Phantom Lights

Now We’re One Step Closer To A Real-Life Rocketeer

October 9th, 2010

Among the many futuristic pursuits we were promised as kids but never got, like food pills, flying cars, and death rays, comes an actual jetpack, courtesy of the Martin Aircraft Company of New Zealand. Featuring a gasoline powered V4, 2 liter engine, the Martin Jetpack can fly at a maximum regulated speed of 63mph with a maximum ceiling of 8000 feet. The current focus of the company is for governmental purchase, with 500 jetpacks to be used by emergency services and four unnamed defense companies. However, Martin is looking to secure additional funding to build a factory for the purpose of making jetpacks for commercial purchase. Although manned flight trials won’t be until 2012 at the earliest, at least we have something to look forward to as an alternate to that painful commute to work.

– Tactical FanBoy

The PIT

October 8th, 2010

Behold, a comprehensive overview of the secret G.I. JOE base from the ’82 comic series of the same name. The surface functions as a mild mannered military base, probably home to an armored unit or something else lame. But, the fully functional motor pool leads to the true base underground. In order to maintain perfect cover, it is capable of accomplishing complete ‘lube jobs’; take that as you will.

Buried underground, is your standard secret base affair, complete with garage, Pentagon uplink, training area, armory, and the mandatory computer banks. All standard stuff for a secret lair. But of real interest to me is that there is not only a classified but also a top secret room on the fifth level. How could you beat that? Well, you can. There’s even a hologram room functioning off 1980’s technology. It’s like that tree house you always wanted, but ten times better… and underground.

Go JOE!

– Tactical FanBoy

Daniel Defense / Vickers Tactical M4 Sneak Peek

October 8th, 2010

LAV has been talking about putting this gun together for some time and we can say that the DDM4 is the perfect platform to build a limited edition gun. Check out the video which details the accessories that LAV uses on his training carbines.

www.vickerstactical.com

www.danieldefense.com

ATS Small Medical Pouch Issued NSN

October 8th, 2010

The MultiCam version of the Small Medical Pouch from ATS Tactical has been issued National Stock Number 6545-01-587-2073. This is very significant because a military organization had to adopt the pouch and to order it in enough quantities to justify issuing an NSN.

It is a classic zipper closed “clam-shell” design with a large Red tear-away handle. The interior features elastic to keep medical supplies organized when the pouch is opened. The pouch also has an interior slot pocket for smaller items. The back of the pouch is covered in hook so it can be attached and quickly removed from the platform which features a large swath of pile. Additionally, ATS has developed a straight forward solution to the PALS interoperability with their patented L-Straps which are simple and hold the pouch fast.

In addition to the platform that comes with the pouch, ATS has just released a Special Forces Back Panel, that accommodates the pouch. Look for more info here shortly.

ATS reports that NSNs are forthcoming for both the UCP and Coyote variants. It is also available commercially in Black and Ranger Green. The Small Medical Pouch is available for sale from Grey Group Training and Supply Captain. ATS products are berry compliant and come with a lifetime guarantee.

Citibank Can Kiss My A$$

October 8th, 2010

Well, I finally have a reason to be happy Citibank sold my car loan. According to a well researched report in the www.theoutdoorwire.com entitled, “The Policies of Credit”, Citibank refuses to extend credit to those companies who make guns.

Elizabeth Fogarty of Citi Public Affairs, provided a statement to author Rich Grassi (editor of The Tactical Wire) that included, “we do prohibit financing merchants in the non-ancillary military equipment industry, including the financing of businesses that manufacture and or sell firearms for military use.” Citibank was bailed out during the financial crisis to the tune of $320 Billion and yet has the temerity to refuse credit not based on financial stability, but because of what a company manufactures. In this case, perfectly legal products; firearms and firearm accessories. Consequently, we fully encourage our readers to use other credit companies than Citibank. We know we will. And oh yeah, don’t use private label credit cards underwritten by Citibank either, that’s how this whole mess started.

