Like so many others we went straight from last weeek’s DSEI in London to Modern Day Marine hear him Quantico, Virginia. Please enjoy our coverage.
Welcome to the 2016 Modern Day Marine Expo
September 22nd, 2015Source Vagabond – Virtus
September 22nd, 2015Virtus is the British Army’s latest Soldier Protection initiative. During DSEI we showed you the helmet component of Virtus band 1, manufactured by Revision. We stopped by the Source Vagabond booth where we got a closer look at the armor and load carriage components of this new system that begins fielding this month to the British Army. Over the next seven years, the entire Army will be outfitted with Virtus which consists of over 50 items consisting of Head Subsystem, Load Carriage Subsystem, Hydration Subsystem, Extremities Subsystem, Torso Protection Subsystem, Chassis Subsystem and Pouches Subsystem.
The Scalable Tactical Vest is the heart of the system and allows the wear of concealable armor, wear as a plate carrier, combining the two as a body armor vest as well as the addition of extremity protection including neck, bicep groin and lower back armor.
The right side of the vest features a Velcro shoulder strap which is used by the wearer to don and doff it under admin conditions. Conversely, the cutaway system is located on the left side of the chest and only releases the left side of the vest. The cutaway consists of upper and lower molded plastic pins that fit through channels in hinge-like buckles, lining up at the left shoulder and left cummerbund area. There is a pull tab that must be pulled outward (perpendicular), away from the vest. To pull up or down means that the opposite pin will not be activated.
Attached to this Scalable Tactical Vest is the Dynamic Weight Distribution spine bar. The DWD is adjustable up and down allowing the wearer to transfer the weight of the STV to the hip belt. We have written about Source’s DWD in the past as it is licensed to Force Protector Gear here in the US.
This is the hip belt along with low profile suspenders for wear under the MTV.
This is the front buckle of the Hip Belt.
The DWD can also be used with any of the pack options. Below is the 90l version.
In addition to the 90l pack, there are 45l assault packs and leader packs.
Source specializes in hydration and they’ve offered two carriers with Virtus.
The program also offers a variety of PALS compatible pouches. All issue items are in Multi Terrain Pattern but there were a couple of items in Coyote in the booth which were easier to examine than the camouflage examples.
Virtus does not include clothing items. The current fielding of Band 1 incorporates existing soft armor and plates. Band 2 of Virtus which will commence soon examines new plates and armor. Band 3 will add power and a databus to the armor and load carriage.
Magpul – GALAXY S6 Field Case Now Available
September 22nd, 2015
Magpul has just released the new Samsung GALAXY S6 Field Case. Like the rest of the Field Cases, the GALAXY S6 model features PMAG-style ribs, and is made from flexible thermoplastic. The Field Case is available in all standard colors.
www.magpul.com/products/magpul-field-case-galaxy-s6
DSEI – Morgan Advanced Materials / Gecko Headgear
September 21st, 2015 
Morgan Advanced Materials is offering a ballistic variant (NIJ 0101.04 IIIA) of Gecko Headgear maritime helmet design. It comes in a single size with an inflatable liner which not only helps secure the helmet but also offers bouyancy. The helmet also holds certification as a mountaineering helmet. In addition to a face shield they also offer a ballistic facemask.
DSEI – Waterspider Boot from Magnum/Typhoon
September 21st, 2015
Made exclusively for Typhoon by Magnum, the Waterspider was designed specifically for maritime operations.
The upper is neoprene reinforced with Superfabric at the instep for use while fastroping. The toe and heel are likewise encased in rubber.
The Waterspider incorporates the Octopod outsole which is both oil and slip resistant. there is also a plate in the insole for stability while climbing ladders. The Black model is zippered while the Green model features a lacing system. Both models have an adjustable ankle strap.
DSEI – Beretta Clothing System
September 21st, 2015Most people don’t know that Beretta supplies uniforms to the Italian military and these are full clothing systems going from undergarments to combat uniforms to fully seamtaped GORE-TEX outergarments. Clothing is available in both FR and non-FR variants in Vegetato camouflage.
From left to right we have the Outer Rain Kit, FR Clothing and Intermediate BDU.
Here are a few close ups of the features of these garments.
Beretta also offers mountaineering gear including boots, harnesses and helmets.
www.berettadefensetechnologies.com
DSEI – AirStream C1M Cooled Battlevest
September 21st, 2015 
The AirStream C1M Cooled Battlevest is a powered 260g layer that can be added to armor vest designs by either integrating during manufacture or fitted to existing vests. It does require a hose which connects to the ManPACK which is offered in several sizes to support the individual Soldier all the way up to 8 Soldiers simultaneously. The larger variants of the ManPACK would be vehicle mounted and run off of a 24v system.
Available in Black, White and Grey.
DSEI – YKK Announces FR/Waterproof Zipper
September 21st, 2015During DSEI, YKK announced a new zipper that is simultaneously FR as well as waterproof, combining elements from its Fire and Aqua lines.
They’ve molded their patented VT technology (EN ISO 11612:2008 certification) to a PU flame retardent laminated tape. Currently, the zipper is only available in Black and Green.
