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AirBoss Defense Group Awarded Contracts Valued at Over $123 Million to Support the PPE Requirements of the U.S. Strategic National Stockpile and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

July 27th, 2020

LANDOVER, MD (July 27, 2020) – AirBoss Defense Group (ADG), which is focused on the design, development and manufacturing of American-made, proven, commercially available personal protective equipment (PPE) that protects front-line workers and defense personnel, announced today that it has been awarded more than $123 million in contracts to supply PPE to U.S. Government agencies.

ADG been awarded a $121 million contract by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) – Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR), for 50,000 American-made FlexAir™ Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPR), 3,000,000 High Efficiency Filters and related accessories, including spare protective hoods, that will be part of the inventory for the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS). The FlexAir PAPR is designed to enable medical providers and first responders unencumbered protection over extended periods of time, while providing critical medical care. Deliveries under the contract to HHS are expected to be completed over the next nine months.

ADG further announced that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has placed a sustainment order of $2.55 million with ADG for 60,000 high efficiency (HE) filters and 20,000 protective hoods to establish a contingency stockpile of equipment for the ongoing fight against COVID-19. This sustainment order supports the continued use by VA medical personnel of the over 10,000 American-made FlexAir PAPR systems that had been delivered to the agency earlier this year. Deliveries to the VA are expected to be completed over six weeks, beginning in mid-August.

Patrick Callahan, CEO of ADG, stated: “These new contracts underscore ADG’s ability to quickly respond to the COVID-19 crisis by focusing the entire company on delivering FlexAir PAPR systems to front-line workers across the United States. These orders to supply the PPE needs of the SNS and the VA will bolster U.S. capabilities to respond to public health hazards and ensure that the United States has a more robust domestic capability to support the federal response to future emergencies.”

“To this end, ADG has increased staffing to support the urgent needs of the U.S. federal government and is manufacturing PAPR systems at facilities in Landover, Maryland; Auburn Hills, Michigan; Scotland Neck, North Carolina; and Charleston, South Carolina,” Mr. Callahan noted.

The FlexAir PAPR system is a compact, lightweight respirator system powered by an onboard battery in a waist-mounted blower, designed and manufactured in the United States. The flexible design permits the use of two high-efficiency particulate filters that are designed to provide a 99.7% protection level against particulates, aerosols and biohazards, including the COVID-19 virus.

The PAPR order for the SNS follows an earlier Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) order for 100,000 PAPR systems that was placed to respond to the immediate threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. ADG has since successfully delivered over 90% of the initial order and remains on track to complete this original contract on time, by the end of July 2020. Additional future follow-on orders for sustainment filters, hoods and accessories are anticipated. The VA order builds upon ADG’s proven record of dependability as the PAPR system provider of choice for federal agencies.

ADG’s PPE products have been used by various branches of the U.S. government for over 20 years. In addition to the above HHS and VA contracts, ADG has received over $15 million in non-governmental orders for PPE during the current pandemic. ADG’s emergency response equipment and PPE are utilized by the U.S. Department of State, Office of Strategic Medical Preparedness, FEMA and CDC infectious disease treatment centers.

The Company provides protective equipment to emergency first response teams and hospitals in hundreds of U.S. cities, as well as over 30 countries worldwide. ADG successfully responded during the MERS and Ebola outbreaks, by providing critical protective equipment to government and civilian first response customers. ADG will continue to engage in the response to the COVID-19 outbreak through the rapid delivery of domestically manufactured PPE and patient isolation systems to the first-responder community.

For more information, please visit www.adg.com.

Posted in Contracts, COVID-19 Pandemic, Medical, Press Release | Comments Off on AirBoss Defense Group Awarded Contracts Valued at Over $123 Million to Support the PPE Requirements of the U.S. Strategic National Stockpile and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Victorinox – Knife, Combat Rescue

July 27th, 2020

Victorinox’s new Knife, Combat Rescue is Swiss made and features a safety blunted serrated blade which also makes it a great choice for jumpmasters thanks to its one-handed opening and no-slip grip. It’s lightweight at 3 oz and also incorporates a Phillips head screwdriver which can also be used on knots.

Available exclusively from the Windrose Group.

www.windrosegroupllc.com or call 570-974-6089.

Posted in Knives | Comments Off on Victorinox – Knife, Combat Rescue

MATBOCK Monday RAPID IFAK Deployment Pouch

July 27th, 2020

RAPID IFAK DEPLOYMENT POUCH

Good morning and Happy MATBOCK Monday!

