By David Crane
defrev (at) gmail (dot) com
All photos and video contained in this article were shot by DefenseReview.com, and are copyrighted. DefenseReview.com owns the copyright on these photos. The photos and video clips were shot with a Canon PowerShot S90 10-megapixel digital camera (still camera with video capability).
September 5, 2011
At present, when DefenseReview (DR) goes with tactical hydration, or with a hydration pack, we go with Camelbak. For the last several years, we’ve been carrying Camelback packs similar to the Camelbak Urban Transport pack for our travels, but we recently received the Camelbak Ambush AB 500 and Camelbak Thermobak AB, both of which feature Camelbak’s Direct Armor Attachment System (D.A.A.S.), so we can now attach Camelbak tactical hydration directly to our tactical armor plate carrier/body armor.
The Camelbak DAAS system allows the operator to either wear his Camelbak tactical hydration reservoir/carrier in the traditional manner (like a backpack with straps), or attach it directly to his tactical armor plate carrier/tactical vest system via MOLLE. According to the Camelbak Military/Tactical products website, the D.A.A.S.™ “allows the pack to be attached directly to IOTV or MTV without interfering with the rapid removal mechanism, The D.A.A.S. Quick Attach Pressure Strap makes for easy on-the-move hydration and rinsing of the glasses and goggles, 500D Cordura® Fabric.” The Camalbak Ambush AB 500 and Thermobak AB provide this direct-to-armor attachment capability.
While Defense Review was at the 2011 Special Operations Forces Industry Conference (SOFIC 2011), we also got to photograph and handle the Camelbak Linchpin and Camelbak Urban Assault packs. The latter is a commercial-looking (non-military/tactical-looking) tactical pack with tactical features that we’ll discuss in a follow-up article.
By the way, in the first/top photo, you may have noticed the Camelbak Better Bottle and Elixer effervescent electrolyte/vitamin tabs (tablets) on the table–great products! Just fill the Better Bottle up with fresh, clean water, drop an Elixer tablet in, and voila, instant electrolyte-rich hydration on the go.
The Camelbak Ambush AB 500 and Thermobak AB tactical hydration packs should both be available from Extreme Outfitters.
DR plans to run both Camelbak reservoirs at the range, soon. We’re looking forward to attaching them to our Hardpoint Maniple-I Tactical Armor Carrier (tactical armor plate carrier)/tactical vest system. In the meantime, here are the respective features and specs on the Camelbak Ambush AB 500, Thermobak AB, and Linchpin:
CamelBak Ambush AB 500 Hydration Pack
Optimizes the area on a user’s back with a wider platform, shorter torso length and reduced stack height. This is the perfect pack for shorter missions.
Includes 102 oz (3.1 L) OMEGA® Water Beast™ Reservoir with HydroLink Exit Port
Features:
Hydration Capacity: 102 oz (3.1 L)
Cargo Volume: 189 cu in (3.1 L)
Total Volume: 372.2 cu in (6.1 L)
Pack Weight: 1.9 lbs (.9 kg) with empty reservoir
Materials: 500D Cordura® Fabric front panel, gusset and shoulder harness front side > 420D High Density Nylon on shoulder harness and back panel > 7 mm EVA foam shoulder harness > 210D Nylon lining > 5 mm Closed Cell PE foam on back panel and inside hydration compartment for insulation > Nylon webbing
Pack Dimensions: 16 in x 10 in x 5.5 in (410 mm x 250 mm x 140 mm)
Available Colors: AUC (Army Universal Camo), Coyote, Foliage, Black, meet US Military standards for Near Infrared Reflectance (NIR)
Reservoir Features: Easy-to-fill and clean wide-mouth OMEGA® opening, rugged and durable Water Beast™ material, leak-proof screw-cap, insulated PureFlow™ tube, patented Big Bite™ Valve, HydroLink™ Exit Port and Drink Port, HydroLock™ one-handed flow control
Additional Features: External fill access—allows for a quick refill without removing pack, Side-release shoulder straps for rapid removal, Multiple drink tube exit ports—for routing drink tube over the shoulder or under an arm, Nois
CamelBak Thermobak AB Hydration Pack
Reduce the bulk and lighten the load; the ThermoBak® AB does just that. A low-profile solution that offers the versatility to be worn as a standard over the shoulder hydration system, or attached to the back of the IOTV and MTV using the new Camelbak® Direct Armor Attachment System (D.A.A.S.™).
