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United States Army Selects Med-Eng to provide its 2nd Generation Advanced Bomb Suit to Protect Explosive Ordnance Disposal Teams

February 7th, 2019

Major contract award demonstrates continued confidence in Med-Eng to successfully deliver Army programs

Supports highly-skilled manufacturing jobs in northern New York for up to four years

OGDENSBURG, New York – Med-Eng, LLC, a company of The Safariland Group, today announced it has been awarded a four-year Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract to supply the United States Army with its 2nd generation Advanced Bomb Suit (ABS II) to protect the lives of front line soldiers conducting Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) operations. Program Executive Office (PEO) Soldier selected Med-Eng following a comprehensive and competitive process that evaluated protection levels, operational capabilities, human factors considerations and other requirements. Under the contract, which has a maximum value of $47 million, the Army may procure up to 1,641 Med-Eng® bomb suits during the four-year term.

“We are honored and very excited that the Army has re-affirmed its trust in Med-Eng to develop and provide proven solutions against blast threats, including Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs),” said Rob Reynolds, vice president and general manager, Med-Eng. “Selecting Med-Eng demonstrates PEO Soldier’s continued confidence in our ability to develop an integrated suit and helmet ensemble that will provide the protection, mobility, situational awareness and technical capabilities best enabling US Army EOD operators to successfully complete their missions on the battlefield.”

Med-Eng has been providing the Army with its current fleet of ABS bomb suits since 2002. The ABS II ensemble takes advantage of new protective materials and technologies that will directly benefit EOD teams, including significant weight reduction; improved protection against blast overpressure, fragmentation, impact and heat; voice-activation of all helmet features to keep the operator’s hands free; improved ventilation to mitigate heat stress; and a user-centric design to improve ergonomics and physical flexibility.

Fulfillment of the contract will support highly skilled manufacturing operations in Ogdensburg, New York, where Med-Eng currently produces bomb suits for all four branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, as well as for state and local law enforcement bomb squads, and are used across the United States and abroad.

www.med-eng.com

Posted in Armor, Contracts, EOD, Press Release | 1 Comment »

Catoma- 300 Round M240 Pouch

February 7th, 2019

I stopped by the NDIA SOLIC symposium in DC this week to hear a couple of the panels and ran into the guys from Catoma.

It’s a zippered Pouch with removable molded polymer insert which will accept a 300 round belt of 7.62mm.

The Pouch is part of their Switchblade Heavy Weapon’s Carriage System, currently under evaluation with the 82nd. Although the Switchblade MOLLE Panel will accept three of these pouches, It’s recommended to only use two due to ammunition weight.

The Pouch can also be used on its own to organize belts and features two D rings for use with a sling.

That flap on the right of the photo allows the gunner to fold the first few rounds of the belt over and hold them in place at the ready, so it’s quicker to get the belt into the gun.

Posted in Advertiser, Load Carrying | 7 Comments »

Zodiac Milpro Introduces the Helisling, Helicopter Sling System

February 7th, 2019

Zodiac Milpro introduces the Helisling, a helicopter sling system for the delivery of inflatable boats.

The Helisling transports FC series boats in a ready to use configuration. The Helisling can be used as an “at sea” fast recovery system.

-Meets compliance standards for STANAG 3542 and IATA
-Meets US-EU Civil and NATO regulations for helicopter sling loads
-Fits all FC series boats 470, EVOL, 530 and 580
-Installs quickly using standard FC Boat lift boats
-Long lasting and adapted to a maritime environment
-Stows easily aboard boat using waterproof bow bag

Contact info.milpro@zodiacmilpro.com or 410-643-4141 for further information.

Additionally, Zodiac Milpro is starting their 2019 product demo season at Miami Boat Show in February with the new SRA 900 Rigid Inflatable Boat (RHIB). Water demonstrations will be available during and following the show in the Miami area. They will arrange customer demonstrations upon request in Florida and on the East Coast during March and April, with the boat arriving in Washington DC for Sea Air Space in May. The boat will be available upon request in the DC/NVA area during May.

The SRA900 is the latest iteration of the highly successful SeaRib Aluminum range. Designed as a multipurpose platform with multiple configurations, the demo craft is outfitted with twin 300hp outboard engines, semi-enclosed cabin, dive access door, and shock mitigating seats.

Zodiac Milpro would like to invite you and any other interested parties to a personal demonstration. Please feel free to contact Jake Albinio (541-961-3609, jake.albinio@zodiacmilpro.com) to arrange a demonstration and confirm schedules.

Posted in Maritime | Comments Off on Zodiac Milpro Introduces the Helisling, Helicopter Sling System

Wilcox Industries Honors Ron Bellan

February 7th, 2019

Retired SOCM Ron Bellan’s recent passing hit a lot of us like a ton of bricks. Our friends at Wilcox Industries have honored Ron by foying their flag half-staff. I’d like to encourage others in industry who worked with Ron over the years to do likewise.

“It is with a heavy heart that I have to announce the passing of Navy SEAL Master Chief Ron Bellan. Ron spent his life defending our country and the freedoms we have grown accustomed to. Reaching globally Ron served to protect the oppressed at any cost. Ron was a warrior amongst warriors, a teammate and personal friend. After retiring from serving his country Ron was instrumental in helping raise monies for non-profit organizations and helping veterans in any way he could. Ron unexpectedly passed peacefully in his home due to natural causes that stemmed from a recent surgery. In honor of Ron, the Wilcox HQ Flag will be flown at half-mast today. Please take a moment of your day to reflect on all the people past and present that have sacrificed for our freedom.”

