GORE-TEX Military Fabrics

2018 Special Operations Forces Warrior Industry Collaboration & JSOC Capabilities and Technology Expo Solutions Event

August 17th, 2018

The Program Executive Office Special Operations Forces Warrior (PEO-SW) and Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) will be holding “Industry Collaboration Days” on 24-25 October 2018. The purpose of this event is to provide industry with an opportunity for a focused engagement with members of PEO-SW and JSOC to share ideas that facilitate the delivery of innovative capabilities to Special Operations Forces (SOF).

SOFWIC will be held on Wednesday, October 24th, 2018 at the Tampa Marriott Westshore and the JCTE Solutions Event will be held on Thursday, October 25th, 2018 at Building 501E, MacDill AFB, FL 33621.

SOCOM is interested for a variety of technologies supplied by SSD readers. There won’t be a test, but you should expect to see formal requirements generated for many of these items.

In order of priority by commodity area:

(1) Ground Mobility
a. Drivetrain and Locking Differentials Ground Mobility Vehicle (GMV 1.1) – Technology that will allow for transaxle replacement to increase reliability.
b. Suspension/Shock technology (GMV 1.1/LTATV/GMV 1.0)
(i) Vehicle – Suspension system related upgrades/replacement to increase performance, durability, and reliability.
(ii) Occupant – Vehicle occupant technology that improves the isolation between the input from the terrain and the corresponding input to an occupant.
c. Lifecycle Cost Reduction Light Tactical All Terrain Vehicle (LTATV), Non-Standard Commercial Vehicle (NSCV), Ground Mobility Vehicle (GMV 1.0 and GMV 1.1) – Novel approaches to reduce the lifecycle costs (namely production and sustainment) associated with braking, suspension, and other vehicular systems. Current C4ISR components (antennas, mounts, cables, etc.) are expensive and long lead in nature. The Government is targeting reduced costs, improved lead times, and equivalent capability to our current SOF suite of C4ISR (LoS, SATCOM, ECMS).
d. 360 Degree Situational Awareness MRAP-All Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV) – Armored vehicles provide protection, but at the expense of situational awareness around the vehicle. Seeking an affordable, durable, and efficient solution to enable all occupants in the vehicle to have visibility around the vehicle.
e. Payload Enhancement (GMV 1.1/LTATV) – solutions that enable the vehicle to carry more payload without significantly degrading performance.
f. Tow Bars (GMV 1.1, GMV 1.0, M-ATV) – Low Cost, lightweight, rapidly attached/utilized, rugged, durable tow bars for use on the medium and heavy family of vehicles (10k-40k lbs).
g. Battery Technology (NSCV, GMV 1.1) – Mature 12 Volt battery technology for cold temp start and/or reduced size without degrading Cold Cranking Amperage or AMP hours. Mature battery technologies that can withstand cold start scenarios down to -50 F and also extend the timeline for silent watch. Reducing size, but not performance, is ideal as well. Certified for flight is required.
h. Purpose Built NSCVs (Modular Purpose Built Chassis or common purpose built drivetrain for SUVs and Trucks) – Cost effective solutions for reduced logistics or to allow vehicles that are commercial in appearance to be reset at the end of the lifecycle instead of disposed of and re-procured. This would also allow different bodies to be interchanged on a common chassis to reduce logistical costs. The concept of Purpose Built is governed by the fact that vehicles are not modified commercial vehicles, but rather purpose built vehicles with little to no reliance on commercial vehicles. Vehicles are anticipated to be designed to mimic late model vehicles typically found in central Asia (e.g., Toyota Hilux, Toyota Land Cruiser 200, and Toyota Surf); armored against ballistic threats; 10 year vehicle life (minimum); vehicle designed for one or more resets; 4 wheel drive with heavy duty brakes and suspension to accommodate gross vehicle weight; full skid plates and running boards; diesel engines; and left hand drive.
i. Enhanced Tire Technology, including both airless and other non-pneumatic solutions (GMV 1.1, LTATV) – Novel approaches addressing wheel/tire assemblies to allow for better suitability in soft soils and other asymmetrical or unconventional warfare environments. Tire technologies to allow for a broader range of environmental terrains (sand, mud, and rock), to include non-pneumatic types.
j. Light Vehicle Safety Improvements and Accessories (LTATV) – Improvements to general safety items to include (but not limited to): seating, roll cages, stability control, driver assist functions, etc.
k. Lightweight Armor (NSCV, GMV 1.1) – Novel lightweight and cost effective technologies that can replace current heavy transparent and opaque armor solutions on vehicle platforms. Heavy armor drives adverse mobility, reduced vehicle durability, and increases in related support component costs.
l. Low Cost, High Output Alternators for NSCVs – Targeting both 12V and 28V dual alternator combinations, along with high output single 12V and dual 12V solutions. The 28VDC alternator shall have a minimum of 130A (at 28VDC) output (80A at idle) and shall fit within the current engine compartment. Any single high-output alternator shall have a minimum 260 Amp (12 Volt DC) output rating at idle and engine operating temperature of 220 degrees F. The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to determine the availability of solutions to replace the existing package within NSCVs, allowing flexibility for future growth, and to clear real estate in the engine compartment if we can achieve our requirements with a lower cost and smaller solution.
m. Driver Cognitive Workload Reduction (LTATV/GMV 1.1) – means of reducing driver cognitive workload in lone driving, or convoy driving situations up to and including solutions that eliminate the need for a driver altogether.

