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Prometheus Design Werx – Iliad Field Jacket

November 28th, 2018

General Purpose Field Jacket with Tweave Durastretch, Built in the USA

Prometheus Design Werx introduces the Iliad Field Jacket this Fall-Winter 2018. Made with proven US Tweave Durastretch® fabric, this outerwear style has high abrasion resistance, unrestricted movement, blocks wind, high breathability, and a DWR finish. The Illiad features 5 zippered exterior pockets, dummy cords, 2 internal accessory pockets, laser cut loop panels on the sleeves, ports for media cables, double reinforced elbows, bias cut cuffs with molded cuff tabs, cinch M.L. hood with A.C. bill, and cinch bottom hem. Designed as an all around jacket for field wear and can be worn with mid-layers to regulate for varying conditions. Made in California, USA.

The Design and R&D Team at PDW states:

“We wanted to design an outerwear style to fulfill a niche when laminate shells were just too stifling and the user wanted a jacket that offered protection in the brush and field, but offered peak breathability. The use of Tweave Durastretch® offered everything we wanted for this jacket. Its characteristics were ideal to meet our performance requirements for this category of outerwear. You have great mobility, high abrasion resistance against brush, and breathes so well, that the user could keep it on during aerobic activities in cool to cold weather. From high alpine activities, tracking, snowshoeing, ski touring, this shell was designed so the user wouldn’t have to take it off and keep going. Some in our industry consider this type of textile a soft-shell, but this Tweave Durastretch does not have a laminate backing and therefore more breathable than any 2L or 3L fabrics. The DWR finish shrugs off drizzle and snowfall. While not a rain-shell, the Iliad Field Jacket handles a wide variety of outdoor conditions and remains exceptionally comfortable. These jackets are made in our home state of California using US woven Tweave brand fabric.”

The Iliad Field Jacket is a part of their Made in USA CORE-Line of products by Prometheus Design Werx. Available in Stone Mountain Green (Sage Green) and Dark Arid Earth (Coyote Brown).

The Iliad Field Jacket will be available in both colors for purchase on Wednesday, November 28th, 2018 at 12:00pm PT via their website, prometheusdesignwerx.com.

Posted in Clothing | 8 Comments »

Seeing the light: LiFi will revolutionize IT on mission command posts

November 28th, 2018

NATICK, Mass. — When investigating new ways of transmitting and communicating information, sometimes it helps to see the light.

This is the idea behind a new technology being investigated by the Research, Development and Engineering Command Soldier Center’s Expeditionary Maneuver Support Directorate, along with its industry partner, VLNComm of Charlottesville, Va.

A technology revolution that fits in the palm of your hand. The Research, Development and Engineering Command Soldier Center’s Expeditionary Maneuver Support Directorate, or EMSD, has come up with a concept for using LiFi technology as a new way of transmitting and communicating information. The wireless system uses infrared light instead of radio frequencies. Since LiFi does not use radio waves, it cannot be detected outside the confines of the mission command platform. LiFi is un-hackable and untraceable within the command post shelter. EMSD is working with its industry partner, VLNComm of Charlottesville, Va., on adapting the technology to meet enclosed mission command platform needs. The transceiver (pictured here) is simply put into a USB port and will then detect the signal and users will be hooked up to the IT network of their command post. Then a Soldier just needs a light shined overhead to have network access. (Photo is courtesy of the RDECOM Soldier Center Expeditionary Maneuver Support Directorate)

“It’s a wireless system but instead of using radio frequencies it uses infrared light,” said Frank Murphy, an engineer on EMSD’s System Development and Engineering Team. “It is called LiFi, or light fidelity. It has many advantages.”

Murphy has been investigating ways to utilize the emerging commercially available technology in a tactical environment as the physical characteristics appear to solve many issues facing wired and wireless field command post network systems.

The technology will be used in expeditionary mission commands. EMSD has come up with a concept for using LiFi within any enclosed mission command platform. LiFi eliminates the problems associated with the time-consuming task of running data lines in tactical operation centers and command posts. Moreover, since the technology does not use radio waves, it cannot be detected outside the confines of the mission command platform.

