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No, The Marines Haven’t Issued A Contract For Additional M27s

February 22nd, 2018

I keep getting asked if the USMC has let a contract for additional M27 Infantry Automatic Rifles. Apparently, a few weeks ago a gun blog called Guns America reported that the Marine Corps had awarded Heckler & Koch a contract for additional M27s. The problem is, it’s untrue.

The author’s reasoning was that the “protest period” was over and consequently, a contract had been let. Once again, this isn’t true. For some reason, H&K representative Bill Dermody agreed with the interviewer during a video taken during SHOT Show by Guns America, giving further credence to the story.

Last Summer, Marine Corps Systems Command issued a pre-solicitation intent to solicit and negotiate with Heckler & Koch (H&K), for up to 50,814 M27 Infantry Automatice Rifles (IAR). Since then, they’ve publicly said and done nothing. There hasn’t been a “protest period” because there hasn’t been a contract award issued by the Marines.

Unfortunately, other websites who didn’t know what they were talking about, picked up the story and shared it.

Sure, the Marine Corps is interested in purchasing additional M27s to outfit their Infantry Forces and H&K would love the business, but the reality is that it hasn’t happened. At least, yet. The Commandant of the Marine Corps has publicly stated his desire to do so and I know the Marines are working toward that end, but they’ve still got some things to work out.

I promise you; as soon as I can tell you it has happened, I will.

Tags: Heckler & Koch
Posted in Contracts, MARCORSYSCOM, USMC | 13 Comments »

Any Other Dog Faced Soldiers Out There?

February 22nd, 2018

I served in the US Army’s 3rd Infantry Division from 1988-1990, in Würzburg, Federal Republic Of Germany. The Marne Division, as it is known, has a song, “Dog Faced Soldier” dating from WWII, as well as a mascot named Rocky, created in 1965 by none other than Walt Disney, for just $1.

Rocky’s name hails from WWI, where 3ID held like a rock during the second Battle of the Marne River. This distinguished service also earned the Division its motto, the French “Nous Resterons La” (English – We Shall Remain Here).

I find it rather unfortunate that the song “Dog Faced Soldier” written by two Infantrymen, was altered after the Division moved to Ft Stewart to make it gender neutral.

Here is the version we sang. If you attended PLDC at the 3ID NCO Academy in Kitzengen, you had to learn and sing it as well, regardless of which unit you served with. This often led to altered lyrics which weren’t so flattering for us ‘Dog Faced Soldiers.’

“I wouldn’t give a bean,
to be a fancy-pants Marine
I’d rather be a dog-faced soldier like I am.
I wouldn’t trade my old O.D.’s
for all the Navy’s dungarees
for I’m the marching pride of Uncle Sam.
All the posters you see say the Army builds men,
Well, they’re tearing me down to build me over again.
I’m just a dog-faced soldier
with a rifle on my shoulder
and I eat raw meat for breakfast every day.
So feed me ammunition, and keep me in the 3rd Division
For your dog-faced soldier boy’s O.K.”

Of course, the only constant is change. Take for example this version of the song from 1955’s “To Hell And Back”k a movie which tells the story of the most famous Marne Soldier of all, Audie Murphy. The lyrics are different than the version I learned.

Tags: 3ID
Posted in History | 19 Comments »

SIG SAUER Introduces New Varmint & Predator Elite Performance Ammunition

February 21st, 2018

Newington, NH (February 20, 2018) – SIG SAUER, Inc. introduces Varmint & Predator (V&P) Elite Performance Ammunition. This new V&P line of ammunition features copper-jacketed, yellow-tipped projectiles designed for explosive expansion and match-grade accuracy. Available in 40gr 223 Rem, 40gr 22-250 Rem and 55gr 243 Win cartridges, these Varmint & Predator rounds feature projectiles that are light for their caliber yielding higher muzzle velocities and flatter trajectories across all practical hunting distances.

The 40gr 223 Rem load has a muzzle velocity of 3650 fps and muzzle energy of 1183 ft-lbs. The 40gr 22-250 has a muzzle velocity of 3975 fps with muzzle energy of 1403 ft-lbs, and the 55gr 243 Win has a muzzle velocity of 3880 fps with muzzle energy of 1838 ft-lbs.

“The new SIG V&P line of ammunition gives varmint and predator hunters access to exceptionally effective hunting rounds with match-grade accuracy,” said Bud Fini, Executive Vice President of the SIG SAUER Ammunition Division and Special Projects. “We use the same high-quality, single-base extruded powders in these Varmint & Predator cartridges that we do in our SIG Match Grade rounds. This provides consistent round-to-round muzzle velocities and insensitivity to temperature change, and hunters will especially appreciate the results these performance rounds bring them in the field.”

SIG SAUER Varmint & Predator rounds are produced on state-of-the-art loading equipment with electromechanical monitoring for charge weight consistency and geometric conformity. All SIG SAUER Elite Performance Ammunition is manufactured by SIG SAUER at its new ammunition manufacturing facility in Jacksonville, Arkansas to the same exacting standards as the company’s premium pistols and rifles. For more information, visit www.sigsauer.com/ammunition.

