In addition to the AX2, look for the Fast X in the same colorway.
Coming Feb 2014 From Adidas – AX2
June 14th, 2013LBX Teams With Maddox Defense To Offer Mobile Solar Kit
June 14th, 2013LBX Tactical has teamed with Maddox Defense to bring you an affordable solar mobile solution.
The LBX Solar Kit I includes:
– 5 panel solar charger with USB output
– 500D hook & loop closure pouch for solar charger
– Small chargeable battery pack(Capable of 5 recharges on an iPhone)
– MOLLE pouch for battery pack
LBX plans to release a Kit II and Kit III solar solution with Maddox Defense in the future with increased output capability.
Link to full kit:
lbxtactical.com/collections/solar/products/lbx-solar-kit-i
Link to individual products:
lbxtactical.com/collections/solar
Introducing TNVC University
June 14th, 2013TNVC recently launched a Youtube channel that is chock full of night vision knowledge. When they spoke with us about sharing it, I suggested we take the idea one step further by making it a regular feature here on SSD. They agreed and here we are, launching TNVC University. I am really excited to have them on board. Let the learning begin…
TNVC’s core is education. It always has been; It always will be. While we do sell night vision and related gear, we are not salesmen. We are real life trainers first. We are educators. We can outfit a team or department with the night vision equipment they need, educate them on what it does, and then show them how to use it operationally. Our managerial and training staff is made up of former military special operations/former law enforcement special operations, and all currently hold a badge. This is not just a job for us. We understand the importance of putting quality equipment into the hands of the people who depend on it, because we also depend on it. TNVC as a company felt compelled to fill the void in informative and educational material when it comes to night vision, which is why we are pleased to announce our YouTube series that we hope will bring insight into the night vision world. We will be adding topics on a regular basis, however, if there is something that you would like to see us cover, feel free to email us any suggestions.
Soldier Systems Congressional Watch – Updated
June 14th, 2013HR1960, the House version of the National Defense Authorization Act is on the House floor today. The bill would provide $638 billion for DOD; $552.1 billion in baseline defense spending plus $85.8 billion for Overseas Contingency Operations. It also includes $5.1 billion to restore readiness accounts for Afghanistan, and includes the restoration of Army and Air Force flying hours programs and facilities sustainment.
This is probably the most significant issue. The bill authorizes $52 billion over sequestration caps. We will need to see what the Senate comes up with.
Update – The bill passed 315 to 108. Read the roll call vote here.
Additionally, the Senate Armed Services Committee marks up today, as does the House Appropriations Committee.
Breaking – PEO Soldier Media Roundtable – Individual Carbine Competition
June 14th, 2013We’ll update this post live with info as the Army releases it.
BG Ostrowski, PEO Soldier introduced the panel:
CSM Maunakea, Mr Fred Copolla PM Soldier Weapons, COL Paul Hill PM Ammo, COL Dan Burnette Maneuver Center Of Excellence and CSM Braxton from MCOE.
BG Ostrowski offered a brief history of the Individual Carbine requirement. Based on the draft solicitation released in Feb 2011 they fielded and answered over 320 questions. The final solicitation closed in October 2011. 8 competitors: Adcor, Beretta, Colt, FN, H&K, LMT, Remington and Troy bid on the program.
The goal of the program was a cost benefit analysis pitting those candidate weapons against the baseline M4 performance. In particular they looked at accuracy, reliability, life-cycle cost, and Soldier acceptance.
Phase I- Nov 2011
Administrative in nature. Spring 2012 all passed on to phase II.
Phase II – Spring 2012
Actual performance phase.
Accuracy – Candidate weapons must have offered accuracy of 5″ or less at 300m
Durability
Reliability – BG Ostrowski noted that the weapon as a system consists of the weapon itself, the magazine and the ammunition. Each of the vendors had different issues. As an aside, the IC program established a Mean Rounds Between Stoppages at 3592 rounds as a requirement. Conversely, when the M4 was fielded in 1990 it was required to offer 600 Mean Rounds Between Stoppages. To this day, the M4 continues to be tested against its baseline performance established in 1990 despite the Army’s new requirement for the IC, although the 3592 number was established during the Army’s performance qualification testing of the M855A1 round. The M4 itself exhibited 1691 class I and II MRBS during the M855A1 testing. The difference between the M4’s and IC parameters is one of the indications of that significant increase in performance that the Army is seeking.
During Phase II, 3 weapons per vendor each expended 21600 rounds in temperate testing. Next, they would have expended 36000 rounds in Phase III.
Phase III would have been a Limited User Test and IOT&E.
BG Ostrowski was surprised that it turned out this way but during Phase II, none met requirements to pass to Phase III. Primarily, reliability was the issue at hand.
The Army is NOT cancelling IC competition. It has to conclude the program as none met the minimum requirements to continue in the program. This was not test-fix-test venue but rather binary in nature as in pass/fail. Consequently, the Army’s hands are tied and BG Ostrowski noted that the Army would have moved forward if it would have been possible.
He went on to explain that the Army has not made a decision regarding steps ahead. MCOE is interested in increased lethality, range and accuracy however, there is no immediate plan to recompete this requirement.
The Army still wants a leap ahead technology.
The Army has made 92 improvements to the M4 since its initial fielding in 1990. The second path of the dual path strategy is still in full swing with conversion of the fleet of M4s to M4A1s. This includes a heavier barrel and full auto capability. BG Ostrowski wants to keep the “industrial base warm” and the Army has just issued an IDIQ contract to FN for additional M4s.
BG Ostrowski was very adamant that the M855A1 receives high Soldier acceptance despite the information in yesterday’s press release that indicated that the ammunition might be a mitigating factor in the failures. There is some question as to whether or not the press release was correct on this matter and unfortunately, this answer was not established.
Mr Fred Copolla noted that although it was an option in the requirement, none of the offerors introduced alternative calibers or ammunition to the competition.
Help Raise Awareness for PTSD by Supporting ‘Will Gardner’
June 14th, 2013Tom Spooner shared this with me the other day. As you may know, both Tom and his brother Scot are very active in educating others about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injuries. He asked me to check it out and if I thought it was worth sharing to help him spread the word. Later, others also shared this project with me and I’m using my bully pulpit to share it with you.
Over the next 57 days, Max Martini is attempting to raise $2.5 million on the crowdfunding site GoFundMe.com to make the movie, “Will Gardner.”
An Iraq war veteran, suffering from TBI, takes a spirited motorcycle trip across the country reclaiming his life lost since combat.
To participate in this project, which vows to donate 50% of its profits to charities that assist Veterans with TBI and PTSD as well as homeless Veterans, visit GoFundMe.com.
SecNav Doesn’t Like “Blueberries”
June 14th, 2013
The Navy ‘blueberries’ – I don’t know what the name is, that’s what sailors call them – the great camouflage it gives is if you fall overboard,” said Navy Secretary Ray Mabus at a Thursday meeting with reporters. Mabus points to what has become a macabre joke among sailors, highlighting the dangers of a shipmate falling into the sea wearing a sea-colored uniform
No, that isn’t from the DuffelBlog, it’s real-life, and is a direct quote from a story in US News and World Report by Paul D. Shinkman regarding the Navy’s superfluous camouflage pattern.
PS Make sure you go read the article. It’s pretty good.
Today Is Twice As Awesome As Any Other Day
June 14th, 2013
I not only get to wish the US Army a Happy 238th Birthday and wish all of my fellow Americans well on this Flag Day!
