Phantom Lights

Replacing UCP – The Truth of It All

June 26th, 2012

I think one thing needs to be made crystal clear. The main stream media is beginning to pick up on the story that the Army is evaluating camouflage as part of the PEO Soldier sponsored Army Camouflage Improvement Effort. It must be made brutally clear that this effort may not result in a new family of camouflage patterns at all for the Army and the sponsor has not made any claims to the contrary.

What is supposed to happen is that the effort should result in a set of recommendations for Army leaders. It’s up them to decide the Army’s course of action. In fact, earlier this year I had the opportunity to ask a single question of MG Tony Cucolo, the Director of Force Development at the G8. Naturally, my question involved the replacement for UCP and whether the Army was ready to program $5 Billion over the FYDP to recapitalize camouflage. The answer didn’t do much to instill confidence. “They’re working on something down there at PEO Soldier,” came the reply.

Think about that.

Stars, Stripes and Blue Towels Contest from Outgo

June 26th, 2012

July 4th is coming up and to help celebrate 236 years of Independence, we’ve launched a photo contest with Outgo. Show your Patriotism and submit an original patriotic photo now through July 22 for a chance to win one of ten Outgo Field Kits. The kits include a Soldier Systems logoed Microfiber Towel, Z-Mask & more. All-in-all, over $500 in prizes. Enter today at www.mcnett.com/outgo or bit.ly/OutgoContestFB. Winners will be announced on July 12.

Black Powder Red Earth T-Shirt Now Available

June 26th, 2012

Available in Small – XXLarge, this graphic T captures the essence of the graphic novel ‘Black Powder Red Earth’ with a full frontal panel with additional printing on the sleeve and back. BPRE has attained a cult-like following through a combination of a distinctive visual style and an excruciatingly researched storyline that creates a world so real you can feel yourself living it. Combat Veterans too appreciate the realism depicted in the vignettes that are based on real world events. Show your support.

haleystrategic.com

Recoil Issue #3

June 25th, 2012

Look for Recoil issue #3 hitting newsstands next week.

www.recoilweb.com

Smith Optics Elite Aegis ECHO Now Available for Order

June 25th, 2012

The new Aegis ECHO and ECHO Compact from Smith Optics Elite Division were designed specifically to be compatible with hearing protection/ communications systems. The Aegis ECHO features a distortion free, anti-fog optical lens that meets US Mil Spec MIL-PRF-31013 and ANSI Z87.1 standards and provides 100% UVA and UVB protection.

As you can see from this photo, the earpieces are the secret to the design at a scant .6mm thick. This is the lowest profile temple in the industry and crafted from stainless steel making them rigid yet adjustable. These earpieces allow you to get as close to the head as possible without breaking the seal on the headset or causing a hotspot or worse yet, a headache.

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elite.smithoptics.com

Marker Panel, Individual, LW (MK 1) Available Now from Battle Systems LLC

June 25th, 2012

The first time I saw the Marker Panel, Individual, LW (as in lightweight) from Battle Systems, LLC I said to myself, “Self, why hasn’t anyone done this before?” I already knew that Battle Systems offers some bad ass tape in the form of Vinyl Tape, Coyote Brown so their dedication to quality is for me, without question. The MPIL is a great alternative to carrying a full-size VS-17 panel. Most folks just don’t need the whole thing and cut them down to size for individual use. Even then, the material doesn’t pack down well. The Marker Panel, Individual, LW on the other hand does.

It is so compact, it literally fits the palm of your hand and folds out to 16″ x 16″ with orange and pink sides just like a full-size VS-17. There are 550 loops in each corner to facilitate mounting the MPIL to gear or for use in conjunction with others for DZ and LZ marking. It can also be used to mark vehicles. Battle Systems uses the National Molding Large Poli Bina Clips to attach the MPIL to equipment. Finally, each side of the MPIL has a color matched Velcro loop patch to accept a removable 2″ x 2″ IR reflective square patch.

As you can see from this photo, the MPIL REALLY reflects light and we had to tone down the photo a little so you could look at it.

The currently available MPIL Mk I’s are assembled in the USA from a combination of US and foreign materials but that was just s stopgap to get these rolling. They don’t have enough on hand to even remotely approach the Berry threshold. The Mk II will be available very soon, manufactured entirely of US materials.

www.battlesystemsllc.com/Marker_Panel,_Individual,_LW

Note – The IR Squares are ITAR controlled and Battle Systems will ONLY ship within the USA.

TD x Black Palm Syndicate 4th of July Commemorative T-Shirt Production Video

June 25th, 2012

Coming for the 4th of July, a new Black Palm Syndicate design, exclusively from Tactical Distributors.

Warrior Expo East to Feature Thermo-Man Burn Demonstration

June 25th, 2012

Join ADS, Inc and DuPont for a Thermo-Man burn demonstration. ADS will illustrate the effectiveness of the Fire Resistant Environmental Ensemble (FREE) Clothing System in a live burn demo on July 12, 1430-1515. If you are going to be at Warrior Expo East, this is something you do NOT want to miss.

warrior-expo.com/warrior/east