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TA C T I C A L FOOTWEAR TECHNOLOGY PROTECTION BUSHCR AFT FIREARMS MEDICAL
WINTER WARFARE EXPANDING ON THE WINTER OPERATIONAL CAPABILITIES
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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
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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 #22
EDITORIAL MEET THE TEAM PAUL MONAF
PUBLISHING DIRECTOR paul@ebcon.co.uk
CONTENTS INSIDE THIS ISSUE 009 NEWS MONTHLY ROUND-UP OF THE MONTHS BEST NEWS
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.
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CONNOR JAMES
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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.
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.
FEATURE US ARMY SPECIAL FORCES REIMAGINE WINTER TRAINING
TACTICAL NOISEFIGHTER PANOBRIDGE
022 TACTICAL DRIFIRE UNDER OUR SPOTLIGHT
025 TACTICAL AGALITE AMAP III
029 PROTECTION FIRSTSPEAR FAST ROPE MITT
032 PROTECTION SERKET US MERINO WOOL BOOT SOCK
035 FIREARMS ADAPTIVE TACTICAL EX PERFORMANCE ADJUSTABLE STOCK
039 FIREARMS FN HERSTAL EVOLYS
042 FIREARMS KLIK BELTS X BLACK COLLAR ARMS KLIK SLING
045 TECHNOLOGY US ARMED FORCES RESEARCH NEW FUTURE WARFIGHTER TECHNOLOGY
049 TECHNOLOGY TEXTRON SYSTEMS COTTONMOUTH
ebcon 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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052 TECHNOLOGY HENSOLDT OPTRONICS BAA II NL
056 MEDICAL STATBOND ON OUR RADAR
058 MEDICAL US ARMY RESEARCH COULD ENABLE BIOTECHNOLOGY ADVANCES
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WITH THE MILITARY EQUIPMENT INDUSTRY OFTEN MOVING QUITE FAST, WE WANTED TO ENSURE THAT WE COULD BRING YOU THE LATEST IN PRODUCT NEWS. WITH THAT IN MIND, WE WANTED TO PUT TOGETHER A MONTHLY ROUND-UP OF SOME OF THE HOTTEST NEWS ARTICLES FROM THE MONTH; SOON TO BE SUPPLEMENTED BY WEEKLY ROUND-UPS VIA OUR WEBSITE
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TACTICAL 1 CHASE ULTIMATE ENHANCED SHOULDER PADS
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The Chase Tactical Ultimate Enhanced Shoulder Pads were specifically designed to work with almost any plate carrier on the market. The Ultimate Enhanced Shoulder Pads are designed with added padding that provides extra shoulder relief from heavy loads. A perfect addition to the Chase Tactical line of plate carriers such as the MEAC, LOPC, LVPC, QRC, and SOCC, as well as a range of third party plate carriers! SPECIFICATIONS: • Sold in a set of two • 3D Spacer mesh provides ultimate comfort • Hook closure to easily attach around carrier shoulder straps • Perfect addition to any plate carrier on the market • Dimensions – L 9″ x W 3.25″ x D .75″ • Weight – 2.4 Ounces (Set)
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2 FIRSTSPEAR ABAV MARKED SAFE TO FLY BY US AIR FORCE In addition to SOCOM Aviation, the U.S. Air Force has deemed the FirstSpear ABAV (Aviation Body Armor Vest) safe to fly for rotor wing operations. Purpose built for tactical aviation roles, the ABAV utilises the latest in First Spear Technology to keep weight to an absolute minimum while maintaining true mission flexibility. Thanks to Tube™ technology and Cummerbund Tactical Aid to Flotation (CTAF) interchangeability via the Instant Adjust Back Panel the FS ABAV transitions from over land to over water in well under a minute with no tools required. Located inside the cummerbund, each system includes welded flotation bladders, inflation system and two firing handles for use as emergency tactical floatation aids to enhance aircrew survivability when operating over water. The First Spear ABAV has enhanced shoulder sleeves wrapping over the shoulder straps which helps keep the User streamlined and unencumbered around the neckline. Designed to absorb the bare minimum of water and provide modular flexibility for mission specific load carriage. The ABAV utilises multiple FS technologies, including the 6/12 pocket attachment system and Tubes technology. The FS ABAV meets Flame Retardant (FR) and self-extinguishing parameters set forth by the US Military organisations that adopted it.
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PRECISION 3 CRYE ADDS NAVY AND WOLF GREY TO G3 RANGE As part of Crye Precision’s latest round of releases, the American-based company best known for their innovative combat uniforms have announced they will be making their Generation 3 Combat and Field apparel available in both navy and wolf grey. The G3 Combat and Field Apparel is designed specifically for the demands of harsh operational environments. Now available in Navy and Wolf Grey, the G3 Combat and Field Uniforms are sure to answer the demands of what you expect in a uniform.
GEAR 4 SITKA WORKING ON NEW WET WEATHER RANGE Focused on developing and manufacturing purpose-built technical products, Arrowhead Equipment is a natural extension of SITKA Gear. Founded upon SITKA Gear’s DNA and considered approach to design, the program leverages the materials science expertise of Gore® to provide purpose-built solutions for the Global Special Operations Forces end-user. Currently hard at work for Winter 2021, Arrowhead Equipment have been looking to enhance their wet weather protection range. Arrowhead’s design team has selected GTX 3L 40d Nylon Ripstop with DWR, for the WWP jacket and pant which is a highly durable, lightweight, tear resistant fabric. Resistant to contaminates including petroleum, oils and lubricants make it a best-in-class solution for the Special Operations Forces end-user. The long game will also see Arrowhead Equipment committed to investing and up-levelling domestic manufacturing. Developing new levels of competency, capability, and competitiveness that result in the production of premium technical apparel solutions for the USSOCOM consumer. Sitka Arrowhead’s new range will be available from a range of approved dealers beginning June 2021, with the complete range available in MultiCam, Lead and Black.
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WINTER WARFARE
EXPANDING ON THE WINTER OPERATIONAL CAPABILITIES THE WINTER WARFARE DETACHMENT (WWD) AT 10TH SPECIAL FORCES GROUP (AIRBORNE) INTRODUCED A NEW TRAINING COURSE THIS YEAR TO EXPAND ON THE UNIT’S WINTER OPERATIONAL CAPABILITIES. THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLSET IS ESSENTIAL TO ENSURING SUCCESS IN ARCTIC MISSIONS.
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The Winter Warfare Course (WWC) is designed to train, evaluate and certify Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alphas (SFOD-As) within 10th SFG(A). The training covered backcountry mobility, avalanche awareness and preparedness, winter survival, snowmobile operations and advanced riding techniques, and special operations small unit tactics on skis and snowmobiles. The 10th SFG was activated in 1952 at Fort Bragg, N.C., with Col. Aaron Bank in command. Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 10th SFG was activated in 1952, preceding the activation of the Group proper.
The Group is affiliated with Special Operations Command-Europe and SOCAFRICA, continuing to conduct Joint Combined Exchange Training and Foreign Internal Defense/anti-terrorist operations as part of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM - Trans Sahara. Such activities have included training the military forces of Senegal, Mali, and Mauritania. The 1st and 3rd Battalions also participated in training in Senegal in 2006, along with the 352d Special Operations Group USAF. 10th SFG has also deployed numerous times in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF) and Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF), principally to Iraq, since the start of the War on Terrorism.
The first class of the Special Forces Course graduated in 1952 and the Group grew to an aggregate strength of 1,700 personnel over the next year. In September 1953, following intensive individual and team training, 782 members of the Group, deployed to Germany and established Group headquarters at Lengries in Bavaria. An additional 99 personnel deployed to Korea where they were assigned to the 8240th Army Unit which was training anti-Communist North Korean partisans (called the United Nations Partisan Forces Korea) on the off-shore islands.
