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Sneak Peek – Soteira Systems Prototype SERE Garment

May 23rd, 2023

A few months ago I started following an IG account promising to introduce a “SERE Garment” or clothing you could wear to help conceal aids to escape and recovery.

Soteira Systems recently gave us a sneak peek at what they are up to. What you see is white in color to show off detail, but the final product will be all black. You can see the anti-chafe panel between the legs, some of the concealments and their subdued logo. An important caveat is that this is predicated on a captor who will not strip search you. If you run across that, you won’t be able to smuggle anything, if given a thorough enough search.

They say the final garment will have slightly longer legs, larger waistband concealments, and a larger internal stash pocket.

Posted in Clothing, SERE | 2 Comments »

New Rotary Wing Advanced Tactical Helmet for Nightstalkers

May 23rd, 2023

The Nightstalkers of the famed 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) have adopted a new lightweight flight helmet called the Rotary Wing Advanced Tactical Helmet or RATH (pronounced Wrath).

Recently on display at the AAAA Summit in Nashville, the new helmet will replace HGU-56/P Rotary Wing Aircrew Ballistic Helmet (ABH) Systems which have been in service for decades. In fact, the 160th was one of the first adopters of the HGU-56/P in the 1990s.

The quest for a lightweight flight helmet which would reduce aircrew neck strain began five years ago and has taken the combined efforts of the US Army Aeromedical Research Lab, Air Force Research Lab, SOFWERX, USSOCOM and the 160th. The effort has culminated with this fielding.

Features:

• Meets / exceeds all US Army FNS / PD 96-18 Safety Requirements & Specifications

• 6 unique helmet shell sizes – does not put extra liner padding in larger sizes to create smaller sizes

• 24% average weight reduction across all sizes when compared to legacy HGU-56P helmet

• 9% increase in side-to-side field of view when compared to legacy HGU-56P helmet

• Optional ballistic applique to provide protection from small arms fire & fragments

• Ventilated carbon fiber shell with “penetration proof” Dyneema™ ballistic liner

• Koroyd™ damage control honeycomb liner with up to 18% more compression than EPS foam

• Lightweight adjustable dial suspension and retention liner assembly

• Hot swap ballistic visor can be changed in less than 30 seconds without tools

• Clear & tinted ballistic Class 1 visor

• Side mounting rails for lights & accessories

• Easy snap / release chinstrap buckle

• Quick-release ANVIS NVG shroud

• Headset can be worn independently from helmet

• Hearing pass-thru with dynamic sound suppression and volume control

• UmeCobra™ boom microphone offers an average of 10 dB improvement of legacy M-87 mic

• Gel earseals and adjustable nape pad for custom sizing and compression adjustment

Posted in Army, Aviation, Helmets, SOF | 7 Comments »

Next Generation Family of Army Medium-Size Vehicles Tested at Ft Bliss

May 23rd, 2023

FORT BLISS, Texas — Under the heat of the desert sun, a convoy of military vehicles roll down a dirt trail, kicking up dust and sand as they reach speeds of 45 miles per hour.

The vehicles look familiar but are a little different from what Soldiers are used to seeing.

The vehicle driving down the dirt trails is the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles, or FMTVA2. The FMTVA2 is being tested here with hopes it will replace its predecessor, the Light Medium Tactical Vehicle, or LMTV, allowing Soldiers across the Army to have access to a modernized vehicle.

“Driving the FMTV has been a complete game changer from the old LMTV,” said Spc. Salvador Castillo, a horizontal engineer with Alpha Company, 16th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division.

Castillo and his unit tested the FMTVA2 for about 4 weeks and praised the improvements from the previous model.

Castillo expressed appreciation of the user-friendly enhancements, such as improved suspension, and the Drive Display Unit — a digital vehicle monitoring system that informs the driver of vehicle faults in real time.

Feedback from the Soldiers are integral to the equipment testing process. Input from Soldiers testing the equipment is collected and used to inform the U.S. Army Operational Test Command how the FMTVA2 performs.

