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IWI Expands Its Riot Control Solutions Portfolio with the GAL Versatile Protective Suit

October 19th, 2021

IWI expands its riot control solutions portfolio, with the launch of its patented, unique and revolutionary riot-control protective suit – the GAL Versatile Protective Suit (VPS)

Adaptable to all scenarios, the VPS is designed for use by law enforcement agencies. Extremely lightweight, it provides complete protection from trauma injuries

Milipol Paris, 19-22 October, Parc d’Exposition, Stand 5A D067

19 October 2021, Ramat Hasharon, Israel. IWI – Israel Weapon Industries – a member of the SK Group (founded by Mr. Samy Katsav), and leader in the production of combat-proven small arms for military forces, police units, law enforcement agencies, and governmental entities around the world – announces the expansion of its comprehensive range of riot-control solutions as it launches the patented GAL Versatile Protective Suit (VPS). Designed for the protection of forces while maintaining public order, the lightweight, wearable protection system is adaptable to all scenarios.

The GAL VPS absorbs massive kinetic trauma and reduces and diverts the transfer of a blow to the body. A comprehensive, 3-level operational solution, the GAL VPS is flexible and easy to wear. It includes a vest and arm and leg protectors, all anti-trauma, and weighs just 4.4 kg at W2 and 5.9kg at W4, making it the most lightweight protective suit, while the unique design enables users from small to large size to wear it. The system is also covered with an anti-abrasion material as standard, or with flame retardant material according to the customer’s needs.

Together with the bullet proof and anti-stab ultralight vest and ultralight ballistic helmet, the GAL VPS is the most up-to-date, versatile protective suit available today. Moreover, following a stringent testing process and crash tests, the system has achieved German standard VPAM KDIW 2004 Cubic/ Wurfel.

“In the past year, we have witnessed the growing need for a professional personal protection system that provides a solution for security forces in the face of diverse missions and minute-by-minute situational changes,” says Ronen Hamudot, Executive VP of Marketing and Sales at SK Group. “We have developed a single kit that provides different levels of protection and addresses any scenario, including covert missions, search and arrest missions, dispersal of demonstrators, and more. This GAL VPS is an addition to the overall solution offered by IWI in the field of public protection. IWI continues to pursue its goal of providing complete solutions to its customers, by constantly developing the most advanced systems in the world.”

Posted in Armor, International, Milipol, Press Release | 1 Comment »

TacMed Tuesday – TacMed Solutions Foxtrot Litter Helps Save a Life

October 19th, 2021

TacMed Solutions is a proud supporter of Cops Direct, a non-profit organization which helps supply law enforcement agencies in need with lifesaving first responder medical equipment. Part of the May 2021 Cops Direct allocation of equipment donations was to the Limestone County Sheriff’s Department located in Athens, Alabama.

The equipment received is pictured with the agency personnel. On June 14th, the donation was received, and just two days later, they put a TacMed Solutions Foxtrot Litter into real-life use on a missing person/medical emergency call. The patient suffered a diabetic emergency and had been missing for three days when he was found off the beaten path in a heavily wooded area.

The Deputies utilized the Foxtrot Litter to get the patient back to the closest dirt road where they awaited EMS. We are thankful for the lifesaving actions of the Limestone County Deputies and are excited to continue to support Cops Direct. If you want to help us in supporting underfunded departments, make a donation and support the organization at copsdirect.org!

Posted in Advertiser, Guest Post, LE, Medical | 1 Comment »

Mystery Ranch Launches New Film – Origins: OVERLOAD – The Conception Story of a Cornerstone in Pack Design

October 19th, 2021

Optimizing Load Carriage™ is the cornerstone of the MYSTERY RANCH design philosophy; it’s the core of what makes their packs different.

Origins: OVERLOAD®, is a cinematic look into the conception story of the MYSTERY RANCH patented OVERLOAD feature and its unique ability to haul heavy, awkward, changeable loads – a feature that helps you haul more and hurt less. This innovative design has become a prevalent feature across the company’s pack lines, having now been applied to the Hunting and Outdoor categories from its Military origins. The OVERLOAD feature has become a new standard in the field and on the battlefield.

Learn more about the Military origins and the benefits of the OVERLOAD feature from Veteran Sniper Shannon O’Keefe and Co-founder/Designer at MYSTERY RANCH Dana Gleason.

