Thanks for protecting America’s skies!
Happy 71st Birthday US Air Force
September 18th, 2018Introducing Terrain 365
September 17th, 2018
This Monday September 17, 2018 marks the official launch of Terrain 365™. A new brand specializing in the design and production of edged tools with a focus on utilizing their proprietary rust-proof super alloy known as Terravantium™. This super alloy belongs to the family of dendritic cobalts. Terravantium™ is a unique non-ferrous metal alloy which is impervious to rust in any natural environment. The other key component is the crystalline carbide which results in very long lasting edge holding properties requiring less touch ups over a longer period of usability. The Element Alpha-HD and Bravo-HD will be available on 17SEP18. Made in the USA.
The Element Alpha-HD and Bravo-HD will be offered in 4 colors of 550 paracord or 3mm ALSE type cord respectively. Color matched kydex sheaths are also included.
“Terrain 365 is the brainchild of Michael Vagnino (ABS Master Bladesmith) and Patrick Ma (of Prometheus Design Werx). Together they founded this new brand out of their mutual interests in outdoor knives – tools and research into unique alloys that performed in any natural environment without rusting, pitting and requiring far less to no maintenance. Any user who spends a great deal of time in the field can appreciate at the performance capabilities of the alloys being used in the Terrain 365 knives. While dendritic cobalt alloys such as their Terravantium™ are still somewhat of a rarity, both Michael and Patrick hope to introduce more and more users to this high performance material with their bladeware. From backpackers, overlanders, expedition members, divers, hunters, river runners, and for any avid outdoors person, the Terrain 365 line of goods will serve them well across all these uses-cases and environments. At least 2 other models are currently in development and more to follow.”
Terrain 365™ launches both these knives and website at 3:00pm Pacific Time, Sept 17, 2018.
THYRM Launches the SwitchBack S
September 17th, 2018
Sunnyvale, CA — The THYRM® SwitchBack® is widely considered a must-have flashlight accessory. Now, they have added compatibility for two new SureFire flashlights with the introduction of the SwitchBack S Backup.
THYRM improved upon the design of the original SwitchBack Backup to fit the popular SureFire EDCL1-T and EDCL2-T while retaining compatibility with most legacy E-Series Backup flashlights with click or tactical tailcaps.
The SwitchBack S enhances your compact flashlight, optimizing ergonomics for searching and shooting.
• Securely mounts between the tail-cap and body of the flashlight
• Rigid retention ring helps reliably index and deploy the flashlight from both pockets and pouches
• Shoot using a natural two-handed grip (the SwitchBack Technique)
• Employ all traditional low-light techniques such as Neck Index, Modified FBI, and Harries
• Positively retain the light during reloading, and malfunction clearance
Designed and Made in the USA, the SwitchBack S is in stock and available for purchase at Thyrm.com and at authorized dealers.
Magpul Unveils New Clothing Line
September 17th, 2018You may have noticed Magpul clothing on sale over the past month or so. That’s generally the signal that something new is coming.
Today, Magpul unveiled their new lineup. The seven new styles were created for the shooting lifestyle and they’ll be great for wear in the outdoors as well as in the city.
I had an opportunity to check everything out last month and I’m impressed. The line consists of the Magpul Logger Shirt LS, Commando Zip Neck Sweater, Reversible Tech Logger Shacket, Light Insulated Jacket, Light Insulated Hoody, Light Insulated Hybrid, and the Softshell Utility Pant.
The Logger Shirt is made from stretch synthetic wool that provides warmth when wet and odor-free performance.
The Commando sweater combines synthetic wool with reinforced windproof/weather resistant shoulders and arms. You’ll also notice an articulated fit.
This is the ‘grey man’ piece in the line. The Shacket is a fully reversible plaid shirt that reverses to a solid color jacket on the other side, allowing the wearer to quickly change his appearance. Or, just switch it up day-to-day. It offers equal function regardless of the direction of wear, with plenty of room to move. It also boasts two easy-access hand pockets for storage and thermal protection.
While Magpul isn’t going to say it, you will. So I’ll address the elephant in the room right up front. This is their alternative to the Arc’teryx Atom.
This is a lightweight insulated jacket constructed with breathable, synthetic hydrophobic insulation and a windproof face fabric. It has high air permeability in order to move moisture away from the body quickly during activity.
Offered in a standard jacket and hoody version, it offers zippered hand pockets for storage.
While I’m a fan of several of the garments, the Light Insulated Hybrid is by far my favorite. First off, I love anoraks. Also, the hybrid design puts materials where you need them. It offers an insulated softshell shoulder and arms with a stretch nylon lower torso.
Additionally, Mayflower Research & Consulting has designed a chest rig to be used in conjunction with the Hybrid. Naturally, that means that other chest rigs, like the one shown can be worn as well.
You notice that there’s only one pair of pants in the new line. The perfect pairing for the Hybrid pullover, this pant is made from a lightweight softshell material that is quick drying. You’ll also notice the color matching with the Hybrid.
Storage consists of secure hand pockets with internal storage for phones, two internal multi-use magazine pockets that are the perfect size for carrying 15-round magazines or pocket knives, and one thigh pocket for extra gear.
Yes, this new line is tuned for use in Fall, Winter and Spring. But, depending on where you live, you’ll wear some of these items all year. I also think you’ll find a more true fit than last year’s line.