David Rogers, a civilian employee of OTC and assistant test officer for the FMTVA2 follow-on operational test, said all the data requirements are captured, and testing criteria are met to ensure that they can coordinate with their sister unit, the U.S. Army Evaluation Center, to produce an evaluation report to inform Army senior leaders of the FMTVA2’s suitability and reliability.

“Our mission is to collect the data,” Rogers said. “We provide the data to the evaluators so they can inform decision makers within the Army.”

Rogers explained the evaluator’s role as vital to ensuring the test exercise conducted over the course of the follow-on operational test meets data requirements and gives an overall scope of the FMTVA2’s capabilities and its readiness to roll out to the Army and its Soldiers.

As training wrapped up, the Soldiers testing the FMTVA2 are confident in the vehicle’s performance and their ability to operate them.

“It’s a lot easier for our unit to use, and we’re already comfortable using it. It will make it easier for all of us across the board,” said Castillo.

Three Fort Bliss 1st Armored Division units took part in the operational test: Companies A and B, 501st Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Armored Combat Brigade Team; the 16th Brigade Engineer Battalion; with the 528th Hospital Center, 1st Medical Brigade also joining in.

Story by SSG Jacob Lang, 24th Theater Public Affairs Support Element, Fort Bliss, Texas

Photos by Mr. Tad Browning, OTC Lead Audiovisual Production Specialist

Posted in Army, Guest Post, Mobility | Comments Off on Next Generation Family of Army Medium-Size Vehicles Tested at Ft Bliss

NIOA Group, Engineers Australia Partnership Creates Future Pathways

May 22nd, 2023

The NIOA Group has inked a partnership with Australia’s peak engineering body, reinforcing its commitment to develop a pipeline of weapons and munitions professionals “mission ready” to support sovereign capability.

NIOA Australia General Manager – Engineering Rudi Bekker says the company’s newly minted Engineering Workforce Credentialing (EWC) partnership with Engineers Australia (EA) will create a pathway to membership and follow-on chartership including fellow and executive membership for eligible engineers.

Young engineer Schalk Laubscher is among the NIOA Group’s Australian-based weapons and munitions technical cohort.

The EWC program represents the full cross-section of the NIOA Group’s technical workforce advancing expertise for both young and experienced engineers plus Technologists and Associates.

NIOA Australia’s engineering workforce has quadrupled in recent years as the company manages some significant defence contracts including Tranche 1 of the LAND 159 Lethality Systems program and a growing list of medium and large calibre munitions contracts including the LAND 17-1C.2 Future Artillery Ammunition, LAND 400 Phase 2 Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles and Abrams Main Battle Tank.

An equally impressive technical line-up at US-based Barrett Firearms provides the NIOA Group with global reach across the Pacific and a shared commitment to quality, innovation, loyalty, and mission.

NIOA Australia has committed to building a $50m small arms factory in either Brisbane, Lithgow in New South Wales, or Benalla in Victoria if it secures Tranche 2 of LAND 159. This would lead to yet another significant increase in NIOA Australia’s engineering team.

Significant growth is also anticipated for the Australian Missile Corporation (AMC), an independently-operated company within the NIOA Group.

As a sovereign enterprise partner for the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise, AMC expects to grow its engineering workforce to support the Enterprise in the establishment of a domestic manufacturing capability.

The Commonwealth Government has committed $4.1b after the Defence Strategic Review prioritised missile capability, including $2.5b for the domestic manufacture of longer-range munitions.

“Engineering forms an integral part of the Fundamental Inputs to Capability (FIC) and will be key to establishing an asymmetrical advantage needed to make the speed of relevance relevant,” Mr Bekker said.

“NIOA’s EWC partnership with Engineers Australia reinforces our commitment to develop a sustainable and growing workforce to answer to the government’s call for acceleration in areas of strategic capabilities.

“It will provide both membership and Chartered recognition for Professional engineers, Technologists and Associates across the NIOA Group of companies.”

