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Daniel Defense Resumes Operations

August 6th, 2009

Following a difficult period of downsizing and furloughs, Daniel Defense, Inc. resumed normal operations at their new manufacturing facility on 5 August. Recent drops in small arms sales had forced the Savannah area small arms manufacturer to balance out production and sales levels, resulting in nominal layoffs, and a week-long furlough for the majority of both manufacturing and administrative personnel.

The week-long furlough sparked a torrent of online discussions within the firearms community as many AR enthusiasts contemplated the ominous impact of a firearms manufacturer expressing difficulty in this economy. Everyone at Daniel Defense was elated by the amount of supportive, encouraging, and optimistic comments made by everyday shooters and enthusiasts. Jay Duncan, Vice President of Sales & Marketing spoke on this subject by saying, â€œWe are very confident about our position in the market place, and feel our strong relationships with our dealers, distributors and most importantly our customers, will pull us through the other side of this difficult market shift. We are encouraged by the support of our customers and the firearms community, and will work diligently to continue providing the products and service that have earned their trust.â€

Optimistic about Daniel Defenseâ€™s recovery from this unfortunate series of events, Marty Daniel, CEO and Founder of Daniel Defense clearly expressed his combined empathy for those who lost their jobs, and confidence in the professional skills of the fine personnel that fill Daniel Defenseâ€™s payroll. â€œLayoffs are very personal, so we did our best to avoid layoffs as long as we could. Unlike simply turning off a machine, our employeesâ€™ families, income and way of life were dramatically complicated. Our employees are our most important asset, and there isnâ€™t a single employee laid off that we arenâ€™t working to get back. We hired the most hard working, and skilled designers, programmers, operators and assemblers in the industry. As we restructure ourselves to address demand and market status in the most fiscally responsible manner possible, our primary goal is to bring as many of these fine people back to work.â€

Daniel Defense is poised for continued successful operations as they continue steady production of the Daniel Defense DDXV Carbine, a lightly accessorized version of the acclaimed DDM4 Carbine. They have also debuted a new variant of the popular DDM4 which features a shorter rail dubbed the DDM4v2.

Visit Daniel Defense online.

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Posted in Black Rifle | Comments Off on Daniel Defense Resumes Operations

Betalight

August 6th, 2009

Issued to leaders in the 75th Ranger Regiment in the late 80s and early 90s, the Betalight Torch (NSN: 6260-99-965-3582) is still available today. While they fell out of use due to the proliferation of small, inexpensive flashlights Betalights still maintain a distinct appeal. As they contain gaseous tritium, they have a service life of 10 years.

In addition to the torch, Betalight also offers several other products including a map illuminator, compass, personal markers as well as aiming post lamps. For more information visit www.betalight.com.

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Posted in Lights | Comments Off on Betalight

Survival Straps

August 5th, 2009

Some of us are too busy (or lazy) to tie our own 550 cord bracelets and lanyards. Survival Straps takes the work out of it and offers a variety of woven products in over 900 combinations.

Their survival bracelets are made with over 24′ of 550 cord (wide variant). When I made them back in the day, I used a couple of knots at the end of the bracelet threaded through a loop as a closure and some guys got fancy and used a button from an old set of BDUs. But the survival bracelet features one of two unique closures. One is a side release buckle and the other is a stainless steel shackle. Both secure your bracelet and look sharp.

Two colors can be chosen for each product, one for the outer edge and the other for the inner portion of the weave. Survival Straps believes in their product so much that if you use it in a survival situation they will replace it for free.

We suggest you check out the entire lineup at www.survivalstraps.com. They offer numerous products and have an extensive library of photos to give you an idea of what your creation will look like.

Posted in Gadgets, SERE | Comments Off on Survival Straps

OPSGEAR Television Commercials

August 5th, 2009

In what can only be considered an industry first, OPSGEAR has produced two ads seen nationally on cable.

See them both here.

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Tactical Tailor Now Offers Coyote

August 5th, 2009

In order to support a wider range of customers, Tactical Tailor has launched a new line of their quality tactical gear in Coyote Brown. As always, Tactical Tailor gear is made in the USA and features a lifetime limited warranty.

