If you’re looking for something a little different to cart your laptop and important papers around, check out this collaboration between Topo Designs and two Japanese outdoor brands, Nanga and Natal.
The 16.9 liter capacity Camo Rover Shoulder Bag is made from 1000D nylon printed a Natal Camo pattern combined with 400D blaze orange nylon pack cloth.
These packs are made in Colorado and available from Huckberry.
General Dynamics is pleased to announce that its new URC-300™ radio has completed European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) European Standard (EN) 300 676 testing and is now in full compliance with all 25kHz and 8.33kHz VHF specifications. In addition, the URC-300 recently completed the ETSI EN 302 617 UHF testing and is also compliant with 25kHz UHF specifications. The tests were performed by an independent accredited testing service. These certifications make the URC-300 the first portable ruggedized man-pack dual band transceiver to be approved for global operation against the stringent aviation spectrum standards. Orders placed by the U.S. Air Force will begin shipping in December.
Certifications Obtained in Advance
General Dynamics understands that the spectrum approval process can be highly complex and time consuming, especially outside the U.S. As a result, General Dynamics will obtain all required certifications in advance to eliminate purchase, approval and spectrum roadblocks, and help streamline deployment without delays. In addition to the ETSI EN compliance, the URC-300 is also compliant with Radio Equipment Directive (RED), REACH, RoHS, and is certified by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) for civilian use. Additionally, the U.S. Air Force is sponsoring the JF-12 process which will enable the URC-300 to operate in the U.S. DoD Spectrum.
About the URC-300
The URC-300 is a versatile platform that supports multiple waveforms and provides exceptional (RF) performance to support ground-to-air, line-of-site and other mission critical applications. It provides communications free from interference in highly congested environments and improves immunity to outside interference such as other airfield channels, Wi-Fi transmitters, and commercial FM broadcast towers. Users can operate multiple radios as close as 6.5 ft. apart without interference, an unprecedented capability compared to currently available tactical man-pack radios that require at least 50 to 115 feet of separation. This close proximity capability enables rapid grab-and-go, multi-channel operations during emergency situations.
The radio is specifically designed to enable future features and functions to be added in the field via quick and simple software upgrades. The radio meets MIL-STD-810 requirements for ruggedization and the newly redesigned front panel has a functional display and a simple, intuitive keypad interface that is glove-friendly. The URC-300 is interoperable with its predecessor the URC-200™(V2) radio and many of its accessories.
Additional Information
To learn more about the URC-300 radio, please visit our website or contact us here.
Last month, the German Defense Ministry announced a contract award to CG Haenel for 120,000 of the MK556 carbine to replace the G36 manufactured by Heckler & Koch.
This sent shockwaves through the small arms industry as H&K had provided rifles for the German Army since the 1950s. The win was based primarily on price but as soon as the award was announced, many began to question whether CG Haenel could handle the scope of the contract.
This is partly navies CG Haenel is part of the Merkel Group, which is under Tawazun Holding (United Arab Emirates) (Caracal). That being said, the Haenel plant was once used to manufacture rifles for the East German Army when that country still existed.
The MK556 is quite similar in design to the HK416 and that is because the chief engineer for the 416 project left HK years ago, first for SIG where he worked on the MPX and MCX and later to Caracal where he developed a family of rifles.
Heckler & Koch is suing CG Haenel for alleged Intellectual Property infringement. Consequently, the German government has cancelled the contract in what may well be a case of buyer’s remorse.
Integrating a V shaped cut-out, the PRS V Bag integrates 4 spare round holders at both the the left and right faces while the front and back faces have heavy duty handles.
The top adjustable cover features Nomex to prevent melting from a hot barrel and that V notch can be used up or down, depending on what’s available as a shooting rest.
Finally, it’s zippered so you can fill it on your own. Offered in MultiCam, Black, OD and Wolf Grey.
The Mini Shot A-Spec (SM26045 and SM26046) is a versatile and compact reflex sight with a 2 MOA red or green dot, designed for use on a variety of firearms including shotguns, pistols, and AR’s. The Mini A-Spec includes a riser mount and low-profile mount, allowing shooters to choose the right one for the firearm it will be mounted on.
• Included AR riser mount AND low-profile mount
• 2 MOA red (SM26045) or green (SM26046) reticle
• 10 reticle brightness levels
• User-friendly ambidextrous digital switch brightness controls
• Steel protective shield
• Low power consumption
• True 1x magnification
• Waterproof, dustproof and shockproof
This week’s focus is all about the Retro-Fit Cummerbund. Combining all the features of the Overlap Cummerbund, including a strong elastic back that provides security and comfort, the Retro-Fit Cummerbund is a great solution for those utilizing a different plate carrier that want to use FirstSpear’s 6/12 modular platform and Tubes technology. The low-profile loop interior for mounting our hook-backed Ragnar pockets for radios, extra mags inside the cummerbund, making users lighter and faster with a slimmer profile.
