This week I’ll be wrapping up my review of Camelbak’s Thermobak® AB. Experience counts and once more Camelbak has impressed me with a host of little hints, which when combined scream out “EXCELLENCE!”
I’ll take you through the product detail by detail but I won’t stop there. I’ll also give you some of the medical reasons that “hydrate or die” are words to live by.
Catch my review of this outstanding hydration system here or on Scribd.
Check it out!
This readers would like to know why he needs to get ATF approval and a $200 tax stamp to purchase a 9 inch upper receiver for his AR15.
It’s a great question that gives me an opportunity to get on my soapbox with regards to the National Firearms Act.
Part of the many duties shouldered by the ATF is responsibility for the National Firearms Act or NFA. The NFA, was enacted in 1934 and is currently codified as amended in 26 U.S.C. ch. 53. It requires that an excise tax be paid on certain types of firearms.
Under the NFA, a rifle with a barrel length of less than 16 inches is considered to be a short-barreled rifle or SBR; therefore, it must be registered in the National Firearms Act registry and the excise tax be paid.
It is not illegal to own a short-barreled rifle, you simply need to go through the steps outlined by the ATF to obtain one. It’s a processes that requires you to submit an application to the ATF along with a $200 tax payment.
Regrettably, like a number of agencies today, the ATF is up to their ears in work and they too have been hit with budget cuts. The result is that it may take months before you see a determination from the ATF.
Additionally, you must secure local law enforcement approval prior to forwarding your application to the ATF. In some cases, the chief law enforcement officer, in your area, may deny approval without cause – either he or she is philosophically opposed to Title II firearms or their political affiliations. There are vehicles available making it possible for you to bypass local law enforcement approval. If you are in that situation, I strongly recommend that you use the services of an experienced NFA attorney.
Once the ATF receives a properly completed application along with the excise tax payment, they will process it and return a tax stamp. Until you receive your tax stamp you MAY NOT take possession of the SBR (in your case).
Enactment of the NFA was, in my view, a response to the crime wave that came about because of Prohibition. So, it was a way for the government to maintain a record of and restrict ownership of Title II firearms – like the SBR.
In my view, the NFA, as amended, is archaic and needs a forklift upgrade; case in point. I’ve been hunting with people using 24 and 26 inch rifle barrels, and I have literally seen them fall flat on their behinds because they got the rifle snagged on brush. It’s a miracle that more people are not accidentally shot for the exact same reason I described – talk about a Dick Cheney thing.
Yet another example. Several friends have asked what I consider to be the most effective home defense weapon. My response has always been a short shotgun loaded with bird shot. Why?
It is easy for you or your spouse to maneuver the weapon in tight quarters- like a hallway- and requires little skill to be effective in a self-defense scenario. Lastly, there is little chance of over penetration so you won’t end up blasting your neighbor. Under current NFA rules, a shotgun with a barrel length less than 18 inches is a Title II firearm and requires registration.
Makes absolutely no sense whatsoever!
I personally would like to see ATF focus on domestic and international terror more so than NFA and 922r compliance along with a host of other minutia that currently falls under their jurisdiction.
In closing if you are thinking of purchasing an SBR, you must use a Class III dealer. Your normal shop is not licensed to deal in Title II firearms. The Class III dealer will also help you with the ATF documents and will review the entire process with you.
I hope I’ve answered your question.
Wouldn’t you really like to have a Buick…
Just exactly what is a 300 AAC Blackout?
Just exactly what is a 300 AAC Blackout? It’s a caliber that had its beginnings as the 300-221, a wildcat cartridge popularized by J.D. Jones of SSK Industries as the 300 Whisper®.
The cartridge is built on a 5.56×45 case shortened and necked to accept a 30-caliber bullet. When loaded with a 200 to 250-grain bullet the Whisper is subsonic; producing muzzle velocities of 960 feet per second from a 9” barrel to 1030 feet per second from a 16” barrel. There’s also a version loaded with a 125 grain projectile that achieves supersonic muzzle velocities of over 2200 feet per second in a 16 inch barrel.
If you’re part of the Monte Blanc crowd you may not find this interesting but it never hurts to keep an ear to the ground and stay receptive, I always say.
Tuff-Write, Inc. does one thing and one thing only – they make tactical pens, and quite good ones I might add.
So, what the heck is a tactical pen; couldn’t you just use a Bic? The answer is no, if you expect to be in harsh environments, climatic extremes or situations that potentially require the use of non-lethal force.
Tactical pens by Tuff-Write are much more than just fine writing instruments, they are a tool, and the company has just announced a new and upgraded version of their highly acclaimed Operator pen series featuring enhancements such as:
The new Operator is designed, machined and assembled in the U.S.A. to be the toughest pen on the market, period. The pens are made to withstand environmental extremes of heat and cold, and function without fail. The new Operator is now even stronger with an increased wall thickness to handle additional punishment.
The Operator will withstand nearly 750 PSI without breaking a sweat, and a MIL-A-8625 “F” anodizing over a non-marking finish provides a “rock-hard” surface to handle the elements and anything else the world throws at it.
