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March 9th, 2009Garrett Container Improved ACH Cover
March 8th, 2009
GCS has developed a helmet cover that features an NODS Mount cover. Not everyone uses their mount all of the time and this cover will reduce wear and tear on the mount and aid in camouflage. The cover folds back and stows out of the way when wearing NODs.
The Berry compliant helmet cover comes in S/M and L/XL sizes and is available in UCP or USAF Digital Tigerstripe.
To order, contact Garrett Container
Cable Releasable Cobra Buckles
March 8th, 2009
Archangel Armor, LLC (AAA) has been working with AustriAlpin of Austria to develop a cable releasable version of their popular Cobra buckle. The Cobra buckle is the only side quick release in the world that will not release accidentally by human or mechanical error when under load. They are going one step further and also developing a cable releasable plastic buckle as well and AAA recently demonstrated both types of buckles to us. AAA uses the new buckles as part of their Internal Frame Load Bearing Armor system.
While they are covered under Patent applications they have asked that we not release too much information on the buckles just yet. We have received a lot of inquiries from interested parties on whether the buckles will be made available commercially and the short answer is yes.
UK Hybrid DPM
March 7th, 2009Limited quantities of kit in the proposed “Hybrid DPM” have already been on issue to troops deployed to Afghanistan. This new camo pattern is being developed as part of the PECOC program. While it remains developmental it is interesting to see to what extent it is already being used operationally.
Recently these photos surfaced of a Battle Bag issued to a Tommy on Op Herrick.
Additionally, Royal Navy personnel have been observed wearing some of the 1200 Hybrid DPM Osprey V3 covers purchased last year.
Lowa Desert Zephyr Update
March 7th, 2009Photos of a high top version of the upcoming Desert Zephyr have shown up several places on the internet with a lot of associated conjecture about availability. However, according to Lowa USA they are still only prototypes at this point.
The prototype in this picture feature Gore-tex. Originally, the mid-cut Desert Zephyr was only going to be offered in an unlined version but now both lined and unlined variants will be available in May.
Urban Camo
March 6th, 2009Those zany Germans. You never know what they will come up with next. True, camouflage is the art of blending in with your surroundings, but this is a bit much.
To see the whole thing visit www.urbancamouflage.de
DHS Advanced Personal Protection System
March 6th, 2009The National Protection Center (NPC), NSRDEC, is creating an Advanced Personal Protection System (APPS) for Department of Homeland Security (DHS) users and first responders by using PPE components already developed, approved and/or authorized for use by DOD. User groups for APPS include U. S. Coast Guard Level One Ports, Waterways and Coastal Security units and law enforcement Special Weapons and Tactics teams.
The program has been around for about a year and is led by Fred Chan who is the former PM-SSS. He brings a wealth of experience fielding state of the art PPE systems including PCU and newer iterations of BALCS.
While there is no solicitation for procurement yet, NPC is conducting a market survey to determine what is actually available. In fact the notice makes several references to the fact that there is no planned procurement action associated with this program. Conversely, the Sources Sought Notice makes reference to an “aggressive program schedule”. This combined with the market survey makes me believe they are getting ready to move out swiftly with this “research and development program”.
From the solicitation:
The APPS program is seeking the following DOD personal protection items:
1. Hot weather garments, to include headwear, handwear and footwear
2. Cold weather garments, to include headwear, handwear and footwear
3. Wet weather garments, to include headwear, handwear and footwear
4. Garments with flame resistance characteristics
5. Ballistic protection for the torso and extremities
6. Ballistic helmets
7. Ballistic protective eyewear
8. Communications headsets that can be integrated within a helmet system
9. Chemical-biological respirator masks and self contained breathing apparatus
10. Chemical-biological protective garments, to include headwear, handwear and footwear
11. Individual equipment, such as hydration systems, life jackets, etc.
The PPE must have any one of the following designations for consideration of inclusion into APPS:
-Service level approval, such as Type Classification, Fielding Deployment Release, Material Release, etc.
-Approval for fielding under a DOD program such as the Rapid Fielding Initiative, Rapid Equipping Force, etc.
-Authorization for use under a DOD program such as the Military Combat Eyewear Program (MCEP) Authorized Protective Eyewear List (APEL), Soldier Enhancement Program (SEP), etc.
Makes total sense, down select based on products already in the system. That’s why I don’t understand this statement:
PPE items that have the following designations or characteristics are not considered valid DOD authorization or approval for use or fielding and will not be considered for inclusion into APPS:
-NSN, NIIN, LIN or IDN designation
-Listed on GSA schedule
-Prior purchase and/or use by a DOD organization
Why wouldn’t you include items that have already been type-classified and have NSNs?
For those interested, the entire notice can be viewed at FedBizOpps.gov.
C.A.T. M4 Tool
March 5th, 2009The M16 family of weapons has been the standard rifle of the Arsenal of Democracy for over 40 years and yet, there have been few attempts at producing proper cleaning tools. To be sure, there are lots of expedient devices such as dental pics, but nothing has ever been specifically tailored for the role. Two Special Forces veterans were sitting around a table discussing just this dilemma. Their concern was that they were employed as small arms marksmanship and tactics trainers and their students couldn’t adequately maintain their weapons. As they began to go back and forth on desirable features for such a tool, a sketch began to form. That drawing became the M4 Tool and those two veteran gunfighters formed Combat Application Tools, Inc.
As you can see in the diagram, the patented M4 Tool features five specific capabilities to clean the M16 family of weapons. It is is American Made and cast from 400 series stainless steel while the bolt cleaning chamber is CNC machined to precisely fit a mil-spec bolt. During a demonstration of the tool on a recent trip to Fayetteville, it made quick work of an outrageously dirty carbine bolt and carrier group. It is also lightweight, compact, and designed to work with the small tool heads supplied as part of SOPMOD.
To order visit www.catm4.com. Combat Application Tools, Inc. is looking for retailers for the M4 Tool.
Additionally, the CAT M4 Tool is available from Blackheart International.
