We’re at the 2017 Marine South Expo and we’re going to share some cool stuff with you.
Marine South 2017
April 13th, 2017USAF Standing Up MFF Parachutist Course For Battlefield Airmen
April 13th, 2017
(USAF photo by Capt Jessica Tait)
Despite a couple of delays, the US Air Force is closing in on standing up a Military Free Fall Parachutist qualification course for its Battlefield Airmen. Like the US Navy’s course, it will be run by contractors, and the curriculum will be certified by USSOCOM and USASOC as well as AETC. Unlike the USN course, students will not earn their Static Line parachutist qualification, but will already be graduates of the Ft Benning course upon attendence of the AF MFF course. Students will meet all of the standards of the Army MFF course, but it will be conducted at a contractor facility, utilizing contract aircraft.
MFF training is an initial skills course that provides academic, ground, vertical wind tunnel/simulation, and military freefall training to first time jumpers that meets United States Special Operations Command/United States Army Special Operations Command (USSOCOM/USASOC) curriculum requirements.
Sister service parachute training has been stood up due to limited availability of course quotas for the Army MFF course. The Navy has been using a contractor run course for over a decade and added S/L training to their parachutist course because the Ft Benning curriculum lasts three weeks. While NSW primarily conducts MFF parachute ops, they certify their students in S/L procedures within the first few days of their training course.
Final contractor proposals are due on 2 May, 2017. Hopefully, we’ll see a pilot course before the end of the fiscal year.
MARCORSYSCOM Hosts NATO Group – Focus ‘all about the Soldier, Sailor, Marine’
April 13th, 2017Defense experts from around the globe gathered at Marine Corps Systems Command April 5-7, to share information and work toward common solutions for complex issues across allied forces.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization Land Capability Group on Dismounted Soldier Systems convened at MCSC’s Gruntworks Squad Integration Facility aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico. Representatives from 20 countries and three continents discussed standardization of common capabilities and issues for coalition Marines and soldiers worldwide. LCG DSS is part of the NATO Army Armaments Group, one of the three main armaments groups subordinate to NATO’s Conference of National Armaments Directors. NAAG’s mission is to support nations in achieving the objectives of NATO land force armaments cooperation. It promotes interoperability of alliance and partner armed forces by means of information exchange, materiel standardization and cooperative activities.
Brig. Gen. Joseph Shrader, commander of Marine Corps Systems Command, speaks with leaders of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Land Capability Group on Dismounted Soldier Systems during the group’s biannual meeting aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico on April 5. LCG DSS is part of the NATO Army Armaments Group, one of the three main armaments groups subordinate to NATO’s Conference of National Armaments Directors. NAAG’s mission is to support nations in achieving the objectives of NATO land force armaments cooperation. It promotes interoperability of alliance and partner armed forces by means of information exchange, materiel standardization and cooperative activities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Emily Greene)
Brig. Gen. Joseph Shrader, commander of MCSC, kicked off the three-day session with a warm welcome to attendees and provided a glimpse into the priorities of the Marine Corps.
“Our Marine Corps Operating Concept sets forth our commandant’s four directives,” said Shrader. “The future of the Corps is focused on being more capable, more networked, more resilient and more lethal. Those are the things I think about on a daily basis.”
Shrader placed emphasis on the mission of the Marine Corps rifle squad; which is to locate, close with and destroy the enemy by fire and maneuver or to repel the enemy’s assault by fire and close combat. He said the question lies in how to continue accomplishing that mission as technology constantly develops, often adding to the load of the Marine even as it provides increased capability.
“Technology is a tremendous force multiplier, but it can also be a detractor,” Shrader said. “Additional technologies and capabilities often add weight and size to the load our Marines carry. What you are doing here this week is essential to the future success of our forces.”
Shrader was joined by Timothy Goddette, deputy program executive officer at the Army’s Program Executive Office Soldier.