So, now that you know what your Monte Blanc is not, do yourself a huge favor and pick up an Operator Pen Series tactical pen from Tuff-Writer and never look back.
By the way, don’t try this with old Monte’
Before you tune me out saying this is another SERPA holster review, give me an opportunity to give you my perspective on holsters.
The holster is part of your weapon system period. You can have the most finely tuned pistol on the planet seated in a poorly designed holster and you might as well opt for a slingshot.
The machine guns referenced in the headline belonged to a WWII British RAF Spitfire flown by an American, Ronald “Bud” Wolfe. The plane, purchased by a wealthy Canadian industrialist, went down in the vicinity of Donegal, Ireland, after and engine failure forced Wolfe to bail out. How’s that for a survivability test?
It’s a superbly done article by the BBC and you can read it in its entirety here.
Throughout the year, I have the opportunity to test and evaluate products from outstanding companies. I share that experience with you through postings on the FOG HORN and by making those articles and reviews available to you on Scribd.
From that collection, I select five items that I feel represent the best value for someone who is engaged in tactical activity – whether a profession or sport – as a Holiday gift giving suggestion.
In the past I selected ten; however, readers were getting stressed about the number of selections, so I ended up reducing the list to make it easier on the gift givers – especially a spouse.
HappyHolidaysToYouAll !
-SP
This is one of several videos featuring Sheriff Chuck Wright, Spartanburg, SC, advising women to travel in groups and get a gun permit; it is making its way through the country and the media in wildfire like manner. Undoubtedly, those that believe you should let the police protect you find it objectionable. However, the harsh reality is that year over year crime against the elderly and against women is increasing and Sheriff Wright is very much on point.
Members of the local intelligentsia in high crime pockets like New York, Chicago and Los Angeles fail to come to grips with the harsh reality that police cannot protect you. If you can’t wrap your mind around that concept spend some time talking to an officer or several of the many victims of violent crimes. Folks, as dedicated as many of our law enforcement professional are, police do not and cannot protect you. Police deter, enforce and investigate but they do not protect. Protection falls squarely on your shoulders and you should take that seriously.
Watch the video and consider taking Sheriff Wright’s advice. Most of all, stay alert, be aware of your surroundings, avoid confrontation, be intolerant and use lethal force when you must.
When one thinks of private contracting firms, in context of the Iraq and Afghanistan theaters of operation, no private contractor is more infamous than Blackwater. It’s hard to say how history will view Erik Prince, Blackwater’s founder and Ex Navy SEAL. I hope it is fairly, and that he receives credit for breathing life into a concept that still makes a great deal of sense.
Blackwater’s demise does not invalidate Erik Prince’s concept. Blackwater failed because it operated in a space that lacked a central governance or standards setting body. It was very much dependant on a client who was too busy conducting a campaign to develop operating guidelines for its contractor. So, without industry directed overwatch and without specific client guidelines, contractors were force to call their own shots.
However,the fact remains that companies, like Blackwater, are better prepared and can respond more quickly and cost effectively to demands that are limited and very specific in their requirements. One example of that is providing shipboard security for vessels traveling to and from areas where piracy is a concern. Here, mobilizing state-owned navy’s and armed services is both costly, complex and sometimes ineffective – leading to ongoing diplomatic headaches.
Now, UK publisher, 505 Games, announced that Blackwater for Xbox 360 and Kinect is available at retailers in North America. Developed by Zombie Studios, Blackwater puts players in the shoes of Blackwater operatives in a mission to fight a terrorist threat.
Travis Haley is a veteran Force Reconnaissance Marine with 14 years of dedicated real world experience including; combat tours in the Balkans, Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa and other classified locations around the world.
Mr. Haley is also Chief Executive Officer of the highly successful Magpul Industries.
In this video, Travis, shares his views on augmenting live-fire training with Airsoft. He outlines both economic and pedagogical benefits, and I agree with his lucid ideas and comments.
I just got done reading an interesting article published by Defense Review. The piece discusses the ORAL I.V. Crystalloid Electrolyte Rapid Rehydration Fluid (CERRF). I know its publisher personally and there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that he would not intentionally mislead a reader – he is an honest and committed individual, and all-round super dude. However, there are subjects that one needs to approach cautiously and his discussion of CERF is just that.
The human cell, any type of cell, whether differentiated or not is a eukaryote. This means that it consists of a nucleus (the brains of the operation), organelles (the infrastructure – or what does the work) and a phospholipid bilayer that we call the cell membrane ( its like the wire that you put around your outpost).
The cell membrane is said to be semi permeable and highly selective – like that wire it only lets in what it wants to let in. In biochemistry, molecules have specific geometries (and electrical charges); if the cellular membrane runs across a molecule that has the right shape and charge, it allows it to pass through the membrane. This is passive transport.
