Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

FirstSpear Friday Focus – Grid Reference Guide Organizer Pocket

February 7th, 2014

The FS Grid Reference Guide (GRG) Organizer Pocket is a low profile carrier for GRGs, status cards, target photos or other aide memoires. It doesn’t take up much room on your kit and is right where you need it. Mil-Spec elastic webbing keepers can hold pens, wax pencils etc. but the cool guy feature is the small stretch pocket will hold items roughly the size of a battle dressing or maybe a compass.

Items are secured by an integrated hook & loop flap with a loop exterior field for attachment of patches or visual recognition devices. The clear section inside the GRG Organizer can be marked up with nonpermanent (alcohol pens, wax pencil etc.)

Available in Black, Ranger Green, Coyote and MultiCam with 6/9 or 6/12 attachment technology.

www.first-spear.com

Tags: FirstSpear
Posted in Load Carrying | 2 Comments »

Iridium Go! Hotspot Offers Internet Access In The Backcountry

February 7th, 2014

Although it offers data transfer speeds out of the 90s, the Iridium Go! hotspot’s 2.4 kbps beats what you’ve got right now in the back country which is generally bupkiss. And by back country, I don’t just mean the American wilderness; Iridium is used worldwide. For many years the military and other specialized users have relied on data transfer via Iridium satellite phones but the company has not offered a purpose built, commercialized hotspot until now. Granted, there’s a Thuraya device out there that some of you may be familiar with but coverage is limited, whereas Iridium is worldwide (land and sea). Go! will allow you to connect up to 5 wireless devices to a 30.5-meter (100 foot) radius hotspot. While internet access might seem painfully slow, that text and email functionality you’ve never had will be great. Sending photos will be possible but you’ll have to learn to live with low res chips and not high def panoramas. You can also use it to make calls and the Go! has built-in SOS and GPS modes. Even better? It’s forward compatible with Iridium Next, a satellite based network they are rolling out to increase speeds to near 3G/4G levels so web browsing you’re used to at home is coming.

Measuring 114 x 83 x 32 mm (4.5 x 3.25 x 1.25 in) and weighing in at 295 g (10.4 oz) the Go! charges via microUSB, and can connect to up to five mobile devices at a time. To turn it on, flip up the antenna and connect your device via the Iridium Go app on your smartphone or tablet available for both iOS and Android. The Go! also boasts MIL-STD 810F ruggedness.

Coming fall, 2014.

www.iridium.com

Tags: Iridium
Posted in Comms, Digitization | 5 Comments »

I Am Humbled…

February 7th, 2014

As you can imagine, SHOT Show is hectic. On Monday, I started to receive phone calls and texts from my friend Andrew Ho saying he had something for me. I didn’t know it at the time but he was working as a courier for Derrick Obatake of Steel Flame who had him carry a surprise to Las Vegas for me. It took several back and forths before we finally linked up, and by that time the ‘package’ was burning a hole in Andrew’s pocket. Unbeknownst to me, he had even gone so far to post a photo to my Facebook wall and handed out some of the contents to mutual fiends. Once we linked up, Andrew handed me a small ziploc bag. I opened it and it turned out to be filled with copper dogtags. Each one was carefully stamped with the SSD logo. These beauties were accompanied with a simple card (seen below). I was floored.

Derrick had asked me months ago for a copy of my logo and said he would have a surprise for me one day. Truth be told, I had completely forgotten about it. What a guy. While we gave most of them away at SHOT Show to some really great people, we’re holding a few back to give away to our readers. So keep your eyes peeled for that.

Even though we’ve only met a few times, Derrick honored me by doing something completely selfless. He is one of the most giving men I have ever known and I can only hope to make it up to him. I’ve been wanting to thank him for a few weeks now but I felt it best to wait for things to die down a little.

If you’ve got a jewelry project and need some top notch work, I cannot recommend Steel Flame enough.

www.steelflame.com

Tags: Steel Flame
Posted in Morale | 12 Comments »

Vertx Sponsored Pro Staff Member, MMA Fighter And Combat Veteran Tim Kennedy Announces Next Fight

February 6th, 2014

Cincinnati, OH 03-FEBRUARY 2014 – Vertx® along with sponsored MMA fighter, combat veteran, and Vertx® Pro-Staffer, Tim Kennedy, is excited to announce Kennedy’s upcoming bout versus Michael Bisping on April 16, 2014 at the Ultimate Fighter Nations Finale in Quebec City, Canada.

“Working with Tim is a top priority for Vertx® and we are excited to sponsor him in this highly anticipated fight with Michael Bisping,” said Ginger Rohlfs, Director of Marketing for Vertx. “We are beyond thrilled to be able to lend our support to our friend, colleague and partner.”

After years of back-and-forth “talking” between the two, Kennedy received the nod to fight Bisping this past January. Coming off a three-fight win streak, including a first-round TKO victory in his last appearance over Rafael Natal at UFC Fight for the Troops in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Kennedy is more prepared than ever. Carrying an undefeated knock out resume among his UFC colleagues, Kennedy is also known for his military background, edgier sense of humor and out-of-the-ring video antics. He is a favorite among fans who appreciate Tim’s personable and direct nature.

“I couldn’t be more excited about having opportunity to fight, and beat, Michael Bisping,” said Kennedy. “Representing a company like Vertx® in such a marquee main event matchup is truly a dream come true.”

Catch Kennedy vs. Bisping live on Fox Sports 1 and Fight Pass on April 16th.

www.wearvertx.com

Tags: VertX
Posted in Media | 4 Comments »

Marines Seeking Enhanced Flame Resistant Combat Ensemble

February 6th, 2014

In January, MARCORSYSCOM released a pre-solicitation for an “Enhanced Flame Resistant Combat Ensemble” or EFRCE. While it sounds like something completely new, really what the Marines are looking for is a version of the Blouse and Trouser from the Flame Resistant Organizational Gear (FROG) that incorporates but improved fabrics and Permethrin treatment. There are no plans to alter the current cut or design of this popular uniform.