Posted in Advertiser, Packs | 1 Comment »

Arc’teryx LEAF – Limited Edition Duffle Pack 50

October 19th, 2021

Occasionally, Arc’teryx LEAF creates what is called an SMU for “Special Make Up” a custom run, if you will, which isn’t included in the standard lineup.

This SMU is a 50 liter duffel made from the same MultiCam, PU coated 500D Cordura material used in the DryPack. Other than layout and size, there’s a distinct difference from the DryPack; the Duffle Pack 50 isn’t fully waterproof.

Instead, it is highly water resistant, meaning seams are sealed and there’s a weather flap over the full-length zipper making the duffle highly resistant to rain. It can also sit in your boat and keep your gear dry. You just can’t dive it.

Additionally, it features two removable, padded shoulder straps and haul handles at either end and at each side. You can flip the adjustable shoulder straps either way so that the zipper is toward the wearer’s back, or away from it.

There are only 890 duffles available worldwide, across regional shops, so if you want to get ahold of one of these, this pre-order is your chance.

Pre-orders will be open for two weeks and available from:

Asia Pacific

Canada

Europe

United States

Posted in Advertiser, Arc'teryx, Load Carrying | Comments Off on Arc’teryx LEAF – Limited Edition Duffle Pack 50

AstroAccess Successfully Completes ZERO-G Parabolic flight with Crew of 12 Disability Ambassadors

October 19th, 2021

Ambassadors experienced 15 weightless parabolas and tested new designs for accessibility

Ambassador feedback will inform design of future space missions

Flight seeks to advance disability inclusion in STEM

18 October 2021, Long Beach, CA – AstroAccess, an initiative dedicated to advancing disability inclusion in space exploration, and Zero Gravity Corporation (ZERO-G) successfully completed a parabolic flight with a crew of 12 ambassadors with mobility, vision, and hearing disabilities on Sunday, October 17.

A press conference with representatives of the crew will be livestreamed on Monday, October 18 at 10:00am Pacific time, via the following link: https://bit.ly/3DOn63Z (passcode: ToBoldlyGo)

On Sunday, the ZERO-G aircraft ascended to an altitude of 32,000 feet, at which point the vehicle commenced its parabolic maneuvers. Ambassadors carried out planned demonstrations over the course of 15 arcs, experiencing multiple minutes of weightlessness.

During the flight, the ambassadors conducted demonstrations to understand how space vessels can be made more accessible by design and procedure. These tests included new visual and haptic feedback mechanisms to signify phases of flight, crew uniforms intentionally designed for accessibility, interior customizations to provide instantaneous location and orientation awareness for safety in microgravity, and a variety of other additional scientific and technical demonstrations.

Anna Voelker, Executive Director of SciAccess and Co-Project Lead of AstroAccess, said, “Space removes the barriers between people; now is the time to remove the barriers to space itself.” They continued, “AstroAccess is sending a message to people who have historically been excluded from STEM that not only is there room for you in space, there is a need for you.”

The mission was supported by a wide range of disability and space organizations, including DAV (Disabled American Veterans), Gallaudet University, the Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, the Space Frontier Foundation, the Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and the Whitesides Foundation. The AstroAccess mission was part of SciAccess and under fiscal sponsorship of Yuri’s Night. A full list of partners is below.

In addition to the 12 ambassadors, onboard the flight were members of several American companies flying crewed spaceflight vehicles.

The mission not only provides valuable insights on the future of spacecraft design, but also seeks to advance disability inclusion in STEM, inspire the next generation of scientists and world-changers, welcome new perspectives into the science community, and demonstrate the benefit of intentional and accessible design in space and here on Earth.

George Whitesides, Co-Project Lead of AstroAccess, said: “Yesterday’s successful flight was an important milestone in our mission to open space for all. The tasks and demonstrations carried out by our ambassadors will have a profound effect on the space industry at large, inform the design of future space vehicles, and pave the way for future astronauts with disabilities.”

“One characteristic veterans share is the unwavering desire to serve, and it’s an inclination that continues for many once they no longer wear our nation’s uniform,” said Marc Burgess, CEO and national adjutant of DAV. “We’re incredibly grateful to AstroAccess for giving our ambassador CeCe Mazyck the opportunity to contribute to vital research that will integrate disabled veterans and civilians alike into space and benefit the disabled community and humanity for years to come.”