10th SFG along with officers of the CIA’s Special Activities Division linked up and were the first to enter Iraq prior to the invasion. They organized the Kurdish Peshmerga to attack and defeat the Ansar al-Islam, a terrorist organisation allied with al-Qaida. This battle was fought in critical terrain controlled by Ansar al-Islam in northeastern Iraq. Kurdish forces and their 10th SFG advisors soundly defeated the terrorists and uncovered a chemical weapons production plant at Sargat, the only facility of its type discovered in the Iraq war.
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WINTER WARFARE
EXPANDING ON THE WINTER OPERATIONAL CAPABILITIES Three Silver Stars and six Bronze Stars for Valor were awarded in this engagement. 10th Group then organized and led the Peshmerga against Saddam’s Army in the north. In a series of battles along the Green Line, the US-led Kurdish forces prevented Saddam’s divisions, to include thirteen armored divisions, from redeploying to Baghdad to contest the Allied invasion force coming from the south. The 10th Group teams assisted their Kurdish allies in recapturing and controlling the key cities of Mosul, Kirkut and Tikrit. 10th Special Forces soldiers are currently conducting operations and training missions in Europe, Africa, Iraq and Afghanistan. These soldiers continue the legacy of professionalism, honour, and elite capabilities that is the hallmark of the 10th Special Forces Group. “The course itself has been a natural progression for moving 10th Group forward. I believe that it is paramount that we continue to develop, expand and modernise our capabilities to operate in austere winter environments. Conducting ever-improving training in this spectrum will ensure that 10th SFG(A) remains the tip of the spear for winter warfighting capability,” said the WWD’s NCO in charge (NCOIC). “The Winter Warfare Detachment, our initial mission was to expand the expertise, knowledge and capability of cold weather training and operations within 10th Group.” To facilitate the end state, the WWD initiated the Winter Mobility Instructor Course, now known as the Cold Weather Instructor Course (CWTIC). This course is designed to validate instructors who become CWT trainers, planners and facilitators at the battalion level.
“THE CWTIC IS DESIGNED TO DEVELOP PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTORS FOR UNITS USING A STANDARDISED CERTIFYING COURSE,” SAID THE NCOIC. “THEY COME TO OUR COURSE TO BE VALIDATED AS COLD WEATHER TRAINING INSTRUCTORS AND RETURN TO THEIR UNITS AS CAPABLE INSTRUCTORS AND LEADERS FOR THEIR UNITS’ CWT EVENTS.” To increase 10th SFG(A)’s capabilities and further the arctic mission, the detachment implemented the WWC. Unlike the instructor course, the WWC is designed as a validation and training exercise for SFOD-As deploying to high north and arctic regions. It ensures that teams are operationally capable in these extreme cold weather environments, and are prepared for joint training exercises with their allies in the high north region. The success of the WWC emphasises the development, expansion and modernisation of 10th SFG(A)’s capabilities to operate in austere winter environments. In the harsh climate of the high north and arctic regions, the ability to shoot, move and communicate becomes even more challenging. The WWC prepares Green Berets and Paratroopers for these operations, and focuses on the critical tasks needed in order to succeed. “We need to maintain our expertise and our capability, and expand to ensure we are the best in operating in cold weather and high north regions, because that is our operational area. Our success depends on us having this expertise.”
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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
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International sales Contact: Doug Duggan Email: DDuggan@blueforcegear.com Phone: 1 (912) 225-1262
09/08/2019 14:00
PANOBRIDGE AND THE X-14 ARM THE PATENT PENDING PANOBRIDGE DUAL AN/PVS-14 NIGHT VISION MONOCULAR BRIDGE MOUNT AND THE PANOBINO, A LIGHTWEIGHT BINOCULAR HOUSING WHICH MAKES USE OF THE PATENT PENDING ADJUSTABLE FIELD OF VIEW - OTHERWISE KNOWN AS AFOV, HAVE RECENTLY BEEN ANNOUNCED BY CONGLOMERATE OF COMPANIES HEADED BY MICHIGAN BASED NOISEFIGHTERS. W W W.GEARUP-MAG.COM
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Noisefighters and its development partner Nightline, Inc, along with Gamut Resolutions, Kinetic Consulting, MK Machining, PRG Defense, Nitewalker and TNVC, recently announced the launch of the new patent pending PANOBRIDGE; a AN/PVS-14 night vision monocular and the PANOBINO, a lightweight binocular housing for the AN/PVS-14. The PANOBRIDGE™ dual AN/PVS-14 night vision monocular bridge mount includes two industry-changing features: a total weight of only 1.5 oz / 42 g — or approximately 70% less weight than one of most popular competing AN/PVS-14 bridge mounts — and a proprietary mechanism that permits users to selectively adjust the goggle’s field of view from 40 to approximately 75 degrees by laterally rotating (or “panning”) each individual monocular outward to create a split image, which is then automatically merged in the user’s brain to form one cohesive, super-wide, panoramic image.
ADJUSTABLE FIELD OF VIEW
By exploiting this new AFOV — or Adjustable Field of View — concept, the Panobridge eliminates the so-called tube effect experienced by night vision users and provides enhanced situational awareness. Whenever desired, the AFOV mechanism permits the tubes to be quickly pointed straight ahead, as currently provided with conventional binocular night vision goggles.
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With the innovative AFOV (Adjustable Field of View) mechanism and resulting wide-view image, the end-user can enjoy vastly improved situational awareness and the feeling like you’re not even looking through image intensifying tubes. Whether it’s driving a vehicle and seeing through nearly the entire windshield or clearing a building and not missing an unexpected visitor coming down the stairs in your periphery, the Noisefighters Panobridge will open up new possibilities for efficient and safe work at night, allowing the end-user to focus more on the task at hand and less on panning and scanning for threats or points of interest. “There are millions of AN/PVS-14 monoculars in use worldwide, and many organisations and individuals are currently trying to find a way to extend and improve the working life and utility of these rugged, dependable night vision devices, ” said Neal Brace, owner of Noisefighters and inventor of the device. “Multi-tube night vision goggles provide much higher levels of immersion and depth perception by sending information to both eyes. Instead of purchasing new binocular or quad-tube night vision goggles, however, Panobridge presents a compelling, extremely inexpensive upgrade path for unmodified AN/PVS-14 monoculars to not only create a capable and lightweight dual-tube goggle, but also bring panoramic night vision viewing capabilities to the masses for the first time.
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FURTHER FEATURES While this product is not intended to replace quad-tube goggles for those specialised units which require them, I believe Panobridge provides a much more compact alternative, with a competitively wide field of view, at a price point which is accessible to all night vision users.” “By utilising accessible AN/PVS-14 monoculars and requiring no extra hardware, the Panobridge allows organisations to continue the use of current night vision devices within a well-supplied and defined logistics network, eliminating the need for additional systems and training,” said Lee Collette, President of Nightline, Inc. “In addition, Nightline’s proprietary NL914C multi-battery housing further enhances the advantages of the Panobridge by creating a lighter weight, adjustable binocular with improved ergonomics, along with a wider, more natural field of view. At only 22.5 ounces or 638 grams assembled weight, with batteries included, this panoramic night vision system is a game-changing combination where two products come together to create an amazing synergy for the user.” During the development process, Noisefighters sought feedback from a plethora of experienced night vision users to ensure the Panobridge delivered an experience that matched or exceeded quad-tube goggle performance in four key areas: situational awareness, operational flexibility, overall weight and size, and price.
