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Tactical Tailor’s Hybrid Enhanced Vest

July 30th, 2009

The Tactical Tailor Hybrid Enhanced Vest (H.E.V.) is manufactured from 1000D Cordura with an air mesh lining. The design features modular webbing on all sides and is fully adjustable to fit most wearers. Safety features include a dual cummerbund system for proper vest posture and positioning on the body as well as a pull-over flap for quick removal in emergency situations. Internal pockets accommodate standard size plates and soft armor for most ballistic vests up to 17″ x 24″ front and 18″ x 22″ back. Also included with the H.E.V. are removal side closures with elastic for better fit and adjustment, padded shoulder straps with integrated microphone epaulets for added ease and comfort, and a heavy duty drag handle. The entire package has an empty weight of only 4.5 lbs. Soft armor packages are available exclusively to military and LE personnel with proper credentials. Available in Black, Coyote Brown, Ranger Green, and Multicam from www.tacticaltailor.com.

Tags: Tactical Tailor
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REF Equipment List

July 30th, 2009

There have been numerous questions floating about the equipment chosen for the Army’s Asymmetric Warfare Group fielding of a battalion’s worth of lightweight COTS equipment to the 4th ID for their current deployment to Afghanistan. In an effort to dispel any rumors, we got a list of the equipment issued but have removed sensitive materials including any references to armor.

See the entire list after the jump.

Tags: AWG, REF
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LWRCI Improves Bolt Carrier

July 29th, 2009

Not ones to sit on their laurels, LWRCI is constantly looking at their weapons and determining ways to improve reliability and streamline the manufacturing process. Their most recent modification is a switch from a two piece bolt carrier with a dovetailed key to a one piece carrier. This enhancement has allowed LWRCI to reduce the number of parts necessary to build their weapons. In addition, there are now no screws to come loose (an extremely rare situation) and no staking is necessary. The initial units shipped with recent M6A3 weapons, but this modification has begun to trickle down to the M6A2 models. In the very near future, LWRCI will also offer an upgrade path for individuals who wish to discontinue use of their two piece carriers. In order to upgrade to the new carrier, a customer would also need to order a new operating rod as the rod was lengthened slightly in order to accommodate the new carrier design.

In addition to the transition to a one piece carrier, LWRCI has introduced a few other upgrades in the not so distant past. First off, instead of using a phosphate or a standard hard nickel finish on the carriers, LWRCI is now applying a Nickel Boron treatment. This treatment is of benefit to the end user in a couple of different areas. For starters, the Nickel Boron has improved lubricity over other standard finishes and has a noticeably slicker feel to the surface. Secondly, the Nickel Boron allows for easier cleaning of the carrier. Along with the Nickel Boron, LWRCI has also incorporated an Over the Beach modification in the form of longitudinal cuts in the pad found on the tail of their carriers. This allows quicker draining of water from within the upper receiver when the weapon has been submerged. The OTB modification actually allows the LWRCI to be fired once the weapon has broken the plane of the water.

It is this sort of attention to detail and forward thinking proven reliability, that has allowed the LWRCI M6A2 to be recently approved by the DEA.

LWRCI weapons and uppers can be sourced directly from LWRCI, Amendment Arms and various other resellers.

Tags: Amendment Arms, LWRCI
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SASS Updates Website

July 29th, 2009

UK Kit Gurus Extraordinaire Special Air Sea Services have updated their website. The new site is more user friendly and continues to feature their excellent line of customizable Smocks and other combat clothing as well as alternatives to British issue webbing and packs. One example is the current issue British Special Forces Smock.

Visit them at www.sasskit.co.uk.

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S.O. Tech Sniper Sale

July 28th, 2009

Starting today at Noon until 31 August, S.O. Tech is sponsoring a sales blow out that includes a majority of their Sniper items. In addition to individual items they are also offering “Bundle savings”. Sale items are marked down between 30-35% but when customers buy a group of bundled items (Sniper Bundle #1, #2 & #3) they will save an additional 10-15%.

For example, Bundle #1 includes a Mission Go Bag, Carry Handle Pad, Sniper Mag Shingle, as well as Sniper T-shirt and Symbology Patch.

Full details will be unveiled today on the S.O. Tech website.

Tags: S.O. Tech
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More on Galea

July 28th, 2009

Information on the new Dutch combat helmet continues to trickle out of the Netherlands. The article from the Dutch Ministry of Defense reveals Galea to be a component of Project VOSS (Verbeterd Operationeel Soldaten Systeem) or Improved Operational Soldiers’ System, IOSS in English.

