Gear Up #17

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TA C T I C A L FOOTWEAR TECHNOLOGY PROTECTION BUSHCR AFT FIREARMS MEDICAL

I N T R O D U C E S

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TA C T I C A L

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G E A R

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P U B L I C AT I O N !

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GEAR UP THE TRADE TACTICAL GEAR MAGAZINE

GEAR UP MAGAZINE

TWO YEARS IN THE MAKING Gear Up Magazine is the worlds first business to business publication for the tactical gear industry, aiming to bring all of the relevant parties to the same table. With such a huge range of products on the market, knowing what to invest in, and more importantly, what to supply your customers with, can be a hard task. Gear Up Magazine aims to make this process easier, allowing you to enhance your understanding of the industry, allowing you to make smart purchases.

With Gear Up Magazine, you’ll have a better understanding of the tactical gear and equipment on show, who buys it, and what they use it for. We’ll introduce you to the evolution of each of the ‘tools of the trade’, from ballistic helmets to boots, giving you the knowledge needed to traverse the tactical gear market with confidence.

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EBCON PUBLISHING

OVER A DECADE OF PUBLICATIONS Ebcon Publishing was launched in 2004 with one simple goal – to create a range of successful publications, which combined informative content with a high level of up to date design to match.

Over the last 14 years, Ebcon Publishing has done exactly that, launching a number of publications that have won a number of awards in their respective sectors and continue to be dominant in their chosen area of operation.

Ebcon Publishing has set up a fantastic portfolio and now the company’s next step is to further improve that portfolio by releasing Gear Up into the wild. All the staff at Ebcon Publishing work tirelessly to bring its readership a range of comprehensive editorial across its various magazine titles, providing thier readers with the best information available, along with high design values and inspiring imagery to suit.

how it works Broken into seven key sectors that drive the tactical gear market, Gear Up Magazine aims to bring you a selection of the finest products in each of our carefully deliberated sections. Whether you’re looking to procure items at a battalion level or are an individual in charge of bringing a plethora of tactical equipment to your customers, Gear Up Magazine aims to do the hard work, so you do not have to.

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TECHNOLOGY Due to various advances in technology, the ability to utilise said technology on the battlefield is imperative to the success rate of dangerous missions. Our technology section will look to those advances in tech, highlighting some of the most innovative items to hit the market.

tactical

PROTECTION

The tactical gear market is forever evolving, and with that evolution comes the necessity of adapting to it. Our ‘Tactical’ section aims to make that process as easy as possible, bringing you a number of key components, allowing you to equip the modern warfighter to the best of your ability.

Ensuring your customers can count on the protective equipment you supply them is of the utmost importance. Our ‘Protection’ section endeavours to provide you with numerous options, enabling you to best serve your clientele, allowing them to operate in the harshest environments known to man.

firearms

BUSHCRAFT

The firearms market is slowly becoming inundated with equipment that simply isn’t up to the task it was created for. With a plethora of optics and accessories on the market, Gear Up Magazine will ensure that you are providing your customers with products that will withstand the test of time.

The modern warfighter is often dropped in hostile locations, and ensuring the equipment they’re carrying is capable of dealing with the numerous areas of operation is key. Ranging from a variety of tools to sleeping bags, our ‘Bushcraft’ section aims to provide to cover the very best in outdoor equipment.

UK Based Kydex Holster and Equipment Manufacturer for Police and Military Personnel Around the World CAN BE MOUNTED ON A SINGLE ROW OF MOLLE

MADE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

FIXED RETENTION

MADE OF GENUINE 2MM KYDEX

LOW PROFILE

VERTICAL + HORIZONTAL MOUNTING

KYDEX CAT TQ CARRIER Price from £29.99

FOOTWEAR

medical

It is no secret that military and law enforcement personnel spend long periods of time on their feet. Due to this, it is imperative that the options you have on offer provide unrivalled comfort, protection, and support, allowing them to fight harder, for longer, with no unwanted issues.

Medical equipment by design is created to save lives. Our ‘Medical’ section aims to look at a range of equipment that is best suited to this role; from full-blown medical kits through to Individual First-Aid Kits, making sure your clientele is amply prepared for a worst-case scenario.

Available from ‘kydexcustomsuk.com’ Trade/bulk prices available upon request Can be wrapped in 500D Cordura Fabric Molle or Belt mounting available

Email: Sales@kydexcustomsuk.com

kydexcustomsuk.com

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GEAR UP

ISSUE #17

EDITORIAL MEET THE TEAM PAUL MONAF

PUBLISHING DIRECTOR paul@ebcon.co.uk With a track record of launching a number of successful magazines and experience working within business-tobusiness sectors, Paul is the driving force behind Gear Up.

CONNOR JAMES EDITOR connor@ebcon.co.uk

Having worked within Ebcon Publishing for ten years, Connor brings a wealth of knowledge to Gear Up Magazine. If you need any information regarding editorial, he’s your guy.

BEN DICKIE art DIRECTOR ben@ebcon.co.uk

Ben started working for Ebcon Publishing nearly a decade ago now and has been a vital member of the team since. The self-proclaimed Rambo of shapes and colours.

CONTENTS INSIDE THIS ISSUE 009 FEATURE MVS M.U.S.T SYSTEM

015 TACTICAL BASELAYER COMPARATIVE REPORT

022 TACTICAL POLARTEC ALPHA

025 TACTICAL WATERSHED OTB 75

028 TACTICAL LAYERING WITH FIRSTSPEAR - VESTS

031 TACTICAL WARRIOR ASSAULT SYSTEMS CHEST RIGS

034 SHARON MONAF

ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR sharon@ebcon.co.uk Beside every great man is a great woman, and Sharon is most certainly the Bonnie to Paul’s Clyde. Sharon looks after all of the administrative work within the company.

PROTECTION HATCH PROTECTIVE GLOVES

037 PROTECTION REVISION EYEWEAR

042 FIREARMS SIG SAUER TANGO 6T

045 TECHNOLOGY THYRM DARKVAULT

049 TECHNOLOGY U.S. ARMY IVAS TESTING

052 TECHNOLOGY JUGGERNAUGHT.CASE

ebcon

055 BUSHCRAFT TACTICAL TOMAHAWKS

publishing ltd.

Although the publisher has made every effort to ensure that the information in this magazine was correct at press time, the author and publisher do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of articles in this magazine and the publisher accepts no responsibility for any errors contained in material from independent sources or authors. Reproduction in whole or part of any text, photography or illustration in any form without permission from the publisher/editor is strictly prohibited. We welcome articles, photographs or artwork for submission through the appropriate channels. Gear Up Magazine cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage to unsolicited material. Please enclose a SAE if you wish your for your goods or material to be returned.

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058 BUSHCRAFT CRKT SEPTIMO

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FEATURED

THE M .U. S.T. SYSTEM WHILE COLLABORATIVE PRODUCTS ARE FAR FROM AN ANOMALY IN THE TACTICAL GEAR INDUSTRY, WITH A LARGE NUMBER OF TACTICAL INDUSTRY POWERHOUSES WORKING IN UNISON TO CREATE A NEW PRODUCT, WE VERY RARELY SEE SOMETHING ON THE SCALE OF MEHLER VARIO SYSTEMS’ LATEST FORAY INTO THE TACTICAL GEAR MARKET – COMBINING MEHLER’S LONG HISTORY WITHIN THE ARMOUR MARKET WITH LOAD CARRIAGE EXPERTS LINDNERHOF-TAKTIK AND UF PRO.

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FEATURED

Known formally as the Modular Universal Scalable Technology, the M.U.S.T. System is the amalgamated efforts of three tactical powerhouses under the Mehler Vario System flag, looking to produce the latest in scalable equipment for military and law enforcement personnel.

With a long history in the armour market, German-based Mehler have in recent past looked outwards to expand, purchasing fellow German company Lindnerhof-Taktik GmbH; known for their excellence in load carriage systems, and UF PRO; a Slovenian-based outfit who specialise in clothing systems. Adding these two companies to their existing portfolio which includes Mehler Law Enforcement GmbH and Mehler Engineered Defence GmbH to form Mehler Vario System GmbH; forming a very effective, vertically integrated company that allowed them to best support military and law enforcement projects across Europe.

Since the 2017 purchase of Lindnerhof and then the 2019 purchase of UF.PRO, each company has seemingly been working on their own projects as opposed to working on any collaborative projects, however, this recently changed with Mehler Vario System GmbH announcing the new M.U.S.T. System.

THE SYSTEM

M.U.S.T. stands for modular, universal and scalable technology. This protection and carrying system can be massively upgraded and downgraded within a few seconds, both in terms of protection area and protection level, by intelligently selected interfaces between the individual components.

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From a minimalistic lightweight plate carrier to an almost complete all-round protection, everything can be realised. But you are not limited to these two extremes. The M.U.S.T. system was developed out of the desire to provide the police and military units with a system that offers them a quick and easy adaptation to every conceivable situation and threat.

The system can be upgraded and downgraded within a few seconds in both the protection area and the protection level through intelligently selected interfaces between the individual components. From a lightweight plate carrier to an almost complete all-round protection, everything can be realized. But you are not limited to these two extremes.

All components can be individually combined with each other and thus form a universal system that is second to none.

Siegfried Will, CEO of Mehler Vario System GmbH, founder of the MVS-Group spoke on the system, stating - “The M.U.S.T. system was created out of the desire to provide our customers of the police and military units with a system that offers them a quick and easy adaptation to every conceivable and threat situation. Compared to conventional solutions, M.U.S.T. is a living system and we are constantly working on new components that will expand our system and make it even more universal and individually adaptable in the future.�

M.U.S.T. is a joint project of Mehler Vario System GmbH as parent company and its two subsidiaries, Lindnerhof-Taktik GmbH and UF PRO. Together with Mehler Law Enforcement GmbH and Mehler Engineered Defence GmbH, we form a strong global group of companies that offers integrated solutions for professional users and specialists in the following areas: protection and carrying systems, safety equipment, platform and vehicle protection, tactical equipment and clothing.

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TO BEST DEMONSTRATE THE M.U.S.T. SYSTEM, MVS HAVE PUT TOGETHER THREE CONFIGURATIONS WHICH BEST SHOW THE CAPABILITIES OF THE SYSTEM. KNOWN AS THE RECCE, LIGHT VERSION SETUP AND SOF, EACH SYSTEM LOOKS TO PANDER TO A SPECIFIC ENTITY WITHIN THE MILITARY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT SPHERE.

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M.U.S.T. SYSTEM

1 RECCE

The minimalist version (RECCE) is based on the ultra lightweight plate carrier.

Together with a 2-row waist belt and ultra light VPAM 6 plates for the front and back, a plate carrier can be configured which can be easily worn, even for long periods under a STRIKER STEALTH SMOG or MONSOON rain jacket. The system is complemented by a tactical climbing harness and a sleeve for attaching MOLLE equipment and holsters.

M.U.S.T. SYSTEM

2 LIGHT VERSION

The light version (POLICE DUTY) is based on the standard plate carrier with a 3-row waist belt. The system is supplemented in the front and back area by a Velcro-fastened soft ballistic overlapping in the sides, VPAM 6 plates in front and back area and by 15x15 VPAM 6 side plates in the side area. Adaptable shoulder pads make it comfortable to wear, even over long periods of time. The corresponding tactical belt is reinforced by the soft ballistics behind and offers many possibilities for attaching tactical equipment.

