Photo of the Month November 2011

Hellenic Army National Guard MG3s

ATN ThOR 2 thermal vision.

The ATN ThOR series of thermal imaging scopes are based upon a proven 320 x 240 microbolometer core, which is coupled with a high resolution OLED color or B&W Micro-display Assembly that provides exceptional resolution and clarity. To achieve superior accuracy and precision the ThOR scopes utilize a rear projected optical precision windage and elevation system that allows for 3/4” MOA (2X) and 1/2” MOA (3x) reticle adjustments. This is a significant improvement over systems that use digital windage and elevation. The ThORs are the only thermal weapon sights with ATN’s new proprietary feature – Two Color Manual Brightness control of the aiming reticle. This feature allows for a choice of color (red or amber) of the projected reticle depending on the operator’s preference and tactical situation. The ThOR line is built with either a 2x or 3x optical magnifications. This provides is increased resolution benefits over digital zoom models.

The ThOR is an ideal product for force protection, border patrol officers, police SWAT and special operations forces providing them the tools they need to be successful in all field conditions both day and night.

Uncooled thermal imaging cuts through dust, smoke, fog, haze, and other battlefield obscurants. Its use cannot be detected as it emits no visible light or RF energy and operates without the use of illuminators or IR lights.

Website

First F-35C launch from EMALS

Navy test pilot Lt. Chris Tabert takes off in F-35C test aircraft CF-3 Nov. 18, the first launch of the carrier variant of the Joint Strike Fighter from the Navy's new electromagnetic aircraft launch system, set to install on future USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78).

U.S. Army Soldiers Ambushed In Kunar Helmet Cam Footage

U.S. Army Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division, get Ambushed by Insurgents in Kunar Province, Afghanistan.

German laser weapon successfully takes down unmanned aircraft.

Rheinmetall’s 10kW laser weapon, seen here fitted to the turret of the company’s C-RAM air-defense system, shot down a UAV (see lower photo), while a less powerful model sank a rubber raft and detected IEDs in a recent exercise. (Image: Rheinmetall)

Having recently used a high-energy laser weapon to down an unmanned aircraft at a proving ground in Switzerland, Rheinmetall has demonstrated the operational potential of combining a powerful laser weapon with an advanced air defence system.

Having recently used a high-energy laser weapon to down an unmanned aircraft at a proving ground in Switzerland, Rheinmetall has demonstrated the operational potential of combining a powerful laser weapon with an advanced air defence system.

This event provides compelling proof of the Group’s 360° competence in relevant technologies ranging from military lasers and target recognition and identification to target tracking and fire control units – and its unrivaled ability to weld them into a single, forward-looking, fully functional full scale demonstrator.

At a live fire laser demo at the Group’s Ochsenboden proving ground, international guests were able to view two laser weapon demonstrators in action, each featuring different performance parameters.

For example, a 10-kW laser was integrated into an air defence system consisting of an Oerlikon Skyguard 3 fire control unit and a Skyshield gun turret. Modular and scalable, the laser weapon itself consisted of two 5-kW laser weapon modules.

Source: Reinmetall via Defense-Aerospace.

Haley Strategic Partners Light Mounts

Dropwing Adaptive Light Mount

Designed primarily to work with SOPMOD M4 configurations - low profile design does not obstruct IR laser systems. This mount also works with most other railed and tubed polymer hand guards. 

Thorntail Adaptive Light Mount

Low profile Picatinny rail light-mount designed to work with any rail system (aluminum or polymer).

Haley Strategic website

WWII British Sten Mk II SMG

For more info be sure to check out http://www.tactical-life.com/online/exclusives/wwii-sten-spotlight/

The Sten submachine gun is certainly not the most elegant SMG every made. Neither is it the safest, especially in the Mk II configuration I tested for this article. It was, however, the right weapon at the right time. When the Sten went into production, Great Britain was facing possible invasion by the Germans and desperately needed weapons to fight the enemy on the beaches and behind them. British industry and resources were already stretched to the maximum, thus a weapon that could be manufactured cheaply and quickly was needed. The Sten was that weapon.

Magpul Art of the Tactical Carbine 1 and 2, 2nd Edition

The 2nd Editions of Art of the Tactical Carbine Volumes 1 and 2 are now available, completely remastered and with an additional 90 minutes of new content.

