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BROŃ - FIREARMS
SBS-5,56 BY Michał Sitarski
Much of these revisions were already incorporated into the bullpup rifle, as well.
The revised MSBS-5,56K worked even better than the predecessor (both styles were at hand for ready comparison) – and the development
of the ergonomic details is not yet deemed finished, although the next improvements seem to be mostly of cosmetic importance – and I for
one can’t honestly find with it anything to blame already. And the change towards the COTS-compatible components, opening the field for
easy customization is a really good idea. At times of ubiquitous Internet access, each soldier can right any wrong he/she finds with the issue
rifle – without incurring additional burden unto the already suffering taxpayers.
BROŃ - FIREARMS
l
Together with the rifles, another version of the accompanying
knife-BAYONET was presented, in a complete departure from
the previously used 6H4 bayonet of the AKM and Beryl series
of rifles. This is first and foremost a multi-function field knife,
which happens to fit the muzzle of a rifle, and not the other
way around. That’s why it was fitted with a comfortable grip,
much in the Extrema Ratio flavor. The blade is a ‘combo’-style,
with a partially scalloped edge – though this is still open to re-
view. The weapon mounting system is a novel one, consisting
of a hook at the edge of the guard, which mates with a cut-
out in the muzzle device, and a lug incorporated into the tip of
the hilt, locking into a spring-loaded latch being a part of the
support ring on the barrel. To avoid conflict with an under-bar-
rel grenade-launcher, it was decided to move the bayonet to
a reversed position, i.e. on top of the barrel, the G3 style. The
new arrangement was already introduced into the bullpup, and
would make its way to the classical layout rifle as well – the
revised K presented still had the latch
under the barrel. A plastic scabbard was
designed for the bayonet, which
combines with the blade to form
wire-cutters, and attaches to a plastic
platform rog offering multiple
attachment options.
BROŃ - FIREARMS
Along with the rifles a new pistol was also presented, but as
the patents are still pending, we were asked not to show the
details of it. All we are able to write is that this pistol continues
the MAG 95/98 series from the 1990s. This is a classical Browning
short-recoil, tilting barrel-locked handgun with an external
hammer. There’s no manual safeties of any kind, just the
firing pin block, released by a trigger. All controls (except
for the disassembly catch) are doubled, so the pistol is fully
ambidextrous. The grip plates and backstrap are exchangeable
to conform the size and shape of the firing hand, and there’s a
1913 rail on the frame’s dustcover. On firing the pistol is stable
and quite accurate, only when fired with quick double-taps
displays a slight tendency to jump up and to the right.
The demo was crowned with a shooting contest, shot with
MSBS-5,56K and the new pistol, in which journalists from the
Strzal gun magazine and the Equipped.pl bloggers reigned
supreme, making a clean sweep of the podium.
Text: bartosz szołucha
Photos: michał sitarski
7th to 10th march 2014 were busy days in Nuremberg in German Frankonia, where IWA
OutdoorClassics 2014 trade show and Enforce Tac law enforcement conference. Short
notice for our readers on the other side of Big Pon - IWA is EuropeanSHOT Show, just a little
bit smaller. The main focus of trade show are guns, guns and guns. Mostly hunting and sport.
Enforce Tac is specialized exhibition and conference for military, law enforcement and gover-
nment officials. This year ENFORCE TAC took place on 5th to 6th March, just before the IWA.
Splitting IWA and Enforce Tac is forced by German law mostly - there is absolutely no
military and law enforcement weapon systems. There is no exhibitor showing SMG’s, assault
rifles, sniper rifles, grenade launcher, frag (out!) grenades, etc. But at IWA, semi automatic
rifles „looking like military but not military” ones or .50 cal „hunting rifles” are shown in every
variant and color.
The „Rule” mentioned above does not comply to gear, uniforms, helmet, body armour, etc. - all
the tactical stuff is exhibited in dedicated and separated exhibition hall but some of military
and law enforcement related companies have their booths in other halls. Trade show is huge
but still crowded. The closing stats for IWA 2014 highlight 1343 exhibiting companies and
39244 visitors from around the globe.
TARGI - TRADE SHOWS
IEA, German distributor of night visions systems and famous, panoramic quad L3 GPNVG goggles.
„The Boys” - Bran
Predator also visited IWA. This „Ugly Mother******” was guest of Polish HPE. Simple respons
allows charge e
with wide choic
TARGI
RELACJA-REPORT
- TRADE SHOWS
ndon Webb (SOFREP), Drago (ex-SEAL), Kisiel & Chlor (ex-GROM) signing at the Direct Action booth.
mpact submachinegun, with internals similar to AR15/M4. All controls are located in the same
ws to minimize time for training. SIG MPX is available in several versions (standard, short and
well as in different caliber 9x19 mm Para, .40 S&W i .357 SIG. SIG MPX operates with a fully closed
ating bolt system and employs gas-operated short stroke piston system.
se for lack of power in the field – damage resistant, portable solar charger Power Traveller which
electronic devices using two photovoltaic cells. Different size of cells and capacity provide customer
ce of options.
Quite original (
them in such fiv
Space Marine-looking KRISS Vector SMG with some extraordinary features
5,56 FN Minimi
company. What
tegrated bipod,
rails, bolt cham
New 9mm CZ P-09 Guardian Angel from Ceska Zbrojovka was a star on their booth. and improved e
Glock 42 – the newest and the smallest (only 125 mm long) Glock family represen- „Hunting rifle” B
tative. This Petite is chambered for .380ACP. Six rounds magazine plus one round 338 Lapua Mag
in chamber - fair enough for self-defense or undecover ops. trivially easy –
TARGI
RELACJA-REPORT
- TRADE SHOWS
(or awkward) soluton to limited capacity magazines. If law allows for only 10 round magazines, why won’t you link
ve pack? Looks interesting, but from practical point of view it is total FAIL. Curiousity from Israeli FAB Defence.
