SureFire

BDATech Announced By United States Air Force Battlefield Airmen Special Projects Office (SPO) As Their Operational Control System (OCS) Solution

July 8th, 2015

Black Diamond Advanced Technology (BDATech) is proud to announce the selection of our Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) APEx Predator System by the United States Air Force Battlefield Airmen Special Projects Office (SPO) as their Operational Control System (OCS) solution.

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BDATech received the $48.1M, 5 year IDIQ contract on 6 July 2015 along with an initial order of 22 APEx Predator System kits for Operational Testing. BDATech’s APEx Predator System is planned to be fielded to all USAF Battlefield Airmen to include Tactical Air Control Party (TACP), Combat Control Teams (CCT), Para Rescue (PJ) and Combat Weatherman. Once fielded, these Airmen will have the APEx Predator System embedded alongside every US Army Combat Maneuver Element from Heavy Armor to Tier 1 SOF units. BDATech is putting the most technologically advanced tactical computing and power management system ever developed into the hands of the most lethal force multipliers in the world.

The APEx Predator System (APS) is a modular, wearable system which consists of the Agile Port Expander (APEx) Controller for POWER + DATA distribution, a Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) tablet computer, and system cabling optimized for tactical plate carrier use in dismounted operations. APEx provides connections for multiple peripheral cables, a system power cable and a tactical computer, or end user device (EUD). As a recognized leader in dismounted fires solutions BDATech applied years of lessons-learned to create the APS, which leverages combat-proven features of the Modular Tactical System (MTS), for flexible and reliable power management, human factors design and world-class environmental performance.

The APS is a ruggedized wearable system that provides tactical communications on commercial tablets / computers to enable C4ISR, DACAS operations, SUAS control and much more for the dismounted operator. BDATech customers are using the APS globally in various theatres of conflict. The combat-proven APS has been demonstrated as an effective enabler of precision targeting and other mission sets. The system is comprised of multiple elements, each offered a-la-carte to meet the needs of each customer’s unique requirements. These system elements include a ruggedized tablet computer, the APEx controller, power cables and battery charger, a large number of peripheral equipment cable options and tactical soft-goods such as plate carriers, assault packs and pouches.

At the heart of the APS is the Agile Port Expander (APEx) Controller which intelligently distributes power to connected devices and enables data communication of tactical data radios, video downlink, targeting and many other devices to the computer. The APEx Controller employs 5Gbps SuperSpeed USB (3.0) on four sealed circular military-grade universal peripheral ports that allows the user to connect multiple tactical peripherals to any computer, tablet or smartphone. The APEx Controller provides a unique human factors design that facilitates cable routing of connected interfaces in one-direction from the controller. This has been shown to greatly simplify cable routing to accommodate mounting the APEx Controller both vertically or horizontally, whether directly attached to PALS webbing on MOLLE-compatible vests/packs or stowed inside a pouch.

www.bdatech.com

Congrats guys! This has been a long time coming!

The BCM Bulldog Knife Manufactured by Emerson Knives

July 8th, 2015

Featuring Emerson’s patented “wave shaped feature”, the BCM Bulldog Knife is a limited production, individually numbered folding pocket knife. Just as BCM carbines are working guns you can count on, the new Bulldog Knife is an elegant but robust EDC item.

  

MATERIALS:
Handle: G-10
Blade: 154 CM
Finish: Stone Washed only

SPECS:
Overall Length 7.5 in.
Blade Length 3.2 in.
Blade Thickness .125 in.
Hardness RC 57-59

www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-Bulldog-Knife-Mfg-by-Emerson-Knives-p/bcm-bulldog

Oakley – Tombstone Shooting Eyewear Now Available

July 8th, 2015

Oakley’s Tombstone Shooting Eyewear is now available for order. We first told you about this new technology during SHOT Show which is offered in Reap (left) and Spoil (right) styles.

