Wilcox Ind VIPR

Vario Belt System

April 4th, 2009

We found this interesting belt designed specifically for LE work. We have been informed that it is actually manufactured by German firm Bonowi.

Vario Belt

Vario Belt

Vario Belt

Vario Belt

Offered in the UK by Police supplier Deenside, the Vario belt comes with a complete range of accessories and pouches for weapons, batons, OC spray, etc. The modules are designed to be clipped into place and stay fast until the officer moves them. Manufactured from a “flame proof” material, the Vario belt is intended to last a lifetime.

TAD Gear Nylon Combat Swimmers Dive Strap

April 4th, 2009

Frustrated with the supply of after market R buckle watch straps, TAD Gear decided to their own and they have done it with style. Available in three of the most common watch lugs sizes (20mm, 22mm, and 24mm), it fits most popular dive watches.

TAD Gear Nylon Combat Swimmers Dive Strap

TAD Gear Nylon Combat Swimmers Dive Strap

TAD offers Black, Coyote, Gray, and OD Green bands with satin finish rings or PVD finish (gun metal gray tone). Additionally, they have added a tacti-cool accent by laser engraving “000 DESIGN” on the tang of the buckle ring.

The Strap is available from TAD Gear.

Wired for War – the Interview

April 3rd, 2009

Science Fiction blog io9 interviewed P.W. Singer, senior fellow at the Brookings Institute and author of “Wired for War”. The article is very interesting and puts the cold hand of reality on many commonly held notions about the use of robots for military applications. We recommend you read the interview.

Wired for War

Wired for War

Read the entire interview at io9.

Glock Handbook from BHI

April 3rd, 2009

Mike Pannone has done it yet again. In addition to his manuals already published on the M4/M16 Family of Weapons and the HK 416, Special Operations Veteran and author Mike Pannone has released an operator’s handbook for the Glock.

Glock Handbook from Mike Pannone

Glock Handbook from Mike Pannone

As always, this pocket reference is an excellent resource for shooter’s at all levels. It includes information on basic operation, maintenance, as well as training. The Glock Handbook is available from Blackheart International.

Smith & Wesson Model 500 Emergency Survival Revolver

April 3rd, 2009

Smith & Wesson has assembled a survival kit containing the things that will keep you alive and one item often overlooked; a gun.

Smith & Wesson Model 500 Emergency Survival Revolver

Smith & Wesson Model 500 Emergency Survival Revolver

The centerpiece of the kit is a Smith & Wesson Model 500, 2 3/4″ Barrel with Bright Orange Hogue® recoil reducing grip. The kit comes packed in a waterproof Storm® Case and contains:
– Blast Matchâ„¢ Firestarter and WetFire tender
– Saber Cutâ„¢ Saw with fabric sheath
– Jet Screamâ„¢ whistle
– Star Flashâ„¢ signal mirror
– Polaris® compass
– Two MPI Mylar Space® Emergency Blankets
– Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops Liner Lock Folding Knife with Black Sheath
– “Bear Attacks of the Century – True Stories of Courage and Survival” book by Larry Mueller and Marguerite Reiss

Too bad they didn’t have one of these in the movie, “The Edge”. The book would have been most insightful.

The Survival Kit is available from Midwest Hunter Outlet.

FiveTen Desert Enforcer

April 2nd, 2009

We have been keeping tabs on the roll out of the Five Ten’s new tactical footwear. As we reported earlier , the FiveTen Desert Enforcer High and Low are exclusive to Grey Group Training. Unfortunately, they have only been available for pre-order until now. We have reports that they shoes will be in stock beginning tomorrow.

FiveTen

They can be ordered at GreyGroup.Biz.

Vuzix Debuts CamAR Augmented Reality Headset

April 2nd, 2009

Augmented Reality; the combination of real-world and computer generated data. At the recent 2009 Game Developers Conference, Vuzix debuted a camera add-on for their iWear VR920 video headset which surveys the space in front of the cam, and superimposes interactive, 3D graphics on top.

Gizmodo provides some excellent coverage.

Now, imagine combining this capability with the “Sixth Sense” technology from MIT that we wrote about last week. No more need for a mouse. Perhaps it could be further combined with an image augmentation systems such as image intensification or thermal. Now was are talking Predator vision. You see a target in any condition. You gesture with your fingers to conjure key data such as vulnerable points or to collect additional photos. Wow! And the best part? All of this is actually doable…today.

See also Vuzix.

Soldier Systems APBI

April 2nd, 2009

Armys Product Manager Clothing and Individual Equipment (PM CIE), Armys Product Manager Soldier Survivability (PM SSV), USMCs Product Manager Infantry Combat Equipment (PM ICE), PM Special Operation Forces Survival Systems (PM SOF), Warfighter Science, Technology, and Applied Research (WARSTAR), Natick Soldier Research, Development, and Engineering Center, and Defense Supply Center Philadelphias Clothing and Textile division (DSCP C&T) will jointly hold an Advance Planning Brief for Industry (APBI) on May 13-14, 2009 in Springfield, VA. The goal of the event is to keep the industrial base informed of the direction of clothing and individual equipment programs, future requirements, and business opportunities. There will be an optional no host registration/cocktail social event the evening of May 12. The conference will commence May 13 with registration followed by a general session focused on strategic initiatives and issues. Individual commodity sessions will be held the afternoon of May 13 and the morning of May 14. The commodity areas are as follows: Helmets, Fire Resistant Clothing, Footwear, Cold Weather Clothing and Equipment, Load Bearing Equipment, Handwear, Eyewear, Body Armor, Hydration, Parachutes, and Uniforms. Sessions will be held for Service unique commodities as well. Services will brief all on-going efforts in research and development, test, evaluation, future contract projections, and current/emerging military requirements. These briefings are designed to identify specific opportunities over the next 3 years. The sessions will conclude with a moderated question and answer period. The APBI is open to all members of the supply chain. Space is limited; therefore the number of attendees is restricted to ten (10) attendees per company. Registration will be closed on April 21, 2009 or once maximum capacity is reached; whichever comes first. There is no attendance fee and the dress code is business casual. Please e-mail Jaime Roig with the following information for each attendee: name, company, address, e-mail address and phone number. This information must be provided no later than April 21, 2009. Attendance confirmation number, hotel information, directions, and registration info will be sent via return email.

Point of Contact
Jaime Roig, a contractor for NCI Information Systems, Inc., Army PM CIE Operations Support, Phone (703) 704-4123, Email: jaime.roig@us.army.mil

Place of Performance
Address: Waterford Conference Center 6715 Commerce Street Springfield, VA http://www.waterfordreceptions.com/locations/springfield.asp Postal Code: 22314 Country: US

Contracting Office Address:
RDECOM Acquisition Center – Aberdeen, ATTN: AMSSB-ACC-A, 4118 Susquehanna Avenue, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005-3013