HK MP7A2 – imp
Picatinny rails. M
Heckler&Koch offer 2014 season – G28E (export version with some mods), HK417A2
and two versions of HK416A5 - more info about A5’s in this issue!
B&T APC300 - fu
APC556 with B&
TARGI - TRADE SHOWS
Mid-Life Improve. 50 year old but firm. Now available in RAL8000 co-
HK firearms. MP5 MLI has Picatinny railed handguard and new stock.
proved version of 4,6 mm PDW with modified hand guard with triple
MP7A1 had folded front grip.
ully kitted out .300 Whisper variant of B&T Advanced Police Carbine
&T suppressor and Khales scope.
Components of R
Ops-Core FAST
ballistic protect
Ops–Core FAST Carbon helmet with some fancy gadgets.
Team Wendy EXFIL Ballistic – new player on the market dominated by Ops-Core FAST and Cry Precision Air-
Lorem
Frame. Team lorem
Wendylorem lorem
till now was known as helmet accessories manufacturer, mostly helmet pads and liners.
TARGI - TRADE SHOWS
Revision Batlskin system – Cobra P2 helmet with ballistic visor and mandible
Ballistic with extra Velocity System SLAAP front armour plate. SLAAP increases front
tion up to 7,62x39 rounds. Shown are also optional modular armoured „ears”.
Team Wendy EXFIL Ballistic has a completely different side rails system than popular ARC’s and innovative
head harness solution with BOA closoure.
Direct Action Messe
UF-PRO Striker XT combat uniform from Slovenia in PenCott GreenZone camuflage. Direct Action Gho
Combat jacket and pants have some really cool features. Snowdrift snow ca
Vertx Airflow Phantom Ops pants with Direct Action Combat Pants protype in Kryp-
mesh ventilation panels design together tek Mandrake. Looking forward to see final Arc’teryx LEAF
with Fighter Deisgn. version.
TARGI
RELACJA-REPORT
- TRADE SHOWS
enger Bag in Cry Precision Multicam. More info about the bag in this issue FRAG OUT!
ost pack prototype in PenCott Helikon Husky - Level 7 variant for CCW with Clima- Leo Koehler Smock in Multicam Tropic
amouflage. shield APEX insulation. camouflage
Safariland 7TS i
NFM & Arc’teryx LEAF joint ops - the complete suite of modular internal pouches for
Arc’teryx Khard 30 and Khard 45 packs. Read more about Khard 45 in FRAG OUT! Lorem lo
Solar, water, w
from Power Tra
bie Apocalypse.
TARGI - TRADE SHOWS
BNVD night vision goggles. Probably the most advanced „classic”
-11769 or MX-10160 tubes.
injection molded holsters. Looks like airsoft copy but works well.
LOWA Z-6 or popular Zephyr on steroida – more durable and rock solid, but still Rocky S2V Jun
lightweight and comfortable. US Army
Lorem lo
Lorem lorem
German Meindl lorem lorem
is introducing more and more military dedicated boots. The one End of the World
above is militarized version of Meindl’s high altitude mountain boots. is… modified US
TARGI - TRADE SHOWS
Elite array of glasses and ballistic goggles. Now hydrodipped in camouflage patters – Multicam,
ealtree are available.
RELACJA-REPORT
Training Exercise) “FOX 2014” during which, participant’s capabilities were verified. Soldiers
conducted offensive and defensive operations, river crossing operations, using ROSOMAK APCs.
Actions were supported by F16 pair from 32 Tactical Air Base located in Łask. Moreover battal-
ion decontamination set were used to secure CBRN incident. Furthermore troops conducted day /
night life fire training which include: personal weapon, APC armament and fire control exercises.
ATGM (Anti-Tank Guided Missile) SPIKE, target alteration, life fire exercise was FTX “FOX 2014”
capstone. When missile has been launched, senior cpl Patryk Michalak – SPIKE operator,
made a decision. Within serious time limitation, he had to change missile trajectory and guided
it to the alternate objective. Additionally the new target was hid behind the hill. That was first,
such demanding, ATGM life fire exercise in Wielkopolska Brigade.
7th Mounted Rifle Battalion complete training in Żagań FTA and prepare for another one
– this time at the Drawsko Pomorskie FTA.
BROŃ - FIREARMS
HK415A5 in 11” SBR variant has flip-up front sights integrated
into the Picatinny railed fore-end. The front sight is fixed.
850 rounds per minute (cyclic). Length: 709/805 mm (27.91/31.69 in), width: 74 mm (2.91 in), height: 240 mm (9.4 in),
lbs). Feed system: STANAG 10/20/30 rounds magazine. Available color: Black or RAL8000 Flat Dark Earth.
HK415A5 with 14,5-inch, 16-inch and 20-inch barrels has front sight
adapter with a flip-up front sight attached directly to the barrel.
850 rounds per minute (cyclic). Length: 797/893 mm (31.37/35.16 in), width: 74 mm (2.91 in), height: 240 mm (9.4 in),
9 lbs). Feed system: STANAG 10/20/30 rounds magazine. Available color: Black or RAL8000 Flat Dark Earth.
Inside look into the lower receiver. Nothing was changes
except slight modifications forced by fully-ambidextrous
controls.
850 rounds per minute (cyclic). Length: 848/944 mm (33.38/37.16 in), width: 74 mm (2.91 in), height: 240 mm (9.4 in),
5 lbs). Feed system: STANAG 10/20/30 rounds magazine. Available color: Black or RAL8000 Flat Dark Earth.
In all of the new HK416 versions the Euro
where the safety might be engaged at a
weapon is unloaded
The fore-end of HK16A5 20-inch barrel variant has small cut which
allows adjustments of gas regulator. On the very front of the fore-end
Picatinny rail is just on the top.
