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Point Blank Enterprises and Dyneema are the Proven Choice for Law Enforcement Body Armor

September 23rd, 2022

POMPANO BEACH, Fla., Sept. 23, 2022 — Point Blank Enterprises (“Point Blank”), the worldwide leader in the production of soft body armor and related protective solutions, will be demonstrating its newest innovations in tactical armor systems, carrier designs and hard-armor products at the 2022 National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) Tactical Operations Conference. Point Blank will display its range of innovative offerings at booth (#301) during the expo, which runs from Sept. 25-26 at the Wisconsin Convention Center, Milwaukee.

In 2013, Point Blank introduced the first ballistic systems designed with Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology called Alpha Elite®. This revolutionary ballistic technology was engineered to defeat high-velocity handgun rounds and fragmentation with minimal backface-deformation and superior multi-hit protection. During independent testing, the Alpha Elite ballistic package exceeded all performance requirements.

Since its launch, Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology has been adopted rapidly in armor applications due to its unmatched light weight and high ballistic performance. Using Dyneema®, the world’s strongest fiber™ as a base, fibers are layered in a crisscross pattern at 0 and 90 degrees to create unidirectional material that provides even and rapid distribution of energy. The Dyneema® Force Multiplier technology platform enables protective solutions such as vests, shields, rifle threat plates, and helmets that offer unparalleled performance, weight reduction and comfort due to breakthrough polymer science, next-generation fiber technology and unique unidirectional engineering. These advantages enhance the abilities of law enforcement and armed services personnel to perform demanding job requirements with the confidence that only comes from the unmatched ballistic stopping power of Dyneema®.

Over the past 8 years, nearly 700,000 Alpha Elite systems have been provided to American law enforcement. “The Alpha Elite ballistic system is clearly the number one choice in America, and we are honored to protect the protectors as we experience what is certain to be one of the dangerous times in law enforcement history,” advised Michael Foreman EVP, Point Blank Enterprises.

Thousands of officers from law enforcement tactical units worldwide, many of them the largest and most prestigious in the world, rely on the Alpha Elite ballistic systems. These include the New York Police Department (NY), Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (CA), Chicago Police Department (IL), Orlando Police Department (FL), Orange County Sheriff’s Office (FL), Washington DC Metro (DC), Baltimore City Police (MD), Virginia State Police (VA) and several other prominent agencies.

NTOA attendees are invited to view the latest capabilities at the Point Blank booth (#301) including the new Paraclete “Origin” elite tactical platform with Alpha Elite ballistic system. All attendees will also have an opportunity to meet representatives from both Point Blank and Dyneema®, as they sponsor the Welcome Reception, held on Monday evening (6:30PM) on September 26th at the Harley Davidson Museum.

Posted in Armor, Materials, NTOA, Press Release | Comments Off on Point Blank Enterprises and Dyneema are the Proven Choice for Law Enforcement Body Armor

United States Army Awards AeroVironment $20.6 Million Switchblade 300 Tactical Missile Systems Contract

September 23rd, 2022

• Combat-proven Switchblade with patented wave-off and recommit capability provides operators with increased lethality, reach and precision strike capabilities with minimal collateral effects

Designed for use in engaging beyond-line-of-sight targets with lethal effects, Switchblade 300 is deployed via tube-launch from land, sea, mobile or air organic platforms. (Image: AeroVironment, Inc.)

ARLINGTON, Va., Sept. 22, 2022 –AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global leader in intelligent, multi-domain robotic systems, today announced it received a $20,602,464 firm-fixed-price contract award on Aug. 18, 2022 from the U.S. Army Tactical Aviation and Ground Munitions (TAGM) project office for the procurement of Switchblade® 300 tactical missile systems (TMS). The contract will be managed by the U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal and is scheduled to be delivered by July 2023.

“Deployed by the U.S. Army for more than a decade, Switchblade 300 remains a critical force protection and soldier lethality solution for our customers, including Ukraine,” said Brett Hush, AeroVironment vice president and product line general manager for TMS. “It closes the gap between observation and action, giving soldiers the ability to identify threats and engage hostile beyond-line-of-sight targets from a greater distance with minimal collateral damage.”

AeroVironment’s combat-proven Switchblade 300 is back-packable and rapidly deployable from ground platforms, including a multipack launcher, providing warfighters with rapid-response force protection and precision strike capabilities up to six miles (10 kilometers) from its launch location.

Posted in Army, Contracts, Press Release, UAS | Comments Off on United States Army Awards AeroVironment $20.6 Million Switchblade 300 Tactical Missile Systems Contract

ZeroTech Optics Announces the Vengeance 5-25×56 FFP RMG

September 23rd, 2022

Affordable high magnification precision riflescopes have sparked new demand as ZeroTech Optics announces the Vengeance 5-25×56 FFP RMG to the precision shooting line of riflescopes

ZeroTech Optics is pleased to introduce our newest addition to the Vengeance family, the FFP precision rifle powerhouse 5-25x56mm riflescope!

