Held 4 & 5 May in San Diego, CA, ADS Warrior Expo West is one of the best opportunities to see the latest and greatest equipment this year. but time is running out to reserve your spot. Online registration closes at 1159 pm (est), Wednesday, April 27, 2011! Looking forward to seeing you there.
Tags: ADS Inc, Warrior Expo West
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Every once in awhile we mention the term MRO which stands for Maintenance, Repair, and Operations. ADS Inc has published a great article on MRO, giving some background on what the topic entails as well as a couple of examples of projects they have undertaken. Check it out.
Awhile back, one of our readers described SSD as “Crack for the Tactical Addict”. We think he might be on to something considering how often some of you visit us each day. But even if we were to publish 10 times a day, and we’ve been coming close lately, some readers would still be jonesing for more. Well, more we can offer, and in several flavors.
TacticalFanboy.com
Awhile back we realized that as our readership grew, so did their interests begin to vary and in response, our editorial content began to shift somewhat as well. Ever conscious of our core readership; Industry, Government, and Military, we became a bit concerned that we had lost some of our focus. And in that notion, the idea for Tactical Fanboy was born. Officially launched during SHOT Show, you can think of it as sort of an alter ego. Over the past few months TFB’s fan base has grown and grown. In fact, some of our most popular stories have been from TFB.
Now, we can have our cake and eat it too and so can you. SSD at work and TFB at home. SSD has moved back to its roots concentrating on hardcore Government and Industry news while TFB has picked up the more recreational and entertainment sides of this community, with a little bit of humor and risque content thrown in for good measure. While this may mean no more worries about running across content on SSD that may be questionable at work, don’t just write TFB off as some milsim wannabe site. The name might be lighthearted but the content will always be on point. Additionally, TFB is more of a traditional blog so feel free to comment and join in the discussion. But don’t worry, you’ll see us share content and collaborate regularly.
www.TacticalFanBoy.com
News
We put the “new” in news. If it’s worth knowing you are going to read it here first. And if you do happen to see it somewhere else first we will tell you to go see it there, unless we have the rest of the story. Which, all too often seems to be the case. There were over 2000 registered media at SHOT show but there sure as hell aren’t 2000 publications or websites worth reading. We will always endeavor to give you the best and most up-to-date coverage of the tactical industry, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. No one else provides this level of coverage.
Comments
Our readers kept asking to be able to comment on our stories and finally, we listened. You can now comment on our articles. We were a bit standoffish at first and maybe one or two commenters seem to forget that this is primarily a tactical gear site but overall we are very pleased to see how well behaved everyone is. Additionally, it is nice to see some of the added value our readers have offered.
Twitter
We have found Twitter to be one of the best means to reach out to our readers and our list of followers continues to grow. In addition to alerts of new stories we also release information through Twitter that might be of interest to our readers or is related to our core content but originates elsewhere.
twitter.com/soldiersystems
Facebook
We launched our Facebook page awhile back and recently started taking advantage of it. Tactical Fanboy has also got his up and running so check him out as well. Make sure you like us and tell your friends about us as well. Additionally, look for special giveaways open to our fans.
iPhone
Our iPhone app has been extremely popular and delivers the latest updates directly to your iPhone each time you open it. If it seems to have died on you, delete it and reinstall. We want to do an Android app but we are not happy with the company we had chosen. Any suggestions?
iTunes
M4Carbine.net
M4Carbine.net has been most gracious in offering us a dedicated sub-forum to interact with our readers. Not only is it a great place to discuss our articles and current issues in the Soldier Systems industry but M4Carbine.net gives access to the best group of Subject Matter Experts we have run across. No over-inflated CVs, no BS, just good information. Military, Law Enforcement, or a fan of the Black Rifle? You should be a member of M4Carbine.net.
M4Carbine.net
Youtube
We post videos for our articles on our Youtube channel. Additionally, we make use of content posted by others. Always be on the look out for more content.
www.youtube.com
Kindle
Subscriptions to SSD’s content are available for the Kindle via Amazon. Don’t forget there is a Kindle reader for iPhone and iPad.
Scribd.com/solsys
Contests
We have been running some cool contests this year thanks to our sponsors. Our recent kit design contest was the first time we have seen industry reach out to partner with a user to develop new products.
Contest.SoldierSystems.net
Trade Shows
In the near-term look for us at ADS Warrior Expo West and SOFIC.
On-line Gaming
If you have an Xbox Live account, you can friend request ‘Tactical Fanboy’.
The Future
Here at SSD we continuously look at ways to increase interaction with our readers. For example, some of our writers have begun to develop specialized content for other sites. In fact, you may have seen the article on HIGH GEAR on ADS Inc’s web site. You will also begin to see some of our stuff in print. Additionally we have also posted guest content from the Mad Duo and others.