See the entire lineup at www.tacticaltailor.com/coyotebrown

Posted in Load Carrying | Comments Off on Tactical Tailor Now Offers Coyote

High Speed Gear TRASH Bag

August 4th, 2009

North Carolina-based High Speed Gear produces a wide range of tactical nylon equipment and accessories. Based on the continued popularity of the ALICE pack, they developed the TRASH Bag. HSGI always wants to integrate new capabilities into their products so they recently produced a variant of the TRASH Bag that will not only work with the venerable ALICE frame but also the new Down East 1606 frame. While the 1606 frame is indeed an external system, many feel it works as more of a hybrid due to the way it hugs the bag and wraps around the wearer. The 1606 is much more of an interface than an end unto itself.

Designed to replicate the footprint of the Large ALICE pack, the TRASH Bag adds a carrying handle and in place of the ALICE’s pockets, it is covered in PALS webbing. Internally, the radio pouch has been replaced with PALS webbing.

The lid is removable to reveal a generous top opening with a spindrift. It also integrates a panel opening on the back. The panel flap has two mesh pockets to help organize equipment.

The packs are offered in 1000D Cordura. HSGI built a prototype in 500D but felt the weight difference was negligible. While the photos depict the TRASH pack in MARPAT, that pattern is currently unavailable. Rather, the pack comes in Khaki (standard), Smoke Green, and Multicam. Other patterns are available if the customer supplies material. The pack does not come with a frame, waist belt, or shoulder straps.

To order visit www.highspeedgearinc.com.

Tags: 1606 Frame, Down East, High Speed Gear
Posted in Multicam, Packs | Comments Off on High Speed Gear TRASH Bag

Visit us on M4Carbine.net

August 4th, 2009

M4Carbine is now sponsoring a Soldier Systems Industry News sub-forum. It’s a great place for you to provide feedback on our coverage and interact with us. You’ll also have access to some of the best information on small arms, and the M4 family in particular. Come on over and check it out.

www.M4Carbine.net

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Camo Rumors

August 4th, 2009

In light of an impending directive from Congress to the Army to get their camo house in order, rumors continue to circulate about an upcoming test involving four camo patterns with the Army’s current Universal Camouflage pattern serving as a control.

The four patterns are MARPAT-Woodland, MARPAT-Desert, Multicam, and Desert All Over Brush (seen below). Originally, we had heard that the fourth pattern would be the 3-color Desert pattern issued to all services prior to adoption of their new distinctive uniforms. However, based on some recent, unverified information we believe it is actually the Desert All Over Brush which interestingly gave a very good showing during the Army camo trials of 2003-2004. According to a Natick report, a modified variant of the Desert version All Over Bush pattern performed best in all environments. You can also access a briefing presented on the subject at the 2004 International Soldier Systems Conference here.

Based on a series of evaluations documented in the report and briefing slides Natick developed the variant of All Over Brush pattern.

Having said all of that, the info on that particular pattern is old news. At some point in the Spring of 2004, the Army took a serious sidestep from all of its research and adopted UCP. if the rumors are true, looking at what is on the table, neither Marine patterns would really be considered serious candidates due to a variety of morale, and as we have discussed before, branding issues. You think the black beret issue was rough, imagine the outcry from two services if the Army adopted a Marine camo pattern. Consequently, while effective, we don’t consider the MARPAT variants as serious contenders. This leaves, depending on who is telling the story, either 3-color Desert which is still used by some US Navy forces (and a few others) or the prototype Desert All Over brush pattern in addition to Crye’s Multicam. While there are limited stocks of 3-color equipment still in the system, virtually none of it is in the configuration currently used by US forces. If it were adopted, the US Soldier would literally take a five year step back in capability until production of current issue equipment could be accomplished. Additionally, there is a political dimension to such a move. UCP was sold as a superior pattern to both Woodland and 3-Color Desert. Someone would naturally ask the question of why the Army discarded a pattern in favor of something less effective.

This leaves Desert All Over Brush and Multicam. Multicam has been used operationally by select US forces to great success and even more importantly, is currently supported by the US industrial base. A wide variety of Berry Compliant products (and raw materials) are available as COTS items. Additionally, industry already offers versions of current issue equipment in Multicam. Furthermore, there are numerous lightweight and multi-purpose Soldier Systems items designed specifically for environments like Afghanistan. Multicam is a mature, widely available, low hanging fruit. On the other hand, adoption of Desert All Over Brush would require long lead times as fabric mills first perfect and then produce sufficient quantities of materials. Only then could uniforms and equipment for our Soldiers begin to be procured.

We are waiting with bated breath to see if these rumors are true and what’s more, if they are, what will come of them. Naturally, Soldier Systems Daily will keep you updated.

Posted in Camo, Clothing, Congress, Multicam, Rumor Mill | Comments Off on Camo Rumors