850 rounds per minute (cyclic). Length: 934/1030 mm (36.77/40.55 in), width: 74 mm (2.91 in), height: 240 mm (9.4 in),
9 lbs). Feed system: STANAG 10/20/30 rounds magazine. Available color: Black or RAL8000 Flat Dark Earth.
ON THE OUTSIDE...
The recent version of the Heckler & Koch HK416 For the left-handed and all those tactical situation,
shows several marked enhancements, compared when rifle has to be fired from left shoulder, the
to the previous generations. The least important of most important feature of the HK416A5 is that it
these is the one, that leaps out at you at the first is made totally ambidextrous. All controls are dou-
sight – the Teutonic Black Rifle gone Flat Dark Earth, bled. The magazine release is ambidextrous, as is
into what Germans call the RAL-8000 in their own the bolt release. The right side bolt release handle
version of the FS shades. Initially at least, this color is much improved over the previous iteration, and
is Nur für Amerika, though – the European deal- is within an easy reach of the firing hand. The left
ers would have to contend with selling them in all side bolt release is also altered, but operates in the
colors available to the buyers of the Ford Model T, familiar fashion. At the same time the protective
which means black only. fences guarding the controls against unintentional
The HK416A5 is available with four barrel lengths: operation have been enhanced as well.
11” (actually 279 mm), 14,5” (368 mm), 16,5” (419
mm) and 20” (actually 505 mm).
The two-stage gas regulator of the A3, enhancing the silenced operation, is now made standard. The regulator is eas
(N) for Normal operation, and (S), a smaller aperture for reliable Silencer operation. In the 20-inch bbl rifle the gas reg
tor forced the gas block to be reshaped, and so the folding front sight post was moved onto the barrel, between the
the 11”, has a folding front sight incorporated into the 1913 rail on top of the handguard. Hopefully that would cure
muzzle device and was frequently blown-off with powder gases.
The HK416A5 has the water drainage holes in the bolt carrier and an enhanced extractor with a corresponding su
the rifle to be shot with water still inside the weapon.
BROŃ - FIREARMS
changes. The trigger has been enhanced: it now breaks more fluently, with less trigger pull, and shorter, with less
a so-called ‘European’ standard, meaning the safety can be engaged with hammer cocked or released, as opposed
spair – both types of safety are fitted in the 416A5s, so the buyer can order which type of safety is preferred. And
sily accessed from the outside of the rifle, and does not need any tools to adjust. The settings are self-explanatory:
gulator is enclosed inside the handguard, so a window was cut in the side to reach it with fingers. The new regula-
e gas block and the muzzle (on 14,5”, 16,5” and 20” bbls), extending their sighting radius, while the shortest barrel,
the shortest 416 from shooting-out the front sight, which while folded, happened to cover the upper slots of the
upport stud inside the barrel extension, enabling for the OTB (Over The Beach) amphibious operations, allowing
HK41
BROŃ - FIREARMS
16A5
www.cenrex.pl
®
Parametry:
cenrex.pl
Cenrex sp. z o.o. ul.Podwale 23, 00-952 Warszawa tel.: +48 22 332 72 00, mail: cenrex@cenrex.pl
BROŃ - FIREARMS
Leszek Erenfeicht
T he end of the first decade of the new millenium saw Czechs and Slovaks as the Last of Mohicans in the
Unified Europe: the only country with own rifle creative possibility to use 7.62 mm caliber for the main battle
long arm. The Sa-58 (Samopal vzor 58) rifle, the mainstay of the Czechoslovakian People’s Army (Ceskoslov-
enska lidova armada, the CSLA) has been in use since the early 1960s, when Czechoslovakia became the only
Warsaw Pact country not to introduce a clone of Kalashnikov’s AK/AKM series. Despite superficial likeness,
the Sa-58 had nothing in common with the AKM except for age and a cartridge. The receiver was machined,
while in the AKM, the 1959 replacement of the original AK, receiver was stamped of sheet-metal. It was a
striker-fired rifle vs. hammer-fired in AKM, had a short-stroke piston, as opposed to a long-stroked Russian
piston, it was fitted with a bolt hold-open device operated by a magazine follower, which the AKM never had,
and the locking was accomplished by a tilting wedge, not rotary bolt. Even the muzzle thread is different, and
the Czech cleaning rod has female socket, where Russian brush needs a male thread! Yet there are still some –
let’s put it mildly – ‘non-RKIs enough’ around, who refer to the Sa-58 as ‘the Czech AK-47’ (as if misusing the
prototype ‘AK-47’ moniker for a mass-produced AK wasn’t enough abuse).
Photos: Česka Zbrojovka, Author’s Archives
BROŃ - FIREARMS
Arrested Development
However, what was modern in the 1960s, in 1970s proved to be ex- other, started to fall apart in a rapid ‘do
November and early December came C
pensive and non-modifiable. As early as 1977 a program was thus start-
eral days of demonstrations, the Comm
ed to design a modern replacement, chambered for the smaller caliber
relinquished power in what became kn
bullet. In 1977 Miloslav Fisher of the Brno’s General Machine-Building
Plants R&D Center (Vyzkumne vyvojovy ustav zavodu vseobecneho
strojirenstvi) or VVU-ZVS (also known as the Prototypa Brno) started the
‘Lada S’ study, to examine the possibility of re-arming the CSLA with a Lada: The Lit
domestically designed and manufactured rifle, chambered for the Sovi-
As of February 1990, the Lada system
et 5.45 mm round. Several years of research and preparations resulted in
but nobody was interested in it any lon
green-lighting the design in 1984. The study’s cover name, Lada (a pop-
gram did not involved production of t
ular Slovakian female first name) became the cover name of the whole
opposed to the Polish one), conversion
program, led by Bohumil Novotny. It aimed at creating the three gun
logical solution – more so as the count
‘family’ of unified design small arms, consisting of a subcarbine with 185
& Bellot in Vlasim, was already making
mm long barrel, an automatic rifle with 382 mm barrel and a 577-mm
style FMJ and JSP bullets.
barrelled Light Support Weapon.