(2) Visual Augmentation Systems (VAS):
a. Signature Reduction technologies for Targeting Laser (Out of Band and Notional Laser) – Laser designation technologies that are able to be perceived through typical and widely fielded Image Intensification technologies. Notional laser could exist only in virtual reality and be perceived through an integrated augmented reality display inside an eyepiece of Night Vision Goggles (NVG).
b. Head-mounted Devices- Looking for weight saving technologies or novel methods to move weight off of the head.
c. Hand Held Devices- Seeking size, weight, and power enhancements on handheld VAS commodities.
d. Weapon Mounted Devices Seeking size, weight, and power enhancements on weapon mounted VAS commodities.
e. Power management, virtual reality (portable).

(3) Ammunition and Weapon Systems (A&W):
a. Signature reduction for Small Arms- Sound, Flash, and Thermal.
b. Machine Gun Suppressor capable of surviving high volume/rate of fire.
c. Intermediate Caliber (.338NM) – Long Range Machine Gun 2000m to include new tripod, long range- ruggedized optics, and polymer ammunition.
e. 6.5mm Sniper Support Rifle.
f. 6.5mm Assault Machine Gun.
g. Suppressor for MK27 Gen 4.
h. Thermal Beacon Technologies (Mid Wave Thermal Spectrum) range >10NM.
i. Precision Variable powered optics capable of acquiring targets at 50-1500m and beyond.
j. Precision Aiming laser with built in range finding (up to 2000m), ballistics, and environmental sensing capable of blue tooth and Near field communications.
i. Organic Strike Assets capable of providing precision fires on ranged targets (1k-50k).

(4) Soldier Protection, Survival, and Equipment Systems (SSES):
a. Armor – Novel technologies and designs that decrease weight while increasing level of protection.
b. Lightweight Rifle Protection Ballistic Helmet – Current lightweight ballistic helmets are limited to 9mm and fragmentation protection due to the weight required to achieve rifle protection. Seeking lightweight ballistic helmet that defeats the 7.62x39mm MSC projectile at muzzle velocity.
c. Special Operations Eye Protection – Laser protection (visible and IR); ability for a single lens to adapt to various lighting conditions near instantaneously.
d. Extremity Protection for Extreme High Altitude – Airborne operations are conducted at extreme high altitudes with air temps below -40 C. These temps can lead to vasoconstriction in the extremities. Seeking active heating capabilities to reduce likelihood of vasoconstriction and maintain dexterity during these airborne operations and throughout all phases of the mission.
e. Logistics – FIAR compliant internet accessible web application (certified mixed/feeder system) for the Special Operations Forces Personal Equipment Advanced Requirements (SPEAR) program capable of property accountability, warehouse management, logistics/supply functions, financial, and personnel management data to include the conversion of measurements to sizes using an approved algorithm for Special Operations Forces-Peculiar (SO-P) individual equipment. Integration with the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) logistics enterprise is mandatory.