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3 SOF

The heavy version (TACTICAL/SOF) uses the standard plate carrier with a 3-row waist belt as the base. In contrast to the RECCE and POLICE DUTY versions, here the side is protected by the new VPAM 6 rib protection plate in combination with the new VPAM 6 upper arm protectors, front and back plates are exchanged for VPAM 9 plates, and a VPAM 6 groin protection, VPAM 6 abdomen plate and VPAM 6 thigh protectors are fitted. The protection on the neck is additionally reinforced by a VPAM 3 neck and shoulder saddle and VPAM 3 throat protectors.

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FEATURED

SYSTEM HIGHLIGHTS

3D SHAPED UPPER ARM PLATES

This not only wraps around the upper arm but also over the shoulder cap and offers a significantly extended protective surface without restricting movement or handling with a weapon.

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RIB PROTECTION PLATE

The new rib protection plate increases the protected area in the flank by 104% compared to the 15x15cm plate and by 51% compared to the 15x20cm plate. In combination with their new shaped upper arm plate the lateral gap between front and back plate can be closed almost completely.

FORMED THIGH PLATE

The M.U.S.T. System makes use of shaped thigh plates that have significantly increased protective surface on the thigh, which does not restrict the freedom of movement due to the anatomically optimized curvature and shape. In combination with the abdominal plate, the risk of an injury in the groin or inside of the thigh is significantly reduced.

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COMPANIES INVOLVED MEHLER VARIO SYSTEM GMBH Mehler Vario System GmbH (MVS), based in Fulda, Germany, is a globally active manufacturer of protection and carrying systems for police, military as well as special forces and is regarded as the current market leader in Europe for ballistic solutions. For more than 40 years, the company has been manufacturing protective vests, shields, helmets and covers an extensive range of protective products. MVS is active in over 40 countries worldwide and is recognized as an innovative partner.

LINDNERHOF TAKTIK GMBH

Lindnerhof-Taktik GmbH, based in Lenggries, Germany, was founded by former soldiers of the German special forces (KSK) and manufactures high-quality, functional and modular equipment for tactical missions. Lindnerhof’s product range extends from clothing to modular carrying systems, protective vests and tactical equipment with the focus on high-quality pouches. Many years of operational experience make Lindnerhof a popular and reliable partner for military, police and private users.

UF PRO

UF PRO, based in Trzin, Slovenia, designs and manufactures high-end tactical clothing systems for law enforcement and military personnel allowing them to accomplish their mission under the harshest physical and environmental conditions. The product portfolio of UF PRO ranges from state-of the art battle dress systems, thermal insulation garments to extreme foul weather systems.

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PRODUCT

THERMAL LAYERING COMPARATIVE REPORT WITH THE YEAR CLOSELY COMING TO AN END, IT’S NO SECRET THAT WINTER IS INDEED COMING. WHILST THE ENGLISH WINTER IS FAR FROM AN UNFORGIVING ONE, THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO REASON TO NOT BE PREPARED FOR TEMPERATURES THAT WILL LIKELY REACH FREEZING. KEEPING YOUR CORE WARM IN THESE TIMES IS AN ABSOLUTE MUST, AND A GOOD FOUNDATION HELPS YOU BUILD UPON THIS… For years outdoors companies have worked to produce winter performance clothing to best keep the end-user warm in extreme climates. With various cold weather jackets, sleeping bags and underwear available, knowing where to begin with your winter apparel can be a tricky task.

However, it really is no different than your normal daily apparel, so you should treat it as such! You don’t go out and buy a brand new pair of trousers if you’re missing your underwear, nor do you go out and spend a fortune on boots without a decent pair of socks. The same principles apply when preparing yourself for your winter activities, and a word you will hear banded around a lot in the outdoors world is ‘layering’.

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BASE LAYERS ON TEST

OUR PICK OF THE PACK - W

BASIC INSTINCT

SO WHAT MAKES A GOOD BASE LAYER?

LAYERING Layering is one of the biggest buzzwords in the outdoors trade. Layering simply refers to the art of layering your clothing to get the best possible performance in various climates as possible. Not only does layering help your clothing perform as it is supposed to, with many companies referring to products as level 1/2/3. This level system will refer to which level of clothing it should be, with 1 being classed as the item you wear first, and 3 usually a coat.

Handled correctly layering will save your life on many an occasion, and will also allow you to simply strip off a single layer if your level of exertion starts to increase, meaning you need less clothing on.

THE BASIS OF YOUR LAYERING SYSTEM We’ve spoke about layering many times in the past, so we won’t be going to in-depth regarding it here. However, we will be discussing the basis of your layering system; a piece of clothing referred to as a ‘Base Layer’.

If we refer to your skin as a layer, your base layer is the layer above that. This layer helps to regulate your body temperature by moving perspiration away from your skin.

The removal of this perspiration helps you maintain a cool body temperature in the summer, and helps you avoid hypothermia in the winter. Now say for example you’re someone who tends to just wear a normal cotton t-shirt under a raincoat when partaking in activities such as hiking. Well you’ll likely remember feeling very wet and clammy and when stopping your temperature dropped quickly and the cold very quickly set in.

This is due to the fact that cotton is a fabric that retains perspiration.

When it comes to purchasing a base layer, you should be looking for either merino wool or a range of synthetic fabrics. Why you ask? Well instead of absorbing the moisture present, these fabrics “wick” perspiration away from your skin, transporting it to the outer surface where it can evaporate.

We tend to use merino wool base layers as we find them to be a little more comfortable to wear against bare skin, however they are more expensive than synthetic base layers.

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YOUR OPTIONS

FABRICS OPTIONS TO LOOK OUT FOR ✔ SYNTHETIC FABRICS

✔ MERINO FABRICS

Synthetic base layers will largely be made from polyester and polyester blends. These base layers will keep wearer warm down to about -8 degrees when worn in combination with other layers.

These base layers are quick drying, lightweight and will wick away moisture from the skin to keep you dry very quickly. They are also machine washable and cheap as well.

Unfortuantely though they are not antibacterial nor as warm as their natural counterparts.

Merino base layers are a ton warmer than synthetic and retain their thermal properties even when wet, they are a lot more comfortable that synthetic counterparts, they’re high wicking and naturally antibacterial and UV resistant.

They are however a lot more expensive that synthetic base layers and may not wick as well nor are you able to machine wash them.

✔ NATURAL FABRICS Natural base layers are made from Merino wool, a natural material that helps to regulate body temperature. The tiny air pockets in the wool help to draw away excess heat from the body, preventing you from overheating when you do prolonged vigourous exercise.

They also retain heat within the fibres a lot better, meaning they can keep you warm to temperatures of around -15/-20 degrees.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT BASE LAYER After deciding which material you’re most interested in, the chances are you’re going to have to completely forget that decision. Whilst both types of base layer will have their specific pros and cons, they will also work differently in certain environments.

For example, if you’re planning on being in an environment where you’re likely to be wet, you’re going to want your layers to retain heat.

Synthetic fibres may work OK in wet conditions but Merino wool is by far the better fibre for wet weathers; retaining most, if not all of it’s heat.

Fire is another thing you have to take into account. If you’re going to be working around fires, even if it’s a case of building a fire to keep you warm, you won’t want to be using a synthetic fibre. At best you’ll melt a hole in it - at worst you’ll end up wearing your synthetic base layer for the rest of your life as it’s melted into you.

ADDED FEATURES There are countless added features that some base layers will utilise and others won’t.

Thumb holes and zips being the two most featured here.

We’re a huge fan of both. Thumb loops stop the shirt from creeping up your arm, as well as help to keep your hands warm. Zips are also handy for not only helping vent heat if the base layer is buried under an array of other clothing, but they also allow you to remove them without removing your helmet if your climbing - and safety should always come first here.

UF-PRO

MERINO SHIRT

UNI&FORMA was founded in 1997 with the vision to make high performance garment systems for demanding professionals. Under the brand name UF PRO®, the garments are today worn by various military and law enforcement special forces, where they are appreciated for its excellent wear comfort, quality and reliability.

The Merino Shirt is available in both long and short sleeve versions, however we’ve got the long sleeve version on test at the moment purely due to the colder temperatures. Connor, the Editor had been looking for something to wear as a base layer through the winter whilst cycling, so the Merino Wool Shirt lent itself perfectly to this.

The shirt is made from an intelligent blend of Merino active fibre and COCONA® polyester which help the wearer warm when it´s cold, cools him down when sweating, and dries extremely fast when it is wet. Both, the Merino and the COCONA fibre, make sure that there is no bad odour build up, without using any antibacterial treatment.

Comfort is achieved through a mixture of flat seams that make sure the shirt can be comfortably worn over a long period of time, at any high-level activities and even under heavy body armour and the materials used. It really is a comfortable base layer.

In terms of performance the UF PRO® Merino Shirt is a superb base layer shirt, which provides excellent thermo-physiological properties and odour resistance. It literally does everything a base layer should, and whilst I could go on to list all the things you know you need in a good base layer, you should really just go and buy one to experience it yourself.

To round up, the UF PRO® Merino Shirt is a nicely fitting, long sleeved, base layer shirt with excellent functional properties, and whilst it is a bit on the expensive side with not much change from £60.00, it is a fantastic example of how to do a base layer correctly.

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BASE LAYERS ON TEST

OUR PICK OF THE PACK - W

ARMADILLO

MERINO PANTHER The Panther isn’t your average Merino Wool base layer. A lot of engineering has gone into making the Panther the ultimate base layer, and the price reflects that. The Panther makes use of a rather unique manufacturing process. By spinning superfine merino fibre into a compact yarn, Armadillo have achieved a new level of durability and strength in a fabric that not only looks good, but feels good against the skin.

Designed as a crew neck, the Panther has a generous back length to ensure it always stays tucked in, as well as long arms with long comfortable cuffs to increase comfort factors when worn. On top of that, the seamless underarms allow for no chaffing, and the seamless shoulders are designed to improve comfort when load carrying. The Panther also makes use of flat lock stitching, essentially eliminating all potential irritations when being worn.

As always, we tend to review items like this as things unfold and the first thing that always comes to mind is comfort. Like it’s cheaper, younger brother, the Python was super comfortable. When making use of the Panther, we simply wore it alone, and it didn’t rub at all, nor did it feel uncomfortable against the skin.

Overall it was simply a comfortable garment. the shirt performed admirably for a short period of time, with it wicking away sweat admirably - however the rain soon started pouring down again, so we couldn’t get a full bearing on the shirts wicking ability. That said, we’ve managed to wear it since at the gym, and we’ve been thoroughly impressed. What we’d love to know though is how the Panther fairs on longer excursions as part of a layering system - something we will put it through at a later date.

Overall, the Python is an exquisite example of a base layer done correctly. It is comfortable, it done its job (to what we could see in the small period of time we spent with it) and it shows absolutely no sign of wear.

MASSIF

HOTJOHNS

Having worked closely with Massif since the inception of Gear Up Magazine, we’re aware just how good their product range is. Having reviewed a plethora of Massif equipment, including an in depth look at another of their layering products, the Flamestretch Pullover, it seemed pertinent to include a Massif option within this article.

