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Direct Action Deployment Bags, New for 2023

January 6th, 2023

Carrying tactical gear can be a challenge. It is worth remembering that putting everything in one place makes things easier and more organized. For this reason all-new Deployment Bags have been added to the 2023 Direct Action® product line. They are offered in three sizes: Small, Medium and Large. This makes it easy to choose a bag that fits your specific needs. Reinforced construction using Cordura® 500D ensures strength and durability, which is very important during extreme operating conditions.

The Medium and Large bags have a reinforced bottom constructed with a continuous tape through the whole bottom of the bag. The strength is emphasized utilizing only one connection along with the bottom of the bag being a double layer of Cordura® 500D fabric. This allows you to transport heavy equipment without worrying about damaging the bag. Carrying the bag is facilitated by a total of four handles, including two made of tape sewn through the bottom and an adjustable, wide shoulder strap. Its compression straps and the four external pockets are additional features.

All three bags have been equipped with two side panels lined with Velcro® and two transparent tags for easy personalization. The structure of every Deployment Bag is soft sided for easy storage when not in use.

Deployment Bag Small:
– high durability due to Cordura® 500D
– 2 mesh inner pockets
– 2 flat outside compartments
Technical data: weight 530 g/1.16 lb, capacity 42 l/2562 cu in, dimensions 27 x 55 x 28 cm/10.6 x 21.6 x 11 in, colours Adaptive Green, Black, Coyote Brown, MultiCam

Deployment Bag Medium:
– high durability due to Cordura® 500D and one-piece tapes sewn through the bottom
– 2 mesh inner pockets
– 4 outer pockets
– adjustable, wide shoulder strap
– compression straps
Technical data: weight 1112 g/2.45 lb, capacity 80 l/4882 cu in, dimensions 39 x 32 x 70 cm/15.4 x 12.6 x 27.6 in, colours Adaptive Green, Black, Coyote Brown

Deployment Bag Large:
– the largest capacity of the deployment family – 150 l
– high durability due to Cordura® 500D and one-piece tapes sewn through the bottom
– 2 mesh inner pockets
– 4 outer pockets
– adjustable, wide shoulder strap
Technical data: weight 1288 g/2.839 lb, capacity 150 l/9153 cu in, dimensions 45 x 34 x 85 cm/7.7 x 13.4 x 33.5 in, colours Adaptive Green, Black, Coyote Brown

Posted in Advertiser, Load Carrying, Press Release | Comments Off on Direct Action Deployment Bags, New for 2023

Colorado’s 138th Space Control Squadron Pioneers New Training

January 6th, 2023

SCHRIEVER SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. — The Colorado Air National Guard’s 138th Space Control Squadron, in conjunction with the National Space Test and Training Complex, conducted a training event named “Neptune Falcon,” which took place at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado Springs, Colorado, to test new capabilities for meeting wartime objectives in the space domain.

The exercise, held over 10 days in October 2022 at a newly created forward operating base by Airmen of the 138th, simulated real-world expeditionary operations and prepared them for upcoming deployments.

“This is a Secretary of Defense level joint interoperability exercise that includes aircraft from Air Combat Command, space participants from the 138th Space Control Squadron, Colorado Air National Guard, and the 25th Space Range Squadron, as well as a host of other participants,” U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Andy Gold, commander,138th SPCS, said.

There have been many significant milestones that the 138th SPCS has led along the way, according to Gold.

“This is the first time a U.S. Air Force or Air National Guard weapons system has ever connected to the Range Closed Loop Environment,” Maj. Matthew Thampy, assistant director of operations, 25th Space Range Squadron, said. “The RCLE provides a highly realistic electronic warfare system to train and test our systems.”

This is also the first time the RCLE has been requested by a combatant command to support a joint interoperability exercise, such as Neptune Falcon. Additionally, this marks the first Total Force event (integration of Active Duty and Reserve forces) in which the combatant command and Air National Guard unit employed the RCLE, paving the way for future support for the broader Department of Defense need of realistic, dynamic environments to support the warfighter.

“During this exercise, we are training to deal with crew dynamics, tactics, techniques, and procedures, as well as getting hands-on system time,” U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Lindsey Sequoia, 138th SPCS space control operator, and Neptune Falcon participant, said. “Getting that practice on how to respond in a real-world scenario is invaluable to me.”

Neptune Falcon also signifies a key Total Force Integration partnership for future training and test events involving the National Guard Bureau, Space Operations Command, and Space Training and Readiness Command.

“Events like this also meet key U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force directives for highly realistic training events/scenarios in preparing Guardians, Airmen for war,” Thampy said.

The 138th SPCS stood up in May 2019 and has rapidly improved the training environment to create the most realistic wartime scenarios possible, preparing space professionals for future wartime missions. Forward Operating Base Schriever is the latest iteration of technological advances in training for the members, which creates a superior training environment never before experienced by Air National Guard or Active Duty space warriors.