“WHAT NOISEFIGHTERS HAS MANAGED TO DO WITH THE PANOBRIDGE IS INCREDIBLE, THE FACT THAT I CAN STOW A LIGHTWEIGHT, COMPACT PANORAMIC NIGHT VISION GOGGLE IN MY CARGO POCKET IS GAME CHANGING. THE PANOBRIDGE PRESENTS THE FIRST WORTHWHILE ALTERNATIVE TO QUAD TUBE GOGGLES THAT I’VE FOUND. IT IS SIMPLE AND TOUGH, AND BY INTEGRATING STANDARD AN/PVS-14 MONOCULARS, IT ELIMINATES MANY LOGISTICAL HEADACHES.” - Ret. Master Sergeant Bob Keller, U.S. Army 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment – Delta (Delta Force).
The Noisefighters Panobridge also changes the game by introducing the ability to peer through the gap between laterally-rotated monoculars with an unaided eye to use a handheld thermal imager, or aim pistol sights, or view a scene using ambient light to better gauge distance, texture, color, or lighting. This is similar to the technique provided by using a single PVS-14 on a J-Arm, but it is now available for multi-tube use. In addition, both monoculars attached to the Noisefighters Panobridge may be individually swung upwards, out of the line of sight, without disturbing the adjacent device’s positioning. For extended periods when one eye must view scenes unaided by night vision or instead aided by a thermal vision system, this added articulation feature is crucial. This feature also allows the PVS-14’s to better hug the helmet when the entire assembly is folded back in the stowed position, leading to a more balanced center of gravity and a reduced possibility of impacting door frames or other objects above the head.
AS PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED, THE PANOBRIDGE ONLY WEIGHS 1.5 OZ, MAKING IT THE LIGHTEST BRIDGE MOUNT EVER OFFERED. THIS IS APPROXIMATELY 70% LESS THAN THE KVC® UNIVERSAL NIGHT VISION BRIDGE WITH OSS SHOE SETS INSTALLED, APPROXIMATELY 40% LESS THAN THE IC® DUAL PVS-14 LIGHT WEIGHT MOUNTING SYSTEM, AND ALMOST 1/2 OZ LESS THAN A SINGLE MILSPEC J-ARM. Noisefighters have optimised rigidity, strength, and durability while following the Marine Corps adage of, “Ounces equal pounds, and pounds equal pain.” With lightweight monoculars attached, like those with Nightline, Inc. NL914C Power Packs installed, it is possible to achieve panoramic night vision with a total weight of 22.5 oz with two CR-123A batteries installed. This is lighter than many binocular goggles that do not include panoramic viewing, including one configuration of the current USSOCOM-issued PVS-31A (approximately 24 oz with remote battery pack), and only 2-3 oz heavier than the popular ActInBlack® DTNVG (approximately 20.5 oz with battery) and even the newer ActInBlack® DTNVS (approximately 19.5 oz with battery). The choice to make use of a high performance Arkema® polymer produces a nearly indestructible bridge mount. The highly impact-resistant material chosen for the Noisefighters Panobridge should absorb shocks and bounce back into shape instead of fracturing when dropped, bent, or otherwise stressed. For extra peace of mind, we added fasteners made of only high-strength, corrosion-resistant stainless steel and anodised, aerospace grade aluminium. We also offer a super durable Cerakote® ceramic finish as an option for specific colour requirements.
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THE X14-ARM™ CONCURRENT WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PANOBRIDGE, NOISEFIGHTERS DEVELOPED A COMPLEMENTARY PRODUCT CALLED THE X14-ARM, WHICH IS A FEATHERWEIGHT, SINGLE AN/PVS-14 NIGHT VISION MONOCULAR MOUNTING ARM COMPATIBLE WITH DOVETAIL HELMET MOUNTS THAT TIPS THE SCALES AT ONLY 0.7 OZ / 20 G. The Noisefighters X14-Arm™ is a featherweight PVS-14 night vision monocular mounting arm produced with cutting edge manufacturing and material technologies. The X14-Arm weighs 0.7 oz / 20 g total, or over 63% less than a mil-spec J-Arm. Just attach a monocular, snap the complete assembly into an industry-standard dovetail helmet mount, and enjoy.
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The choice of a high performance polymer from Arkema® produces a nearly indestructible monocular mount. The highly impact-resistant material chosen for the X14-Arm should absorb shocks and bounce back into shape instead of fracturing when dropped, bent, or otherwise stressed. For extra peace of mind, we added fasteners made of anodised, aerospace grade aluminium. An intuitive, friction-based mechanism allows users to swing the PVS-14 monocular in front of either the left or right eye and perfectly adjust for inter-pupillary distance. The mechanism is pretensioned at the factory and should never need to be adjusted, but a simple hex key wrench may be used for adjustment as necessary.
“AFTER GETTING POSITIVE FEEDBACK FROM THOSE WHO EVALUATED THE PANOBRIDGE, I RECOGNISED THAT INDIVIDUALS WHO USE A SINGLE PVS-14 WOULD LIKELY BENEFIT FROM THE KNOWLEDGE THAT WE GAINED DURING THE PANOBRIDGE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS,” SAID MR. BRACE. “THE X14-ARM MIGHT JUST BE THE LIGHTEST NIGHT VISION MOUNTING ARM EVER RELEASED AT ONLY 0.7 OUNCES, YET IT IS VERY STIFF FOR ITS WEIGHT DUE TO THE DESIGN, USE OF ADVANCED POLYMERS, AND RELIANCE ON SPECIALISED MANUFACTURING PROCESSES. IF YOU ONLY WANT TO USE ONE MONOCULAR, THE X14-ARM IS THE IDEAL MOUNTING SOLUTION.” Production of the polymer components for both the Panobridge and X14-Arm is being conducted by MK Machining, based in Hallsville, Missouri. MK Machining offers some of the most advanced additive manufacturing capabilities in the United States, with extensive experience from prototypes to production runs. In addition to their well-known throw levers and other additive-manufactured rifle accessories, MK Machining’s MK2 Bullpup Chassis radically transforms Remington 700 footprint rifles into a very compact precision rig with a surprisingly crisp trigger via an innovative linkage system.
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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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Born on the battlefield, DRIFIRE have been developing and manufacturing high-quality military uniforms since the early 90s, with a passion to protect those who serve. Based in the United States, DRIFIRE products are designed to withstand, protect and perform under the amount of pressure and stress that members of the military or law enforcement face from the base to the battlefield. DRIFIRE can owe a lot of their success to a meeting with the United States Marines Corp following the deaths of two Marines in which their polyester undergarments melted onto their skin. Following the United States Marines Corp approaching DRIFIRE, they began work on a high-performance, moisture wicking fabric with flame resistant capabilities to serve those working in brutal desert climates.
by identifying a set of desired fibre, blend and fabric qualities. They then develop solutions using a wealth of chemical knowledge about both natural and man-made substances.
Since then, DRIFIRE has continued to engineer inherently flame resistant military undergarments that provide potentially life-saving layers of protection to the individuals who need it the most. This has led to DRIFIRE becoming an expert in fire resistant equipment, with the technology used in DRIFIRE FR base layers providing a permanent, no-melt, no-drip, flame resistant protection, combined with antimicrobial properties for odour control and advanced wicking technology used by top athletic brands for comfortable moisture management.
DRIFIRE are ambitious. In that ambition, they have looked to create fire-resistant products for every part of the human body, including balaclavas and, the focus of this article – gloves. DRIFIRE’s collection of gloves is broken into three different products, the Fortrex FR Flyers Glove, the Fortrex FR Contact Glove and the Fortrex FR Liner Glove. The Foretrex FR Flyers Glove is a modern adaptation of the age-old Flight Glove, used by the United States Air Force and Royal Air Force amongst other military organisations. Made from DRIFIRE’s FORTREX High Performance FR knit fabric, the Flyers Glove incorporates a leather palm for protective purposes combined with their own FORTREX FR fabric.