The Massif® HotJohns® Crew is a versatile baselayer piece. It can be worn next to skin or over a Massif® Cool Knit® layer. The design is streamlined for easy layering and is highly breathable, wicking moisture away from the skin, keeping you warm and dry even when you’re working up a sweat. Extra length in the back keeps the torso tucked in without excess bunching.

Constructed with DuPont™ Nomex® brand fibre, the first flame-resistant fibre selected for use in military uniforms. DuPont™ Nomex® fibres carbonize and thicken when exposed to the intense heat of a flash fire, creating a protective barrier that reduces or prevents burn injuries, making it perfect for use by those operating flammable equipment such as fuels.

In regard to comfort the HotJohns Crew performs as expected of a high-level base layer, providing a level of comfort that does not lead to any minor inconveniences. Flat seams ensure that no rubbing occurs when worn under a range of equipment and the wicking capabilities of the HotJohns Crew ensure there is no build-up of excess sweat to produce chaffing.

With a cold wind rolling into the United Kingdom at the time of writing and gyms closed due to COVID-19, the HotJohns Crew has become a favourite with the test team, providing a level of warmth and comfort that allow for a much more pleasant outdoors running experience.

The HotJohns crew not only wicks sweat brilliantly, but its clandestine design allows it to fit in regardless of your AO. The HotJohn’s range also comes complete with bottoms as well, ensuring the end-user can incorporate a full layering system that has been designed to work in unison as opposed to having to mix-and-match brands for your layering needs.

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ARC’TERYX LEAF

COLD WX SHIRT AR No comparative report on base layers would be complete without mention of Canada’s premium outdoors entity – Arc’teryx. Located in the Canadian Coast Mountain wilderness, Arc’teryx is built on the principle of obsessive, precise design and production. Timeless quality, intuitive design and simplicity has resulted in unrivalled performance, with Arc’teryx known worldwide as a brand you can depend on.

Part of Arc’teryx’s LEAF range; designed specifically for Law Enformcement and Armed Forces, the Cold WX Shirt AR is the pinnacle of base layer design. Arc’teryx LEAF looks to enable mission success through an unwavering confidence in their product range, allowing the end-user to purely focus on the task at hand as opposed on equipment management.

Manufactured from merino wool, the Cold WX Shirt AR makes use of ‘Nylon Core Spun Technology’; a process in which traditional merino wool and spins it around a super-thin nylon core to create a stronger, more durable fabric. The end result is a high performing merino garment that can stand up to more washes and longer use, ensuring the end-user gets the most out of their new purchase.

Arc’teryx have paid great attention to comfort with the Cold WX Shirt AR, combining flattened seams with a number of design choices to allow for greater comfort when used.

This is best envisioned through Arc’teryx’s use of gusseted armpits to increase comfort and durability, providing a full range of unrestricted motion in the process.

Again, thanks to the use of merino wool in the construction of the Cold WX Shirt AR, it effortlessly wicks moisture away from the end-users skin, enhancing the thermal efficiency of the product. Furthermore, the use of merino wool also allows for a near odourless product under heavy use; with our test team reporting great results following intense circuit training sessions due to the closure of gyms in the United Kingdom.

In closing, as expected, the Arc’teryx LEAF Cold WX Shirt AR is an excellent example of a base layer, and while definitely towards the higher end of the pricing structure, is worth every penny for those who can effectively place a price on performance.

HELIKON

GEN III LEVEL 1

Polish-powerhouse Helikon-Tex are constantly looking for ways to break the status quo of performance equipment and their Generation III base layer certainly looks to achieve that. Unlike the majority of products in this comparative report, Helikon-Tex’s product range can most certainly be described as highly cost-effective. While the products within this feature reach close to the £100 mark for a shirt alone, Helikon’s Gen III range starts at just a quarter of that for a full set.

Part of a two-level layering system, Helikon’s Generation III base layer has been designed for multiple cold weather climates and activities. Designated the ‘Generation III Extended Cold Weather Clothing System’ or ‘GEN III ECWCS’ for short, the system consists of a versatile, multi-layered insulating system that allows the end-user to adapt to varying mission requirements and environmental conditions.

The Level 1 set consists of a light undershirt and bottoms and was designed for use in mild climates to provide a light level of insulation when worn next to the skin. To ensure the Generation III Level 1 layering set adheres to as many regulations as possible, Helikon have built the product in accordance to the specification of the United States Army.

As expected, due to its incredibly low price-point, the Helikon-Tex Generation III Level 1 makes use of a synthetic material as opposed to merino wool, choosing to incorporate a quick-dry polyester instead. Due to this the Level 1 base layer does not have the same odour-removing capabilities as the other products, but still performs admirably in regard to thermal performance and wicking capabilities.

Furthermore, should the end-user require a more comprehensive layering system, the Generation III Level 1 set has been engineered to work in unison with the Helikon-Tex Generation III Level 2 set, providing an added layer of warmth to Helikon’s Generation III eco-system.

In closing, while the Helikon-Tex Generation III Level 1 set does not have the technical capabilities of some of the other products within this comparative report, it certainly performs to a good level at an unbelievably affordable price point. Combine this with the fact that this is a complete layering system and not just a shirt and you could most definitely invest your money in worse equipment.

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STRETCH PANTS BLACK / DARK COYOTE / GREEN / SRP: £69.95

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VX BUCKLE UP GUN CARRIER BLACK / DARK COYOTE / GREEN / VCAM / SRP: £79.95

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ALPHA

Polartec Alpha is one of the latest evolutionary steps in synthetic insulation.

Based on Polartec’s Thermal Pro High Loft technology platform, it has an open, woven construction which combines warmth with hyper breathability.

At the same time it is also extremely compressible and provides warmth without the same level of weight or bulk as traditional insulation fabrics.

Established in 1906 as Malden Mills, Polartec is the premium provider of innovative textile solutions. Since inventing modern synthetic fleece in 1981, their engineers have advanced the science of fabric, creating fabric technologies that solve problems and improve the way products are designed and used. Polartec’s products range from lightweight wicking and cooling fabrics, to insulation and weather protection textiles, and are utilised by leading consumer brands, the U.S. Military and other global militaries, flame resistant, workwear, and contract upholstery markets.

From their factories in the U.S. and across the globe, Polartec continue to develop category defining fabrics used in the most challenging environments around the world. By providing solutions to seemingly impossible problems, Polartec collaborate with the world’s leading brands to invent what doesn’t yet exist. They challenge the status-quo of the industry at every layer, turning shortcomings into new solutions. With a global manufacturing network in place, Polartec make fabric closer to where it is needed, with improved efficiency, quality assurance, and enhanced capabilities. Furthermore, their supply chain is built from industry-leading investments in sustainable manufacturing and their compliance meets or exceeds all mandated standards, globally.

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Alpha was constructed specifically for the United States Special Forces, with the requirement for a superior insulation system for extreme temperature variations and the start-stop conditions of combat. Alpha® active insulation is engineered for consistent warmth, while allowing greater breathability during activity. This air exchange technology creates sustained comfort without shedding layers, which isn’t an option during a mission.

Alpha is designed primarily for garments destined to be highly efficient insulation layers for use with a shell in stop-and-go activities where weight and space are limited. Polartec® Alpha® is a unique, patented, adaptive insulation which continuously releases excess body heat before it builds to cause saturation and discomfort. This patented, adaptive quality is made possible through Alpha’s lofted fibers connected to a solid mesh core.

Much more breathable than traditional wadding insulations, Alpha’s lofted fibers are connected to a mesh core give it enhanced air permeability. While it offers lower levels of warmth for a given weight than a traditional synthetic wadding, its greater wearability, softness, and breathability mean it is better suited for active use. Polartec® Alpha® is inherently hydrophobic so resists moisture and dries incredibly fast. Alpha insulation is ideal for fast-paced outdoor activities like backcountry skiing, mountaineering and ice climbing.

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POLARTEC

ALPHA SPEC

■ Composition: 100% polyester high loft insulation.

■ Bluesign® certified fabric: manufactured to strict environmental standards using safe production methods which eliminate the use of harmful substances.

■ Main properties: Provides warmth without the weight and bulk of traditional insulation fabrics.

■ Wind resistant, Breathable to provide comfort in all activities: does not restrict the movement of moisture vapour.

■ Lightens your load and compresses to take up less space in your pack than standard fleece fabrics.

■ Dries quickly via high loft fibres in a low density knit to minimise heat loss.

■ Versatile; appropriate for a broad range of activities, durable, machine washable.

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PREVIEW

WATERSHED WAS FOUNDED IN 1995 WITH A SINGULAR MISSION: BUILD WATERPROOF BAGS IN THE USA THAT WE, AS ADVENTURERS, COULD TRUST TO KEEP OUR MOST CHERISHED POSSESSIONS DRY UNDER ANY CONDITIONS. WITH A BACKGROUND IN WHITEWATER RAFTING, WATERSHED ARE TRULY AWARE OF WHAT MAKES A GOOD DRYBAG, AND IN DOING SO HAVE EMBARKED ON A QUEST TO PRODUCE THE BEST DRYBAGS ON THE PLANET.

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PREVIEW

Their bags were immediately embraced by raft guides and whitewater kayakers. Over time, Watershed bags have gained popularity with sailors, surfers, fly fishermen, offshore fishermen, hunters, scuba divers, and oilfield workers. Watershed bags are built for serious outdoor adventurers, not for big box discount retailers.

While many of CEO Eric Revels peers were taking their first steps in the corporate world or going on to further education, his life took him down a different course as a waterman. Working as a whitewater raft guide in the US and South America, Eric began lamenting the low quality of most waterproof bags. Having tried many brands and types, Eric began work on Watershed, with the company being founded in 1995.

When launching the company, Eric had a simple goal in mind – creating a waterproof bag that was truly airtight and submersible. He wanted to create a product that people would place their cameras, electronics, medicine, food and cold weather gear in without fearing it would get damp in the process. One that would remain completely waterproof in the watery depths of whitewater rafting and other waterborne scenarios. And so Eric began work on the Watershed ZipDry Bag – known by those at Watershed as the ‘Freezer bag on steroids’.

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In 2000, the US Navy SEALs asked Watershed to build a custom suite of waterproof bags for military applications. Since then, the company have provided a line of military-specific waterproof bags to all branches of US Special Operations as well as NATO and other allied forces on every continent.

The Watershed bag closure system has been tested by the US Navy to 100 meters submersion without any leakage whatsoever. Watershed bags are low maintenance, rugged, and extremely waterproof. They’re built for everything from social outings to survival situations.

Since 1995 Watershed has remained true to their roots, continuing to manufacture all of their bags in North Carolina — even as the competitors cut corners by importing bags from overseas. Watershed are committed to designing, testing, and producing their product in the USA. Furthermore, they’re also committed to producing the best drybags on the planet.

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OTB 75 The most advanced, lightest, and versatile OTB-style submersible waterproof backpack on the market, allowing users to transit from more than 33 feet subsea for 6 hours to an alpine environment with one backpack. The double coated 500d Cordura laminated fabric eliminates the need to have multiple layers of materials, reducing weight and bulk. Can be used as a standalone rucksack or used to carry a traditional backpack for diving or over the beach operations.

