Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Kit Up!

Kit Up!

Armor Works’ Answer to the Scalable Vest Quest

Posted: 02 Nov 2010 01:32 PM PDT

Kit Up! readers will remember that we reported on a pretty cool armor system being developed by BAE Systems for the Army’s look at scalable armor systems that can go from a concealable vest for MPs to a plate carrier for door kickers all the way up to a full-on IOTV for MRAP gunners.

We had a great chat with Jason Beck, the president and founder of TYR Tactical, a subsidiary of Armor Works which offers some very cool tactical products in the pouch/armor/pack arena. He explained to us his prototype of the Modular Scalable Tailorable armor system at the annual AUSA conference, and I gotta admit, his company has taken a unique approach to the problem.

Where BAE’s Soldier Scalable Protection System does a good job of providing a wide range of body armor configurations in one system in a layered approach, the TYR Tactical vest instead focuses on construction, movement and ergonomics. Beck told us he developed the geometry of the vest in close collaboration with Army combatives instructors and Marine Corps Martial Arts Program experts, having Soldiers and Marines spar with prototypes on to see where they can shape corners and close gaps.

For example, Beck showed us how the vest is constructed in such a way to allow freedom of movement by allowing gaps near the arms, but when the trooper holds a weapon in a shooting position, those gaps close and the coverage increases in the heat of battle. Beck also mentioned a new fabric his company has developed to cut weight in the vest by 23 percent.

While the Army is tepid on the scalable armor effort (we think it’s simply a lack of congressional interest and therefore, money) it’s good to see that the service is pushing industry to develop more comfortable, adaptable and innovative armor concepts that lighten the load and make the trooper more maneuverable.

NEMO Keeps the Signal Away from Your Smart Phone

Posted: 02 Nov 2010 09:09 AM PDT

You’re a covert operator driving your Hilux for a secret meet with a source who says he at lunch with bin Laden yesterday.

Folding-stock Kalashnikov? Check. Six mags? Check. Bag of cash? Check.

Secure Blackberry? Check…

Until that annoying little tone sings out. You know, the one you assigned to CINC House when she’s got another “honey do” lined up for you…(I’ve got a ringtone of a firefight for my significant other)

Now your truck is singing like a bird and the bad guys probably know where you are.

Well, our friends from NEMO Equipmentwho make those air beam shelters came out with a way to stow your smart phone and keep the prowling eyes of electronic eavesdroppers off your signal.

The EMFX-47 is a cool looking piece of kit that makes those other dorky cellphone holders look, well, dorky… And they’re made with the snake eater in mind.

Designed at the request of clandestine operatives concerned with being tracked by their cell phones or having their phones hacked, NEMO’s new EMFX-47 pouch prevents transmissions to and from the phone using a specialied conductive textile lining. The conductive lining combined with NEMO’s patent pending construction creates a Faraday Cage, effectively blocking the phone’s radio signals.

Well, NEMO was kind enough to send me one to try out and let me tell you: it works as advertised. If you want to go off the grid fully but still carry your smart phone on the mission, drop it into one of these bomb shelters and rest easy from prowling ears.

“Oh, I’m sorry I didn’t pick up the milk, honey. I never got your call…”

The EMFX-47 is available at Tacticaldistributors.com and at ADS tactical for around $50.
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