Designed with PRS and long range enthusiasts in mind, ZeroTech Optics engineered the Vengeance 5-25x56mm riflescope to meet the demands, practicality and budget of the fastest growing shooting sport in recent times.

Each feature of the Vengeance is specifically designed to meet and exceed the expectations of a PRS and long range shooter, providing the shooter the ability to put rounds on target with speed, and most importantly, precision,

The FFP RMG reticle is unique to ZeroTech, designed in-house to meet the demands of the long-range precision and PRS shooters alike. Whether holding elevation and windage for high speed, precision shots or dialing your turrets for long range targets, the RMG reticle is the perfect blend of precision and speed.

• RMG FFP reticle

• 34mm one piece maintube

• Enhanced internal elevation travel (28 MRAD)

• Removable throw lever included

• Zero Stop

• Glass etched reticle

• Weathershield lens coating

• Available in MRAD only

• 5-25 magnification power

• 56mm objective lens

www.zerotechoptics.com

Posted in Optics, Press Release | Comments Off on ZeroTech Optics Announces the Vengeance 5-25×56 FFP RMG

New Vehicle Autonomy System, Indigo Drive, to Revolutionise the Defence Industry

September 23rd, 2022

• Indigo Drive enables personnel to be removed from highly dangerous scenarios

• Existing vehicles to become driverless quickly and cost-effectively

• One system from a single supplier to provide everything needed to autonomise an entire fleet

Bradford on Avon, UK, 20th September 2022. Leading vehicle automation provider, ABD Solutions, has launched Indigo Drive, a software eco-system that enables any defence vehicle to be quickly and cost-effectively automated.

Indigo Drive can significantly improve the safety of personnel by removing the requirement for drivers in dangerous situations, such as IED route clearance and logistics supply. Research shows that 52% of casualties in combat zones can be attributed to logistics and personnel delivering core supplies and that nearly 50% of US soldiers killed in operation between 2010 and 2020 were caused by IEDs.

“Our solution is unique in that it is vehicle-agnostic and retrofittable, this enables any existing land vehicle to be automated,” said Matthew Price, Managing Director of ABD Solutions. “This allows more personnel to be removed from dangerous situations, significantly increasing safety. On top of this, instead of driving, personnel can focus on much more valuable operational activities, allowing soldiers to be soldiers.”

Secure and certified, as a comprehensive system, Indigo Drive contains everything needed to create driverless fleets. From a user-friendly software interface for route-planning to the technology needed to create movement (such as drive-by-wire and driving robots), to communication (Radio, V2X, GPS/GNSS), obstacle detection (LiDAR, camera, radar) and vehicle health and diagnostics (OBD2, telemetry, sensors), what’s included can be tailored around the specific vehicles and environments.

The modular architecture allows for easy integration with systems already in use, such as fleet management software, meaning creating driverless fleets can be faster and smoother than ever before.

As well as increasing safety, automation reduces emissions and fuel consumption, which has a direct impact on the number of supply operations required. It also provides tactical advantages, such as running in the dark without the use of lights.

Price adds, “We work with our customers to provide tailored solutions for their environment by assessing the level and type of automation required enabling fleet transformation without investment in new vehicles, maximising the return on existing high-value assets.”

The hardware used to provide automation requires only minor modifications to the vehicle and is semi-permanent, allowing it to be moved from one vehicle to another should requirements change or if the vehicle needs maintenance. The equipment is non-intrusive to allow a driver to take control while it is fitted, significantly increasing the vehicle’s operational flexibility.

In a defence environment where tasks are often repetitive, the entire fleet can be synchronised to maximise productivity and efficiency. Task planning software ensures that all the vehicles take the most efficient route, reducing fuel consumption and the time to complete the operation. Vehicles that have the ability to detect obstructions can communicate them to the fleet management system to prevent others from encountering the same issue. Once the obstruction has been flagged the vehicle management system can generate an alternative route or a human can remote into the vehicle to immediately assess the situation.

A critical indirect benefit of vehicle autonomy is the digitisation of information from the vehicle. It creates new data streams that are invaluable to fleet operators. The vehicle’s speed, location, fuel level, diagnostic status, distance to target etc can all be relayed via the vehicle management toolset. Data analytics can automatically process this information to assist with operational decisions, fleet maintenance scheduling and logistics planning.

ABD Solutions used Indigo Drive to create the world’s first automated Wolfhound Tactical Support Vehicle (TSV). It was created in collaboration with NP Aerospace, an engineering authority for the UK MOD protected mobility fleet. The vehicle was demonstrated earlier this year at a defence technology innovation day held at the HORIBA-MIRA proving ground in the UK.

