U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Gina Vaile-Nelson, 133rd MPAD
A Picture Says a Thousand Words
August 13th, 2009nPower Personal Energy Generator
August 13th, 2009Developed by Tremont Electric based in Cleveland, Ohio the nPower Personal Energy Generator (PEG) is very lightweight, ultra rugged, and completely silent. The PEG weighs a mere nine ounces packed into a nine inch long cylinder that harvests kinetic energy from the human stride and turns it into 2.5 watts of electricity.
The commercial technology has been adapted for military use and undergone limited evaluations by the Army, Marines and a Joint customer. There are currently two militarized versions of the device and they’re developing some additional versions for specialized use. The first version powers a handheld device (ie, a Garmin GPS, iPod, etc) and the other is a backpack-mounted version that can power a Toughbook, a radio, or other tech a warfighter may have. Both of these devices can, in theory, provide power indefinitely, as long as you’re moving. Current systems are crafted from Anodized Aluminum but plans are afoot to transition to Carbon Fiber in order to shave weight.
The military handheld device comes in two sizes. The first is nine inches long, nine ounces, and power output at 5 watts and the second is six inches long, weighs seven ounces, and power output at 2.5 watts. It can be mounted to PALS webbing.
Additionally, they have demonstrated a larger backpack mounted laptop device. It is envisioned to be comprised of two larger units running in parallel inside of a dedicated backpack. To work successfully it demands more mass so a minimum load of 30 lbs is required. While it is heavier, it will produce up to 100 watts.
The PEG offers a couple of operational advantages not realized with many other technologies. It is temperature independent so it will work in arctic and desert environments with no modification. Additionally, it has no thermal signature like fuel cells, which means it cannot be detected in the Infrared spectrum.
Tremont Electric was recognized by Business Week as one of America’s most promising start ups.
Visit Tremont Electric for more info. Tremont Electric is represented by Technical Applications Group.
Contractor BDU
August 12th, 2009EMDOM USA in conjunction with Military Morons has produced a limited run of a Contractor BDU. Produced from a modified Propper Khaki BDU (65% poly, 35% cotton, rip-stop fabric) the Contractor uniform incorporates many unique features. The genesis of the design project goes back to 2006 and one of the most important features is the Khaki color favored by many in the Security Contractor business as well as those attending tactical firearms training.
While all tactical clothing has many common features, the Contractor BDU has a few that are not found on other garments. For example, three very distinct mods have been made to the top. The first is the letter jacket style collar, the second is the shortened sleeve length which replicates a jacket with the sleeve cuff turned up and the final feature is the wide take-up tabs on the back to adjust the fit of the uniform. Both the elbows and knees have been covered in 500D Cordura. The trousers also incorporate a hidden pocket in the rear of the waistband as well as specialized knife pockets on both slash pockets. Finally, there are two front pelvis pockets.
Read the Military Morons review here. To order visit www.EMDOMUSA.com.
Personal Defense Readiness Website
August 12th, 2009Blauer Tactical Systems (BTS) has just launched a website for its Personal Defense Readiness™ division. The new site, pdrteam.com, is a portal for everything related to BTS’s Personal Defense Readiness (PDR) program and also serves as a resource for PDR coaches around the world to connect, share training tips, and network with one another.
The site has two interfaces: one public portal for those interested in personal safety, as well as information for martial artists and self-defense instructors as well as a second private section for certified PDR coaches. This section will include:
• Training Videos
• A Map of PDR Coaches Worldwide
• Personal Defense Training Tips
• The Latest Listing of PDR Courses
• Information on Becoming a PDR Coach
Renowned self-defense specialist Tony Blauer developed the PDR program for the general public. PDR is based on the S.P.E.A.R. (Spontaneous Protection Enabled Accelerated Response) Systemâ„¢, which is the only self-defense method that fully integrates the body’s reflexive responses and instinctive survival mechanisms.
PDR training provides realistic self-defense skills that are street applicable and integrates well with all martial arts and self defense programs. Students are exposed to aggressive, as well as defensive role-playing to simulate encounters and prepare them to react ethically and decisively to real-life aggression. The program also centers on BTS research on fear management, leading to greater self-knowledge and personal evolution. Consistent training also helps with achieving overall physical fitness, improved strength, cardiovascular conditioning, weight management and coordination.
For more information on BTS visit .www.blauertactical.com.
Army Evaluates New Buttstock for M-240B, M-249
August 12th, 2009
Photo: Vince Little, The Bayonet
The Fort Benning based Maneuver Battle Lab recently evaluated of a new style of buttstock for the M240B and M249 machine guns. 10 Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 29th Infantry Regiment, participated in the three-day experiment which included live fire and Individual Movement Techniques. The new buttstocks, modified after feedback from a Limited Objective Evaluation conducted last year, are adjustable from 10.125 inches to 7 in five increments, each approximately .75 inches apart. Additionally, the adjustment differs from the current issue stock with the buttons being vertical instead of horizontal and featuring only one button instead of two in order to adjust the buttstock.
The Challenges of Camo in Afghanistan
August 11th, 2009Strike Hold! has put together an excellent article on the challenges of providing effective camouflage for troops serving in Afghanistan. It seems the British are now starting to ask about their force’s patterns as well. An article appeared in the Daily Mail and one of the headlines was “Soldiers forced to dye their own camouflage gear in MoD blunder”. The photos in Stike Hold!’s story tell all and American readers should pay particular attention to very last one (shown here).
In it we see a US Marine in MARPAT-Desert, a very effective pattern; for the desert. This is the ultimate problem with specialized patterns. They are tuned for particular environments and once you are in another, you really stick out. It can be like showing up to a black tie function dressed for a costume ball, only deadlier. So answering Congressional concerns over Army camo in Afghanistan may not be as simple as “replace UCP”. It is highly likely that logisticians (and leaders) will look at Afghanistan and say “Desert”. The desire to field a desert uniform for a country with multiple environments will have similar consequences to what we see happening here with US Marine and British Army personnel. A universal pattern becomes very desirable in an operational area where troops could be in the city in the morning and an area with lush vegetation by evening.
Be sure to read the entire article.
New TAD Gear Website
August 11th, 2009TAD Gear launches their new website today. Over the next couple of days, DNS servers will update the new site. Lots of new images were shot and new products are being unveiled along with the new site.
visit tadgear.com.
IR Callsign Patches
August 11th, 2009Tidewater Tactical is now offering reversible IR Callsign Patches. They are Black on one side and Tan on the other. The Tan side is solely IR reflective and the Black combines Glow in the Dark alpha-numerics with an IR reflective cut out. They laser cut the ID’s alpha-numerics from the face fabric whether Cordura or IR tape. The outer edges of both sides are color matched hook tape so that the panel may be affixed to uniforms.
The patches are available from Tidewater Tactical.
Note, these products are protected by ITAR and cannot be exported.