By Mr. John Rohrer, 140th Wing Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, Space | Comments Off on Colorado’s 138th Space Control Squadron Pioneers New Training

S.O.Tech is Celebrating our 25 Year Anniversary with a Modernization!

January 5th, 2023

The S.O.Tech Team are proud to announce our 25 year anniversary with a company facelift. You will still see the same flow of innovative designs and legendary durability that has made S.O.Tech a go-to for Special Operations units around the globe.

Expect a newly formatted website, catalog, and newsletter in coming months and a fresh look at SHOT Show. Its hard to believe we’ve doing this since the days of the BDUs, but we’re thankful to have been supported by a solid group of friends and patrons who kept us motivated. 25 years and over 1.5 million pieces of gear sewn may seem like a good time to tap out, but our heads are full of new designs to bring to the front-line operators, so keep an eye on our news feed.

specopstech.com

Posted in Advertiser, Industry, Press Release | 2 Comments »

High Speed Gear & Comp-Tac Attending SHOT Show 2023

January 5th, 2023

SWANSBORO, N.C. – January 05, 2023 – High Speed Gear® and Comp-Tac® Holsters will be displaying, entertaining, and meeting with customers and industry professionals in booth 75707 at the 2023 Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Tradeshow (SHOT).

High Speed Gear and Comp-Tac, best known for the TACO® and extremely durable and reliable Kydex® holsters, will attend SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada, January 17th through the 20th. The SHOT Show is the largest and most eclectic trade show for all retailers, distributors, and wholesalers involved with shooting sports, hunting/outdoors, as well as law enforcement and military customers worldwide. High Speed Gear and Comp-Tac will be announcing and displaying innovative as well as new products, and team members will be available to answer any questions pertaining to the entire line of high quality gear they produce.

The High Speed Gear and Comp-Tac Holsters booth will be fully stocked with tactical belts, magazine pouches, accessory pouches, CT3 Level III Holster drawing stations, meeting space, staff, and several fun events.

Some of the New Products for the show that will be on display:

• Polymer TACO V2: HSGI’s all new Polymer TACO V2 designs offer integrated storage for shock cords, a modular design for easy reconfiguration, slightly taller back panel for re-indexing of the magazine and a fresh, new matte appearance.

• Special Missions Pouch: Highly versatile and adaptable pouch that allows the end-user the ability to wear or mount the pouch three different ways.

• QD Multi-Fit Holster: Newly designed combination holster- Ambidextrous, can be worn inside the waistband and/or outside the waistband and it fits multiple firearms.

• Tri-Mag Pouch: Created based on input from Rob Leatham- Built to carry 3 magazines, each with their own retention adjustment to allow for increased speed and flexibility for competitive shooters.

• Vigil™ EDC Belt: Designed for everyday carry and daily wear. It is rigid enough to support both inside-the-waistband and outside-the-waistband holsters, yet flexible enough to be worn comfortably all day. The belt features a minimalistic design with a low-profile magnetic buckle that fits through standard belt loops.

“Attending SHOT Show is always a must for us. It is one of the best opportunities we have to meet with our customers face to face, show off new products, get feedback, talk opportunities and make new friends,” commented Bill Babboni chief operations officer for High Speed Gear. “We’ve continued to successfully grow the High Speed Gear and Comp-Tac brands and product selection by making the time to listen to our customers’ wants and needs.”

High Speed Gear and Comp-Tac would like to extend a welcoming invitation to come by for events happening at the booth (75707):

• Wednesday, January 18th at 2:00pm – Will Petty of Centrifuge Training will be hosting a Holster Draw Stroke Competition.

• Thursday, January 19th at 2:00pm – World championship professional shooter, Rob Leatham will be showcasing the Comp-Tac® International™ Holster, used in multiple shooting competitions.

Posted in Advertiser, Press Release, SHOT Show | Comments Off on High Speed Gear & Comp-Tac Attending SHOT Show 2023

Vortex Unveils The Mountain Pass Tripod

January 5th, 2023

January 5, 2023 – BARNEVELD, Wis. – Handles large binoculars and spotting scopes. Purpose-built to help anyone make the most of their glassing game. Whether spotting distant targets at the gun range or searching for game miles from the truck, the new Mountain Pass™ Aluminum Tripod Kit delivers sturdy, smooth, and reliable operation you’d expect in a tripod that costs a lot more.

Capable of supporting a max load of 22 lbs., the machined-aluminum design delivers an excellent balance of strength, size, and durability. With a folded length of 19” and weighing just 3.1 lbs., it’s super packable. A minimum height of 9” and a max height of 56” also means it’s extremely versatile for glassing while standing, sitting, or lying prone.