Weighing in at 7oz The Rapid IFAK Deployment pouch was specifically designed to support post assault operations when dealing with an active shooter. The pouch is designed to hold 7 Phokus Research Group “Shield Kits” for immediate care as well as a MATBOCK J-LIFT or 5 Shield Kits and an S-LIFT). It can be worn as a stand-alone fanny pack or cross chest attachment, MOLLE or mounted to an operators belt. The versatile design allows for endless possibilities to support the operator’s needs.

Don’t forget to tune in on Monday at 4:30 PM EST as we go live to demo the the Rapid IFAK Deployment pouch.

Posted in Advertiser, Guest Post, Medical | 1 Comment »

US Army Strategic Ops Directorate to Shape Electromagnetic, Cyber Capabilities

July 27th, 2020

WASHINGTON — The Army recently implemented a new directorate to support requirements within the electromagnetic spectrum, enabling the force to prioritize, integrate, and synchronize its data-enabled warfighting capabilities to fight and win in a multi-domain battlefield.

In February, the Department of the Army’s Management Office-Cyber directorate reorganized to DAMO-Strategic Operations, or DAMO-SO, said Brig. Gen. Martin F. Klein, the organization’s director.

The organization, which falls under the Army’s G-3/5/7 office, was created to work “horizontally across the Army,” by partnering with other communities of interest throughout the Army Staff, Army Training and Doctrine Command, and Army Futures Command, to name a few, Klein said.

DAMO-SO will generate policies and programs to help resource and execute information technology, mission command, space, and enterprise capabilities, Klein said. Further, the program will refine the force’s approach to joint multi-domain operations, which could subsequently impact the Army’s force structure, resources, and strategy.

The move to DAMO-SO also signifies the Army’s push to move beyond the “information age to the cognitive age,” Klein added. Adopting a cognitive-based technological approach could augment the Army’s decision-making process through data collection and analysis.

The directorate is currently working to collect data from the Army’s warfighting systems and structure to fully understand how and where they can increase capabilities within the electromagnetic spectrum.

“This is a historic time for us,” Klein told reporters Tuesday. “For our senior leaders to have the foresight to stand up [DAMO-SO] … I think it will provide not only the Army but the joint force with great effects.”

Cloud architecture

One of the critical focus areas within the DAMO-SO directorate is tied to the Army’s effort for standardized data architecture and cloud computing technologies.

“What [DAMO-SO] is trying to do is breathe energy into this digital transformation, by making sure that … we have common data standards [and] common architecture to make our data available,” he said.

The directorate has worked closely with the Army Chief Information Officer/G-6, the Enterprise Cloud Management Office, Network Cross-Functional Team, and other entities to define and improve the Army’s cloud-computing architecture.

“What we’re trying to do is work with current systems that we have in the Army’s inventory, to make sure that we digitally enable them and transform them to provide immediate use to the warfighter,” Klein said.

“We are also looking at the satellite connections that enable our enterprise to connect with our integrated tactical network through our regional hub nodes,” he added. The directorate will continue to work with the Army Space and Missile Defense Command to accomplish this task.

Creating a reliable cloud-computing capability at both the enterprise and tactical levels will help integrate the Army’s weapons systems and non-kinetic maneuver technology, Klein said.

He also mentioned work using cloud abstraction, which refers to the deployment of applications or data to facilitate the interoperability between systems. In theory, cloud technology will allow the Army to more effectively share data and integrate weapons systems across its formations.

“I think we have turned a corner, and we are beginning to see ourselves clearly in this digital transformation environment, through the work that we have done within the cloud,” Klein said.

Dialing in the Army’s electromagnetic spectrum capabilities will help the force compete and win with a complex and uncertain environment, he added.

By Devon Suits, Army News Service

Posted in CEMA, Comms, Guest Post | Comments Off on US Army Strategic Ops Directorate to Shape Electromagnetic, Cyber Capabilities

Assessing Revolutionary And Insurgent Strategies (ARIS) Studies – Free Publications

July 26th, 2020

If you want to understand what is going on in American cities, check out these free publications from the US Army Special Operations Command. This research was conducted by the National Security Analysis Department of The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory.

Many SSD readers will just nod, but some of you will have your eyes opened once you read about how insurgencies are conducted. Take for example, that fist on the cover…look familiar?

There’s a whole library available. Get yours here.