(5) Tactical Combat Casualty Care Medical Systems (TCCC):
a. Novel FDA approved technologies that apply to individual casualty care and casualty evacuation.
b. Active Cooling and Heating Whole Blood Storage Container – As SOF medics transition from crystalloid and colloid to whole blood for traumatic hemorrhagic resuscitation they are facing major logistical challenges due to the limited temperature range for storing and transporting whole blood far forward on the battlefield. Seeking portable active cooling and heating storage container capable of holding 1-2 units of blood within the FDA regulation temperature range for 4-5 days. The light weight container should be small enough to fit inside of or attached to the current USSOCOM Medic Aid Bag and be powered by standard commercial batteries commonly found in a deployed environment.
c. Handheld Battlefield Ultrasound – SOF medics have a requirement for a handheld ultrasound device capable of use in a battlefield environment. Due to the space and weight limitations within the Special Operations medical aid bag, the battlefield ultrasound should be limited to a single universal transducer which can be used for a range applications. The single universal transducer must be durable enough for the battlefield environment and able to function on the Android operating system.

(6) Electronic Counter Measures (ECM):
a. Increased battery power density providing the same equipment operating life at a size/weight reduction of up to 50%.
b. High performance multi-band antennas that can be used for electronic countermeasures systems, communications systems, and other functions while reducing SWAP on platforms/operators.

(7) Counter – Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS):
a. Passive radar – radar detection that operates in a passive/promiscuous mode rather than active emitting. Ability for multiple/simultaneous detections.
b. Auto Pilot detection – detection of non-RF telemetry like Pixhawk, Mavlink, etc. autopilot drone modes. Small, lightweight, low power solutions.
c. Detection – detecting drones using LTE cellular technology.
d. Kinetic Defeat – small, lightweight kinetic/hard kill solutions.

(8) Find, Fix, Finish, Exploitation, and Analyze Capabilities (F3EA).

Interested parties must respond by Aug 31, 2018 5:00 pm Eastern. Visit www.fbo.gov for full details.

FirstSpear Friday Focus – XL Mesh Bag NSNS

August 17th, 2018

Introducing the XL Mesh Bag now available while supplies last in the Non-Standard Non-Stocking section of the FS web store. This mesh duffel is extra long at approximately 48x14x10 and was originally built for a US government agency when FirstSpear had just opened its doors. Only available in black with limited quantities grab one of these today before they are gone! No back orders will be filled.

www.first-spear.com/non-stocking-non-standard/extra-large-mesh-bag

Radical Firearms to Supply Police and Security Forces in Brazil

August 17th, 2018

Radical Firearms is proud to share its recent partnership with local law enforcement in Brazil. Just a few days ago Radical Firearms completed delivery of 150 RF-15 rifles to the PPCE (Polícia Civil do Estado do Ceará, or Ceará State Civil Police).

Ceará is but one of 13 Brazilian states who have chosen Radical Firearms for their security forces.

The selection of the RF-15 was completed after an extensive evaluation process. Included in that was a visit to the Radical Firearms facility by a team from C.O.R.E. (Coordenadoria de Recursos Especiais, the civil police tactical unit of Rio de Janeiro) and members of the Brazilian government. This particular model of RF-15 were built with a specialty maritime coating to deal with humidity and other unique conditions of the PPCE’s operational area.