The cell also uses an active transport system. Active transport requires a difference in electrical potential between the inside of the cell and its cellular milieu (the outside). It also requires an electric current along the cell membrane, which is supplied by the release of an electron during the pathways associated with the phosphorylation of adenosine diphosphate to adenosine triphosphate. In biochemistry, we term those processes “pathways” and generating that single electron requires 120 pathways or processes. The sole purpose for those pathways, is the release of one electron to power the active transport process. This is how the cell eliminates waste and intakes nutrients (using passive selective semi-permeability and active transport).
The precise chemistry involved in normal cell function is complex and what follows is by necessity an oversimplification.
Human cells or eukaryotes require Chlorides, Potassium, Sodium and trace elements in order to function. Potassium carries a positive charge and is generally found in higher concentration inside the cell. Chlorides carry a negative charge and are in higher concentration outside the cell in the cellular milieu. So, we have a slight positive charge inside the cell and a negative charge on the outside of the cell thus creating the needed difference in potential which permits current flow to move through the cell membrane to power the active transport process.
Any disruption to that chemistry is dealt with by the cell immediately and if that disruption is sufficiently harsh, the cell dies.
Movement of water across the cell membrane is a regulatory process; if the cell finds itself in an environment where the concentration of a solute (could be waste mater or other molecules) then water leaves the cell to equalize or reduce the concentration of the solute (the solute is what is in solution with the solvent which is water) and that environment is said to be hypertonic. If on the other hand the cell has a greater concentration of the solute than its surrounding, the cell takes up water and swells but it does not burst because of pressure differences and the effect those have on the cells regulatory processes.
Regrettably this is how the enchilada works, and anything that you intake claiming to change or accelerate the process should be examine carefully. Hydration is critical to cellular function and electrolytes supply the ions (charged particles) needed to sustain normal cell chemistry, but so will a balance diet. Your body does not require high concentrations of salts for prolonged periods, even during periods of high exertion; in fact, you may run a higher risk of a renal problem.
Now, under no circumstances should the reader interpret my comments as a slam of the product discussed in David’s piece. I have not had the opportunity to look at its chemistry to draw a conclusion of my own.
What I want to accomplish is provide you with some background so you can ask the right question with some degree of understanding.
Just a quick reminder that Insight Technology has a rebate program in place through 31 December 2011. The rebate consists of $40 back on both the HX120 & HX150 and $50 back on the HX200.
The HX family of lights are high performance tactical lights, which can be used in conjunction with lethal force or as a deterrent. I’m a huge fan of tactical lights especially for women and in home defense scenarios.
HX120 $149.99 MSRP HX150 $169.99 MSRP HX200 $199.99 MSRP
These lights are extremely bright and will disorient an attacker using the cloak of darkness; they also have a striking surface that will cut and inflict head injury. Furthermore, if you lose control of it during a confrontation it will not expose you to getting shot with your own firearm. The lights are programmable and feature a strobe that can be used for signaling or as a defensive measure.
I can’t say enough about the value of these lights.
There’s a great deal of discussion about JTRS’ well-being, or better said life expectancy. I think we need to take a step back and look at JTRS as a requirement and not a specific product.
The U.S. Army, and in fact, all of the Services need an integrated communications network and the software definable radio is at the heart of that. The Services also need to integrate voice, data and video in order to enhance situational awareness and provide cutting edge command and control capabilities.
To achieve that, designers and integrators need a wideband architecture that will support the bandwidth requirements and provide self-healing connectivity, and whether it comes from Boeing or Samsung is irrelevant. The requirement stands.
What the Army is saying, as I understand it, is that we are getting out of the development business and we’d like for industry to run with that ball.
If the folks at Boston Dynamics have any say in the matter, mankind will relegate conflicts to specialized military robots like Boston Dynamics’ Petman.
I am reminded of what George S Patton once said ” Wars may be fought with weapons, but they are won by men. It is the spirit of men who follow and of the man who leads that gains the victory” – I wonder what he’d say.
However, the success of unmanned aerial vehicles in the prosecution of the GWOT is undisputed, but can that success be extended to the battlefield; removing the foot soldier and replacing him with military robots like Petman? Interesting question and the possibilities are indeed interesting.
————– PRESS RELEASE ————–
Friday, October 28, 2011 by Airborne Systems
Airborne Systems, a subsidiary of HDT Global (HDT) and a provider of highly-engineered mobile military and emergency response solutions, announced today it has been awarded a $27m contract by the US Army’s Research, Development, and Engineering Command (RDECOM).
The contract will include the production and delivery of an estimated 3,600 Military Free Fall Advanced Ram Air Parachute Systems (MFF ARAPS) utilising the Airborne System’s Intruder parachute system.
The contract win reaffirms Airborne Systems’ role as a major supplier to the US military. All major military personnel parachute systems currently in use by US Forces have been designed by Airborne Systems, including the T-11, MC-6, Hi-Glide, MC-4, MC-5 and Intruder. The FireFly and DragonFly precision guided aerial delivery systems have also been selected by the US Army for the Joint Precision Air Drop System (JPADS) program, and the FireFly is being used extensively in Afghanistan.
