SureFire

Team O’Neil’s Tactical Driving Tuesday – High Speed Backing

October 29th, 2024

This week’s discussion by instructor Wyatt is on high speed backing.

You can receive this training in person, by attending the Team O’Neill Tactical Driving Course at their facility in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. This five-day course includes driving under NODS and is available to military and other government agencies as well as civilians.

Tactical Tuesday: Power Flex Performance Patrol Shirt

October 29th, 2024

The Power Flex Performance Patrol Shirt is a modern take on Hybrid Polos. This singular fabric shirt is constructed of a knit polyester allowing for natural airflow while eliminating chaffing from the seams to maximize performance and comfort while on the clock. The added convenience and class of this Performance Patrol Shirt allows for it to double both as an undervest shirt for exterior carriers and covers, and as a standalone polo for a more casual office or everyday wear look.

Experience the Future of Flex today, only from the Leaders in Performance Stretch Uniforms!

101st Airborne Soldiers Assess New Next Generation Squad Weapon with 6.8mm Ammo

October 29th, 2024

FORT CAMPBELL, Kentucky — Roughly 200 Airborne Infantry Soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) are running the Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) system through its paces here from Sept. 1 to Oct. 30.

Soldiers from Alpha and Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment are taking part in an operational assessment (OA) featuring a range of weapon configurations, force-on-force engagements and static live-fire ranges.

It is a key step in modernizing the combat force and aims to impact over 120,000 U.S. Army Soldiers, according to Mr. Elbert L. Grayson, Supervisory Military Test Plans Analyst, Maneuver Test Directorate, U.S. Army Operational Test Command.

“The Army needs equipment to continually evolve, to meet the threat of our adversaries,” said Grayson.

The NGSW system will be the next stage in that evolution.

“Information is needed to make improvements to the NGSW that will benefit America’s most precious resource, our Soldiers,” Grayson added.

The new weapon system is slated to replace the M4 carbine and M249 squad automatic weapons, representing a significant advancement in firepower, range and accuracy.

“Having seen the capabilities of the 6.8 [mm] round, I have confidence that it will easily do in one to two rounds, what the 5.56 [mm] did in two to four,” said Capt. John M. Green, Commander of A-CO, 1-506th, 101st ABN DIV.

Direct feedback from U.S. Army Soldiers provides invaluable insight to ensure future warfighters receive the best possible equipment when it matters most.

“The force on force is really exciting, really fun, getting in there and doing training against human beings, not just targets, and actually squaring off [against another] unit making plans and objectives, I think it is a really good training experience for sure,” explained Sgt. Todd Smallwood, First Squad Team Leader, A-CO, 1-506th, 101st ABN DIV.

According to Grayson, the NGSW testing is being conducted under the most rigorous conditions to simulate real combat and ensure that the weapon can meet the demand of future conflicts.

“We have been doing the operational assessment on the NGSW weapons, the XM7, the XM250, and also with the XM157 scopes on the weapon systems,” said Smallwood. “We’ve been doing quite a bit of ranges, and pop-up targets, trying to recreate platoon assault objectives.”

Besides standard training environments, the operational assessment was designed to simulate combat as closely as possible.

“The capability of the [6.8mm] round being able to puncture and turn cover into concealment, I think it will make a huge difference in urban and forest environments,” said Smallwood.

Soldiers were challenged to perform individual movement techniques (IMT) while engaging targets up to 300 meters away. This IMT lane requires Soldiers to bound, low-crawl, and high-crawl while maintaining accurate fire, ensuring that the weapon performed reliably under strenuous conditions.

They had to complete the course while under simulated combat stress, pushing their physical and mental limits.

“We did 72 hours of force-on-force (FOF), urban rifle marksmanship (URM), and we’re going to finish with a stress shoot,” said 1st Sgt. Barron C. Garrard, First Sergeant of A-CO, 1-506th, 101st ABN DIV. “I think it [the NGSW] will change daily life in the way that we fight.”

In preparation for future operational environments, Soldiers also tested the NGSW in simulated chemical, biologic, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) environments.

“I like the fact that the testing of equipment has a possible impact on the next generation Soldiers that will be using it,” said Grayson. “My son is a Soldier that may use equipment that I have had a part in testing, so I’m motivated to provide the most accurate data for Army leadership to make the most informed acquisition decision.”

This critical aspect of the assessment ensured that the weapon system can be operated even in the aftermath of a chemical, nuclear or biological environment.

“The NGSW’s advanced capabilities and comprehensive training program will significantly enhance the lethality and survivability of our troops,& ensuring they are prepared for the challenges of future combat operations,” said Mr. Troy , Test Officer in Charge with MTD. “The 6.8mm round offers superior ballistic performance and the NGSW overall represents a significant leap in lethality.

“I feel privileged to be part of this transformative period for the Army,” Willey continued. “Working with the Soldiers who are assigned this system during the assessment is an absolute honor.”

By Mr. Thomas Mort, Audio Visual Specialist, and Maj. Thomas Lorenson, Senior Test and Evaluation Officer, Maneuver Test Directorate, U.S. Army Operational Test Command

Qore Performance Introduces CATAMARAN Gen 3: The Next Evolution in ICEVENTS-enhanced Universal Plate Carrier and Soft Armor Vest Ventilation

October 28th, 2024

Knoxville, TN—Qore Performance is thrilled to announce the launch of CATAMARAN Gen 3: a universal ICEVENTS® ventilation adapter panel for hard and soft armor. CATAMARAN Gen 3 continues Qore Performance’s Gen 3 evolution across the ICEPLATE EXO®, ICEVENTS®, and IMS families of cutting-edge thermoregulation and performance enhancement solutions. Built on the all-new ICEPLATE EXO® Gen 3 architecture, CATAMARAN Gen 3 delivers ultimate comfort and airflow to older/issued plate carriers and soft armor vests. CATAMARAN Gen 3 adapts seamlessly to the style of armor: overt or covert, hard or soft, MOLLE or slick, upgrading legacy armor systems with bleeding-edge evaporative thermoregulation technology that is hydrophobic, anti-microbial at the molecular level, and 90% air by volume.

