This is a quick update on Born Primitive Tactical, an offshoot of the Born Primitive athletic clothing line.
Launching in August, the line will include Police Blue, Ranger Green, Coyote Brown, Wolf Grey and Black colors.
Units and agencies can procure products seen at Warrior East by contacting ADS, Inc.
MATBOCK showed off their Raider OTB Kits during Warrior East. Included in the line are Front, Back, and Side Pouches as well as Rifle Bag. Seam sealed and incorporating waterproof zippers, the Raider line is meant for over the beach ops and has thee maritime applications.
This is a waterproof low profile pouch that mounts directly to the front of your plate carrier keeping water and sand out of your magazines and gear. It can quickly be unzipped allowing the operator full access to magazines and gear and ready to move out in a fraction of the time it would take in the past.
The Back Pouch is a low profile waterproof backpack that mounts directly to the back of your plate carrier with MOLLE attachment point, or to the GRAM insert and worn as a stand-alone removable pack as seen here.
The Side Pouch is a 6″x6″ lightweight waterproof GP pouch intended to attach via PALS to the cummerbund. It incorporates a waterproof zipper and like the entire Raider line, sealed seams.
Lightweight and made from waterproof material with a waterproof zipper, it will accommodate a wide range of weapons.
Units and agencies can procure products seen at Warrior East by contacting ADS, Inc.
Another technology exhibited during the ADS Maritime Demo Day is the TacHeat System developed by Human Systems Integration and integrated into dry suits by Mustang Survival. The technology stems from a SBIR program for heated gloves and relies on electrically heated coils which are embedded in the fabric.
Currently, there is a next to skin top and bottom, glove liner and insole.
Here you can see how the power cable interfaces with the next-to-skin layer.
This cable is used to pass the power cable through the drysuit.
There are currently two control boxes, with ine having a smaller form factor but less control.
The wearer can choose which components he wants to use. For example, all of the components, or just gloves and insoles for say aircraft door gunners.
Units and agencies can procure products seen at Warrior East by contacting ADS, Inc.
On Friday, the day after Warrior East, ADS hosted a maritime Demo Day which showcased several technologies including this SEA DOO 170 Explorer Pro personal watercraft.
The SEA DOO 170 Explorer Pro is new this year from Bombardier Recreational Products and offers space for up to three and comes equipped with a rear deck which is great for rescues. ADS works with Alpha Logistics Group to add customization like this RP Advanced Mobile Systems inflatable bumper to allow the operator to get right next to decks and other watercraft.
I didn’t even realize ADS offered watercraft aside from Combat Rubber Raiding Craft and outboard engines. Apparently, they’re offered through the MRO (Maintenace, Repair, and Operations) team and generally executed through the FES (Fire and Emergency Serrvices) TLS (Tailored Logistic Support) contract.
Units and agencies can procure products seen at Warrior East by contacting ADS, Inc.
Spartan Blades of Southern Pines, NC today announce a new a new Poros folding knife as part of their Bronze Grade line of knives.
Spartan Blades, a Southern Pines, NC based company, is an award-winning maker of premium cutlery. The new “POROS” folder was designed by retired Special Forces Soldier Curtis V. Iovito of Spartan Blades.
The POROS flipper, was designed by Curtis Iovito as a robust and full-sized flipper. This blades high grind lines combined with a sharp piercing drop point make it a trusted companion for everyday carry. Its quick flipper action is assisted by IKBS Bearing for the ‘Snap” you are looking for! Its distinctive scallops are not only beautiful but provide for a sure grip. The deep carry pocket clip maintains a low profile while keeping your blade ready when needed. The blade is 154CM stainless steel with black titanium nitride coating; SS hardware and liner have black electro-deposit powder coating.
Release date June 25, 2023 (MSRP $180.00)
AK User Guide
Practical Guide to the Operational Use of the AK-47/AKM & AK-74. This manual will enable the reader to competently use and maintain the weapon system. Key topics include background and specifications, operating instructions, disassembly and assembly, proper firing procedures, malfunction/misfire procedures and operator level maintenance.
AK Handbook
Written for instructors and student and contain all necessary information to operate, maintain and effectively employ AK pattern rifles. The 4”x6” size was specifically chosen to make it amenable to carry during range training, kept in a gun bag or thrown in a deployment box. The methodology used reinforces clear, concise, and simple answers to the most common questions students ask.
AK Zero Targets
The VSS 14 Meter Zero Target for AK-47/AKM Rifles includes overlayed windage drum illustrations for simple zeroing adjustments. The targets also include AK-47/AKM specific info for those not familiar with the correct process for sighting in your weapon. 20 targets per pack.
AK Aiming Offset Chart Stickers
The AK Aiming Offset Charts are made to assist with target engagement at varying distances without adjusting your sights/optics once the rifle is zeroed (14m zero for 7.62 AK rifles and 21m zero for 5.45 AK rifles). Place it on your buttstock for easy reference. They contain a column of data for the distance you are shooting and a column for the hold offset at that distance. Options for centimeters or inches, 7.62x39mm or 5.45x39mm, and color choices of brown, black or white.
These items are available at the VSS web store – shop.vig-sec.com/product-category/publications/ak-specific
VSS also provides non-standard weapons training for military units. For more information visit foreignweapons.com or vig-sec.com.