“We are honored the US Army has selected Airborne Systems to support our war fighters with the best parachute technology available,” said Brad Pedersen, president of Airborne Systems. “Our solution is the best value for soldiers, offering increased safety and cutting edge technology. The Intruder system has been exclusively designed for the military jumper and is not an adaptation. Its versatility allows day or night and high or low altitude capabilities in a range of challenging environments to fully meet mission requirements.”
“Airborne Systems has made major historical contributions to military ram-air parachute systems development,” added JC Berland, chief technology officer at Airborne Systems. “These include the invention of the ram-air reserve parachute and the first military ram air parachute system, the MT-1. Airborne Systems also designed and produced the MC-4 and MC-5 parachute systems, the most popular military parachute systems in the world. The T-11 is also an excellent example of our technology lead in the parachute world.”
The firm fixed-price IDIQ contract is anticipated to include an 18-month base ordering period and a 42-month optional ordering period. The acquisition was conducted on a full and open basis and incorporated a best value source selection, based upon technical, management, past performance, cost and price assessments.
I’m really excited about this new offering from Beretta. The Nano is an ideal, 9mm, conceal carry pistol. It will be released in the 9 mm caliber first, followed by .40 S&W. Ladies, the Nano is a superb addition to your handbag too, so check it out!
The editors at LeMonde – France have put together some great pictures of the tyrant Gaddafi, in all of his splendor. A real gem of a man!
Just in time for Halloween Voila’
L’album photo de Kadhafi
Photographs by Michael Christopher Brown
We were in need of some moral builder material so one of our regular readers and home boy, from VA Beach, sent us this instructional video.
Have a great weekend everybody!
Lawrenceville, GA – Advanced Armament Company, a part of the Remington Freedom Group of Companies, announced today that the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Ind., has awarded AAC a $14,201,731 firm-fixed-price,
indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for FMBS (N00164-11-D-JN18).
Work will be performed in Lawrenceville, Ga., and is expected to be completed by September 2016. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce website, with seven proposals received.
Of the (4) lots awarded, out of a total (8) lots competed, AAC was awarded a contract to reduce signature for 75% of the available business – the Mk13 sniper system, the Mk46 light machinegun, and the M240 medium machinegun.
Four systems – M249 light machinegun, Mk48 medium machinegun, M16A4 assault rifle and M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle are still pending award.
“We are honored to continue providing US special operations forces with reliable and durable signature reduction solutions – especially in the area of machine-guns, which had formerly not been considered for such applications given available technology ,” noted Kevin Brittingham, President of AAC, “AAC has made significant investments in manufacturing modernization, end-user driven research and development, and complementary technologies to be able to provide a wide range of reliable, durable, and maintainable small arms signature reduction solutions, and the FMBS award is a significant achievement for our company and its proud US workforce.”
We congratulate Mr. Brittingham and his team for this exceptional achievement.
Prato, Italy – Extrema Ratio announced the release of the compact version of its legendary Col. Moschin combat knife. The Col. Moschin was commissioned and officially adopted in 2002 by the Ninth Rgt. Incursori “Col. Moschin.”
The Compact Col. Moschin has a blade length of 4.3 inches giving the knife an overall length of 8.3 inches. The blade thickness is .25 inches, which when combined with the BOHLER N690 steel delivers a 58 HRC.
The shorter Compact makes for a great addition to your tactical vest or plate carrier and is fully PALS compatible.
I first became familiar with the KRISS Super V submachine gun while attending a demonstration at Blackwater International’s facility in Moyock, NC. For me, it was love at first try for a number of reasons – compactness, a whopping cyclic rate of 1200 rounds per minute and it’s handling and recoil mitigation system. Impressive is an understatement; however, topping the list of attributes was it’s .45 ACP knockdown power.
Prior to the KRISS System, my go to SMG was the world standard HK MP5; the undisputed king of the 9mm SMG. In fact, I’ve fired just about every variety of MP5 made including the MP5SD – it deserves their market share and reputation. However, times do change and technology moves us forward with increased reliability and effectiveness.
More recently, KRISS® Arms Group announced the KRISS Vector SDP™.45 ACP. This is a KRISS Vector in a semiautomatic pistol configuration.
I’m not suggesting that you gather up your MP5’s and have a yard sale but I sincerely believe that your agency or department should give the KRISS SMG a try. In my opinion it raises the bar on what an SMG can deliver.
The video below will take through their product offerings but absolutely nothing will convince you more than a live fire test. You won’t be disappointed I assure you.
Camel Manufacturing based in Pioneer, TN developed and is now supplying the Extreme Weather Liner. The liner adds a level of insulation to military shelters, used in extreme climactic conditions, claiming a potential energy savings of 30 – 40%. At a time where all services have a renewed focus on energy savings, this is a huge benefit.
The insulated liner is fabricated from 3M™ Thinsulate™ FR-SH 250 gram Insulation, providing over an R-Factor of 4 when used in conjunction with the shelter itself.
Las Vegas, NV – Staff Sargent Daniel Horner of the US Army’s Marksmanship Unit used the new 300 AAC Blackout cartridge to win 1st overall in the Tactical Optics division of the 2011 USPSA Multigun National Championship, held outside of Las Vegas, Nevada.
