Below is a compilation of my IG posts for the show. IG has been my main social media platform for some time now and will likely remain so, so please do check the links on the main page of the site to follow there if you like my content or find it informative.
Slideshow of different heavy firepower, vehicles and uncrewed platforms. Some of my thoughts on the current state of things:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DOtTHiwDE-5/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
@spiritussystems LV-120 – it’s getting there.
As I’ve discussed on the site recently, Spiritus as a company did have a period where they didn’t use any laminate fabrics and the design of the LV-119 PC happened to fall during that period, hence it was almost entirely made of standard 500D.
Recently they’ve been going all in on the X-Pac/Cordura lamination combo and the 120 is primarily made from that.
Not a material that’s common on the market thus far and I haven’t tried it out on anything yet, but it does simply mean the 120 will be more durable than the 119, and i would presume lighter than a lot of the 500/500 or 500/1000 cordura products that have been the standard for the past few years. I have faith they’ve picked a good fabric, no concerns on that front.
I also asked about the spacer mesh on the inner surfaces and shoulder pads, which wasn’t present on the 119. There are many types of mesh out there, and this one is reported to be extremely hydrophobic and should transport water very quickly away from wearer, allowing it to drip down the plate. It certainly has a comfortable feel to it and should add a lot to the carrier in that regard.
There are of course many more features being added, with even more cable routing possibilities, 2″ Tubes optional on either shoulder and more.
Also shown here but not confirmed for release:
-New Mk5 (6?) with G-Hook mounting and Tubes attachment loops
-Double 556/radio size pouch on the wearer’s right with adjustable depth and elevator flap (draws out the contents)
-Slim double pouch with permanently affixed flaps that remain entirely optional for retention (pick your access speed)
The latest offering from @aimpointeurope is the DUTY series MR – Multi Reticle. Best picture I could manage to get through it with the reticle actually in focus while holding my phone upside-down, sorry folks.
Obviously externally it’s much like any other DUTY RDS. But if you hold the brightness up for about 3 seconds you can switch between dot, circle-dot or circle only (for really gross aim and super close situations?).
Why does this exist? Say it all with me now: because it was asked for! Not just that though, Aimpoint were finding they couldn’t even bid on certain contracts from the off because a 65MOA circle was a specified requirement. Which to me sounds like the organisation literally only wants the L3 holo option, or some lazy procurement officer is straight up doing ctrl-c ctrl-v on the documentation.
While I was checking out the Aimpoint optic line-up I noticed some unusual furniture on the dummy ARs that said optics were mounted to. If I were at SHOT this would tend to make me think I was looking at some Strike level rubbish; stocks and grips that an optic/laser company had slapped on to their non-firing approximations of ARs for display and demo purposes (or perhaps been given for promo).
UKROP, according to Google, is a company in Ukraine that makes their UAR-15s, 10s and 40mm launchers, though I think the formal company name might be Zbroyar. We must summon the spirit of @armourersbench to find out more!
When you look up the UAR-15 you’ll see a lot of images from a few years back with KeyMod handguards and Magpul furniture, but Ukraine is working hard to bring in manufacturing of everything they can. Supposedly only the barrels for the current UARs are imported with everything else made in country. CZ also told me they have licensed the BREN and should be manufacturing those soon.
This stock seemed to be comprised of a pretty decent quality plastic with good fitment to the receiver extension. Obviously there are design cues from Magpul and the quality felt closer to Magpul or B5 than UTG or Strike, or whatever other brand from the US that is never issued but only bought by wearers of white Oakleys. Granted I’d like to see the 4 QD points be rotation limited, the needless cheek area geometry dispensed with and a couple of other small tweaks, but those are not world ending issues with a stock.
Unfortunately I didn’t get a picture of the matching pistol grip, but within just the last week a YouTube channel in Ukrainian called @tacti_coach_rezerv has uploaded a lengthy video in familiar GunTube range format that’s all about the latest iterations of the UAR. Plenty of footage there.
Possible upcoming @arktisltd PC as part of their ongoing modernisation? This was on an Army display of military level equipment so there weren’t any company employees around for me to ask more.
