About a month ago we told you about the ADS Inc contract new black duty gear from Gould and Goodrich for Air Force Security Forces.
Since G&G is on hand at Warrior Expo West we thought it would be good to show you what they are getting. Security Forces is getting the setup above with the exception of the flashlight pouch on the far right. These kits are being delivered now.
The Nishati Inc Solar Portable Array Module or PAM is a Skeletonized array that weighs 44 lbs without the case (74 lbs in shipping case) and generates up to 420 W.
The PAM can be used in a micro-grid in conjunction with others but it can also be integrated with other technologies such as generators. They use a monocrystalin silicon material is laminated in a polycarbonate matrix and allows them to collect more energy in low light and off axis light.
SureFire has introduced the E1D LED Defender. It’s a single cell light that offers 300 lumens on high and features a two-stage detent switch that steps down to 5 lumens.
The Defender incorporates the SureFire pocket clip. Available now.
You may be familiar with Klim (pronounced climb), manufacturers of motorcycle wear. What you may not know is that they just launched a tactical line of clothing designed specifically for military motorcycle riders.
One of the Polaris family of companies, they have introduced an anorak style jacket and trouser. Manufactured from An FR Gore-tex fabric, all of the pulls and findings are also FR. It also integrates Super Fabric in high wear areas.
This thing is packed with features. For instance, it features full pit zips along with a full frontal opening zipper as well as a front zip for ventilation. It’s sized to fit over all of your kit and there added a flap on the front that can be opened so that you can access chest mounted magazines.
Sleeve pockets are inset on the upper arm and a windowed forearm pocket can be used for maps and GRGs. The lower sleeves can also be removed via zipper.
The back has a feature I’ve never seen. Since it’s worn over equipment the rear has an expandable flap that will accommodate back mounted gear on a vest.
Diving Unlimited International shared a glimpse of their new Maritime Go Bag. It’s a small dry bag designed to hold a pistol, NVGs or other items that need to be handy yet waterproof.
DUI has utilized a different manufacturing approach that integrates an insert that is waterproofed along the edges rather than sewing each component through the waterproof membrane and then waterproofing each stitch. This approach helps control weight and cost.
The Maritime Go Bag incorporates a waterproof main zipper that extends around the sides of the bag for a more generous opening as well as a separate inflation valve. It’s also PALS compatible and offers belt loops to increase versatility.
Coming within the month.
For those of you unfamiliar with Armageddon Gear, it’s a small business run by SGM Tom Fuller (USA, Ret). A longtime member of the Ranger community, Tom retired as the Sergeant Major of the Army Marksmanship Unit. As you can imagine, he is a precision rifle shooter and has come up with some very cool products related to that endeavor.
But the thing that caught my eye is his Personal Use Sleep System Pad (you figure it out). Designed initially for troops in Alaska, it utilizes a radiant heat barrier that helps mitigates radiant heat loss. In fact, when placed in between a Soldier’s bivy sack and sleeping bag, they’ve measured an 80 Deg F internal temp after one hour in a -28 Deg F ambient air environment. That’s impressive.
To do this, Tom went out and looked for the right insulation for the job. He’s a pretty smart guy and he did two other things with this pad that aren’t offered on other models. First, he integrated a side release buckle strap system that integrates directly with the exterior of the rucksack. The 1000D Cordura exterior combined with closed cell insulation construction of the pad means it won’t get a hole while attached to the pack. Additionally, he incorporated a strip of non-skid material on the pad so you won’t slide off in the middle of the night.
Berry Compliant, the PUSS Pad is available in a variety of colors.
The new MATBOCK Rigid Lightweight Integrated Field Transport carrier is now ready for prime time. During SOMA we gave you a sneak peek and this is the final version. It can be worn by a medic alone or integrated with other great.
The combat carbon fiber poles are common to four MATBOCK products:
R-LIFT
S-LIFT
Combat Carbon Ladder
Coupler (more on this soon)
The new U94 MFF PTT Kit features several improvements.
They’ve recessed the auxiliary input port connection for a strong seal and improved strain relief to hold up to the strain of parachute deployment.
TEA has also improved the ergonomics of the remote PTT to provide a more contoured fit around the user’s hand.
The opening address for this year’s Warrior Expo West is by Lieutenant General John A Toolan, I MEF Commanding General.
“The Marine Corps is a hedge against uncertainty. The mantra? No more Benghazis.”
Lieutenant General John A Toolan, USMC
Commanding General, I MEF
General Toolan’s overall remarks were about anticipating change and industry’s part in this. In particular he discussed four major factors facing our forces:
Globalization
Urbanization
Litoralization
Networks
He shared that he is concerned with the cyber threat, instability in nation states and the trend that we face rogue states and maligned actors.
General Toolan feels that there will be no ‘peace dividend’ after the conclusion of the Afghanistan conflict and that we should be wary of letting our guard down post bellum. He asserts that we need to be prepared to “play all nine innings” in a conflict and not stop at the bottom of the seventh, declaring victory.
He’s a Marine through and through and recognizes that the USMC will be downsizing but remains confident that Marine Corps will be well positioned to undertake any missions they are given. He stated that the United States must maintain a global presence and not focus on one theater over another. Forward presence remains the best deterrence of aggression. Forward Presence also helps America to maintain relationships so that America can work with partners in future conflicts. General Toolan also looks to leverage SOF relationships to support those coalition partnerships.
He states that we need to get better at transitions such as from major US combat to the retrograde of US material and to coalition and host nation led operations. So far, the Marine Corps has returned over $1 billion worth of equipment to the US. However, he feels that the transition of excess equipment to Afghan forces is critical and steps have been taken to ensure that they develop a system to accept and maintain the gear.
Interestingly, the Marine Corps turns over about 33,000 Marines a year. General Toolan discussed this explaining that a lot of combat experience has left the Marines. It’s not a concern, just a fact that they must deal with. But he does see the Marines undertaking a mental transition of the force from a combat focus to more traditional roles and assuming duties that have been outsourced over the last 12 years. He explained that there are things that Marine Corps needs to do mentally and spiritually to make this transition happen. He is impressed with the leadership of his Marines in combat and wants to see that same level of engagement in garrison.
Lt General Toolan is a very interesting speaker and I appreciate his forthrightness in the face of a changing defense environment. I’d say he is very in tune with his Marine Corps. However, he continued the current meme of “excess” being bad for the Marines. But his perspective isn’t that the increased defense spending of this war as being bad for Marines that we seem to see being popularized in the press. Rather he sees that it has caused a decrease in accountability of equipment. As a former leader and taxpayer, I can’t say that I disagree.
With 284 booths representing some of industry’s best products and services, if you’re on the West Coast and not attending this 5th Annual Warrior Expo West, you’re missing out.
Lucky for you, SSD is here with live coverage over the next few days.