300 AAC Blackout was launched by Advanced Armament Corp. and Remington as a military cardtrige. The concept is to enhance precision and lethality by using a 30 caliber bullet fired from M4/AR15 platform;using standard magazines. However, both Remington and AAC expect to see a lot of use for hunting, plinking, and home defense as well. The concept of putting a 30-caliber bullet in a shortened 223 case has been done before, but not as an industry-wide standard that anyone can make products for, royalty-free.
SAAMI, the industry standards organization, adopted the 300 BLK earlier this year, and it now has broad industry support with over 60 companies manufacturing products for it.
Remington is leading the pack with the most types and highest volume of ammo available; 125 grain open-tip match with a custom Sierra bullet; 220 grain subsonic and a 125 grain AccuTip for hunting, law enforcement, and self-defense.
While this is one of the lowest-cost cartridges to reload, Remington and AAC recognized that most people are not reloaders, so UMC ammo is planned to be out soon with a price of just $12.99 MSRP per box – substantially less than other cartridges that are a power upgrade from 223. And the use of the cartridge to win the Nationals while qualifying for “Major Power Factor” leaves no doubt about the potential for accuracy and the capability of some major punch.
“Years in Iraq change U.S. military’s understanding of war” I read this story in today’s Washington Post. I’d like to share it (with comment) with you. It’s well written and presents a balanced view of what is surely a highly
controversial topic.
Early in the article, the author raises the weapons of mass destruction (WMD) argument, which has received very shallow analysis by the media. Here is my take on it.
As Americans we tend to see things as black or white, something that is an outgrowth from the openness in our society. In reality, they are different shades of gray. So, our expectations – much of which were set by the media – when we entered Baghdad, were that we would find and secure the Iraqi “WMD store”, in the middle of a town square, like a Wal-Mart in Paducah, Kentucky. When that did not occur, we immediately began to question the decision to invade Iraq – making preposterous statements and drawing conclusions, like the George Bush revenge theory.
To make matters worse, our HUMINT (Human Intelligence) was virtually no existent. Lacking reliable intelligence on the Iraqi WMD program, the intelligence community, Congress and the Executive Branch had to make the assumption that Saddam Hussein had access to and the willingness to use WMDs. That assumption is reasonably supported by Saddam Hussein’s use of chemical weapons against the Kurds in the North and against Iran.
There was never a concern that Iraqi Republican Guards would parachute into Times Square and employ WMDs to take back the city from the hookers. The real concern – one that I feel is valid – is that via internal corruption or sectarian loyalties chemical, biological or nuclear weapons would be made available to AlQaeda and Associates who would then, using an expansive terrorist network, smuggle them into the United States and employ them at will. This was the risk and I believe the thought process driving the decision to go into Iraq.
Lastly, and then I’ll get off my soap box.
Something that I tend to see quite a lot of – with increasing regularity – are the impassioned discussions about the lives lost. I’d like you to look at them in a slightly different light. But, first i want you to know that I’ve served for about twelve years, Navy and Army NG. Having said that, I have no illusions about what a war can cost, and having lost 1 man or woman in hostile action in Iraq is too much. However, I am bothered by the fact that we use casualty statistics to accentuate “the great mistake” of our actions, all of which are designed to place blame on others, or simply set themselves up as luminaries. So, I’d like to show you some figures so that you can place things in your own perspective.
As of 21 October 2011, the United States has suffered 3,525 KIA in 9 years of military operations in Iraq. Let’s divide that figure by 9 to get an annual rate of 391.7 KIA per year. In the United States our national death rate is 803.6 deaths per year, per 100,000 population.
Draw your own conclusions. But, let me express what this analysis does for me!
If fills me with great pride. Pride in the men and women who served and in their leadership. That statistic stands as a monument to their courage and their effectiveness. It says to me that perhaps we should be celebrating their lives, successes and contributions.
40mm Infrared Illuminant Cartridge, M992: Soldiers now have capabilities to engage the enemy far more effectively during night operations. The Army’s new infrared illuminating cartridges/projectiles produce infrared light that is invisible to the naked eye, but is clearly visible through night vision devices that U.S. Soldiers use in Iraq and Afghanistan.
5.56mm M855A1 Enhanced Performance Round: Since June, the Program Executive Office for Ammunition at Picatinny Arsenal has fielded about 30 million new 5.56mm M855A1 Enhanced Performance Rounds in Afghanistan. The bullet has been redesigned and now features a larger steel penetrator on its tip. A notable feature of the EPR is a bullet with a copper core.
Green Eyes – Escalation of Force Kit Integration with the CROWS System: The system emits a wide band of green light that temporarily disrupts a person’s vision so that driving a vehicle or aiming a weapon becomes difficult if not impossible. One application would be to warn civilians away from checkpoints and other areas where their safety is at risk. At closer distances, the lasers provide an immediate, non-lethal capability to deter aggressive actions.