“The technology uses light waves to transmit and receive data between the servers and the user’s computer,” said Melvin Jee, the leader of EMSD’s Command Post Platforms Branch. “As light cannot pass through walls, the enemy cannot detect the signal.”

Murphy’s investigation into the technology was inspired in part by Douglas Tamilio, the director of RDECOM Soldier Center, sharing an article about LiFi with RDECOM Soldier Center leadership. Murphy’s investigation was also inspired by the vision of Claudia Quigley, the director of EMSD, and the RDECOM Soldier Center’s ongoing partnership with the 82nd Airborne. The RDECOM Soldier Center and the 82nd Airborne have worked together extensively to find out ways to best meet the needs of warfighters.

Murphy explained that Quigley and other members of the directorate were working with the 82nd Airborne during a field exercise. During the exercise, Murphy noticed that the setup of IT cabling was proving to be a time-consuming and difficult task.

“They had a hard time setting up their IT network, which isn’t usually an NSRDEC area, but we felt that we could address the need,” said Murphy. “Tactical speed is absolutely essential for command post setup. LiFi is potentially faster, easier to install and doesn’t have the security and exposure issues of other technologies. LiFi is un-hackable and untraceable when used within the command post shelter.”

“It’s virtually impossible to find the wavelength the data is being transmitted on, so if LiFi is detected, it’s hard to intercept the data stream,” said Jee.

EMSD is working with industry partners. Murphy explained that the commercially available technology was modified to fit a tactical environment. The technology will affect how Soldiers communicate and, thus, carry out a mission.

“A command post of any size is an information processing center,” said Murphy, “They take information from the field whether it comes in from a drone, Soldier/squad reports, other personnel in the area, satellite information, information from wheeled vehicles, or from behind the front lines — all this information gets fed to the command post staff. They make a decision and then the information goes right back out. Lives depend on this communication.”

“LiFi is part of NSRDEC’s plan to provide a fully integrated platform with all of the necessary infrastructure in order for the warfighter to set up his command post,” said Jee. “Just as a house is fully integrated with power, lights and network cabling — allowing the homeowners to just concentrate on the furnishings — NSRDEC plans to provide a fully functional house, allowing the warfighter and program managers to provide the “furniture.'”

“In a command post, everyone has a job to do and they have their information chain,” said Murphy.

“All these Soldiers need network access. With this, you simply shine the light over their head. After you hook the transceiver into the USB port, the transceiver will detect the signal and you will be hooked up to the IT network of your command post. It’s as simple as that. We also hope to have it integrated into the wiring harness for the lighting so we can just roll up the tent and pack it away during a move.”

Murphy emphasized that the NSRDEC project is really a team effort and that several entities at the Natick Soldier Systems Center were important to the development of the technology. He also received “great guidance” from his branch chief, Melvin Jee, and from his team leader, Connie Miles-Patrick, System Development and Engineering Team, as well as the DREN team and people in the Natick Contracting Division.

He also credited the use of the Base Camp Integration Lab, or BCIL, which was created by and is expertly run by, Product Manager Force Sustainment Systems. A first-generation Li-Fi system prototype was recently set up at the BCIL and successfully demonstrated the capability to send and receive data using the BCIL’s IT network.

“The people at the BCIL were incredible,” said Murphy. “They gave us the perfect platform to showcase the tactical capabilities of this device. This project really showcases what Natick is all about. The Natick team dove in with both feet. Great things happen when people believe in each other and in an idea. We all want to help the Soldier.”

Murphy believes that LiFi is truly the wave of the future.

“The demand for data inside the command post is only going to continue to increase,” said Murphy, “So data quantity and quality need to improve to meet this demand. This technology can be hooked up permanently in rigid wall mission command platforms, but it can be used anywhere. We will be bringing world-class communications, security, speed and capability to the frontline Soldier. Information in the field is a weapon. This technology will help the warfighter make better decisions and be more effective and lethal in the field. This changes everything in the IT network system. It’s a game changer.”