The Art of the Tactical Carbine 2nd Edition is a 4-disc DVD set featuring over five hours of actual live fire class instruction and additional instructional material. With extensive combat experience around the globe, instructors Travis Haley and Chris Costa cover not only the basic fundamentals and "how to" aspects of the carbine but also the "mindset" required to employ a carbine effectively in dynamic stress situations. Using real first time students, this DVD set shows student progression from start to finish with nothing but
positive results.

Replacing the original The Art of the Tactical Carbine,
the 2nd Edition set is fully remastered with additional footage.

Four discs, DVD-Video/NTSC, Region ALL, total running time of 351 min.

Taking carbine operation to the next level, The Art of the Tactical Carbine Volume II 2nd Edition features over five hours of actual live fire class instruction and additional instructional material in a 4-disc DVD set. Instructors Travis Haley and Chris Costa present an informative and exhilarating Dynamic Carbine class that focuses on pushing your failure points and finding the perfect balance between speed and accuracy. Using real advanced shooters from the firearms industry, law enforcement SWAT, and military special operations, this DVD set will show that no matter what level of the game you're in you always have the ability to excel.

Replacing the original The Art of the Tactical Carbine Volume II, this 2nd Edition set is fully remastered with additional footage.

Blu-Ray versions are coming soon.

Made in U.S.A.

Art of the Tactical Carbine 1, 2nd Edition and Art of the Tactical Carbine 2, 2nd Edition are now shipping to Magpul retailers and are available from the Magpul Store.

Magpul MOE Scout Mount

The MOE® Scout Mount is now shipping to Dealers & Distributors

The MOE Scout Mount connects directly to the MOE Hand Guard, providing a high, cantilevered weapon light attachment point. The mount is optimized for Surefire® Scout® Lights, and is also compatible with most 1913 Picatinny mounted lights.

- Designed for use with MOE Hand Guards
- Available in right side or left side models
- Positions light high at 11 o'clock (left side model) or one o'clock (right side model)
- Durable Polymer Construction

 

The MOE Scout Mount is designed and manufactured in the U.S.A. It is now shipping to Magpul retailers and is available from the Magpul Store.

SWAT ROUNDUP INTERNATIONAL 2011

The 2011 SWAT Roundup International (SRI) featured 59 tactical teams from the United States, Russia, Kuwait, Hungary, Aruba, Bosnia, Jamaica and Sweden. The annual six-day event consisted of training classes and seminars, a trade show by over 100 vendors and manufacturers, and the legendary head-to-head tactical competition.

For pictures and a write-up on the event check out:

 

http://www.tactical-life.com/online/exclusives/swat-roundup-international-2011/

NEW From Madbull: Licensed Superior Weapon Systems Free-Float Rails

Madbull Airsoft is proud to announce our latest line of fully licensed handguard rails, adapted from real steel firearms for Airsoft rifles.
Superior Weapon Systems (SWS) is a well-known US-based handguard manufacturer. SWS builds high quality handguard rails which have been widely adopted by famous firearm companies such as Noveske Rifleworks. 

These SWS rail designs are unique from their OEM product lines. Madbull Airsoft is proudly to be the world-exclusive partner with SWS within to the AIrsoft industry, working to provide superior quality, licensed handguard rails for Airsoft. 

The Madbull Airsoft versions of SWS handguards are made of T6-6061 high quality Aircraft aluminum with anodize coating. All rails are extruded and machine CNC'ed. The externals of our SWS rails (and all licensed Madbull rails) are 1:1 ratio replicas of real steel. However, the internal mechanisms are designed for Airsoft AEGs only, and cannot be modified to fit on real firearms.

Features:
Free float tube provides a continuous top rail
Military specification Mil-std-1913
Slots on the rail can be timed to slots on the receiver
Unique mounting system
T numbers on all rails

More Info & Photos: http://www.madbull.com/swsrails

Introducing A-TACS FG Camo

Ever since the launch of the original A-TACS Camo Pattern, people have been asking for a green variant of the pattern. The easy answer would have been to create a simple re-color of the existing pattern and release it as a green variant. Taking that approach may have been easier and faster however, it would not have been the correct way to create an effective temperate climate pattern. The characteristic environmental elements and shapes found in greener, more temperate settings needed to be addressed.

The answer was found in the creation of an entirely new pattern based on the A-TACS Camo’s  unique “pattern within a pattern” concept. The addition of simulated depth was also necessary in order to add visual disruption to further break up the human silhouette.

