ZCORR Vapor Barrier Firearm and Ammo Bags

ZCORR Products offers the best Anti Corrosion protection available for all of your metallic items. Using VpCI technology and military-industrial barrier packaging techniques & principles allows ZCORR Products to offer the most durable bags and pouches with the longest lasting corrosion protection available, industry wide.

Our design concepts were tested and approved by the U.S. Military for utilizing VpCI technology & barrier packaging material to provide fail-safe long term firearm storage. We expanded on this concept and developed a line of products to address a wide breadth of storage and preservation applications. For in depth information on how and why our products offer the best protection industry wide, be sure to read the ‘How it Works’ section and the FAQ. Specific product information is also available on the individual product pages.

How it Works

ZCORR FSP Bags™ utilize a combination of Vapor Phase Corrosion Inhibitor (VpCI) chemistry and barrier packaging materials to completely prevent the corrosion of your firearms and ammunition. The material that ZCORR FSP Bags™ are manufactured with is a proprietary lamination of materials that conjointly yield anti-corrosion properties that have not been commercially available until now.

This laminated, anti-corrosion barrier material is puncture resistant, tear resistant, non-abrasive, non-toxic, and will not harm any non-metal surfaces. However, the most important features of the material are its VpCI impregnated sealant layer and its foil barrier layer.

The VpCI impregnated inner layer is where the anti-corrosive properties come from. The VpCI chemistry impregnated in the interior layer migrates out of the plastic and forms an invisible gas inside of the bag. This gas is made up of singular VpCI molecules that are attracted to the interior and exterior metal surfaces of your firearm. The gas coats these metal surfaces with a one molecule thick layer of VpCI chemistry that stops corrosion before it can begin. This one molecule thick layer of VpCI chemistry dissipates off of the firearm with no cleaning necessary when it is removed from the bag so that the firearm is ready for immediate use.

Foil barrier layers have been used in the packaging industry for decades and are recognized as the best material for blocking the transfer of gasses and water vapor through flexible materials. The foil layer in ZCORR FSP Bags™ performs two tasks simultaneously; it keeps harmful corrosion causing elements out of the bag and keeps the corrosion inhibiting VpCI chemistry in the bag. This allows the bag to protect your firearms and ammunition for longer than any other product on the market.

ZCORR website

Medical troops hone skills with innovative, rapidly deployable setup

Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Fincham. Soldiers of the 212th Combat Support Hospital treat a simulated casualty in the operating room of the 10-bed early entry package Feb. 8, in Miesau, Germany.

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MIESAU, Germany -- Smaller, lighter, faster.

That was the philosophy on display here, February 7-9, when the Soldiers of the 212th Combat Support Hospital, or CSH, tested their ability to rapidly deploy their newly developed 10-bed early entry package.
During ongoing command post training, they quickly set up the highly mobile level three package and began treating simulated patients in what is effectively a miniature version of the hospital, according to Master Sgt. Peter Perkins, the non-commissioned officer in charge of the 10-bed early entry package.
"We were asked to come up with a contingency force, something that is a lot more rapidly deploy-able than our regular 44- or 84-bed CSH. Basically they asked, what is the smallest way that you can bring a level three package - surgery, pharmacy, lab, x-ray and resuscitative trauma - to the fight as quickly as possible? That's when we developed the 10-bed," Perkins said.

Though not a part of any current doctrine, the 10-bed package can swiftly bring more than 50 personnel to establish and sustain 10 intensive care beds, two operating room beds, and a full complement of pharmacy, x-ray and laboratory capabilities. This package has the potential to open up options for a variety of missions from combat to disaster relief.
A fully established, level three CSH brings nearly every capability of a garrison hospital to the war zone. But the full CSH also brings various logistical challenges. Meanwhile, this smaller "10-bed slice" as it has been dubbed, is more mobile and has the potential to be deployed and mission capable within 24 hours of arriving on site, according to Perkins.
"Most hospitals role in with the mindset of having 72 hours to be up and running. We built this based on capabilities," Perkins said. "We get to level one as fast as possible, level two fast as possible and then on to being level three. Once we get on the ground, we can be up and functioning within a day."

