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Helmet Pads from Hard Heads: Micro Lattice For Your Lid

June 12th, 2022

Hard Head Veterans is excited to showcase their Micro Lattice Helmet Pads – an excellent and affordable upgrade for tactical or ballistic helmets. Developed in association with Carbon, using their Digital Light Synthesis manufacturing process, the Micro Lattice assembly is a superb energy-absorbing structure.

Hard Head Veterans Helmet Pads

This substantially improves the protective capabilities of a helmet by mitigating and even preventing head trauma.

The Micro Lattice Pads average single-digit deformation numbers when tested to 1400 fps with 9mm projectiles on our ATE ballistic helmet. Regardless of whether they are at -60 degrees or 160 degrees they still perform the same.

Micro Lattice Helmet Pad system

This cannot be said for standard foam pads.

HHV Micro Lattice Helmet Pads

Up to a 66% decrease in ballistic transient deformation over standard foam pads
Up to a 21.70% decrease in blunt impact accelerations over standard foam pads
Lattice construction allows unrestricted airflow keeping helmets an average of 14 degrees cooler
Pads do not absorb sweat or water making them quick-drying, positively buoyant, and easily washable.
The comfort lattice conforms evenly to the user’s head
Available in 1” and ¾” sizes

Micro Lattice Helmet Pads

Shock Absorption

The Carbon DLS process enables lattice structures that absorb and dissipate energy through the precise tuning of strut thickness and cell size.

Micro Lattic

This lattice structure facilitates the absorption and dissipation of energy by aligning internal damping struts against the directions of impact. With over 28,000 individual struts, the lattice is built so each strut is specially tuned at every point on the helmet. Increases or decreases in the stiffness of the lattice structure are enabled through precise adjustments to the thickness of each strut, allowing the lattice to absorb and disperse energy from various impacts.

Helmet padding system

The Micro Lattice Helmet Pads are compatible with the following helmets, among others: ACH, MICH, LWH, ECH, Crye Precision, Ops-Core, MTEK, Revision/Galvion, Gentex, Team Wendy, United Shield, and most others that utilize Velcro attachment.

Helmet Pad Systems

You can find documentation of the ballistic testing online here; read a more in-depth explanation on the Hard Head Blog.

You can find the Micro Lattice Helmet Pad system on the Hard Head Veterans website.

Posted in Guest Post, Helmets | 2 Comments »

Milrem Robotics Launches Command and Control for Robotic Systems at Eurosatory

June 11th, 2022

The European leading robotics and autonomous systems developer Milrem Robotics will launch their command and control (C2) system for intelligent unmanned systems at Eurosatory 2022.

Milrem Robotics’ solution integrates multiple different unmanned aerial and ground assets (UxV) into a composite command and control system and merges sensor and effector data from multiple payloads. It allows the constant monitoring and controlling of the UxV systems’ most important variables, such as energy status, fault conditions, operating parameters, built-in diagnostic tests, initialization, and configurations.

The system is developed in cooperation with Fleetonomy.ai, Rait88, MIL Sistemika and other partners.

“Integrating different unmanned systems and traditional manned assets through a command-and-control system enables the efficient deployment of autonomous vehicles on the battlefield,” explained Kuldar Väärsi, CEO of Milrem Robotics. “Integrated autonomous ground systems enable a significant increase of firepower and capabilities using fewer human resources and at the same time increasing the safety of our troops, which has always been the goal of Milrem Robotics.”

The C2’s autonomy engine is capable of remotely navigating and controlling the position and motion vectors of the UxV’s and/or other integrated RAS components.

It supports user-defined autonomous missions and behaviour sets, delivers an ALFUS Contextual Autonomy Capability level of 4+ for behaviours related to autonomous navigation such as route planning, object avoidance and geo-mapping. It also provides many autonomous functions like flight control, target detection and automatic optimized routing.

