Vehicle Armor
DSM Dyneema recently launched Dyneema BT10, its first commercially available product made from a novel, proprietary ballistic tape (BT) technology. The announcement was made jointly with Ten Cate Advanced Armour, who had selected Dyneema BT10 for armor upgrading on the Patria XA-188 APC commissioned by the Dutch Defensie Materieel Organisatie.
Ten Cate’s armor solution is based on a ceramic strike face backed with a combination of BT10 and Dyneema HB26 for optimal cost and performance balance. “Dyneema BT10 performed extremely well as a backing material behind the strike face armor and helped deliver a cost-effective, lightweight ballistic protection solution with excellent overall performance,” commented Soren Gert Larsen, general marketing manager at Ten Cate Advanced Armour.
Ten Cate also stated that BT10 has been tested and certified according to NATO standards STANAG 4569 and AEP55. According to the company, in-house tests have shown that the armor is lighter and stronger than the next best aramid-based armor solution and offers many of the performance attributes of HB26 at a slightly higher weight. They also state that it is ideally suited as backing behind a strike face and as spall liner in overmatch situations.
Ballistic Sunglasses
Revision Eyewear recently marked its debut in lightchanging lens technology with the Photochromic Hellfly ballistic sunglass. Featuring the company’s rapid lightchanging technology, the sunglasses automatically darken to a sunglass tint when exposed to sunlight and return to their clear state in the absence of UV rays, giving operators a tactical edge in rapidly changing environments.
“Revision’s photochromic lens technology eliminates the need to switch lenses when transitioning between the indoors and outside, allowing the end user to focus on his mission, not his eyewear,” commented Jonathan Blanshay, CEO of Revision Eyewear. In tests, Revision’s Photochromic Hellfly lenses took only 45 seconds to change from their darkest state to 60 percent clear, while competitors’ lenses took over two minutes to do the same. “For tactical operators, faster photochromic lenses mean enhanced visual performance when it’s most needed, in dynamic environments.”
The new photochromic lenses meet military specifications for ballistic protection (MIL-PRF-31013 clause 3.5.1.1).
Jennifer Zimmerman: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
High-Speed Multi-mission Craft
SBI utilizes its latest innovation in forced air stepped technology (FAST) that allowed them to push in terms of hydrodynamic speed and performance. FAST is a vented stepped hull design that uses forced air for aeration and positive lift in order to reduce surface tension and drag while under way. With FAST technology the air is captured, funneled and forced into the hull’s chine vents via the leading edge intakes of the port and starboard performance fins. This results in reduced fuel consumption and higher speeds when compared to conventional hulls.
The technology represents offshore racing-inspired performance with unmatched safety, stability and durability. This maximizes the already ideal mission potential for drug interdiction, anti-piracy, offshore patrolling and boarding team delivery in a virtually unsinkable platform. “We are excited about the superior performance of this boat and are extremely proud of the SAFE boats team,” said Scott Peterson, president of SAFE Boats International. “The Apostle went from concept to operational in approximately 12 weeks, and we couldn’t be happier with the outcome.”
Jason Solomon:
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Tough Gloves
Sally McCoy, CEO of CamelBak, recently announced that two of the company’s Maximum Gear FR gloves received the U.S. Air Force’s approval for all aviation. In addition to being now approved for all USAF crews and all USAF air frames, the Friction Fighter NT and Max Grip NT gloves have both received approval from the U.S. Army for all aviation as well as combat vehicle crewmen. The Max Grip NT is NAVAIR-approved for use in all USN and USMC Aviation. McCoy remarked, “Receiving aviation approval is truly an honor. We are excited about all of our products, and when a branch of the U.S. military gives their stamp of approval to one of our products, we know we’ve hit the mark.”
Made of mil-spec Nomex top and sleeve, with Kevlar stitching throughout, both gloves provide the high protection, dexterity and durability. The digitally textured leather palm, fingers and knuckles provide added durability and extra grip in all conditions of use.
