Federal Range Day is just around the corner, June 8th in Fredericksburg, VA. Open to Federal Customers only & Government ID required upon entry.
Be sure to register at adsinc.com/FRD
ADS Federal Range Day Is Coming
May 19th, 2018Marine Corps Wants New Military Ski Systems with Universal Bindings
May 19th, 2018
Marines and Sailors with Marine Rotational Force-Europe 18.1 ski toward their next objective during a winter warfare training exercise at Haltdalen Training Center, Norway, April 12. The Marine Corps is searching for a new ski system with universal bindings. Marine Corps Systems Command will release a Request for Information to formally conduct market research and inform the contracting strategy. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Clinton Firstbrook)
MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. —
The Marine Corps is searching for a new ski system that can withstand harsh conditions during training and cold weather missions.
The goal is to acquire a system with ski sets that are compatible with the Corps’ Extreme Cold Weather Vapor Barrier Boots and the Intermediate Cold Weather Boots, eliminating the need to purchase new specific ski boots. The sets will include the skis, poles and universal bindings.
In order to deliver an over-the-snow capability before the end of fiscal year 2019, Marine Corps Systems Command will release a Request for Information to formally conduct market research and inform the contracting strategy. MCSC will then establish a 5-year Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contract with an initial order of 1,500 military ski systems with universal bindings.
Currently, the Army’s Program Executive Office Soldier is also evaluating skis with universal bindings, and the Army’s 10th Mountain Division has procured and used similar systems with favorable results.
“When we went to contract the NATO ski system last year, there were delays in procurement,” said Christopher Woodburn, Capabilities Development director of the Deputy Maneuver Branch at Combat Development and Integration. “Because of the Army’s exploration with cold weather equipment, we know there are other sources for a ski system that will satisfy the Marine Corps requirement and offer the capability more rapidly.”
MCSC gathered feedback from Marines at the Mountain Warfare Training Center to ensure the future ski system chosen will meet mission requirements and improve existing cold weather equipment. Marines want a lighter, low-maintenance and easy-to-use system that is also easy to learn for new or intermediate skiers.
“We’ve been talking to Marines at MWTC to make sure the current equipment they have is still viable, and we also made a few updates to the Marine Corps Cold Weather Infantry Kit,” said Capt. Ryan Moore, project officer in Infantry Combat Equipment at MCSC.
The Marine Corps Cold Weather Infantry Kit is comprised of multiple components, including avalanche probes, hatchets, shovels, snow saws, cook sets, thermoses, a tent and anything else Marines need to survive in a cold weather environment. Each kit serves four people and is pulled on a sled by Marines on skis.
The RFI will help MCSC assess possibilities and find a solution to field the ski system to scout snipers, reconnaissance Marines and select infantrymen.
“We are trying to do our due diligence with tax payers’ money to make sure we get the best value, while also pushing out capabilities as quickly as we can to Marines,” said Woodburn.
Infantry Combat Equipment is part of the Ground Combat Element Systems program at MCSC.
By Kaitlin Kelly, MCSC Office of Public Affairs and Communication | Marine Corps Systems Command
RCS – Perun LC for Glock 19-34 with Streamlight TLR-1HL
May 18th, 2018
The Perun LC by Raven Concealment Systems fits Glock 19-34 pistols (as well as other calibers using the same frame dimensions) with the Streamlight TLR-1HL attached.
Like the rest of the Perun and Perun LC line, they come with 1.5″ OWB belt loops that can be configured for left or right handed shooters, and can be set for either a 0 degree or 10 degree cant.
As is the case with all RCS products, they are made in the USA and backed by a unconditional lifetime warranty.
They cost $49.99.
Arnold Defense displays FLETCHER on a Polaris DAGOR at SOFIC 2018
May 18th, 2018Tampa, Florida, USA – May 17, 2018: Arnold Defense, the St Louis based international manufacturer and supplier of 2.75-inch rocket launchers, is showing a concept named the “FLETCHER” 2.75-inch/70mm Weapon System at SOFIC, at the Tampa Convention Center, Florida, from May 21-24, 2018. The FLETCHER system can be mounted on land-based military vehicles as well as base defense platforms. The FLETCHER Laser Guided Rocket Launcher System can be seen at SOFIC on the BAE Systems booth SD33, where it is displayed on a Polaris DAGOR® ultra-light tactical vehicle for the very first time.
The FLETCHER concept is supported by a team of global defense industry companies collaborating under Arnold’s leadership to combine their complimentary expertise. Working together, the team is able to provide a full-system approach to FLETCHER ranging from design, validation, testing, manufacture and full system integration in a variety of ground-to-ground engagement scenarios.
