GORE-TEX Military Fabrics

Noble Completes Acquisition of Federal Resources

October 26th, 2021

With a wider range of mission critical products, the new organization offers customers streamlined procurement and reduced supply chain risk.
Boston, [October 26, 2021]—Noble.com, LLC a leading defense procurement and technology company, announced today that it had closed its acquisition of Federal Resources. Noble, a privately held global supply chain company headquartered in greater Boston, provides services in global supply chain management, expeditionary logistics, mission support, distribution and fulfillment, and streamlined procurement to U.S. Government and DoD customers. Federal Resources, located in Stevensville, Maryland, supplies highly technical safety and security solutions serving the U.S. military, federal government, and state and local first responders.

This news follows Noble’s March 2021 acquisition of Tactical & Survival Specialties, Inc., (TSSi), a mission-focused equipment and logistics provider to military, law enforcement and disaster response professionals worldwide.

“Together, we will provide more customers with mission-focused, single-source procurement and just-in-time delivery,” said Tom Noble, the company’s co-founder and CEO. “In complex and shifting threat environments around the world, we will simplify our customers’ operations, and their lives, by connecting them seamlessly with the products and services of more than 13,000 suppliers.”

The CEO called the deal a turning point for the people of both organizations. “We’re combining our experience, expertise and offerings,” he said, “along with our integrated systems, cutting-edge data analytics and customized user interfaces, to serve our great customers better than ever.”

High Speed Gear Releases the Apex Sling

October 26th, 2021

SWANSBORO, N.C. – October 26, 2021 – High Speed Gear® is proud to announce their newest product, the Apex™ Sling.

The Apex™ Sling is unlike any of its kind, offering a two-point, quick-adjust for rifles, carbines, and comparable sized weapons. The low-profile waterproof pad provides added comfort and durability, which is a highly sought-after feature that keeps the user focused on what matters most. The Apex™ Sling was designed with a patent-pending Double-Tap Slider™, which allows for quick adjustments while also providing two levels of friction to meet user preference.

The mil-spec tubular webbing features Schoeller® Nanosphere® coating, which provides water resistance and rapid drying time. The steel hardware with military-grade coating ensures durability that exceeds the well-past the lifetime of other slings on the market. The Apex™ Sling is compatible with a wide variety of mounting options, is Berry Amendment compliant and hand-made in the USA.

“In a space where most slings share a similar design, details can make all the difference,” explained Daniel Chaney, HSGI® Senior Designer. “Our expert users helped us zero in on features that really matter to demanding users. As a result, the Apex™ is adaptable, comfortable, and reliable, which allows you to focus on the mission.”

The Apex™ Sling is now available for purchase from HSGI® Authorized Dealers or on the High Speed Gear® website.

You can find more details and watch the official product video for the Apex™ Sling at Apex™ Sling.

NorArm Tactical – Kandahar Combat Shirt, Special Edition,

October 26th, 2021

NorArm Tactical, in conjunction with photographer and creative director Isaac Workman, has introduced the Kandahar Combat Shirt, Special Edition.

Offered in Savage Green with distinctive striping down the sleeve, this combat shirt incorporates mesh openings under the armpits for ventilation and shoulder pockets with horizontal and vertical access.

Available in standard and hooded versions, sizes Small – 3XLarge.

The Gatorz x Ronin Collection

October 26th, 2021

Gatorz Eyewear is excited to announce the Gatorz x Ronin Collection. The Gatorz x Ronin Collection is a collaboration between Gatorz Eyewear and former U.S. Army Green Beret Tu Lam of Ronin Tactics. This collection is made to the exceedingly high standards that all Gatorz Eyewear has come to represent to the Special Operations community, including meeting American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z87+ rating and offering some features of MILSPEC Ballistic protection standards.

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

Lao Tzu

Tu Lam. a former U.S. Army Green Beret and founder of Ronin Tactics, fled communist Vietnam in 1979. The Lam Family escaped on an overloaded boat and eventually reached the safety of the United States as refugees.