Compression straps give this bag the versatility to adjust to any size load from 47.5 to 75 litres.

FEATURES ■ 500d Cordura, 2-Side laminated Kryptothane™ outer fabric, embossed to minimize IR signature.

■ Laser-cut Armathane™ MOLLE panels provide customization and external pouch mounting options.

■ YKK Aquaseal Drysuit Zipper.

■ Amphibious Mystery Ranch® NICE™ Frame, with hydrophobic materials including carbon stays.

■ Available Colors: Multicam, Black, Grey.

■ Halkey-Roberts oral inflate/deflate valve with lockout for buoyancy control.

■ Internal Armathane™ MOLLE panel for unlimited mounting options.

■ MIL-A-A-55301 Nylon, IRR treated webbing.

■ All outer seams radio frequency welded, no exterior stitching, glue or seam tape.

■ Vertical and horizontal synch straps with quick release connectors for adjusting the pack and load.

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PRODUCT

FIRSTSPEAR LAYERING OPTIONS - VESTS

ADVANCED CLOTHING MATERIAL TECHNOLOGY

A mainstay in military manufacturing since the company’s inception in 2010, FirstSpear look to bring their userbase a forever evolving range of tactical equipment that pushes the boundaries as far as physically possible. Over a decade of production, FirstSpear have quick become a household name within Tier-1 circles, applying a range of in-house designs and technologies to the modern warfighter. Innovations such as their Tubes quick release system, their 6/12 Modular Platform Technology and the Multimag Rapid Adjust system all point towards a design ethos that not only looks towards innovation, but does so in a way that allows it to be useful in the heat of combat instead of simply being a gimmick to sell products.

ACM™ (Advanced Clothing Material™) is 100% sourced verified American Merino Wool combined with our other quality materials.

By using a unique blend of each product, FirstSpear® is able to tailor each item to its intended purpose. By using Merino Wool, FirstSpear® is able to capitalize on all the naturally occurring material characteristics you desire. Merino Wool is packed with a huge range of high-performance benefits.

FirstSpear® emerged from a bloodline of industry innovation; founded by a team of experienced industry professionals and former U.S. servicemen with a mandate to shift industry paradigms and upend the status quo.

With such an ambitious mandate, branding was key for the founding members of FirstSpear, choosing to make use of the direct translation of ‘Primus Pilus’; the Senior Centurion of a Roman Legion - those willing to serve and sacrifice everything for the glory of Rome. And likewise, FirstSpear look to serve those at the tip of the spear, ensuring they can operate in service of their country.

FirstSpear employs a methodology that integrates evolutionary design with advanced material components, yielding improved performance and operational efficiency while delivering an invaluable reduction in weight on many platforms. The equipment put forth by FirstSpear is designed to function interactively as a fighting system. By utilising the equipment as a system, an overall weight reduction, weight transfer, and operational scalability is achieved that is far superior to competitor systems.

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It feels soft and is lightweight. It allows you to ditch the itch thanks to the finer fibre’s smaller diameter. It helps regulate your body temperature better than any synthetic fabric and will keep you comfortable in a wide range of temperatures. When it is warm outside the wool will wick moisture away from the skin and into the air, keeping you cool. When it is cold outside the wool will trap the warm air and keep you comfortable. Merino wool can absorb up to 30 percent of its weight in moisture and still maintain its ability to insulate, keeping you dry and warm out in the elements. While the core of the Merino fibre is capable of absorbing up to a third of its dry weight in moisture, the surface or Merino fibres have a waxy coating that repels liquids. This surface layer is not easily removed by washing or processing. Water droplets on the surface of Merino will bead and roll off instead of being absorbed into the fabric. Merino wool also has the highest natural fire resistance of all commonly used textile fibres. The outer layer of wool fibres have a high concentration of fatty acids, which have anti-bacterial properties, which also helps to diminish body odour.

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FIRSTSPEAR

1 LIGHTWEIGHT VEST (LMV)

The FirstSpear Lightweight Vest is a great addition to the ACM line. It is low bulk, high warmth garment using FirstSpear’s ACM 400 dual-layer material. Additional features include the quarter-zip closure in the front.

Along with the external and hidden internal chest pockets which are lined with super lightweight cooling mesh.

In the back, there is a hem scoop into a tailcoat style to cover your waistband when active or bending over.

What makes this merino package so unique is that it is a dual-layer material, not a blend. Using a super-fine polyester on the interior and merino wool layer on the exterior, this material combo does some very incredible things. When the user sweats or gets wet the poly layer will quickly wick away moisture from the body and transfer it to the absorbent wool layer. Once the moisture permeates into the wool layer it allows the poly to dry very quickly which helps avoid the typical stink you find with other synthetic layers, additionally wool is naturally antimicrobial which makes it incredibly difficult for the garment to produce bacteria that causes odors in all synthetic base layers. Furthermore, once the moisture is absorbed into the wool layer it will keep the user insulated and warm even when wet.

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2 EVERYDAY VEST (EDV)

The FirstSpear Lightweight Vest is a great addition to the ACM line. It is low bulk, high warmth garment using FirstSpear’s ACM 400 dual-layer material. Additional features include the quarter-zip closure in the front.

Along with the external and hidden internal chest pockets which are lined with super lightweight cooling mesh.

In the back, there is a hem scoop into a tailcoat style to cover your waistband when active or bending over.

What makes this merino package so unique is that it is a dual-layer material, not a blend. Using a super-fine polyester on the interior and merino wool layer on the exterior, this material combo does some very incredible things. When the user sweats or gets wet the poly layer will quickly wick away moisture from the body and transfer it to the absorbent wool layer. Once the moisture permeates into the wool layer it allows the poly to dry very quickly which helps avoid the typical stink you find with other synthetic layers, additionally wool is naturally antimicrobial which makes it incredibly difficult for the garment to produce bacteria that causes odors in all synthetic base layers. Furthermore, once the moisture is absorbed into the wool layer it will keep the user insulated and warm even when wet.

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3 STALKER VEST

The Stalker Vest is comprised of ACM Warm 600 material, FirstSpear’s warmest wool blend. The sleeveless design is a unique feature in the FirstSpear American Wool line with an important benefit. The Stalker Vest has been designed to be worn under plate carriers and can be removed without taking the plate carrier off. Simply open the sides of the Stalker Vest and slide it over your head.

With the exclusive design of the Stalker Vest, you can easily adjust body heat retention. Too hot, open the side ventilation. Too cold, close the side ventilation. Way too hot, remove the whole vest. All without removing your plate carrier.

Of course with the neck zipper, left and right pockets, and stand up collar, the Stalker Vest can be worn without a plate carrier as well. There is a generous hand warmer pocket lower down on the abdomen with a smaller internal pocket that will accept air activated hand warmers. Elastic cord hem adjustment is also included for an adjustable fit.

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CONTACT INFORMATION You can inquire about FirstSpear products directly through the following lines of contact.

AMERICA ■ Contact Number: (855) 349-4820 ■ Email: sales@first-spear.com

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THE GEAR TO COMPLETE ANY MISSION. PERIOD. The Micro Trauma Kit Now!™ In the field, on duty, or totally off the grid, accidents happen everyday. You can’t predict where it’ll happen, but you can be ready when it does, with the Micro Trauma Kit Now! ™ Quick, one-handed deployment of critical first aid supplies means you’ll be there to provide life-saving care to yourself or anyone you come across.

Things don’t always go according to plan. Be prepared for any situation with the Micro Trauma Kit Now!™ Get yours today at BlueForceGear.com/prepared.

MADE IN USA

877.430.2583 • WWW.BLUEFORCEGEAR.COM

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PRODUCT

WARRIOR ASSAULT SYSTEMS WAS FOUNDED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM IN 2005, WITH AN ONUS PLACED ON FUNCTIONALITY, DURABILITY AND OVERALL WEIGHT REDUCTION, THEIR PRODUCT RANGE HAS ENHANCED THE OPERATIONAL CAPABILITIES OF THE MODERN WARFIGHTER AROUND THE WORLD. THEIR PRODUCT RANGE INCLUDES A VARIETY OF CUTTING-EDGE TACTICAL EQUIPMENT, ALL MANUFACTURED TO THE HIGHEST STANDARD USING CERTIFIED MIL-SPEC MATERIALS SOURCED FROM THE UNITED STATES.

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PRODUCT

DESIGNED HERE IN THE UK Warrior Assault Systems prides itself on its extensive range of designs. Their products don’t just look good, they have to be functional and that starts with the design process. The design process begins with an idea that originates from Warrior, or with a specific request from one of their customers or end-users.

Many of Warrior Assault Systems’ products have been developed with direct input from UK Special Forces, and their good friends serving past and present in SF units from around the World.

Warrior Assault Systems’ have been fortunate to forge great bonds with some of the Worlds most elite units, from both Military and Police.

Warrior Assault Systems is a brand you can place your trust in, having been tried and tested in the most intense and critical of environments; the theatre of war. With a product range that includes a range of equipment that has been designed and developed following direct input from serving Tier-1 assets following deployment in theatres such as Iraq and Afghanistan, it is of no surprise that Warrior Assault Systems has fast become a mainstay in tactical excellence, with dealers found in 28 different countries. By using Warrior Assault Systems’ equipment, you are investing in equipment that has been battle tested by the world’s finest modern warfighters.

Warrior Assault Systems have blossomed since their inception, taking full advantage of their Hereford-based offices to breach the inner circles of some of the UKs most prestigious Tier-1 units. Since the company’s inception, their mission objective has been simple, with Warrior Assault Systems’ endeavoring to produce a range of high-quality tactical equipment, with an onus placed on functionality, durability and overall weight reduction. In doing so, they have been able to enhance the operational capabilities of the modern warfighter around the world.

With a product range that includes a range of equipment that has been designed and developed following direct input from serving Tier-1

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assets following deployment in theatres such as Iraq and Afghanistan, it is of no surprise that Warrior Assault Systems have quickly become a mainstay in tactical excellence, with dealers found in 28 different countries. Furthermore, Warrior Assault Systems have managed to keep their prices low, allowing the average user to make use of their equipment, as opposed to their pricing being non-accessible for those who need it the most. Due to this, Warrior Assault Systems have grown a global following, with their equipment combat tested by some of the best military units around the world.

From the design through to the materials used, Warrior Assault Systems’ have ensured that their offerings work well in unison, as well as in a standalone capacity, and do so for extended periods of use. One advantage of working so closely with a number of SF units from around the world is the design process. Through direct input from UK Special Forces, along with a number of other SF units, Warrior Assault Systems have been able to proactively make changes to their equipment.

Something causing specific discomfort? Changes can be made.

Improvements due to new technology? Again, changes can be made.

In fact, Warrior Assault Systems are consistently taking their product range back to the design table to ensure their products fully represent the attention to detail they hold themselves to.

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WARRIOR ASSAULT SYSTEMS

1 PATHFINDER CHEST RIG

The PCR is an excellent addition to the Warrior Assault Systems product line. Designed to work as a compact Chest Rig in stand-alone configuration or in conjunction with Warrior’s Recon Carrier System (RPC).