In order to be adaptable to a variety of potential missions, the thinking was to be smaller, lighter, and faster when it came to designing the early entry package.
"Everyone essentially repackaged what they already had," said Perkins. "For example, the lab is used to going out in a big container, expanding out and putting all of their gadgets and widgets in there. Right now we have them working out of a bag on their back with all of the lab capability that we need initially to do everything."
To put it in perspective, Perkins said that normally the CSH would require more than 30 containers, roughly 20 feet each, which would be loaded and shipped by truck, train or boat. On the other hand, the 10-bed package is designed to be moved by plane on just 16 pallets. All of which are packed and ready to move at a moment's notice.
"If we're not actively training with the equipment, it is packaged on a pallet and ready to go," he said.

While the initial impact of this rapidly deploy-able package could be invaluable, the beauty of the design is that the remainder of the full-size CSH would be able to simply build onto this facility, rather than having to establish a new separate site.
"We are effectively just the core part of our CSH so if the rest of the CSH were to follow on, they would just build upon us. Nothing would have to move, they would just plug the pieces in," Perkins said.
Training like this will ensure the Soldiers of the 212th are ready if called.
The Soldiers have the set up of the facility down to quick drill now, according to Perkins, who said that with this 10-bed package, they will be able to provide top-level care in nearly any environment quicker than ever before.

Headquartered at the Miesau Army Depot, 212th CSH is a part of the 30th Medical Command (Deployment Support). The unit stands ready to, on order, deploy tailored forces to provide level III combat health support for the entire spectrum of operations.
The Soldiers provide battle command and control for all organic and attached units, while being prepared to assume medical task force command and conduct split-based operations.

ONR's TechSolutions Providing SEALs With New Glasses That Change Lens Color On The Fly

By Geoff S. Fein, Office of Naval Research, Corporate Strategic Communications

ARLINGTON, Va. - The Office of Naval Research's (ONR) TechSolutions department is set to deliver to Navy Special Warfare Command personnel later this year new protective eyewear that will eliminate the need for war-fighters to stop to change out colored lenses to accommodate differences in light levels.

The Fast-Tint Protective Eyewear (FTPE) changes color quicker than transitional lenses commonly found at an optometrist's office. "Transition time is less than 0.5 seconds," said Stephanie Everett, ONR's TechSolutions program manager.

"Currently, war-fighters are using a set of interchangeable lenses that require them to stop and manually switch lenses to adjust the goggles to a particular light environment," Everett said. "But they can't take the time to stop and remove and replace the lenses."

Instead, they often simply remove their sunglasses when moving inside, leaving their eyes unprotected. The FTPE was designed to enable them to maintain ballistic protection under all lighting conditions, without interrupting their operational tempo.

Liquid crystal solutions within the lenses contain customized dyes that transition to amber, blue, dark gray or clear when an electric charge is applied. Lenses can change color automatically as wearers move in and out of varying environments, or lens colors can be altered manually by pushing a small button on the side of the glasses. Additionally, the lenses meet the American National Standards Institute's ballistic impact safety requirements.

The request for new eyewear came to TechSolutions from war-fighters in July 2009, and the project is almost complete. The initial delivery was for 30 pairs of the new eyewear, which have already gone out for evaluation with war-fighters who will use them in training. "They will provide structured feedback on the glasses," said ONR's Command Master Chief Petty Officer Charles Ziervogel, who oversees the TechSolutions department.

After this evaluation, Special Operations Command (SOCOM) is expected to take delivery of the FTPE glasses. "SOCOM is buying 100 units based on the initial assessment and seeing the results from the current evaluation," Ziervogel said.

Last August, an earlier prototype was assessed, which led to design changes, which are incorporated in the current eyewear. "The user feedback made this prototype even better," Everett said. 

John F. Williams / Navy The experimental Fast-Tint Protective Eyewear sunglasses currently are going through field tests. User evaluations and final results are due in April.

Results from this round of assessments are expected in April, and the feedback will be forwarded to Ohio-based AlphaMicron. The company, along with Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane, Ind., was selected to develop FTPE.