Jackal Explosive Hazard Pre-Detonation System: The Jackal is an improvised explosive device, or IED, defeat system designed to remove the threat of IEDs against Soldiers, tactical vehicle platforms and overall mission success. In 2010, ARDEC developed and fielded Jackal to Soldiers throughout Iraq to help counter roadside bombs. In particular, Jackal neutralizes the lethal IED threats putting Soldiers at risk during route clearance and convoy missions.
Jackal keeps Soldiers outside the IEDs area of lethality and increases the survivability of vehicle platforms. Unlike its predecessors, the Jackal is designed to be modular and adaptable to new and emerging IED devices.
M240L 7.62mm Lightweight Medium Machine Gun: The new machine gun reduces the weight of the existing M240B without compromising reliability.
“The titanium M240L represents a leap in weapons technology inspired by Soldier feedback,” said Col. Douglas Tamilio, former Project Manager Soldier Weapons for PEO Soldier.
“The lessons learned from this program will undoubtedly benefit future weapons systems that will maintain our continued advantage on the battlefield.”
Mortar Fire Control System – Dismounted: The MFCS-D reduces time to fire first round from eight minutes during the day and 12 minutes at night to less than two minutes for both day and night.
The kit consists of ruggedized computers, battery power supplies, displays, navigation and pointing hardware, and associated mounting hardware.
The system enhances the responsiveness of the M120A1 120mm Towed Mortar System, enabling digital coordination of multiple systems and significantly reducing the time required to place, fire and move the weapon.
Read the complete story by: Ed Lopez, Picatinny Public Affairs
Beretta ARX 160 configured with GLX 40mm grenade launcher
The Beretta ARX160 is an amazing weapon system, and Beretta has done an extraordinary job with what the company calls the MMI or man-machine-interface. Ben with Beretta does a great job of demonstrating the weapon so I’ll let him show you the ARX160.
With exception of firing the GLX grenade launcher, I have performed all of the functions that Ben will demonstrate in this video and they are just that easy – no smoke and mirrors.
Colt LE 901 configured in 7.62 x 51
The Colt Defense LE901 is field convertible carbine. The operator, without specialized tools can configure the weapon from a short barreled 5.56 x 45 CQB platform to a full sized rifle in 7.62 x 51 NATO for precision fire support. In addition to caliber changes, the operator may elect to switch from a direct gas impingement operating system to a piston driven or hybrid arrangement. The key to Colt’s flexibility is the Universal Lower Receiver or ULR.
The ULR permits the individual user – with no special tools – to convert a “single serialized lower receiver” into multiple caliber, barrel-length, and operating system configurations.
The folks at Schmidt & Bender were very proud of their 5-25×56 PMII-PSR. The day optic was selected by U.S.S.O.C.O.M. to supply the optic for the PSR (Precision Sniper Rifle Program) giving Schmidt & Bender GMBH two wins; the first being acceptance of the 3-12×50 PMII at the United States Marine Corps.
The 5-25×56-PSR is the newest version of 5-25×56 PMII and features a military standard ceramic coating and locking turrets. The elevation turret requires only two turns to access the optics full range and both the elevation and windage turrets can be equipped with More Tactile Click (MTC) knobs.
The version of the 5-25×56 PMII-PSR supplied as part of USSOCOM’s PSR program will be configured with the Horus reticle.
The Aimpoint® FCS12 consists of a sight module with a Laser Range Finder, a ballistic computer and a heads-up display, as well as a wireless remote control. Operation of the FCS 12 is basically a point and shoot making operation in a combat situation extremely user-friendly and intuitive.
SCHMIDT & BENDER GMBH & CO KG introduce its new PMII Short Dot day optic. The 1-8×24 PMII has an illuminated reticle at the first focal plane and a red dot at the second focal plane. The scope can be used as a reflex sight for close range, or at longer ranges with up to 8 power of magnification. The red dot can be deactivated, leaving behind a plain illuminated reticle.
The main tube has a diameter of 30 mm, and a locking system that secures the adjusting caps of the elevation and
windage turrets against accidental shifting.
All branches of military service, including allies, have active weight reduction programs geared to aggressively reduce the warfighter’s load.
Yet in almost seeming contradiction, the United States and EU are actively developing anthropomorphic exoskeletons. These wearable devices are designed to enable the soldier to carry heavy loads.
I wrote an article on the subject a couple of years ago and I remain convinced that reducing the soldiers
load simply enables them to carry even more stuff; akin to disk drive capacities.
I remember when the PC was first launched, a 5 MB external hard drive was considered inexhaustible. Thirty
years later we’re complaining that Tera bytes aren’t enough.
C’est la vie. Il est préférable de ne pas résoudre ces contradictions !
With the introduction of its new SCAR H PR (Precision Rifle), at MILIPOL 2011, FN Herstal places another tool in the hands of the designated marksman. Although the DM role has had nothing more than a lukewarm reception the need for precision fire at the company or platoon level in MOUT operations is well-recognized.