The PCR accommodates 4 x M4 style mags with adjustable bungee retention which allows AK mags to be easily changed out. There are 2 x small utility pouches. One at either side with elastic loops for storage of chem-lights small torches etc. The front section comes as standard with Warriors Double Elastic Low Profile Mag pouches these are attached with MOLLE and can be easily changed out for any of Warriors full range of pouches such as our DPDA Double Pistol Mag pouch.

The unique feature of the PCR is its ability to attach to Warrior’s new RPC carrier.

Simply remove the shoulder and rear straps and all the remaining clips line up with the corresponding ITW clips located on the front and sides of the RPC carrier creating a scalable platform for low and high vis operations.

The PCR can accommodate Warrior’s Drop Down Velcro Utility Pouch (DDVUP) and Warrior’s new Horizontal Velcro Mag Pouch (HVMP).

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2 FALCON CHEST RIG

The FCR is designed to work as a compact Chest Rig in standalone configuration.

The FCR accommodates 8 x M4 style mags with adjustable bungee retention which allows AK mags to be easily changed out. There are a total of 4 utility pouches. The end pouches can hold MBITR 148 radios there are elastic loops for storage of chemlights small torches etc at the sides of the end pouches.

Warrior’s DPDA-9 double pistol mag pouch is attached to the front of the rig with MOLLE and can be removed or replaced as required.

The unique feature about the FCR is its ability to attach to Warrior’s new RPC (Recon Carrier). Simply remove the shoulder and rear straps and all the remaining clips line up with the corresponding ITW clips located on the front and sides of the RPC carrier creating a scalable platform.

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3 GLADIATOR CHEST RIG

Warrior’s Elite Ops Gladiator Chest Rig is a versatile and multi-use platform that can be used with or without standalone 10 x 12 armour plates.

The gladiator Chest Rig is a fully adjustable system allowing adjustments to be made on your shoulders and abdomen area. With the use of pull straps and ITW buckles/clips the Gladiator Chest Rig can be easily adjusted to suit the needs of the operator.

It also comes with a 3D mesh spacer to allow passage of cool air and comfort. The upper section can be folded away to allow access to uniform pockets. This foldable section gives you 4 vertical & 4 horizontal strips of MOLLE to allow the attachment of additional pouches such as a Large Admin pouch or Forward Opening Admin pouch. Elastic loops on the shoulder straps are designed to secure comm’s equipment or hydration tubes.

The Gladiator Chest Rig has 4 fixed closed top magazine pouches which allows you to carry 8 magazines. These magazine pouches are adjustable using the removable Velcro straps.

This modification allows the usage of both standard and non-standard 5.56mm/7.62mm (M4 and AK variant weapon systems). If required, the ammunition pouches can be doubled up as a comms/radio pouch capable of fitting a PRC 145/152. The magazine compartment also has drainage holes to allow the release of water should the rig be submerged in water. This rig also offers you two modular panels either side of the magazine pouches; both modular panels give you 3 vertical and 3 horizontal rows of MOLLE allowing you to attach additional pouches if needed.

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CONTACT INFORMATION Warrior Assault Systems has an extensive dealer network, with their products currently available in over 24 different countries. Contact information is available on their website.

www.warriorassaultsystems.com

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PREVIEW

SINCE 1967, THE HATCH® NAME HAS BEEN SYNONYMOUS WITH THE VERY FINEST IN PROTECTIVE PERFORMANCE GLOVES FOR THE LAW ENFORCEMENT, TACTICAL, MILITARY, MEDICAL AND INDUSTRIAL SAFETY MARKETS. AS PART OF THE SAFARILAND GROUP, THEIR LINEUP IS THE MOST EXTENSIVE IN THE INDUSTRY, OFFERING ADVANCED DESIGNS FOR CUT-RESISTANCE, COLD WEATHER, IMPACT PROTECTION, AND MUCH MORE. Hatch incorporates high grade materials to enhance the features required for each application. For example, their duty gloves are made of sheepskin leather to provide an enhanced sense of touch whilst conducting a field search. To achieve this, Hatch use only the finest leathers, along with synthetic and high-tech materials to ensure that their protective gear performs to the world’s most uncompromising standards.

THE SAFARILAND GROUP The Safariland Group, a company with a rich heritage in the law enforcement and sporting markets, encompasses a group of recognized and well-respected brands known for their innovation and quality.

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Safariland are committed to focusing on the customer first in all they do. Their mission, Together, We Save Lives, is much more than a statement; it is a creed the company lives by. This year, The Safariland Group celebrated 55-years of providing trusted and innovative life-saving equipment to law enforcement, military, outdoor recreation and personal protection markets.

The Safariland Group is a leading global provider of a broad range of safety and survivability products designed for the public safety, military, professional and outdoor markets. The Safariland Group offers a number of recognized brand names in these markets including Safariland® armour, duty gear and communications, Bianchi®, Break Free®, Hatch® and Nik® to name a few.

HATCH DEBUT PUNCTURE RESISTANT FRISKMASTER MAX GLOVES Having been earmarked as a leading global provider of safety and survivability products designed for public safety, military, professional and the outdoor market, Hatch are constantly looking for new ways to innovate their range. In an effort to do this, Hatch have recently announced a new standard in needle puncture and cut resistant gloves in the new FMN500 – Friskmaster MAX Glove.

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Built for those who need a glove that provides maximum protection without impeding the ability to complete routine tasks on the job, the new FMN500 (Friskmaster MAX) glove is tested to ANSI Cut Resistance A9, the highest rating for cut resistance, and provides Level 5 ANSI Needlestick Puncture Resistance, the NIJ’s highest-rated level of protection.

“The Friskmaster MAX gloves are a lifesaver for public servants who come into regular contact with cut and needle threats,” said Vince Abrams, Category Manager at The Safariland Group. “Safariland® has drawn on our success with PROTECH™ Armor to bring PROTECH Resistance Layer Technology to our Hatch gloves. The FMN500s provide robust protection from daily cut and needle threats and maintain superior dexterity. With the FMN500, you can complete all of your routine daily tasks and still be protected from the unexpected.”

THE FMN500 GLOVES ALSO MAINTAIN THE CLEAN LINES AND UNOBSTRUCTED SURFACES THAT MAKE HATCH GLOVES IDEAL FOR UNIFORM COMPLIANCE. THE CONSTRUCTION PROCESS OF THE PROTECH RESISTANCE LAYER TECHNOLOGY IS SEAMLESSLY BUILT INTO THE FMN500 GLOVES, KEEPING THE PALM FREE OF SUPERFLUOUS STITCHING THAT CAN COMPROMISE THE PROTECTIVE FEATURES OF THE GLOVES WHERE IT IS NEEDED MOST.

KEY POINTS OF INTEREST ■ Five points of innovation (use graphics supplied).

■ Hatch ERGO-CUT thumb pattern for accurate and comfortable fit.

■ Comforms to the natural curvature of the hand and offers greater dexterity and freedom of movement than a single palm pattern.

Because humans have opposable thumbs, a single piece palm bunches up and twists the thumb when the hands are clasped.

■ All soft cuff to accomocate watches.

■ Many gloves are primarily made with a ridged cuff, which is actually a detriment to a watch wearer in that the cuff then has to be pushed over or under the watch. With a soft compression cuff, the cuff gently compresses around the watch during wrist flexion, allowing the watch to be usable without having to constantly adjust the cuff.

■ Articulated strap.

■ Accommodate a larger watch as it is angled away from the wrist, working in conjunction with the soft cuff to offer a brilliant watch-wearing experience while the Friskmaster Max is in use.

■ Touchscreen compatible knuckle for use with electronics.

■ The knuckle pad provides the ability to quickly swipe the phone to take or send a call without having to remove gloves or worry about contaminating the device.

■ Hatch patented cut-ring.

■ This feature allows for the optional removal of the index finger for improved trigger control, without ravelling the remaining edge.

CONTACT INFORMATION You can inquire about Safariland Group’s products directly through the following lines of contact.

AMERICA ■ Contact Number: 800.347.1200 ■ Website: www.safariland.com

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SINCE JULY, REPORTED INCIDENTS OF LASER ATTACKS ON LAW ENFORCEMENT HAVE SKYROCKETED AROUND THE NATION LEADING TO A VARIETY OF EYE EFFECTS AND INJURIES, INCLUDING REPORTS OF PARTIAL BLINDNESS. WHILE HANDHELD LASERS AREN’T NEW, THEIR WIDESPREAD USE WITH INTENT TO HARM IS INCREASING, JUST AS THE DEMAND FOR LASER PROTECTIVE EYEWEAR TO PREVENT EFFECTS AND INJURIES. REVISION HAS BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF LASER AND BALLISTIC PROTECTIVE EYEWEAR SOLUTIONS FOR THE PAST DECADE.

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One of the latest tools of mayhem employed by street protestors is the handheld laser. Easily concealed, simple to use, and cheap to the point of disposability, they pose a serious threat to tactical law enforcement officers working a crowd control detail.

Laser danger comes in a few forms, the most feared is irreversible injury caused by a highly focused light burning the retina. The more common, but just as serious threat posed by lasers is the loss of situational awareness.

A laser in the eye has the same effect as any bright light source, it’ll first elicit a startle response causing you to blink. If you continue looking into the laser, you’ll be dealing with glare that obscures your vision and if you look into it long enough you’ll get temporary bright spots, called afterimages. While these effects aren’t as severe as permanent blindness, situational awareness is the last thing you want to lose when flying bricks and homemade pyrotechnics are in play.

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HOW DO YOU STOP A LASER? At the simplest level, a laser’s colour is its Achilles heel. Want to stop a red laser? Put a red-absorbing filter in its path. Generally laser protective lenses will look the opposite of the colour they absorb.

Of course there’s more to blocking a laser than that, but a key consideration when looking for laser eye pro is knowing the colour of the light you want to block. Eye pro manufacturers list this spec as a specific wavelength or a range of wavelengths in nanometres (nm).

Good news: you’ve got an involuntary blink response. Bad news: The blink response only occurs if the offending light is in the visible spectrum, and cheap lasers are often contaminated with invisible, IR and near-IR light. This means a dim, 5mW visible laser could be pumping out hundreds of mW of light in the near-IR spectrum, and you won’t know it until you feel your eyes itching and burning for no apparent reason. By that point, that light is cooking your retina.

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LENS CONSTRUCTION MATTERS To make a lens that stops a laser means choosing a dye that absorbs light at the same wavelength as the laser and incorporating it into the lens. This can be in the form of a coating applied after a glass or polymer lens is made, or by mixing the dye into the base material of a polymer lens before it’s moulded into shape. The later method of construction results in a much more durable form of laser protection, since the dye is impregnated into the lens and can’t be scratched off.

Most laser protective lenses are made for use in a laboratory or on a manufacturing line where getting punched in the face or fragged by a BB-covered M-80 isn’t a concern. Keep that in mind when looking for laser eye pro that’ll be used on the street. There are only a few companies making laser eye pro that also provides mil-spec ballistic protection.

It’d be great if there was one lens that could block all laser wavelengths, but there isn’t. Knowing that blocking a laser is accomplished by filtering its particular wavelength of light, the practical cost of protection for a given colour of laser is limiting the ability to see that colour. So, a lens that would block all laser colours would need to filter out all colours of light, and that lens would essentially be impossible to see through.