I don’t opt for elastic cummerbunds that store kit myself, but for what it’s worth I’d say this is one of the better looking iterations of that concept. Also not familiar with this specific QR buckle (it’s hard to keep track of them all) and at this time I’d stillconly ever buy original Tubes, but I always look at the various other iterations to see if any of them actually work well and are simple and robust; like the originals.
Overall looks like a good design with solid material, comfortable interior, plenty of modularity via proven PALS slots and no weird ideas trying to fix what isn’t broken.
The lesser-spotted Challenger 3. Which I shall deliberately say little about.
This vehicle is an upgraded chassis rather than new production, and reportedly the whole fleet of 2s are getting the upgrade. I was surprised to read this morning that the 2 model had been in service for just over 30 years, ever since 1994, with the first prototype ordered in 1988. There were some incremental upgrades of course, but it would seem that the 2 decades of COIN we recently went through pushed the MBT quite low on the priority list.
When I look at the procurement history of the whole type, I can’t help but see *some* parallels to the SA80.
With the switch from rifled to smoothbore gun, we can get on board with standard NATO ammunition. In an age of gun-launched-missiles and drones, the MBT is not obsolete but just like the trooper on the ground, it certainly must progress with the other technology around it.
@cryeofficial Low Burden CBRN Clothing System on show with @levelpeaks
According to the literature, this suit is actually breathable. I have no idea what kind of space magic would make that possible and of course the word breathable can mean different things along a sliding scale, but everyone who has ever had to wear CBRN gear knows what a treat it would be to have that feature.
This set also has similar pockets and general features to a G4 field uniform (with some obvious necessary exceptions), so you’re not suddenly left without any pockets to use when you come under attack by the worst type of weaponry.
Exactly what type of carbon layer is used and the agents this protects against/durability while exposed I wasn’t able to get any info on. There’s a chance it’s less than some older types of common issued suits given the low-burden attributes, but equally there could have been technological improvements that have been integrated.
Personally I’ve had the same DDPM suit since my first trip to stores in basic so I liked seeing this one in MC Arid.
I thought at first these were potential Virtus armour carrier replacements, started writing a lot about them, but they’re actually @cribgogh products. The materials are either the legit issued MTP nylon/webbing or they look very close. Carriers made from actual MoD fabrics aren’t common outside of proper issued Osprey Mk4 and Virtus STV.
In recent years there’s been a lot of common issued kit replaced by the ‘gucci brands’, with the bootnecks for example, but still only with comparatively small units. On the surface the issue boots are often high-end brands like Altberg and AKU, but they just take the rough design and have them manufactured in Asia with different materials. Could that model perhaps be a way forward with a mass issue carrier though?
Something more akin to an APC or Strandhogg but made by a large scale, non-commercial government contractor (hopefully setup actual UK or at least European manufacture). The USMC seem to have done a decent job of this recently. Again the requirement first is new armour before changing the carrier, and I’m not sure how things sit in that regard right now.
Current Typhoon weapon options.
Don’t usually post about this because people who I work around think it’s all secret and you can’t just Wiki any of the stuff I post in 2 seconds (you can and should). But this is a public show with photography allowed and info all about the display on stands nearby.
Right to left:
-Meteor missle tucked neatly in to the shoulder area
-Paveway IV bomb (same as the JDAM with laser)
-Stormshadow cruise missile
-Brimstone A2G 3 rail launcher + missiles (another launcher on the ground in front of it)
-ASRAAM missile
On the ground the MBDA SPEAR, which is not currently in service but is under consideration, and I reckon is likely to end up being used in the RAF on the F35. That is not based on any insider info that’s purely my opinion as a private person.
This loadout is very much representative of what any model of Eurofighter in use with any nation can carry. I won’t go in to more details, but you can open source pics of these weapon loadouts on current ops with 2 seconds on Google, and as I mentioned you can Wiki tons of unclass info about the weapons right from your phone.