"We expect additional minor design changes based on the results of the current assessment," Everett said. AlphaMicron will incorporate any changes into what will be close to a final product.

TechSolutions accepts recommendations and suggestions from Navy and Marine Corps personnel working at the ground level on ways to improve mission effectiveness through the application of technology. It is solely focused on delivering needed technology and moving the sea services toward more effective and efficient use of personnel. TechSolutions uses rapid prototyping of technologies to meet specific requirements. 

75th Ranger Regiment wins MCoE Pistol title.

Soldiers from the 75th Ranger Regiment and Cadets from North Georgia College dominated the field at the Maneuver Center of
Excellence Combat Pistol Championships Feb. 9-10 at Parks Range.

Hosted by the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, more than 60 Soldiers and Cadets squared off in three individual matches and two team matches to determine the top pistol shooters on post. Fort Benning is the only Army installation to host its own marksmanship competition.

Sgt. 1st Class Nelson Ashbrook, 75th Ranger Regt., took home the top prize with an aggregate score of 520-32x, displaying consistency
throughout the entire match. Shooting in the novice division, he won the final match to secure the championship.

Coming in second was fellow Ranger Sgt. 1st Class Jeramy Smith. Smith, the top shooter in the open division, scored a 502-22x. Smith had the high score in the Excellence-in-Competition match. Placing in third place was the high cadet, Cadet Erik Carlson of North
Georgia College and State University. He had a final tally of 492-17x and won the first match of the championship.

FORT BENNING, Ga. — A cadet from North Georgia College and State University fires at targets 25 yards away around a barricade Feb. 9 at Parks Range. A team from NGCSU won the overall team championship at the 2011 Maneuver Center of Excellence Combat Pistol Championships.

NGCSU swept both team matches to win the overall team championship, the second consecutive year they have done so. Team
members were: Carlson, CDT Casey Jemelka, CDT Robert Hull, and CDT Jacob Freeman. 75th Rangers came in second and a second team from NGCSU finished in third.

Soldiers were afforded the opportunity to earn EIC points in an effort to obtain their distinguished pistol badges, which are more
distinguished than normal qualification badges and eligible for wear on their uniforms. Six Soldiers earned enough points to earn their bronze distinguished pistol badge: Sgt. 1st Class Dustin Rademacher, 75th Ranger Regt.; Sgt. 1st Class Emil Praslick, USAMU; Sgt. 1st Class Grant Shanaman, U.S. Army Combatives School; Freeman and Hull, NGCSU; and Maj. David Schultz, 2nd Battalion, 330th Infantry Regt. 

The matches are designed as both a competition and a training event. They serve to train and support the war fighter and prepare local
shooters for the U.S. Small Arms Championships, scheduled to be held in late March on the same ranges.

The MCoE Combat Rifle Championship will be held Feb. 22-24. The U.S. Army Small Arms Championship is slated to be held Mar. 18-26.

Army wants 36 more 'Punisher' weapons in 2012

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Feb. 2011) -- Only five XM25 weapons exist today, but Soldiers lucky enough to have used them in Afghanistan are saying more are needed.
Two Soldiers took the prototype weapons into theater to link them up with requesting units. They trained troops on the weapon's use and managed the Forward Operational Assessment to collect information about the weapon's performance in theater and how Soldiers used it.

"The XM25 brought the difference to whether they would stay there 15 to 20 minutes shooting (and) taking pot shots or the actual fight ended after using the XM25," said Sgt. 1st Class Carlos Smith, Soldier Requirements Division, Maneuver Center of Excellence, Fort Benning, Ga. "That was due to the defilade capabilities of the XM25 to shoot beyond targets and behind targets."
The XM25 allows Soldiers to engage defilade targets -- those behind a barrier, protected from oncoming weapons fire. The XM25 measures the distance to the enemy's protective barrier, and can then program the round to detonate a user-adjustable distance past that -- allowing Soldiers to put an air-bursting round directly above the enemy's head, inside their protected area.
The round measures the distance it travels by counting its own rotations after leaving the barrel.