DRIFIRE’s patented fibre blend represents a new era in functional fabric design. For centuries, clothing form, fit and function were defined by the known and limited natural attributes of commodity substances like cotton, wool and leather, to name a few. In the early to mid-20th century, an array of lab experiments and some fortuitous engineering discoveries produced the first man-made materials. To a great extent, uses for these materials were determined after the often-serendipitous arrival of the new substance. In the 21st century, this process has been inverted. Today, fabric engineers, technologists and lab scientists begin their research
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Following over 20 years of co-operation, DRIFIRE recently merged with its partner company, Optimer Performance Fibers to create Optimer Brands. Since this merger, DRIFIRE have continued to innovate, broadening its high-performance product range to include combat garments for the military as well as high-visibility apparel for commercial markets, and has established itself as the leader in comfortable FR protection.
DRIFIRE FORTREX FR GLOVES
In regard to design features, for a flight-styled glove, the Flyers Glove are impressive. The cut of the glove itself has been designed to reduce bulk under the wrist and allow for a more natural hand position. Furthermore, the main touch areas and weapon manipulation surfaces have been reinforced with leather for improved wear and tear. The fingertips of the Flyers Glove have also been treated to the 21st Century touch with the inclusion of touch screen compatible fingertips.
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The DRIFIRE Foretrex FR Flyers Glove are manufactured from two main components – DRIFIRE’s proprietary FORTREX High Performance FR knit fabric and FR leathers which meet a range of different compliancy codes such as FQ/PD4672-16-01A and AATCC 76.
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To ensure for maximum comfort, DRIFIRE have approached the Flyers Glove from the ground up, making use of a Forward pre-curved pattern in the design process to reduce bulk under the wrist and to allow for a more naturally ergonomic hand position.
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With all things 21st Century, DRIFIRE have ensured the Flyers Glove are touch screen compatible. This has been achieved through the use of touch-screen compatible FR leathers, all of which have been tested for use.
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DRIFIRE have included a range of small design features which really show the attention to detail shown. These include features such as a pen slot in the crotch of the thumb area to allow for hands-free retention of writing instruments.
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To ensure the Flyers Glove is available to everyone, DRIFIRE offer two variants of the glove. The first is that of an original ‘flight glove’, including the longer wrist section, while the second is a shorter combat variant for those who may wish to use the Flyers Glove in a combat situation.
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CONTACT INFORMATION You can inquire about Drifire’s range of products through the following lines of contact. UNITED STATES ■ Contact Number: 800.553.0672
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THE AGILITE MODULAR ASSAULT PACK III OR “AMAP III” IS THE MOST VERSATILE AND UNIVERSAL MILITARY ASSAULT PACK ON THE MARKET. DESIGNED, BATTLE-TESTED AND PROVEN IN ISRAEL AND BEHIND ENEMY LINES WITH THE IDF’S MOST ELITE UNITS. IT HAS NUMEROUS UNIQUE FEATURES AND CAPABILITIES THAT NO OTHER ASSAULTER PACK HAS.
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DECADES OF EXPERIENCE IN ISRAELI COMBAT HAS DISPLAYED THE NEED TO BE ABLE TO CARRY A DECENT LOAD IN A PLATFORM THAT IS NOT CUMBERSOME, IS JOGGLE-FREE AND THAT MAINTAINS A LOW PROFILE DURING CQB, ROTARY AND VEHICLE BASED OPS. The AMAP3 is an Assault/EDC Crossover pack that goes from super low-profile for short raids (4 Liters), to allow for the carriage of considerable loads for longer missions or changes mid-mission. Countless times short raids have turned into several day ops without warning. The ability to carry additional gear comfortably and instantly without bulky extra backpacks is critical. The AMAP III pushes versatility and universality to new levels. It works with placards helmets , MOLLE pouches, velcro pouches hydration radios & antennas laptops , armour, sleeping bags and sniper mats. It attaches directly on to Agilite plate carriers and other plate carriers (via a conversion kit). It functions as an independent assault pack, as well as a crossover EDC pack. It’s as comfortable on the battlefield as it is for weekend travel.
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The new, clamshell opening and military-grade, fully loop interior allows you to add countless velcro-backed pouches, in whatever configuration best suits your MOS or EDC needs and can change constantly and limitlessly as your missions do. Additional features include a new re-worked beavertail design that allows you to carry helmets, clothing and other items . Multi-directional attachment capabilities for sniper mats and additional gear such as comms or hydration. Furthermore the AMAP III features antenna exit ports and stows, CCW draw capability, triple-density fusion foam comfort padding, detachable shoulder straps, reinforced laser cut MOLLE and placard attachment capabilities. It also has secure admin space for small, easy-to-lose items. Part of the secret to the AMAP III’s inordinate comfort and versatility is that this system has been refined and perfected via constant feedback from intense, daily real-world Israeli missions over so many years. The 3rd generation of AMAP, every feature on this pack is based on accumulated experience, there are no shortcuts.
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The AMAP3 has an optional EDC insert kit consisting of a smart padded laptop sleeve and Admin Panel. This allows you to run your AMAP III downrange and then, in seconds, switch up to a completely different configuration when going on leave or for weekend travel. The AMAP III operates as a premium assault pack with the fusion foam shoulder straps that now come as standard, but in addition, It’s the first Agilite Assault pack that can attach not only directly to Agilite plate carriers, but also to any plate carrier with MOLLE by way of an attach kit. There’s no threading MOLLE or other timely and clumsy attachment methods needed. Attaching your AMAP III to your plate carrier means that your entire gear and survival sustainment system is one grab away. whether you need to catch the HELO or when facing a bad guy, you have you have everything in one grab, reducing your response time. It also means that in a gunfight you don’t have shoulder pads on shoulder pads, all moving independently and unnecessarily bulking up your shoulders and stock weld.
THE AMAP III IS LIGHTWEIGHT AND YET BUILT WITH THE FINEST MIL SPEC MATERIALS. IT’S BUILT TO SURVIVE OVER A DECADE OF NON-STOP USE IN EXTREMELY AGGRESSIVE MILITARY ENVIRONMENTS. IT HAS TRAVELLED MANY MILES AND HAS CROSSED BORDERS INTO SOME OF THE WORLD’S MOST DANGEROUS PLACES, IN ORDER TO BRING YOU THE MOST INTELLIGENT AND VERSATILE ASSAULT PACK ON EARTH.
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COVERT BOOT
BLACK / BROWN / TITANIUM / SRP: £49.95
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FAST ROPE MITT The Fast Rope Mitt (FRM) is designed to be a minimalist, lightweight glove that can easily be transported on the Professional User and available for Fast Rope Insertion. The FRM can be used with or without the FirstSpear – Operator Glove (OG) and is constructed using the best in abrasion resistant and heat mitigating fiber materials. In 2010, 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’s cut and assembled to fold flat for transport in a typical Uniform Pocket; the FRM is low bulk and supports Short, Medium or Extended Fast Rope Insertions up to 90 Feet (27.4 Meters). Additionally, the FRM has an advanced two finger pattern that allows the User to rapidly expose his trigger finger to engage a firearm, this method is far faster than actually taking off a glove during extreme situations, the FRM can be pulled partially off and retained around the wrist by the second elastic strap across the back until time has become available to secure in through the reinforced retention loop at the cuff. This glove is 100% Berry Compliant featuring all American “roper” cow leather and ultra-high performance Kovenex providing greatly enhanced cut, tear, and thermal resistance for Fast Rope Insertions. It’s ultra soft on the hand and double layered in key points with a firmer grain and texture on the exterior of the palm. Reinforced button holes allow for quick and easy carabiner or snap hook attachment.