One final word. None of this would be possible without the support of our sponsors. We have affiliated ourselves with reputable companies who provide solid products and services and we would not hesitate to recommend any of them. At SSD we look at our sponsorship program as a two-way street. We are endorsing them as much as they are us and we urge you to support them. They offer some great products. Use them and let them know you saw them on SSD.
One of the first things I learned in the Army was to constantly improve my fighting position, so if you have any additional ideas on ways SSD can do more for you, please feel free to share them with us.
Available for the past 30 years, there are uncounted Skedco litters out there. Many users have asked for a quicker way to configure the litters and Skedco listened. They recently released a Cobra Buckle retrofit kit. The actual litters themselves are extremely durable but over time straps abrade or are damaged and buckles break. This kit includes both Cobra buckles as well as new straps so it’s a great way to breathe some new life into an older litter as well as increase its utility. Manufactured by Austrialpin, Cobra buckles are rated at a 3000 lbs break strength. They work just like standard side release buckles but are machined from aluminum and will not open under load.
For more information visit www.skedco.com. For unit and agency order contact www.adsinc.com/skedco
We’ve written about HIGH GEARâ„¢ here on SSD in the past, but this new article published yesterday by ADS tells a lot more of the story about the gear and how it has already been kitted for use as the MACK (Modern Army Combatives Kit) as well as how it can be assembled as a custom solution for any organization conducting combatives training. In addition to the fighting suits, HIGH GEARâ„¢ also offers the Decon Zone Sanitation System which can decontaminate not only your combatives gear but also anything that picks up germs and mildew. We’ve talked about it before and in our opinion, wider use of the Decon Zone would result in a healthier force.
HIGH GEARâ„¢ components are Berry Compliant / Made in USA and produced by London Bridge Trading Company. Agency or unit orders can be handled by ADS Inc.
Make sure you check out the article at www.adsinc.com/geared-up to learn about HIGH GEARâ„¢.
ADS developed the Joint Forces Extrication Kit at the request of the military in order more widely proliferate the tools needed to extract personnel from disabled armored vehicles. When an up-armored HMMWV or MRAP rolls, it can be very difficult to gain access especially as the door are so heavy. After a quick market survey ADS was able to assemble this kit.
It consists of the Power Hawk Rescue Tool which is an electric system. I was there when this video was shot and it is lightweight but has the torque (72,000 inch pounds) to get the job done. The cross over jaws can be used to cut, pry, or peel open vehicle or aircraft skins in order to gain access. It can also be used on structures or debris. The JFEK also includes the Husqvarna K760 Rescue Saw with three diamond tip blades that can be used to but through locks, into wood and metal walls as well as transparent armor. The 30″ Halligan tool is used for prying and a 4 lbs sledge and 2000 lbs come along round out the kit’s contents. ADS can also customize the kit with additional items as needed.
While the JFEK was originally envisioned for use with armored vehicles, it can also work well for those engaged in other forms of rescue operations.
Tags: ADS Inc, JFEK
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We all watched in horror yesterday as Earthquake and Tsunami ravaged Japan and other countries in the Pacific Rim. Now, organizations are being tasked with beginning the rescue, recovery, and relief effort. These operations are organized in an ad hoc fashion and so often, military units and civilian agencies and non-profit organizations are either improperly or under equipped for the mission ahead. Based lessons learned from the Haiti earthquake relief, ADS Inc has prepared a catalog to help planners and logistics personnel identify equipment and supplies for this latest crisis. Regardless if you source your equipment from ADS or elsewhere, it is an excellent reference tool.
For more information on these as well as other equipment visit www.ADSinc.com/disaster.
Tags: ADS Inc
Posted in ADS, Catalog | Comments Off on Disaster Recovery Supplies and Equipment
In addition to their entire line of tactical nylon products, London Bridge Trading Company offers a variety of deployment bags and associated carry options. Berry compliant and available in several color schemes, LBT products are well made and in my experience reliable. For example, the Large Wheeled Padded Loadout Bag in the video below is like the Mack truck of baggage. Sure, it’s a stout bag even when empty, but this thing is the modern equivalent of a steamer trunk, with one big difference; its own wheels. When you are hauling around a fully loaded bag you want to be able to move it yourself. Also, if you transporting this much stuff chances are good that some of it is going to be fragile Between padding and a reinforced kydex back the LBT-2467A is designed to handle that. Additionally, this thing is covered with pockets to compartmentalize your gear.
While I don’t own one I checked it our at SHOT show and am impressed. It isn’t for the casual user, but rather well suited for the guy who deploys with a substantial amount of kit. Don’t worry, if you travel with less, LBT has other options as well. Check out this mini catalog for details on their entire run of baggage options.
LBT Deployment Bag Mini Catalog 2011
These deployment bags as well as all LBT products are available for agency purchase through ADS Inc.
www.adsinc.com/london-bridge-trading
Tags: ADS Inc, LBT, London Bridge Tradining Co
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