Because each lens can only provide laser protection in a certain wavelength, or range of wavelengths, determining what colour lasers you’re likely to face on the street is critical in choosing a protective lens.

REVISION ACCELERATE PRODUCTION OF LASER PROTECTIVE EYEWEAR In response to the urgent demand for laser protection, Revision Military has ramped up production and successfully delivered thousands of ballistic laser protective lenses to law enforcement around the United States.

After an initial rapid delivery to the Department of Homeland Security, Revision received a dramatic increase of inquiries from Federal, State, and Local departments, and Individual Officers seeking protection from this emerging threat. Since July, reported incidents of laser attacks on law enforcement have skyrocketed around the nation leading to a variety of eye effects and injuries, including reports of partial blindness. While handheld lasers aren’t new, their widespread use with intent to harm is increasing, just as is the demand for laser protective eyewear to prevent these eye effects and injuries.

Revision has been at the forefront of laser and ballistic protective eyewear solutions for the past decade. Standard laser protective lenses are widely available, but much rarer are lenses that combine tailored laser protection as well as military-standard ballistic protection coupled with world-class anti-fog performance, integrated prescription correction and multiple sizes for optimal fit and comfort. Revision’s LazrBloc™ eyewear provides this comprehensive solution – battle-proven by military forces around the globe and now widely being delivered to Law Enforcement.

One Federal Agent shared the following quote after receiving Revision LazrBloc eyewear: “After several fellow Federal LE Agents were blinded a few weeks ago at a demonstration, we knew we needed something to protect us. We looked at Revision and trusted the information received.

Upon receipt, we were sent to a massive demonstration and had our new Revision Laser eyewear. I had lasers panning in my face for hours, and no one on the front lines with me were injured. I’ll never go without them.”

“It’s been incredible to watch our team rise to the occasion to respond to the urgent demand from the Law Enforcement community”, said Revision CEO, Amy Coyne. “We have an incredibly talented and dedicated team, and there was no hesitation throughout the organization to dig deep and deliver eyewear to help prevent injury and blindness to our men and women in uniform. Its times like these that we benefit from a vertically integrated operation, were we design, develop, test and manufacture protective eyewear at scale in our own facility.”

LOOKING FORWARD The current limitations of protective laser lens technology means the need for situational awareness and broad spectrum protection are at odds with each other. Want to see everything? You have to give up protection. Want to be protected from the widest range of threats? You’re going to have to decide how much visual awareness to give up.

The threat of lasers to guys on the ground is still emerging, as is the response from companies making eye protection. Cutting edge research and development in tactical laser eye protection is focused on finding a no-compromise solution that provides full spectrum laser protection, uninhibited vision, and mil-spec ballistic protection using high tech solutions that can survive the rigors of the street and the battlefield.

CONTACT INFORMATION For more information, you can inquire about the Revision range of products through the following lines of contact.

AMERICA ■ Contact Number: +1 802.879.7002 ■ Contact Form: revisionmilitary.com/en/contact

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COVERT BOOT

BLACK / BROWN / TITANIUM / SRP: £49.95

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SIG SAUER TANGO6T In 1853, Friedrich Peyer im Hof, Heinrich Moser and Conrad Neher began what they thought would become a successful wagon factory above the Rhine Falls in Switzerland. Little did they know then, that their company would become one of the world’s most renowned manufacturers of small arms. Just seven years after constructing an industrial plant for building the most sophisticated wagons and railway cars, the three ambitious owners undertook a more serious venture. In part to a challenge from Switzerland’s Federal Ministry of Defense, the Swiss Wagon Factory entered the competition to develop a state-of-the-art rifle with the hopes the Swiss Army would adopt it.

Fast-forward to the 20th century. In 1949, the SIG P49, the forerunner of the SIG P210, was developed for the Swiss Army and destined to become a legend on the battlefield as well as the competition field.

That same year, the P220 made its appearance as the new pistol for the army, soon followed by the compact P230 for the Swiss police.

These pistols offered new features and levels of reliability never before seen in the industry. By the 1970s, SIG’s small arms division was expanding to include Hämmerli Target Arms from Lenzburg, Switzerland, and J.P. Sauer & Sohn, GmbH, of Eckernförde, West Germany, known worldwide for their hunting rifles. In the 1980s, SIG set its sights on the United States of America. The American market was a vital part of SIG’s business plan to continue to expand its market share and become an international leader in the small arms industry.

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Known up until this point as SIGARMS, the company rebranded in 2007 to SIG SAUER. The change reflected the vast worldwide growth in demand for SIG SAUER products. In response, the company more than tripled its work force in the next 30 months, invested 18 million US dollars in state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and equipment, and significantly expanded its engineering base. The name change, coupled with major new product introductions in pistols and rifles, reflects the continued commitment to the high standards of production, service and innovation the SIG SAUER brand has always represented.

TANGO6T RECEIVES NEW US CONTRACT SIG SAUER, Inc. recently announced the TANGO6T has been selected by the U.S. Department of Defense for the Direct View Optic (DVO) in response to a solicitation to enhance squad performance with a variable powered riflescope. Unlike older generation non-magnified or fixed-magnification optics, the TANGO6T is a 1-6X variable-magnification riflescope that enables the soldier to engage both close quarter targets and targets at extended ranges.

This award from the U.S. DoD is the third award for the SIG SAUER TANGO6T; previously selections for the TANGO6T include the Squad Designated Marksman Rifle (SDMR) and the USSOCOM Squad-Variable Powered Scope (S-VPS). The TANGO6T riflescope is currently in use with the U.S. Army Squad Designated Marksman and U.S. Military Special Forces.

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Designed for today’s common MSR/AR and bolt action platforms, this scope is the ideal solution for CQB / mid-range tactical engagements, 3 Gun competitions and hunting. The TANGO6T is complete with our HDX optical system for extreme clarity and low-light performance, HellFire fiber optic and glass-etched illuminated reticules, and first or second focal plane designs.

“The TANGO6T riflescope platform has been ruggedized and battle-hardened over the course of both the SDMR and S-VPS programs,” added Andy York, President, SIG SAUER Electro-Optics. “We are proud to assemble the TANGO6T here in the USA to support our warfighters with a variable powered riflescope that was developed to match the engagement requirements of today’s battlefield.”

“After rigorous and stringent testing, where the best of the industry competed, we are proud to confirm the SIG SAUER TANGO6T riflescope has been selected by the U.S. Army as the Direct View Optic,” began Ron Cohen, President and CEO, SIG SAUER, Inc. “This is a three-peat for the TANGO6T as the riflescope continues to prove it will withstand the rigors of U.S. military testing making it the choice for use with our soldiers. The further proliferation of the riflescope into the U.S. Military’s M4A1 operating system is an exciting achievement for SIG SAUER Electro-Optics and further proof that the TANGO6T is the direction of the future.”

The SIG SAUER TANGO6T 1-6x24MM riflescope is available commercially at local retailers and at sigsauer.com, in first and second plane, and varying reticles including 5.56/7.62 Horseshoe Dot, HELLFIRE MOA Milling, HELLFIRE FL-6 and the new DWLR6.

The TANGO6T 1-6×24 DVO riflescope will be used on M4A1 carbines and is a first focal plane ruggedized riflescope with a Flat Dark Earth (FDE) anodized aircraft grade aluminum main tube. The riflescope features the DWLR6 reticle capable of providing range estimation and wind holds at extreme distances, the advanced HELLFIRE illumination system for fast target acquisition, a locking illumination dial, Power Selector Ring (PSR) Throw Lever, the ALPHA4 ultralight mount, and a laser-marked scope level indicator for intuitive installation.

“This award solidifies the TANGO6T as the premier riflescope of the U.S. military as it continues to exceed the highest standards for ruggedization, range, and accuracy throughout testing protocols, and in the field with our soldiers. We are honored to partner with the U.S. Department of Defense as they continue to modernize their weapons systems and look forward to the continued proliferation of the TANGO6T amongst our fighting forces,” concluded Cohen.

ALL SIG SAUER TANGO6 RIFLESCOPES ARE DESIGNED AND ASSEMBLED IN THE USA AT THE STATE-OF-THE-ART, ISO-CERTIFIED, SIG SAUER ELECTRO-OPTICS FACILITY.

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PRODUCT

THYRM LLC IS AN AMERICAN FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS LED BY THE BELIEF THAT INNOVATIVE, ROBUST PRODUCTS CAN MAKE USERS MORE EFFECTIVE AND RESILIENT. THEIR DESIGN TEAM HAS MORE THAN 40 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE DEVELOPING TOOLS FOR OPERATORS IN HIGH-RISK PROFESSIONS. ADDITIONALLY, THEY WORK WITH MULTIPLE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS WITHIN THE PRODUCTS’ FIELD OF USE TO ENSURE THEIR DESIGNS MEET USER NEEDS.

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PRODUCT

who are constantly powering down their gear due to active countersurveillance, the DarkVault cases can provide isolation without constant power-cycling. DarkVault cases can also provide isolation for field-acquired assets/evidence.

Thyrm are relative newcomers to the tactical gear industry, but their range of innovative products have captured the attention of soldiers, emergency personnel and first responders. With each Thyrm product going through a strenuous design and testing phase in Sunnyvale, California, end users can rest assured that each product has been extensively thought through and tested before it reaches the end-user.

The Vault product line is designed and manufactured in the USA in partnership with injection moulding experts who understand the critical performance needs of their products and what’s at stake for their customers. THYRM backs all its products for life, providing soldiers, emergency personnel, and responsible citizens the support they deserve.

Thyrm believe that designing and manufacturing products in the USA contributes to the community, speeds product development, and keeps products in stock.

DARKVAULT The DarkVault critical gear cases were developed with input from active-duty military and federal law enforcement to provide professional-grade levels of protection while keeping gear immediately accessible for navigation and communication tasks. For many users

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The proprietary material used in the DarkVault acts like a Faraday cage, reducing the ability of radio-frequency signals to pass through the DarkVault in either direction.

The case has been tested to reduce the signal (between 300MHz and 1500MHz) by at least 90 dB (decibels). This is generally enough to block normal cellphone calls and data, and also block GPS signals. This reduction meets the specifications of our government customers.

However, signal strength and your proximity to it, plays a role in whether or not your electronics can be reached through the case. Very strong signals may still interact with your devices, for instance, if you are in close proximity to 1 or many cell towers in a dense urban area, it is possible that signals may occasionally make it through the case.

Creating a case that blocked all signals at all frequencies was not the design intent for this product, and would have meant the case would have been extremely large or extremely metallic.

DarkVault-Comms cases provide all the same physical protection but allow for electromagnetic communication (i.e. they are non-blocking).

Please note: DarkVault and DarkVault-Comms cases are not rated for prolonged submersion or diving.