The autonomy engine autonomously creates routes against pre-determined mission sets such as search, intercept, shadow etc, considering the selected vehicles’ mobility & intelligence characteristics.

Posted in Press Release, Robotics | Comments Off on Milrem Robotics Launches Command and Control for Robotic Systems at Eurosatory

Eurosatory 2022: Steadicopter to Highlight its Black Eagle 50H System for Maritime Operation and its Groundbreaking Golden Eagle RUAS with Precision Hit Capabilities Utilizing SMASH Technology

June 11th, 2022

The company has secured a contract to supply Black Eagle 50H, this year.

Eurosatory, Paris, June 13-17 Hall 6, Stand JH493

8 June 2022. Steadicopter – a leader in the Rotary Unmanned Aerial Systems (RUAS) industry – is to highlight the Black Eagle 50H system and the Golden Eagle RUAS at Eurosatory. Following an initial order, the company will supply the BlackEagle 50H – launched just a few months ago – to a naval customer in the current calendar year, for advanced maritime operations.

Designed for a wide range of law enforcement, maritime, civilian and covert missions, the Black Eagle 50H is the first ever hybrid-powered unmanned helicopter. With a maximum takeoff weight of 50 kg, the system can carry multiple large or relatively smaller payloads, and is capable of up to five hours of flight time – extremely high endurance when compared to other VTOL platforms in its class. This enables high performance and maximum operational flexibility for various applications, such as search & rescue, cyber security, intelligence, offshore rigs, and high-end naval missions.

Featuring a hybrid engine and propulsion system, the Black Eagle 50H combines the best of the electric 50E and the gas-powered 50 variants in a platform that is extremely cost effective, simple to operate, easy to maintain, environmentally friendly, and safe. The helicopter has all the proven capabilities of the highly energy-efficient gasoline-powered Black Eagle 50, including vertical take-off and landing, long hover durations, and leading mission sensor suites for all mission scenarios, whether day or night. In addition, like the Black Eagle 50E, it offers excellent reliability and is extremely adaptive to high-altitude flights, thanks to the electric propulsion component, which is less affected by ambient air pressure, making it deployable in many high-altitude operational scenarios.

For enhanced mission versatility, the hybrid platform also enables operators to select power by generator while en route, switching to the quieter direct battery power during the mission itself, enabling maximum covertness.

At the exhibition, the company will also present the recently-launched Golden Eagle – the first-ever unmanned helicopter with precise hit capabilities. Based on the combat-proven Black Eagle 50E platform, the Golden Eagle incorporates AI-based technology and Smart Shooter’s SMASH Dragon system.

Through advanced data processing, the AI system autonomously identifies and distinguishes between different types of targets, such as person or vehicle, whether they are in motion or stationery, and whether they have previously been present in the field. This enables superior situational awareness and autonomous multi-target classification and tracking.

Smart Shooter’s SMASH Dragon system – a remotely-operated robotic weaponry payload – integrates a unique stabilization concept with proprietary target acquisition, tracking algorithms and sophisticated computer vision capabilities. When mounted onto the Golden Eagle, SMASH Dragon locks on the static or moving target, tracks it and ensures a precise target hit. The system can employ various types of assault rifles, sniper rifles, 40mm and other munitions with great precision.

Lightweight – enabling long mission endurance, extremely cost-effective, simple to operate, and easy to maintain, the Golden Eagle has vertical take-off and landing capability for successful mission completion.

“We launched these two new systems, with unique technological capabilities, within a few months of each other and will be displaying them both for the first time at this international exhibition,” says Noam Lidor, VP Sales, Marketing & Business Development at Steadicopter. “We are proud that so soon after its launch, we have already secured a contract for the Black Eagle 50H system, indicating the trust our customers place in the company’s solutions.”

www.steadicopter.com

Posted in International, Press Release, UAS | Comments Off on Eurosatory 2022: Steadicopter to Highlight its Black Eagle 50H System for Maritime Operation and its Groundbreaking Golden Eagle RUAS with Precision Hit Capabilities Utilizing SMASH Technology

New Aloha Prints – Get The Latest Goods From OTTE Gear And Support SOC-F

June 11th, 2022

The latest OTTE X Andrew Bawidamann collaborations are the Aloha FAL Shirt and matching tote. 25% of all proceeds for the tote will go to support the Special Operations Care Fund (SOC-F).

