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New Armor Carrier from Drop Zone Tactical

Wednesday, September 21st, 2011

From the great white north comes a new armor carrier. Canadian firm Drop Zone Tactical Ltd has introduced a line of products called the Integrated Combat System. The first product from this line is the Warrior Wrap, a cummerbund style plate carrier that accommodates BALCS or Line of Fire cut soft armor.

Drop Zone put a lot into the development of this product and have related to me that they feel the shoulders are its best feature. In testing, subjects related that shoulder fatigue from the weight of ballistic plates, ammo and water were reduced. Their approach? Simple. Broad, load distributing shoulders with generous spacing for the neck.

Built right into the collar is a D-ring designed specifically for the DropZone Single Point Sling Kit but it will fit others as well.

The drag handle is rated to 600lbs and is crafted from a large loop designed to be gripped by gloved hands. However, the center of the handle is tacked with Velcro to keep it close to the vest when not in use.

Be sure to ask about a discount for military personnel.

www.dropzonetactical.com

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Posted in Armor, Foreign, Load Carrying | 1 Comment »

Cadex Defence Introduces New Rifle Chassis Family

Monday, September 12th, 2011

Canada-based Cadex Defence will debut the new Strike 33 rifle chassis at DSEI in the Rangemaster booth (# N8-393). It joins the Strike 30 and Strike 50, both already on the market. The Strike 30 is designed for .308 rifles, and naturally the 50 is built to accept .50 barreled actions. The new Strike 33 adds the popular .338 Lapua to the lineup.

All of the stocks are folders and incorporate adjustable comb height, length of pull as well as butt pad. Additionally, the lower housing is removable for for maintenance and adjustment and has a magazine well for removable magazines. Finally, the fully configurable fore end features detachable Picatinny rail segments so that you only add rail where you need it.

www.cadexdefence.com

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Posted in weapons | 4 Comments »

Canada is Seeking a New Sidearm

Monday, September 12th, 2011

The Canadian Forces have begun the process of looking for a new sidearm. At least, they’ve taken the first step. At this point they are looking at availability and price, sort of like a US pre-solicitation, but won’t issue the actual solicitation until 2015. But, at least they’ve started along the path. The US military has had two false starts since the war began. First with SOCOM and then with the USAF.

According to the online price & availability letter, this new General Service Pistol “will replace the 9mm Browning High Power (HP) and the 9mm Sig Sauer Model 225 pistol.”

The Browning Hi-Power as their current Service Pistol and the Sig P225 is in service with the Canadian Forces Military Police. Interestingly, no mention was given to the Sig P226 which is in service with Naval Boarding Parties. The P&A letter mentions the potential for 10,000 pistols. Furthermore, the eventual winner will be required to provide the Technical Data Package to the Crown who will, in turn, provide it to Colt Canada who will produce the weapons. And oh yeah, they are only interested in 9mm NATO.

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Posted in Foreign, weapons | 12 Comments »

Canada Restores Traditional Service Names

Wednesday, August 17th, 2011

In a historic move to restore the heritage of their armed force, Canada renamed the Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Navy, and Royal Canadian Air Force. Since 1968 they have been known respectively as Land Forces Command, Maritime Command and Air Command.


Photo: Canada DND

CANFORGEN 147/11 VCDS 021/11 151502Z AUG 11
RESTORING THE HISTORIC NAMES OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY, THE CANADIAN ARMY AND THE ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE.

THE CDS (Chief of Defence Staff) IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS RESTORING THE HISTORIC NAMES OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY (RCN), THE CANADIAN ARMY (CA), AND THE ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE (RCAF)

THE INITIATIVE TO RESTORE THE HISTORIC NAMES OF CANADA’S THREE FORMER SERVICES IS AIMED AT RESTORING AN IMPORTANT AND RECOGNIZABLE PART OF CANADA S MILITARY HERITAGE. THESE WERE THE SERVICES THAT FOUGHT AND EMERGED VICTORIOUS FROM THE SECOND WORLD WAR AND KOREA AND CONTRIBUTED TO THE DEFENCE OF EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA FROM THE EARLY DAYS OF THE COLD WAR. THESE WERE ALSO THE SERVICES THAT PAVED THE WAY IN TERMS OF INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS

THE CHANGE WILL BE IMPLEMENTED BY RENAMING THE THREE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMANDS. MARITIME COMMAND WILL BE NAMED THE ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY LAND FORCE COMMAND WILL BE NAMED THE CANADIAN ARMY AND AIR COMMAND WILL BE NAMED THE ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE. IN THIS WAY WE WILL REGAIN AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR COLLECTIVE HERITAGE WITHIN A UNIFIED EFFECTIVE CANADIAN FORCES COMMAND STRUCTURE

MORE DETAILED INFORMATION WILL BE PROMULGATED BY YOUR RESPECTIVE CHAINS OF COMMAND AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE

FOR GREATER CERTAINTY, ALL CURRENT RESPECTIVE COMMAND ORDERS, RULES, DIRECTIVES, INSTRUCTIONS OR SIMILAR INSTRUMENTS REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT UNTIL AMENDED TO REFLECT THE NAME CHANGE OF THE COMMAND

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Posted in Foreign | 12 Comments »

Quebec Trade Mission to Brazil Focusing on Security

Thursday, July 28th, 2011

Quebec’s Ministry of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade selected Canadian Tactical Training Academy (CTTA) to be part of a trade mission to Brazil, August 29 through September 2, 2011. The Ministry will underwrite some of CTTA’s expenses and arrange meetings while in Brazil.

According to CTTA, they provide:

“CTTA offers specialized programs such as: Executive Protection, Investigation and Surveillance, Rapid Integrated Survival Kombat (RISK) System, Tactical Firearms, Handcuffing, Airport and Airline Security (IATA and ICAO standards), Ports Facilities and Maritime Security (ISPS Code), Basic SWAT Techniques, Corporate Safety Awareness, and much more.”

These look to be exactly the sort of training needed to deal with Brazil’s internal security challenges.

In a press release, Mr Angelo Marino, Vice President of Operations of CTTA, commented, “We are very pleased to have been selected by the Ministry to be part of this important Trade Mission. This recognition is a confirmation that CTTA is on the right track. Brazil is the place to be for our industry because of the World Cup and Olympics which will be hosted during the next few years. Also, we already have a partnership in Brazil with MAF Protection Control Risks Group, headquartered in Sao Paulo. “

What Mr Marino is talking about is that over the next five years, Brazil is host to several international events.

– Annual Brazilian Grand Prix, is part of the Formula One world Championship
– FIFA World Cup (of Soccer) in 12 Brazilian cities
– 2016 Summer Olympics Rio de Janeiro

Brazil is one of the so-called “BRICs” (Brazil, Russia, India, China) which are experiencing advanced economic development. It is an emerging market (7th largest economy by GDP) with notable security challenges. For example, Brazil is in the top 20 countries of intentional homicide rates and has continued problems with organized gang violence directed at security services. Based on the number of upcoming opportunities and the Brazilian desire to deal with security issues, it is surprising that more American firms are not reaching out to Brazil.

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Posted in Foreign, Industry, LE | 2 Comments »

Canadian Forces – Improved Combat Uniform

Friday, July 8th, 2011

In the first redesign of the Combat Uniform since the 1950s, the transition to CADPAT now withstanding, the Canadian military is releasing the Improved Combat Uniform (fr. UNIFORME DE COMBAT AMÉLIORÉ (UCA)) beginning in 2012. This is not the introduction of a new uniform but rather an improvement of the existing issue item based on operational feedback.

The most striking change is that it becomes more ACU-like with 17 changes based on recent operational feedback. Production should commence in June 2012.

In particular, the ICU will incorporate these features:

•Mandarin Collar
•Flat Chest Pockets
•Pockets: Arms + pen pockets on sleeves
•Velcro attachment on sleeve cuffs
•No more draw strings
•Better fit
•Integrated kneepads (two models trialled: “green” and “grey”)

User acceptance trials and working group have already been completed with a design freeze anticipated for No Later Than 11 August. As this is planned as a rolling upgrade to the current pattern, fielding priorities will go to combat units and over time include the entire force.

There are two ironies at work here. The first is obviously that the uniform is becoming more ACU-like even as US Soldiers complain of the ACUs features. The second is that the uniform improvements won’t be fielded until Canadian combat troops have left Afghanistan.

One last thing I forgot to add. The CF Operational Clothing Team made it very clear that the uniform would remain in CADPAT and would NOT be MultiCam.

All photos Canada DND

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Posted in Clothing, Foreign | 24 Comments »

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