After over a year of development and input of countless tactical professionals, we are proud to introduce A-TACS FG (Foliage/Green) Camo. Utilizing numerous shades of green sampled directly from a variety of forested and transitional terrain elements combined with various shades of earth, A-TACS FG Camo was developed to be effective in a wide range of temperate environments. As with the original A-TACS AU (Arid/Urban) Camo pattern, the organic pixels in the micro patterns are grouped into larger, more defined  “macro” shapes creating larger more defined patterns. The larger organic shapes and strategically placed shadow elements within the macro pattern help to create a unique three-dimensional effect never before seen in a tactical concealment system.

Following this announcement in the coming weeks, we will post more photos as well as updates on specific A-TACS FG Camo gear being offered by our manufacturing partners in addition to specific information regarding product availability.

 

 

A-TACS FG Camo gear in photos provided by, Propper (ACUs and Boonies) Tactical Assault Gear (Plate Carriers and Pouches), Blue Force Gear (Weapon Slings) Grey Ghost (Plate Carriers and Pouches) Beez Combat Systems (Plate Carriers), Danner (Boots)

 

More photos and info

JIEDDO working to reverse trend for larger IEDs in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Nov. 10, 2011) -- The amount of explosives used in improvised explosive devices in Afghanistan is increasing, while at the same time, the number of attacks are at "historic highs."
In June and July, there were 1,600 improvised explosive device, or IED, events in Afghanistan, said Lt. Gen. Michael Barbero, program executive officer, Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization.
The good news, he said, is the number of IEDs found and cleared has gone up by 100 percent, as has the number of finds of caches of IED-building material.

During an Institute of Land Warfare breakfast Nov. 10 in Arlington, Va., Barbero said as many as 80 percent of IEDs in Afghanistan are made from ammonium nitrate coming from fertilizer plants in Pakistan.
Each factory produces as much as 400,000 metric tons of the material each year, and about one percent of that makes its way to insurgents, where he said it's easily turned into inexpensive explosives. He also said 90 percent of casualties in Afghanistan come from ammonium nitrate explosive.

Barbero said the JIEDDO and the intelligence community must focus on the network that brings the material from those facilities into the hands of terrorists.
"From these two legally operating factories in Pakistan, we know where they are producing, we know who their distributors are -- and we are getting great support from them," he explained.
What is unknown, Barbero said, is where the transition point is between legal enterprise and criminal activity.
"What we don't understand is how this ammonium nitrate gets from the factories to these insurgents. That's the greatest intelligence gap we have."
Once that gap is identified, Barbero said, funding sources can be tracked, and other elements of U.S. government power could be brought in to affect change -- including both the State Department and the Treasury.

Barbero said that in 2011, there was about $2.44 billion in funding for JIEDDO. While not "locked in" yet, he said, it's expected that in 2012 and 2013 that number will be about the same.
"We'll be able to do what we need to support our warfighters," he said.
The general said there is talk about modifying authorities for JIEDDO to support other federal agencies, because he said the IED threat has expanded beyond Iraq and Afghanistan.
"These networks and these IEDs are coming to a 14th Street Bridge near us," he said, referring to a major commuter route into Washington, D.C. "We need to be able to share better with our interagency partners the intelligence and information we have on technology and the networks."
In January, Barbero said, JIEDDO will publish a strategy that "goes beyond Afghanistan" to detail some enduring IED threats and to offer a description of the kinds of research and development needed to counter them "so we can start the dialogue and collaboration on finding solutions and capabilities." 

Source

NEW From Madbull: Custom 1911 Grips

Madbull Custom 1911 Grips are designed to fit KJW / WE / SOCOM Gear 1911 type pistols.

Constructed of attractive black polymer, high strength and resistant to heat and sweat. Our beautiful new grips are specifically designed for Airsoft pistol brands. allowing you to customize your 1911 without fear of poor fitment.

More info & photos: http://tinyurl.com/7u9q9b4

These items are Coming Soon. Please contact your local Airsoft retailer for expected availability.