Both Smith and Maj. Christopher Conley, an assistant product manager for Program Manager Soldier Weapons, at Picatinny Arsenal, N.J., were part of the team that brought those weapons into theater for Soldiers to use in actual combat. The five prototype weapons entered theater in November, and were first used in combat Dec. 3.

Since then, hundreds of XM25 rounds have been fired in theater, though only 55 of those rounds were fired as part of combat, on nine different operational missions.

"We disrupted two insurgents on an OP (observation point) and we silenced two machine-gun positions -- two PKM positions," Conley said, describing some of the scenarios he witnessed in theater where the XM25 had been used. "We destroyed four ambush locations, where the survivors fled."

"And when we launched it at a longer range target, who was carrying a machine gun and it exploded near his target -- it either badly wounded him or scared him good enough that he dropped his machine gun and ran away," Conley recalled.

Overall in Afghanistan, the five XM25s have been with two separate units. The first unit used the weapon on four engagements and fired 28 rounds in combat. The second unit was able to use the XM25 on five engagements and fired 27 rounds in combat.

"The troops are very excited to carry it," Conley said. "We've limited who can carry it based on the number of folks that we've trained. But within that group of Soldiers that are trained on the operation of the XM25, I heard a Soldier say 'hey, he carried it yesterday, so I get it today.'"

Some Soldiers who've used the XM25 in Afghanistan had taken to naming the weapon -- though there is no official name for the system yet.

"The kids are calling it 'the Punisher,' said Brig. Gen. Peter N. Fuller, who heads up the Program Executive Office Soldier. "I don't know what we're going to title this product, but it seems to be game-changing. You no longer can shoot at American forces and then hide behind something. We're going to reach out and touch you."

Conley said during the Forward Operational Assessment, the performance of the XM25, and Soldier response to the system, provided positive response to three questions about the system from Army leadership, including if the weapon gives "higher probability of effect," if the weapon provides more survivability for the Solider, and how will the weapon be used at squad and platoon level.
"What our Soldiers have told us is, when we do fire this weapon, it does have a high probability of effect," Conley said. "The enemy stops firing. They flee. They drag off their casualties. Essentially, a Soldier is very happy when the enemy stops firing at him."
Soldier survivability is also increased with the XM25 because it allows Soldiers to fire on the enemy from protected positions, while the enemy themselves believe they are in protected positions.
"We have increased the survivability of our Soldiers because our Soldiers no longer have to maneuver from their cover position to gain an advantageous firing spot for the enemy," Conley said. "We are able to stay behind cover, and we welcome (the
enemy) to stay behind cover -- because we'll get you."

Conley and Smith also said that Soldiers were using the XM25 as their primary weapon -- forgoing additional weapons like the M4, for instance.
When the Forward Operational Assessment ended in January, and the testing organization had enough data to send to the Army leadership, they expected to take the weapons home, but Soldiers thought otherwise.
"We had the Soldiers ask us to leave the weapon there and the ammo there," said Conley. "They did not want to give up that capability. The word got back to us, we made the decision, let them keep the XM25, let them keep that additional ammunition. We will then go ahead and go back downrange and collect up any additional data that they have received."
Now the Army is working to find the money to build an additional 36 XM25 weapons, said Col. Doug Tamilio, the Army's program manager for Soldier weapons.
"The Army is looking to find some kind of funding that we can put against maybe a battalion set," he said. "It will depend on how much funding we can get. The idea would be if we can get that funding, we absolutely would try to get these into the fight in a year. And we think we can do that. "

Right now, an obstacle to getting more XM25s into theater is that each weapon and each round must be built by hand, Tamilio said. There are no production lines yet for the system.
The Army won't begin mass producing the XM25 until sometime in 2013 at the earliest, Tamilio said. Before that, improvements must be made to the system, including those learned from its use in Afghanistan.
Tamilio said improvements include improved battery life, as the XM25 is full of electronics. Also, he said, the 12.5-pound weapon could be lightened some, though Soldiers are now overwhelmed by the capability of the weapons. Tamilio also said Soldiers would like to see the weapon's range extended to about 1,000 meters. Its current range is about 500 meters for a point target and 700 meters for an area target.
The XM25, officially called a "counter-defilade target-engagement system," recently reached a milestone decision B in its acquisition cycle and has only recently entered into the engineering and manufacturing development phase, or EMD, of the procurement process.
"We still have to get through EMD, still get some fixes into the gun that we know need to be fixed -- to make it durable and reliable," Tamilio said. "We have to go through a very stringent safety procedure with this gun."

