What good would a weapon in 5.7mm be without special ammunition to go with it? This poster from the recent Future Forces Caoabilities Conference is the perfect companion to yesterday’s installment.
Contact information is on the poster for those interested.
Although Geissele won the USSOCOM Medium Range Gas Gun – Sniper competition, SIG showed us the art of the possible with the SPEAR platform by exhibiting their MRGG-S candidate weapon.
MRGG (pronounced Margie at SOCOM) is a 6.5 CM rifle designed as a seni-auto sniper support rifle. As you can see, it sports a 20″ barrel and adjustable buttstock. The optic is a SIG TANGO6T which is a place holder for a customer directed optic.
Here are some close ups of the controls and buttstock.
DNS Alpha exhibited with Mountain Horse Solutions which is a division of Global Ordnance. In addition to their clothing systems, they showed us their Vapor Barrier Sock system which was recently adopted by a NATO SOF unit.
It comes in 6 sizes with the VBL made from silicon treated 30D nylon and fully taped. The liner sock is manufactured by CEP from Merino wool.
COSTA MESA, Calif. (Oct. 10, 2023) – 5.11 Tactical, the global innovator of Purpose-Built Gear™, today introduced its latest line of technical apparel featuring PrimaLoft® Insulation. This collaboration with PrimaLoft, a world-renowned brand known for its high-performance insulation, brings together two leading pioneers in the apparel industry to create unparalleled protection and comfort.
“We are excited to expand the collaboration between our two great brands and to offer our customers a larger selection of products that live up to our Purpose-Built Gear™ motto for this fall and winter,” said 5.11’s CEO, Francisco J. Morales. “By combining our expertise in creating durable and reliable apparel with PrimaLoft’s innovative insulations, we’re able to offer our customers unparalleled performance that will help them to live the Always Be Ready® lifestyle.”
The Adventure PrimaLoft Insulated Jacket ($130) and Starling PrimaLoft Insulated Jacket ($130) are packable and weather-resistant outer shells that provide the warmth of 80 grams of PrimaLoft® Gold Insulation in the body and 60 grams in the sleeves and hood. They’re built to last using a 100% polyester plain weave face fabric with a DWR finish and a 100% nylon ripstop lining. Protection, comfort and a secure fit are ensured by an elastic opening on the hood, a chin guard on the front zipper, an adjustable hem with an internal shock cord, and stretch gussets at the sleeve openings. Additionally, reflective heat transfers keep users visible in lowlight conditions.
For those who favor vests, the Adventure PrimaLoft Insulated Vest ($98) and Starling PrimaLoft Insulated Vest ($98) are outstanding choices. The weather-resistant outer shells, backed by the warmth of 80 grams PrimaLoft® Gold Insulation, are perfect for cold-weather outings. A chin guard on the front zipper adds to the comfort while the adjustable hem with an internal shock cord ensures they stay in place. Zipper pockets and an internal dump pocket safely secure keys, a phone or other essentials, and reflective heat transfers keep users visible in lowlight conditions. Both items also stow inside a packable stuff sack, making them ideal for travel.
A stylish and versatile option can be found with the Dylan Reversible PrimaLoft Shirt Jacket ($155). This adaptable piece offers quilted comfort and the warmth of 100 grams of PrimaLoft® Gold Insulation in addition to adjustable snap-sleeve cuffs and a fold-down collar with a collar stand to protect against cold breezes. Made to be durable, both inside and out, the outer shell is constructed from 100% Nylon while the lining is made from 100% plain weave polyester. Both sides of this reversible and stylish piece feature a DWR coating that defies precipitation. Hand and chest pockets on the outer side and hand drop pockets on the inner side are secured with snap closures to keep belongings safe.
Created to meet the demands of outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers, these new items team PrimaLoft® Insulation with 5.11 textiles and designs to provide exceptional warmth and protection, even in the harshest conditions.
For more information about 5.11 Tactical and its product offering, or to find a 5.11 Tactical store near you, visit www.511tactical.com.
WASHINGTON — With the Georgia heat bearing down on them, Sgt. Jake Phillips and members of 3rd Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, struggled to finish the final leg of the 2023 Army Best Squad Competition’s first phase in September.
Still, the Soldiers had confidence in one another as they carried 35-pound rucks for 15 miles in the woods of Fort Stewart, Georgia. The Soldiers operated on only two hours of sleep and endured food deprivation. Fortunately, the squad boasted some of the most physically-fit Soldiers in the Army including Spc. Chancellor McGuire, who had the highest physical training test scores among all 60 competitors.
They had also competed and trained together for at least three years and some members even deployed together. Knowing his team’s robust fitness levels, Phillips wanted to push his squad to its limits.
The fire team leader learned that slowing their speed during the march actually helped his squad find the endurance needed to secure victory.
“I was always wanting to push the pace past what I think we’re capable of as a squad,” said Phillips, 25. “I was wanting to put more gas when it should have been more brakes. That was personally more challenging.”
Phillips’ guidance helped his 75th Ranger Regiment, U.S. Army Special Operations Command squad win the 2023 U.S. Army Best Squad of the Year award. Phillips, a native of West Chester, Pennsylvania, took Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year honors. McGuire, who hails from Austin, Texas, won Soldier of the Year.
“I think the key for us to win was we’ve all been working together for years,” Philips said. “We all know each other pretty well.”
Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael R. Weimer presented the awards in a ceremony at the 2023 Association of the United States Army Annual Meeting and Exposition in Washington, D.C. today. Soldiers from Army Medical Command finished in second place while the Army Pacific Command squad took third.
McGuire said keeping the goal in sight helped his squad weather through the endurance march.
“It was the last day of the competition. You can do anything for however long you tell yourself you can,” he said.
The 24-year-old McGuire credited his squad leaders and company commanders with helping mold him into a more capable special operations Soldier.
“It means I’m doing something right,” McGuire said of winning Soldier of the Year. “I took a lot from my team leaders coming up, my squad leaders. I took in everything that they have taught me … I’ve kind of become a sponge, so really I’m an image of them.”
The Army revamped its former Best Warrior contest two years ago into the Best Squad Competition to encourage a greater focus on team building and unit cohesion.
This year’s contest, executed by 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, featured another incentive. While competing, the participants could simultaneously earn their special skills certifications: the Expert Infantry Badge, awarded to Soldiers in infantry and Special Forces units; the Expert Soldier Badge, given to Soldiers who are not in infantry, Special Forces and medical branches; or the Expert Field Medical Badges, earned by outstanding medical technicians.
Twelve, five-person squads competed in the first phase of the competition during 10 grueling days at Fort Stewart.
The Soldiers went on ruck marches, completed exercises and did battle drills across more than 200,000 acres of land. The Soldiers engaged in land navigation, operated in urban areas and rucked from each destination. They learned to operate while sleep-deprived, while also taking part in night exercises.
During the competition’s final phase, the competitors travelled to Washington D.C. to be interviewed and evaluated by senior leaders.
McGuire said that his squad, which also includes Staff Sgt. Andrew Ewing, Spc. George Mascharka, and Spc. Shane Moon, finished first because of the bonds that the Soldiers share during and outside of duty. The Soldiers know each other’s families. They work out together and spend time studying in coffee shops.
The USASOC Soldiers faced stiff competition, particularly from the MEDCOM squad of Sgt. Jaime Padilla, Spc. Axxel Pasos, Sgt. 1st Class Kaleb Richardson, Spc. Robert Rupers and Christopher Trejo.
“My squad is the best squad,” said McGuire, a fire team leader. “We achieved something that we set our hearts and minds to, but at the end of the day we came out on top.”
By Joe Lacdan, Army News Service
Pennsauken, NJ, October 10, 2023 — Princeton Tec, manufacturer of headlamps and personal lighting for the outdoor, tactical, and industrial markets for over 40 years, has announced they will be hosting their annual promotion in celebration of National First Responders Day; an initiative aimed at honoring and supporting the tireless efforts of first responders across the nation.
Beginning October 9th, any active or retired first responders can visit the official giveaway page here, for the application. While supplies last, recipients selected will receive an award-winning SNAP RGB Kit.
The SNAP is a headlamp, flashlight, bike light, safety flasher, lantern and magnetic area light all in one. SNAP’s head unit is removable from the headlamp bracket for handheld operation and use with the included accessories, snapping into place with a strong magnet.
With up to 300 lumens and the red, green and blue light options, the SNAP demonstrates Princeton Tec’s commitment to quality and innovation in lighting technology. These headlamps are built to perform in the toughest conditions, making them an invaluable tool for those working in emergency services, search and rescue, law enforcement, and more.
The kit includes:
· SNAP Head Unit
· Headlamp Attachment
· Two Way Carabiner Mount and Clip (to hang on your pack or use as a lantern)
· Handlebar Attachment (mount to your bike or any similar sized pole)
“Members of the first responder community have a mission to protect and serve the lives of those who are placed in harm’s way,” stated Dave Cozzone, Vice President, Princeton Tec. “The immeasurable pressure to remain composed and diplomatic in moments of extreme stress to ensure our safeties doesn’t go unnoticed. This is a small way for us to show our continued support for the men and women who selflessly put themselves into harms way for our safeties.”
FN USA is a phase two finalist for the xTechSoldier Lethality Precision Grenadier System.
According to the Army’s vision for the system, PGS:
The PGS shall be a Soldier portable, flat trajectory, semi-automatic, magazine fed, integrated armament system that enables precision engagements to destroy personnel targets in defilade and in the open with increased lethality and precision compared to legacy grenade launchers. The PGS is anticipated to be deployed as a Soldier’s primary weapon system and provide organic close-quarters combat and counter-defilade capabilities through a family of ammunition, providing overmatch to comparable threat grenade launchers in near-peer formations in future operating environments to include urban, woodland, subterranean, and desert, in day, night, or obscured conditions.
At AUSA FN displayed a 3D model of their PGS-001 candidate which is said to fire 30mm projectiles.
It is a box fed, semiautomatic weapon with fire control.
Every trade show I see something extraordinary and for AUSA, AZAK is it. This small company has developed an electric drive train which is contained within the wheel. The wheels can be combined with simple frame systems to create vehicles like this self propelled trailer or a bike.
Each wheel weights about 50 lbs with most of the weight below the hub. The next generation will add about 8 lbs to that. That offers a great deal of torque with independant power to each wheel. There’s also room at the top of the inside of the wheel to double the size of the battery. Additionally, they are considering ways to armor the wheel assembly.
It currently uses the Tomahawk Robotics controller for steering inputs and changes the speed of different wheels to facilitate actual steering. Finally, the range is currently about 60 miles at a top speed of 11 mph.