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THYRM

DARKVAULT

■ Solid, battlefield-grade construction ■ Gasket seal that keeps out water, dust, and dirt ■ Quick MOLLE attachment system for external and internal mounting options ■ Tunable hinge friction for on-body navigation and communication tasks ■ Strap/latch holes for locks and tamper-evident devices to prevent access to internals and secure case to MOLLE ■ Internal and external adhesive-backed loop Velcro® panels for ID

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ULTIMA JACKET BLACK / DARK COYOTE / GREEN / SRP: £89.95

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NEWS

ARMY CONDUCTS MAJOR MILESTONE TESTING

THE ARMY-LED TEAM OF DEVELOPERS CREATING THE INTEGRATED VISUAL AUGMENTATION SYSTEM IS WRAPPING UP THE THIRD MAJOR MILESTONE TESTING AND DEMONSTRATION EVENT THIS WEEK AT FORT PICKETT, VA., WHERE SOLDIERS AND MARINES HAVE BEEN PUTTING THE SYSTEM, KNOWN AS IVAS, THROUGH A NUMBER OF FIELD EXERCISES SINCE OCT. 18.

IVAS is designed to enhance the lethality and survivability of the Army’s Close Combat Force through a combination of technologies and augmented reality capabilities delivered in the form of a Heads-Up Display device, much like the famed HoloLens developed by Microsoft, which is, in fact, partnering with the Army to develop and produce the system.

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NEWS

ARMY CONDUCTS MAJOR MILESTONE TESTING IVAS IS ONE OF THE ARMY FUTURE COMMAND’S 31 ORIGINAL SIGNATURE MODERNIZATION EFFORTS, HEADED BY THE SOLDIER LETHALITY CROSS FUNCTIONAL TEAM (SL CFT) AT FORT BENNING, GA., UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF BRIG. GEN. DAVID HODNE, WHO ALSO SERVES AS THE CHIEF OF INFANTRY. IT’S A SINGLE PLATFORM THAT ALLOWS THE SOLDIER TO FIGHT, REHEARSE, AND TRAIN, BECAUSE IT LEVERAGES NETWORKED INFORMATION SHARING AND MIXED AND AUGMENTED REALITY TECHNOLOGIES. IVAS IS ONE OF THE SL CFT’S EFFORTS TO HELP RESOLVE AN EROSION IN COMBAT SUPERIORITY BETWEEN U.S. AND NEAR PEER COMPETITORS AROUND THE WORLD AS IDENTIFIED IN THE 2018 NATIONAL DEFENSE STRATEGY. Whereas U.S. forces once “owned the night” in respect to combat overmatch in conditions of limited visibility, Hodne said, two decades of consistent and concentrated conflict across the Middle East has resulted in a parity among the world’s most capable combatants.

“Overmatch has always been defined in terms of two things; our lethality and our protection must exceed the lethality and protection of our adversaries,” Hodne said Oct. 30, as he addressed a group of Army senior leaders and Congressional representatives who attended the IVAS demonstration at Pickett. “In order to restore overmatch, we must restore lethality, and lethality means we can see, designate and move quickly through hours of limited visibility.

“In an environment where we share the night, the folks who can move faster, decide

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faster and think faster are the ones who have the advantage on today and tomorrow’s battlefield,” he said, citing the IVAS next generation situational awareness tools, high resolution operational and training simulations capabilities the Soldiers are testing at Pickett.

The event is the third in a series of four comprehensive large-scale tests, formally known as Soldier Touch Points, or STPs, scheduled at pivotal junctures in the 28-month program to bring together stakeholders from across the Army’s modernization enterprise with industry partners to assess technologies added or upgraded since the previous STP and test the latest system prototype in the field. This time around, participants from the 82nd Airborne Division and a contingent of Marines conducted company-size training

events using the first militarized prototype of the IVAS. Events included land navigation, live fire, mission planning, rapid target acquisition, trench clearing, after action review using augmented reality, and more.

By the end of this event, Team IVAS, which includes the CFT, PEO Soldier, Microsoft, Combat Capabilities Development Command, and a number of labs and directorates within the modernization enterprise, will have collected more than 40,000 hours of Soldier data, said Brig. Gen. Tony Potts, the director of PEO Soldier.

The team employs a Soldier Centered Design methodology that involves Soldiers at every step of the process, from design to development, thereby reducing the traditional 10-year acquisitions timeline to roughly 28 months and eliminating the historical probability of fielding a system Soldiers reject. Soldier Centered Design means IVAS is designed and built by the Soldiers who give the constructive, candid feedback developers use to turn over new prototypes and upgrade systems constantly.

“If we want to develop systems at the speed of relevance, and systems that our Soldier want to use, this is the way we have to do it,” Potts said. “We have learned so much through Soldier Centered Design. Our real desire is to let Soldiers design it, and then our engineers build what they design. It’s about listening to our Soldiers.”

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The STP was Staff Sgt Kaleb Kester’s first experience with IVAS and with the concept of Soldier Centered Design. After 12 years in the Army, the combat veteran said he sees “incredible potential” for the system and had no trouble learning to use it. “If you can use a smart phone, you can use IVAS,” he said, but there was one thing he didn’t understand.

“Why haven’t we always been doing it this way? I hate getting issued things I don’t even want or don’t need or can’t really use,” Kester said. “This is the way it should always be.”

The program, which remains on track to deliver the first IVAS in the fourth quarter of FY21, is funded through Other Transaction Authorities (OTA) and Middle Tier Acquisition Rapid Prototyping authorities to accelerate the development process by more than four years as compared to the DoD 5000 process.

Last month, Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Ellen Lord hailed IVAS as an example of success, having launched the program under an interim policy she implemented to circumvent problems inherent to traditional military acquisitions methodologies aimed at layered governance and risk aversion. In September, Deputy Secretary Norquist signed a directive that completes a comprehensive redesign of the DoD 5000 series acquisitions policies.

“So using this (interim) policy, we have 74 programs today using the middle tier acquisition pathway, including (IVAS),” Lord said Oct. 7 during a Pentagon briefing. “As a result, IVAS intends to rapidly field the capability in fiscal year 21 after conducting dozens of hardware prototypes and thousands of software builds through continuous iterations with Soldiers … the MTA pathway incentivizes powerful behaviours across the acquisition enterprise to quickly restore the Army’s advantage in individual situational awareness, navigation, communications, and target acquisition.”

Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville said virtually the same last week after participating in the IVAS STP 3 demonstration, where he donned the IVAS to see firsthand how the system pairs to the Family of Weapons Sight – Individual to give the warfighter the ability to acquire a target from behind the relative security of a corner or an obstacle using the aided target acquisition capability.

Twenty years ago, McConville said, such capabilities would have been considered futuristic, “something you see in a movie,” and the acquisition timeline would have impeded progress.

“Historically, our acquisition cycle has taken a long time, ten to fifteen years,” he said. “(IVAS) was just an idea two or three years ago, and we were able to bring it to fruition quickly to what we saw today working together with industry, with our operators, and also our Soldiers with touch points along the way using the authorities that Congress has given us to rapidly, bring this capability to our Soldiers in the field. It’s safe to say that the future is here – now – and this is no longer in the realm of science fiction.”

Lt. Nicholas Christopher was one of the Soldiers from the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment who put the system to the test in hinterlands of Fort Pickett’s operationally relevant environments. Christopher described the IVAS suite of capabilities just as the Chief of Staff.

“There are a lot of features on it that are futuristic, I guess you could say, including things like advanced battle tracking,” he said.

“I can see where my entire platoon is projected on a map, and for me as a platoon leader, that’s amazing, because there’s a lot of guesswork that goes out the window. There’s a lot of verbal communication over radios that I don’t have to do anymore. I can see how this is going to make a great impact on the way we fight.”

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PRODUCT

JUGGERNAUT DEFENSE, LLC WAS STARTED IN APRIL 2000, BY A SMALL TEAM OF ENGINEERS AND DESIGNERS WHO SHARED ONE VISION – RUGGED, BADASS DESIGN OF MILITARY GRADE PRODUCTS. FOR ALMOST 20 YEARS, A DIVERSE RANGE OF PROJECTS HAVE CHALLENGED THIS TEAM TO EVOLVE AS AN INDUSTRY LEADER IN CONSULTING, DESIGN, ENGINEERING AND MANUFACTURING. TODAY THEIR TWO DIVISIONS, JUGGERNAUT.CASE AND JUGGERNAUT DESIGN, ARE STILL GOING STRONG. In 2010 the company spearheaded the mission to ruggedize smartphones and tablets for the battlefield environment with our Juggernaut.Case™ products within many SOF and Conventional units downrange.

With over 45,000 Cases/Mounts fielded downrange, Juggernaut.

Case are the industry (COTS) solution for protecting Samsung and Apple smartdevices running ATAK, APASS, and KILLSWITCH applications. With a variety of mounting options including a PALS-compatible variant and a forearm mounting option, Juggernaut.Case will no doubt have a variant applicable to the individuals needs.

AWARDED CONTRACT FOR NAVAIR KNEEBOARD PLATFORMS After several years of development with US and Coalition Air Forces and Naval Aviation, Juggernaut.Case have recently announced that their Ejection-Seat EKB (Electronic Kneeboard) Solution has successfully passed ejection-seat blast tests conducted in both the United States and in France. For a product to be considered for use by military fighter pilots, all products must pass the 600KNT ejection seat blast test. This test sees the potential product placed in an environment where they must withstand the violent force generated when a pilot ejects from a fighter aircraft at speeds of up to 650knts without disengaging or causing injury to the pilot during ejection. Due to this Juggernaut.Case had to look towards an entirely new design that deflected the wind blast and survived g-forces during the ejection process.

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In 2018, Juggernaut.Case developed a protective case and mounting solution for fighter pilots to employ a tablet on their leg in the cockpit. The Electronic Kneeboard (EKB) program’s purpose is to allow the use of tablets to reduce reliance on paper publications and add additional functionality (such as moving maps and performance calculators) in the cockpit. As the program progresses, the ability to plan and re-plan missions in the cockpit will be developed to create a powerful tool for the pilots, ultimately replacing the fielded Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS) hardware. The final EKB system will allow users to connect in-aircraft via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or USB-Cable, fully integrating the tablets into aircraft systems for maximum capability. As part of the Juggernaut.Case slogan, PROTECT – MOUNT – CONNECT, this naturally falls into place with high-strength, shielded connections to the airframe with quick-disconnect cables specially designed for these cases.

In August 2018, a series of windblast tests were conducted to verify the structural integrity of the EJ-SEAT EKB Holster Assembly during high-speed ejections. A series of four (4) windblast tests were conducted using the Windblast Lab at Naval Air Station Patuxent River. The 600KNT blast tests subjected the EKB and Holster Assembly to the highest dynamic pressure that would be experienced in an in-envelope ejection with the JSF (Joint Strike Fighter) seat. The 22-degree pitch tests match the angle of the seat coming out of the cockpit and into the air stream; the 45-degree pitch tests simulated the seat pitching back under the drogue parachute.

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ALL TESTS CONDUCTED IN THE SERIES WERE RATED ACCEPTABLE AND SUCCESSFUL. NO DAMAGE WAS OBSERVED ON THE HOLSTER, AIRCRAFT, OR CRASH TEST PILOT IN ANY TESTS. SIMILAR TESTS WERE SUCCESSFUL AT THE TEST FACILITY BLAST CHAMBER IN TOULOUSE, FRANCE IN NOVEMBER OF 2018.

JUGGERNAUT.CASE EKB The new design of the EKB features a two-strap configuration which utilises the new ITW Nexus GT-Cobra polymer buckles and a laminar-airflow mount-base that contours to the pilot’s leg to which the case is fastened to. This design also affords a stable platform on the pilot’s leg for tablet use. Paper maps and aluminium chart holders become an unnecessary addition in the cockpit due to this.