Posted in Profession of Arms | 99 Comments »

SCUBAPRO Sunday – The Aladin A2 Dive Watch

July 26th, 2020

The new SCUBAPRO A2 dive watch was developed for all levels of divers, from beginners to advanced, technical and working divers. The A2 offers full timekeeping functions and a Sport mode. When it’s time to go diving, the A2 provides everything an advanced recreational diver wants and everything a technical diver needs. It starts with wireless air integration that monitors tank pressure and provides true remaining bottom time. The digital tilt-compensated compass offers easy navigation underwater or on the surface. The A2 lets you choose from six Dive Modes, including Trimix and CCR, and because it’s designed with Human Factor Diving, it incorporates cutting edge biometrics that enables you to live your life in dive mode. Whatever type of diving you do, the A2 is ready to go there with you.

With advanced, technical, CCR, and freedivers in mind, Smart technology wireless air-integration can handle multiple transmitters. Optional air-integration monitors tank pressure and provides true remaining bottom time (RBT) calculations based on the workload from breathing (transmitter sold separately). The Heart rate monitor records your heartbeat and skin temperature (with SCUBAPRO HRM Belt only; sold separately) that can be factored into the decompression calculation along with workload. Digital tilt-compensated 3D compass allows for easy navigation. Predictive Multi-Gas ZH-L16 ADT MB algorithm accommodates eight gases (21-100% O2) plus two in CCR mode. PDIS (Profile Dependent Intermediate Stops) calculates an intermediate stop based on N2 loading, current, and previous dives and breathing mixes for safer diving. Microbubble levels let you adjust the level of conservatism in the algorithm to match your experience level, age, and physical conditioning.

Multiple Dive Modes: Scuba, Gauge, Apnea, Trimix, side mount, CCR. Sport mode offers sport-related functions like a swim stroke counter, activity counter (pedometer), and stopwatch. High-resolution matrix display with large numbers is easy to read underwater, even in adverse conditions. Lightweight design is so comfortable on the wrist you won’t want to take it off. Intuitive menu and four-button controls make it easy to navigate through the system. Bluetooth Low Energy interface lets you download dives to any iOS or Android device or PC/Mac. Firmware can be user-updated by going to scubapro.com. Power is provided by a standard CR2450 battery that is rated for up to two years/300 dives. The computer’s maximum operating depth is 394′ (120m) and is altitude adjustable from sea level to approximately 13,300′ (4,000m). Included with the computer are a protection foil, quick card, arm strap extension, read first (the user manual is available online)—optional equipment: transmitter, heart rate belt.

SCUBAPRO Aladin A2 Dive Watch Wrist Computer:

• Compactness & Convenience of Wrist-Style Dive Computer

• Versatile Wristwatch-Style Computer: Worn-On-the-Surface As-Well-As-Underwater

• Full Timekeeping Functions, 6-Dive Modes Plus Sport Mode

• Features & Functions Enable You to Excel-In-Your Sport

• Everything Advanced Recreational Divers Want, & Everything Technical Divers Need

Optional:

Wireless Air Integration Monitors Tank Pressure & Provides True Remaining Bottom Time (RBT)

• Digital Tilt-Compensated 3D Compass Allows for Easy Navigation, Underwater & On Land

• Algorithm: Predictive Multi-Gas ZH-L16 ADT MB

• Accommodates 8-Gases (21-100% O2) Plus 2-In CCR Mode

Intuitive Menu System:
Clearly Marked Button Controls
Easy to Access & Understand All Functions
Just-the-Right Balance of Topside Features, Underwater Functions & Ease of Use
4-Button Controls
Easy to Navigate Thru-System

• Quickly Becomes an Integral Part of Your Diving Life & Everyday Life-As-Well

PDIS (Profile Dependent Intermediate Stops):

Calculates Intermediate Stop

Based-On N2 Loading

Current & Previous Dives

Breathing Mixes for Better Diving

• Microbubble Levels Let You Adjust Level of Conservatism In Algorithm
• Multiple Dive Modes: Scuba, Gauge, Apnea, Trimix, Side Mount, CCR
• Sport Mode: Sport-Related Functions, Swim Stroke Counter, Stopwatch Can-Be-Activated

Posted in Advertiser, Guest Post, Maritime, Watches | Comments Off on SCUBAPRO Sunday – The Aladin A2 Dive Watch

RCBS Reloading Kits Now Shipping to Retail Partners

July 26th, 2020

Five New Kits Designed to Simplify Reloading Needs and Help Save Cost

OVERLAND PARK, Kansas – July 20, 2020 – RCBS, the leading manufacturer of ammunition reloading equipment for rifles and pistols, announced today it has commenced shipping of five new product kits designed to simplify the needs of both novice and professional reloaders while reducing cost.