Every battlefield is a layered space and once you get to know about one layer, I find it helps you unlock understanding of all the others through interconnecting knowledge. Also while I find small arms and personal kit deeply interesting, they’re comparatively accessible and they feel important to us as human individuals; they aren’t the whole story, by a long shot. Holding ground is the end goal in many contexts and that takes humans on said ground (maybe slightly less so in future?), but many modern operations have no objective of holding ground at any level.
cryeofficial @multicampattern at the @levelpeaks display area.
Looks like the new G3.5 combat shirt but they’ve switched the split tan loop fields to solid fields in pattern matches. Could just be a contract piece or maybe a potential change for all production including all commercial sales. Unfortunately I couldn’t speak to someone for more info at the time, but hopefully in future.
@hecklerundkochgermany selection in factory grey finish.. nice.
HK421 – Lightened version of the MG5 762 MG
G210 – aka MR308A6, which has come a long way since the original 417
G39 – aka HK437 aka the 433 in .300BO
Crossbow ‘low cost cruise missile’ from @mbda_uk
There are a million things I could try to discuss relating the evolution of warfare since the start of the Ukraine war, but I’ll try to look at one example at a time.
I personally reckon that the cheap Shahed style drones are now cemented in the minds of western defence leaders as ‘what the bad guys use’, a bit like the AK vs M16. Those cheaper solutions also can’t be depended upon for the type of reliability and pinpoint precision that current western doctrine looks for, indeed demands very often. My personal experience is that anything short of 100% performance from any system is looked on dimly indeed.
There probably is a gap in the market that lies in between ultra Gucci like the Stormshadow cruise missile, and legacy artillery and laser/GPS guided bombs (or indeed homebrews using commercial drones). Missiles in general have historically induced a high cost per unit due to the expense of the top end electronics. But tech has now come on enough that the seekers, software and guidance can be made a lot more cheaply yet still to a high standard.
There has, of course, also been a wake-up call in that the gucci options simply can’t be made fast enough. The selection from a years ago was fine in Afghan in uncontested airspace, no EW concerns and only being used at a comparatively low rate. Rather a different story has emerged from Ukraine however. DJIs with shaped charges can only do so much and ‘proper’ weapons are expensive and hard to make. So maybe the new way is somewhere in the middle ground.
@berettaofficial NARP and @sako_international ARG 40 DI and GP (piston) model ARs.
Both very nice 556 rifles, both are in the potential mix for Grayburn to replace the L85.
To my knowledge Grayburn isn’t even close to choosing a calibre so any conjecture at this point doesn’t mean a ton, but safe to say any legit manufacturer will throw their hat in the ring to at least have a chance.
While Beretta do need to watch Hot Fuzz before continuing with their submission (required British viewing), I do like it amongst the crop of so many competing modern AR-18 type designs. I think Beretta is a company with the ability to output the necessary quality and they certainly have a proven track record of designs.
The SAKOs again I would expect to be quality, and the GP model does a really great job of integrating a piston within the size constraints of an AR-15. There are ambi controls and a few other modernisations of course, but they don’t really do anything much different to a basic M4. That’s actually great in a lot of ways, but for me the ARG isn’t the choice to replace SA80 in 5-10 years (assuming we select a short action cartridge).
Prototype/WIP Back Panel by @spiritussystems – part of the upcoming LV-120 suite.
The previous ‘MOLLE Back Panel’ of course was a hollow grid style construction, but they’re moving over to a more traditional laser cut set of slots. No surprise that the main fabric is the new X-Pac laminate, which the Reverso sling pad uses and will also be heavily used in the 120.
I would describe this design as a meshing of the old MOLLE and the Assault Back Panel, because they are adding a tool sleeve. This was heavily requested by current users of the MOLLE who no doubt needed the freedom of pouch configuration, but also need to carry a heavy breaching tool as close to their back as possible. The sleeve base can be tucked away entirely with velcro and I was told the production version will likely add some loops similar to the Brunchbox, such that the length of the sleeve can be adjusted when deployed.
