ATK/HK XM8 Carbine Feedback/Update and ‘Army Times’ XM8 Article Archive.

by David Crane david@defensereview.com DefRev’s recent article, "GDATP XM307/XUV OCSW Video, ATK/HK XM29/OICW, HK XM8, and Metal Storm" contains an email communication in which I discuss some of my views on the ATK/HK XM8 "Lightweight Modular Carbine System" (LMCS) . We also recently published an update on the ATK/HK XM8 Lightweight Modular Carbine System (LMCS) titled "U.S. Army Requests Additional …

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High-Tech Spray-On Armor for Vehicles and Buildings Continued…

by David Crane david@defensereview.com DefRev’s previous article on Spray-On Elastomeric Polymer Armor was titled "U.S. Military Testing Spray-On Polymer Armor". The spray-on polymer armor is being used to reinforce evertything from Humvees to Government buildings against both ballistic and explosive threats. In that story, we didn’t include the name of the company that is applying the polymer armor coating because …

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How Are U.S. Infantry Weapons/Small Arms Performing in Iraq? After-Action Report

by David Crane david@defensereview.com One of DefRev’s close contacts in the Mil/LE tactical training community just called our attention to this document. It’s an after-action report on/assessment of U.S. infantry small arms performance during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). The Soldier Weapons Assessment Team’s report focused on "current state of weapons, ammunition and accessories directly managed by PMSW: M9 Pistol to …

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The Tactical Operator Newsletter: Reality-Based Training (June 2004 Issue)

by Gabe Suarez Suarez International SO here we are mid-year. It is amazing how quickly the time goes by. Between the last newsletter and now we have taught six classes in places as different as Elko, Nevada and Battle Creek, Michigan. We’ve worked with Federal folks as well as members of the Norwegian marinjeagerkommado. I will be posting debriefings on …

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SFCTB Special Forces Liberator Soldier System (LSS) Headset w/Sordin Hearing Pro

by David Crane david@defensereview.com The SFCTB Special Forces Liberator Soldier System (LSS), which incorporates the excellent Sordin Supreme Pro Active-Electronic Hearing Protection/Tactical Shooting Muffs, is an interesting 2-way tactical communications system that’s currently in use with U.S. Armed Forces, specifically U.S. Special Operations forces. It’s put together by Tactical Command Industries, Inc. (TCI), out of Antioch, CA. According to Tactical …

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G-Code SOC Rig: Tactical Kydex Thigh Holster from Edge-Works Manufacturing

by David Crane david@defensereview.com DefRev’s previous article on G-Code Kydex tactical holsters by Edge-Works Manufacturing was published in late September, 2002. It was titled "Looking for a Kydex Holster for Tactical Use or CCW? It’s G-Code Time." The article mentioned Edge-Works’/G-Code’s excellent REAC Ready Rig and SOC Rig, both of which are tactical thigh rigs, made from Kydex. The SOC …

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IC Technology M11/X1 Pistol Series ( M11 Standard, M11 Recon, M11 Merc, and X1 Spy): HK P7 Meets M1911 Pistol

by David Crane defrev (at) gmail (dot) com June 10, 2004 Last updated on 6/22/12. IC Technology, out of Port Orchard Washington, is making some extremely interesting high-end and high-tech-looking semi-custom pistols. All of them are different versions of the same design (by pistol designer Fred Craig). IC Technology purchased the rights to manufacture and market the design, which is …

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Barrett M468-A1 Tactical Carbine in 6.8x43mm SPC (Special Purpose Cartridge)

by David Crane david@defensereview.com DefRev’s previous article on te 6.8x43mm SPC (Special Purpose Cartridge), a.k.a. "6.8mm Remington SPC", was titled "6.8x43mm Round for Urban Warfare CQB and Short-to-Medium-Range Sniping." The 6.8x43mm SPC (Special Purpose Cartridge) was developed with the help of the U.S. Army Special Forces community (specifically, the U.S. Army’s 5th Special Forces Group) to create a significantly superior …

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DSA SA58 .308 Tactical Carbine with DuraCoat Pixelated Camo Patterns

by David Crane mailto:david@defensereview.com DSA Inc. is currently producing some really terrific FAL-based .308/7.62x51mm and AR-15/M16-based .223/5.56x45mm tactical/Homeland Defense rifles, carbines, and subcarbines. DefRev has already published short articles on both types. Our first article that discussed their SA58 (FAL) tactical carbines and subcarines was published in October, 2001. It’s titled "DSA Inc. SA58 .308 Battle Carbines and Subcarbines at …

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GDATP XM307/XUV OCSW Video, ATK/HK XM29/OICW, HK XM8, and Metal Storm

The following is a feeback email DefRev received today from one of our readers in Australia, along with our reply, which has been edited/modified for publication as a story on "Defense Review". DefRev would like to thank "Eddy B" for the information and links he provided to us. One of the links will launch the General Dynamics Armament and Technical …

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U.S. Military Testing Spray-On Polymer Armor

by David Crane david@defensereview.com The U.S. military is currently working with a spray-on elastomeric polymer coating that can perhaps stop everything from bomb fragments to bullets. The exact elastomeric polymers the U.S. military is working with are polyurethane and polyurea, which can be combined with each other. The main selling point for spray-on polymer armor is that its very light …

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Mystery Projectile Kills M1A1 Abrams Tank, Crew Survives.

by David Crane david@defensereview.com The U.S. Army has been at a loss to identify a mystery projectile that penetrated an M1A1 Abrams tank late last year. The round created a pencil-thin entry hole, injured some of the crew inside with limited spalling, and came to a rest in the far side of the hull, after boring a 1.5-2"-deep hole through …

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Dragon Skin Flexible Scalar Body Armor Defeats Rifle Threats

by David Crane david@defensereview.com May 27, 2004 This article was modified/updated on 12/16/04. Pinnacle Armor Inc., out of Fresno, California, is currently producing some of the most advanced hard and soft ballistic armor solutions in the world. This includes Pinnacle’s flexible hard armor systems, which employ a combination of highly advanced ballistic ceramic composite and titanium composite technology and ballistic …

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Future Force Warrior (FFW) Program Still Intact…for Now.

by Noah Shachtman Ever since they tangled with the Red Coats, American generals have been giving their grunts more and more and more gear to lug — from rations to radios, body armor to batteries. Now, for the first time, the Army has decided to junk the old uniforms and start from scratch. "We’re stripping the soldier down to his …

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Metal Storm Demonstrates Robot-Mounted and Airborne Weapon Systems for U.S. Mil.

by David Crane david@defensereview.com Metal Storm recently conducted a live-fire demo of its robot-mounted electronic ballistics system for the U.S. military. According to the Metal Storm website, "The demonstration included the remotely controlled firing of stacked pyrotechnic and inert 40mm rounds from a four-barrel pod with recoiling system mounted on a ‘Talon’ robot manufactured by Foster-Miller Inc. (Foster-Miller) and supplied …

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