Sina Bahram, Flight 1 AstroAccess Ambassador:

“Floating in microgravity was the truest physical manifestation of pure joy and delight that I have ever felt in my life. I feel this joy because of the visceral nature of the experience, the progress being made by and for people with disabilities, the more inclusive future we are building, and the recognition that such a future will not exist without us.”

astroaccess.org

Posted in Press Release, Research, Space | 1 Comment »

Special Warfare Training Wing Dedicates New Tactical Training Facility to Fallen Special Warfare Airman

October 19th, 2021

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-CHAPMAN TRAINING ANNEX, Texas –

The Special Warfare Training Wing at Joint Base San Antonio dedicated their newest tactical training facility to fallen teammate Maj. Walter David Gray at the JBSA-Chapman Training Annex Oct. 8, 2021.

”We are honored and touched that the TACP community remembers him in this way,” said Maj. Gray’s oldest daughter, Nyah, when offering remarks about the event. “While we will never forget him or the example he led, it can often feel as if we are the only ones left who do remember.

“The TACP community has been so kind to us; they have put together event after event and have given us every opportunity to learn about the man they knew through the stories spread amongst the brotherhood,” she added. “We are ever thankful for their contribution to the continuance of his legacy, and are, once again, honored to be cared for so well.”

Gray, a Tactical Air Control Party air liaison officer, who was assigned to the 13th Air Support Operational Squadron at Fort Carson, Colorado, was killed in action Aug. 8, 2012, during Operation Enduring Freedom. He was killed that day by the second of two suicide bombers in Kunar Province, Afghanistan. After the first blast, Gray and his team rushed to the scene to help when the second blast went off.

“If Dave were sitting here today, he would say this is silly … and would be embarrassed that we are making such a fuss over him,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Matthew McMurtry, 353rd SW Training Squadron commander. “That’s how humble he was. So, in typical TACP fashion, let’s make a big fuss over Dave! Remember him today, celebrate him, and honor the legacy he left within our community!”

The 353rd Special Warfare Training Squadron requested the dedication of the facility and Lt. Gen. Marshall B. Webb, commander of Air Education and Training Command, approved the memorialization of the SWTW Tactical Training Facility, now the Gray Tactical Training Facility in March 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic caused delays in scheduling the ceremony.

“This facility is central to the migration of Special Warfare training to the JBSA-Chapman Training Annex. It’s already used extensively by our TACP candidates,” said Col. Mason R. Dula, SWTW commander. “Looking to the near future, it will enable training events for all Special Warfare candidates as our preparatory and assessment and selection courses will shift from JBSA-Lackland to JBSA-Chapman Training Annex.”

The outdoor tactical training facility is made up of an athletic field, strength and conditioning areas, sandpits and restrooms. It supports JBSA Special Warfare training, including courses of initial entry, non-prior service enlisted Pararescue, Combat Control, Special Reconnaissance, and Tactical Air Control Party students.

Additionally, it supports the Pararescue Phase II selection course and multiple Special Warfare officer courses to include Air Liaison Officer, Special Tactics Officer, and Combat Rescue Officer courses for themselves and their Guard/Reserve/prior service counterparts.

The wing commander reiterated the importance of honoring the fallen during his remarks.

“Events like these are part of the cultural bedrock of the Special Warfare community. We are committed to honoring our fallen teammates, lost in combat and training,” Dula said. “We are convinced the best way to keep them from becoming just pictures on the walls of our buildings, or names etched in stone on unit memorials, is to tell stories to do our best to keep the memories of our teammates alive in our formation.”

“While his memory lives on with us, it is an entirely different feeling altogether when others join in on our remembrance,” Nyah said. “No matter the circumstances, it always means the world to us to see that others still care, that they loved him too.

McMurtry, Gray’s best friend, spoke of the dedication it takes to become a TACP.

“Most Airmen don’t consider volunteering for TACP and attempting the 106 TACP training days. ’Dave’ completed this schoolhouse as an enlisted Airman in 1996, and became an officer, he repeated the schoolhouse and graduated a second time in 2011 with Raptor Zero One,” he said. “I’ve served 16 of my 20 years in the Air Force as a TACP, enlisted and officer. Through all the stories and the people that knew Dave, I have yet to hear someone say anything negative about him. He was the TACP everyone wants to be!”