Tu was raised by his Step-Father, an Army Special Forces veteran, and drew inspiration to eventually serve as a member of the Army Special Operations Community. For over 23 years, Tu traveled across 27 different countries and a number of war zones as a career special operator.  During that time, he fought alongside and within the most elite units of the United States Military.

As the Founder and CEO of Ronin Tactics, Inc., Tu now develops innovative tactical equipment and teaches a range of Close Quarters Battle instruction for our military, Law Enforcement, and responsible armed citizens. Tu co-hosted three seasons of the History Channel’s “Knife or Death” and was developed into a playable character “Ronin” on the popular video game “Call of Duty.” Gatorz Eyewear is honored to be working with him.

Sam Havelock, The Chief Brand Officer of Gatorz eyewear and himself a former Navy SEAL, had this to say,

“We thought the collaboration with Tu Lam, whose background includes having to flee persecution from war-torn Vietnam especially fitting given the current state of affairs in Afghanistan. Gatorz Corporation is extremely committed to the Special Operations Community and closely identifies with the Mission of the Army Special Forces Community to Free The Oppressed (De Oppresso Liber).”

The Ronin Edition collaboration with Tu Lam is an example of our willingness to partner with diverse members of our Gatorz Tribe who live a Mission-Driven life. Tu Lam’s personal history of service with the Special Operations Community coupled with his family’s legacy of relationships across Army Special Forces perfectly embodies our joint belief in the power of relationships and humans to overcome all obstacles during their Life’s Most Important Missions.”

Gatorz x Ronin Specs

• Inferno (Photochromic) lenses
• Most Popular Magnum Frame Style
• Black or Red Cerakote frame
• ANSI Z87+/MILSPEC Ballistic (Mil-prf- 32432-a)

What comes in the package?

• Field Accessory Kit Nylon Case
• Lens Cleaner
• Eyewear strap
• Gasket Set Kit
• Repair kit
• A Hand-Signed Print

For additional information on GATORZ or the Gatorz x Ronin Collection, please visit www.gatorz.com, facebook.com/GatorzEyewear, or follow @gatorzeyewear on Instagram and YouTube.

For additional information on Tu Lam or Ronin Tactics, please visit www.ronintactics.com, connect via @ronintctaics on Instagram and Twitter, or subscribe to Tu Lam’s YouTube Channel.

Introducing the S.O.Tech Micro Pack, Launch Edition

October 26th, 2021

S.O.Tech’s Micro Pack came from an evolution of our Special Forces Tactical Medical Modular Carriage System. Over 20 year of development we had arrived at flat rectangular medical pack. But it was tall, and a Ranger medic who goes by “Mack” approached us with a way to make the load even more accessible while under fire.

He asked us to split the pack into a 2/3 – 1/3 pair of bags with the larger pack mirroring the size of the rear trauma plate and holding the advanced medical items (IV/IO, transfusion sets, etc.) and the smaller holding the rapidly accessed trauma items in a fanny pack configuration (or a MARCH belt configuration. This way the belt or fanny pack could be quickly accessed in a kinetic environment by spinning the belt.

This “Micro Pack” suddenly became adopted as a Breacher’s pack, ropes/vertical extraction kit, MASCAL kit, and as a basic survival pack. We set it up to carry as a backpack, satchel or briefcase. As we developed out COBRA medical pack system, the Micro Pack answered the mail as the external go-bag secured in a bra-panel on the rear.

Special launch edition includes Micro pack, convertible shoulder straps, plate carrier adapter system, MPO (Modular Panel Organizer) and MBP (Modular Box Pouch, Wide, Mesh / Dyneema Hybrid).

Launch edition will have a special introductory price of $160. No backorders. While supplies last.

Dimensions: 14″x4″x10.5″
Weight: 1.6lbs (entire kit)

For SSD readers, use the following code at checkout for free shipping: asseenonssd

Availability:

10/29 12pm PST

sotechtactical.com

Made in USA. Since 1997. “Built to survive the world’s worst!”

TacMed Tuesday – New Trauma Simulator Rental Program

October 26th, 2021

TacMed Solutions is excited to announce its new Trauma Simulator Rental Program! It is designed to offer any agency – large or small – with the opportunity to use high fidelity trauma simulators in classes, providing their students and trainees with the ability to learn on manikins that simulate a real-world experience.