When the view changes quickly, you need a tripod that can keep up. And the Mountain Pass™ delivers with fast, telescopic legs that adjust independently and lock with a quick flip of a lever. It also comes equipped with a 2-Way Pan Head that securely holds your optic via an Arca-Swiss compatible quick-release system.

Intuitive controls and full range of motion. Rubber feet for solid footing on slick surfaces and a built-in counterweight hook for even greater stability in windy conditions. The Mountain Pass™ Tripod Kit (MSRP: $224.99) also comes with a rubber packing strap and handy carry case.

To learn more about Mountain Pass™ and the growing family of Vortex® tripods, click here. See how it compares to the High Country™ II and Summit™ Carbon II Tripod Kits in this video.

For a list of specifications, frequently asked questions and high-resolution images, check out the Vortex New Product Portal.

vortexoptics.com

Posted in Optics, Press Release | Comments Off on Vortex Unveils The Mountain Pass Tripod

UF PRO Introduces Lightweight, Ultra-Soft Delta Eagle Gen.3 Tactical Softshell Jacket

January 5th, 2023

KOMENDA, SLOVENIA (5 JANUARY 2023)—Tactical clothing manufacturer UF PRO today announced the availability of its new Delta Eagle Gen.3 Tactical Softshell Jacket.

“The Delta Eagle Gen.3 Tactical Softshell Jacket offers outstanding lightweight protection, maximum comfort, and optimal fit and performance for wearers embarked on missions in humid chilly environments,” said UF PRO Head of Product Development Armin Wagner. “We’re confident that operators will find it incredibly soft and warm, and that they’ll appreciate how fast it dries as well as how much easier it makes accessing their belt-carried gear and holsters.”

Wagner said the Delta Eagle Gen.3 Tactical Softshell Jacket overcomes a variety of problems common among competitors’ jackets in this category, such as comfort-impairing construction, mobility reducing material stiffness, function-limiting design, and a tendency to cause wearers to overheat while engaged in strenuous activities.

“The Delta Eagle Gen.3 Tactical Jacket is a softshell that actually lives up to the name softshell,” he said. “That’s because we’ve broken the rules of softshell construction in order to produce a softshell jacket that’s genuinely soft and that employs the best microfleece technology available on the market.”

Wagner explained that traditional softshell jackets are made of three elemental layers glued together—a face fabric, an inner membrane, and a microfleece lining. This construction formulation, he said, results in “a rather thick and heavy jacket. However, by breaking the rules and redefining the established concept, by keeping the three elemental layers separated and replacing the adhesive with a layer of air, we’ve delivered a softshell jacket that has better breathability along with improved thermal insulation characteristics that translate to greater warmth. Moreover, this new approach to jacket construction yields a softer, higher-performance material that is less restrictive, quieter, and more easily compressed for packing compared to older softshell materials.”

Built into the Delta Eagle Gen.3 Tactical Jacket’s shoulders is UF PRO’s acclaimed air/pac® buffer system. This, said Wagner, provides an extra layer of insulation by putting air between the fabric and the wearer’s body. “It also prevents the shoulder straps of a backpack or plate-carrier from coming into direct contact with the body—this results in a continuous drying effect,” he indicated.

“Also, we designed this jacket to provide easier access to gear you’re carrying on your waist belt,” Wagner continued. “At the hip is a press button—open it, unzip the lower hem, and fix the jacket to your holster with the jacket’s drawcord. Doing this puts your handgun or knife within hands’ reach always, even as the jacket is working to keep you protected from the elements.”

Wagner called attention to a strategically placed, two-way zipper that runs along each side of the jacket from the hem to approximately elbow height. “The purpose of these zippers is to let wearers more effectively manage their body temperature,” he said.

Another novel attribute of the jacket is its Hood/Harness® hood packing/unpacking system, designed for fast application and intended to keep the wearer’s neck warm when the waterproof hood is packed into the collar, Wagner said.

Key features of the Delta Eagle Gen.3 Tactical Softshell Jacket include:

• Fully windproofed, highly water-repellent construction employing a durable nylon ripstop face fabric and an ePTFE-based inner membrane

• Moisture-wicking COCONA® 37.5™ microfleece technology for superior management of body vapours

• Fixed UF PRO air/pac® shoulder inserts to prevent thermal bridging

• Waterproof hood connected via UF PRO’s innovative Hood/Harness® system

• Dual front and upper-sleeve pockets

• Pen pocket

• Long Vislon® side zippers for easier opening and closing

• Press-button for improved access to belt-carried gear

• Waist, collar, cuff, and hem adjusters for a more precise fit

• Velcro® cover

For additional information, please visit ufpro.com or contact support@ufpro.si.