By Ms. Jane Benson (RDECOM)

Posted in Comms, Disruptive Tech, Guest Post | 7 Comments »

AEWE – Demonstrating General Dynamics’ Reduced Range Ammunition

November 28th, 2018

A Co / 1-29 Infantry (EXFOR) Soldiers conducted familiarization and qualification using the General Dynamics Reduced Range Ammunition.The 5.56mm and 7.62mm Reduced Range Training Ammunition from General Dynamics OTS are designed to reduce the maximum flight distance while maintaining a ballistic match with regular 5.56mm M855 and 7.62mm M80 cartridges.

The projectiles are solid brass while the cartridge case, primer and propellant are the same as those used in the conventional Army. The projectile is modified and the specifically designed fins gradually add drag, reduce the maximum range and prematurely force the projectile out of the sky. The cartridges are fired and require no modifications from current M240B and M249 SAW weapons which is transparent to Soldiers and small tactical units. This is operationally ideal for shorter SDZ live fire ranges for Soldier training and familiarization.

Posted in Ammo | 13 Comments »

Ascalon Rifle from Dutch Long Arms- A Completely New Rifle with Patented Bolt Action System from Dutch Gunsmith Pim de Waard

November 28th, 2018

Pim de Waard is the inventor and he is going to be the 1st Dutch Long Arms licensee, placing it on the market.

A childhood dream. Pim de Waard, known to most shooters as the founder of Pirosport in Krimpen aan den IJssel the Netherlands, already began drawing guns as a young boy. At the age of five he made his first design, with the lines neatly drawn along the ruler. He showed it to his mother, with the kind request to bring that design to a factory to produce the gun. Obviously not much came of that.

A few decades later the situation is very different. Pim now builds long range rifles himself and thought of the summit: the King of 2 Miles competition in France, shooting at the unlikely distance of 3,225 meters. It was clear that he had to build a gun himself, but what should it look like? Pim invented a new bolt action system. Then he designed an actual rifle around it. There is only one prototype, with the baptismal name Ascalon, but that exceeds all expectations.

Simple

Like all good ideas, Pims bolt action system is simplicity itself. And like all simple things, it is quite difficult to explain. But we are going to try. We first have to look at what a bolt action actually does.

With most rifle systems, the bolt has two different movements when opened. First the bolt handle is turned upwards, and then the entire bolt is pulled backwards. When the bolt handle is raised, two things usually happen: the striker with the firing pin is cocked, and the extraction cam provides primary extraction.

You can write books about this notion, but with a bolt action it usually comes down to the following: the locking lugs and their counter pieces in the action are beveled. Thanks to this bevel, the upward movement of the bolt handle not only ensures that the bolt rotates, but also allows that it is forced a bit backwards by means of the extraction cam. The case, which was pressed against the wall of the chamber by the gunpowder gases, is then pulled out of the chamber a little. Hence ‘primary extraction’.

It is a wonderful idea, but sometimes it has its problems. For instance for long range shooters, the kind of people that only get interested by a target over a kilometer. To give a bullet a decent path at such distances you need a significant load. This can lead to problems with the primary extraction, especially if also the firing pin has to be cocked. And a jammed cartridge case often means the end of the game.

The starting point of Pim de Waard was to separate the cocking of the firing pin and the primary extraction. With that, he thought, the bolt could also be of a simpler design, with fewer machine operations.

Instead of two movements, Pim’s bolt makes three. To begin, the bolt handle is lifted up. As a result the firing pin is cocked and the two opposite locking lugs rotate free from their counterparts in the action. However, the bolt does not move backwards.

In step 2, the bolt handle pivots backwards relative to the bolts main body. This causes the main body to be forced backwards (we explain below how that works) and pulls the cartridge case out of the chamber – the primary extraction. Finally, in step 3, the entire bolt is pulled back, pulling the cartridge case completely out of the chamber. In practice, step 2 and step 3 merge almost unnoticed.

Lever

The secret of the primary extraction, and at the same time the essence of the invention, is the combination of a ring around the back of the bolt, and the bolt handle acting as a lever. The bolt handle is held on a vertical axis in the main body, and can thus be pivoted. At the top, the bolt handle is received into a hole in the ring with a pin. When the bolt handle is pulled backwards, the bolt handle rotates around its axis urging the ring forward, but the ring engages the action. As a result, the bolt handle pulls the bolt backwards by pushing away from the action through the ring. The bolt handle acts as a lever, with the ring as a support.