Tags: Sig Sauer
Posted in Advertiser, Ammo, Press Release | Comments Off on SIG SAUER Introduces New Varmint & Predator Elite Performance Ammunition

TMACS Signature Steel Target

February 21st, 2018

Introducing the @tmacsinc Signature Steel Target. Click the link in the bio to buy yours. The dimensions were engineered by Pat McNamara to ensure you receive the maximum training value.

The top measures 6 5/8″ wide and the bottom at 11 1/2″, with a length of 18″. System includes the TMACS Inc Strike Face, Base, Post Top and Strike Face Bracket with Bolts. Ships unpainted. Patent Pending.

defensetargets.com/collections/systems/products/the-tmac-inc

Tags: Pat McNamara, TMACS
Posted in Training | 4 Comments »

VSS Launches Satellite Antenna Website

February 21st, 2018

Vigilant Security Services has launched a website that is dedicated to SATCOM antennas. It is geared towards U.S. Military units and U.S. Government agencies and allows the users to easily submit SATCOM antenna RFQs directly from the site. There are a variety of land-based, vehicular and man-pack style antennas available in legacy UHF SATCOM as well as MUOS SATCOM. The antennas listed are manufactured by Trivec Avant and Leonardo.

uhfsatcom.com

Tags: Vigilant Security Services
Posted in Comms | Comments Off on VSS Launches Satellite Antenna Website

Velocity Systems – Khard Medical Insert System

February 21st, 2018

Attributes:
-Two-piece insert designed to fit the 30L and 45L Arc’Teryx family of Assault and Khard Packs
-All Pouches have VELCRO® brand loop fasteners for attaching pouch contents/name tapes
-Main insert piece consists of six pouches
-Lid/front flap insert consists of two pouches that adhere to the lid/front flap of the pack
-Available for 30l and 45l Assault and Khard Packs
-Offered in Black and Wolf
-100% Made in the USA

www.velsyst.com/khard-medical-insert-system

Tags: Arc'teryx LEAF, Mayflower Research and Consulting, Velocity Systems
Posted in Advertiser, Medical, Packs | Comments Off on Velocity Systems – Khard Medical Insert System

High Angle Solutions – Silva Tactical Compasses

February 21st, 2018

Three entrepreneurial brothers. One great invention. In 1933, Björn, Alvar and Arvid Kjellström invented the first ever liquid-filled compass, and the Silva began. Not only was it the first compass of its kind, but is also set the global standard for how navigation works.

From this beginning, 85 years ago, Silva have grown significantly. As part of that expansion they have been making compasses for militaries all over the world for a number of decades. This has predominantly been based on the Expedition 4, which was due an update. Following development work with the Royal Marines and other elements of the UK military Silva have now launched an updated range of compasses.

The new range includes a more robust base plate and bezel which address the needs of a challenging operational environment. It also brings in line a number of interesting technologies including prismatic elements for commanders and global needles for expeditionary forces required to deploy anywhere across the globe. Included in the package are lanyards with distance measuring scales for 1:25000 and 1:50000. They also allow measurement in both mils and degrees enabling greater accuracy and the passage of accurate information for fires as well as air.

Alongside these must have navigation tools Silva also provide headlamps, binos, mapcases and a huge range of accessories to help you find your way. If you want any further information please email tribe@brigantes.com.

High Angle Solutions is a weekly series of articles focusing on military mountaineering solutions. It’s brought to you by UK-based , in conjunction with several other brands, both here in the US and abroad.

Tags: Brigantes Consulting, Silva
Posted in Fieldcraft, Mountaineering, SERE | 7 Comments »

PEO Soldier Checks Out LSAT

February 21st, 2018

Originally an AAI (now part of Textron Systems) science project, under the auspices of several different government programs, the Lightweight Small Arms Technology weapon and its Cased Telescoped has been under development for decades (and untold millions in development costs).

Here, BG Anthony “Tony” Potts, Program Executive Officer Soldier, fires the 5.56mm Cased Telescoped Light Machine Gun Feb. 14 during a visit to Textron Systems.

The CT LMG with 1,000 rounds weighs 28.5 pounds vs. an M249 with 1,000 rounds weighing 48.9 pounds. That’s pretty impressive. The favored technology for the Army’s upcoming Next Generation Squad Automatic Weapon program, is the TC round which will not fire from existing weapons in the Army’s inventory and current ammunition will not fire from the LSAT weapon. Although, the ammunition is lighter, you’ve got to have the right weapon to fire it. Conversely, current ammunition could also be lightened by going to a polymer case. And then, there’s the whole issue of reducing stoppages on LSAT, which requires the weapon to be dismantled.

Can’t wait to see how it performs in source selection. The IC criteria set the bar pretty high.

Posted in PEO-Soldier, weapons | 35 Comments »