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Army Interested in Consolidating iCVC and A2CU

February 28th, 2012

The Army has released an RFI, looking for information on combining their Improved Combat Vehicle Crewman Coverall (iCVC) and Army Aircrew Combat Uniform (A2CU). These FR (and electrostatic dissipative) garments are worn respectively by mounted crewmen such as tankers and aviators such as pilots.

Specifically they are looking for “capability statements from companies for the purpose of identifying potential sources to assist in the development of an innovative Design and Specification” for a garment that:
Is a single uniform which meets the requirements of both the Aviation and Armor communities.
Constructed of a light weight, breathable and durable fabric (lighter weight than the current iCVC Coverall fabric and more durable than the current A2CU fabric).
Is equal to or is lesser in cost than the current iCVC Coverall.
Can be used in either a one piece or two piece configuration.
Provides a sizing system matching the Army Combat Uniform and Army Combat Uniform-Alternate Sizing spectrum.

They’re also not planning on giving up camouflage printing or Permethrin treatment.

The root designs of both uniforms predate the adoption of both UCP and OCP with the iCVC being a one-piece coverall and the A2CU a two-piece. Interestingly, USAF airlift and rotary wing crews have recently adopted the A2CU as well as a commercially developed two-piece FR garment because the issue CWU-27/P flight coveralls can be so uncomfortable in the hot environments found in Southwest Asia.

One additional aspect of both the iCVC and A2CU is that they are both components of the Fire Resistant Environmental Ensemble (Free). By combining the two products into one, and keeping the various other components of FREE in mind vendors can increase the utility and performance of both systems.

Another interesting issue is that a significant number (>20%) Army aviators are female. This may be a factor in combining the two garments.

In addition to design disparities, the two garments are made from different FR fabrics. It seems that during testing for alternative FR fabrics, the two communities preferred the fabrics they are using.

Hopefully, a common sense approach will be reached that can accommodate the needs of both communities.

Posted in Clothing, Contracts, FR | 1 Comment »

Win a Set of 8 Intelligent Armour Belts

February 28th, 2012

Intelligent Armour has developed two new belts, made in the UK. Manufactured in four colors: Tan, Black, Olive Drab and Foliage Green.

The winner of this competition will receive a set of eights belts (1 of each type in each color) valued at £400 in his or her size or in a mixture of sizes to share with friends.

You have to answer the Question: What brand/make of buckles do we use on our Intelligent Armour Belts?

The answer can be found on these two pages:
IA Combat Holster Belt
IA UKSF Riggers Belt

How to enter: Simply email your answer with your name and contact number to: win@intelligent-armour.co.uk

Competition rules: One entry per email address, multiple entries from the same email address will not be counted. The winner will be picked at random on the 31st March 2012. The name of the winner will be posted on www.body-armour-protection.co.uk/ia-competitions.html. The winner will be contacted prior to the posting of any name.

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Posted in Contest | 5 Comments »

HSP Sporting Wolf Arc’Teryx Kit in a Disruptive Environments “Urban Darkness” Exercise

February 28th, 2012

LEAF.Arcteryx.com

www.mayflower-rc.org

www.haleystrategic.com

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Posted in Arc'teryx, Clothing, Training | 3 Comments »

Fuel Handler Coverall

February 27th, 2012

When we wrote about the Army’s contract award for the Fuel Handler Coverall several readers asked us to see what it looked like. While we still don’t have a photo of the final garment, here is a pic of a prototype.

And another in UCP. Not as clear.

Posted in Clothing, FR | Comments Off on Fuel Handler Coverall

Tactical Distributors Tax Refund Sale Week 4 – Lights

February 27th, 2012

How about 17% off lights and accessories from TD, February 27-29? Use code TAX12 at checkout.

www.tacticaldistributors.com

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Posted in Deal of the Week, Lights | Comments Off on Tactical Distributors Tax Refund Sale Week 4 – Lights

Stratagem Jumps on the A-TACS AU Camo Train

February 27th, 2012

German manufacturer, STRATAGEM is now offering A-TACS AU Camo gear in their product line.

The DC (Dynamic Combat) Chestrig
As integral component of the Dynamic Combat Concepts (D.C.C.) the D.C. Chestrig also functions as well as a modular platform for the combined carrying method with the STRATAGEM LVAC Hybrid, MRAV Hybrid and other modular Vests.

The DC Chestrig features ultra-slim construction and a large zipper compartment grants access to the inner portion of the Chestrig for additional equipment storage or to function as a storage for the Shoulder and Hip Straps while worn in combination with the LVAC or the MRAV Hybrid.

Attachment points for the patent pending Quick Connect System (Q.C.S.) enable the user to quickly attach the DC Chestrig, to the LVAC Hybrid and MRAV Hybrid within seconds allowing greater functionality.

LVAC (Low Visible Armor Carrier) Hybrid
Designed for Less Weight and More Performance, it combines rigid, conventional and lightweight materials to create an incredibly lightweight product that is still sturdy enough to handle whatever gets thrown at it. The “Hybrid” part of the name refers to the combination of conventional and lightweight materials. Additionally, as part of the Dynamic Combat Concepts the LVAC can easily adapt to become a complete ballistic system. The internal plate pockets will hold ballistic plates up to size L (11″x13″).

HK417 Quick Draw Pouch
The pouch holds one HK417 magazine which is secured by Shock Cord, for fast access. They claim it is “Designed to grip, not to slip.”

For more information, or to inquire about ordering, visit them online at: www.stratagem-taktik.de

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Posted in Camo, Foreign, Industry | 5 Comments »

Sign Petition To Raise Awareness of Federal Prison Industries Contract Preferences

February 27th, 2012

In recent years, manufacturers who employ law abiding citizens have lost significant market share because of unfair contracting preferences to labor performed by federally-incarcerated inmates through a government-run corporation known as Federal Prison Industries (FPI). As it pertains to the procurement of DOD clothing and textiles, FPI’s preference needs to be limited so as to provide more jobs and opportunities for the US domestic manufacturing base. And in some cases, this preferential treatment has resulted in the procurement of sub-standard helmets. While we believe FPI certainly has a legitimate function, it is also imperative that they are required to play by the same rules as their competition.

There is currently a petition at the White House to get the attention of President Obama. If you agree that FPI should lose its preferential status and have to openly compete, please help out by signing the online petition.

1) Go to https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petitions. The name of the petition is “Reform DOD Procurement Policies that Benefit Federal Inmates”.
2) You will have to register to sign teh petition. It is email based and simple. Activate your account by clicking on the link sent to your email (it may take a few minutes for the email to reach your inbox).
3) Change your password using the link provided.
4) Click the green button “Sign this petition”.

Thank you for your consideration.

Posted in Industry | 1 Comment »

‘Recoil’ Magazine Available For Digital Purchase

February 27th, 2012

‘Recoil’ magazine has already attained rockstar popularity after only one sold out issue. No one can seem to find it anywhere in hardcopy so we were pleased to hear that it is being offered by Zinio for digital subscription in a wide variety of formats.

www.zinio.com

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Posted in Media | 19 Comments »

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