New light machine gun aims to 'SAW' Soldiers' load

FORT BENNING, Ga., Nov. 4, 2011 -- Nearly 20 Soldiers participated in a two-week assessment of a prototype light machine gun to demonstrate its potential impact on mission effectiveness and to help engineers develop possible improvements to the weapon and its unique ammunition.
The evaluation sought the warfighter's perspective after enduring a series of strenuous combat performance drills with the weapon.
It had taken six years to get from a concept to a fully functioning weapon that was ready for evaluation, but Kori Phillips, a project management engineer in the Joint Service Small Arms Program, or JSSAP, said it was well worth the wait.
"This is exactly what we have been waiting for," said Phillips. "This is what we need to move forward."
The Soldiers' feedback will be used to influence the user community to develop a Capability Development Document. A CDD is required before the system can transition to a program of record and enter the Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase of the acquisition life cycle.
This would be the next step needed for the program to move forward toward an eventual fielding of the weapon to Soldiers in the field.
The light machine gun is part of the Lightweight Small Arms Technologies, or LSAT, program, which is managed by the JSSAP, part of the Army's Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center, or ARDEC, at Picatinny Arsenal, N.J.
The LMG is a gas-operated, cased telescoped light machine gun. It is air-cooled and belt fed with selectable semi-automatic and fully automatic fire and fires from the open-bolt position. Its rate of fire is approximately 650 rounds per minute.
The JSSAP team hopes that the LMG will eventually replace the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, knows as a SAW, as the standard issue machine gun used by Soldiers in combat zones.

GETTING TO KNOW THE WEAPON

The machine guns and their operators were tested through automatic rifleman tasks and operational scenarios.
The purpose was to assess how the lighter machine gun affects the Soldiers' ability to effectively engage targets from various firing positions after completing tasks that induced physical stress and an elevated heart rate.
The weapons were also evaluated on their suitability regarding portability, safety, compatibility with Soldier equipment, durability in challenging environments, ease of use, and impact on Soldier mobility.
"We ran Soldiers through with both weapon systems and timed them to look at how much faster they could complete the course with the lighter weapon and to gain subjective feedback on mobility and portability issues while they negotiated the obstacles," said Maj. Matthew Bowler, a military advisor to the small arms program.
Immediately after each event, the Soldiers filled out surveys where they offered opinions about how they felt physically, and any issues or malfunctions they experienced with either weapon or its ammunition. They could also include any positive feedback.
On the first day of the second week, the Soldiers marched six miles in full combat gear, including body armor, a 50-pound rucksack and a basic load of ammunition for their respective weapons. Half the Soldiers carried the SAW and the other half carried the LMG.
After the road march, the Soldiers immediately started firing their weapons to measure the effects of muscle fatigue and stress while firing.
Sgt. Brandon Vega, an infantryman with the 2/29 Infantry Battalion, saw an increase in his accuracy when firing the LSAT after the march compared to the SAW.
"The first six round bursts were within the size of a quarter," Vega said. "Then I got three on top of one so I was real impressed with that."
Vega added that, using the SAW, he has yet to achieve the same level of accuracy.
According to a study conducted in 2005, the average fighting load for the SAW gunner is 79 pounds. That is nearly twice the weight a Soldier should carry, according to Army doctrine.
"The Soldier carries too much weight so anything we can do to reduce Soldier load increases the Soldier's effectiveness, his capability on the battlefield and his survivability," said Bowler.
The weight reduction provided by the LMG would have a significant effect on the SAW gunner, the most heavily burdened Soldier in the squad.
With a basic load of 1,000 rounds, the light machine gun and its cased telescoped ammunition is 20.4 pounds lighter than a traditional SAW with the same amount of standard, brass-cased ammunition.
During the assessment, more than 25,000 rounds were fired from eight prototype LMGs.
The suggested rate of fire for machine guns is three to five round bursts whenever possible, eight to ten round bursts at the most. This gives the gunner time to readjust his aim and helps keep the barrel from overheating as quickly.
A high rate of fire increases the possibility of a "cook off." Cook off occurs when the propellant is unintentionally ignited by the heat in the weapon chamber, firing a round unexpectedly and causing a significant safety hazard.
Because of the design of the chamber, the LMG is very unlikely to experience a cook off, Phillips said. Technical tests showed that more than 250 rounds could be fired without a risk of cook off. The M249 SAW has been known to cook off at 220 rounds under certain circumstances.

OTHER ASSESSMENTS

In another assessment of shooting while under physical stress, Soldiers wore body armor and sprinted 200 yards with their weapons and a basic load of ammunition, then rapidly engaged close-range targets from the standing position. Again, they performed this task with both weapons. Many Soldiers saw an improvement in their overall time with the lighter weapon.
"Today we ran with the LSAT and with the SAW," said Cpl. Nickolaus Hammack, one of the military police Soldiers participating in the assessment. "Both were pretty trying but the SAW hands down is way heavier. Especially going up a hill, you feel the weight on you. (The) LSAT is a lot lighter weapon. It really is a joy to have."
The third week of assessment involved Soldiers of the 75th Ranger Regiment. They used two of the LMGs as part of a squad maneuver live-fire exercise to determine how the attributes of the new weapon system would impact squad effectiveness.
The exercise was conducted in an urban setting where the Soldiers used the weapon for suppressive fire and for room-clearing.
The Rangers said they liked the semi-auto feature that made the LMG a much more viable weapon for room-clearing than the SAW.
Additionally, one Ranger commented that the weight of the LMG as a system was "noticeably better" than that of the Mk 46 variant of the SAW that they currently use, because of the significantly lighter ammunition that dramatically increased his mobility while maneuvering as part of the squad.