A1081850-3EE1-4637-99B6-26DE12C7DDA4

These RF-15s were part of a larger order of imported weapons for Brazilian agency, which also included a large number of .40 S&W SIG SAUER P320s and five Armalite AR-10 SuperSASS rifles. Although this initial import was to equip PPCE agents only, additional weapons will be imported by the end of the year for other agencies, including the PPCE’s military counterpart, the PMCE (Policia Militar do Ceara Policia Militar do Brasil). Unlike PPCE agents, PMCE personnel do not conduct traditional criminal investigations, but rather work special emphasis operations to deter violent crime. Other Brazilian agencies, including PCES PMES (Polícia Militar and Polícia Civil do Estado do Espírito Santo) are also in the process of upgrading their weapons and equipment.

Historically, Brazilian agencies have been required to source firearms from such local manufacturers as IMBEL and Taurus, but that is slowly changing. In fact, as TFB’s Ronaldo Olive reports, Brazil’s Departamento de Polícia Federal (Federal Police Department) and the Polícia Rodoviaria Federal (Federal Highway Police) have both been equipped with foreign-built weapons.

The RF-15 is a 5.56mm rifle with 1 in 7″ Twist 16 in. 4140V Chromoly Melonite Coated barrel. It features M4 feed ramps, 1/2×28 thread pitch, a low profile micro gas block system, and fore end quad Pic Rails. Options for bolt carrier group, charging handle, and rail furniture are available.

Ceará is one of 27 states in Brazil, and is the 8th largest, with a population of some nine million people (about the same as Virginia). It covers a geographic area somewhere between that of Minnesota and Michigan. Its capital, Fortaleza, is the fourth most populous city in Brazil, a major ocean port and a significant tourist destination. The crime rate there is very high, and like many urban areas suffers from the violent activities of organized gangs (such as the Comando Vermelho and Guardiões do Estado). It has recently significantly increased its available manpower.

radicalfirearms.com

Photos by Paolo Bedran and PPCE

It’s National Airborne Day

August 16th, 2018

Conversation a few years ago at the dinner table.

So one of my sons asks me, “Dad, what’s a leg?”

I answered, “Everyone on your mother’s side of the family son.”

True story…

He’s now 18 and started his path toward an A license while waiting in DEP to join the service.

Happy Airborne Day to all of you Paratroopers out there!

Magpul Hunter American Stock – Ruger American Short Action, Now Available

August 16th, 2018

Now available, the Magpul Hunter American Stock, for the Ruger American Short Action.

Magpul started with an anodized aluminum bedding block and added reinforced polymer to give you the durability, features, reliability and comfort you’ve come to expect from all of our stocks. The Magpul Hunter American offers users a cost-effective replacement to the factory stock that features enhanced ergonomics and a fully adjustable length of pull and comb height. Compatible with Ruger American Short Action rifles, this stock requires no bedding, and is a true “drop-in” solution for the end user.

Features
• Compatible with Ruger American short action rifles
• Bolt Action Magazine Well & PMAG 5 7.62 AC included for Reliable detachable box magazine compatibility
• Reinforced polymer construction with Type III Hard anodized, machine finished cast aluminum bedding block
• High strength steel recoil lugs
• Compatible with barrel profiles up to medium palma
• Adjustable LOP from 13.0”-15.0” with included 0.50” Spacers
• Optional cheek riser kit to adjust cheek weld (stock comes pre-fitted with 0.25” Riser)
• M-LOK compatible for additional accessories

Available in Black, Flat Dark Earth, OD Green and Grey.

www.magpul.com/featured/magpul-hunter-series

Trijicon Awarded $7.6 Mil for USSOCOM Miniature Aiming System – Day Optics Program

August 16th, 2018

USSOCOM has selected the Trijicon solution for their Miniature Aiming System – Day Optics Program. Under MAS-D, there are four different systems: Handgun Reflex Sight, Close Quarters Sight, Squad Variable Power Scope and Precision Variable Power Scope.

This award is for the Handgun Reflex Sight (HRS), which is designed for rapid day and night pistol target engagements. It incorporates an illuminated dot or shape imposed on a Wide Field of View (WFOV) lens to increase the speed of target acquisition when maneuvering in confined spaces, or in extremis if the primary weapon malfunctions.