“This group is all about the soldier, the sailor, the Marine. And not just the soldier, but the dismounted soldier,” said Goddette. “The time you spend here this week, and throughout the year is all about lightening the load, making the soldier more lethal, and providing better protection. It’s like the old carpenter’s motto, ‘Measure twice, cut once.’”
Members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Land Capability Group on Dismounted Soldier Systems examine a prototype for exoskeleton technology April 5, aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico. During the three-day session, representatives from 20 countries and three continents discussed standardization of common capabilities and issues for coalition Marines and soldiers worldwide. LCG DSS is part of the NATO Army Armaments Group, one of the three main armaments groups subordinate to NATO’s Conference of National Armaments Directors. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Emily Greene)
Goddette said the group’s work served two important purposes: increasing the effectiveness of coalition forces and reducing defense costs.
“Every dollar we waste on something that doesn’t work is a dollar we could have spent on a soldier or Marine,” Goddette said. “We have to get it right the first time.”
LCG DSS members were also given opportunities to view new technologies that hold potential for future force enhancement and forums in which to share lessons learned and best practices.
“The LCG DSS meetings provide an important opportunity for us to come together as partner nations and share our hard-earned knowledge so that we all can benefit from it,” said Mark Richter, LCG DSS chairman and MCSC Marine Expeditionary Rifle Squad director. “I think we can all agree that our aim is to create systems that will work together in a coalition environment. These meetings are a key factor in facilitating that cross-collaboration.”
Story from www.marcorsyscom.marines.mil
Aegisound Custom Earplugs Outperform Foam Earplugs in Virginia Tech Study
April 13th, 2017Findings confirm custom earplugs are significantly better at preventing hearing loss for military
Carbondale, PA, April 12, 2017. Gentex Corporation, a global leader in personal protection and situational awareness solutions for defense forces, emergency responders, and industrial personnel announced today findings from an independent study conducted by Virginia Tech Auditory Systems Laboratory regarding its Aegisound CTE30X custom earplugs. The study, funded by the Office of Naval Research, found the custom earplugs significantly outperformed the foam earplugs used in the testing.
Researchers at Virginia Tech examined the performance of commonly used roll-down foam earplugs and Aegisound custom-molded earplugs without training, with training, and 21 days after training. The custom plugs outperformed the foam plugs under all test conditions, and were preferred by the test subjects for ease of use, quickness of fit, and relative confidence in hearing protection offered. One of the most notable outcomes of the study was that the attenuation performance of the custom plugs did not degrade after training, 21 days later, whereas the foam earplugs did. This data point illustrates that foam plugs can be difficult to use reliably, whereas custom plugs offer consistent performance over time.
“Our Aegisound products provide precise intelligible communications and long-term hearing health for military personnel on flight decks and flight lines where some of the loudest occupational noise environments exist,” said L.P. Frieder, president, Gentex Corporation. “This recent study by Virginia Tech validates these and other benefits of choosing custom molded earplugs over foam.”
For Aegisound custom fit hearing protection products, custom ear canal molds are digitally manufactured to exacting standards, which allow the earplug to precisely fit the ear canal to achieve optimal comfort and superior hearing protection in extreme noise (105 to 150 dB(A)), such as those found in military and industrial environments.
John G. Casali, Ph.D., CPE, and Kichol Lee, Ph.D. of Virginia Tech presented findings from their study at the National Hearing Conservation Association’s annual conference on February 24, 2017 in San Antonio, Texas. View the full presentation at this link.
Blue Force Gear Showcases Micro Trauma Kit Now! At Marine South Expo
April 13th, 2017POOLER, Ga., March 13, 2017 – Blue Force Gear®, the designer and manufacturer of the world’s finest weapon slings and tactical equipment, will showcase the Micro Trauma Kit NOW!™ (Micro TKN) at this year’s Marine South Expo. U.S. Marines will be able to demo the product first-hand at booth 121 at the Camp Lejeune, North Carolina-based show from April 12 to April 13.