SPECS:
•Model: Retro-Fit Cummerbund
•Size: Small (26”–32”); Medium (32”–38”); Large (35”–41”); XL (38”-44”); 2XL (41”–47”); 3XL (48”–52”)
•Colors: Black, Coyote, Multi-Cam, Ranger Green
FirstSpear’s Tubes Rapid-Release Technology solves many of the problems with common closure methods on plate carriers. The common closure in the front with the hook & loop fasteners can present many performance failures. It not only adds bulk, it is noisy, and retains water and mud; from a safety standpoint, the hook and loop closures can cause cummerbund protection items (like side plates, inflatable flotation) to shift position and misalign from where they should be to offer maximum protection.
Tubes technology has solved all these challenges. Quick to close, and even quicker to remove, the Retro-Fit Cummerbund utilizes Tubes to allow end users to utilize this capability and the 6/12 Modular Platform without completely changing your entire load carriage platform. This kit is compatible with carriers that utilize traditional hook and loop flap systems and cummerbund pass-through channel. It accepts both soft armor and 6 in. x 6 in. hard plates.
Constantly pushing the envelope in technological advances to better serve the warfighter and first responders, check out First-Spear.com. To read more about our technology advancements, go to First-Spear.tech.
Better detecting microwave radiation could improve thermal imaging, electronic warfare, radar
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — Army-funded research developed a new microwave radiation sensor with 100,000 times higher sensitivity than currently available commercial sensors. Researchers said better detection of microwave radiation will enable improved thermal imaging, electronic warfare, radio communications and radar.
Researchers published their study in the peer-reviewed journal Nature. The team includes scientists from Harvard University, The Institute of Photonic Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Pohang University of Science and Technology, and Raytheon BBN Technologies. The Army, in part, funded the work to fabricate this bolometer by exploiting the giant thermal response of graphene to microwave radiation.
“The microwave bolometer developed under this project is so sensitive that it is capable of detecting a single microwave photon, which is the smallest amount of energy in nature,” said Dr. Joe Qiu, program manager for solid-state electronics and electromagnetics, Army Research Office, an element of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command’s Army Research Laboratory. “This technology will potentially enable new capabilities for applications such as quantum sensing and radar, and ensure the U.S. Army maintains spectral dominance in the foreseeable future.”
The graphene bolometer sensor detects electromagnetic radiation by measuring the temperature rise as the photons are absorbed into the sensor. Graphene is a two dimensional, one-atom layer thick material. The researchers achieved a high bolometer sensitivity by incorporating graphene in the microwave antenna.
A key innovation in this advancement is to measure the temperature rise by superconducting Josephson junction while maintaining a high microwave radiation coupling into the graphene through an antenna, researchers said. The coupling efficiency is essential in a high sensitivity detection because “every precious photon counts.”
A Josephson junction is a quantum mechanical device which is made of two superconducting electrodes separated by a barrier (thin insulating tunnel barrier, normal metal, semiconductor, ferromagnet, etc.)
In addition to being thin, the electrons in graphene are also in a very special band structure in which the valence and conduction bands meet at only one point, known as Dirac point.
“The density of states vanishes there so that when the electrons receive the photon energy, the temperature rise is high while the heat leakage is small,” said Dr. Kin Chung Fong, Raytheon BBN Technologies.
With increased sensitivity of bolometer detectors, this research has found a new pathway to improve the performance of systems detecting electromagnetic signal such as radar, night vision, LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), and communication. It could also enable new applications such as quantum information science, thermal imaging as well as the search of dark matter.
The part of the research conducted at MIT included work from the Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies. The U.S. Army established the institute in 2002 as an interdisciplinary research center to dramatically improve protection, survivability and mission capabilities of the Soldier and of Soldier-supporting platforms and systems.
By US Army CCDC Army Research Laboratory Public Affairs
This jacket is packed with features but the real story is in the fabric. Their AirLoft technology combines Toray’s new 3DeFX+ hollow-core, 360-degree stretch insulation with Primeflex 4-way stretch, weather-resistant exterior fabric.
The creators tout it as temperature regulating, breathable, stain-proof, water resistant, durable, packable, and versatile. Here, they compare it to other popular insulation pieces.
Now crowdfunding on Kickstarter in Black, Olive and Blue Gray, with a planned delivery in Spring 2021.