According to Hunter Shoop, GMI product manager for CamelBak, “What sets these gloves apart from others is the maximum dexterity, overall flame-resistance, durability and quality of construction. These key characteristics allow this glove to be used by aviators for both in-flight and ground missions. In addition to both of these gloves being Aviation Approved, the Max Grip NT is a proven combat glove currently being used by the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Army ground troops.”
Seth Beiden:
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CSAR SATCOM
The General Dynamics Hook2 GPS combat search and rescue (CSAR) System is a powerful, global, cost-effective solution for military, paramilitary, law enforcement and government agency search and rescue operations.
Composed of the software-defined, upgradeable AN/ PRC-112G transceiver or the AN/PRC-112B1 transceiver, plus a handheld GPS Quickdraw2 Interrogator, the system delivers field-proven capability, and adds encrypted two-way messaging and GPS positioning for precise, accurate location. The Quickdraw Interrogator turns virtually any aircraft into a CSAR platform simply by plugging the device into the aircraft’s intercom system.
The new SATCOM base station enables secure, two-way, worldwide communications with isolated personnel or rescue forces who are using a satelliteenabled Hook2 AN/PRC-112G. Lightweight, rugged and portable, the base station is just right for mobile, rapid deployment or fixed site operations.
According to the company, mission-critical features include: the kit, which includes base station radio, ruggedized computer and satellite antenna; cabling and power supply as options; embedded security, which prevents information from being compromised; interrogation feature, which rapidly locates and identifies isolated personnel; and e-maillike format that makes messaging easy. Messages can be sent immediately or held in queue.
UAV Landing Aids
2d3 Inc., a provider of vision science solutions for industrial, defense and entertainment applications, has announced the development of a solution to visually assist a UAV during the critical, final phase of landing. The visually assisted landing system (VALS) consists of proprietary software and commercial off-the-shelf hardware integrated with existing on-board aviation, navigation and visual systems. The system provides high-rate altitude and attitude information to the existing autopilot by using the onboard camera systems. No additional ground-based systems or specialized navigation equipment aboard the aircraft are required.
“Since the late 1990s, 2d3 has been working with and developing systems that allow for the determination of position and orientation of a camera in real-time, simply by tracking features in an image sequence or scene,” said Jon Damush, 2d3’s president. “VALS is a natural extension of that work, and we are very pleased to be in a position to provide a critical piece of the puzzle to help safely and reliably guide a UAV from 100 feet to touchdown.”
Early trials have proved that existing cameras and sensor data can be processed using advanced vision science techniques, allowing the aircraft to land without human intervention. Current UAV operations call for a remote pilot to land the aircraft manually through the use of stick and throttle control inputs transmitted wirelessly. Operators are reliant on the ability to view the runway via RF broadcast video. Any loss of communication, link or video quality can have a dire effect on the successful outcome of the landing. By providing what is essentially a vision-based sensor, 2d3 has provided a way to enable repeatable and safe landings when no remote pilot is available due to loss of control signal or no available RF link at an unplanned airport.
Cover and Concealment
Mirage Camo has created a camouflage that can be worn in any environment. Browns, greens, grays and clays have been combined in various amounts, shades and shapes. The complexity of the Mirage Camo pattern and the selection of colors protect the location of the soldier without compromising the position, guaranteeing concealment.
Mirage Camo uniforms have been designed with the help of direct soldier feedback. Ventilation areas have been implemented, due to reports that the current issued uniforms are too hot. Pockets have been designed regarding dimension, position and ease of use. Top-of-the-line thread has been implemented with a new stitch pattern to reinforce inherently weak areas. Abrasion-resistant fabric has been added to increase wear, making the uniform more durable.
“We have had our users get within 10 meters of the enemy without compromising their position,” stated designer and president of Mirage Camo, Jason Simione. “This guarantees that Mirage Camo will save lives, as well as give U.S. soldiers the tactical edge that they currently do not have.”
Dana Heinsen:
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