Posted in Advertiser, Clothing | Comments Off on UF PRO Introduces Lightweight, Ultra-Soft Delta Eagle Gen.3 Tactical Softshell Jacket

Airborne Innovation Lab Develops PMN-2 Mine Training Aid

January 5th, 2023

Fort Bragg’s Airborne Innovation Lab has developed a PMN-2 mine training aid.

Photo 1: The PMN-2 replica attaches to an M-80TR paintball AP mine. If stepped on, the PMN-2 training aid will release both paint and smoke.

Photo 2: The inert training aid next to the reactive training aid. The bottom portion (where the spoke and CO2 canister resides) will be buried.

Photo 3/4: The PMN-2 is not the only mine they have adapted to fit the M-80TR. You can swap the PMN-2 with the PMN-1, increasing the versatility of the training aid.

Posted in Army, Training | Comments Off on Airborne Innovation Lab Develops PMN-2 Mine Training Aid

Jim Schatz – A Path To Overmatch – Next Generation Individual Weapon System Redux

January 5th, 2023

Recently, I’ve started resharing some briefings by the late, great Jim Schatz. I originally shared this one in April 2017, right as the Army was taking its first steps toward what is now Next Generation Squad Weapons. As we head into SHOT Show, now is a great time to take a look at what both the Army and SOCOM have accomplished and consider the path that Jim proposed.

One thing he mentioned was the concept of “Frontliners” which has been institutionalized as the Close Combat Force. Other ideas have seen varying degrees of interest.

He was always on top of past missteps in the opportunities we’ve had to modernize our small arms. His last briefing to NDIA’s Armament Systems Forum, on 27 April, 2016 was entitled, “A Path To Overmatch” and made the case for an immediate transition to an intermediate caliber, preferably with a telescoping cased cartridge, along with a new weapon individual weapon. His reasoning was simple; overmatch. Our troops remain outranged by threat weapons firing the 7.62x54R cartridge. While not every enemy is equipped with a weapon in this caliber, they’ve learned to use their PKM MMGs and SVD Sniper Rifles to keep our troops at arm’s length. In the briefing, Jim does a great job of laying out Russian and ISIS capabilities vis-a-vis our US M4A1 and M249.

Jim named five things that could immediately be leveraged to provide overmatch: Lightweight Intermediate Caliber Cartridge (LICC) Ammo, Disturbed Reticle Carbine Sight, Blind-to-Barrier Bullets, Lightweight Modular Weapons and Advanced Training.

He also wanted the most bang for the buck and identified 140,000 “Frontliners” in the US military, aka trigger pullers, who would be the immediate focus of small arms modernization efforts.

Jim urged a transition to two calibers, a 6.5-family intermediate cartridge for the individual weapon and a .338 cartridge for crew served weapons. I have discussed the General Dynamics Lightweight Medium Machine Gun in .338 Norma Magnum. Jim used this example to make the initial case for the transition to LICC ammo for the individual weapon.

In 2017, all of the cartridges being seriously looked at were in the 6.5mm family; .260, .264 USA, and .277 USA. While .260 is currently commercially available, .264 USA and .277 USA were developed by the US Army Marskmanship Unit, which has been conducting in-house evaluations.

Ultimately, the US Army conducted a formal caliber study called the Small Arms Ammunition Configuration study which resulted in a new common caliber for Squad weapons, 6.8mm. After a competitive process, the Army selected the SIG SAUER 6.8 x 51mm common case architecture cartridge for fielding as part of NGSW.

USSOCOM looked at .260 Remington and 6.5 Creedmoor and chose 6.5 CM. It’s all a bit of back to the future. Use of a 6.5mm cartridge isn’t new. 6.5×55 Swedish saw service in Europe for a very long time. Initially developed in the 1890s, it was still in service up to a century later.

This image came from The Firearm Blog’s article on the .264 USA cartridge by Nathaniel F. It depicts (L-R) 7.62 NATO, .264 USA, 5.56 NATO.

Jim was very passionate about this concept and did the homework. For example, he knew the costs to not only pay for the transition to a new caliber, but new weapons as well. The figures are there, for you to see.

Jim’s attention to detail was always keen. He even considered spare parts, manuals, training and ranges in his calculations.

Naturally, transition to a larger caliber, means heavier ammo and a smaller basic load. Here, Jim shows the tradeoffs for the amount of amm a rifleman would carry in his basic load, based in different calibers.

There is a difference, and this is why the transition to Polymer cased/telescoping ammo is so important.

To summarize, these are the takeaways. All of this, is available from industry, right now.

While I cherry picked several slides from this briefing to make certain points, you really need to read the whole thing. I’ve only scratched the surface here. It’s filled with gems like the examples I’ve given.

Jim’s confidence in polymer cased ammo nor his interest in case telescoped cartridges have borne fruit so far, but there’s plenty to see.

You can download it here www.dtic.mil/ndia/2016/armament/18260_Schatz.

Posted in Ammo, History, weapons | 5 Comments »