The top attachment points have been switched to a much simpler method (tegris type teeth), which is a welcome move and overall makes mounting far quicker. Often requested by guys who jump with a back panel in their gear bag then need to attach it ASAP on the LZ.
Not sure if this will be controversial, but I think the @czguns Bren series is right around the top of the pile of current production military carbines. Maybe the best example of such a rifle there is currently. Modern and very extensively combat tested.
Russia has essentially failed to modernise the AK, no surprise. The DoD has a million different ways they could draw upon the world’s best (by far) industrial base that’s constantly spending heaps of cash competing and trying to make a better civilian version of their military rifle; but they didn’t. Now obviously, there are reasons they didn’t, they’ve gone down a very different path, and some people who are in the know support that path. Others oppose it, and it’s easy to provide arguments for that stance, but all we can say now is time will tell on that one.
Anyway, the Bren 3 is lovely, modular M-LOK handguard, more stock options amongst other notable upgrades, definitely great for SF and what the civilian market will prefer. But I’m going to go out on a limb and say the 2 is the better option in a lot of ways for general issue, especially in a peer conflict (assuming it’s cheaper to make). Not enough room in a social media post to really elaborate though.
The CZ 40mm is most certainly an impressive piece of engineering, with a reversed section of pic rail to interface with any rifle (takes about 3 seconds to attach with no tools) or their standalone mount. Short barrel on it but that keeps it light, especially when combined with the fact that said barrel just rides on 2 bars like an MP5 stock (vs the full chassis of a 203).
Does @coltcanada make a better AR than most American brands?? I don’t know, but it’s close.
These C8 MRRs are lovely, and I think the monolithic upper is a good option for making the platform more rugged and suitable for large-scale military usage.
Hope I get to shoot the bonkers looking Millbrook suppressors some day. Supposedly the special sauce is that the majority of the volume is actually behind the muzzle device so you’re barely gaining any OAL. I’ve not even seen one be attached/detached though myself. I’m pretty sure I read somewhere that (at least some of the time?) they are attached permanently. Strange beasts.
@usordnance M60E6 for a mate of mine who loves the pig (like bloody hell just marry one already)
I don’t know the design well enough to really say anything conclusive either way, but my feeling is that now it’s been fully developed over time it’s a decent LMG option. I like the fact it’s a reincarnation of the Lewis. It was an impressive GPMG when it was designed in terms of firepower vs weight.
However it weighs around the same as the HK421, which has far more modern features. Mk48 is a couple of pounds lighter and benefits from years of general wrapon development. The KAC LAMG in 762 is again more modern, not as good as a GPMG but is far lighter. Obviously there are dozens of other comparisons to be made.
Aesthetically, the original ‘nam version is the best looking machine gun thought there’s no disputing that.
Have to thank the very knowledgeable gentleman at the @bemeyers booth for running me through the basics on their current flagship offerings, very educational!
I’m sure you all know the MAWL already, very successful and popular but been around for a while now, and the DAGIR looks to be the new king of the hill. There are already a couple of versions of it that have been produced, and it’ll be a while before it hits shelves for regular folks, but they do aim to make that happen eventually. Right now they have a bit SOCOM contract for them to fill.
The impressive part of it is there are literally no moving parts used to adjust the dispersion, purely done in solid state on the emitter board. Very precise, durable, light and compact. I enquired why they’d seemed to have changed form factors from the unusual layout of the MAWL back to a more conventional 12 o’clock box, and that basically comes down the MAWL being designed purely by the engineers and the DAGIR being what the users wanted. Probably makes sense in terms of convergence/zero at range, but I’m no expert there. Controls wise, the DAGIR obviously does better than most with the fine adjustment wheel right on the side there, plus a power slider on top and a dedicated vis override button.
The MILR is basically the same guts as the DAGIR but with an added LRF and the potential to interface with the disturbed reticle in the right optic. I was told there isn’t a compatible scope just yet, other than (maybe) the M157.
VSLAP is the update to the IZLID, no giant change but it has a wider range of output powers, more agreeable form factor too. Still primarily ‘just’ a pointer to be used in addition to a serious designator for calling down major ordnance in a denied/target rich environment.