Aloha FAL Shirt

Introducing the Aloha FAL Shirt! Our most recent collaboration with the epic artist Andrew Bawidamann. 2022’s inspiration was the African Bush Wars and the continent’s battle with communism. Embedded within the print are beautiful Fire Lilies, Rhodesian stripped RPDs, Browning Hi Powers, Zulu spears, white phosphorus grenades and the holy grail of Bush War rifles: the Rhodesian Striped FAL. This long-staple 100% cotton cools the skin. Sport this shirt with OG pants, shorts and flip-flops, or dress up nicely for a summer BBQ. You may think you’ve reached your Hawaiian shirt quota, but the Aloha FAL Shirt is essential to your collection.

Aloha FAL Tote

Carry the 2022 OTTE Gear x Bawidamann FAL Print Tote everywhere you go. With a coated interior it’s ideal for jobs that can get messy from trips to the beach or to the market. It’s a mudroom staple you shouldn’t do without.

ottegear.com

Posted in Advertiser, Clothing | 1 Comment »

Raider Rolex: the Seiko MACV-SOG

June 11th, 2022

The Vietnam-era MACV-SOG Seiko is the OG “Raider Rolex”: this is a vintage Seiko Automatic Watch 6619-8060 Vietnam SOG-MACV watch from approximately 1967.

The following information was posted by a very interesting Instagram account called Watches of Espionage (@watchesofespionage). It’s a Social Media Account That Doesn’t Suck^©®^TM and thus is part of the FYSA files (specifically one dealing with tactical watches) The text was taken from multiple posts and also features information from @timelymoments. It has been edited slightly for readability. Additional imagery from @niccoloy, which is also a SMATDS^©®TM.

OG Raider Rolex

There is something about the red “SUN” on this MACV-SOG Seiko that is really cool. I know it’s not unique to this model but I love the detail. I absolutely love this watch and the history behind it. It’s a large part of why I love the brand. History is everything.

The accepted three SOG Seiko models are as follows: 6619-8060 circa 1967, 6119-8100 circa 1968, and the 7005-8030 circa 1970.

The 6619-8060 was likely not actually issued officially but was purchased by members of SOG at the PX. This model is what led to this model of Seiko becoming the (un)official watch of the group and led to the official purchases of 6119-8100 circa 1968 and the 7005-8030 circa 1970.

Modern-Seiko-MACV-SOG with NATO band and survival compass.

It’s smaller than most modern watches but don’t worry, the NATO and tactical compass will still signal to others that you are a man. You can even wear it on the inside of your wrist to let people know you are tactical lmfao.

Above: a modern MACV-SOG Seiko. A modern MACV-SOG Seiko. When I posted my vintage Seiko Automatic 6619-8060 from the late 1960s I was asked if a modern version exists. As far as I can tell the closest thing is this #SNK381K1. Change out the bracelet to a green NATO and add a cool-guy tactical compass and you are 98% of the way there.

Vietnam era MACV-SOG “Raider Rolex” Seiko in the field. MACV-SOG Bobby Pruett, 1-0 RT New York, December 1971 – March 1972. I can’t tell which model this is but I’m sure some internet warriors can point it out.

Like most Seikos, it’s relatively affordable and you should be sub-$200 all in. Pretty cool watch.

My first Vietnam era MACV-SOG Seiko, aka the OG “Raider Rolex”. Incredible heritage.

The following pics and text are from @timely_moments, which may be one of the few places to have a collection containing all three SOG Seiko models.