The ring also has another effect. It ensures that the bolt is exactly in line with the firing chamber at each shot. The bolt is supported at the front and back. This in contrast to conventional systems. This is important for long-distance shooters. If the bolt is not completely straight in front of the chamber, the bottom of the cartridge case is not fully straightened (we are talking about fractions of millimeters). This affects the internal and external ballistics.

Striker

Because of the construction of the bolt handle and the ring, there was no more room for a conventional (rearward) trigger connection with the striker. Pim solved that problem by moving the striker, de spring and the firing pin a few centimeters forward. Around the strikers position there is a rotatable bushing, so that the bolt has the same diameter along its entire length. This bushing prevents dirt and debris from fowling the magazine.

The striker works basically the same as with a normal bolt action rifle. The notch of the striker protrudes through an opening in the bolt. This opening is almost triangular, with the sloping side (the cocking cam) at the front. When the bolt is turned in step 1, the sloping side pushes the notch of the striker backwards until it is held by a corner of the opening. This causes the spring of the firing pin to be tensioned.

The different parts of the bolt (the front with the extractor and locking lugs, the striker with firing pin and spring, the bushing, and the back with ring and bolt handle) are held together by a cross pin, which in turn is locked by a spring-loaded ball bearing. Pim does not like half work.

The prototype rifle as shown has no ejector, so the empty cartridge case must be ejected by hand from the action. The rifle also does not have a magazine yet, so a new cartridge must be placed in the action by hand to be brought into the chamber. Otherwise everything works as intended, and that opens up a whole new range of possibilities.

In practice

Of course, having an idea is one thing. Another question is whether it works, and if so, what you can do with it. The question of whether it works is simple to answer. With the pictured prototype, having a 26″ barrel in caliber .338 Lapua Magnum, Pim has already shot a match in Slovakia, with very nice results at 1400 meters. The next hurdle was a test in Denmark at 2 kilometers. Due to terrain lay out impact detection was nearly impossible so he managed to land his bullets a few meters shy in front, but in perfect line with the target. This was only noticed the next morning when the range officer went and had a personal look at the target before the range opened again. It is apparent the accuracy is as desired as well as the operation which performed flawless And then there is the famous King of 2 Miles competition. Pim is already looking forward to it, but time is pressing. The contest is in April 2019, so in February the CNC fabricated pre-production rifle should be as good as done. That particular weapon will be in caliber .375 CheyTac.

Then there is the more practical side. Pim called in the help of Guus van der Kaaden and Online Patents BV. They first arranged a patent application to protect this idea, and Guus then consulted with a number of well-known manufacturers. Among others, Heckler & Koch and FN Herstal showed interest.

As things look now, a number of 10 rifles will first be produced and then expand production numbers later on. Suppliers will provide Pim with individual components (such that they are not subject to permits), after which Pirosport takes care of the finishing and assembly. Pim wants to provide the rifle with an easily interchangeable bolt and an barrel, so that it can be used for calibers from .243 to .408 Cheytac. For foreign countries, a company is sought that will license the weapon.

The first 10

As said earlier, after the pre-production rifle is finished, the first 10 rifles will be produced. These will be custom made to order with respect to color, caliber, barrel length etc. The rifle will be available in combination with 4 bolt head types:

Type A: suitable for calibers as .308 Win, .30-06, .280 Rem (evt AI), 6.5x55SE, .260 Rem, 6.5 CM etc. All calibers comparable to the breach face of the .308 Win.

Type B: suitable for the larger (magnum) cartridges like .300 WM, 7 WSM, 300 RUM etc.

Type C: suitable for the .300 Norma and the .338 Lapua Magnum.

Type D: suitable for the .375 and the .408 Cheytac.

Each of these 10 rifles will be engraved with “No. X of 10” and the initials of the owner integrated in the serial number

Interested in one of the rifles in this very limited edition? Make sure you hurry up with your order!