With Trijicon winning it is based on their RMR Type 2 and will assuredly be mounted to SOCOM’s Glock 19s.

The RMR’s Aiming Dot features eight adjustable brightness settings including 2 NV and 1 super bright. It’s powered by a CR2032 battery which lasts up to 4 years at a brightness setting of 4 out of 8. Additionally, it automatically adjusts to ambient lighting conditions after 16.5 hours and there is a lockout feature for the buttons. It is also waterproof to 20m.

Trijicon Inc., Wixom, Michigan,* is awarded a $7,626,587 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with a five-year ordering period for handgun reflex sights for the miniature aiming system – day optics program. The handgun reflex sight is a low profile, wide field of view, passive sight for rapid day and night pistol target engagements in confined spaces, while prisoner handling, or in extremis after the primary weapon malfunctions. Work will be performed in Wixom, Michigan, and is expected to be completed by August 2023. Fiscal 2018 defense procurement funding in the amount of $1,158,052 will be obligated at the time of award and funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with three offers received.  The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Indiana, is the contracting activity (N0016418DJQ25).

The award was decided on best value. SOCOM plans to field over 14,000 of these optics to its various components.

SureFire Field Notes Ep. 30 How to Carry Concealed, with Jeff Gonzales

August 16th, 2018

SureFire Field Notes is a multi-segment informational video series with tips and techniques from subject matter experts of all backgrounds. In this episode, Jeff Gonzalez of Trident Concepts, discusses the proper considerations for concealed carry.

Jeff Gonzales heads Trident Concepts, LLC a reality based company specializing in personal protection tactics and training for armed and unarmed conflicts. Their motto is “Concepts that meet reality.”

He was a decorated and respected US Navy SEAL and has worked in a variety of environments and capacities throughout the globe. He brings to the company not only his hard & soft skills, but also his ability to manage and exploit the staff to best serve the interests of the company and their clients. Their goal is not simply to train you, but to better prepare you for the worst-case scenario.

He has also finished authoring the book Combative Fundamentals, An Unconventional Approach, now available for retail purchase. Presently, the book is keeping pace as a best seller and is considered by most to have set the high-water mark as an excellent resource. A must have for serious shooters across the board.

BE Meyers & Co Upgrades MAWL With New Toolless Capability

August 16th, 2018

C4249B84-697B-42CD-8135-EEBCD124950C

B.E. Meyers & Co. has enhanced the capabilities of the Modular Advanced Weapon Laser (MAWL®) with its latest offering, the EndCap 2 (EC2). In keeping with B.E. Meyers & Co.’s unwavering commitment to the end user, the EC2 introduces two new features for improved performance with the MAWL:

1. A Threaded battery cap that allows for replacement of the MAWL’s battery without tools.
2. Redesigned remote fire ports for easy access when the MAWL is mounted to a platform.

3684E9B0-60DA-4FB5-87DB-7D3AA7ABD6A0

Performing a battery change on the MAWL is simplified with the EC2. Its threaded battery cap can be loosened or tightened by hand, and makes the MAWL easy to maintain in environments where time is critical, and small tools may not be available or practical.

5866E681-20DD-415C-8F5B-A20C68912292

The redesigned geometry of the EC2 moves the remote fire ports to the top of the endcap and spaces them apart to facilitate quick access when the MAWL is mounted to a rifle. This extended spacing also provides additional clearance for any other wiring or accessories mounted to the platform.

img_4456.jpg

The MAWL is an inherently modular device, allowing for the three components, head, body, and end cap, to be easily swapped or exchanged.  

F7BC5C0A-ACC6-43FE-9C59-A233EBCC843D

The EC2 is fully compatible with the entire MAWL family of weapon lasers, and can be purchased individually or as part of a complete MAWL.

For more information about the EC2 visit www.bemeyers.com.