Norwegian Armed Forces Adopt FN MINIMI™ Machine Gun

.February 8, 2011

Belgium-based FN Herstal is pleased to announce that the FN MINIMI™ 5.56 has been selected as the new light machine gun for the Norwegian Armed Forces.

The Norwegian Defense Logistics Organization (NDLO) confirmed their decision last November, putting an end to a yearlong competition.

The contract includes the manufacture and delivery of 1,900 MINIMI™ 5.56 machine guns together with spare parts and accessories up to the end of 2012. The contract also includes optional quantities and additional services to be provided by FN Herstal to the NDLO over a 15-year period.  

The MINIMI™ 5.56 light machine gun is the newest addition in line with the FN MAG™ medium machine gun and the FN M2HB-QCB heavy machine gun already in use by the Norwegian army.

Gun team exhibits M777 howitzer capabilities

HIJUDAI TRAINING AREA, Japan-Sgt. Dustin Zimmerman, section chief, Gun Team 2, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, prepares to explain the mechanics, characteristics, maintenance, firing protocol and new digital fire control system on the M777 howitzer to Japan Ground Self-Defense Force service members here Feb. 3., Lance Cpl. Jovane M. Holland

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HIJUDAI TRAINING AREA, Japan  — The Marines of Gun Team 2, Bravo Battery, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, exhibited the capabilities of the M777 howitzer to more than 50 Japan Ground Self-Defense Force service members here Feb. 3. The purpose of the informal demonstration was to familiarize service members with the gun’s mechanics, characteristics, maintenance, firing protocol and new digital fire control system on the weapon, said Sgt. Dustin Zimmerman, section chief, Gun Team 2, Bravo Battery.
“We want to make sure they understand everything this weapon can do, especially since the technology has changed,” Zimmerman said. “It’s just a matter of keeping our allies up-to-date on what we’re firing and our capabilities.”
Zimmerman and his team, consisting of a gunner, assistant gunner, recorder and the cannoneers, executed the entire procedure to fire, pausing to explain each step in detail with the assistance of a translator.
Japanese service members were encouraged to take photos and ask questions to ensure they understood each step.
Lance Cpl. Al Ackenheil, recorder for Gun Team 2, said the day presented a great opportunity to interact with the JGSDF and explain what the artillery Marines do on a day-to-day basis.
“I enjoyed helping show what our team does and the capabilities of the howitzer,” Ackenheil, a Pittsburgh, Pa. native. “I hope those who attended today walked away with a better understanding of the equipment we work with and how our team operates.”
Approximately 160 Marines from 3rd Bn., 12th Marines are scheduled to conduct artillery training here, as part of the Artillery Relocation Training Program.
The purpose of the regularly scheduled training is to ensure that the Marines are able to sustain their operational proficiency in order to respond effectively to any conflict in the Asia-Pacific region where artillery units would be needed.
Live fire days for training are scheduled for Feb. 1-19.

REVISION WINS UK MoD COMBAT EYEWEAR TENDER

02.08.2011– Essex Junction, VT, USA – Based on soldier trials, technical compliance and best value pricing, Revision, leading developer of protective eyewear for militaries worldwide, has secured a UK Ministry of Defence contract for Protective Combat Eyewear. Following tender evaluation and user trials, Revision was selected for providing the best value and for being the most technically compliant bidder. The estimated contract value is £3.4 million to provide the UK MoD with Revision’s Sawfly® Military Eyewear System and Bullet Ant® Goggles.