Vigilant Security Services® (VSS) provides training, security consulting and products to the US military/government and the defense industry. VSS was founded in 2005 by US Army Special Forces veteran, Erik Lawrence and is located in Las Vegas, NV.
Three things about this new helmet for maintainers which replaces the classic Cranial.
1. It’s built by Team Wendy and based on the Exfil bump helmet.
2. This is one of the rare occasions where Marines get something first.
3. They are coming in custom colors for each of the aviation specialties, for example Red for Aviation Ordnance.
The Naval Aircrew Systems Program Office is fielding new headgear, the Head Gear Unit Number 98/Personal Use (HGU-98/P), that improves both head and hearing protection for fleet Marine Corps aviation maintainers.
The program office incorporated the latest advancements and information gained from market research, lab testing and fleet assessments to select the new Marine Corps maintenance cranial, the Team Wendy Exfil Light Tactical Polymer helmet, which is a Commercial-off-the-Shelf solution.
“The HGU-98/P provides improved impact protection and increased hearing protection, which are long overdue improvements that our maintainers deserve,” said Capt. Carey Castelein, program manager.
Since the inception of protective headgear in the 1950s, a major challenge has been to design helmets that offer the required impact and hearing protection while providing a system that provides a comfortable fit. Because flight lines and flight decks are notoriously loud, a safe and comfortable helmet is mission critical.
The new cranial comes in two sizes and an alternate H-shaped back retention system to accommodate a hair bun. The HGU-98/P also features two different styles of hearing protection, both rail mounted to the helmet, with either X4 ear cups for a slimmer fit or X5 with larger ear cups but with better sound attenuation.
“Through research, test and fleet assessments, our team was able to determine the best possible solution for improved head and hearing protection, taking into account cost, performance and user feedback,” said Jennifer Bartnick, program office team lead.
Squadrons that began receiving the HGU-98/P flight deck helmet system in October 2022 have given favorable feedback. Fielding to Marine Corps aviation units will continue through the end of the year, and the cranial with additional capability will begin delivery next year.
From the Naval Aircrew Systems Program Office
WATERVLIET ARSENAL, N.Y. — Leadership at America’s cannon and mortar factory announced plans to replace the arsenal’s rotary forge and paint booth in the coming years as part of a massive 15-year modernization effort.
The new forge and paint booth will increase capacity and quality, and support the trend toward developing longer, more capable artillery and cannons.
“These two modernization projects really capture what we are doing at Watervliet Arsenal. This is the front end and back end of cannon production,” said Col. Alain Fisher, Watervliet Arsenal commander. “We are using new technology in our facilities from the moment raw material enters until the final product is loaded and transported to its ultimate destination: America’s Soldiers, Marines and Airmen.”
To say cannon manufacturing is a specialized skill is an understatement; among the specific processes Watervliet Arsenal uses, none is more iconic than the massive rotary forge. Since it was first installed in 1976, Watervliet’s forge has produced thousands of barrels for every long-range direct and indirect-fire cannon system for the U.S. military and its allied nations. Watervliet currently produces cannons for the M109 Paladin self-propelled howitzer, M1 Abrams tank, M77 lightweight howitzer and AC-130 gunship for the U.S. Air Force.
The idea of replacing aging machines is nothing new at Watervliet; however, the scale and importance of the forge have made the thought of its eventual removal a challenge. All that changed with a renewed interest in long-range precision fires by the U.S. Army and an increase in production since 2019. The answer was simple: To continue fulfilling mission requirements and new capabilities, the rotary forge would need to be replaced.
The project addresses facility and garrison infrastructure upgrades and improvements at Watervliet Arsenal to support a new rotary forge. WVA is evaluating and designing infrastructure support for secondary equipment and processes that support forge operations, including power, HVAC, controls, structural and architectural upgrades, security, telecommunications, process flow, hazardous material testing, fire suppression and alarms, construction phasing and logistics support, equipment laydown area evaluation and other support.
Equally important is the finish coating that all cannon and artillery undergo at Watervliet Arsenal — after all, paint protects the underlying steel from harsh weather conditions, improving the lifespan of a cannon. Watervliet leaders are planning a new modern automated paint booth to support longer cannon and increase quality.
The new paint booth is not only more technologically advanced, but it is also larger, to accommodate longer cannons and allow more cannons to be painted at a time.
The new paint booth includes automation, an upgraded oven, robotic tooling, programmable controls and automatic ambient and climate controls. Supporting this new technology are multiple utility and infrastructure improvements, including HVAC, electrical, fire suppression, gas connections, compressed air, and structural and building repairs. Once complete, WVA will have the capability to paint the larger and heavier components needed to support Army signature modernization projects.
The current paint booth requires protective equipment worn by painters who spray cannons and components by hand. While a skilled painter is effective at this job, automation improves consistency and reduces exposure risks to painters.
“Anytime we can use engineering controls and practices to not only improve our processes and quality but also reduce risks to our employees, it is a win-win,” said Matthew Church, Watervliet Safety and Environmental Division chief. “Removing the human from direct contact with the process allows us to protect the employee’s health without having to replace them with a robot.”
Construction of the new paint booth will begin in fiscal year 2024.
Watervliet Arsenal is an Army-owned and operated manufacturing facility and is the oldest continuously active arsenal in the United States, having begun operations during the War of 1812. Today the arsenal is relied upon by U.S. and allied militaries to produce the highest-tech, highest-powered and most advanced cannons, howitzers and mortar systems.
By Matthew Day