The similarity of the concept to the AK-74 family consisting of AKS-74U,
At first there was talk of ordering 300 0
AKS-74 and RPKS-74 was not at all accidental. The new Czechoslovak
held to choose the system integrator an
rifles were downright Kalashnikovian in both idea and detail. The only
by Czeska Zbrojovka Uhersky Brod (CZ
points different were the stiffer, slide-on / slide-off receiver cover, peep-
arms maker, was given priority due to
style battle-sights, and the Galil-style thumb-operated safety-selector
al small-arms manufacture, including th
lever, but devoid of the AK-trademark long selector lever / cocking slot
machine pistol manufacture for the CSL
cover.
The design was ready by the end of 1985, prototypes were manufac-
But the Army was penniless, and s
tured and tested in 1986. After many failures and recoveries the third
Czecho-Slovakia, after what came dow
generation of these was finally approved for production in November
was now on the verge of separation, w
1989. The new rifle was then running perfect, which sadly cannot be
extremists on either side of the nationa
said for the state that commissioned it. In 1989 the Communist Bloc un-
war’ was the only one fought there, and
dermined by Gorbachev’s glasnost from one side, and Polish Commu-
what was dubbed the Velvet Divorce. In
nists sharing power with Solidarnosc opposition movement from the
BROŃ - FIREARMS
omino theory’ style. Then in late
Czechoslovakia’s turn. After sev-
munist Party gave way and finally
nown as the Velvet Revolution.
ttle Orphan
was declared fit for production, slovakia was over after 74 years since November 1918, when Hungary’s
nger. As the Czechoslovakian pro- and Austria’s Slavic lands were united, forming the new state under the
the 5.45x39 mm ammunition (as influence of Thomas G. Masaryk, who became the first Czechoslovak
n to the 5.56x45 mm was the only president. As of January 1, 1993 there were two separate states: Slovakia
try’s ammunition provider, Sellier and Czechia (Bohemia).
the .223 Remington with M193-
Now the new rifle was in dire straits indeed – the smaller the army, the
lesser chance to be manufactured in numbers. At the same time CZUB
000 new rifles and a tender was got privatized, and as a private enterprise it had to earn what it was to
nd future manufacturer. The offer spend on the new rifle design – not just draw it on the state’s budget, as
ZUB), a 1936-established national previously. For five long years the Lada program got lost from the radar
o its rich experience in individu- – gone, but never forgotten.
he Sa-58 and the vz.61 Skorpion
LA.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaL_oKeESUI
Que Sera Sera
The future of the CZ 805 is still ‘not ours to see’. It has just begun it’s travel, and the soldiers would no doubt find ma
reality became a fixed configuration one – perhaps the user did not matured yet to have too many choices left. The pla
strange way. The A3 ‘soon in a theatre near you’ is a bipod-fitted LSW/DMR – that’s more or less consistent with the pro
and the first version of the long-awaited B full-power round configuration! The civilian-legal semiautomatic variant of t
would certainly be greeted with much interest.
BROŃ - FIREARMS
any ways to give the CZUB team a reason for headaches. For some reason or other the modular rifle have in
ans are still ambitious, though, and in May 2011 the existence of the new A3 was announced – but in a little
ogram. But then the CZUB announced it would be a 7.62x51 mm weapon, which then should be a B3 rather,
the A1 has also been hinted to, so perhaps there would also be a US-market version with 16-in barrel – which
Technical Data
CZ 805A1 CZ 805A2
Caliber 5,56 mm 5,56 mm
5,56 mm x 45 NATO 5,56 mm x 45 NATO
Length, stock folded [mm] 670 587
Length, stock unfolded 915
(w/ bayonet 1050) 782 (835)
[mm]
Barrel length [mm] 360 277
Sighting radius with BUIS
395
[mm]
Width, stock folded [mm] 112
Width, stock unfolded
77
[mm]
Rate of fire [rpm]] 700-800 700-800
Battle range [m] 500 400
Weight with full magazine
4,2 4,1
[kg]
Weight w/ full magazine
and 40 mm CZ 805 G1 5,8 5,6
grenade launcher [kg]
magazine capacity [rds] 30 (CZ) or 20, 30, 40, 30 (CZ) or 20, 30, 40,
100 (STANAG) 100 (STANAG)
BROŃ - FIREARMS
http://www.youtabe.com/watch?v=PplBzmAgD9g&list=PL76965A196BEDEC23
The CZ P-09 is The laTesT high CaPaCiTy
serviCe PisTol going furTher along The design
road sTarTed wiTh The suCCessful ComPaCT
CZ 75 P-07 duTy.
Next point is the handguard/fore grip. Are you sure that you
need a vertical grip there? Would non-slip rail pads be good
enough? Still there are some, who prefer a slick handguard.
Whatever your choice, you have to remember that the AK gets
hot, rather fast, and the front part of the handguard transfers
heat from barrel, often resulting in painful burns. Good gloves or
a foregrip can protect your hand.
AK’s factory iron sights are hard to master in fast CQB shooting.
They prove their mettle, however, at longer ranges and in de-
liberate, aimed shots. A red-dot sight is a very useful tool. But
choosing your favorite sight, you have to remember that the AK
is a bit heavyish, so the weight of the sight can practically mat-
ter. A key factor is the choice of the lens shape. Some prefer cir-
cular, some are faster and more comfortable with a square one.
Another important factor is the choice of the battery size. The
AAs are much more popular in the world than the CR123s, which
are more expensive, and harder to get in some parts of the world.
And of course the price of the equipment would for most people
be a limiting factor in their otherwise free choice.
Next step is zeroing the rifle, both on iron or red-dot sights. An
experienced shooter is able to accomplish that with just a few
rounds.
The standard AK magazine is a heavy but sturdy steel magazine
for 30 rounds. Polymer magazines are lighter, but less resistant
to use, some lack the protruding sliding bottom, which is easier
to grip.