With sales and technical support offices across three continents, ABD Solutions is a global operation. It is a member of the AB Dynamics Group and benefits from its knowledge of developing and supplying thousands of driving robots to the world’s leading vehicle manufacturers, proving grounds and regulatory authorities. The Group has decades of experience in vehicle autonomy and simulation.

“The AB Dynamics Group has been automating vehicles in one way or another for development and test purposes for decades,” continues Price. “Now, through ABD Solutions and the development of Indigo Drive, the defence industry can take advantage of this expertise to automate their existing fleets today.”

ABD Solutions will be showcasing Indigo Drive at DVD2022, one of Europe’s leading defence exhibitions, at UTAC Millbrook, UK, on September 21st – 22nd (Stand C3-413).

www.abdsolutions.com

Posted in International, Mobility, Press Release | Comments Off on New Vehicle Autonomy System, Indigo Drive, to Revolutionise the Defence Industry

Faxon Overwatch Tactical 8.6 BLK Bolt Action Rifles

September 23rd, 2022

Not content with merely making barrels for the new 8.6 Blackout, Faxon Firearms has recently released the Overwatch rifle series, looking to combine top-quality bolt-action rifle building with the 8.6 Blackout caliber. Today we’re breaking down the two versions of the Overwatch Tactical.

The Overwatch is available in a more traditional style with the Overwatch Hunter, as well as two flavors of chassis builds in the Overwatch Tactical, in a 16″ barreled rifle and a 12″ barreled/braced pistol.

The Overwatch Tactical 16″

The 16″ Faxon Overwatch Tactical Bolt Action in 8.6 BLK provides modern modularity and attachment capabilities while retaining the classic bolt action experience.

Features and Specs

• Faxon 16″ 1:3 Twist 8.6 BLK Barrel w/ Thread Protector, Taper Adapter, and Remage-Style Nut

• Muzzle threaded M18x1.5mm for use with any AI standard muzzle device or suppressor mount

• MDT LSS XL Gen 2 Chassis

• Faxon TAC 30 Action & Bolt by Stiller

• AICS Mag Compatible

• Timney Elite Hunter 510-V2 Trigger

• B5 Precision Collapsible Stock

• B5 Pistol Grip

Weights & Dimensions

• Weight: 7.61 lbs

• Length: 35.375″

• Depth: 8″

• Width: 1.5″

The Overwatch Tactical 12″

The 12″ Faxon Overwatch Tactical Bolt Action in 8.6 BLK provides modern modularity and attachment capabilities while retaining the classic bolt action experience but in a smaller package, of course.

Features and Specs

• Faxon 12″ 1:3 Twist 8.6 BLK Barrel w/ Thread Protector, Taper Adapter, and Remage-Style Nut

• Muzzle threaded M18x1.5mm for use with any AI standard muzzle device or suppressor mount

• MDT LSS Gen 2 Chassis

• Faxon TAC 30 Action & Bolt by Stiller

• AICS Mag Compatible

• Timney Elite Hunter 510-V2 Trigger

• SBA3 Pistol Brace

• B5 Pistol Grip

Weights & Dimensions

• Weight: 7.87 lbs

• Length: 29″

• Depth: 8″

• Width: 1.5″

Features of the Overwatch Tactical

Let’s go over the commonalities then the differences; here are the Overwatch 16″ Rifle and 12″ Pistol share these commonalities.

Faxon TAC30 Action by Stiller

Stiller Actions has been making premium quality rifle action based on the Remington 700 for years. With customers hunting in the woods, competing at the range, and chasing down enemies of America, Stiller Actions is well known to those who demand quality.

Tac30 Action

• Designed for Tactical and Long Range Hunting applications

• Bead Blasted 416 Stainless

• 90-degree bolt throw

• Modified M16 extractor, Remington 700 pin-style ejector

• It fits any Remington 700 short-action inlet stock

• Accepts AICS pattern mags

The first thing you’ll notice with the Tac 30 action is how amazingly smooth the bolt rides when you run it back and forth. But, of course, you can thank Stiller’s proprietary, double-layer coating for that.

Timney 510 Elite Hunter 510-V2

The Timney Elite Hunter 510-V2 is one of the best triggers on this earth. Zero creep, sharp break; it’s perfection in tangible form.

The Differences Between The Overwatch Tactical Rifles

There are two primary differences between the Overwatch Tactical 12″ and 16″. First, besides the barrel length, the rifle has a buttstock, while the pistol has a stabilizing brace.

First, let’s talk barrel length. Next, here’s a look at the preliminary load data for 8.6 Blackout, as provided by Faxon and Q.

