (Line of Sight and Beyond Line of Sight)
– Cockpit Configuration
– Full Motion Video capture
– Auto Pilot

They’ve allotted five weeks in June and July at Elgin AFB, Florida for the five candidates and each will make five flights. The first three flights will be used to evaluate the criteria listed above. The fourth flight is a make up and the final flight will include an AFSOC Operator in the crew.

After that, the Command will take a hard look at the candidate performance as well as the logistics chain required for the 75 aircraft. According to past comments by AFSOC Commanding General Lt Gen James C. “Jim” Slife, they hope to make a decision and begin procurement in 2022.

Posted in Aviation, ISR, SOF, SOFIC | 6 Comments »

SOCOM Heads to Space

May 18th, 2021

While there are a few SOF personnel who have joined NASA’s Astronaut Corps over the years, what SOCOM has in mind is placing sensors into Low Earth Orbit on Space Force cube satellites rather than operators.

During a briefing during yesterday’s virtual Special Operations Industry Conference presented by NDIA, Mr David Breede, the head of USSOCOM’s Program Executive Office – Special Reconnaissance (PEO-SR) discussed Program Manager Integrated Sensor Systems’ efforts to expand the Joint Threat Warning System, which is a SIGINT program of record, to the Space domain.

The plan is to test the capability during an Industry Demonstration Event at the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center in Indiana later this year.

USSOCOM Acquisition Executive Jim Smith commented that utilizing the space domain to collect information was a new thrust by PEO-SR stating, “how can we leverage space in a permissive environment?” He went on to explain that they also were working on improving how they fuse information gained from cyber, space, and small unmanned systems.

JTWS has fielded ground, air and maritime systems for decades and continues to adapt to the current operating environment.

JTWS is joined by another program of record called Processing, Exploitation and Dissemination which does exactly what the name describes to information gathered via JTWS.

Posted in CEMA, ISR, SOF, SOFIC, Space | 3 Comments »

Socks for Chem/Bio Environments Featuring GORE CHEMPAK Selectively Permeable Fabric

May 18th, 2021

WL Gore & Assoc offer a an Advanced Chemical/Biological Sock made with GORE CHEMPAK Selectively Permeable Fabric.

These breathable socks are designed to be worn under standard combat boots, offering protection against a broad range of threats, including Chemical Warfare Agents, Toxic Industrial Chemicals, and Biological hazards. By allowing the operator to wear standard boots, there’s no loss of traction or mobility due to clunky over boots.

Air impermeable and liquid-proof, the sock offers broad protection against liquid and wind driven agents in liquid, vapor, or particulate form , such as contaminated wind driven sand.

What’s more, their Multiple wash/wear capability allow them to be reused if they have not been exposed to chemicals.

Check out WL Gore & Assoc’s portfolio for the SOF Operator at www.goretexprofessional.com/SOFIC2021.

Posted in Advertiser, CBRNE, Materials, SOFIC | 2 Comments »

Salomon S/Lab Cross Black LTD

May 18th, 2021

The murdered out S/Lab Cross hasn’t been available since 2016 and feature a breathable Matryx upper.

As you can see, they feature a redesigned Contagrip outsole with the lugs meant to increase traction in mud, wet rocks, and technical terrain.

www.salomon.com/en-us/shop/product/s-lab-cross-black-ltd

Posted in Boots | 1 Comment »