SIG MMG 338 Program Series

True North Concepts – Miniature Brass SERE Compass

August 21st, 2020

This is the miniature brass SERE compass. Made by the same the government contractor that makes them for issued survival kits, True North Concepts added some extra goodness, including a waterproof/crush resistant case.

The compass isn’t restricted, the vintage map they’re sitting on was. Even though they are button size, these compasses will get out of a jam. I used one to navigate my way through a five-day E&E course in West Virginia back in the 90s.

And yes, they glow in the dark.

truenorth-usa.com/product/mini-sere-compass

SOLGW – What is the A5 System? And Why Do We Use It?

August 21st, 2020

Instead of finely tuning a rifle, we want to give it the widest operational envelop. The more finely tuned something is the more narrow that window. A fighting gun should be forgiving. Our goal is to incrementally improve the performance of this platform…and those incremental improvements added up absolutely make a difference.

www.solgw.com

Commies Don’t Surf T-Shirt

August 21st, 2020

Available in four colors, sizes Small – XXLarge, the shirt speaks for itself.

urturt.com/products/commies-dont-surf-4-colors

National Safety Apparel (NSA) Acquires Wild Things

August 21st, 2020

Cleveland, Ohio – August 20, 2020: The parent company of DRIFIRE®, National Safety Apparel continues to expand their USA-based safety and military clothing brands with the acquisition of Virginia Beach based Wild Things.

The acquisition of Wild Things adds another market leader to National Safety Apparel’s already established “House of Brands”. Wild Things is a premium cold weather military clothing brand that perfectly complements National Safety Apparel’s existing DRIFIRE brand of high-performance flame resistant base layers, combat uniforms, and flight suits.

“We’re committed to providing our military personnel with the gear they need and growing our manufacturing footprint in the USA”, states National Safety Apparel President and CEO, Chuck Grossman. “Wild Things aligns with our mission to provide high quality, innovative products, and expand our offering for the U.S. Armed Forces.”

Wild Things started as a manufacturer of lightweight, superior gear for elite mountaineers and grew its offerings to include gear and apparel for U.S. Special Forces. The company has a manufacturing facility in Gorham, New Hampshire, and the brand is supported by a team in Virginia Beach, Virginia.  Known for its technical and durable outerwear, Wild Things products are currently in the field with every branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.

National Safety Apparel is a market leader in the design and manufacture of high-quality industrial safety and military apparel. A fourth generation, family owned company, NSA’s Cleveland and Chicago-based facilities employ nearly 500 NSA team members. The company and its brands serve a wide variety of industries such as electrical and gas utilities, steel mills and aluminum foundries, glass plants, construction, and manufacturing in addition to military personnel.

See the companies online at www.thinknsa.com and www.wildthingsgear.com.

ASGARD Partners & Co Sells Wild Things, LLC to National Safety Apparel, Inc

August 21st, 2020

NEW YORK, August 20, 2020 – ASGARD Partners & Co. (“ASGARD”), an investment firm based in New York, announced today that it has sold Wild Things, LLC (“Wild Things” or the “Company”) to National Safety Apparel, Inc. (“NSA”).

Wild Things is a leader in the design and manufacture of highly technical outdoor apparel and gear for the military and law enforcement communities across the globe.

When ASGARD acquired Wild Things in 2018, the Company was struggling with limited liquidity and had suffered years of underinvestment in both the brand and the infrastructure of the business. Immediately post close ASGARD brought on an industry leading management team, led by CEO Amy Coyne, to drive the Wild Things transformation, through the revival of its highly respected legacy brand and the renewal of its reputation for exceptional design, quality, and performance.

Under ASGARD’s ownership, the Company reinvigorated customer relationships with key industry distribution leaders, diversified its customer base, introduced new sales channels, re-established relations with key military agencies and influential end user groups, expanded sales infrastructure and new sales representation, and recruited top industry talent. Wild Things also went through training in ASGARD’s frameworks of operational excellence, centered around both culture and execution.

Karan Rai, Managing Partner of ASGARD, stated, “Wild Things exemplifies ASGARD’s operationally focused investment strategy and intention to be in service of great companies through true partnership. We congratulate Amy and the entire Wild Things team for their passion for excellence and impressive execution. Additionally, we’d like to congratulate NSA on the acquisition of a great company.”

“We are proud of the extraordinary transformation of Wild Things under our ownership. Our goals of stabilizing the Company, re-establishing the Wild Things brand in the marketplace and end-user community, and achieving material growth metrics were incredibly successful. We are excited for the Company’s next stage of growth under NSA’s ownership,” said Christian Cantalupo, Partner at ASGARD.