The difference between 12″ and 16″ with Barnes supersonic 160gr is only 150 fps. With Sierra’s 300gr subsonic round, the difference is about 40 fps. With 8.6 Blackout optimized for performance in short barrels, there’s little difference.

Instead, the barrel length (and corresponding brace/stock) is more about personal preference and legality. For example, in some states hunting with pistols is outlawed, regardless of caliber.

There’s also the matter of comfort and terrain. If you’re on the shorter end, you’ll probably opt for the 12″ barrel. This is also true if you spend more time hunting in densely wooded areas.

But if you’re more of an ent who likes hunting in wide open spaces, that modest performance gain in the 16″ barrel combined with the more adjustable B5 stock makes a better platform for most.

Regardless of which barrel length you prefer, it’s clear that Faxon Firearms is swinging for the 8.6 Blackout fences with the Overwatch Tactical and Overwatch Hunter.

Like 8.6 Blackout, but prefer a semi-auto to bolt-action rifles? Read more on Faxon’s Sentinel AR-10 platform rifle.

Posted in Ammo, Firearms, Press Release | 1 Comment »

FirstSpear Friday Focus – FS Sponsors Hunting with Heroes Wyoming

September 23rd, 2022

Giving Back To America’s Disabled Veterans

FirstSpear is proud to support Hunting with Heroes Wyoming – HwH WY. This organization honors disabled veterans by facilitating unique hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities.

HwH WY provides a supportive and healing community where disabled veterans can grow and enjoy the camaraderie they once knew. They were founded by veterans, for veterans. As a non-profit and charitable organization, HwH WY works with Wyoming state agencies, landowners and local volunteers to offer big game hunts and fishing outings designed to fit the special needs of each disabled veteran. 2022 marks their 10-year anniversary which now sees an average 275 hunts per year.

If you would like to find out more or get involved, please visit huntingwithheroes.org.

Visit FirstSpear to find all the gear and apparel for America’s Warfighter.

Posted in Advertiser, Charity, FS Friday Focus, Veterans | Comments Off on FirstSpear Friday Focus – FS Sponsors Hunting with Heroes Wyoming

“Truly an honor.”: SOST Member Recognized as Air Force OAY

September 23rd, 2022

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. —

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Brandon Blake, a special operations surgical team member assigned to the 24th Special Operations Wing, is set to be recognized as one of the Air Force’s 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year at the 2022 Air, Space & Cyber Conference Sep. 19-21.

Blake and 35 fellow airmen were considered by an Air Force selection board for the department-wide award. Enlisted members are chosen based on superior leadership, job performance and personal achievements.

Blake is the Superintendent, Special Operations Surgical Team Detachment One, 720th Operations Squadron assigned to the 24th Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, Florida.

Last summer, Blake was a catalyst in the evacuation of over 124,000 evacuees in support of Operation ALLIES REFUGE. He drove a six-member team supporting thousands of military and civilian personnel, treating over 70 wounded individuals and assisting seven surgeries.

“I couldn’t have asked for a stronger team sergeant than MSgt Blake. His experience and leadership in stressful, highly dynamic environments was crucial to our team’s success while deployed to Afghanistan,” said U.S. Air Force Major Jesse Payne, deployment team lead and Medical Operations flight commander for the SOST Detachment 1.

The efforts of Blake and his team earned praise from then 82nd Airborne Division commander Maj. Gen. Christopher Donahue and Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, General David H. Berger.

Additionally, Blake tackled the COVID-19 front lines at the University of Alabama Birmingham, a Level 1 trauma center, providing 768 acute service hours and aiding treatment for 156 severely injured patients.

“His ability to integrate with the civilian trauma system to see high acuity patients at UAB highlights the value of the Air Force partnership with the university,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Marc Northern, Blake’s former supervisor.

“He demonstrates his commitment to his unit, to his patients and to the mission every day. MSgt Blake upholds the highest level of compassion, clinical judgement, skill, and composure under pressure,” added Northern.

His leadership proved vital in his role as detachment superintendent, managing 25 members, four teams and four flights on top on a 1.5-million-dollar inventory.

His active roles, on top of countless trainings, exercises, and crisis response situations led to dozens of lives saved and exceptional operational readiness for the detachment.

Simultaneously, Blake earned a degree in Public Health and Healthcare Administration and spent free time with local animal rescue along with toy and food drives supporting low-income populations.

“To be recognized as OAY for Air Force Special Operations Command is truly an honor, and I am grateful for the opportunity,” said Blake. “I stand on the shoulders of giants, and I couldn’t have done any of this without my team.”

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, Profession of Arms, SOF | Comments Off on “Truly an honor.”: SOST Member Recognized as Air Force OAY

Visit Tulmar at NTOA

September 22nd, 2022

Posted in NTOA | Comments Off on Visit Tulmar at NTOA