A translation of an informational piece released by TNO

“TNO has developed a new multipurpose helmet for the Defense Materials Organization (DMO). The helmet’s design is based on operational experience from recent deployments such as the current one in Afghanistan. When/if all the tests are completed successfully, the Galea (Roman word for helmet) will begin issue by 2011.

The new helmet stems from the Verbeterd Operationeel Soldaten Systeem (VOSS in Dutch or Improved Operational Soldiers’System, IOSS in English) and offers some tremendous advantages. The Galea weighs less, has a better fit and offers better protection. The helmet consists of multiple detachable parts, and the intention is that the dressed down variant has a friendly, approachable appearance. This benefits contact with the local population when out on patrol.

Galea weighs 1100 grams, almost half the weight of the current helmet, which has been in use since the 1990’s.

The helmet fitting form has been improved professionally, resulting in a secure fit on the head. New as well is the ergonomic mount for night vision goggles and the helmet may possibly be equipped with an air conditioning system, situated between the helmet and the head.

It is also fitted with separate neck, jaw, and ear pieces which cancel out noise at high ambient sound levels. TNO is currently researching how it can improve the protection of neck, throat, and face even more. The first test run of Galea helmets will be evaluated in the field later this year. The design itself has received several awards at a innovation summit in Prague.

More wearer comfort, more flexibility, and better protection are core components of Project VOSS. In addition to the helmet, a smart vest and a communications and combat information module are also being developed under the project. The goal is to improve and harmonize the battlefield capabilities of the soldier as much as possible. His gear is no longer is a collection of individual components, but a lightweight, wearable system in which the components needed are integrated as much as possible.

5500 frontline troops have been selected for participation in VOSS which is an evolution of the Soldier Modernization Program (SMP), which started in 1998.”

Posted in Foreign, Helmets | Comments Off on More on Galea

Flipanzip

July 27th, 2009

I attend a LOT of trade shows. I have become somewhat jaded, and when I am asked by friends and industry peers if I have seen anything “neat-o” I often say, “No, same stuff from last show”. That is why I scour the fringes of the trade show floor seeking out companies who don’t yet have enough points to sit at the big people table. And sure enough, virtually every show, I run across something both cool and completely unexpected. This OR Summer market was no exception. Granted, there was lots of interesting and innovative gear at OR but there can only be one “Most Innovative Product”. For me, it is the Flipanzip Interchangeable Zipper Slider.

It is so simple to use I figured it out the first try. The threaded fastener is held under tension with a spring and controls the connection between the top and bottom bodies. This allows you to replace broken sliders. Additionally, when used as a slider you can quickly clear fouled zippers arising from misaligned teeth or loose material. The latter often happens with puffy cold weather clothing. Additionally, the fastener can be tightened completely to keep a zipper from accidentally opening which could be very useful on packs.

The Flipanzip currently comes in two sizes. One accommodates 8, 9, and 10 coil as well as tooth zippers. Conventional or invisible, makes no difference. The other fits 6 and 7 zippers. Additionally, the Flipanzip is available with a dual pull option so it can be used with sleeping bags or reversible garments. Word is that the military is very interested in the technology, so hopefully we will see it integrated into US combat equipment soon.

Visit Flipanzip on the web.

Tags: Flipanzip
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OR Part IV

July 27th, 2009

Murdock Webbing Company. Inc.

Murdock featured their Jacquard woven digital camo webbing as well as elastic. The new Multicam elastic is fantastic and they have begun to integrate company logos into the design.

Full details are available at www.murdockwebbing.com.

Watershed Maritime Tactical Products

Watershed Maritime Tactical Products has a great lineup of waterproof bags, packs, and pack liners that are on issue to US forces. They recently added Multicam to their offerings of Coyote, Foliage, and Black.

Watershed also unveiled a collaboration with Granite Gear. The new waterproof packs combines Granite Gear’s popular suspension with a Watershed MTP Kodiak Pack.

Exum Mountain Guides

Exum Mountain Guides was walking the show and discussing their XMS3 (Exum Mountain Systems Safety Survival) course offerings. They provide several standard courses including multi-day mountain movement and avalanche training. Visit www.exumguides.com for more information.

Tags: Granite Gear, Murdock Webbing, Watershed
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