  

To create the Tombstone, Oakley conducted vision studies using specialized eyewear to track where a shooter looks. Then they used this data to develop a new single-piece fremeless lens design that offers an unobstructed 120 deg field of view. Additionally, they integrated the high contrast Prizm lens color (others are also available) as well as innovative trigger-release temple pieces that click right into place.

Tombstone was created for competitive shooting and not intended for impact protection. Tombstone meets ANSI Z87.1-2010 (Clause 5.1.4) optics standards.

www.oakleysi.com/Tombstone

Stuff I Like – TASC Performance Boxer Briefs

July 8th, 2015

I first discovered TASC Performance garments in early 2012 and I’ve been wearing them ever since. In fact, although I do own a couple of pairs of Merino Wool next-to-skin layers, TASC Boxer Briefs are my preferred daily wear. They are extremely comfortable and feature a flowmesh panel at the front.

  
Made from 55% Organic Cotton/40% Viscose from Bamboo/5% Lycra Spandex the Boxer Briefs are offered in sizes Small – XXLarge in White, Black, Heather Grey and Kryptonite.

www.tascperformance.com/boxer-brief

Tactical Distributors / Uber Group No Brakes Throwdown 2 Is Tomorrow!

July 7th, 2015

The 2nd Annual No Brakes Charity Kart Race is tomorrow, and there’s still time to register! Enjoy karting and great BBQ, with 100% of the proceeds being given to the chosen military charity of the overall race winner. Additionally, there’s a dedicated kids race this year! Prices are as follows:

  • Adult race and BBQ – 25.00
  • Kids race and BBQ – 15.00
  • No race, just BBQ – 10.00
  • The event is taking place at American Indoor Karting in Virginia Beach, Virginia on July 8th, 2015. For more information, and to register, visit nobrakes.tacticaldistributors.com

    AFSOC Testing All Terrain Tiger Camo

    July 7th, 2015

    According to an update on the Tiger Stripe Products website, AFSOC personnel are testing the All Terrain Tiger camouflage pattern.

    UPDATE 25 June 2015:

    Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) personnel begin Testing & Evaluation of All Terrain Tiger™ (ATT™). Details pending.

    Who could blame them? Despite the Army’s transition to the Operational Camouflage Pattern, the Air Force continues to issue the four color grey-based digital tigerstripe camouflage pattern it adopted in 2006. Granted, deployers are issued kit in OCP and Air Force personnel assigned to AFSOC, select Battlefield Airmen and Security Forces personnel assigned to Global Strike Command wear MultiCam. However, the garrison uniform remains digital tigerstripe. It’s also used for may deployments includimg contingency operations.

      

    All Terrain Tiger was actually envisioned by TSP as an operational alternative to the USAF’s digital Tigerstripe pattern. While All Terrain Tiger may end up being used for specialized applications on deployments, patterns such as this are often also used by OPFOR for training.

    For more info, visit, tigerstripeproducts.com/products/all-terrain-tiger.

    Orion Design Group – ARC Overview Video

    July 7th, 2015

    In the above video, Bryan from Orion Design Group goes over the features of the Advanced Reconnaissance Chest Rig. We posted an article of the ARC back in January, so you can refer to that post for the full details, however, in brief, the ARC is a five-piece modular chest rig developed by Orion Design Group in collaboration with S&S Precision, and manufactured by Grey Ghost Gear. The ARC is centered around an optics pouch, capable of holding upwards of a large framed 10x binoculars, along with some small Thermal Imaging Devices. This pouch is accompanied by the yoke, side panels, and a small roll top minimalist pack.

    www.odg-usa.com

    Sneak Peak – AttackPAK Integrated Climbing Harness

    July 7th, 2015

    On their Facebook page, AttackPAK showed off a project they’re currently working on: integrating a climbing harness with the AttackPAK. Anyone remember the Lowe Alpine LOCO from the 1980s?

    harness 1

    Given the modularity of the AttackPAK system, this is a good fit, and we’re eager to see a finalized product.

    www.attackpak.com