God Bless Ron Bellan’s family and friends, and may he Rest In Peace

Very Respectfully

Dave Kent
Chief of Staff
Wilcox Industries

Posted in Advertiser, Memorial | 8 Comments »

Sneak Peek – New Holster for Modular Handgun System with Pistol Aiming Light

February 7th, 2019

When we showed the new Pistol Aiming Light (PAiL) by LaserMax Defense for the M17/18 Modular Handgun System, there was a lot of concern about there not being a holster for the PAiL equipped pistol. Since the US military plans on buying pistols in the tens of thousands per year and each will be equipped with a holster, this really wasn’t the disaster so many made it out to be. Of course, the Army and industry have already developed a solution.

This is a first look at what will become the new holster for MHS. Because the basis of issue for MHS goes all the way down to Squad Leaders, and the PAiL will go on pistols issued to all Close Combat Forces, this PAiL compatible holster will become the standard Army holster.

A modification of the current interim MHS Holster, it is designed and produced by Safariland.

I picked a PAiL up off the table and thought it was a display model without any guts because it felt so light. It’s only 2.6 oz with battery. Here are a few shots of the PAiL. It’s capabilities include White light, IR Laser and IR Illuminator.

An interesting thing about the size and shape of the PAiL is that it mates with the MHS Trigger Guard to offer a continuous flat surface.

PAiL will commence fielding with the MHS later this year. Additionally, PAiL is already loaded on GSA for those organizations who wish to purchase it.

Contact LaserMax Defense for details.

Tags: LaserMax Defense
Posted in Holsters, Lights, Weapon Accessories | 13 Comments »

Registration Now Open for 9th Annual International K-9 Cop Conference & Vendor Show

February 7th, 2019

Over 40 K-9 classes to choose from in Nashville, TN, Sept. 10, 11, 12 – 2019.

K-9 Cop Magazine is pleased to announce that registration for the 9th Annual International K-9 Cop Conference for Police & Military Working Dog Handlers is now open. The conference will be held at the Nashville Airport Marriott in Nashville, TN on September 10, 11, 12 – 2019. Conference attendees can register online here.

The K-9 Cop Conference brings together world-class K-9 instructors, top-notch vendors, and over 800 attendees from all over the world over a three-day period. The conference features more than 40 courses, including seminars and interactive K-9 demonstrations. Topics include tracking, scent training, bitework, K-9 nutrition, narcotics detection, and integrated search strategies.

Courses include:
• Dogs & Drones with Paul Coley of Scent Evidence K9
• K-9 Narcotics Detection with Ricky Farley of Alabama Canine
• Person-Borne Explosives Detection K-9s with Lane Kjellsen of K2 Solutions, Inc.
• Obedience to Odor with Ken Licklider of Vohne Liche Kennels
• Training the Remote Detection K-9 with Pat Nolan of Tactical Directional Canine Systems
• K-9 Selection, Imprinting, Search Patterns, Communications & Full Overview of Starting & Finishing a Detection K-9 by Paul Shaughnessy of Excel K-9
• And many more!

The vendor hall will house 45 top-notch vendors over a two-day period featuring the latest in K-9 technology and equipment, including apparel, communications and nutrition.

Our host hotel suites are available for $150/night at the Nashville Airport Marriott. Hotel information here.

For more information on K-9 Cop Magazine, visit www.k9copmagazine.com or call (270) 534-0500. Register today and receive 16 hours of continuing law enforcement K-9 education.

Posted in Advertiser, K9, Press Release | Comments Off on Registration Now Open for 9th Annual International K-9 Cop Conference & Vendor Show

Edgar Brothers set to invest £1 million in new infrastructure

February 7th, 2019

Edgar Brothers, the UK’s largest firearms and ammunition distributor, has announced ambitious plans to invest nearly £1million upgrading its infrastructure.

Based in Cheshire, the firm has already spent £360,000 buying a vacant industrial unit adjacent to its warehouse and is about to start a £500,000 renovation project converting it into a suite of offices and joining the two buildings together.

The company currently rents office space on the other side of the road from its existing warehouse but now plans to create one interconnected facility.

Ian Gordon, Edgar Brothers’ recently-appointed managing director, said: “The building we have bought needs to be totally gutted and built up internally from scratch, but the end result, consolidating into one facility rather than being in separate buildings across the road from each other, will improve our operational capabilities.

“We’ll have spent nearly £1million on the new building by the time it is finished, so it represents a big investment and underlines the confidence we have in our long-term strategy for growth going forward.”

Work on the new unit is expected to begin in late February. The project is expected to take six months to complete.

For more information, visit www.edgarbrothers.com

Posted in Advertiser, Press Release | Comments Off on Edgar Brothers set to invest £1 million in new infrastructure

In Memoriam – Ron Bellan

February 7th, 2019

Yesterday, I found out Ron Bellan passed away peacefully, due to natural causes. It comes as quite a shock. I had just seen him in a video on Facebook. Like so many other friends here in the Tidewater, I saw him more on the road than in town or at the occasional local industry gathering. Considering how close he lived, it’s a tragedy we didn’t see each other more often.

Many knew Ron through his adventures at Reaper Outdoors, but I first met Ron when he was still on active duty as a SEAL in the Navy. Ron was such a great friend and mentor to all and lived a life full of adventure, even after retirement. He will be missed by friends and family alike.

I’ll never forget his smile. May he Rest In Peace.

Posted in Memorial | 7 Comments »