Designed to hold essential lifesaving medical supplies, like a decompression needle and combat gauze, the Micro TKN attaches directly to your belt and is the smallest version of the Trauma Kit NOW! collection. The Micro TKN is available in several variations and can be purchased with or without medical supplies.
Two main components make up the Micro TKN – the outer MOLLE or belt mounted pouch utilizing Ten-Speed® technology and a removable insert that keeps the medical supplies organized. The MOLLE is horizontally mounted on the belt to not obstruct torso movement. The front outer pouch features a laser-cut cross with several signal indicators – black, red, or highly reflective glow-in-the-dark insert.
Blue Force Gear designed and developed the Micro TKN with help from an 18 Delta Special Forces Medic.
“The Micro Trauma Kit NOW! is the perfect tool for Marines to carry downrange because deployment of the first aid supplies can be done with one hand or even a single finger,” said Ashley Burnsed, CEO of Blue Force Gear. “The kit provides all the essentials needed to save a Marine’s life in one pouch.”
Marine South Expo attendees can find Blue Force Gear’s new products and current lineup in booth 121. James Byer, Blue Force Gear’s Government Business Development Manager and retired Infantry Marine, will be in attendance at the show.
Adaptive Tactical’s Patented Removable Barrel Insert Now Available For Ruger 10/22 Takedown Rifles
April 13th, 2017
Nampa, Idaho (April 2017) – Adaptive Tactical, LLC, manufacturers of innovative firearm stocks and accessories, is pleased to announce that its patented removable barrel insert for the Ruger® 10/22 Takedown® rifle is now available on the Adaptive Tactical website and through various retailers.
Developed by Adaptive Tactical, the removable barrel insert revolutionized the customization of Ruger 10/22 platforms by providing an easy option to quick change barrels from tapered to bull, without gunsmithing tools while ensuring a stable, strong fit in the same 10/22 stock. The insert allows for a custom fit for both standard tapered barrels and .920-inch bull barrels in Adaptive Tactical’s Tac-Hammer TK22 Takedown stock, the Tac-Hammer TK22C 22 Charger Takedown Stock, and the ADTAC™ RM4 Stock.
Adaptive Tactical’s versatile removable barrel insert offers customers multiple choices in one platform, and is just one of many ground-breaking firearms innovations developed and patented for the benefit of the shooting sportsman or woman.
In addition, Adaptive Tactical is pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached with FAB Defense regarding Adaptive Tactical’s removable barrel insert, U.S. Patent 8,056,278.
For more information on Adaptive Tactical, visit www.adaptivetactical.com or “Like” us on Facebook and “Follow” us on Instagram. For more information on Adaptive Graphx or St?nCamo, visit www.adaptivegraphx.com and www.stoncamo.com.
There’s a Reason Tankers Refer to Dismounts as “Crunchies”
April 13th, 2017
Source: US Army WTF Moments on Facebook
Tyrant Designs – HALO Series MiniVert Grip
April 12th, 2017
Tyrant Designs CNC, an industry leader in high-end aftermarket AR grips has just announced their release of the new HALO Series MiniVert, a vertical forward grip. With dimensions slightly smaller than the average AR-15 vert grip, the MiniVert sports an aggressive looking knurl and well thought out ergonomics. Coupled with the ability to fit directly to MLOK and Keymod rail systems this little grip packs a big punch. With an overall length just shy of 3 inches, Tyrant instead utilized an elongated lip at the bottom allowing the operator the option of either tucking their pinky behind or resting the finger the traditional way.
“With all of the positive feedback we have received from reviewers, dealers and social media, we are extremely excited to announce the official release of our HALO Series MiniVert! This concept took months of designing and field testing to make it as comfortable as possible while maintaining our well known aggressive styling. It truly is a vertical grip that can be used in all situations on various platforms to heighten the performance of the operator. We are pleased with how it came out and look forward to seeing it on AR’s everywhere.”
