RAAM GSS from Wilcox Ind

SIG SAUER Announces P320 PRO-CUT Slide Assembly Available Exclusively at SIG SAUER Web Store

July 1st, 2019

NEWINGTON, N.H., (June 28, 2019) – SIG SAUER, Inc. is pleased to introduce the P320 PRO-CUT Slide Assembly for various SIG SAUER P320 pistol models. The slide is now available directly from the manufacturer at the SIG SAUER Web Store at sigsauer.com.

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“This new SIG SAUER PRO-CUT slide is an original manufacturer’s part offering P320 users expanded optics capabilities, upgraded sights, and cosmetic enhancements without compromising the original manufacturer’s warranty on their P320 pistol,” said Tom Taylor, Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President, Commercial Sales, SIG SAUER, Inc.  “The P320 PRO-CUT slide assembly can be easily dropped on a P320 grip module right out of the box with no additional tooling, and is available for a limited time exclusively through our web store.”

The SIG SAUER P320 PRO-CUT Slide is an optic ready slide with a SIG SAUER Electro-Optics ROMEO1PRO and Delta Point Pro footprint, X-RAY3 Night sights, more aggressive grasping groves, stylized slide cuts, with included internal operating assemblies.  The slide has a media blasted stainless steel finish, and is available for full-size, compact, and subcompact P320 pistols.

P320 PRO-CUT Slide:
Available Lengths:
4.7” (fits full-size P320)
3.9” (fits compact P320)
3.6” (fits subcompact P320)

Caliber: 9mm

Sights: X-RAY 3 Day/Night Sights

Optics Capability: ROMEO1Pro and DeltaPoint Pro

Finish: media blasted stainless steel

Included Components: striker and extractor system

MSRP: $399

LALO Announces Their Release of the Shadow AR670-1 Uniform Compliant Boot

July 1st, 2019

San Diego, Ca. (July 1, 2019) – LALO LLC, dba LALO Tactical, a San Diego, California footwear company, is pleased to announce The Shadow AR670-1 Uniform Compliant Boot. LALO saw a need to produce a uniform compliant boot that features an efficiency component and technology that allows the end user to be on their feet for long periods of time in varied work scenarios with less injury and fatigue.

This boot was also designed and produced due to the high volume of end- users requesting LALO make a Uniform Compliant Boot they could wear while on duty.

The LALO Shadow UCB – AR670-1 boot which is also TAA Compliant, allows Army personnel to tap into the technology LALO is known for from its Shadow Amphibian and Shadow Intruder series while keeping their superiors happy.

Some of this technology includes a moisture-wicking, hydrophobic antimicrobial lining, Cordura 1000D Nylon upper, Multi-density EVA designed to cushion at foot-strike and propel during toe-off, LALO’s two- way passive drainage system, as well as a puncture resistant composite plate with rotation for protection and fatigue reduction; just to name a few. Of particular note, when you are wearing the LALO Shadow UCB it is statistically proven that you are 20-35% more efficient when walking and when carrying a load over distance.

“We focus on the needs of the end users when designing and developing products, and we view the operators as elite end users. Our goal has always been to incorporate technology and materials that exist in the Atheletic footwear space into the Tactical world. The LALO 670-1 unform compliant boot delivers not only a very comfortable, but energy efficient footwear package to give the Operators a competitive advantage in all environments against all opponents,” said Jay Taylor, LALO CEO.

LALO wanted to take an everyday duty boot and bring it to the next level, adding attributes that better the operator, instead of hindering him or her. Compliant in its definition means to obey the rules, especially to an excessive degree. This boot obeys the rules, but in its own form, and to its own degree. LALO is always striving to push the limits of technologically advanced footwear, and the Shadow AR 670- 1 is a perfect example of a great piece of technology built for the masses.

C3 Networks is Proud to Introduce 2AC3 – the Social Network for the Firearms Community

July 1st, 2019

2AC3 is an online haven free from the censorship that the firearms community faces on other social media platforms.

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Our Mission: To provide the firearms community with a place to connect, preserve pro Second Amendment culture and prevent the suppression of firearms content online.

Mainstream social media services have steadily worked to limit the posting and sharing firearms related content, with a clear end state of eliminating firearms content from their platforms altogether. 2AC3.com exists to prevent the firearms community from becoming isolated and disconnected, and serves as a hub for the exchange of news, information, and firearms content that can’t be shared on other sites.

2AC3 is a modern, fully featured social media platform that can be enjoyed across both desktop and mobile devices. New members can expect a familiar and easy to navigate interface where you can find and interact with firearms related content and like minded members of the community.

Manufacturers and retailers of firearms, ammunition, and accessories can freely list their products on 2AC3. In addition members can also post listings of their own firearms and accessories for sale or trade.* With the launch of the 2AC3 Marketplace in late summer 2019, it will be even easier to find firearms and accessories listed for sale on 2AC3.