Features:
• Attaches directly to IOTV and MTV using CamelBak® Direct Armor Attachment System (D.A.A.S.™) without interfering with the rapid removal mechanism
• Quick Attach Pressure Strap makes for easy drinking and rinsing of goggles and glasses
• Exteral fill, 102 oz (3.1 L), Low-Profile OMEGA™ Water Beast™. Baffled Reservoir makes it easier to get through tight areas, and uses a shorter and wider platform that is designed to utilize more of the user’s back
• Lightweight, durable 500D Cordura®
• Integrated MOLLE/PAL attachment system with AUC printed webbing
• Quick release shoulder straps for rapid removal
• Add or remove name tags and unit badges quickly with integrated hook-and-loop
• Lower drink tube exit ports for under arm tube routing
• Side zipper allows for easy access to the reservoir and the In-Line MicroFilter
• Includes Big Bite™ Valve Cover
• Insulated Neoprene tube cover keeps liquids cool or warm while protecting from harmful UV rays
• Includes HydroLock™ for easy one-handed on /off operation
• 7 mm Closed Cell PE foam on front and back panels for insulation
• Adjustable sternum strap
• Ergonomic webbing handle
• D-Rings for tube management
• Hanger loop
• Hook-and-loop strap management
• HydroLink™ at drink interface and exit port
Dimensions: 16.25 in x 10.25 in x 4.25 in (415 mm x 265 mm x 108 mm)
Volume: cargo only // N/A, total volume // 183 cu in (3 L)
Weight: empty reservoir // 1.4 lbs (0.64 kg), filled reservoir // 8.06 lbs (3.65 kg)
Reservoir: 100 oz (3 L) OMEGA™ fill port Water Beast™ Reservoir; 42 in (1067 mm) Pureflow™ tube; 40 in (864 mm) Neoprene Tube Cover; Bite Valve Cover; Black Big Bite™ Valve; Black HL HydroLock™
Materials: 500D Dupont® Cordura® Nylon front panel and yoke > 420D High Density Nylon back panel and flap for reservoir > 420D High Density Nylon stow-away panel for shoulder harness webbing > 210D Nylon lining > Nylon webbing
Available Colors: AUC (Army Universal Camouflage), Coyote Brown, Black.
Featuring the Futura Harness by Mystery Ranch, the Linchpin™ allows the user to custom-fit the harness to a specific torso length. It can also be adjusted for wearing with or without armor. A narrow profile allows the user a full range of motion and easier movement through narrow spaces.
Features and Specs:
Hydration Capacity: 102 oz (3.1 L)
Cargo Volume: 1800 cu in (29.5 L)
Total Volume: 1984 cu in (32.5 L)
Includes the 102 oz (3.1 L) OMEGA® Water Beast™ Reservoir with HydroLink Exit Port
Pack Weight: 3.28 lbs (1.49 kg) with empty reservoir
Materials: 500D Cordura® Fabric front panel, gusset, and shoulder harness top side > Air mesh on back panel and underside of shoulder harness > 210D Nylon lining > 7 series Aluminum > 5 mm Closed-Cell foam for insulated reservoir compartment
Pack Dimensions: 19 in x 17.75 in x 14 in (483 mm x 451 mm x 356 mm)
CamelBak® Got Your Bak™ Guarantee: If we built it, we’ll Bak it™ with our lifetime guarantee
Reservoir Features: Easy-to-fill and clean wide-mouth OMEGA opening, rugged and durable Water Beast™ material, leak-proof screw-cap, insulated PureFlow™ tube, patented Big Bite™ Valve, HydroLink™ Exit Port and Drink Port, HydroLock™ one-handed flow control
Additional Features: Futura Harness by Mystery Ranch provides a custom fit, External side pockets carry three M16 magazines each, Radio equipment compatible with two lash points and dual antennae ports, Overflow compartment provides easy access to gear, Lightweight, durable 500D Cordura® Fabric
Designed to Carry: Ammunition, Radio equipment
Available Colors: MultiCam, AUC, Coyote Brown, Foliage Green
Company Contact Info:
CamelBak Products, LLC.
2000 S. McDowell, Suite 200
Petaluma, CA 94954
Toll Free: 800-767-8725
Office Phone: 707-792-9700
Fax: 707-665-9231
Product Inquiries: product@camelbak.com
Website 1: http://www.camelbak.com/Military-Tactical.aspx
Website 2: http://www.camelbak.com
Extreme Outfitters
102 Western Blvd Jacksonville, NC 28546
Phone: 910-355-2118
Fax: 910-355-2348
Email: sales@extremeoutfitters.us
Website: http://www.extremeoutfitters.us
© Copyright 2011 DefenseReview.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without receiving permission and providing proper credit and appropriate links.
Related Articles:
Camelbak Delta-5 Tactical Vest and ST-5 Tactical Pack: Latest Tactical Hydration
CamelBak Gears Up for U.S. Military SPECOPS and Chemical/Biological Warfare