Great designs, fantastic materials, excellent fit. Overall, an outstanding value.
Max Talk Monday – Survive a Gunfight: Use of Cover
September 17th, 2018This is the fifth 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.
An instructional session on the use of cover, taking and breaking cover, followed by a live fire demo of assault drills at the prone / crawl. This is a follow up to the “How to React to Enemy Contact’ and the two ‘Why the Lone Wolf Operator will Die’ Max Talk Videos. This video is followed in series by two demo videos on buddy pair fire and movement.
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
US Army Selects 6 Companies For Sub Compact Weapon Prototype Opportunity
September 17th, 2018Late last week, the Army notified six companies that they were selected to participate in the Sub Compact Weapon Prototype Opportunity.
Those companies are:
Angstadt Arms
B&T USA
Global Ordnance, LLC
Shield Arms
SIG SAUER
Trident Rifles, LLC
It is important to note that the companies have been notified they were selected and it is still up to them to accept the Army’s offer to participate. So far, we don’t have verification that all of the contractual agreements have been executed.
The Weapons
Interestingly, Trident Rifles will also offer a weapon from Swiss manufacturer Brugger & Thomet along with B&T USA.
We fully expect the B&T offerings to be APC9 models (SD and K) and the SIG weapon to be an MPX derivative.
Two of the companies build AR-style 9mm Sub Guns; Angstadt manufactures the UDP-9, and Shield Arms makes the SA9K.
Global Ordnance is the unknown, but word is that they may have an MP-5 variant.
The Requirement
While the requirement for a Sub Compact Weapon has been in the books for years, it finally got off to a somewhat rocky start earlier this year. Initially, the Army offered limited contracts to multiple companies (here and here) for evaluation samples. Then, the Army rescinded the offers and issued a Prototype Opportunity Notice.
According to the requirement, the Sub Compact Weapon is a highly concealable 9mm system capable of engaging threat personnel with a high volume of lethal force while accurately firing at close range with minimal collateral damage.
If you’re curious what the weapon will be used for, it’s because United States military operations take place worldwide and in all types of terrains as well as under every environmental condition. The Secretary of the Army and/or the Chief of Staff approves senior commanders and key personnel as High Risk Personnel (HRP). HRPs are authorized a Personal Security Detail (PSD), which are assigned to guard against outlined threats. To address this operational need, PSD military personnel require weapons with greater lethality than pistols that are more concealable than rifles.
The PON calls for delivery of 15 weapons within 30 days, with the purchase of 350 weapons at a time (if a solution is selected) up to 1,000 total weapons. Beyond the delivery of the initial prototypes there is no hard schedule.
Cubic Receives Orders for GATR Inflatable Satellite Communication and Networking Systems from US Army
September 17th, 2018“Cubic’s GATR satellite communication and networking systems offer the transportability, high-bandwidth capabilities and the ease of setup necessary for Army units to execute their mission,” said Mike Twyman, president of Cubic Mission Solutions. “We are proud to continue our work with the Army and look forward to delivering solutions that offer tremendous operational advantages to our customer.”
Cubic’s solution provides robust high-speed links that enable secure network communications, sustainment support and mission command across the full spectrum of operations, from initial entry to sustained operations. The decreased size, weight and power (SWaP) of a GATR 2.4-meter system provides up to four times the performance when compared with similar transit volume and weight antennas.
The GATR systems’ compact pack-out size and innovative design provides significant improvements in transportability, throughput and setup speed, providing essential communications when and where they are needed most.
Spartanat- Now New: Camouflage Systems With Nonvide
September 16th, 2018
Have you seen everything? That’s not possible at all. These guys are so well camouflaged that you can’t see them. Only we can see them – and introduce them to you: NONVIDE is the name of the new name, specializing in the best camouflage. So, what you should be able to see …
NONVIDE comes from Berlin and the makers have been seen before. It’s the people behind TACTICALTRIM, too. On board: CONCAMO, the new German camouflage pattern, developed by Matthias Bürgin. The picture shows the Leo Köhler KSK set, which we had already introduced in the review, which fits quite well where it is right now. It’s also an open secret that authority is CONCAMO’s target group. We wouldn’t be surprised if we heard good news soon. HERE the interview with the developer about CONCAMO.
Brand new and fresh and hardly visible – unless you put it on a white background – is the Ultra-Light Basic quick camouflage poncho presented by NONVIDE . Here we see CONCAMO in a second application, after the first uniform of Leo Köhler. HERE you can find all information about this new product.
And if we take a look at the description, we can also see that CONCAMO will soon be split into four different patterns on certain dates:
o Concamo® Green (available)
o Concamo® Fall (from Q4/2018)
o Concamo® WinterForest (from Q4/2018)
o Concamo® Urban (from Q1/2019)
CONCAMO at the machine grenade launcher in action, the man is very hard on it. And look at his feet: it is trench warfare …
A quick look into the tent shows: NONVIDE has a lot to show on a currently running symposium at Calw, which doesn’t want to be named: all camouflage stuff. And let’s call it „KSK Symposion“. HERE you can get NONVIDE fresh on Facebook. Give them a Like!
NONVIDE: www.nonvide.com
SPARTANAT: www.spartanat.com
This story was provided to us by our friends at the German language website Spartanat. It has been translated from the original German to English.