“Working in partnership with ASGARD, Wild Things has become a business with a clear strategic vision and a focus on execution. NSA is now the perfect steward and strategic partner to help advance the Company’s strategic objectives and maximize its growth potential.  This acquisition will enable Wild Things to tap into a world class organization where it can leverage existing manufacturing resources and supply chain partnerships, expand its capabilities, and achieve long term growth. I am truly excited for the team and the future that lies ahead for Wild Things. We thank our customers, suppliers and employees for their contributions to our success,” added Amy Coyne, CEO of Wild Things.

FirstSpear Friday Focus – HuntRedi Limited Color Run

August 21st, 2020

Today we are getting the first look at FirstSpear OEM Partner HuntRedi’s limited time run of Deviate Upland Hunting Vests in a sharp Ranger Green / Coyote colorway. Highly configurable with FirstSpear laser fused 6/12 platform, backwards compatible with standard MOLLE /PALS accessories. Hill People Gear inspired shoulder harness with attachment points to accommodate GPS, e-collar and other accessories. 6/12 padded belt comes standard and offers more pocket attachment area as well as additional lumbar support for even weight distribution. Large game pouch allows for one handed insertion of bag limits as well as a built in storage mesh security pouch for keys, wallet, etc. The Deviate Upland vest and pocket series is designed to meet the expectations of the most passionate bird hunters and the unique challenges they encounter.

The Ranger Green / Coyote color way is here only for a limited time and only available while supplies last. Also available in coyote/ blaze orange. 100% American Made with US Materials by FirstSpear, LLC.

www.huntredi.com/collections/flush-redi-series/products/deviate-upland-vest

Avon Protection Awarded Contract to Supply Respiratory Protection for NATO

August 21st, 2020

The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) has awarded Avon Protection a 10 years contract to supply a complete CBRN personal respirator system. This procurement was led by Finland and Norway to establish technical requirements and demanding end user testing. The framework contract will enable NATO countries and partners to purchase Avon Protection’s market leading respirator system, based around FM50, full suite of filters, MP-PAPR, (Powered Air Purifying Respirator), ST53 (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus) and accessories.

Understanding the operational flexibility required by NATO forces, Avon Protection have designed a unique modular respirator system to protect NATO troops in the most demanding environments. 

The FM50 respirator and a suite of filters are at the core of the respirator protection system selected by NSPA. Developed in conjunction with the United States Department of Defense to counter the multiple CBRN threats met in modern war fighting, anti-terrorist and peace-keeping operations, the FM50 is the most operationally proven and widely deployed battlefield respirator in the World.  

Commenting, James Wilcox, President, Military at Avon Protection, said:

“We are proud to be awarded this strategically important contract from NSPA and we look forward to working with NATO and their partners to continue to support world leading military capability. This contract demonstrates NATO‘s continued confidence and reliance on Avon Protection to supply product of the highest quality and performance to protect its troops for the forseeable future.”

Digital Concept Engineering Wins UK Map the Gap Competition

August 20th, 2020

Hinckley, 13 August 2020 – Digital Concepts Engineering Ltd (DCE) has won a contract in the UK government’s Defence and Security Accelerator’s (DASA) Map the Gap competition to develop a semi- autonomous reconnaissance and survey system that will help troops safely and stealthily advance into enemy territory over water.

DCE will lead its part of the Map the Gap industry team with a vehicle based on their rugged X series of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), which incorporates DCE’s Marionette robotic vehicle architecture, the heart of the Map the Gap solution. Other organisations and technologies supporting DCE’s bid are Jacobs’ 6th Sense data analytics, drones & autonomous routing provided by Frazer-Nash Consultancy and Eijkelkamp Geopoint SoilSolutions’ ground sampling expertise. Map the Gap ground surveys will be carried out using a submersible ROV carrying data sensors, soil sampling tools and sonar equipment, while the surrounding area will be scanned from the air by drone.

The Map the Gap competition was run by DASA on behalf of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory. The programme covers two phases for the development and demonstration of a number of system demonstrators able to tackle the key issues of gap crossing survey. The total funding for Phase 1 of the Map the Gap programme is approximately £1.2m, with a further £2.5m anticipated for Phase 2 activities.

Robert Hammond-Smith, DASA Delivery Manager for Map the Gap, said:

“Our vision is to ultimately remove personnel from these dangerous tasks with a remote system that allows more crossing locations to be surveyed, increasing the choices available to commanders and giving an opportunity to surprise the enemy.”

Lionel Nierop, DCE’S Business Development and Operations Director, commented:

“We are delighted to have won a contract on DASA’s prestigious and technically demanding Map the Gap competition. DCE’s successful bid with our X-4 ROV and our Marionette universal control system builds on our previous work in defence and nuclear applications.”

“This win demonstrates the opportunities presented by long-term collaboration between a wide range of innovative companies, working alongside the government, and we are looking forward to successfully meeting the Map the Gap challenge together.”

www.dconcepts.co.uk

Image credit: UK MOD © Crown copyright