FLETCHER is a unique design that allows for ease of operation, maintenance and sustainment in support of combat operations. FLETCHER employs an existing suite of guidance modules, rockets and warheads which are already used in well-known programs and are readily available to global forces. Working in-concert with world-class designation equipment, FLETCHER is a fully integrated weapon system that can engage targets at ranges up to 5 kilometers giving land forces capability that previously required the deployment of air assets.
Jim Hager, President and CEO of Arnold Defense said “Since launching FLETCHER in London, UK, last September, we have been showing it all around the world where it is garnering significant interest, especially from special operations military units. Our rocket launchers are already well-established on airborne platforms internationally. Transitioning onto the land (on both vehicular and dismounted roles) and also into marine environments, with FLETCHER, is a natural progression for us and will provide these forces with a completely new capability.”
He added: “FLETCHER is a very exciting new development for Arnold Defense and our team partners. We’re expecting to have the FLETCHER system ready for sale towards the end of 2018”.
Arnold Defense FLETCHER laser guided rocket launcher fitted to an Oshkosh S-ATV at SOFEX 2018 (image courtesy of Arnold Defense)
Ops-Core SOFIC Happy Hour Details
May 18th, 2018
Check Out Wild Things At SOFIC
May 18th, 2018
Come join Team Wild Things at the Marriott Marina aboard the MV Shamayem in dock #19. We will have all of our latest gear on exhibit.
Tuesday, May 22 – Wednesday, May 23:
· Exhibiting 9:00a – 5:00p
· Invitation only after 5:00p
Wednesday, May 24:
· Exhibiting 9:00a – 1:30p
Walk-ins welcome. To schedule a meeting, contact:
Emily@wildthingsgear.com or (828) 421-4349
There will be giveaways and refreshments served daily. We hope to see you there. Stay WILD!
See the Latest from FirstSpear at SOFIC
May 18th, 2018
US Army Purchases 20 MRZR X Vehicles for Soldier Trials
May 18th, 2018MINNEAPOLIS and ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (May 17, 2018) — Team Polaris® and its advanced MRZR® X multi-mode vehicle platform have been selected by the U.S. Army to be one of the robotic systems used by infantry brigade combat teams for the next year of trials as part of the Squad Multipurpose Equipment Transport (SMET) program.
“The optionally-manned MRZR X helps ease the transition from manned vehicles to unmanned because it maintains the functionality, drivability and multi-mission capability of a traditional MRZR,” said Patrick Zech, program manager, Polaris Government and Defense. “Providing the Army with the option for high speed operations or missions with a soldier driving behind a traditional steering wheel is an important part of our offering.”
As military forces worldwide look to lighten the warfighter’s load now and smartly network vehicles in the multi-domain battlefield in the coming years, the MRZR X provides an evolving, robotics capable, multi-mission platform. In addition, the MRZR X provides worldwide commonality with the MRZRs already in service in the U.S. and more than 30 allied nations.
“In addition to meeting or exceeding all of the current robotics requirements, we’ve designed a layered, modular, open architecture, integrating sensors and software that will make it easier for the Army to securely upgrade technology in the vehicles,” Matthew Fordham, group lead and associate division manager for Unmanned Systems and Security Products, Applied Research Associates Inc (ARA).
The MRZR X provides warfighters with a modular, multi-mission support platform and that has multiple modes of operation that span a broad spectrum from traditional operator driving, to multiple levels of autonomy, including the capability for remote control, teleoperation, follow-me, leader-follower and full autonomy. This allows the MRZR X to enhance and evolve mobility in varying roles including service as a robotic equipment mule, autonomous resupply vehicle, warfighter-driven squad carrier, logistics support vehicle, rescue mission enabler and high-speed casualty evacuation capability. In the future, the connectivity of the MRZR X will provide the ability to act as a networked node in the multi-domain battlespace.
ARA has been producing Modular Robotic Applique Kits (M-RAKs) for more than 20 years, with a specialty in off-road robotics, further enhanced by the acquisition of Neya Systems. The advanced MRZR X fully integrates the autonomy systems and optimally places the sensors to safeguard the technology while keeping the physical and software architecture open so it can spiral in future technology. The vehicle drivetrain is powerful and reliable, allowing for longer missions, high speeds and silent drive when needed – all on the very familiar, sustainable and intuitive MRZR platform.
Polaris Industries Inc., Applied Research Associates Inc. (ARA) and Neya Systems LLC formally teamed in 2017. The Team Polaris MRZR® X evolves squad mobility with advanced unmanned systems technology from ARA and the pioneering and unsurpassed autonomous systems behavior of Neya Systems. Team Polaris has many pursuits – together and individually – with U.S. services, allied militaries and commercial programs.
Team Polaris | Evolving Squad Mobility | Polaris.com/MRZRX