The TacMed Simulation Rental Program consists of both human and K9 simulators, customers can choose the package and simulator that will best meet their specific training needs, as well as have access to discounts on medical  supplies to help supplement their courses.  

Jo-Anne Brenner, executive director and founder of K9 Medic™, has recently utilized the program to rent K9 Diesel. “Our use of renting K9 Diesel was so successful that we’ve since purchased K9 Hero and still continue to rent K9 Diesel when needed,” Brenner said. “The rental program itself is equally commendable. From shipping to packaging to user support, our course coordinators can rely on the professionalism of TMS to ensure we deliver excellence to our students.”  

If you are interested in becoming a part of our rental program and gaining access to these high-fidelity simulators, check out the available packages and submit a rental request at:  TacMed™ Simulation Rental Program – TacMed Solutions™

Air Force Installation Contracting Center Acquisitions Bolster EOD Readiness for FY21, Beyond

October 26th, 2021

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) —


EOD robot upgrade The Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center is acquiring new base support robots for Explosive Ordnance Disposal flights Department of the Air Force-wide. The new T7 Robotic system replaces the 20-year-old Andros F6A. (U.S. Air Force graphic by Greg Hand)

The success of implementing new explosive ordnance disposal technology in fiscal year 2021 has the Air Force Civil Engineer Center looking forward to FY22.

“Our Airmen conduct high-risk operations in support of the mission, and we ensure they have the tools and resources they need to perform their jobs safely, efficiently and effectively,” said Col. John Tryon, AFCEC Detachment 1 commander. “It’s our duty to identify civil engineering needs and advance Air Force capabilities through research, development, test and evaluation, and we take that very seriously.”

AFCEC’s Readiness Directorate partnered with the Air Force Installation Contracting Center to use more than $41 million for new EOD equipment, such as a new base support robot to clear unexploded ordnance from airfields, during the past year.

In July, the AFICC awarded an $85 million, 10-year, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract for the T7 Robot System to replace the Andros F6A robot, which has been used by the Air Force for two decades. The T7 offers a suite of new and enhanced capabilities, including a more modular design that allows users to repair it by swapping subassemblies rather than individual parts — an issue that plagued the previous robot.

“This system will move robotics forward 20 years,” said Dennis Carson, EOD robot product manager. “It enhances warfighter readiness with its ability to resolve hazardous threats and missions remotely, allowing Airmen freedom of movement at any location.”

AFCEC will begin distributing the first of the T7s in May 2022 — 56 of the 170 inventory objective of T7s were funded at contract award. The remaining requirement will be purchased this fiscal year.

The T7 is the second of two new robotic systems AFCEC is upgrading for the EOD career field. A year ago, the directorate delivered the first of the Man Transportable Robot System Increment II to the 325th Civil Engineer and the 823rd Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadrons.

To date, the readiness directorate has distributed 129 MTRS IIs and provided system training to 49 EOD flights. The directorate expects to distribute the remaining 202 systems by January 2023.

The second wave of new technology deliveries took place in July when the AFCEC team debuted the Vidisco Guardian 12 Digital Radiographic X-ray system, a $27 million procurement package, at Eglin AFB, Florida, and Hill AFB, Utah.

“This new system is essentially everything old wrapped into a new package with the addition of digital technology enhancements,” said Dave Hodgson, EOD logistics lead for AFCEC. “Compared to the previous analog models, this new system gives Airmen clear and concise images, which reduces the amount of time they have to spend analyzing the images.” 

To date, the AFCEC team has distributed 36 X-ray systems, with the remaining 15 base support systems to be distributed in 2022 and mobility configurations through 2026.

Just as FY21 came to a close, AFICC awarded a $24 million contract for the Large Clearance Blade Assembly, or L-CBA. Attached to armored front-end loaders, the equipment is used for rapid clearance of unexploded ordnance from airfield surfaces after an attack.

Because it’s mounted to an armored front-end loader, the paired capability will dramatically reduce clearance times, Hodgson said.