In terms of a general description, EFRCE is similar to the current Flame Resistant Combat Ensemble (FRCE) in the Marine Corps inventory; however, the design and fabrics used to construct the FRCE have been modified to increase durability (as such, producing the EFRCE)…Also, of note, following contract award, each shirt and trouser of the EFRCE must be factory permethrin treated and must conform to the permethrin concentration levels and percent bite protection requirements, as established by the Marine Corps.

They want vendors to use the following fabric types:

Cloth, Type I – Woven, Woodland, Marine Corps Pattern (MARPAT) Camouflage Printed
Cloth, Type II – Woven, Desert, MARPAT Camouflage Printed
Cloth, Type III – Woven, Navy Working Uniform (NWU) II, Desert Digital Camouflage Printed
Cloth, Type IV – Woven, NWU III, Woodland Digital Camouflage Printed
Cloth, Type V – Knit, Coyote, Solid (All Uniform Types)

Based on this, as you can imagine, the EFRCE will be offered in 4 variants:

As you can see, the Marines and Navy have no plans to abandon their camouflage patterns anytime soon. But, Marines and Sailors will have a great uniform in both woodland desert variants.

Class 1, Type I EFRCE Blouse and Trouser, Woodland MARPAT, with Durable Insect Protection
Class 1, Type II EFRCE Blouse and Trouser, Desert MARPAT, with Durable Insect Protection
Class 2, Type III EFRCE Blouse and Trouser, NWU II Desert Digital Camouflage Printed, with Durable Insect Protection
Class 2, Type IV EFRCE Blouse and Trouser, NWU III Woodland Digital Camouflage Printed, with Durable Insect Protection

As of now, the EFRCE will be produced by Hub Zone-based small businesses.

Tags: FROG, USMC
Posted in Clothing, Contracts, FR, FROG, MARCORSYSCOM | 6 Comments »

Powertraveler – Powermonkey Expedition

February 6th, 2014

While attending DSEi back in September, UK-based PowerTraveller showed me the next big thing in expeditionary power generation. Ever since then I’ve been chomping at the bit tell you about it. It goes beyond anything commercially available and allows you to collect power by Hand, Wind, Solar, Water and Shorepower means. It’s already been recognized with an ISPO Gold Award which recognizes the best new products internationally.

As a guy who spent some time on both the G-76 and G-67 hand crank generators, I was pretty impressed. The Powermonkey Expedition features 32:1 gearing which allows you to use a hand crank to produce power and 10 minutes of cranking gives you 1% charge on the Powermonkey Expedition’s internal battery. Not sure if you’re cranking at the right speed? The device has a simple LED that goes green when you’re up to snuff.

Don’t want to crank and have stiff wind? Or, driving to a destination? Attach the Powermonkey Expedition to the top of your vehicle to create your own wind while you drive around. Just pull out the silicon windcups and attach them. Want more? Pull out a solar panel and attach that, even while you are using wind power generation.

Near a stream? Flip it on its side and harness the power of gravity to spin the cups with water.

This thing has a lot of base’s covered which is why I am so impressed with it.

(Click to view .pdf)

Granted, it weighs 1.8 kg or just over 4 lbs but the versatility is phenomenal. It relies on a Lithium Polymer battery that 10500mAh with 12v and 5v 800mAh output.

Look for release worldwide May, 2014 in both outdoor (Black/Silver) and tactical (coyote) versions.

www.powertraveller.com/expeditionvideo

Tags: powertraveller
Posted in Gadgets, Power | 5 Comments »

GI Joe Turns 50

February 6th, 2014

During this month’s Toy Fair in New York City, GI Joe creator Hasbro will announce plans to celebrate the brand’s 50th anniversary that brought the term “Action Figure” into America’s lexicon. Although the brand wasn’t officially unveiled until March 1964, many consider February the true anniversary month.

GI Joes were my most treasured toys growing up and I know it wasn’t just me. During SHOT Show, a friend showed me a photo taken during his youth of his Joes. Although I had a lot of cool toys including Major Matt Mason, Sea Devils and a whole slew Marx war playsets, I’m a 1/6 scale Adventure Team Joe kind of a guy at heart (can you say “Kung Fu Grip?”). The smaller 3-3/4″ versions and comic book came out around the time I was moving on from toys, but I know a lot of guys grew up with them. Now that I’m grown, I’ve rediscovered the originals and really appreciate the memories.

How about we all take a knee and share our toy memories? Here’s one of mine.

Tags: GI Joe
Posted in Morale | 11 Comments »

Cammenga – Destinate Model D3-T Compass

February 6th, 2014

(Click to view .pdf)

Cammenga’s Destinate Model D3-T Tritium Protractor Compass incorporates all the same parts and materials as the Model 3H Tritium Lensatic Compass, the official U.S. Military Compass. Built upon a transparent nylon baseplate and waterproof housing, the Model D3-T features 6 tritium micro lights to allow for navigation in low-light conditions without the use of an external light source; tritium micro lights remain luminous for over 12 years. The D3-T features a Copper Induction Damping System which slows the rotation of the magnet without the use of liquids. The D3-T also comes equipped with a map magnifying lens, dial graduations in both degrees and mils, and 3 map scales (1:25K, 1:63.36k, 1:50km) for navigation on a variety of maps. Made in the USA.

www.cammenga.com

Tags: Cammenga
Posted in Gadgets | 2 Comments »