FUTURE OF THE LIGHT MACHINE GUN

Overall, the Soldiers' comments were positive and they overwhelmingly preferred the LMG to the SAW. They were impressed by the weapon's light weight, decreased felt recoil, and related increase in accuracy and better control.
The Soldiers' input could lead to design changes to any final product. However, no decision has been made on whether the LMG will eventually be fielded.
Spc. Brandon Smith, an infantryman, spent two weeks comparing the weapons.
"I could see a whole squad carrying it (the LMG)," he said. "You would own the battlefield."

Source and more pictures

Canadian Army Tests New Ballistic Helmet.

The Canadian Army is testing a new concept for a modular ballistic helmet.

First F-35C catapult launch at NAS Patuxent River

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. -- Navy test pilot Lt. Chris Tabert flies F-35C test aircraft CF-3 off the TC-7 steam catapult at NAS Patuxent River Nov. 4. The launch was the first time the test catapult here launched an F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. Previous catapult testing occurred in Lakehurst, N.J. The F-35C carrier variant of the Joint Strike Fighter is distinct from the F-35A and F-35B variants with its larger wing surfaces and reinforced landing gear to withstand catapult launches and deck landing impacts associated with the demanding aircraft carrier environment. Initial carrier trials for the F-35C are scheduled for 2013. The F-35C is undergoing test and evaluation at NAS Patuxent River before delivery to the fleet.

Ballistic clipboard for LE agencies.

http://impactarmortech.com/ Developed by request for local law enforcement agencies the ballistic clipboard provides protection where you need it most -- by your side. Designed to be always available the clipboard is there when you need it, not in the trunk, not 20 minutes away. For routine traffic stops, first responders, or serving a warrant, the clipboard provides discrete protection at all times.

Designed to exceed NIJ IIIA specifications the clipboard has undergone extensive testing to ensure it performs. From a standoff distance to point blank, hot and cold, the clipboard provides multi-hit protection against 9mm, .357, .40, and .44 mag rounds. Most importantly, this protection is available in an ergonomic design that weighs under 2.0lbs.

USN’s Electromagnetic Railgun Launches 1,000th Projectile

The United States Navy's Electromagnetic Railgun system has been fired for the 1,000th time, bringing the system one step closer to integration on USN warships deployed at sea.

Less than 12 months ago, the railgun established a new world record when it fired a projectile with 33 megajoules of force. Since then, the tests have been ongoing, culminating in the landmark 1,000th launch, which occurred on 31 October.

The 999 previous firings have examined various aspects related to the system's performance, including potential damage caused to it by the massive forces involved when it's in operation.

USN Electromagnetic Railgun

The USN's Electromagnetic Railgun's being put through its paces by scientists working at ONR - the Office of Naval Research.

"A railgun weapons system must be able to launch hundreds of projectiles and withstand extreme pressures, currents and temperatures", Captain Paul Stewart, the US Naval Research Laboratory Materials Testing Facility's Commanding Officer, explained.

"Today's firing of the 1,000th shot demonstrates Navy researchers are steadily progressing toward achieving that goal, developing a more effective and efficient future ship combat system."

US Navy Railgun: Projectile Launch

The US Navy railgun defies the convention set by earlier weapons designs, which typically launch their projectiles with an explosive force. It, by contrast, draws on electromagnetic power to charge a projectile forwards. This launched projectile travels on rails, before leaving the railgun at extreme velocities, up to a maximum of seven times the speed of sound (Mach 7).

"This test demonstrates continued advances in armature development, rail design, and barrel materials used in high power railgun launch", Doctor Robert Meger, who leads the Charged Particle Physics division of ONR, said in a statement. "Firing up to 15 shots per week on the laboratory's experimental railgun, researchers at NRL perform detailed testing and analysis of rails and armatures, providing S&T expertise to the Navy program that is directly applicable to tests at large-scale power levels", he added.

From here on in, the USN will continue to progress the Electromagnetic Railgun concept, despite the chance that its future might be endangered by budget costs.

Railgun image copyright US Navy

KITANICA-MARK I-MULTICAM

More info and photos