An Air Force Tactical Air Control Party Airman is part of Air Force Special Warfare which consists of ground combat forces specialized in airpower application across hostile, denied, or diplomatically or politically sensitive environments. Special Warfare members provide global access, precision strike, and personnel recovery capabilities across the spectrum of conflict and the multi-domain battlefield.

By Andrew C. Patterson 502nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

Posted in AFSW, Air Force, Guest Post | Comments Off on Special Warfare Training Wing Dedicates New Tactical Training Facility to Fallen Special Warfare Airman

Adept Armor President Publishes “Body Armor: and Light Ballistic Armor Materials and Systems” Book

October 18th, 2021

Jake Ganor, president of Adept Armor publishes a book providing a comprehensive understanding of how armor plates are designed, the materials used, performance characteristics, ballistic testing protocols, and what’s in the near future for body armor.

Carrollton, Texas (October 2021) – Adept Armor president, Jake Ganor, has just published an Amazon Kindle Edition book and Amazon paperback book rated number 1 new release in Military Technology for the body armor end-user, titled: “Body Armor: and Light Ballistic Armor Materials and Systems.”

The book helps the end-user, whether military, law enforcement, security, or private citizen, better understand the materials and science behind ballistic body armor systems. It gives a general overview of today’s offerings, as well as, providing a history of body armor in the modern era.

“My approach has been to simply provide information in as straightforward and readable manner as possible.” Jake Ganor wrote in the preface. He further notes that “There are several technical books available on the subject of modern ballistic armor, but those books focus on much heavier vehicular armor systems, and the materials and methods involved are very different. This is the first book available on the material construction of body armor.”

The book is divided into four sections. The initial chapters review the main types of body armor offered today. Subsequent chapters dive deeper into body armor materials, properties, histories, uses, and what the future holds. The third section reviews the combat helmet and its history. The final section includes appendices providing the reader with supplemental statistical, technical, and terminological information, including a comprehensive glossary.

Jake Ganor’s experience in the body armor and ballistic protection market combines materials engineering and industrial design with a Parametricist philosophy to create new designs that are novel, unexpected, and highly effective. Parametricism emerged from the iterative and algorithmic design paradigms enabled by computer-assisted design software. By testing all design possibilities through modeling software, the optimal solution is ultimately revealed.

For any person who must wear body armor while on the job, or is thinking about purchasing body armor for personal protection, or is interested in the technologies behind ballistic protection, this book will become a favorite reference. When purchasing ballistic protection, there is much to consider besides price, and Body Armor: and Light Ballistic Armor Materials and Systems will provide the reader with authentic and reliable information to make that critical purchase.

“Body Armor: and Light Ballistic Armor Materials and Systems” is available on Amazon, Kindle edition is $5.99 and the paperback is $14.49.

Interested in armor materials, systems, test methods, and current threats? Check out Adept Armor’s incredible knowledgebase of information and glossary. Learn more about Adept Armor on their new website or follow them on Facebook.

Posted in Armor, Press Release | Comments Off on Adept Armor President Publishes “Body Armor: and Light Ballistic Armor Materials and Systems” Book

AeroVironment Successfully Demonstrates Maritime Sensor-To-Shooter Capability with Puma 3 AE and Switchblade 300 at NATO REP(MUS) 21 Experimentation Exercise

October 18th, 2021

• Experimentation was part of NATO REP(MUS) 21 U.S./U.K. Interoperability to Interchangeability (I2I) initiatives using uncrewed systems

• First successful cross-domain, multi-national and I2I-enabled maritime sensor-to-shooter (S2S) demonstration of Puma 3 AE small unmanned aircraft system and Switchblade 300 tactical missile system

• Demonstrated the interoperability potential of multiple Command and Control Systems/Common Control Systems (CCS) to pass missions, C2 authority, and ISR/targeting data, enabling U.S. and U.K. common mission planning and execution systems in coordinated mission profiles

• International debut of the Precision Recovery System (PRS), which supported Puma 3 AE’s continuous mission taskings with a quick turnaround recover/launch capability using an automated net landing capability on an underway U.S. Navy ship

ARLINGTON, Va., Oct. 18, 2021 –AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global leader in intelligent, multi-domain robotic systems, today announced the successful maritime demonstration of a Puma™ 3 AE small unmanned aircraft system and Switchblade® 300 tactical missile system sensor-to-shooter (S2S) capability as part of NATO REP(MUS) 21, Europe’s largest maritime unmanned systems operational experimentation exercise, hosted at the Portuguese Navy Centre for Operational Experimentation held in Troia, Portugal in September. The experimentation was part of a United States/United Kingdom Interoperability to Interchangeability (I2I) initiative using unmanned/uncrewed systems.