2AC3 is experiencing rapid membership growth as the firearms community recognizes the need for their own dedicated social network. We encourage interested parties to visit us at 2AC3.com to learn more and become a member. Questions or comments can be sent to Contact@2AC3.com.

*Members, manufactures, and retailers are solely responsible for compliance with all laws and regulations that are applicable to any transactions that are facilitated through 2AC3.com.

Visit Wild Things at Warrior Expo East

July 1st, 2019

Come visit Wild Things at ADS Warrior Expo East! We’ll have the Shadow Watch Kit, Rescue Jacket FR-GT, our famed Knuckle Roaster and more in the booth!

To schedule an appointment, email sales@wildthingsgear.com or call 757-702-8773.

Max Talk 28: GEAR: Fight Lite Part 2

July 1st, 2019

This is the twenty eighth installment of ‘Max Talk Monday’ which shares select episodes from a series of instructional videos. Max Velocity Tactical (MVT) has established a reputation on the leading edge of tactical live fire and force on force training. MVT is dedicated to developing and training tactical excellence at the individual and team level.

A slight change of direction from tactical videos, A second look at running light kit without a plate carrier / ballistic plates. Utilizing a battle belt with chest rig, adding a suitable backpack as necessary for patrols. It’s certainly a reality that in any kind of collapse or disaster situation, many citizens will not, for many reasons, wear plate carriers. Reasons may include cost, long-term duration of the crisis, temperature and environment, duration of missions, fitness levels, lack of food, general exhaustion. So let’s take a look at Fight-Lite gear for the aspiring American Partisan. Keep low, move fast!

Detailed explanations can be found in the MVT Tactical Manual: Small Unit Tactics.

Max is a tactical trainer and author, a lifelong professional soldier with extensive military experience. He served with British Special Operations Forces, both enlisted and as a commissioned officer; a graduate of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Max served on numerous operational deployments, and also served as a recruit instructor. Max spent five years serving as a paramilitary contractor in both Iraq and Afghanistan; the latter two years working for the British Government in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Website: Max Velocity Tactical

YouTube: Max Velocity Tactical

Excellence in Tactical Training.

Warfighter Countdown – Training Never Stops

July 1st, 2019

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Can you believe Warrior Expo East is next week? One of the things you learn over time is that training never stops and this year’s Warrior East gives you multiple opportunities to participate in some great training.

The advantages to attending Warrior East go way beyond seeing the latest gear. You’ll away with hands-on, scenario-based training, taught by subject matter experts and even receive course credits.

All courses are delivered in a hands-on format by experts who have lived—and survived—what they teach.

This gallery gives you a taste of what’s on offer.

Information on each of the individual corses can be had by visiting warriorexpo.com/east-events.

Don’t forget to register at warriorexpo.com/east-register.

US Defense Industrial Capabilities Report

July 1st, 2019

Last week, the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition in conjunction with the Sustainment and Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Policy released a report entitled, “Industrial Capabilities” which covers the entire defense industry for the year 2018.

In general, as you can imagine, the state of industry isn’t as great as we’d like. For the past several decades we have abdicated our industrial capability writ large to foreign nations. While we have retained quite a bit of our capability to produce defense articles here in the United States, it relies on a vast supply chain, and much of that is what is missing here domestically.

Of particular interest to SSD readers is the section on soldier systems. As you are probably aware, due to the Berry Amendment, which dates back World War Two, all textiles purchased by the Department of Defense must be manufactured in the United States from materials of US origin. While there has been a resurgence of commercial demand for clothing made here in the USA, the vast majority of our domestic textile capability exists to service the military.

While this niche fares pretty well, each year the capacity dwindles. Unfortunately, some of this is caused by lack of interest. Much of our textile supply chain is privately held by family owned businesses. As those operating these businesses reach retirement age, the younger generations are reticent to take up the reins. Those companies who manufacture clothing and individual equipment for the government operate on very tight margins. What’s more, the military is notorious for buying in spurts causing feast or famine cycles which are difficult to manage. Many feel the headache is not worth it. They’ll either sell the company off, or just close it altogether.

The report specifically call out this issue:

Evident industrial base risks in the soldier systems sector include single sources, capacity constraints, foreign dependency, market fragility, and diminishing manufacturing sources and material suppliers. The case studies below illustrate examples where the risk of permanent capability loss is enough to potentially warrant government action.

Erosion of U.S. Textile Industry

Between 1995 and 2009, the U.S. textile industry suffered a historic contraction, and Asian markets now dominate global textile supply. U.S. manufacturers are at a competitive disadvantage in workforce and raw material costs and availability. DoD is reliant on single sources and foreign sources, and competes with commercial demand for adequate production capacity.

However, clothing and individual equipment are just part of the soldier systems portfolio. The report also goes on to specifically address batteries:

Erosion of U.S. Rechargeable and Non?Rechargeable Battery Industry

Characterized by irregular demand proportional to operational tempo, the military battery industrial base is diminishing. Military-unique requirements can depart from commercial demands in size, quality, safety, power density, weight, and environmental ruggedness. Lack of stable production orders has resulted in lost capability and capacity, increased surge lead times, workforce erosion, and inhibited investments by remaining suppliers. Surge-capacity-limiting constraints occur at several points along the value chain, from raw material to final battery assembly.

