Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

Guy Cramer Talks Camo on CNN

December 6th, 2012

Filmed in August, CNN broadcast a report by Chris Lawrence entitled “New technology makes troops invisible.”

He interviews Guy Cramer of Canada’s HyperStealth Biotechnology Corp and partner of ADS Inc in their bid to win the US Army’s ongoing Camouflage Improvement Effort. The ADS/Cramer team produced the finalist US4CES pattern. Rumor has it that the Chief of Staff of the Army will be briefed this week on the results of the extensive testing undertaken to find a new family of camouflage patterns for use the the Army.

Cramer goes on to very briefly discuss his Quantum Stealth technology. As I understand it, CNN spent more than an hour with Cramer and yet edited it down to less than three minutes. It’s too bad because we want to hear Cramer speak more about his advanced camouflage concepts.

Tags: ADS Inc, Guy Cramer, US4CES
Posted in ADS, Camo, Media | 7 Comments »

For The Ladies – Magpul Releases Pink MOE Accessories

December 6th, 2012

Magpul has just announced that they are shipping Pink MOE Carbine Stock, Pink MOE Grip, and Pink MOE Carbine Handguard. Each will be priced the same as the other color options and Pink is currently planned as a limited release. Pink XTM Enhanced Rail Panels and XTM Handstop Kits are also planned to be produced.

www.Magpul.com

Tags: Magpul
Posted in For the Ladies, weapons | 6 Comments »

Field Gourmet – Hot Can

December 5th, 2012

Visiting Wild River Outfitters today in Virginia Beach we ran across Hot Can. It’s a self-heating can of soup, coffee or hot chocolate. We picked up a few cans to try them out and thought we’d share our impressions.

First off, the instructions are simple, but like with any equipment, it’s best to figure out how to activate the thing when you aren’t freezing in the cold. For example, they tell you to turn it upside down and peel off the bottom label but you can easily push right through it to activate the heating element. Just shake it gently to mix everything up and once the indicator button changes color, you’re ready to go. When you flip it back over and remove the cap don’t toss it. You’ll want to replace it once you flip the soda can style opener so that you don’t burn your lips on the can. Admittedly, this was a little messy.

The sample was Cafe Latte but it really tasted more like mocha. Not sure what that was all about. Tasty, not unpleasant, but not what we were expecting. We’ve also got hot chocolate and tomato soup so we’ll let you know how those go on our next outing.

It’s worth keeping a couple around in the car during the winter or for other vehicle-borne ops. It’s kind of heavy to be carting around a premixed beverage with heater so I wouldn’t carry it in a pack. You’ll make better use of your fire making and water filter materials along with some coffee or bullion and a canteen cup. Lots more versatility there if you are living out of a pack.

They were $2.99 each so you are paying for expedience and convenience. Some will. Some won’t. Like I said. In a car during winter, it might be a welcome relief, absent a full survival kit.

Like other prepackaged self-heating ration items, Hot Can has its place. Check it out at hot-can.com.

Tags: Hot Can
Posted in Field Gourmet | 6 Comments »

Inside Combat Rescue

December 5th, 2012

Coming 2013 from the National Geographic Channel.

Tags: National Geographic
Posted in SERE | 8 Comments »

FELLFAB to Acquire Integral Tactical

December 5th, 2012

This is pretty exciting news. FELLFAB is a well known supplier of soft goods to the military and transportation industry. They maintain manufacturing facilities in Canada as well as the US.

FELLFAB CEO Glen Fell and Integral Tactical President Evan Jones jointly announce that an agreement has been made by both companies for the acquisition of Integral Tactical by FELLFAB. FELLFAB will relocate Integral Tactical’s operation to its headquarters early 2013. By combining FELLFAB’s manufacturing scale, engineering excellence and project management expertise with Integral Tactical’s user driven, innovative approach to design and incorporation of new materials, the parties believe that they can offer their mutual customers a high quality Canadian made product to meet their evolving equipment needs, on a scale not previously possible.

Evan Jones sold Integral Designs to Rab about two-and-a-half years ago to concentrate on the tactical side. Evan is a Veteran of the South African Defence Force who emigrated to Canada and has always built no-nonsense clothing and equipment based on his experience.