Apocalypse Now: Full Disclosure

October 7th, 2010

I didn’t need Tactical FanBoy to point this one out to me. My life changed for the better in 1979 when “Apocalypse Now” came out. I still get goose-bumps every time I hear “Ride of the Valkyries”. Of course my dad wouldn’t take me, I think it was a little too soon for him and the whole thing freaked him out a little bit. But I saw it all the same, and the whole idea of becoming a fighter pilot went the way of the dodo. I would venture to say that it played just as significant a role in most SSD reader’s lives as well.

Zoetrope has just released Apocalypse Now: Full Disclosure, a three-disc Blu-ray edition that includes the original 1979 cut, the Redux version that adds several scenes to the opus, as well as the making-of documentary “Hearts of Darkness. Nothing like seeing Martin Sheen suffer a heart attack, it’s sort of a form a poetic justice. Additionally, this is the first time the film has been offered in Blue-ray. If this is where the sickness started for you too, it’s a must-have.

-Ed

Dry Fire Training Using Lasers

October 7th, 2010

Laser Ammo Ltd. manufactures the patent pending SureStrikeâ„¢ dry fire system which is designed to turn your pistol into a laser emitting dry-fire training gun. It does this by having dimensions similar to those of a standard ammunition cartridge. You load the device into the weapon’s chamber though the breech and it is held in place with a safety pipe and nut.

Activated only by a firing pin strike, the SureStrike emits eye-safe laser pulse, or a “shot” of red light, which simulates the point of impact where a bullet fired from the pistol, would have struck providing immediate feedback to the shooter.

SureStrike practice helps to improve techniques related to sighting, target acquisition, flinching, trigger control, etc. The shooter can also practice drawing, chambering, magazine change, racking the slide, and holstering, all resulting in better performance, even under pressure. An additional benefit is that all of this is done with the shooter’s own weapon rather than a simulator pistol.

Incorporated in the SureStrike training kit is the UhrSecureâ„¢ safety system, which locks the laser cartridge into the chamber with a safety pipe and nut that prevents the loading of a live round. The UhrSecure safety system provides a visual and physical indication of the secure nature of the firearm and enables safe use of the kit for both single and multiple users. The SureStrike has been tested by the Israeli secret service, the IDF anti-terrorism school and Israeli police.

The SureStrike laser training system is under warranty to provide 5,000 “shots”. If needed, an inexpensive replacement activation cap is available to guarantee another 5,000 shots. The SureStrike laser training system comes with a 9mm SureStrike laser cartridge, the UhrSecure safety system, a quick-user guide, battery pack and five reflective targets based on classic law enforcement standards, all in a convenient carrying case.

Adapters are available for .40 S&W, .45 ACP, .45 GAP, .45LC revolvers, and 12 gauge shotguns. Also available are replacement activation caps that allow the SureStrike to function as a bore sight, work with some of the market’s leading weapon simulation systems, activate electronic targets, and even use variable laser beam duration for advanced technique analysis.

No, we haven’t used it but it looks like it will give better feedback than dry firing with a washer on the barrel. Additionally, we like the idea that a live round can’t accidentally be chambered with the device installed.

www.laser-ammo.com

Energizer Compact Vest Light

October 7th, 2010

Energizer unveiled their new Compact Vest Light to us over the summer but asked us to keep it under wraps until the official launch at AUSA. It’s given us some time to run it through its paces. It fits right in the palm of your hand. The angle head design is great for a broomhandle-style grip with the thumb resting naturally on the top-mounted button which provides momentary activation or positive on/off.

The clip allows you to rotate the light 360 degrees and is PALS compatible. Additionally, the clip contains magnets to facilitate attaching it to other equipment. Energizer also provides Blue and Red filters with the light which screw into place in front of the lamp and on the bottom of the battery cap for storage. Since the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency upgraded almost all mapping products to be red light readable, it seems that few are using the blue filters these days unless they are relying on them to search for blood trails.

The LED lamp generates in excess of 45 lumens and throws light out to 10 meters. You can expect about 8 hours of run time with lithium and 6 hours with alkaline batteries. In addition to a 2 meter drop test compliance, the Compact Vest Light also passes the IPX7 waterproof protocol (immersion to 3 feet/1 m for 30 minutes).

Check out the Compact Vest Light at AUSA with availability for sale around SHOT Show. Energizer Hard Case Tactical