TYR Tactical

Serket USA Introduces Berry Compliant 3-Layer Protective Face Mask

April 10th, 2020

DENVER, APRIL 10, 2020 —  Serket, builders of intelligent clothing and snow mobility systems for the military and law enforcement communities, today introduced their Berry Compliant reusable face mask.

Designed for optimum performance and comfort, the Serket Protective Face Mast is soft, comfortable and anti-microbial. Thoughtful placement of seams, an ergonomic fit and anatomical shape over chin, mouth and nose enhance comfort next-to-skin, making it easy to wear.

Features include:

SilverPlus® anti-microbial fabric. Anti-microbial properties in accordance with AATCC 100.

Flame resistant, no melt/drip in accordance with ASTM-D-6413.

No ties. Ergonomic ear holes keep the mask firmly in place and allow the mask to be donned/doffed easily and quickly with one hand.

Soft, comfortable jersey knit fabric.

Moisture management in accordance with AATCC C2C TS-017 and ASTM E 96

Available in two sizes: Medium (fits most women) and Large (fits most men).

100% made in the USA. Berry compliant.

Washable and reusable.

The flame resistant and moisture management qualities are inherent to the fibers and cannot be washed out of the fabric. The silver-based anti-microbial properties are tested to retain 90% efficacy, even after 50 launderings.

The Serket Protective Face Mask is currently available in Coyote Brown with Desert Sand trim and Navy (energy/oil/gas/electrical/utility and law enforcement). Colors are subject to change based on availability. Orders may be placed through distributors and direct purchase vehicles. Priority given to military, LE and first responders.

Part # 418-PFM

For more information, contact sales@serketusa.com or visit serketusa.com/fr-protective-face-mask

Army Files Patent on New 40mm Camera Drone

April 10th, 2020

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. — Scientists from the Army Research Laboratory have designed a camera drone capable of being fired from a 40 mm grenade launcher, researchers say, on the heels of a patent filed last month.

There are two variants of the Grenade Launched Unmanned Aerial System, or GLUAS, one is a is a small, paragliding system with folding blade propellers and Mylar paragliding wings to help it stay in the air, and the other is a helicopter-style that hovers on a gimbaling set of coaxial rotors, said John Gerdes, a mechanical engineer with ARL.

The GLUAS is a small projectile, 40 millimeters in diameter, can cover a long distance with a gun-launching system. The breakthrough, he said, is with how miniaturized autonomous flight hardware has become.

The drone has a 2-kilometer range with a projected battery life that could top 90 minutes, and is capable of operating up to 2,000 feet in the air, according to researchers.

After launching, the drone spreads its wings and soars at a fixed airspeed controlled by ground troops with a joystick or handheld device. On the drone, a camera is equipped to provide a video feed to a ground station below.

“In battle, there are multiple scenarios of when Soldiers would use this technology,” Gerdes said. “How it’s used depends on which theater they’re operating in.”

For example, on the mountain ranges of Afghanistan, if Soldiers found themselves under sniper fire, they could deploy the drone to check over the area and determine the enemy’s location.

The lightweight GLUAS drone is designed to increase Soldier lethality by giving them a bird’s eye view of the battlefield, he explained, and will easily integrate into most kits carried by Soldiers in the field.

“This device provides an autonomy and intelligence platform to help Soldiers perform useful missions while having a lookout from hundreds of feet in the air,” Gerdes said. “This integrates modern types of intelligence.”

“[GLUAS] is aligned with Army modernization priorities,” said Hao Kang, another mechanical engineer with ARL. “We’re trying to provide capabilities to individual Soldiers. The most exciting part of this is the viability of this platform, coupled with its gun-launched deployment capabilities.”

“Things like GPS receivers and flight controllers are very feasible to install [onto the GLUAS], which makes it easy to maintain a position or follow a ground unit,” Gerdes said. “Basically, if there is something you want to look at, but you have no idea where it is yet, that’s where the drone comes in.”

Although they’re making technological breakthroughs at ARL, the scientists aren’t working on the same timelines as other developers, Kang said.

“We’re here to develop innovative concepts for the warfighter’s needs, which generally means we bring the size and weight down of a device, and push up the range and lethality,” Gerdes said. “At ARL, we’re typically focused on the basic innovation and discovery aspects of research.”

ARL is part of the Combat Capabilities Development Command. As the Army’s corporate research laboratory, ARL discovers, innovates and transitions science and technology to ensure dominant strategic land power.

By Thomas Brading, Army News Service

Badger Ordnance Incorporates Leveling Cuts on C1 Mounts

April 10th, 2020

Badger Ordnance issued a PSA for those wondering what these little cuts are on the new C1 mounts. On all C1 mounts produced after 03/01/2020 they’ve included precision cut leveling marks on the inside of the front and back of the rings to accommodate new optics that have laser engraved leveling marks on the scope body. If that’s your preferred method of optic mounting, they’ve got you covered.