Standard plate carrier designs trap heat against the body, creating stifling microclimates and discomfort for the end-user. Few plate carriers offer the built-in relief of stand-off ventilation like the Qore Performance ICEPLATE EXO® Gen 3, and many rely on heavy foam or spacer mesh padding that retains heat and moisture as evidenced in these empirical tests. CATAMARAN Gen 3 redefines ventilation with its laser-cut Velcro grid field, offering a universal fit for a set of ICEVENTS® Classic Plate Carrier Ventilation Pontoons to ensure maximum airflow and comfort on any carrier in any environment—all at an ultralight total weight of just 5 oz.

CATAMARAN Gen 3 makes upgrading contemporary and legacy carriers (JPC 2.0, U.S. Army MSV, USMC PC Gen III, etc.) easier with ICEVENTS® convective thermoregulation power. With its intuitive design, CATAMARAN Gen 3 offers ultimate adaptability and integrates seamlessly via MOLLE, Elastic Side Straps, Velcro One-Wrap, or Elastic Shock Cord—providing confident compatibility with any vest configuration.

Key Features of CATAMARAN Gen 3:

– Universal Compatibility: Engineered for ultimate adaptability, CATAMARAN Gen 3 brings ICEVENTS® ventilation technology to virtually any plate carrier or soft armor vest, integrating seamlessly with MOLLE, Elastic Side Straps, Velcro straps, Velcro One-Wrap, or Elastic Shock Cord for market-wide compatibility.

– ICEVENTS® Integration: Securely mounts ICEVENTS® Classic Plate Carrier Ventilation Pontoons, enhancing airflow and reducing hot spots.

– Customizable Ventilation: This feature allows users to personalize pontoon placement based on individual preference in Parallel, Venturi, or any other configuration to fit any end-user body shape/size.

To achieve ultimate all-aspect thermoregulation, pair CATAMARAN Gen 3 with IMS Versa, uniting ICEVENTS® evaporative cooling with ICEPLATE® Curve’s conductive cooling, heating, and hydration for unparalleled thermoregulation and environmental inoculation capability augmentation.

For more information, visit the CATAMARAN Gen 3 Product Page.

AUSA 24 – AZAK Demonstrates New Wheel

October 28th, 2024

Exhibiting with BlueSky mobile power, AZAK showed their new S26 self powered wheel.

As I mentioned last AUSA, the drivetrain and battery are contained within the wheel. What makes these so appealing is that they can be used in an almost LEGO-like fashion, attached to simple frames of various configurations as wheel, drivetrain, and power source. Even better, they can be swapped out in a matter of seconds.

Measuring 26” tall x 8” wide, the new wheels offer 147 lb ft of torque and a top speed of 12 mph.

AUSA 24 – Spuhr Unveils RDF-20291K Mount

October 28th, 2024

Along with Colt, Spuhr AB has been a part of CZ Group for the past few years and that’s where I found them.

At AUSA, Spuhr unveiled the RDF-20291K. This mount offers a 2.91″ (74 mm) height and the option of the A-0233 RD/RDF Rear Backup Sight.

It’s mounted on a Colt M5 with an Aimpoint Acro P-2 sitting on an A-0056 Micro-to-Acro Interface.

AUSA 24 – FN Lightweight Intermediate Caliber Cartridge (LICC) Individual Weapon System (IWS) Update

October 28th, 2024

We initially showed you the FN Lightweight Intermediate Caliber Cartridge (LICC) Individual Weapon System (IWS) just before SHOT Show 2023. Since then, it’s undergone some improvements. FN America exhibited version 2.2 of the IWS at this year’s AUSA.

Here we see the 11.5″ Close Quarter Battle version with the 2.1 selector (it has been modified slightly more based on user feedback) and slightly larger charging handles as well as an improved buttstock mount. Changes to the operating system have also improved the feeding of the carbine.

This is the latest version of the dedicated magazine, produced by Magpul.

The carbine and machine gun are both chambered to fire the Lightweight Intermediate Caliber Cartridge (LICC) in .264 USA which was initially developed by the the Army Marksmanship Unit. As you can see, the case is steel.

Here’s a look at the stock which both folds and is collapsible.

Seen here is the latest suppressor, from HUXWRX.

In mid-November, FN will join the Irregular Warfare Technology Support Directorate (IWTSD) program office in delivering carbines, machine guns, and ammunition to the SOF user community for evaluation.

MATBOCK Monday: Industrial Sewers

October 28th, 2024

MATBOCK seeks a seamstress to join our team, and we will provide sewing training to the right candidate! Email jobs@matbock.com

Minimum Qualifications:

– Must be authorized to live and work in the United States

– Willing to learn

– Team player

– Able to read and understand sewing notes/production packets

– Must be able to sit or stand on feet for long periods and lift/carry up to 25lbs

Desired Qualifications:

1 Sewing experience 

2 Industrial sewing experience

3 Tactical equipment experience 

Benefits:

– Medical, dental, and vision plans are available

– Two weeks of paid time off after a probationary period 

– Company holidays

– Employee profit-sharing program

– On-site gym

– Hours 7am-4pm Monday-Thursday, 7am-11am Friday

– Pay based on experience and skill

About MATBOCK: MATBOCK is a leader in providing lighter, faster and more innovative gear to the military sector and beyond. We specialize in the development, cutting, and sewing of proprietary soft goods.