MACV-SOG (Military Assistance Command Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group) was a highly secretive, multi-service, Special Forces (SF) unit which conducted covert and asymmetric military operations between 1964-1972.

Unknown members of MACV-SOG.

The area of operations for this unit spanned Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. Their mission statement was “…execute an intensified program of harassment, diversion, political pressure, the capture of prisoners, physical destruction, acquisition of intelligence, generation of propaganda, and diversion of resources, against the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.’’

Enter Conrad ‘Ben’ Baker, a gentleman whose remit was procurement. He was responsible for providing kit and equipment to the SOG Operators in order for them to carry out their operations. He took his role so seriously that if there weren’t commercially viable options, he took to creating it himself, examples being rations and the famous SOG Knives issued to MACV-SOG personnel.

Ben Baker would often travel to Vietnam and meet the teams that his equipment was being sent to; on one particular trip, it became apparent that the teams had requested the issue of Rolex watches. He is quoted as saying “at one point every team wanted 12 or 13 Rolex watches, the Oyster model I believe. They got Seiko watches instead at $6 or $8 apiece.” His reasoning for this was that they were already wearing Seiko watches so why fix what wasn’t broken.

The accepted three SOG Seiko models are as follows: 6619-8060 circa 1967, 6119-8100 circa 1968 and the 7005-8030 circa 1970.

DRW

David Reeder is a sometime SOLSYS contributor and reporter-at-large. He is currently the editor of the GunMag Warehouse blog (The Mag Life) and the world’s okayest 1/6 scale kit-basher.

Tags: DR Sends, History, SF
Posted in As Seen On Instagram, Watches | 1 Comment »

Move – Sense – Strike: Rheinmetall Presenting Products, Systems and Capabilities at Eurosatory 2022 for the Digitized Battlefields of the Future

June 11th, 2022

Eurosatory 2022, the most important defence show on the European mainland, takes place this year in Paris from 13 to 17 June. Under the motto “Move – Sense – Strike”, Rheinmetall will be on hand, presenting part of its extensive array of products, systems and activities for the digitized battlefields of the future. With an exhibition area of around 3,000 square metres, this will be Rheinmetall’s biggest-ever presence at Eurosatory. Here are some of the products making their debut at this year’s show:

Future Tanknology – KF51 main battle tank: The KF51 is the newest member of Rheinmetall’s family of tracked armoured fighting vehicles. Delivering dual-capability dominance, the platform sets new standards in every category – lethality, survivability, mobility, networkability and reconnaissance. Its 130mm main armament and other effectors endow the KF51 with superior firepower. The vehicle will be presented at a ceremony on 13 June at 14:00 hrs.

Rheinmetall Technology Cube: Now more than ever, defence technology systems are developed in close coordination with their future users. The Rheinmetall Technology Cube exploits cutting-edge technology, including augmented reality, to conduct a dialogue with users and procurement officials when developing next-generation combat vehicles. The aim is to rethink the future together – by integrating new kinds of drives, sensors, and subsystems into fully digitized, scalable vehicle platform concepts.

Airborne vehicle family: In cooperation with Mercedes-Benz and ACS Armoured Car Systems, Rheinmetall now offers a versatile, high mobility 4×4 vehicle family specially designed for light airmobile and special operations units. The vehicle system family will debut at Eurosatory.

Natter remote-controlled weapon station: Rheinmetall has developed a new family of remote-controlled weapon stations. Thanks to its high-performance sensors, modularity and independent stabilization, the Natter (“adder”) features excellent reconnaissance and engagement capabilities. Various versions of the Natter make it possible to arm tracked and wheeled armoured vehicles with a wide spectrum of effectors ranging from light machineguns to medium calibre cannon.