“Revision is extremely proud to receive the UK MoD contract for Protective Combat Eyewear,” said Jonathan Blanshay, CEO of Revision. “The focus behind all Revision eyewear is to meet and exceed the stringent requirements set forth by our military customers. It’s an honor to be supplying UK troops with what we believe to be the best performance-enhancing eye protection products.”

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Colonel Peter Rafferty, Team Leader for Defence, Equipment and Support’s Personal Combat Equipment Team added:

“All troops currently in Afghanistan are issued with protective eyewear as standard and these new additions are an enhancement over what is already out there. In addition to the ballistic protection these items offer, IED’s are a significant threat to our troops in theatre and the debris and dirt thrown up from a blast can be just as harmful to troops as the initial blast or fragmentation itself. This protective eyewear is the best chance they have of minimizing injuries to the eyes while still maintaining situational awareness and thus the ability to do their jobs."

The Revision Sawfly Military Eyewear System is an all-purpose spectacle designed to provide protection on a 24-hour, all-weather continuum. Maximizing fit, function and comfort, the Sawfly Military Eyewear System exceeds the rigorous optical and ballistic testing standards in use today; it is the most widely used military spectacle in service.

The Bullet Ant Goggle System provides powerful ballistic protection against medium-energy fragmentation while protecting against the environment: sand, wind and dust. The goggle system features interchangeable OcuMax® coated lenses for high-performance anti-fog and anti-scratch capabilities and provides flawless optics for unprecedented visual clarity. The Bullet Ant Goggle also exceeds the rigorous testing standards in use today.

Both products are prescription capable with a single insert—the Revision Rx Carrier.

The Combat Protective Eyewear Tender (number DC4/4055) is the UK MoD’s first competition for protective eyewear since 2005. In addition to securing this procurement, Revision is the major supplier of protective eyewear for numerous NATO countries including the USA, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark and Belgium; Revision also fulfills the protective eyewear needs of 40 other countries around the world.

Revision website

E-2D begins Carrier Suitability Testing

The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 20 (VX-20) catches the arresting wire aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) during carrier qualifications testing. The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye's command and control capability makes it a multi-mission platform through its ability to coordinate concurrent missions that may arise during a single flight.

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Program Overview:

The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye is a game changer in how the Navy will conduct battle management command and control. By serving as the "digital quarterback" to sweep ahead of strike, manage the mission, and keep our net-centric carrier battle groups out of harms way, the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye is the key to advancing the mission, no matter what it may be. The E-2D gives the war-fighter expanded battle-space awareness, especially in the area of information operations delivering battle management, theater air and missile defense, and multiple sensor fusion capabilities in an airborne system.

With a two-generation leap in radar sensor capability and a robust network enabled capability, the Advanced Hawkeye will deliver critical, actionable data to joint forces and first responders. These advances provide war-fighters with the necessary situational awareness to compress the time between initial awareness and active engagement.

Rapid Transition Sights (RTS)

Dueck Defense® ‘Rapid Transition Sight®' system Features:

• Ultra-Durable: Machined from 7075 aluminum alloy bar stock, light weight and twice the strength of 6061 T6 aluminum
• ½ MOA elevation and windage adjustments
• Mil-Spec Hard Anodized finish
• Same height above bore as standard M4/M16A4 sights
• Ambidextrous: can be mounted for left or right hand shooters
• 45 degree offset
• Low profile over picatinny rail only rising 2/10th of an inch so that it does not interfere with your primary optics
• Mounts directly to the top picatinny rail of your rifle
• No Special Tools Required: only uses a flat head screw and can easily be done in the field
• Compatible with military IR Laser/Illuminators, front sight designed to clear beam path
• Manufacture is ISO 9001:2000 Certified
• Dueck Defense RTS is Berry Amendment Compliant
• Proudly MADE IN THE USA

See Rapid Transition Sights (RTS) in action. Designed by Barry Dueck, Director of SureFire's Suppressor Division, these ambidextrous sights easily mount to your weapon's Picatinny rail, offset by approximately 45°. Transitioning from optical to iron sights is simply a matter of canting the weapon with your wrists. 

Visit: www.surefire.com/RTS