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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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GEAR
UP
DON' T MISS OUT! REGISTER TODAY FOR YOUR FREE MONTHLY COPY OF GEAR UP AT... GEARUP-MAG.COM/REGISTER
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FAST AND FILTHY PHOTO BY AI
THE WORLD’S BEST SELLING AIRSOFT MAGAZINE
TWO FOUR NINE THE SA-249 PARA CORE
FULL SUPPORT: STEP OUT OF THE SAFEZONE WITH THE SPECNA ARMS SA-249 AND SHOW THE ENEMY YOU MEAN BUSINESS! PAGE 31
CLOSE QUARTERS WE TRIM THE FAT AND GEAR UP IN SOME FAST AND LIGHTWEIGHT ASSAULTER KIT ROLL OUT ON PAGE 40
HEAVY DUTY THROAT MICROPHONE TALKING HEADSETS BRING A NEW BREED OF THROAT MICROPHONE TO THE TABLE TUNE IN ON PAGE 27
ON BUDGET BUMP HELMETS
SPECNA ARMS: HONESTLY, WE MAY HAVE JUST FOUND ONE OF THE BEST AK VARIANTS TO DATE! PAGE 54
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PROTECTION: WITH SO MANY TO CHOOSE FROM OUT THERE WHICH IS THE BEST? PAGE 68
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ADAPTIVE TACTICAL INFUSES EVERY PRODUCT WITH OVER 40 YEARS OF FIREARM DESIGN AND POLYMER ENGINEERING EXPERTISE. WITH A PASSION FOR STRETCHING THE BOUNDARIES OF FIREARM INNOVATION, ADAPTIVE TACTICAL IS DRIVEN TO OFFER PRODUCTS FOCUSED ON IMPROVING SPEED, PERFORMANCE, AND VERSATILITY.
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EX PERFORMANCE ADJUSTABLE STOCK
ADAPTIVE TACTICAL’S PASSION FOR DESIGN AND INNOVATION IS BALANCED WITH AN UNRELENTING COMMITMENT TO QUALITY PRODUCT, UNCOMPROMISING SAFETY, AND UNMATCHED CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. Our pledge to our customers is to provide products that not only meet the intended purpose, but perform beyond expectation. We stand behind every Adaptive Tactical product and guarantee your satisfaction with the quality of workmanship and materials.
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With its advanced design and high-impact, polymer construction, the EX Performance Adjustable Stock is the ideal upgrade. The stock is engineered for compatibility with MILSPEC buffer tubes, so it works on a variety of AR rifles, shotguns, and rimfire platforms. The oversized pin, durable construction, and extremely comfortable recoil pad make it an ideal option for customers building larger caliber rifles such as .308, .458 SOCOM, and even .50 cal. Designed for owner installation, the quality of its sleek industrial design and construction is evident in the details of this great product. “Our EX Performance Adjustable Stock is a highly successful stock, in fact, our number one selling item, but we wore out the mold with the increased demand in 2020. With the number of units we produced, we were forced to cease production and rebuild the mold,” commented Gary Cauble, vice president of sales and marketing at Adaptive Tactical. “During the revamp of the mold, we decided to streamline the appearance of the stock to better match a wider variety of modern rifle receivers and consumer preferences. By doing so, we have not only been able to update the look of the product, but we have improved the mold to increase our production capacity to meet growing customer demand.”
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The EX Performance Adjustable Stock was engineered with a component level focus on long-term durability and performance. The finished product is a collection of USA manufactured parts that merge to create an incredible stock. This M4-style stock features an easy-to-reach rapid adjust lever for a custom, adjustable length-of-pull. It incorporates an oversized steel extra strength adjustment pin to handle the power and energy generated by the heaviest calibers. An extra thick hexagonal non-slip vented rubber recoil pad absorbs the relentless and pounding recoil of the nastiest rifle rounds, reducing felt recoil and shooting fatigue. A pair of adjustable lever pin covers eliminate the discomfort often associated with removing adjustable rear stocks, while the integrated non-rust sling swivel stud and QD sling swivel insert make for quick and versatile sling mounting options. Glass filled nylon construction guarantees years of reliability for all seasons and conditions. Available in Black, Flat Dark Earth (FDE), and Orange Less Lethal, the EX Performance Adjustable Stock weighs in at 12 oz. with recoil pad (8 oz. without pad)
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BELGIUM-BASED DESIGNER AND MANUFACTURER OF SMALL CALIBER WEAPONS, ASSOCIATED WEAPON SYSTEMS AND AMMUNITION FN HERSTAL HAS ANNOUNCED EARLIER TODAY THE ENTRY OF A BRAND-NEW MACHINE GUN WITH UNIQUE FEATURES, THE FN EVOLYS. WITH THIS NEW ADDITION TO FN HERSTAL’S PRODUCT PORTFOLIO, THE COMPANY DEFINITELY INTENDS TO WRITE A NEW CHAPTER IN THE HISTORY OF MACHINE GUNS.
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FN HERSTAL HAS RECENTLY UNVEILED TO THE DEFENSE AND SECURITY MARKETS A COMPLETELY NEW MACHINE GUN – THE FN EVOLYS – DURING A GLOBAL DIGITAL PRODUCT LAUNCH EVENT. IT IS WITH A GREAT SATISFACTION AND PRIDE THAT THE COMPANY SUCCEEDED IN COMBINING ITS UNIVERSALLY RECOGNIZED EXPERTISE IN THE FIELD OF MACHINE GUN DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT AND MANUFACTURE; ITS INNOVATIVE SPIRIT AND CURRENT UNMET MARKET REQUIREMENTS TO BRING LIFE TO A NEW MACHINE GUN. THE FN EVOLYS FEATURES AN INCREDIBLY INNOVATIVE AND OPEN ARCHITECTURE TOGETHER WITH UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS. The FN EVOLYS is a radically different, ultralight weapon that combines the firing capabilities of a belt-fed machine gun with ergonomics and balance similar to an assault rifle. This is exactly what is needed and expected by users for current and future operations.
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The FN EVOLYS, with a weight between 5.5 and 6.2 kilos depending on the caliber, is much lighter than current reference machine guns. This reduced weight enables the user to move across difficult terrain quickly and to engage with a high volume of fire when needed with no difficulty. Its reduced weight and excellent balance also mean that the weapon can be fired from any position. Transitioning from one firing position to another is made easy by the design of the sling attachment interface. The FN EVOLYS ultralight machine gun fires like a machine gun, and handles like an assault rifle. The ambidextrous fire selector has a semi-auto position to engage point targets as with a rifle while the full auto position allows suppressive fire as with a machine gun. The buttstock is adjustable in length and height. Whatever size, or equipment you are wearing, users will find a comfortable shooting position. The latest-generation materials and technologies used on the FN EVOLYS, combined with FN Herstal’s long- standing expertise and innovative spirit, ensure that the reduction of weight has not compromised the vital factors of reliability, user safety and long life of parts. The hydraulic buffer gives a steady rate of fire and reduces recoil. The FN EVOLYS was designed from the start to fire intensively with a sound suppressor and therefore showed no reduction in performance when fitted with a suppressor, no excessive fouling, and no debris projected towards the user, even for left-handers.
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■ The one-piece long top rail enables mounting a combination of various in-line optical sights such as day and night sights together, or magnifiers for instance, without removing the iron sights. ■ Easy, instinctive and fast access to all controls by left or right-handed shooters for improved handling in the field ■ All actions can be done with just one hand, including engaging the belt. ■ Cartridges are automatically repositioned when the feed cover is closed if the belt is not correctly placed on the feed tray. This avoids a failure to feed the first round, which is a great reassurance for the user. ■ The last link is automatically ejected, clearing the way for a faster and more reliable reload.