There are several versions of the EJ-SEAT EKB for current tablets including the Samsung Tab Active 2 and 3, iPad Mini 5, and Tab S2 8.0. Tablet cases for future tablet models will fall within the test if they utilize the approved base mounting platform. The EKB is currently being flown by more than twelve different Air Forces/Navy/Marine Corps Wings worldwide.

Aircraft platforms include: F-16, F/A-18, F-35JSF, as well as A-10 and F-22.

The base platform utilizes two high-strength straps secured with ITW-AustriAlpin GT COBRA Polymer Buckles. The SLEEV Case for the tablet is hard mounted with fasteners to the holster assembly to ensure its integrity during ejection if the pilot does not doff this system prior to ejection. An additional strap attaches to the pilot’s kit to ensure the EKB stays in place on the leg during entry/egress of the cockpit.

All EKB solutions are based on 8-inch touchscreen platforms for human factors approval within the cockpit as to not interfere with flight controls, ejection seat or various other interfaces/displays.

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TH E MAGAZ I N E FO R TH E ALPHA MALE

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PRODUCT

TOMAHAWKS

NOTHING QUITE SAYS “YOU’RE A BADASS” MORE THAN WIELDING A TOMAHAWK. BUT JUST HOW AND WHEN DID TACTICAL TOMAHAWKS BECOME EN VOGUE? THIS MONTH WE TAKE A LOOK AT A RANGE OF TACTICAL TOMAHAWKS, THE HISTORY SURROUNDING THEM AND SOME OF OUR FAVOURITES FROM WELL KNOWN MANUFACTURERS ACROSS THE GLOBE.

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The discussion surrounding hand-to-hand weaponry has long been scrutinised by experts and hobbyists alike. Many like the ease of a knife.

It’s easy to store, easy to use and has various practical uses as well.

Likewise, the tomahawk has a number of uses as well, however takes some practise to make the most use of.

While both the knife and the tomahawk have a number of unique selling points, for the modern warfighter, the tomahawk offers a plethora of practical uses that allow it to stand head and shoulders above the knife in certain situations. Due to the design of the tomahawk, not only does it serve warfighting purposes in hand-to-hand situations, but it also offers a range of potentially life-saving capabilities such as being able to prepare firewood or break a number of surfaces such as glass thanks to the ‘spike’ design which we will go into later.

But just where does the Tomahawk come from, and what triggered their return to prominence?

TOMAHAWK HISTORY Tomahawks have a long, fabled history that many will relate to the American Indians of the Old West, mainly thanks to the various depictions in pop culture with projects such as Bone Tomahawk and Westworld being the most recent depictions. However, they were also used by various other cultures throughout time such as the Malay, Maori and Sudans.

Whilst these weapons were mainly used as weapons, they also saw use in everyday tasks such as chopping, cutting, or hunting. Their original form was crude; originally made by attaching a large stone to wooden handles with strips of rawhide. It was only when various Europeans discovered and travelled to the Americas that Tomahawks started evolving to their current form.

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The Europeans introduced metal to the natives, which massively improved the effectiveness of the weapon and improve the design. The introduction of metalworking saw the induction of the “tomahawk poll”, which was often shaped to either be a hammer or a spike. The Europeans also started to present the various tribes with “pipe tomahawks”, in which the poll was shaped into a pipe and the handle hollowed out.

Tomahawks began to die off after this period, and it wasn’t until the 1960s when 4000 models were made for issue to U.S. Soldiers and Marines in the Vietnam War. Whilst they saw much use during this period they soon died off again, with many favouring the simplicity of a knife.

It wasn’t until the “Global War on Terror” that they resurfaced again.

After the September 11th terror attacks, various Special Forces units found themselves in need of a tool that served multiple purposes - queue the tomahawk. Not only did it serve as a perfect backup weapon for close-quarter combat, it also served well as a rescue tool and a fine breaching option. Since then it has taken the tactical market by storm.

COMPOSITION The modern tomahawk is a one-handed tool that is shorter than 24 inches and generally designed for combat. Whilst it does take a form similar to an axe, it is a lot smaller, and doesn’t require two hands to use. This makes the tomahawk lighter and faster to unleash when throwing, and faster to strike and retract when fighting up close and personal.

A tomahawk is also not to be mistaken for a hatchet. Whilst a hatchet is essentially a miniature axe (See Rick Grimes weapon of choice in AMC’s “The Walking Dead”), a tomahawk usually has a spike or hammer opposite its cutting edge, and some of the more fancier models have a claw or wedge attached to the bottom of the handle for extra utility.

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TOMAHAWK

1 SPYDERCO GENZOW

Designed by German outdoor enthusiast and historian Martin Genzow, the Spyderco Genzow HatchetHawk is a versatile, high-performance utility tomahawk that integrates the best features of the traditional Francesca Frankish axe, the classic bearded axe, and the tomahawk and expresses them with a dynamic fusion of old-school craftsmanship and state-of-the-art materials and engineering.

The HatchetHawk’s head is drop forged from tough 5160 tool steel, meticulously heat treated to ensure optimal performance of all its working surfaces, and hand finished to exacting specifications while maintaining the slightly rustic character of its forging. Its bearded profile, raised toe, and slightly canted edge angle provide a long working edge that is ideal for both chopping and detailed cutting chores. A hammer poll excels at tasks that require focused impact instead of a sharp edge and helps create an exceptional balance that maximizes the tool’s power.

Made from polypropylene plastic injection moulded over a rigid aluminum core, the HatchetHawk’s handle has an oval cross section and scientifically contoured shape that ensure maximum energy transfer and outstanding control.

When not in use, the HatchetHawk and its owner are protected by a handcrafted heavy leather sheath with a snap-fastened leather strap. A loop on the back of the sheath allows convenient belt carry, while grommets in the sheath body will accept a cord or strap for over-the-shoulder carry like a classic baldric.

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2 BOKER PLUS ESCAPE HAWK

The compact Boker Plus Escape Hawk by Peter Fegan is an impressive example of how well-designed ergonomics can influence a tool’s performance. The slightly offset handle design of the Escape Hawk is the result of a careful analysis of the biomechanical processes of chopping motions. Despite its compact measurements, the knife offers maximum effectiveness surpassing that of many bigger tools.

The Boker Plus Escape Hawk is manufactured from SK5 - a Japanese low/mid-range Carbon steel. It’s used in a wide range of tools (Razor blades, utility knives, scalpel blades, long edged tools, cutting tools) due to its workability, hardenability, price, and other features. Following this, the tomahawk is powder-coated to protect it from corrosion. To round the Boker Plus Escape Hawk up, Boker have included a textured handle which makes use of glass fibre reinforced plastic to ensure the best possible grip and hold.

With the striker at the back, the knife becomes even more useful as an emergency tool.

Comes with a compact Kydex sheath. Overall, the Escape Hawk is a great tactical tool. Its compact size makes it easy to carry without adding much weight or volume to your gear.

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3 SOG SURVIVAL HAWK MINI

The original SOG Voodoo Hawk was designed as a combination of the tactical Tomahawk and FastHawk. It’s hard to go wrong with carrying a light, fast, and feature-rich tomahawk.

Decked out with reflective paracord wrapped handle, ferrocerium firestarter rod in the handle, nail puller, hammering head, and sharp multi-purpose blade, the Survival Hawk is ready wherever you go. The Survival Hawk’s engineering roots comes from proven designs that have been tested in the real world many times.

This Voodoo Hawk Mini is smaller and lighter while featuring the same components; an extended cutting head, spike for piercing applications, compact glass-reinforced nylon handle, and metal pommel cap. The Voodoo Hawk Mini has everything the Voodoo Hawk has but in a smaller, compact form making it great for outdoor travelers like backpackers, hikers, hunters, or paddlers. The durable glass-reinforced nylon handle can take a beating while still remaining strong.

The business end of the Voodoo Hawk Mini is a solid, 3-inch blade capable of hacking trees and zombies with equal efficiency. However, the opposing end combines a hammering head and nail puller for added versatility. A firestarter rod inside the handle is a great backup to your fire-making kit. At roughly a foot long, it’s substantial enough to feel almost like a full-sized axe, yet packable enough for toting into the backcountry.

The Voodoo Hawk Mini is manufactured from 8Cr13MoV, belongining to the CR series of steels, a Chinese-produced line of steels that recently started showing up in Chinese-made knives. 9Cr is the top end of the series and is quite good — as good or better than AUS-8.

Type 8Cr, the more common formulation, is worse than AUS-8: a little more prone to corrosion and not quite as hard. But it’s very cheap, and, when ground appropriately, it can be a real winner from a value standpoint.

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SEPTIMO Born of Flames. Seriously. The Septimo™ Multi-Tool is a tactical to everyday carry crossover designed by a seasoned Green Beret to be more than a convenience—he forged it of experience to serve as a lifeline. A tanto blade with one Veff Serration™ for exceptional strap cutting ability, pairs with a Philips and flathead screwdriver, bottle opener, glass breaker, and adjustable wrench to create this deployment-prepared powerhouse.

Jeremy Valdez of Olalla, Washington brings combat experience and time served in the 7th Special Forces Group to the aptly named Septimo™ Multi-Tool; a tribute meaning “seventh” in Spanish. Designed in the spirit of his tactical folding knife by the same name, the main motivation for this multi-tool design arises from his 2009 deployment to Afghanistan. During combat operations, Jeremy was involved in a helicopter crash. In the

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chaotic aftermath, the small folder he had failed to perform when he was cutting straps and moving debris while pulling fellow soldiers out of the burning, tangled chopper wreckage.

Duty to his fallen comrades and brothers and sisters in arms drove him to design the Septimo™ and now the Septimo™ Multi-Tool variation with a thumb stud opening, a desert-proof black oxide finish, and friction points on the handle to help deal with inclement conditions. It was given a single Veff Serration™ for impressively effective strap cutting ability.

In addition to the powerful blade, the Septimo™ Multi-Tool features both a Phillips and flathead screwdriver, a bottle opener, and an adjustable wrench with a strong glass breaker.

Some are born of novelty. The Septimo™ is born of purpose.

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FORGED BY WAR PROGRAM In 2013, Ryan Johnson of RMJ Tactical, designer of elite, military, tactical tomahawks, approached CRKT® with the news that he had been working with a few combat veterans that had returned from war with varying degrees of post-traumatic stress (PTS).

To help work through their challenges, they have been designing and forging steel into custom tools. Drawing from their experience earned in combat situations, they have been creating tools they wished they had available to them in the battlefield.

CRKT® cares deeply about our returning veterans and we saw a way to give back to the community that created them. In 2016, we launched the Forged By War® program.

THESE ARE MISSION READY TOOLS, DESIGNED BY VETERANS, WITH A PORTION OF THE PROCEEDS DONATED TO THE VETERANS’ CHARITY OF CHOICE. MISSION READY TOOLS THAT ARE FORGED BY WAR®.

CONTACT INFORMATION You can inquire about the CRKT range of products through the following lines of contact.

HEINNIE HAYNES ■ Contact Number: +44 1446 722 500 CRKT ■ Contact Number: +1 800 891 3100

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