MQ-9 Predator-B ‘Hunter-Killer’ UCAV Gets a New Name: Meet the Reaper

The following is an Air Force Press News Release: 9/14/2006 – WASHINGTON (AFPN) — The Air Force chief of staff announced "Reaper" has been chosen as the name for the MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicle. The Air Force is the Department of Defense's executive agent for designating and naming military aerospace vehicles. In the case of the Reaper, Gen. T. Michael …

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Dragon Skin Body Armor (SOV-2000) Passes all NIJ Level III Tests at USTL

by David Crane david@defensereview.com This just in: Pinnacle Armor, Inc.’s SOV-2000 Dragon Skin has just passed all NIJ Level III ballistic testing/requirements at USTL (United States Test Laboratory). Official NIJ Level III certification should come in approx. 3-4 weeks, but it will come. Pinnacle Armor company officials have told us that it’s a done deal. This is BIG news for …

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M16A5 Concept: A Modular, Multi-Caliber Rifle for Future Infantry Warfighters?

by Jim Jensen Assault Rifle/Carbine with interchangeable bolts, barrels and magazine wells can shoot 5.56mm, 7.62mm Russian, and 7.62mm NATO bullets Iraq: ”Ping” “ping” “ping” an U.S. Army light infantry Soldier firing from the top cargo hatch of a BAE Systems M113 APC (Armored Personnel Carrier)/armored vehicle is placing well-aimed 5.56mm (5.56x45mm/.223 Remington) M16A2/A4 rifle shots on an Iraqi rebel …

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RAPID 40 Fast-Deployable Field Phone: 1st New Field Phone Tech Since WWII

by David Crane david@defensereview.com DefenseReview recently received an email communication from Bill Pegler, CEO of Television Equipment Associates, Inc. (TEA), about an interesting tactical communications (a.ka. tactical comms) product that TEA is currently marketing. It’s called the RAPID 40 Field Telephone System and it was designed and developed specfically for tactical military communications (tactical military comms). According to Mr. Pegler, …

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MSA Acquires Paraclete Armor and Equipment, Inc.

The following is a MSA press release: MSA [Mine Safety Appliances Company] has announced it has purchased Paraclete Armor and Equipment, Inc. of St. Pauls, N.C., a rapidly growing innovator and developer of advanced ballistic body armor used by military personnel, including Special Forces units of the U.S. military. Paraclete Armor, which employs approximately 200 people and had annual revenues …

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HK417 Weapon System: HK416 5.56 Carbine Gets a 7.62mm Big Brother

by David Crane david@defensereview.com This article was updated on 2/26/08. Back in July 2005, DefenseReview published information on the HK416 Weapon System a.k.a. HK416 Enhanced Carbine (5.56x45mm/.223 Rem.) in our article titled HK416 Piston-Driven 5.56 Carbine and High-Reliability 30-Round Steel Mag. Well, Heckler & Koch Defense Inc. (HK Defense Inc.) recently introduced the HK417 Weapon System (7.62x51mm/.308 Win.), which is …

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USSOCOM’s Combat Pistol (CP) Program Cancelled?

by David Crane david@defensereview.com The "Description" section of the latest modification (Modification 04) of Solicitation number: H92222-05-R-0017 for a .45 ACP (.45 Caliber) Joint Combat Pistol (JCP) System–now called the Combat Pistol (CP)–states: "This notification is to inform Industry the Combat Pistol requirement is postponed indefinately. USSOCOM will no longer issue a Request for Proposal." This is an interesting development, …

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MGI Hydra QCB Modular/Multi-Caliber AR Weapons System for SPECOPS

by David Crane david@defensereview.com Back in February (2006), DefenseReview briefly discussed the new and improved MGI QCB (Quick Change Barrel) Upper Receiver system and MGI D-Fender "D-Ring" in our article titled DefRev Quick Hits 3 from SHOT Show 2006: And the Hits Keep Comin’. We got to handle and examine both of these items, as well as MGI’s Modular Lower …

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Tactical Iraqi for U.S. Military and Private Security Company (PSC) Operators

by David Crane david@defensereview.com A company called Tactical Language Training LLC (Los Angeles, CA) is marketing an Iraqi Arabic language course to military and civilian personnel operating or soon-to-be operating in Iraq called "Tactical Iraqi". According to the company website, the Tactical Iraqi language course utilizes… artificial intelligence, computer-game-based interactive-animation simulations, speech recognition, and "advanced educational and human factors methodologies" …

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VirtuSphere Virtual-Reality Simulator for Mil/LE Tactical Training

by David Crane david@defensereview.com A company called VirtuSphere, Inc. (Sammamish, WA) has a product called, appropriately enough, VirtuSphere, which can apparently provide a rather unique Mil/LE tactical training and simulation experience. Due to its design, the VirtuSphere provides "infinite space" and claims to also provide "the most immersive [virtual reality a.k.a. "VR"] experience for simulated training, exercise and gaming." The …

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Rabintex to Supply R-ACH Ballistic Combat Helmets to U.S. Military

by David Crane david@defensereview.com Speaking of interesting articles, DefenseReview recently received a mention on Israel21c in David Brinn’s article (8th paragraph) on the Rabintex R-ACH (Advanced Combat Helmet) ballistic helmet (1,400 grams) which is designed to protect the wearer from fragmentation. Mr. Brinn also quoted me in the piece (8th paragraph). Several years ago, DefenseReview published an article on the …

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Are Anti-Tank Guided Missiles the New Primary Threat in Urban Warfare/MOUT?

by David Crane david@defensereview.com Greg Grant has written an interesting article for DefenseNews.com about Hizbollah’s (Hezbollah’s) "innovative" (Grant’s term) use of man-portable anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) systems. Mr. Grant cites several examples of Hezbollah’s "innovative" urban warfare/guerrilla warfare tactics with ATGMs. 1) Hizbollah guerilla fighters "swarmed" Israeli Merkava MBTs (Main Battle Tanks)–including possibly Merkava Mk4 MBTs–and fired at the sides …

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Polarion H1 Helios Tactical HID Searchlight for Special Operations and SWAT Ops

By Frank Borelli, Borelli Consulting frank at borelliconsulting.com 21 August 2006 At the SHOT Show this past February I got to see and handle the prototypes of the Helios High Intensity Discharge (HID) Searchlight. On display by the folks from Strategos International – a company recognized for its excellence and leadership in developing / training tactics for low-light engagements – …

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Blackhawk CQC SERPA Holster Double Feature: Tactical and Duty Rigs

by Frank Borelli, Borelli Consulting frank at borelliconsulting.com BlackHawk CQC Tactical SERPA Holster Regular readers know that I recently spent two weeks in New Orleans working on contract for Blackwater. One of the things I took with me was my own gunbelt. One of the things I wish I’d had on my gunbelt is the BlackHawk CQC Tactical SERPA Holster …

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Dealing with Multiple Terrorists: 21st Century AT/CT Doctrine, Part Two

by Frank Borelli, Borelli Consuting frank at borelliconsulting.com with thanks to John Giduck This article is the second installment of the original article, titled Dealing with Multiple Terrorists: 21st Century AT/CT Doctrine. "Posse Comitatus: Whoever, except in cases and under circumstances expressly authorized by the Constitution or Act of Congress, willfully uses any part of the Army or the Air …

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