The four new reloading kits plus one case prepping kit feature the essential equipment needed to begin common reloading projects. The new kits have been designed to save users both time and money by providing them with a well-rounded assortment of tools without the added hassle of purchasing individual pieces.

“As more people look to reloading to solve their ammunition needs, there is a growing request to help simplify the tools needed for those getting started or to upgrade their current equipment list,” said Will Hemeyer, Senior Product Manager for RCBS. “The newest kits from RCBS offer a considerable cost savings and were specifically designed to assist these reloaders by providing them with all of the essential gear they need while saving time in the process.”

New RCBS items available include the Rebel Plus Reloading Kit, the Rebel Master Kit, the Partner Reloading Kit-2, the Explorer Reloading Kit-2 and the Case Prep Kit. With prices ranging from $274.95 to $649.95, these kits help answer the needs from both entry level and expert reloaders alike.

Each of the kits is packed with premium RCBS items along with several new items released for 2020. The Explorer Reloading Kit-2 and Partner Reloading Kit-2 have been upgraded from earlier offerings to include the new 1,500 Grain Digital Pocket Scale for the most accurate measurements possible. The Explorer Reloading Kit-2 also contains the new Uniflow III Powder Measure which was designed with a single metering screw to accommodate both rifles and pistols while promoting consistent, reliable accuracy for any load needed.

The Rebel Plus Reloading Kit and Rebel Master Kit also include the Uniflow III Powder Measure but have been updated with the new Rebel Single Stage Press. Constructed from a sold cast iron frame, the Rebel Single Stage Press has ben meticulously machined to exacting tolerances and features the tallest opening of any RCBS Single Stage press on the market.

For more information on the new RCBS kits be sure to visit your local retailer or go to www.RCBS.com.

Posted in Ammo, Press Release | Comments Off on RCBS Reloading Kits Now Shipping to Retail Partners

15-Year-Old Federal Sponsored Trap Shooter Grayson Stuart Achieves ATA Grand Slam Honors

July 26th, 2020

ANOKA, Minnesota – July 21, 2020 – Team Federal Congratulates their youngest competitive trap shooter Grayson Stuart who completed Amateur Trapshooting Association’s (ATA) Grand Slam. Stuart completed this amazing accomplishment following his title run at the Western Zone Handicap shoot held at the Spanish Fork Gun Club in Utah on July 19. The 15-year-old from Riverton, UT, is the third youngest in ATA history to log a Grand Slam according to Trap and Field Magazine.

“The ATA Grand Slam is achieved when a shooter completes the final discipline, of the three shooting events: 200 straight in a 200-Target Singles Event, 100 straight in Handicap from the 27-yard mark, 100 straight in Doubles,” said Federal Youth Shooting Sports Program Manager Jon Zinnel. “According to ATA records, less than 500 shooters in the world have completed their Grand Slams.”

“I set new goals each year to keep my focus through the shooting season and so far, this season has been great,” said Stuart. “I could not be any more excited with accomplishing my ATA Grand Slam at the 2020 Western Zone. Now I need to shift my focus back to the range and prepare for the Grand American in a couple of weeks.”

Stuart relied on Federal Top Gun and Gold Medal Paper to achieve his ATA Grand Slam. Even the most challenging targets are no match for consistent, hard-hitting Federal Top Gun. The loads’ high-quality lead shot produces even patterns that crush clays. The look, feel and performance of Gold Medal Paper shotshells make them the favorite of the most serious clay target shooters. The loads combine Federal Premium Ammunition’s classic paper hull and high-quality brass head with an ideal design that provides less felt recoil and effective shot hardness.

“We look to young shooters like Grayson to help energize trap shooting to the younger generations,” concluded Zinnel. “Grayson did an outstanding job representing the Federal brand. It was obvious that he had fun and enjoyed sharing that excitement with others. We congratulate him on this impressive accomplishment.”

Federal ammunition can be found at dealers nationwide or purchased online direct. For more on Federal ammunition, visit www.federalpremium.com.

Posted in Press Release, Shooting Sports | Comments Off on 15-Year-Old Federal Sponsored Trap Shooter Grayson Stuart Achieves ATA Grand Slam Honors