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PRODUCT
KLIK BELTS AND BLACK COLLAR ARMS ARE TWO AMERICAN COMPANIES WITH A KNACK FOR CREATING BRILLIANT PRODUCTS. SINGULARLY, THEY HAVE BOTH CREATED A RANGE OF EQUIPMENT THAT SERVE THEIR INDIVIDUAL MARKETPLACES TO THE HIGHEST REGARD. TOGETHER, THEY’VE FORMED TO CREATE THE KLIK SLING, A QUICK ADJUST MODULAR RIFLE SLING THAT INCORPORATES A RANGE OF BRILLIANT FEATURES. Based in Central Texas, Black Collar Arms are a firearms manufacturer who focus on bringing their clientele a range of innovative and functional firearms products to market at a fair price. While Black Collar Arms like to have some fun with their product range; many products carrying morale patch’esque names, they do take their products seriously, paying close attention to quality and functionality.
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Based in Austin, Texas, Klik Belts was founded in 2014 by a group of people who wanted more out of a simple object we all use every day; a tool that plays an indispensable role in all of our lives. As a creative collective, we’ve made a belt that is not only aesthetically empowering, but combines strength with form and function while also being unisex. At Klik Belts, we knew it was time to reinvent the belt, and to make this ordinary, everyday object into something extraordinary.
KLIK SLING A Klik Belts and Black Collar Arms collaboration; the Klik Sling is a quick-adjust, modular rifle sling that employs genuine AustriAlpin COBRA™ quick release buckles and interchangeable Tails. Attach Klik Sling Tails to nearly any rifle or shotgun, then quickly move the Klik Sling Body from gun to gun. With rapid, one-handed length adjustment and a padded mil-spec nylon webbing strap, the strong-yet-lightweight Klik Sling is ideal for tactical, hunting, and recreational use and adjusts to nearly any firearm. Klik Sling Bodies and Tails are sold a la carte, allowing for different front and rear attachment types to fit every firearm. Lots of guns in the safe? Install a front and rear Tail on each gun and then quickly and easily move the Klik Sling Body between them.
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SPECIFICATIONS
FEATURES
■ Minimum Length: 40 inches ■ Maximum Length: 67 inches ■ Padded Strap Length: 23 inches ■ Quick-Adjust Range: +/- 7.75 inches ■ Body Material: 1.75-inch width, mil-spec nylon webbing with perforated body-side padding and 1.0-inch nylon webbing adjustable sections. Zytel adjustment sliders, aluminum COBRA™ buckles. ■ Tails Material: COBRA™ buckle, 1-inch nylon webbing, U.S.-made firearm attachment hardware ■ Made in the USA
■ AustriAlpin COBRA™ quick release buckles front and rear ■ Padded, mil-spec nylon webbing strap available in multiple colours ■ Webbing pull loop for quick, one-handed length adjustment ■ Additional front and rear length adjustment sections with elastic tail tamers integrated into sling Body ■ Tails available in QD, Sling Swivel, HK Hook, and Universal Strap attachment styles ■ Quick-release Tails to move sling Body from gun to gun or to easily sling or unsling firearm from your body. Also provides for quick release of sling should firearm or sling become caught on an object.
THE COBRA™ QUICK RELEASE BUCKLES ALLOW THE USER TO EASILY SLING OR UNSLING THE FIREARM FROM THEIR BODY SHOULD THEIR GEAR OR HEADWEAR MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO LIFT THE SLING OVER THEIR HEAD. A FIRM PINCH TO THE COBRA™ TABS ALSO PROVIDES FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF THE KLIK SLING SHOULD THE FIREARM OR SLING BECOME CAUGHT ON AN OBJECT.
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UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES
RESEARCH NEW FUTURE WARFIGHTER TECHNOLOGY IMAGINE FUTURE AMERICAN WARFIGHTERS IN THE MIDST OF A MISSION LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGY TO MAINTAIN A NEW LEVEL OF SITUATIONAL AWARENESS. THIS MAY BE POSSIBLE THANKS TO A NEW SUITE OF SOFTWARE TOOLS THAT TAP INTO WHAT A SOLDIER OR SAILOR SEES AND FEELS. U.S. Army researchers developed a suite of tools under a decade-long research program that focused on how brain function and eye tracking can be used to predict situational awareness. Researchers developed software to exploit gaze and physiological data and provide real-time estimates of human situational awareness using a systematic collection of measurements via what they call the lab streaming layer, or LSL. This data collection ecosystem addresses analytic difficulties when combining information from different types of sensors. It also offers the capability of synchronizing physiological data from a suite of sensors that monitor eye tracking, breathing patterns and other physiological responses during experiments designed to mimic realistic mission events. Researchers use the software to quantify, predict and enhance squad-level shared situational awareness with Tactical Awareness via Collective Knowledge, or TACK.
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UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES
RESEARCH NEW FUTURE WARFIGHTER TECHNOLOGY “WE CAN KNOW EXACTLY WHEN AND WHAT SOMEONE LOOKED AT WHEN WE USE TACK SOFTWARE TOOLS AND THE PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES HAPPENING CONCURRENTLY INCLUDING WHAT THEIR PUPIL SIZE WAS, AS WELL AS HEART, BRAIN AND MANY OTHER SENSORS,” SAID DR. RUSSELL COHEN HOFFING, A RESEARCH SCIENTIST SUPPORTING TACK WHO WORKS AT THE U.S. ARMY COMBAT CAPABILITIES DEVELOPMENT COMMAND, KNOWN AS DEVCOM, ARMY RESEARCH LABORATORY’S WESTERN REGIONAL SITE IN CALIFORNIA. Cohen Hoffing said he extensively relies on TACK tools and LSL to do data collection and analysis. He’s bringing together DEVCOM ARL colleagues with researchers from the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory and the Naval Research Laboratory to find synergy and collaborate on experiments for multi-domain operations.
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A new suite of software tools enables Army research and technology development using Soldier-borne technologies to assess Soldier performance and improve human-autonomy teaming. “The ability to integrate USAARL’s realistic helicopter pilot simulations with TACK’s dismounted environment, which can incorporate multiple humans in virtual or augmented reality scenarios alongside intelligent agents, is currently not possible but would be necessary to do virtual experimentation around a multi-domain Army-relevant scenario,” Cohen Hoffing said. “We could simulate helicopter pilots dropping off dismounted team.” Researchers developed LSL as part of the lab’s Cognition & Neuroergonomics Collaborative Technology Alliance, which is the Army’s flagship basic science research and technology transition program in the neurosciences. It’s a multi-aspect data acquisition and synchronization software backbone that has been adopted by an industry partner, Neurobehavioral Systems, Inc., for integration into their commercial stimulus presentation tool.
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LSL has also become a key integration and synchronization technology for a number of laboratory projects, including large-scale research efforts supported by Army-wide programs designed to address expected challenges within multi-domain operations. A growing number of academic labs around the world use LSL to create a unified ecosystem for human sensing, Cohen Hoffing said. Dr. Jonathan Touryan, Army researcher and collaborative alliance manager of this decade-long research team, now leads TACK, which aims to improve warfighters situational awareness in teaming contexts that involve both Soldiers and intelligent agents like autonomous aerial and robotic systems. “Obtaining and maintaining situational awareness in complex, dynamic environments is a critical component to ensuring force protection and mission success,” Touryan said. “Maintaining situational awareness is everyone’s responsibility.” Army and Navy researchers are focusing efforts to determine what to do with the data once it’s been collected from the sensors. “Without meaningful analysis of pupil size, for example, it is just a number of millimeters at any given time point,” Cohen Hoffing said. Researchers at USAARL and NRL are beginning to integrate LSL into their research pipeline because it offers an easy method to synchronize sensors in a standardized format that is shareable, he said. Researchers at DEVCOM ARL used physiological sensors like electroencephalograms, or EEG, to detect electrical activity in brains to build a human-interest detector. They also plan to create a way to estimate other states relevant to situational awareness like cognitive load and exploration or exploitation. “This new research efficiency will allow laboratories to move away from previous efforts spent on making custom software to synchronize other sensors,” Cohen Hoffing said. “Relying on LSL will allow them to focus on run experiments which aim to understand and interpret the sensor data and infer human states.” DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory is an element of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command. As the Army’s corporate research laboratory, ARL is operationalizing science to achieve transformational overmatch. Through collaboration across the command’s core technical competencies, DEVCOM leads in the discovery, development and delivery of the technology-based capabilities required to make Soldiers more successful at winning the nation’s wars and come home safely. DEVCOM is a major subordinate command of the Army Futures Command.