AFCEC plans to begin blade deliveries to bases in the European and Pacific theaters and some training sites in mid-October. Full fielding will run through 2026. The contract enables the Air Force to obtain more than 70 large blades needed to support the Rapid Mass Mechanical Clearance program over the next several years.

The directorate also executed a Life Cycle Sustainment order for bomb suits. The suits are designed to protect EOD personnel responding to scenarios with potential explosives. The $2.2 million annual acquisition provides 76 suits to replace one-seventh of the current inventory.

“When EOD technicians have to make that long walk down range to manually perform procedures, this suit — the EOD 10E — provides the best possible protection if an explosion occurs,” Hodgson said.

Rounding out FY21 EOD funding executions, AFCEC’s EOD modernization program is seeing its work pay off as the Air Force prepares to take the next steps in bringing the Recovery of Airbases Denied By Ordnance, or RADBO, system to the Air Force EOD suite of tools.


EOD robot upgrade The Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center recently contracted for the delivery of new explosive ordnance disposal base support robots for the Department of the Air Force enterprise. This chart shows a comparison of the 20-year-old Andros F6A to the new T7 Robot System. (U.S. Air Force graphic by Greg Hand)

AFCEC funded a $3.9 million effort in FY21 to convert the state-of-the-art ground-based laser prototypes to the final production configuration. The system will be delivered to Nellis AFB, Nevada, in December to support career field training as well as tactics, techniques and procedures incorporating the RADBO system, L-CBA, the prototype design completion on the Small Clearance Blade Assembly and an unmanned system application for Rapid Explosive Hazard Mitigation and Rapid Airfield Damage Repair vehicles.

By David Ford, Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center Public Affairs

Rheinmetall to Build and Export Lynx Infantry Fighting Vehicle Test Chassis to United States

October 25th, 2021

Rheinmetall, the largest supplier of military vehicles to the Australian Defence Force has today announced the build and export contract of a Lynx Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) Test Chassis to the United States of America from its factory in Redbank Queensland.

Rheinmetall Defence Australia Managing Director Gary Stewart said the contract was the first of its kind and provided design and manufacturing export work both for the Rheinmetall team and its growing Australian Industry network.  

“This is a landmark for Rheinmetall and Australia with the Lynx Infantry Fighting Vehicle test chassis to be manufactured at the state-of-the-art Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence (MILVEHCOE) at Redbank, Queensland and importantly, contributes to the Federal Government’s objectives as set out in the Australian Defence Export Strategy.”

“The Australian manufactured Lynx Infantry Fighting Vehicle Chassis is a test rig destined for Rheinmetall’s Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) campaign to showcase advanced automotive capabilities in the Lynx platform,” he said.

Mr. Stewart said the Lynx vehicle export order will be delivered to Rheinmetall in the United States supporting the business’s worldwide activities currently underway in the OMFV competition and the US Department of Defense’s Bradley fighting vehicle replacement program. 

“Lynx is a next generation fighting vehicle with unmatched protection and lethality. Rheinmetall has developed a next generation electronic architecture to ensure onboard sensors, systems and effectors are able to be networked into Defence’s broader network architecture.”

“The new test vehicle will demonstrate advanced features of mobility,” Mr. Stewart said.

Mr. Stewart said that the Australian export opportunities for Rheinmetall increased with this contract and provided flow on for Australian Industry Capability (AIC) partners that contribute to the Lynx IFV.

“The AIC partners are the backbone of our Lynx manufacturing in Australia. 

We are proud to partner with organisations including:

• Marand                    Roof module,

• Supashock               Running gear,

• MILSPEC Bisalloy    Alternator, and Steel and various mechanical and electrical fabrication partner content.”

Mr. Stewart said that while Rheinmetall has announced export of the Lance Turret to Hungary, this would be our first vehicle export from Australia.

The Lynx is a next generation infantry fighting vehicle designed to confront the challenges of future battlefields. The Lynx provides adaptability; survivability and capacity not seen before in a vehicle of this type and is a highly protected IFV built to meet stringent military requirements.