In the US-based shooting supplies stores one can find hundreds
of useful AK-enhancing gadgets, and gradually they are appear-
ing also in other countries.
The magazines are typically carried in magazine pouches (soft
or rigid, the Fastmag style) placed on the tactical vest, the belt, or
drop leg/thigh platform – wherever suits the user best. No mat- Magazine pouches mounted on
ter where, shooter should remember that the basic ammunition
supply should be placed within easy reach of the left hand (or
generally speaking, the support hand, which can a right one for a
southpaw). The magazines are inserted with rounds down,
and back to front. This is the safest and fastest way to reload.
The pouches can be closed with a flap or have internal renten-
tion. The pouches are like the weapon itself – everyone has to
master them.
The most versatile arrangement of the ammo pouches is of
course enabled by a Tactical Vest/Plate Carrier, offering larg-
est possible estate for attaching pouches. Some hate leg pan-
els, as these hinder movement. The most popular ones are belt
systems, fitted with a comfort pad, or not, with MOLLE/PALS or
not. Everyone should custom the number and positioning of
the pouches according to his or her requirements, adding a drop
pouch if needed. Magazine positioned on the
The drop-leg panel with pouches or around the hip on the sup-
port hand-side – where it is within an easy reach of the weak
hand’s when removing an empty magazine. Some shooters pre-
fer to carry it at the back or to the front. Everyone has to practice
a bit to assure which one of these positions is better – keeping in
mind that it will be obliged to move withall that gear fast!
POSITIONING
THE WEAPON STOCK
Variant two
POSITIONING
THE WEAPON STOCK
Variant three
TRENING STRZELECKI - FIREARMS TRAINING
RATOWNICTWO BOJOWE - TC3
Back in 2006, when Michał Czerwiński
and Marek Dąbrowski bring knowledge
and contact about TCCC from courses
in USMC Camp Pendelton, NC, USA that
allowed Reago training company to
invite Thomas G. LeClaire to Poland,
uniformed services (unfortunately
– but only those with smart guys) en-
raptured TC3 courses. In the same time
Bogdan from Wrocław, Poland (insid-
ers know who I am talking about) im-
plemented with friends “Red Tactics”
idea, while Tomasz Sanak spend his
time during first Polish Armed Forces
Afghanistan deployment tour.
Tomasz Sanak:
Some of services till now still remain clashed with basic CPR exer-
cises, preparing for real tactical environment actions, not going
beyond chest compression and artificial respiration. Let me back
to the “enrapturing:, sadly after 10 years it is based on our novelty
desire. Novelty because we know everything, because If I will not
get my new shiny gadget I won’t be able to act properly, to rescue
the wounded. Honestly? Personally I think, that TC3 is one of the
simplest medicine branch. It is kind of craft, because saving ca-
saulty is possible, using uncomplicated tourniquet, duct tape and
some “handcrafting”. So what is “all about”? It is “all about” quick
implementation this kind of treatment, after gaining control over
tactical situation. It must be ruthless, without attention, that you
are rescue “your brother – another operator”. Professio-
nal Combat Medic will be some kind of “medical Robocop”, which
based on visual contact and – unfortunately hardly ever – sound
assess wounded condition and initiate rescue procedure. But how
to become a “medical Robocop”? Certainly not by hypothetical ac-
tions., which means… “this is first aid dressing, you know how to
use it”, “this is tourniquet, put it on twice and will be fine, because
at 14.30 armory will be closed and classes must be ended…”, “we
will not practice outside because it is cold, besides lunch will be
served at 12.00… “ and so on, and so on. So what is “all about”? It
is “all about” – and once again truly – that only few have MISSION
sense in theirs DUTY and only few realized WHAT REAL TACTICAL
ENVIROMENT IS and understand that they are not allowed to shit
themselves, because they are responsible for somebody’s live. This
is my situational diagnosis or more sophisticated… ethiopath-
ogenesis services training system situation. For real, I have a great
comparison, because for last 7 years I have trained with multiple
forces. There is one regularity – closer to SOF or SOF – they WANT
TO TRAIN, the rest, with rare exceptions – they are “waiting for
lunch”. That is all I have to say…
Do you want to be the best?
Walk outside for freezing cold, put your hands into the snow, wait
5 minutes and then try to put tourniquet on. Then Yyou will under-
stand, marginally, what combat medicine courses are about.
Marek Dąbrowski:
I have started to write this article during my journey from Rich-
mond (where I am doing my surveys on SOF combat medics) to
San Francisco, where the world’s biggest simulation exploitation
in medical science conference takes place. Last few days I spent
for working and observing a group of medics who have benn fi-
nishing combat medic training in VCU – Virginia Commonwealth
University in Richmond USA. I also had possibility, with US Special
Operation Forces operators, to conduct some researches concer-
ning TCCC qualification level. Surveys, were conducted in VCU, hi-
-tech Simulation Center. Vast majority of subjects represented US
Army Special Forces, while rest comes from US Navy SEALS.
RATOWNICTWO BOJOWE - TC3
I am really impressed how attention to the details and critical thin-
king level were engaged during every single action or problem.
I was totally surprised how easily they communicate each other
– it was exemplary cooperation, despite the fact that it was first
time when they have worked together. I am also satisfied with
enormous care of details and equipment, following the rule “even
if you only practice, do it perfectly from the beginning till the end”.
Perfect medevac requests, communication and information
sharing pictured how much time they spend to train this case.
We have 2014 now– today’s knowledge level, training and prepa-
ring to conducting combat medicine is let’s say – good. Good in
Poland and high in many countries.
