by David Crane david@defensereview.com Al Baker was at TREXPO West 2004 to display and demonstrate the Baker Batshield, an advanced and novel ballistic shield designed for dynamic LE SWAT operations. More specifically, it’s designed for CQB (Close Quarters Battle). The Baker Batshield, available in both full-size and compact versions, allows an operator to engage hostile subjects with a shoulder weapon …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com DefRev discovered this item at SWAT Round-Up 2003 back in November at the Lewis Machine & Tool Co. (LMT) booth. It’s called the "MRP", which stands for "Monolithic Rail Platform". While the MRP is interesting, the most interesting aspect of the system is the quick-change barrel feature. MilitaryMorons.com (a very cool and informative site, by the …

The following information was supplied to DefRev by Stavatti Corporation-Armament Systems. A link to the SF-1 Gasdynamic Laser Rifle information sheet/line card is included in the story. It should be noted that DefRev does not yet have verification of any of Stavatti’s claims, including the veracity of the SF-1 weapon-performance claims made below. Back in March 2003, DefRev broke the …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com The previous DefRev story contains a link to an article on advanced liquid body armor (a.k.a. liquid armor) that utilizes colloidal shear thickening fluids (Colloidal STF’s) to achieve greater bullet resistance with a thinner profile and lighter weight. It’s titled "Army Scientists, Engineers develop Liquid Body Armor". DefRev has discovered more information about this new technology, including a …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com DefRev recently came across an excellent article on the 502 Thunder Sabre carbine in the July 2004 issue of "Guns & Weapons for Law Enforcement". The article was written by Gary Paul Johnston. The 502 Thunder Sabre carbine, developed and manufactured by Cloud Mountain Armory, is the newest entry into the rather exciting .50 Cal AR-15/M16-based …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com DefRev’s been hearing some good things about this item. The Surefire X200 LED WeaponLight is Surefire’s latest handgun-mounted tactical light, and it’s designed to go head-to-head against Insight Technology’s M3 group of tactical weapons lights. These include the M3 Tactical Illuminator, M3-LED Tactical Illuminator, and M3X Tactical Illuminator. DefRev has yet to T&E the Surefire X200 …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com The Tyler Special Operations Platform (T.S.O.P.), a.k.a. "Cargo Rack", was recently introduced at TREXPO West. Manufactured by Tyler Technologies (a division of Tyler Camera Systems), the TSOP is a potentially revolutionary piece of tactical equipment for LE SWAT operations, since it will give SWAT operators an aerial-based target-engagement capability (particularly against hostile subjects in high-rise structures) …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com Finally, it looks like there may just be an American-made alternative to Simunition for force-on-force training with semi-auto pistols, revolvers, and submachine guns. DefRev can’t wait to test this stuff out. This is what PDT Tech’s company literature has to say about their HydraMarker P.RO. Cartridges: "Our line of (HydraMarker) P.R.O. Cartridges (patent pending) are a …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com First, DefRev published this story, titled Corner Shot. ‘Cause You Never Know What’s Waiting for You Around the Corner.". We like to think that’s a pretty good story. Then, we followed that up with an addendum that contained fairly high-res pics of the Corner Shot brochure (complete). Now, there’s exciting professional video footage of the CornerShot …

The following is an Associated Press (AP) article: "The Bush administration’s argument for shunning a global treaty on land mines rests largely on the U.S. military’s use of "smart," self-destructing mines that don’t linger after wars end to kill and maim civilians. But it has a quiet subtext: the expectation that future generations of mines will be so smart that …