Unmanned systems and robotics: For the first time, Rheinmetall will be presenting the newly developed LUNA NG (Next Generation) unmanned aerial vehicle, designed for unmanned aerial reconnaissance, classification, and recognition of objects in real time. Rheinmetall will also be showing how various integrated, unmanned air-supported reconnaissance systems can reinforce the sensors of ground platforms and improve overall situational awareness. The Robotics-L walking robot and Mission Master models SP and XT demonstrate how robotics is already changing the modern battlefield. Robotics-L can carry out reconnaissance missions. The Mission Master SP vehicle is configured for a transporting cargo, while the XT is a designed for a fire support role with a launcher for loitering munitions.

Loitering munitions: These air-supported precision munitions combine the characteristics of drones and guided missiles. They enhance the ability of even small units to reconnoitre target zones from above, coupled with standoff, high-precision engagement of targets. Rheinmetall and its partner UVision have entered a cooperation agreement to market UV’s Hero family of loitering munitions in Europe. At Eurosatory, the two companies will be highlighting possibilities for integrating Hero LM systems into manned and unmanned vehicles.

In addition to these debuts, Rheinmetall will also be presenting various other products and projects. These include:

HX3 vehicle family: Rheinmetall’s new HX3 vehicle generation features improved protection, even better mobility, greater driving comfort and digital interface architecture, assuring heightened operational flexibility and abundant scope for future performance upgrades. At Eurosatory 2022, Rheinmetall’s wheeled self-propelled howitzer will be on display, mounted on a high mobility HX 10×10 chassis. The HX3 can also serve as the transport component for the Skynex air defence system.

Air defence: Mobile, modular, and scalable, ground-based air defence systems are gaining new importance now that NATO armed forces are focusing once again on defending national and allied territory and airspace. At Eurosatory, Rheinmetall is displaying a Boxer 8×8 wheeled armoured vehicle configured for an air defence role, topped with the Sykranger 30 turret and an integrated surface-to-air missile launcher. Also on show will be the Skynex air defence system, consisting of a 35mm Mk3 Revolver Gun, Multi Sensor Unit with AESA radar, and a Control Node 1 command centre, with a high-energy laser functioning as a future effector.

Force protection: Rheinmetall’s comprehensive expertise in the field of force protection ranges from individual passive ballistic solutions to advanced stand-off active protection systems for combat vehicles. Visitors to Eurosatory 2022 can inspect Rheinmetall’s StrikeShield, an integrated hybrid module for vehicles that combines active and passive protection technology.

Digitized battlefield: As a leading systems integrator, Rheinmetall possesses all the knowledge necessary for networking various entities on the digital battlefield of the future. At Eurosatory 2022, Rheinmetall will show how the interplay of sensors, effectors and human-machine interfaces can lift the “fog of war”. Rheinmetall will also be showcasing the current configuration of its Gladius 2.0 soldier system and how it can be networked with manned and unmanned vehicles and subsystems.

At Eurosatory 2022, furthermore Rheinmetall will be presenting its comprehensive expertise in practically every other capability category. These include weapons and ammunition for threat-commensurate, scalable application of force as well as innovative, networkable sensor systems for applications on land, at sea and in the air, in addition to high-performance simulation technology for top-of-the-line training. We look forward to welcoming you to Eurosatory 2022 at Stand F241-240 in the outdoor area behind Hall 6!

Posted in Advertiser, International, Press Release, Tradeshow | Comments Off on Move – Sense – Strike: Rheinmetall Presenting Products, Systems and Capabilities at Eurosatory 2022 for the Digitized Battlefields of the Future

Armasight Announces The Contractor Thermal Optic

June 10th, 2022

For Immediate Release – Northbrook IL – Trailblazer and Category Leader in Thermal and Night Vision, Armasight debuted the “Designed & Built in the USA” Contractor series of weapon mounted thermal optics at SHOT Show 2022. The Contractor line is the first thermal optic on the market that is powered by the new ArmaCORE™ Thermal Core technology, which brings 12 micron pixels, high performance imaging, and a dynamic feature set to the system.