I am really happy about equipment familiarization, especially tour-
niquets. But does everyone, who is into this subject, is able to do it
perfectly? Part of those are not even trained medics and they are
try to treat treatpneumothorax with urgent needle decompression
or surgical methods of airways restoring. The only problem is like
with conducting CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation) to someone
who is in cardiac arrest. We can perfectly provide medicines, in-
tubate or exploit defibrillator – but it is a shame that Emergency
Rescue Teams still arrive to late. Beside that chest compressions
are still at the low quality level (If you want to know more, accor-
ding to current, 2010 guidelines compression’s deep should be at
least 5 cm for adults and frequency between 100-120 pressures
per minute). During my observations and analysis in Karol Marcin-
kowski’s Medical University Simulation Center in Poznan, where
I conduct everyday’s classes, large, over 200 persons group of stu-
dents, performed pressures around 4 cm average with frequency
over 135. The effect is, unfortunately, weak possibility of chest
decompression during every pressure.
Back to tactical environment – Ron Bellamy, co-creator TCCC,
together with Frank Buttler described that if anyone of us is
going to be deployed soon, that is our responsibility to learn how
how to quickly and successfully put on tourniquet and tightly seal
chest wounds. Follow by those two undisputed authorities, if we
perfectly conduct those actions then we will have 70:30 chances
to rescue are friends and ourselves.
That’s why we have to consider what is the direction of our training
and always be looking at the basics of our training. There can’t
be the situation when we are guessing. We must be completely
positive, because we have repeat that many times and we’re going
back to this very often .
For many, putting on tourniquet is to easy and they are looking
for something more – medicines, pipes wherever it is possible and
surgical treatments. But what for? If our wounded will bleed out
because nobody put tourniquet on properly.
The evidence from Polish area are researche
ber 2013 Paramedyk (Paramedic) which I h
part in and support. The survey was based
evaluation and was conducted by members
stitute, Combat Medicine Department from
luation operators thought that tourniquet s
suprised they have noticed that before the
have to remove everything from jacket or co
ket (same thing with thigh panels and carg
Of course we had more conclusions.
D SO ON
Champions in this area
ding and putting new
l work with TCCC stan-
en Red Tactics, we have
ant things and actions
on somebody’s life or
will not treat wounds
variance society, who
TOMASZ SANAK
Zakład Medycyny Pola Walki
Wojskowy Instytut Medyczny
w Warszawie.
US Army Soldier’s training - crew served weapons. VBS STRIKE Module - JTAC’s training
ELEKTRONIKA - ELECTRONICS
Virtual Battle Space 3 is the next stage in the Not only for military use
development of the complex simulation system. The system was de- Currently, the application of Virtual Battle Space 2 and its
veloped with the assumption of full interoperability with VBS 2 1.x development versions is not limited to armed forces. The software
and 2.0. The maximum area of simulation was extended included in VBS 2, used for modelling of road traffic, is used by
to 2200 x 2200 km (1000x1000 km in VBS 2 2.0 and 500x500 emergency services, the traffic police and the fire brigade. The
km in VBS 2) and the maximum range of observation is 75 km. same applies to the first aid trainings. It’s hard not to notice some
The AAR module, used in VBS 2, was developed along with the similarities between the use of VBS 2 in the armed forces and
HLA/DIS interface, allowing for interoperability with other emergency services; the simulator allows to practise scenarios,
simulation systems; the user interface was also modified. VBS the full implementation of which in trainings would be greatly
3 includes also an extensive simulation module for maritime hampered (which limits execution of “real” training exercises to
activities, mapping activities not only in coastal waters, but also large-scale joint trainings performed, e.g. once a year) or even
on the ocean; detailed models of large ships are also included. impossible. It’s hard to imagine that main streets in the city
Moreover, VBS 3 presents also changes in local weather condi- could be blocked once a week by emergency services to carry out
tions on digital maps thanks to the Terrain Paging technology. trainings of different disaster scenarios on the road or in industrial
plants. In addition, simulation systems can reduce training costs,
as well as enable “unplanned” implementation of a situation
in which there are casualties. An interesting thing is application
of the VBS 2 environment in the process of training of mine rescue
teams. This is performed by means of the Mining Virtual Space
subsystem, which replicates conditions in the coal mine. Given
the real risk of loss of life and the associated costs accompanying
work...
Training with real firearms and currently deployed head-up systems. VBS allows to simulate training environments other than battlefield too.
...in the mining, the use of simulation systems seems to be very Polish Air Force Academy in Dęblin. Bohemia Interactive Simulations
much appropriate. At the same time, the possibility of reproduc- Sp. z o.o., a Polish subsidiary of Bohemia Interactive Simulations,
tion of work environment in a coal mine, so much different from works intensively to extend the application of the VBS 2 system
the battlefield, proves high flexibility of VBS 2/VBS 3 system on the Polish market, which results, among others, in creation of
architecture. libraries of units and equipment used by the Polish army, and the
use of the VBS 2 environment as the simulation systems software
VBS 2 PL – Polish Army and not only ... The promoted by the Polish Defence Holding. The VBS 2 environment
Virtual Battle Space 2 is also used by the Polish Army. Since 2008, is also used, to some extent, in the training centre for operators
the Faculty of Cybernetics of the Military University of Technolo- of unmanned aircraft, recently opened by Flytronic, belonging
gy has been working on applications of the VBS 2 system and its to the WB Electronics group. At the moment there are also inten-
development versions in the Polish Armed Forces. Employees sive works carried out that are focused on developing solutions
of the department have developed, among others, a simula- based on the VBS 2 and VBS 3 systems, and aimed at the civilian
tion scheme combining VBS 2 system and the “Zło-cień” system, market. An example is a personnel carrier simulator developed for
designed for a higher level of command. In December 2013, the State Fire Service in the framework of a project funded by the
the first Polish monograph on the VBS 2 system was published: National Centre for Research and Development (NCRD) No. O ROB
“VBS 2 Programmable virtual simulation environment “, edited 0001 01 ID 1/3 Development of advanced training positions to
by de. inż. Roman Wantoch-Rekowski. In addition, the VBS Strike increase the effectiveness of rescuers from the National Rescue
module, designed for air support coordinators, is used in the and Firefighting Centre. The simulator consists of a driver’s
Mountain Warfare Simulations. VBS2 equipment directory includes modern combat planes profiles.