The semi-automatic SCAR®-H PR precision rifle features a 20″ heavy barrel and a two-stage match trigger
module for high accuracy. The ergonomics are excellent; consistent with the other members of the SCAR® family. The folding buttstock and the cheek rest can be adjusted, respectively in length and in height, without tools. The operator can therefore optimize the rifle to his requirements (such as body size and body armor).
The SCAR®-H PR also features an extended top MIL-STD 1913 rail that can accept the in-line assembly of night
and day sights for longer ranges.
The SCAR®-H PR is magazine fed from either a 10 round or 20 round magazine and is chambered in the NATO 7.62 x
51.
Commonality of training and components throughout SCAR® family significantly simplifies, and reduces costs.
Rather interesting is FN’s decision to retain the same pistol grip as the M16 – Surely there are better grips available for a precision platform.
IWI ACE-32 7.62 x 39
IWI ACE 22 5.56 x 45 (Top) ACE 52 7.62 x 51 (Bottom)
The Galil ACE rifles are renown for their reliability; however, in the case of the older Galils, it came at a weight premium. The new Galil ACE rifle family has been upgraded.
The ACE 21, 22 and 23 are chambered in the 5.56 x 45 NATO round; the ACE 31 and 32 are both chambered in
7.62 x 39; and the ACE 52 and 53 are chambered in the 7.62 x 51.
All of these rifles are designed around the Avtomat Kalashnikova operating system.
Carmen Romero, the NATO Deputy spokesperson, briefed the press on events concerning Libya. She was joined by Colonel Roland Lavoie, Operation ‘’Unified
Protector’’ (OUP) military spokesperson, who briefed by videoconference, from Naples, on NATO’s operation in Libya in support of UNSCR 1973.
The M4 with its limited rail space is increasingly laden with more accessories, optics (day and night) and lights. Not only is the M4 carbine running out of rail space, but controlling those devices, all of which come with pressure tape switches, is becoming problematic. Enter the folks at CTC Defense.
Using technology that its Vice President and Director Dale Suzuki describes as spiral development, Crimson Trace Corporation’s Defense Division has taken a significant stride towards addressing a growing problem – but the story gets better.
MILIPOL, the EU’s largest Homeland Defense Conference and Exhibit kicks off, tomorrow, Oct 18. (MILIPOL, l’UE la plus grande conférence et exposition Homeland Defense, débute demain, 18 octobre.)
I’ve put together a list of U.S. exhibitors along with the pavilion and booth locations. (J’ai dressé une liste des exposants américains ainsi que le pavillon et les emplacements stand.)
|
Company Name |
Country |
Pavilion & Booth |
| AES INTELLINET |
U.S.A. | 1B 104 |
| ALS TECHNOLOGIES INC |
U.S.A. | 1K 079 |
| AMERICAN SCIENCE & ENGINEERING INC. |
U.S.A. | 1L 090 |
| ARMALITE INC. |
U.S.A. | 1L 076 |
| ASTROPHYSICS INC |
U.S.A. | 3H 044 |
| ATK AMMUNITION |
U.S.A. | 2A 110 |
| AVIAT NETWORKS |
U.S.A. | 1L 071 |
| BATES UNIFORM FOOTWEAR |
U.S.A. | 1K 076 |
| CADDIN | U.S.A. | 1C 091 |
| CAMELBAK PRODUCTS INC. |
U.S.A. | 2C 048 |
| COBRA SYSTEMS, INC. |
U.S.A. | 1C 136 |
| COMBINED TACTICAL SYSTEMS INC |
U.S.A. | 3C 034 |
| CONDOR OUTDOOR PRODUCTS INC |
U.S.A. | 1K 075 |
| ENERGIZER BATTERY COMPANY |
U.S.A. | 1K 062 |
| ESRI | U.S.A. | 1J 062 |
| ESS – OAKLEY |
U.S.A. | 2C 048 |
| FISHER LABS |
U.S.A. | 1K 071 |
| FOX FURY LLC |
U.S.A. | 2A 075 |
| GARRETT METAL DETECTORS |
U.S.A. | 1H 062 |
| GE ENERGY |
U.S.A. | 1K 072 |
| GERBER LEGENDARY BLADES |
U.S.A. | 1L 083 |
| HAVIS INC |
U.S.A. | 3L 022 |
| HONEYWELL SPECIALTY MATERIALS |
U.S.A. | 2F 076 |
| IES INTERACTIVE TRAINING |
U.S.A. | 1J 065 |
| INTELLIGENT COMPUTER SOLUTIONS – ICS | U.S.A. | 3J 106 |