The EWC program credentials engineers, including to become a Chartered Engineer – the highly regarded credential which is recognised internationally as a measure of excellence.

Engineers Australia CEO Romilly Madew AO said: “Chartered Engineers are recognised throughout the world for their skills and their professionalism. I congratulate NIOA on their commitment to credential their engineers against global engineering standards of practice.”

As a young professional engineer, Schalk Laubscher now forms an integral part of a collective half-a-millennium years’ of bespoke weapons and munitions engineering experience in NIOA Australia’s engineering-technical cohort.

The 25-year-old graduated from the University of Queensland (UQ) in 2020 with a Bachelor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.

During his time at university, he was the founding member of UQ Space which competed against other university teams from around Australia and New Zealand in designing, building, and launching sounding rockets to altitudes of up to 30,000 feet.

NIOA Group CEO Robert Nioa said: “We are seeing a huge demand for engineers and technologists of varying disciplines and experience.

“The growth of the business has created new employment opportunities. Engineering is just one field where there are exciting openings for highly-skilled young professionals like Schalk.

“The partnership with Engineers Australia will be critical to achieving a roadmap for upskilling the engineering team who in turn will be supporting advanced sovereign defence manufacturing.

“The NIOA Group is committed to growing our industrial base well into the future both in terms of capability and workforce.”

Established in regional Queensland in 1973, the NIOA Group is Australia’s largest privately-owned company supplying firearms, weapons, ammunition and technical support and advice to military, law enforcement and commercial markets.

Posted in Industry, International, Press Release | 1 Comment »

Kitanica – Kit Organizer Bag

May 22nd, 2023

Made from 500D Cordura, the new KOB from Kitanica is a versatile bag which can be used for a variety of applications. It incorporates a G-hook for hands-free access with internal mesh pockets and a PALS field.

kitanica.com/products/all-purpose-bag

Posted in Advertiser, Load Carrying | 2 Comments »

Antimatter Scopeswitch

May 22nd, 2023

From the creators of the Flux Defense Raider comes a new company and new product.

From Antimatter Industries, the Scopeswitch is new type of optic mount allowing your offhand to control the zoom without taking it off the handguard.

Posted in Optics, Weapon Accessories | 14 Comments »

Patented Holster Secures Widespread Adoption by Over 20 Law Enforcement Agencies

May 22nd, 2023

SWANSBORO, N.C. – May 22, 2023 – High Speed Gear® and Comp-Tac Holsters® proudly announce the exceptional success of their groundbreaking CT3, level III retention holster.

This remarkable milestone attests to the commitment the brands have made to officer safety and they are proud to have yielded a holster specifically engineered to enhance operational efficiency, officer comfort, and firearm security.

The CT3 Holster represents the pinnacle of holster design, blending state-of-the-art, patented technology along with exceptional craftsmanship. Key features that have propelled the CT3 Holster to such widespread adoption include:

1.) Carefully Engineered: The CT3 Holster was designed to ensure a precise fit that eliminates any potential for unwanted or unintentional obstructions, guaranteeing smooth and reliable access to the firearm. Before even removing the gun from the holster, the CT3 allows the end-user to place their hand and thumb in the “Master Grip” position reducing any readjustment to the grip after the gun has been drawn.

2.) Retention Realization: The CT3 Holster employs an innovative retention system that ensures a secure hold on the firearm while allowing for a smooth draw. This cutting-edge technology strikes the perfect balance between firearm retention and accessibility, giving officers the confidence they need in high-stress situations. It also enables a seamless draw while maintaining the integrity of the Master Grip, allowing for a quick and efficient response without compromising control or stability.

3.) Versatility and Adaptability: Designed to accommodate a wide range of firearms, the CT3 Holster offers maximum versatility to police agencies with various weapon models in their arsenals. It sets a new standard by being optics and co-witness sight ready, allowing law enforcement and military personnel to seamlessly integrate their preferred red dot sights for enhanced target acquisition. Furthermore, its compatibility with other OEM drop leg platforms and quick disconnects provides flexibility and ease of use, allowing users to customize their setup according to their specific operational needs. With a large number of makes/models available along with the ability to tool-up and make holsters for gun and light configurations that may be specific to an agency, it’s clear how Comp-Tac has become the brand of choice for LE professionals.