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FAST AND FILTHY PHOTO BY AI
THE WORLD’S BEST SELLING AIRSOFT MAGAZINE
TWO FOUR NINE THE SA-249 PARA CORE
FULL SUPPORT: STEP OUT OF THE SAFEZONE WITH THE SPECNA ARMS SA-249 AND SHOW THE ENEMY YOU MEAN BUSINESS! PAGE 31
CLOSE QUARTERS WE TRIM THE FAT AND GEAR UP IN SOME FAST AND LIGHTWEIGHT ASSAULTER KIT ROLL OUT ON PAGE 40
HEAVY DUTY THROAT MICROPHONE TALKING HEADSETS BRING A NEW BREED OF THROAT MICROPHONE TO THE TABLE TUNE IN ON PAGE 27
ON BUDGET BUMP HELMETS
SPECNA ARMS: HONESTLY, WE MAY HAVE JUST FOUND ONE OF THE BEST AK VARIANTS TO DATE! PAGE 54
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PROTECTION: WITH SO MANY TO CHOOSE FROM OUT THERE WHICH IS THE BEST? PAGE 68
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TEXTRON SYSTEMS CORPORATION, A TEXTRON INC. (NYSE: TXT) COMPANY, ANNOUNCED THE UNVEILING OF COTTONMOUTH, A VEHICLE PURPOSE-BUILT FOR THE U.S. MARINE CORPS’ ADVANCED RECONNAISSANCE VEHICLE (ARV) PROGRAM. COTTONMOUTH IS A NEXT-GENERATION NAVAL SENSOR NODE AS AN AMPHIBIOUS SCOUT VEHICLE THAT OFFERS CUTTING-EDGE SENSOR TECHNOLOGY. Textron Systems. Part of Textron Inc.’s family of powerful brands including Cessna, Beechcraft, Bell and E-Z-GO, are best known for innovative defence, government and aerospace technologies and services. But their business is all about people – the customers who rely on them and the exceptional team that brings their mission to life. Textron Systems have been in the industry for more than 50 years and embraced the unique capabilities that come with being a mid-sized player. They bring the agility of a small business to meet their customers’ most urgent requirements and empower their team members to push past possible. Textron Systems can scale quickly to solve the big problems, working across functions, sites and business lines to make it happen.
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COTTONMOUTH ARV Purpose-built for the United States Marine Corps Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV) program, the new Cottonmouth ARV is a recon vehicle to be feared. A force-multiplier armed to the fangs with advanced full-spectrum reconnaissance and surveillance sensors, it’s expertly designed to defeat threats beyond line of sight and comes complete with cutting-edge technologies that will keep adversaries up at night. Amphibious mobility, unrivaled versatility and electronic warfare capabilities define a vehicle that is adaptable, stealthy and thrives wherever enemies hide. Leveraging Textron Systems’ history and range of specialty military vehicle experience, Cottonmouth delivers advanced manoeuvrability and a synergised sensor system to enhance reconnaissance operations. Cottonmouth has a 6×6 compact build that allows four vehicles to fit on a single Ship to Shore Connector, or SSC, enhancing the Marine Corps’ ability to support Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations. Textron Systems’ vehicle is equipped with multi-spectrum sensors, providing seamless communication between the Navy and Marine Corps to employ unmanned systems and joint-warfighting weapons systems. This provides the next-generation decision dominance needed to defeat threats beyond line of sight. Among the integrated sensors is teammate Elbit Systems of
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America’s IronVision™, which uses “see-through” technology to provide the vehicle with advanced visibility and 360 deg situational awareness. “We listened to the customer and have invested in developing and producing Cottonmouth as a purpose-built vehicle to give the U.S. Marine Corps the amphibious mobility they need for quarterbacking the future fight,” said Senior Vice President David Phil lips of Textron Systems.
“ALONG WITH TEXTRON SYSTEMS’ EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE DESIGNING, PRODUCING, FIELDING AND SUPPORTING HIGH-PERFORMANCE ARMORED VEHICLES, OUR COTTONMOUTH OFFERS THE MARINE CORPS A LOW-RISK, MISSION-ORIENTED SOLUTION. IT IS REPRESENTATIVE OF A REVOLUTIONARY, NOT EVOLUTIONARY, SYSTEM” TEXTRON SYSTEMS’ COTTONMOUTH BEGAN USMC REQUIREMENTS VALIDATION TESTING AT THE NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE TEST CENTER IN FEBRUARY 2021. THIS TESTING CONTINUES IN Q2 WITH A VALIDATION OF THE AMPHIBIOUS CAPABILITIES.
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SENSOR SOLUTIONS PROVIDER HENSOLDT HAS RECEIVED AN ORDER FROM KRAUSS-MAFFEI WEGMANN (KMW) WORTH NEARLY 75 MILLION EUROS TO EQUIP THE ROYAL NETHERLANDS ARMY’S “FENNEK” ARMOURED RECONNAISSANCE VEHICLES WITH VISUAL SYSTEMS. THE SCOPE OF THE ORDER INCLUDES 188 BAA II NL OBSERVATION AND RECONNAISSANCE SYSTEMS AS WELL AS A NUMBER OF SPARE PARTS. HENSOLDT helps to avert threats to armed forces and society and to protect our customers from them. We are a German champion in the defence industry with a leading market position in Europe and a global reach. Our companies’ success is based on the work of our highly skilled employees that are fascinated by high-end technology and driven by the desire to meet evolving customer needs. In line with the tradition of our predecessors, we translate technological innovations into smart electronic solutions, which support defence and security organisations in their mission to make the world a safer place.
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“Our optronic solutions combine sensors from different technologies to provide armoured vehicle crews with an excellent situational awareness,” said Andreas Hülle, CEO of HENSOLDT Optronics. “In the field, this capability is essential to fulfil the mission and ensure the protection of the crews.”
BAA II NL Reconnaissance, observation, engagement: the BAA II is the next generation mission-approved observation and reconnaissance system of German army recon troops. The sensorhead, which can also be operated dismounted from the vehicle on a tripod, combines five high performance sensors: a 3rd generation thermal imager, a high-resolution CCD camera, a laser rangefinder, a laser target illuminator / pointer and a clip-on laser target designator. The system can be easily integrated into an existing information and command system, and can be expanded at any time thanks to its modular design. An automatic motion detection supports the user even on longer missions. The image fusion function combines the data from the thermal imager and the CCD camera to provide a fused image. The BAA II NL is the logical further development of the BAA II JFST, which is already in use in the Joint Fire Support Team (JFST) of the German Armed Forces. The external dimensions have remained the same and the use and menu navigation have also been left unchanged in order to keep the training effort for the crew as low as possible. The scope of the contract also includes adjustments to the YellowKite camera, which will be optimised to become a day-vision/near-infrared (NIR) camera with colour vision and will receive a near-infrared cut filter. In addition, HENSOLDT provides a digital outlet.
