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3M Subsidiary Wins Contracts for Two US Army Soldier Protection Programs

November 4th, 2016

This is major news. The Integrated Head Protection System component of PEO Soldier’s next generation Personal Protective Equipment program called Soldier Protection System, has been in source selection quite awhile. Gentex and Revision also competed for this program. Congratulations to 3M Ceradyne!

Company will deliver next-generation lightweight helmets and body armor inserts for the Soldier Protection System

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Nov. 1, 2016 – The U.S. Army has selected Ceradyne, Inc., a 3M company, as the awardee for two low-rate initial production (LRIP) contracts for next-generation helmet systems and hard body armor inserts as part of the Integrated Head Protection System (IHPS) and Vital Torso Protection (VTP) – Enhanced Small Arms Protective Inserts (ESAPI) components of the Soldier Protection System (SPS).

The Army designed the IHPS to give soldiers a lighter-weight ballistic helmet system that also provides passive hearing protection and increased blunt-impact performance. This helmet system includes numerous accessories, including a mandible, visor, night vision goggle attachment device, rails and modular ballistic applique. The contract awarded to Ceradyne is valued at over $7 million for the delivery of more than 5,300 IHPS helmet systems. Production is expected to start in 2017.

The VTP will equip soldiers with lighter-weight body armor inserts. The $36 million contract is for the production of more than 30,000 ESAPI, with production also expected to start in 2017. This VTP award is an addition to a previous $34 million award, for a total of $70 million on the VTP LRIP contract.

“We are honored to be the awardee of these prestigious contracts,” said Cheryl Ingstad, business manager, Advanced Ceramics Platform – Defense, 3M. “The SPS program represents the highest level of lightweight technology to date. Our focus from the onset has been to meet the Army’s stringent specifications for the SPS, and that will continue as we move into initial production. As a leading science company, 3M has deep expertise in advanced lightweight materials, which, combined with our proven production history, differentiates our defense offerings.”

The SPS will replace the Army’s current personal protective equipment (PPE) system. It is designed to defeat current threats while providing an overall weight reduction for soldiers compared to existing PPE. Both the IHPS and VTP began as research and development programs with multiple contenders.

Ceradyne has delivered more than 120,000 enhanced combat helmets (ECH) to the U.S. Army and Marine Corps since 2014. The ECH offers the highest protection level of any helmet in the U.S. Armed Forces inventory, even protecting against certain small arms threats. Ceradyne has also delivered more than 2 million hard body armor inserts to the U.S. Armed Forces to date.

For more information about soldier protection solutions provided by 3M, visit www.3M.com/Defense.

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Posted in Contracts, Helmets, PEO-Soldier | 5 Comments »

SureFire Shipping New 1000 Lumen Maximus Headlamp

November 4th, 2016

Fountain Valley, CA —SureFire LLC, manufacturer of the world’s finest—and most innovative—illumination tools and tactical products, is now shipping the newly updated HS3 Maximus™ headlamp. The SureFire Maximus™ rechargeable variable-output LED headlamp delivers an amazing 1,000 lumens of light—enough to illuminate your entire campsite. If that’s too much light, you can dial it down to 1 lumen—or any level in-between—for closer work, preserving your dark-adapted vision, or extending the runtime. A large knurled dial permits output control with one hand—even if it’s gloved or numbed by cold. One hand can also aim the light right where you want it since the light assembly rotates up and down 90 degrees.

Learn more at: www.surefire.com/maximus

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Posted in Advertiser, Lights, Press Release | 5 Comments »

Panteao Introduces Two New Instructional Videos

November 3rd, 2016

Columbia, SC, November 2, 2016 – Panteao Productions had released two new instructional videos in the Make Ready training video series. The first title released is Make Ready with Robert Keller: Proven Methods of the Carbine. Robert Keller has spent more than 19 years in the US Army with all of those years in the Special Operations community. He is also the Founder and CEO of Gamut Resolutions where he teaches law enforcement and civilians specializing in carbine and pistol. Proven Methods of the Carbine is your introduction to Bob’s approach to carbine training. He covers the must haves of carbine shooting, the Ready Up drills, reacquiring your target, controlled pairs, target hold-off, transition drills, sling types, multiple targets, turns, reloads, and more. You have to start with the fundamentals when it comes to a carbine. Robert Keller will give you a no nonsense approach to becoming proficient with a carbine.

The second video is Make Ready with Aaron Barruga: High Threat Environment Vehicle Tactics. Aaron Barruga served in the US Army Special Forces with deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Pacific Theater of Operations. He is the Founder of Guerrilla Approach where he teaches vehicle tactics and active shooter interdiction. High Threat Environment Vehicle Tactics is your introduction to close-quarter engagements in and around vehicles. Aaron reviews the reactive versus proactive mindset, offsetting cover, vehicle and glass ballistics lab, mounted shooting positions, bailout techniques with a carbine and pistol, exterior shooting positions, and more. Whether you are in law enforcement, a military organization conducting low visibility operations or a civilian, this video will give you a solid understanding of working in and around a vehicle.