Tags: FELLFAB, Integral Tactical
Posted in Foreign, Industry | 1 Comment »

The SR-71 ‘Pick’

December 5th, 2012

Offered by some guys I used to be stationed with in the Air Force, the SR-71, also referred to as ‘the Pick’, is a very specialized piece of kit used in airfield surveys.

It’s a simple soil strength surveying device used Internationally by Surveyors when assessing semi-prepared and un-prepared airfields. Individuals or a team of surveyors can quickly assess large areas and trouble spots / weak areas on an airfield by ‘picking’ the ground and checking top layers of soil for indicators of GO or NO GO criteria. This can save a lot of time as you may find that there’s no need to even break out the Dynamic Cone Penetrometer.

specialtacticssolutions.com/STS_Products

Tags: Inc., Special Tactics Solutions
Posted in Air Force, Sensors | Comments Off on The SR-71 ‘Pick’

USMC Corpsman Assault System Presolicitation

December 5th, 2012

The Marine Corps strikes again. This time it’s the USMC Corpsman Assault System which relies on a government owned design. So far the Marines have done this with several items including the IMTV and the USMC Pack. It means that commercial gear companies don’t have a shot at getting their designs into the hands of Marines and the issue equipment is designed by committee.

About a year ago, MARCORSYSCOM issued an RFI for production of a Corpsman Assault System consisting of:

Corpsman Assault System
Medical Assault Pack, CAS
Shoulder Harness Assembly, CAS
Shoulder Harness Pocket Assembly, CAS
Handle Assembly, CAS
Medical Sustainment Bag, CAS
Medical Thigh Rig, CAS
Belt, Medical Thigh Rig, CAS
Strap, Upright, Medical Thigh Rig, CAS
Strap, Medical Thigh Rig, CAS
Modular Medical Pouch, CAS
Narc Pouch, CAS
Medium Pouch, CAS
Large Pouch, CAS
Small Reversible Pouch, CAS
Medium Reversible Pouch, CAS
Elastic Panel, CAS
Double Pocket Panel, CAS
Stacked Pocket Panel, CAS
Triple Pocket Panel, CAS

I’m surprised it took a year for this to actually hit the pre-solicitation stage but the Marine Corps has done a very good job of keeping an eye on the programmatics side; synching dollars and programs. They know where their money is and when to spend it.

The Marines know what they want and are giving interested parties a heads up that they plan on buying up to 10,000 of these systems. Specifically, they want offerors to be able to produce at least 8,585 Corpsman Assault Systems within ten (10) months of contract award.

Patterns are available in the documentation for those interested in bidding. Feel free to read the whole thing at www.fbo.gov.

Posted in Load Carrying, MARCORSYSCOM, Medical, Packs | 14 Comments »

SXR Long-Range Low-Profile Night Vision Weapon Sight from SPA Defense

December 5th, 2012

S.P.A. Defense, a Global Night Operations Support Group, has just released the SXR Long Range Low Profile Night Vision Weapon Sight. It is manufactured by FLIR Government systems exclusively for S.P.A. Defense it is an I2 (Image Intensification, pronounced eye-squared).

Effective on all weapons platforms from carbines to .50 cal, but is optimized for medium and long range rail interface forward of any existing scope to provide night vision capabilities to the daytime target acquisition platform. The streamlined design of the external housing evenly distributes the weight of the SXR over the weapon system and eliminates barrel overhang. Additionally, the SXR can be installed, operated, and removed without tools and without affecting permanent bore sight alignment. The unit can also be mounted on a spotting scope for long range reconnaissance or as a hand-held night observation device (NOD).

It comes with an ITT Gen 3, OMNI-VII auto-gated Pinnacle technology, which provides increased resolution at high power magnifications, and shot placement repeatability within half-MOA accuracy. The SXR configuration has familiar operational controls that are identical to the MUNS and UNS systems which allows the user to maintain proper eye relief and stock cheek weld while making adjustments. It is available in two tube configurations and each SXR is built using a specially selected ITT tube that exceeds the minimum OMNI-VII spec. All systems come with a factory data sheet for the installed tube and a full two year warranty for the tube and system from the date of purchase.