4.) Comfort-Focused Design: Recognizing the importance of comfort during extended periods of wear, the CT3 Holster incorporates ergonomic features for ride height adjustments ensuring a customized fit for each officer and a stable, 90-degree angle for added comfort and safety. The design optimizes weight distribution and minimizes fatigue, enabling officers to perform at their best while on duty.

5.) Premium Quality and Durability: Crafted with precision and expertise, the CT3 Holster is built to withstand tough conditions and built with meticulous construction techniques to ensure exceptional durability and longevity, reinforcing the holster’s reputation as a reliable companion in the line of duty.

The widespread adoption of the CT3 Holster by over 20 esteemed police agencies is a testament to its performance, functionality, and unmatched quality. Comp-Tac and High Speed Gear are proud to provide law enforcement professionals with a trusted solution that enhances officer safety and operational effectiveness.

“We are thrilled to see the rapid adoption of our Level III CT3 Holster by police departments across the country,” said Truett Whitt, Sales Manager at Comp-Tac Holsters. “This continued acceptance highlights the trust placed in our products and our commitment to providing law enforcement professionals with the highest level of safety and performance.”

As the HSGI family of brands strive to continuously innovate and exceed industry standards, they remain committed to collaborating closely with law enforcement agencies to gather valuable feedback and incorporate real-world insights into future designs. This commitment ensures that the needs of police officers are at the forefront of product development.

Both Comp-Tac and High Speed Gear express gratitude to the police agencies that have embraced the CT3 Holster and reaffirm their dedication to providing law enforcement professionals across the nation with cutting-edge gear that empowers them to protect and serve their communities effectively.

For additional information on the CT3 Holster, please contact:

Truett Whitt

Sales Manager

Comp-Tac Holsters

Truett.Whitt@highspeedgear.com

Posted in Advertiser, Holsters, Press Release | Comments Off on Patented Holster Secures Widespread Adoption by Over 20 Law Enforcement Agencies

US Army Selects Blue Force Gear Sling as Authorized M4A1 Component

May 22nd, 2023

Pooler, GA – Blue Force Gear, the industry leader in modern combat slings, is pleased to announce that the US Army has chosen the patented Blue Force Gear Push Button Sling in both Black and Tan as an authorized attachment to the M4A1.

This modification can be done at the soldier level and both slings can be ordered through the Army’s Global Combat Support System (GCSS-A) using the following information: Vickers Push Button quick-adjustable sling from Blue Force Gear (Tan: NSN 1005-01-707-1744, Black: NSN 1005-01-625-4470).

After years of supporting the United States Marine Corps with their standard issue rifle sling, Blue Force Gear stands ready to fully support the US Army with the Push Button Sling and New Equipment Training and Education.

“The modern combat sling is probably the most overlooked and underutilized tool that—when properly sized, mounted, and employed—is the cheapest and most effective component for immediately enhancing a soldier’s lethality and safety,” said Chris Sizelove, Blue Force Gear Director of Education and Training. “I am proud of the Army for providing authorized options for the M4 besides the issued parade sling.”

Along with the sling options, the Army has also authorized additional modern buttstock options, most notably the B5 Systems Bravo (Black: NSN 1005-01-706-2373, Tan: NSN 1005-01-706-2510), which, when used in conjunction with the modern combat sling adds many additional capabilities to the combat rifle system.

“By authorizing our proven sling, the Army has made it easier than ever for Soldiers to improve marksmanship and weapon handling,” said Ashley Burnsed, CEO at Blue Force Gear. “This is a huge win for the US Army.”

Posted in Advertiser, Army, Press Release, Weapon Accessories | 6 Comments »