XC3 Weaponlight

Arc’teryx Gen II Combat Jacket in Multicam (Egad!)

June 12th, 2008

Arc’teryx Gen II Combat Jacket in Multicam

The market’s appetite for anything in Multicam is voracious but there hasn’t been much in the way of performance garments to satisfy the connoisseur’s sweet tooth. High end products are slowly trickling out and the next one to hit the street is the Multicam version of Arc’teryx’s Combat Jacket. Arc’teryx has built on their already successful Combat Jacket which received a design overhaul last season by offering it in Multicam. Unlike its big brother, the Bravo Jacket, the Combat Jacket features pit zips to enhance venting during intense physical activity and the cuffs feature die cut velcro stays. The jacket also has two hand warmer pockets and two sleeve pockets. Although not depicted in the photo the production version will have velcro on the sleeves like the current versions.

The Combat Jacket is made from Durastretch, a comfortable 4-way stretch woven fabric. To further enhance performance, the jacket has a durable DWR treated outer face to shed moisture.

The Combat Jacket is currently available in Crocodile and Black but the new Multicam version will be hitting retailers in July. Start looking soon because this one promises to sell out quickly.

Qualified personnel can purchase them here.

Tango Down Quick Detach Foregrip Hits Market

June 11th, 2008

Tango Down Foregrip

The new grip unveiled at SHOT Show is now hitting the market. It is molded from their proprietary bullet–proof heat and impact modified polymer, and features the new American Defense quick detach mechanism. The grip can adjust to any rail (MIL-STD or not) without tools. It mounts and detaches in a flash, and from what I saw at SHOT is rock solid. The grip features TD’s patented pressure switch pocket and water proof (to 66’) storage compartment and comes in 3 styles and 3 colors (black, flat dark earth and foliage green).

Tango Down ForegripTango Down Foregrip

For a great write up see the Military Morons review at Military Morons.

Ironkey – Secure Flash Drive

June 11th, 2008

Ironkey

Many of you travel regularly, particularly overseas and are concerned about security. Even if you don’t travel, almost all of you have personal files that you would like to keep safe from unauthorized access. Ironkey is the perfect solution. It is an encrypted USB flash drive. The case is hardened and tamper-proof. Any attempt to open the waterproof case results in the data being destroyed. Additionally, if an intruder attempts to access the data 10 times with the wrong password the data on the Ironkey is destroyed. It works on Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows platforms including XP and Vista without administrator privileges.

The Ironkey comes 1, 2, 4, or 8 Gb sizes and is available as Basic, Personal, or Enterprise editions. The Personal and Enterprise editions include Firefox and Tor allowing the user to protect online activities. Warning to DoD users: These versions use proxies and are highly discouraged for military users as they are banned for use on DoD networks. Of course the Basic version remains perfect for those on DoD networks.

Any write up I do here won’t do it justice. Go check it out. I use one. It works.

For more information, contact Ironkey

Contacting Soldier Systems Blog

June 11th, 2008

Interested parties can contact Soldier Systems Blog at admin@soldiersystems.net

We welcome comments, tips and guest articles.

The admin stuff:

Inclusion of products or information on Soldier Systems Blog is for informational purposes only and in no way construed as an endorsement unless otherwise stated.

All content is copyright 2008 Soldier Systems Blog unless otherwise credited. Further use of content is prohibited unless specific permission is provided by Soldier Systems Blog. Corporate logos for companies featured on Soldier Systems Blog are the property of their respective owners and are used solely for illustrative purposes.

Mirage Camo Pictures

June 10th, 2008

Mirage Uniform

These are actually from AUSA 07 but the pattern is so elusive, I have had requests to post them here. Bulldog as updated the cut of the uniform several times since then.

Access to the website remains restricted to those with .mil email addresses.