I took the opportunity to handle the @_opscore FAST SF NG, which is being issued to UKSF and the RM (along with plenty more around the globe of course). Very nice and light and better pads than the original line of FAST lids that brought the brand in to the limelight originally. They’ve also extended the nape a fair bit further down which is a good shout.
The wider MoD contract is currently locked in, with no replacement being sought right now to switch the standard issue Revision Mk8/Virtus helmet at this time, but Gentex/OC are interested of course.
Oh and if you ever forget or weren’t sure what NSPA means in your Crye G4s – first pic should help.
Interesting to me (but totally plain looking) is the Connectorized (sic) Downlead, which enables you to simply unplug from your PTT and plug in to, apparently, all standard NATO aircraft comms and be able to talk and listen. Which is a lot quicker, easier and better than having to switch to an aircrew helmet in order to speak to a helicopter crew when you jump in (for example). No idea what type of magic is going on inside that little box in order to make AMPs speak to proprietary aircraft comms from decades ago.
@ruggedsuppressors are showcasing their recently released Axial, which is their first low-blowback design. It’s wide with lots of internal volume and it’s a chunky boy at 19oz with mount. However, it is rated for belt-fed fire and for use from 556 up to .300 Ultra Mag, with extensive use of Cobalt 6 aka Stellite (or a type thereof). End caps are replaceable and the 762 FH type is included as shown.
I am definitely not an expert on the US silencer market, I know of the likes of the NT4 and RC2 that have seen wide service, but the number of metal tubes available is pretty staggering these days. I have heard people with discerning tastes say great things about Rugged and they do offer an unconditional lifetime warranty. The street price on the new Axial is also surprisingly low.
This honestly feels more like the can you’d put on an FN MG than anything else. Will probably last an insanely long time if used with 556. Definitely look at their Titanium options for hunting though – so light they feel like airsoft replica cans in the hand.
Something I have honestly pondered for about 10 years now is why there’s barely been any move to mount optics with anything other than picatinny.
@reptiliacorp recently released this AUS Direct mount which can be (surprise) directly fitted on to the @unpossible_by_q Fix bolt action. You remove the pic rail on your receiver and just screw this right on – super light, super high production standard as you’d expect, nice clear ano to match other Q stuff. Not cheap of course.
Reptilia, as the kings of gucci accessories, also has a charging handle, ambi selectors and even handguards on the way. I don’t know when or how much but probably keep an eye out during SHOT and brace your wallet to get that level of quality.
Finally got a good look at the @etintproducts line-up in person; been really interested in these for at least 5 years but never quite committed as I want the goggles and availability was a bit up and down.
The only downside to this video is it looks like they barely tint, which isn’t the case, they go darker than it seems in the footage. But the change is beautifully quick and there’s no noticeable extra weight vs normal eye pro.
Obviously they won’t apply to everyone all the time and having 2 full sets of glasses weighs probably the same and you can swap quickly, but if the constraints of charging them doesn’t put you off from your intended use then there’s no denying they’re impressive tech and unique on the market.
WE Platt are partners with @dillonaeroinc and were kind enough to talk to me a bit about their latest weapon mounts.
They have made traditional gunner ring mounts for a long time, but their newer Remote Weapon System uses adapters on different weapons to accept either a Minimi, MAG (900rnds), M2HB (350rnds), Mk19 (64rnds), or of course the M134D as shown.
They played some clips for me, showing the minigun achieving some very respectable groups, plenty accurate enough for a common individual target at 600m firing bursts from the Dillon weapon. And still practically accurate to 1000m, with the turret itself have remote operation up to 1000m away, meaning the troop can be 2k away from their target using only 7.62mm ammo.
The control console is very intuitive and easy to learn. Additional automated guidance is coming in future to target small and fast moving aerial threats (for which the 134 is the best candidate).
Australian MoD already had a 3 vehicle setup of M1113s using the exact turrets show – 2 vehicles with weapons and no crew at all, with 2 operators positioned behind the UGVs, protected inside the third APC.
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