The Armasight Contractor is a feature rich thermal weapon sight that brings cutting edge capability in a lightweight yet durable metal alloy housing. Built as a MIL-STD military-grade thermal scope, the Contractor can be used in all environmental conditions to improve object detection in low contrast daylight, total darkness, or through smoke, haze and even light fog. This long eye-relief sight is comfortable to use and features an array of advanced technologies that will maximize your weapon efficiency. The Contractor offers a 60 Hz 1024 x 768 display resolution, USB and WiFi video streaming, 4 hours of onboard video recording, and low battery consumption from standard CR123A batteries.

The Contractor features eight user-selectable reticles and six color palettes, allowing for a wide range of customized options to best suit the specific needs presented by the environment or mission specific needs. The Contractor also comes equipped with a digital compass, inclinometer, and stadiametric reticles that help users calculate distance, direction, and angles.

Advanced hardware is in place to be able to take advantage of emerging technologies to expand stability and functionality with standard firmware updates. The Armasight app, available on iOS and Android, allows for remote control of the unit, photo and video capture, live streaming, GPS location and updates to the unit. Updates can also be completed through a USB connection within the Contractor.

The Contractor is available through brick & mortar and ecommerce dealers now.

Features:

320 ArmaCORE™ – 12 micro, Made In The USA thermal Core

60 Hz 1024×768 display

4hrs on board recording

4hr run time on full charge

USB and WiFi streaming

Eight user-selectable reticles and six color palettes

MSRP:

Contractor 320 3-12x25mm – $4299

Contractor 320 6-24x50mm – $4799

www.Armasight.com

Posted in Optics, Press Release | 2 Comments »

PCP Tactical Selected to Produce Lightweight Polymer Cased Ammunition for the U.S. Army

June 10th, 2022

PCP Tactical LLC, a defense contractor headquartered in Vero Beach, Florida has been awarded an Ordnance Technology Initiative Agreement (OTIA) from the National Armaments Consortium – DoD Ordnance Technology Consortium (NAC-DOTC) to produce 7.62mm lightweight small caliber ammunition for the US Army. This award directly supports Project Manager Maneuver Ammunition Systems (PM MAS) efforts to reduce weight for Army soldiers over-burdened by their combat load. The introduction of lightweight small caliber ammunition in a polymer case material will improve the soldier’s mobility on the battlefield to increase soldier’s lethality and survivability.

“PCP Tactical/Gorilla Ammunition has been designing and delivering weapons and lightweight polymer cased ammunition solutions to the Department of Defense for almost a decade,” said Lanse Padgett, Chief Executive Officer of PCP Tactical and Gorilla Ammunition, “and we are extremely pleased to be chosen by the Army to collaboratively develop polymer cased ammunition.”

The agreement requires PCP Tactical to produce lightweight polymer cased 7.62mm M80A1 and M62A1 ammunition that can function properly at the extreme environmental conditions anticipated on the future battlefield. The ammunition is expected to meet or exceed the internal ballistic and terminal performance requirements of current brass cased ammunition, while reducing the weight by approximately 30 percent. The M240 machine gun is the primary weapon for this effort, but the lightweight polymer ammunition is also compatible with the M14 Semi-Automatic Rifle, M110 Rifle, and the M134 Mini-Gun.

“PCP Tactical has developed an incredible working relationship with the Army over the past ten years,” said Padgett, “we have provided legacy ammunition calibers as well as next generation calibers to include armor piercing rounds to the Army. We have also provided enhanced new weapons systems and barrel conversion kits for legacy guns to reduce weight while increasing lethality. Over the last several years polymer case technology has progressed tremendously, and we are anxious to get the ammunition qualified for use by our soldiers and allies.”

For questions feel free to call PCP Tactical at 772-564-0777.

Posted in Ammo, Army, Contracts, Press Release | 1 Comment »