Another issue of concern is our “Own the Night” advantage.

Foreign Reliance for Essential Night Vision Components

U.S. military “night vision” systems are enabled by an image intensifier tube, a vacuum-sealed tube that amplifies a low light–level scene to observable levels. The Department is reliant on foreign capabilities to supply image intensifier tube core glass and gallium arsenide photocathodes. Core glass is DoD-unique, and demand is very low compared to commercial glass production; the foreign sole source manufactures the core glass in batches based on demand, every few years, to replenish a U.S. buffer stock. Gallium arsenide allows for a more efficient conversion of light to electrical energy at extremely low light level, so by adding gallium arsenide to the photocathode, a brighter and sharper image is achieved. Gallium arsenide supply risk is considered reduced as the number of global suppliers has increased over time, though available suppliers remain foreign.

The reports also mentions the merger of two Night Vision manufacturers, stating “INDPOL (Industrial Policy) is examining whether the merger could result in a loss of competition, create single source dependence, or constrain capacity.”

Overall, it’s refreshing to see these issues addressed at this level. Hopefully, the Homeland Procurement Reform (HOPR) Act we mentioned last week will be enacted into law. The increased demand on the domestic clothing industry will help fill capacity and provide more predictable demand.

The story isn’t all bleak. While the investment tends to be from multinational corporations, we are seeing some investment in new textile infrastructure here in the US, thanks to increased productivity, due to automation, as well as ever increasing labor costs in China. For example, South Korea-based Youngone recently opened a brand new factory in El Monte, California to support Outdoor Research. Other businesses are opening new, or refurbishing elements of the supply chain in the Carolinas.

Forging Ahead: Rheinmetall Spearheads Ongoing Consolidation in the Military Vehicle Sector

July 1st, 2019

The high-tech Rheinmetall Group continues to pursue a strategy of industrial consolidation. Now that the competition authorities have given the project the go-ahead, a military vehicle joint venture between Rheinmetall and BAE Systems in the United Kingdom is poised for final implementation.

Moreover, a buyback of shares held by MAN Truck & Bus SE in the joint venture company Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles GmbH (RMMV) is set to further strengthen Rheinmetall in the wheeled armoured vehicles realm, one of the Group’s mainstays.

The planned partial buyback of stock held by MAN Truck & Bus SE in the joint venture Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles GmbH (RMMV) increases the share of the present Tactical Vehicles business unit to 100%. The two partners will continue to cooperate in the field of military trucks through their joint venture Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles, in which Rheinmetall holds a 51% stake. The joint venture recently won major orders from Australia and the German Bundeswehr.

As co-owners of RMMV, Rheinmetall and MAN agree that the tactical wheeled vehicle business will grow more robustly under exclusive Rheinmetall management, i.e. outside the RMMV framework.

The Tactical Vehicles business unit is synonymous with products such as the Boxer and Fuchs/Fox wheeled armoured vehicles and the Survivor R tactical law enforcement vehicle. Rheinmetall was recently selected to supply Her Majesty’s Armed Forces with a large number of 8×8 Boxer armoured vehicles. Last year in Australia, Rheinmetall won a roughly €2.1 billion order for the Boxer, one of the largest single contracts in the Group’s history.

The share buyback is due to take place during the second half of 2019, taking retroactive legal effect on 1 January 2019.

Joint Venture with BAE Systems in Great Britain

In January 2019 Rheinmetall and BAE Systems announced that they would be setting up a UK-based joint venture to facilitate cooperation in the land systems field. Rheinmetall thus welcomes the recently published announcement of the British procurement authority CMA approving the creation of a military vehicle joint venture between Rheinmetall and BAE Systems. The formal foundation of the joint venture, to be known as Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land, is expected to take place shortly. The company will be located in Telford, England.

The new wheeled armoured Mechanised Infantry Vehicle for the British Army, and the pending modernization of the UK’s fleet of Challenger 2 main battle tanks, are two important projects which the new company will be vying for.

Rheinmetall’s Vehicle Systems division

The Vehicle Systems division of Rheinmetall AG was formed on 1 January 2016. With annual sales last year of €1.6 billion, it is one of the world’s foremost suppliers of military vehicles. The division is the Düsseldorf-based Group’s centre of excellence for military vehicles ranging from unprotected and protected trucks to heavy armoured fighting vehicles. Serving markets around the globe, the Vehicle Systems division is responsible for Rheinmetall’s complete spectrum of military trucks, including the TG and HX logistic vehicles; tracked and wheeled tactical vehicles like the Fuchs/Fox, Boxer*, Puma* and Lynx; and turret solutions for armoured fighting vehicles – all from a single source.

* jointly produced with other contractors