HENSOLDT WILL DELIVER THE OBSERVATION AND RECONNAISSANCE SYSTEMS TO KRAUSS-MAFFEI WEGMANN (KMW), WHICH WILL HANDLE THE INTEGRATION OF THE BAA II NL AND ITS COMMAND AND CONTROL SYSTEM INTO THE FENNEK RECONNAISSANCE VEHICLES. DELIVERIES TO KMW WILL BEGIN IN AUTUMN 2022 WITH THE QUALIFICATION SYSTEMS. SERIES DELIVERY WILL START IN 2023 AND IS SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED BY 2027.
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ULTIMA JACKET BLACK / DARK COYOTE / GREEN / SRP: £89.95
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AN ALL NEW MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY STOPS TRAUMATIC BLEEDING WITHOUT REQUIRING WOUND COMPRESSION FOR SOLDIERS ON THE BATTLEFIELD. HAEMORRHAGING IS A LEADING CAUSE OF PREVENTABLE DEATH FOR SOLDIERS IN COMBAT.
The Defense Health Agency supported the research and development of this device as a part of an SBIR contract, with technical oversight provided by the Army Research Laboratory, an element of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, known as DEVCOM. “This technology provides a new capability to stop bleeding under austere conditions,” said Dr. Robert Mantz, a chemistry branch chief with ARL at its Research Triangle Park location. “It’s encouraging to see the potential applications of breakthrough basic science research being put into the hands of Soldiers.”
The simplicity, potential for deployability and proposed affordability of this technology under development allows Soldiers to carry a life-saving solution in their pocket.
The research team identified that visco-liquid hemostatic agents could be an alternative treatment to compression. The liquid characteristic provides for deep penetration into a wound channel, and the immediate suppression of fluid loss.
Through a project funded by the Defense Health Agency Small Business Innovation Research, or SBIR, program, Hybrid Plastics, the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Vanderbilt University and Ichor Sciences developed StatBond, which treats uncontrolled bleeding from non-compressible areas of the body that include the groin, trunk, armpit, neck and internal organs. Currently, there is no battlefield treatment for such bleeding because these injuries are not responsive to the compression dressings currently carried by Soldiers and medics.
“The breakthrough nature of the device lies in the ability of the hemostatic gel to flow deeply into penetrating wounds, and immediately seal against fluid loss, thereby allowing the natural blood clotting cascade to happen against the surface of the gel,” said Dr. Joe Lichtenhan, vice president of Technology, Hybrid Plastics, a Mississippi-based nanotechnology company. “It is really remarkable this device works without compression. It offers the potential for Soldiers to self-treat or to provide non-medic buddy care.”
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The technology behind the development is based on proprietary silicon-like formulations developed by Hybrid Plastics. The Royal Society of Chemistry journal Dalton Transactions (2017) published preliminary findings of their research. In addition to treating traumatic bleeding injuries, StatBond can also be used to treat lung punctures, eye injuries, burn wounds and prevent infection. Bleeding may not be associated with these types of injuries, but they all commonly have a need to prevent fluid loss and maintain tissue viability. For these injuries, Statbond seals the damaged tissue against further fluid loss while retaining oxygen transport to the injury, which aids in tissue preservation and supports the natural healing process and tissue regeneration. Statbond is undergoing FDA registration and packaging development. For civilian use, it will be packaged in syringe form while warfighters are anticipated to be provided the device in the form of a durable pocket carry squeeze pack. In contrast to the basic research programs managed by ARO, this program focuses primarily on feasibility studies leading to prototype demonstration and productized testing for specific applications. The SBIR program funds research and technology development with small businesses using a three-phase process. With the success of Phase I and II, the Army awarded the research team a Phase III contract to the team to further mature the technology. As part of the award, the team will advance the device’s manufacturing readiness level to pilot line capability and the Department of Defense will conduct medical investigations on its performance and potential for deployability for treatment of battlefield polytrauma.
“WE ARE COMMITTED TO BRINGING ADVANCED MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY AND DEVICES TO THE WOUNDED WARFIGHTER,” LICHTENHAN SAID. “WE ANTICIPATE THE TECHNOLOGY WILL BECOME AVAILABLE FOR USE BY PHYSICIANS IN 2022 AND POTENTIALLY CARRIED BY SOLDIERS BY 2025.”
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US ARMY
FUNDED RESEARCH COULD ENABLE BIOTECHNOLOGY ADVANCES NEW ARMY-FUNDED SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY RESEARCH MANIPULATED MICRO-COMPARTMENTS IN CELLS, POTENTIALLY ENABLING BIO-MANUFACTURING ADVANCES FOR MEDICINE, PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AND ENGINEERING APPLICATIONS. Bad bacteria can survive in extremely hostile environments — including inside the highly acidic human stomach—thanks to their ability to sequester toxins into tiny compartments. In a new study, published in ACS Central Science, Northwestern University researchers controlled protein assembly and built these micro-compartments into different shapes and sizes, including long tubes and polyhedrons. Because this work illuminates how biological units, such as viruses and organelles, develop, it also could inform new ways to design medicine, synthetic cells and nano-reactors that are essential for nanotechnology.
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“These results are an exciting step forward in our ability to design complex protein-based compartments,” said Dr. Stephanie McElhinny, program manager at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, known as DEVCOM, Army Research Laboratory. “Being able to control the size and shape of these compartments could enable sophisticated bio-manufacturing schemes that are customized to support efficient production of complex molecules and multi-functional materials that could provide the future Army with enhanced uniforms, protective equipment and environmental sensors.” Further down the road, these insights potentially could lead to new antibiotics that target micro-compartments of pathogens while sparing good bacteria. “By carefully designing proteins to have specific mutations, we were able to control assembly of the proteins that form bacterial microcompartments,” said Dr. Monica Olvera de la Cruz, professor of materials science and engineering and chemistry at Northwestern who led the theoretical computation. “We used this also to predict other possible formations that have not yet been observed in nature.”
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Many cells use compartmentalization to ensure that various biochemical processes can occur simultaneously without interfering with one another. Made of proteins, these micro-compartments are a key to survival for a wide variety of bacterial species.
“BASED ON PREVIOUS OBSERVATIONS, WE HAVE KNOWN THAT THE GEOMETRY OF MICRO-COMPARTMENTS CAN BE ALTERED,” SAID DR. DANIELLE TULLMAN-ERCEK, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL ENGINEERING AT NORTHWESTERN WHO LED THE EXPERIMENTAL WORK. “BUT OUR WORK PROVIDES THE FIRST CLUES INTO HOW TO ALTER THEM TO ACHIEVE SPECIFIC SHAPES AND SIZES.” To study these crucial compartments, the Northwestern team turned to Salmonella enterica, which rely on micro-compartments to break down the waste products of good bacteria in the gut. When the researchers genetically manipulated a protein isolated from Salmonella, they noticed the micro-compartments formed long tubes. “We saw these weird, extended structures,” Tullman-Ercek said. “It looked like they used the varying building blocks to form different shapes with different properties.” By coupling the mechanical properties of the compartment with the chemicals inside the compartment, Olvera de la Cruz and her team used theoretical computation to predict how different mutations led to different shapes and sizes. When six-sided proteins assembled together, they formed long tubes. When five-sided proteins assembled together, they formed soccer ball-shaped icosahedrons. The team also predicted that proteins could assemble into a triangular samosa shape, resembling the fried, South Asian snack. Understanding this process could lead to bio-inspired building blocks for various engineering applications that require components of varying shapes and sizes.
“IT’S LIKE BUILDING WITH LEGOS,” TULLMAN-ERCEK SAID. “IT’S NOT DESIRABLE TO USE THE SAME SHAPE BLOCK OVER AND OVER AGAIN; WE NEED DIFFERENT SHAPES. LEARNING FROM BACTERIA CAN HELP US BUILD NEW AND BETTER STRUCTURES AT THIS MICROSCOPIC SCALE.” In addition to the U.S. Army, the Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation and the Sherman Fairchild Foundation supported this research.
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