PICTORIAL: : Bohemia In
ELEKTRONIKA - ELECTRONICS
position with elements of personnel carrier control system, Virtual Battle Space 3 is software
featuring three 46-inch screens serving as an imagining sys- used to simulate (not just the battlefield), allowing for compre-
tem, and including positions for instructors and administrators. hensive execution of a simulation. The main advantage of the
The Instructor module allows, among others, for previewing an system is its possibility of easy modification, in accordance with
action being executed from different places in the area of sim- the principle of an open architecture, and its interaction with
ulation. The Faculty of Cybernetics of the Military University of other simulation systems, so that the same simulation environ-
Technology developed also elements of the physical training ment can be used, for example, for training of a tank company on
ground for the Fire Service, which can be reconstructed in a vir- training simulators, and for simulation of traffic in the city for the
tual simulator. The physical training ground allows, first of all, traffic police. At the moment, the system is used by armed forces
carrying out a simulation of car accident victims rescue, includ- of at least a dozen countries across the world, as well as by the
ing fire fighting of various parts of the car (engine compartment, civil service. The new version - VBS 3 - is de facto a development
luggage compartment, tires, interior of the car), as well as the version of VBS 2, and thanks to its backwards compatibility,
evacuation of victims. The aforementioned simulation systems it gives new simulation opportunities. The years to come will most
for the rail industry, and for the mining industry are also being likely increase the group of users of VBS 2 VBS 3, especially those
developed, including the Mining Virtual Space mentioned above, not connected with with armed forces or even uniformed services.
developed, among others, for Polish mining companies.
teractive Simulations
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or
s o, l ike it
d e
b e i n g – an – one of th
to a human d. And more d the like.
n in an
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t n
f t h e oldes ons known for assassi ay ask? Par oves the
e one o ldest wea p hoice turies, we m at still rem stinc t
Knifis one of the opons, weaponall these cen is the knife threservation inthe author
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Every day the headlines inform us of another incident, featuring prominently a knife. The hype is rising, the politicos tr
mordial fear of a cutting edge, experts are peddling magical tips guaranteed to defend you from the shiv...…
Let’s forget it for a moment.
If you google “knife, defense against” you’ll probably find out that there are two extremes of an opinion. One – let’s call it ‘the op
and hard training, we might defend ourselves against an opponent armed with a knife. The other – pessimists, if you like – say
might have like 5% chance of effectual defense, if attacked with a knife. Usually the truth lies between – but not here. As a m
pessimist camp. OK, so if the defense against a knife is a matter of statistics, does that mean we are to lie down and await our
to know what is possible, and what is not. If we don’t, we won’t get out unharmed – it’s that simple.
OCHRONA - PSD
ptimistic camp’ – maintains, that with long
ys, that no matter how hard you train, you
matter of fact, the truth is much nearer the
fate patiently? By no means, but we have
Motorics
That’s basic. A very wide term, encompassing practi- are getting more fluent, it’s easier to do some things,
cally all body functions connected with moving – and you react faster. Of course, WHAT you train does mat-
more. Speed, force, endurance, coordination, agility, ter – fine snooker skills won’t help much in effective
dexterity, vivaciousness, limberness…Without them defense
no defense can be effective. The life’s not fair – if you’re Determination
obese, you’re caught breathless after running the It’s a human thing to survive, no matter what cost. The
length of a bus, and the fastest move you are capable self-preservation instinct used to be very powerful in
of is punching a button on the remote – forget it! You humans, now in a world where aggression is being
can build motorics by training. Of course, the more castrated, it tends to be muted and suppressed. A
you put in, the more you pull out – if you train every guy with a knife opposing us is a real life-threatening
day, chances are that after half a year you’ll able to situation. Being fashionably ‘assertive’ might not
see the first results. You run faster, your moves suffice to survive such encounter.
Competence Attitude
You are not an Alfa and Omega, the omniscient – you don’t This is the gravest sin of all martial arts school – the cor-
have to know everything. That’s what you have a coach for, nerstone of their ‘philosophy’ is to win over the opponent.
to tell you what to do, and how, to guide you. Any sporting If for a dozen years or more you train some martial art, in
coach would be able to develop a training regimen meant which you are taught to fight until the opponent stands,
to advance your motorics. With the martial arts masters... you tend to repeat that in real life – which is the shortest
Well, it depends on many things. But much depends on shortcut ever to the intensive care ward and/or cemetery.
yourselves as well, on your objective observation, your In real life it’s ‘he wins, who survives most intact’. During
ability to objectively judge your own advance and to ask one of my seminars I was shocked, when one of the stu-
a coach your questions. A good coach MUST be able to dents, martial arts instructor, declared that to run from
explain what any given exercise is for, what would it give danger would ‘soil his honor’. No, thanks, pal – I know
to you, how it would help you achieve an objective. So, if easier and less painful ways of committing suicide.
asking about some activity you only hear that it is ‘a tra-
dition’ – you’d better start for the door immediately.
Of course these building blocks are much more than that, and we could discuss these above in much
more minute details. It’s a huge subject, and one article would not be able to cover it all.
Time to get practical, then. One of the most frequently asked questions during my seminars is: “OK, suppo-
se I’m riding in a lift (substitute whatever enclosed space) with this guy, and he suddenly pulls out a knife
OCHRONA - PSD
and attacks me. What do I do?”. People tend to disbelieve my answer of: “Why, nothing, you’re dead”, they
suspect I hide from them some sure-fire secret defensive technique. No secret techniques would defend
you from a lose-lose situation, and simple reason would dictate not to waste time training for a scenario
that you can’t win. A determined, surprising knife attack is one of these. Are there any else? Sure thing?