Mirage

Mirage Uniform

Mirage Uniform

Mirage Uniform - Superfabric knees

ITW Fastmag

June 10th, 2008

Three years ago ITW licensed the Fastmag as well as several other designs from Downeast, developers of the MOLLE frame. The first generation of the Fastmag was placed into limited production and proved very popular. However, it quickly became apparent that there was room to mature the design. Many felt that the original version was too wide as it took up too much real estate on a PALS platform. Additionally, engineers at ITW knew that they could enhance the retention of the magazine. Obviously they hit a home run on that one if this video from our friends at MilSpec Monkey is any indication.

There have been many posts online showing the new Fastmag but no one has shown it alongside the earlier version. These photos give you an idea of the many changes made to improve the product.
Fastmag Comparison

Fastmag Rear Comparison

Fastmag Width Comparison

See all of the ITW products here.

The Danger of Optical Brighteners

June 9th, 2008

This article courtesy of

Some detergents a hazard for ABUs

EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska--Pictured, the Army Combat Uniform, with material identical to the Airman Battle Uniform, shows the difference optical brighteners make under ultra-violet lighting. Laundry detergents with additives known as
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by compiled from staff reports
354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

9/4/2007 – EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska — Laundry additives known as “optical brighteners” should not be used for washing the Airman Battle Uniform.

Laundry instructions for ABUs specify not using any laundry detergents that contain optical brighteners.

Optical Brighteners make the ABU more detectable by night vision equipment and make the ABU more visible in a low-light environment of any kind, by reflecting more of any available light.

Optical brighteners are chemicals that absorb the ultraviolet and violet region of colors in a fabric. They trick the eye into seeing a brighter shade and reflect more light.

Near Infrared (nIR) capability of the ABU is degraded when washed with detergents containing optical brighteners. Because most commercial detergents contain optical brighteners, there is generally no indication on the packaging.

The impact of optical brighteners is permanent, it cannot be washed out.

Laundry detergents that do not contain optical brighteners:
Bold Powder
Cheer Liquid (all versions)
Cheer Powder (all versions)
All Powder (all versions)
Surf Powder (all versions)
All Detergent Free Clear Country Save Liquid Detergent
Allen’s Naturally Laundry Detergent (liquid and powder)
Bi-O-Kleen Laundry Detergent (liquid and powder)
Charlie’s Soap (liquid and powder)
ECOS Free and Clear Laundry Detergent
Mountain Green Liquid Laundry Detergent
Nature Clean (liquid and powder)
Ecover Ecological Liquid Detergent
Oxy-Prime Powdered Laundry Detergent
Planet Ultra laundry detergents
Seventh Generation Laundry detergents
SportwashSun and Earth LiquidSurf Powder (not Surf Liquid)
Washeze
Woolite, original and dark.

*No federal endorsement of products intended

Digital Force Technologies – SIMEG

June 9th, 2008

DFT SIMEG

Satellite Imagery Enhanced GPS (SIMEG) Receiver is a rugged, handheld GPS receiver that correlates the receiver’s position and displays it on satellite imagery as a geo-rectified moving-map. What makes the SIMEG so unique is that it supports all National Geospatial Agency digital imagery and map products down to 1-meter CIB imagery. Upgrades are being worked for NGA’s Vector Product Format and specialty products developed by NGA and terrain teams as well as commercial products such as USGS Digital Ortho Quads for work back here in CONUS. While a few new commercial receivers show commercial imagery, no commercial GPS receiver displays NGA products. That alone would make the SIMEG worth pursuing but the team at DFT has also made the SIMEG compatible with PFPS route and threat overlay files. This means you can plan a mission on a Mission Planning terminal and export overlays to the SIMEG. They will show up on the imagery just like they do on FalconView. Top that!

The SIMEG has been under development for about four years and in use by specialized forces. I say development, because as I stated earlier, DFT is constantly updating software to support new requirements and emerging digital geospatial products. DFT is also looking at ways to improve the form and fit of the capability but I’ll leave it up to them to tell you more.

In addition to the SIMEG, DFT has a range of ISR technologies aimed at the small unit.

For more information contact Digital Force Technologies