by David Crane david@defensereview.com DefenseReview was fortunate to get the chance to watch the Full Spectrum Close-In Layered Shield (FCLAS), a.k.a. "Full Spectrum Active Protection Close-In Layered Shield" (FSAP/FCLAS), video demonstration at the FCLAS booth at the 24th Army Science Conference (ASC 2004) exhibition. The Full Spectrum Close-In Layered Shield (FCLAS), or Full Spectrum Active Protection Close-in Layered Shield (FSAP/FCLAS), …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com DefenseReview recently attended the 24th Army Science Conference, in sunny Orlando, FL. The conference was held at the truly spectacular JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes (where we stayed, thanks to the U.S. Army). The conference itself was pretty terrific, as well. O.k., I’m going to discuss a number of very interesting military/military-applicable technologies I observed inside …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com This just in: DefenseReview has been told by one of its sources that FN Herstal’s/FNH USA, Inc.’s SCAR/SOFCAR (Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle) program competition winner utilizes an updated/upgraded FN FNC upper receiver w/M1913 Picatinny rail system, mated to a modified M4/M4A1 Carbine-config/type lower receiver. Supposedly, the M4/M4A1 Carbine-config/type lower features an HK M4 (a.k.a. …

by David Crane mailto:david@defensereview.com Back in June (2004), DefenseReview published articles about Fracture Camouflage, a.k.a. Camouflage Designated Enhanced Fractal Geometry (C2G Camouflage)/Fractal Camouflage, all forms of digital camouflage (a.k.a. digitized camouflage patterns). The DefRev articles were titled "Fracture Camouflage™: You can’t hit what you can’t see." and "Fractal Camouflage and New Digitized Tiger Stripe Camo Patterns". Guy Cramer, President/CEO of …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com The 6.8x43mm SPC, according to DefenseReview sources, has been performing extremely well in the field against enemy combatants. Special Operations end users are thus, reportedly, very pleased with it. Unfortunately, it’s also been reported to us that the 6.8x43mm SPC has been running into a considerable amount of resistance from some U.S. Army brass, who are …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com DropMaster, Inc. has developed a new, expendable airdrop delivery system, called CopterBox. CopterBox is an autorotating, disposable aerial resupply system, and appears to be a superlative, off-the-shelf product. It is specifically designed to be quick to assemble with minimal training, easy to deploy with or without a static line and to be lightweight for a single …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com The TidalForce M-750 motorized mountain bike is designed specifically for military and law enforcement (LE) end-users. It’s basically a DARPA-approved Montague Corporation Paratrooper™ Tactical Mountain Bike (folding frame) outfitted with/powered by a 750-watt WaveCrest Adaptive Motor® system in its rear wheel hub. The WaveCrest Adaptive Motor® system, made by WaveCrest Laboratories is a highly efficient and …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com Chuck Habermehl, out of CQB, Inc. (Leesburg, FL), is currently providing some of the best High-Risk Entry combatives training in the country. Any military Special Operations unit or police/LE SWAT team looking for cutting edge CQB (Close Quarters Battle) and room-clearing techniques should give CQB, Inc. a very serious look. Mr. Habermehl teaches some very aggressive …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com June 10, 2004 The following article contains a link to the DREAD Weapon System Video. This is the first time this video has ever been shown to the public. The DREAD depicted in the video is a functional prototype that operates on a less-than-lethal mode. This prototype was dismantled for security purposes to protect the technology, …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com MAXPEDITION is definitely a company to watch. These guys are making some really great stuff right now, and I can’t tell you how impressed I was with what I saw and handled at the MAXPEDITION booth at TREXPO West 2004. Well, maybe I can: I was extremely impressed. This was some of the best-made tactical nylon …