US Army Launches xTech COVID-19 Ventilator Challenge – Offers $1M in Total Awards

April 10th, 2020

The Army is supporting the nation’s fight against the COVID-29 pandemic which is led by FEMA. One of their initiatives is the xTech COVID-19 Ventilator Challenge which seeks a low-cost, readily manufacturable emergency ventilator to quickly augment ventilator capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic. The technology solution must provide a rapid response breathing apparatus capable of short-term, rugged field operation.

The prize competition will evaluate technology proposals immediately upon submission and award novel solutions with a prize of $5,000 to present a virtual pitch of the technology concept to the xTech COVID-19 panel, and award prizes of $100,000 to solutions accepted by the panel to develop a concept prototype. Select technologies may receive follow on contracts for additional production and deployment.

The total prize pool is $1,000,000.00.

• Application Part 1: White Paper – $5,000

• Application Part 2: Technology Pitches – $100,000

Virtual pitches for selected companies will begin April 13.

Details here.

Submit here.

xTechSearch is a competition sponsored by the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics andTechnology (ASA(ALT)), targeting small businesses.

FirstSpear Friday Focus – Reusable Face Mask

April 10th, 2020

FirstSpear has announced they are manufacturing a reusable face mask and making them available right away. 100% Berry compliant one size fits all mask with a 4 point reinforced closure for long term security. Colors will vary based on availability, the construction will vary between a nylon cotton or polyester cotton blend also based on material availability. The mask can be laundered for re-use and it is recommended to hand wash each day with a mild antibacterial dish or laundry soap and hang dry over night.

Currently available in ACU and Sage Green.

FirstSpear has stated orders are being filled as quickly as possible but as always FS prioritizes government agency, law enforcement agencies, hospital and EMS requests first. Production is on going and individual orders will be filled in the order they are received.

www.first-spear.com/protective-mask

Kommando Store Poised To Fulfill COVID-19 PPE Needs

April 10th, 2020

Nugget Enterprises LLP/KommandoStore is a small military surplus and public safety supply store located in St Paul, MN.

We have a significant inventory of PPE supplies we are distributing at cost to qualified individuals and organizations.

Our focus is frontline COVID response—those facing the highest risk such as hospitals, EMS etc.

We have reusable full face and half mask respirators, COVID capable 40mm filters, pathogen rated Dupont coverall suits, nitrile gloves (both exam and long cuff trauma types), and shelf stable food available in significant quantities.

The 40mm particulate filters we have in stock have been shown to last an incredibly long time—up to a year in hospital conditions. With proper donning and doffing procedures both the masks and filters we have may be reused multiple times.

We have best practice guidance available for cleaning and reuse procedures.

Qualified individuals and organizations are encouraged to fill out our contact form HERE or click the red banner on kommandostore.com

Our number #1 priority is getting the right equipment to the right people as soon as possible.

Ops-Core SOTR FAQ

April 10th, 2020

We’ve been talking about Ops-Core’s Special Operations Tactical Respirator for a couple of years now. While it was never intended for use in a pandemic, some have adopted it due to he lack of N95 masks for those not in the medical profession. A lot of questions have come up about the certification of the filter media. Do you slides from Ops-Core will give you some of the lowdown??.

Introducing the NEW Strike Eagle 5-25×56 FFP Riflescope from Vortex

April 9th, 2020

THE STRIKE EAGLE® 5-25×56 FFP

PREPARE FOR IMMEDIATE IMPACT

BARNEVELD, Wis. Vortex® Optics is going long, expanding on the value and reliability of their Strike Eagle® line of optics with the Strike Eagle® 5-25×56 FFP. Tactically-minded, long-range shooters can expect an incredible number of long-range tools in an incredibly affordable package.

The First Focal Plane reticle ensures accurate holdovers and ranging throughout the magnification range. Shooters will get to enjoy all that magnification even more thanks to the XD optical system, which makes for crystal-clear, edge-to-edge sharpness and high contrast images, and XR™ lens coatings for superior light transmission and optimized, low-light performance. And, to guarantee a clear point of aim no matter the lighting conditions, the glass-etched EBR-7C reticle is illuminated.

When shooters are ready to start dialing for deeper shots, exposed, tactical locking turrets keep adjustments safe with integrated locking mechanisms. Not only that, the aircraft-grade, 34mm aluminum tube provides 110 MOA/31MRAD of travel, giving shooters plenty of space to stretch out.
 
And, if they need it, shooters can get from dealing close-close quarters punishment to long-range precision rapidly with the included throw lever. After all that dialing, if a shooter needs a fast, reliable return to zero, the patented RevStop® Zero System provides a fast, simple, rock-solid return.
For the shooter looking to step up their long-range game, and for those serving in the line of fire, the Strike Eagle® 5-25×56 FFP means immediate impact.

MSRP:
$799.99 – Strike Eagle® 5-25×56 (MOA) 

$799.99 – Strike Eagle® 5-25×56 (MRAD)

For a list of specifications, frequently asked questions and high-resolution images, check out the Vortex Optics media portal. For more information, visit www.VortexOptics.com.

vortexoptics.com/vortex-strike-eagle-5-25×56-ffp