Based on the prototype we already sold a few rifles, purely based on the collectors value they will get. Please get in touch with Dutch Long Arms for more information:

guus@dutchlongarms.nl (licensing & sales)

Rifle

Finally, a few remarks about the rifle. To be able to test the bolt action system, a stock had to be made around it and yes, it works, and no, of course everything has to be different. Pim wants to explain a few things. The muzzle brake is his own design (and very effective – the kickback in .338 is not unpleasant). The installation of the bipod can be reversed, so that it can be fixed at 12 o’clock or at 6 o’clock. The steel hand guard is especially designed for heavy barrels and loads. If anything goes wrong with the weapon, it will be the barrel. The opening at the bottom of the hand guard will then cause broken parts to go downwards and forwards. This was designed especially because of the prototype as all risks should be avoided. Luckily all went well. The construction of the stock will not change much, other than esthetically. The cheek support in this prototype ensures that the bolt cannot be accidentally removed from the weapon; in later versions there will be a bolt stop. A later production version will also be given a magazine. There is no room at the bottom – that’s where the trigger is – so the magazine will probably be placed sideways on the action (very convenient when shooting prone). And if all goes as Pim plans, the owner will get to choose on which side this is. Also the ejection side of the cartridge can be set to the shooters preference. It’s clear, the Ascalon will provide years of craft fun.

Posted in Admin | 5 Comments »

A New PT Uniform For The US Air Force?

November 27th, 2018

Facebook group Air Force AMN/NCO/SNCO posted a couple of slides of proposed Physical Training Uniform Designs.

What do you think?

Posted in Air Force, Clothing | 37 Comments »

0241 Tactical – Sk7 Glacier Glove

November 27th, 2018

The Sk7 Glacier Glove is insulated with 150 gram Thinsulate insulation and incorporates a waterproof breathable Hipora Beta liner and a water-resistant nylon shell. The closure buckle is YKK and the shell features a nylon loop on middle finger for quick glove removal.

Beneath the mitten flap are half finger protection to facilitate dexterity.

Get yours at www.0241Tactical.com.

Posted in Clothing | 3 Comments »

Strike Industries – Exoskeleton Mount

November 27th, 2018

SI’s Reflex Exoskeleton Mount accepts a wide variety of reflex optics. The patent pending Universal Mounting Pattern enables users to attach various optics of their choice. Included mounting posts securely hold your optic firmly in place. The shield is precision cut and made from steel with a QPQ black finish while the universal mount is hard anodized black. Included with the Exoskeleton, is a lightweight, low profile Picatinny mount that can be used stand alone to save weight. Combined, they offer the highest degree of protection from impacts and shock. At just over 2.5 oz total, the Strike REX is a low-profile, minimalist, must-have accessory for your reflex optics.

Package includes:
– 1 x Reflex Exoskeleton
– 1 x Reflex Exoskeleton Mount (Picatinny/NATO Accessory rail compatible)
– 1 x 8 mounting posts

Compatible Patterns:
– Docter: Burris Fastfire, Docter, Vortex Viper, Vortex Venom, etc.
– Optima/JP: Leupold Delta Point, Redfield Accelerator, Trijicon TRD, etc.
– Trijicon: Trijicon RMR

www.strikeindustries.com/shop/reflex-exoskleleton

Posted in Weapon Accessories | 6 Comments »

Viking Tactics Knives – Crusader & Norseman

November 27th, 2018

Viking Tactics is offering two knife styles.

Crusader

Drawing from the Bloodlines of VTAC’s first ever knife design, “The Assault”, the Crusader is nearly 9 inches long and has a cutting surface 3 ½ inches in length. The spine of the blade has a Viking Vine machined into the surface for aesthetics as well as to enhance the gripping surface. This coupled with the blood colored liners and Canvas Micarta make a beautiful knife. The blade is built from 1095 steel and hardened to RC 56-58.

Norseman

Drawing inspiration from a knife made by one of SGM Lamb’s Soldiers who was killed in action in Iraq on 17 June 2005, the Norseman has an overall length of 11.63” and a cutting surface of 5 ½ inches. Made from 1095 steel and hardened to RC 56-58, this blade will cut easily and can be field sharpened. The VTAC Norseman’s spine is decorated with a Viking Vine, and Blood Colored handle liners.

The Crusader and Norseman are available from www.vikingtactics.com.

Posted in Knives | 4 Comments »