| INTELLIGENT DEVICES CORPORATION |
U.S.A. | 1K 065 |
| INTOXIMETERS | U.S.A. | 3B 120 |
| IROBOT CORPORATION |
U.S.A. | 3G 072 |
| JSI TELECOM |
U.S.A. | 3J 139 |
| JUPITER SYSTEMS |
U.S.A. | 1K 090 |
| KALLMAN WORLDWIDE INC |
U.S.A. | 1J 070 |
| 1K 083 |
||
| KDH DEFENSE SYSTEMS INC |
U.S.A. | 2A 079 |
| KELLAN | U.S.A. | 1B 091 |
| KENYON CONSUMER PRODUCTS |
U.S.A. | 1J 072 |
| L-3 WARRIOR SYSTEMS |
U.S.A. | 3H 139 |
| LASER DEVICES, INC |
U.S.A. | 1H 072 |
| LENCO ARMORED VEHICLES |
U.S.A. | 1K 069 |
| LEWIS MACHINE & TOOL CO |
U.S.A. | 3C 067 |
| LEWIS MACHINE & TOOL CO |
U.S.A. | 1B 075 |
| LIND ELECTRONICS |
U.S.A. | 3B 136 |
| MACE PERSONAL DEFENSE INC |
U.S.A. | 1L 067 |
| MAXPEDITION HARD-USE GEAR |
U.S.A. | 1K 084 |
| MOUNT VERNON MILLS, INC |
U.S.A. | 1L 080 |
| NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS FRANCE |
FRANCE | 3A 058 |
| NEMO EQUIPMENT INC |
U.S.A. | 1L 075 |
| NIGHT OWL OPTICS |
U.S.A. | 1K 071 |
| NIGHTLINE INC. |
U.S.A. | 1H 072 |
| NONLETHAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. |
U.S.A. | 1J 061 |
| PATRIOT 3, INC. |
U.S.A. | 1L 047 |
| POINT BLANK BODY ARMOR INC |
U.S.A. | 1J 066 |
| POLARTEC LLC |
U.S.A. | 1F 148 |
| PROTECH PROTECTION TECHNOLOGIES INC | U.S.A. | 1L 061 |
| QWONN INC |
U.S.A. | 1B 114 |
| REI – RESEARCH ELECTRONICS INTERNATIONAL |
U.S.A. | 3J 075 |
| REMINGTON ARMS COMPANY |
U.S.A. | 2E 076 |
| RGB SPECTRUM |
U.S.A. | 3L 074 |
| RPT CONSULTING LLC d/b/a RALLY POINT TACTICAL |
U.S.A. | 1F 143 |
| SAFARILAND | U.S.A. | 2E 076 |
| SAMSON MFG CORPORATION |
U.S.A. | 3C 034 |
| SECURITY EQUIPMENT CORPORATION |
U.S.A. | 1E 061 |
| SIRCHIE FINGERPRINT LABORATORIES |
U.S.A. | 1H 076 |
| SMALL ARMS DEFENSE JOURNAL |
U.S.A. | 1A 072 |
| SMITH & WESSON, INC |
U.S.A. | 3A 110 |
| SOUND OFF SIGNAL |
U.S.A. | 1J 068 |
| STREAMLIGHT INC |
U.S.A. | 2E 076 |
| SUREFIRE | U.S.A. | 1K 089 |
| T3 MOTION INC |
U.S.A. | 1D 013 |
| TASER INTERNATIONAL INC. |
U.S.A. | 1H 090 |
| TRIJICON, INC |
U.S.A. | 1J 124 |
| US ARMOR CORPORATION |
U.S.A. | 1K 062 |
| US DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE /ITA |
U.S.A. | 1H 066 |
| US21 INC |
U.S.A. | 1A 066 |
| VERTX & PRECISION UNIFORMS |
U.S.A. | 1J 076 |
| VORTEX OPTICS |
U.S.A. | 2A 085 |
| WARWICK MILLS INC / TURTLESKIN |
U.S.A. | 1C 135 |
| WATEC | U.S.A. | 3G 124 |
| XGO | U.S.A. | 1L 084 |
| ZAK TOOL HANDCUFF KEYS |
U.S.A. | 1B 092 |
| ZARC INTERNATIONAL INC |
U.S.A. | 2E 076 |
This superbly narrated video shows the capabilities of the MIG-29 (OVT). I think its amazing, especially the 115° angle of attack without an aerodynamic stall. Opponents of thrust vectoring designs argue that advanced air-to-air weapons mitigate the need for vectoring; favoring a more traditional power plant. Of course, the jury is out on the argument but it sure is impressive I must say.
I was doing some research for a project that I’m working on when I ran across some old pictures of my days in the U.S.N., and I thought I’d share these with you.
Ladies Never Stood A Chance...
Four reasons you were able to go to bed and wake at peace.
This could be Charlie Tango but my mother insists is me because she recognizes the butt - okay mom.
Top (n) things (where n = any real or imaginary number) Rosie O’Donnell has over David Letterman…
10. Weight.
9. Teeth.
8. Better Taste in Women.
7. Oprah Likes Her.
6. Rosie was voted homecoming queen, prom queen, senior class president and
class clown – topping Dave 3 out of 4.
5. Rosie has actually won an Emmy.
4. Rosie starred in the Broadway show “Grease” – Dave uses it.
3. Rosie actually married her partner; it took Dave several years of having his ass
kicked by Oprah to marry his.
2. Rosie has a web site; Dave is still trying to figure out “www”.
1. Rosie has more nuts.
FOG HORN 