Both instructional videos are now available streaming in UltraHD and HD. The videos can be watched on a PC or Mac, mobile device via the Panteao Apple and Android Apps, or on your television from the Panteao Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV Channels. All you need is a Panteao Streaming Video Subscription and you will have access the entire Panteao video library.

Proven Methods of the Carbine

High Threat Environment Vehicle Tactics

The DVD versions of these videos will be available later this month.

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Posted in Training | 1 Comment »

Looks Like QC Issues For OCP

November 3rd, 2016

A deployed SSD reader was recently issued a patrol cap through Army Direct Ordering which featured a rather shoddy example of OCP.

As you may recall, the US Army’s Operational Camouflage Pattern was adopted last year and is a variant of the so-called Scorpion camouflage pattern originally developed by Crye Precision which was used for the US Army’s Objective Force Warrior program in the early 2000s.  Crye Precision later refined the developmental Scorpion pattern into the highly successful MultiCam pattern which has been adopted by USSOCOM as well as the US Army.  Despite being less effective than MultiCam, OCP was instituted in order to avoid paying license fees to MultiCam IP owner, Crye Precision.

Hopefully, those buying gear for our troops will be a bit more discriminating in their acceptance of OCP printed goods, putting performance ahead of saving a buck.

Posted in OCP | 39 Comments »

Magpul – New Ballcaps

November 3rd, 2016

I got a chance to check these new caps out at Modern Day Marine/AUSA last month. I like the new designs, particularly the Culpepper Flag version, which features retro styling. They are an affordable way to keep the sun out of your eyes and show your support for Magpul.

Features:
-Updated sweat band with breathable fabric to keep you dry and comfortable
-Updated open mesh side and back panel to provide comfort and excellent breathability
-Adjustable snap back closure
-Mid Crown structure with Magpul interior taping for comfort and durability
-46% Cotton, 54% Polyester
-Eyelet vents

www.magpul.com/products/apparel-accessories/headwear

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Posted in Advertiser, Clothing | 5 Comments »

Northern Red – 2017 Open Enrollment Schedule Now Available Online

November 3rd, 2016

2017

Northern Red’s open enrollment schedule for 2017 is online now. The Company continues to offer a marksmanship POI built around gunfighting as well as classes in hostage rescue + close quarters battle. Northern Red prepares students for real-world missions using an established professional standard based on decades of combined combat experience from the Company staff of US Army Special Operations combat veterans.

northernredtraining.com/training_schedule

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Steve “Yeti” Fisher Partners with Propper

November 3rd, 2016

St. Charles, MO — Propper International is proud to announce a partnership with Steve Fisher, internationally-renowned tactical trainer and owner of Sentinel Concepts, as a new brand ambassador.

“This is an exciting time for Propper as we continue to build on our commitment to the law enforcement and civilian tactical markets,” said John Negrau, Propper’s Director of E-Commerce. “Steve brings decades of real-world training experience and has a high standard for the gear and apparel he uses every day.”

Nicknamed “Yeti” by his students, Fisher has been the owner/lead instructor for Sentinel Concepts since 2014. He also is a contract instructor for numerous ranges in Michigan and has been a staff instructor for EAG Tactical for the past five years. Steve currently serves as a reserve officer with an agency in the southern United States as a firearms trainer for SWAT and patrol divisions.

“I’ve been a fan of Propper for a long time and began wearing their tactical gear before we even talked about formalizing anything,” Fisher said. “I recommend them to everyone who takes my classes, so it was just natural that we would start working together.”

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The Commando from US Ski Pole Company

November 3rd, 2016

One military unit looking for an American made ski package could find skis but not poles. Then, they found the US Ski Pole Company and they developed the Commando to fulfill the need.


The Commando is their first pole model at retail with an adjustable feature. It extends from 75cm to 155cm with the ease of two push buttons. Sporting a bare carbon shaft, this pole is ready to go without any hassle of removing grips to resize. This pole has a 13mm tip and weighs in at 62gpm.


Shaft:
Their ski pole shafts are made from 100% USA-made carbon fiberglass. Certified technicians roll the carbon fiberglass, precisely controlling the thickness throughout the shaft.

Strap:
This strap is specifically designed for the US military and features both white and black 2″ nylon webbing with added front support. This single-loops straps have easy on/off capabilities and are heavy-duty materials to withstand the toughest of conditions.

Grip:
Their exclusive grip is designed with a synthetic foam that’s not only lighter than cork, but has thermal properties and is more resistant against wear. The grip is designed to be parabolic for a perfect fit to your hand, which means less chaffing and no blisters.

Tip:
This component is made from an extremely dense polymer, which makes it withstand harder impact and sub-zero temperatures. The shape is designed to work specifically with their quick-release basket system. These also feature a tungsten-carbide alloy tip, which was designed extra long for a longer lifetime.

Basket:
Specifically designed in-house by US Ski Pole’s team, this baskets’ shape was carefully constructed to allow air to flow freely through the keyway channel, eliminating suction effect during warmer conditions. This front lip allows full 360’ of support around the structure of the pole instead of 100% of the pressure from the back forcing the pole to arc forward in a loss of important power. These are also designed so that they snap into the opposite end of the respective pole, making them easier to transport and store.

www.usskipoles.com/products/ski-poles/commando

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Posted in Mountaineering | 2 Comments »

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