A key component of the exercise was demonstrating the interoperability of multiple U.S./U.K. control system capabilities to facilitate the transfer through the Puma 3 AE comm relay connection of tactical control and planning tasks of interchangeable, cross-domain assets. This successful demonstration was the result of combined and coordinated efforts of coalition and industry partnerships including the Naval Information Warfare Center’s C-SCAPE Common Control System (CCS), the Naval Undersea Warfare Center’s CaSHMI system, U.K. Ministry of Defense’s MAPLE command and control system, AeroVironment’s Crysalis™ ground control system (GCS) connected to the varied control systems utilizing a new STANAG 4586 Level 4 interface, unmanned/uncrewed surface vehicles, unmanned underwater vehicles and manned surface ships from additional NATO allies. The U.S. delegation was led by NAVSEA’s Program Executive Office for Unmanned and Small Combatants.

Launched from the USNS Carson City, Puma 3 AE UAS served as an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and targeting asset during the S2S exercise. Post launch, control of the Puma 3 AE was transferred to C-SCAPE, which was acting as the CCS on the USNS Carson City for this mission segment. Using its high-resolution Mantis i45 payload, the Puma 3 AE was used by military operators from the Maritime Operations Center (MOC), located in Troia, to positively identify the moving exercise target of interest. The target location was then digitally transferred from Puma 3 AE to a Switchblade 300 via S2S prior to its launch. The S2S functionality was witnessed by U.S. Navy personnel only.

As a demonstration of interchangeability, Switchblade 300 was then launched from a U.K. unmanned/uncrewed surface vessel (USV), the Maritime Autonomy Demonstrator for Operational eXperimentation (MADFOX), and automatically flew to the fast-moving target using the coordinates provided. Once the target was in the field of view of Switchblade 300’s optical sensors, the Switchblade 300 mission operator confirmed the target and engaged. During final target approach, Switchblade 300 was waved off just prior to actual engagement of the exercise target to effectively display its patented wave-off capability. Once the exercise was completed, the Puma 3 AE was autonomously recovered back onboard the USNS Carson City via the Precision Recovery System (PRS) demonstrator while the ship remained underway and on course.

“The system launch from MADFOX was a U.K. first, demonstrating the potential of USVs for lethal and other payloads; crucially, the whole serial was commanded, enabled and facilitated using information provided by uncrewed systems. It is a significant step for I2I, the sensor-to-shooter capability and interoperability,” said Commander Antony Crabb, Royal Navy, NavyX Experimentation Team Leader.

“This demonstration proved AeroVironment’s sensor-to-shooter solution dramatically elevates operator situational awareness, reduces engagement timelines and reduces the chances of mis-targeting,” said Charles Dean, AeroVironment vice president for global business development and sales of UAS. “It also deemed relaying missions and surveillance data between U.K. and U.S. planning systems as effective and successful and demonstrated the maturity of Puma 3 AE’s capabilities for broad naval adoption.”

Dean added, “Particularly, the new STANAG 4586 Level 4 compliant interface for Crysalis GCS to connect AeroVironment SUAS with large naval vessel Tactical Control Systems and the Puma 3 AE Precision Recovery System, allowing autonomous aircraft recovery for larger vessels while continuously underway.”

Subsequent REP(MUS) 21 demonstrations connected the U.K.’s MAPLE command and control system to an airborne Puma 3 AE, allowing full control of both the aircraft and its i45 payload as MAPLE commanded. Both Puma 3 AE and Switchblade 300 flight operations regularly involved aircraft handoffs between control stations on the USNS Carson City, MADFOX, the Troia beach FOB, and the MOC at Troia base operations.

AeroVironment’s participation and contributing fielded Puma 3 AE and Switchblade 300 systems impacted the exercise greatly by enabling both U.S. and U.K. control systems to interact through comm relay STANAG 4856 compatibility, cross-domain unmanned capability C2 networking over-the-horizon and combined coalition S2S unmanned/uncrewed response to fast attack threats.

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