All in all 11 AC-130Es were built, and 10 remaining in late 1970s (one and IR jamming systems (AN/AAQ-24), aas well as missile warning
was shot down in Vietnam) were then converted to AC-130H Spectre systems (AN/AAR-44, later AN/AAR-47) were installed. Electronic
by installing stronger, 4508 shp Allison T56-A-15 turboprops with warfare systems AN/ALQ-172 and AN/ALQ-196 were added, as well
quieter 4-bladed props. In the coming years the combat capabilities
as AN/AAQ-117 surveillance system, augmented by numerous CCTV
of the gunships were enhanced by enabling the mid-flight re-fueling
cameras. Standard armament of the AC-130U Spooky II is one 25
by a rigid boom, and modernizing avionics. New fire control comput-
mm GAU-12 rotary cannon (replacing a pair of 20 mm M-61 Vulcans,
ers were fitted, optoelectronic sighting and surveillance gear, navsat
taken over from AC-130H), one Bofors 40 mm L/60 automatic cannon
system, new communication, electronic warfare and self-defense
and one 105 mm M102 howitzer. The fire control uses the AN/AAQ-
systems. The modernized AC-130Hs were extensively used in combat
117 system and AN/APQ-180 radar.
operations throughout the world: in the Gulf War, and in Iraq,
The Spookies started their operational service in the 1990s, starting the development of our subject –
POJAZDY - VEHICLES
AC-130J Ghostrider
with a stint at the Balkans, then they were deployed to Iraq and
Afghanistan. The Afghanistan and Iraq campaigns prompted creation
of another AC-130 generation, owing to technological development,
higher rate of wear and increasing operational demands. The USMC
and USAF have procured modular “strike packages” to be installed in
redundant KC-130J Hercules (‘Harvest Hawk’) and MC-130W Dragon
Spears (‘Precision Strike Package’). Both programs enabled to
up-gun the gunships with air-to-ground missiles and 30 mm
cannon. The operational experience was successful enough to start
Intensive combat in Iraq and Afghanistan increased the wear beyond the early 2000s
schedules – photo. USMC
The earliest AC-130 gunships were armored to withstand a direct hit The Americans plan to spend 2.4 billion dollars for 37 operational
from 37 mm AAA. The AC-130J was ordered armored to withstand... AC-130J Ghostriders. Their first squadron is to operate out of Cannon
7.62 mm bullet hits, and even that only in critical points of the struc- AFB in New Mexico. The initial operational readiness is scheduled
ture and cockpit. In the future, budget and operational need allow- for 2017, with the last aircraft to be delivered in 2021. At that time
ing, the new gunships are to be upgunned, to regain the on-board they would become one of the two principal U.S. Special Operations
105 mm howitzer, which came to symbolize the Spectre or Spooky, Command gunships.
or the AGM-114 Hellfire launchers, currently used on KC-130J Harvest
Hawks.
US
factory installed cables, all other elements were designed to be in- better suited to aerial use, is accurate enough, shoots lighter am-
POJAZDY - VEHICLES
terchangeable and modifiable according to the operational needs munition, and has much less recoil. Other than the GAU-23A, the
– whether the operators’ pulpits, additional power generators, or AC-130J (in its current configuration) has AGM-176 Griffin missiles
weapons systems, both those on-board and carried outside. The on-
(20 kilogram each, with 5.9 kg HE head and a range of 20 km), car-
board armament comprises (as of now) of a single 30 mm GAU-23A
ried on the loading ramp (!), 10 missiles to a launcher, and GBU-39A
(aka M230) with 500 rounds, mounted in the left front of the fuselage.
Apparently, the USAF was not happy with the Mk.44 Bushmaster IIs test- SDB-I bombs (!) on outward pylons. What’s interesting, the loud-
ed on AC-130Us, and decided to replace them with another chaingun, est uproar was not caused by the armament, but by armor suit.
the M230 (used on AH-64 Apache helicopter gunships), which proved
In future (funding and operational needs permitting) the AC-130Js are to gain the 105 mm howitzers – photo. USAF
SMC’s KC-130J Harvest Hawk is an example of modular approach to the AC-130’s armament – photo. USMC
STEL
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NOWOCZESNE TECHNOLOGIE - ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES
THR
The Tactical Hand-thrown Robot, known so far under the abbreviation Right now the RMs are mostly used by the Polish State
of the Polish equivalent of that name, the TRM (for Taktyczny Robot searching fire sites and other dangerous areas, as well
Miotany), was created at the Warsaw-based Industrial Institute for and security services for pyrotechnical threats scouting
Automatics and Measurements, or PIAP, to be used in hardly-accessible Over at PIAP a modernization effort on the RM is in
or dangerous for a human being places. It is a quintessential electronic version is to be better suited to counter-terrori
scout. It is a development of the current RM (Hand-thrown Robot), assignments. The main hindrance for today is the size o
‘tacticalized’ for special operations use. pulpit, a big briefcase or a small suitcase rather, 8 ki
Both RM and TRM look like dumbbells, but there’s nothing dumb about That’s OK for a search or inspection team, but not for
them – just the opposite, they’re quite smart. The robot has a cylindri- ator’s waiting for a video surveillance before kicking t
cal aluminum body with two large wheels, fitted with terrain thread. calls for adding a designator robot operator just to tak
Both wheels culminate in plastic wheel caps, designed to dampen the bot. But that’s not PIAP’s fault – when they were desig
impact on landing, should the robot land not squarely enough on its one thought it could be ‘militarized’, so the size and we
wheels. A tail is fitted to the body, an elastic cord with a donut shaped pit were of little concern. But when the prospective us
weight, to keep the robot in proper orientation. There are two main about that, the PIAP team commenced re-designing
orientations: with camera pointing upwards or camera facing to the from both ends: the control panel and the robot itse
front. The latter is the main working position, while the former is RM would be better suited to future missions, ruggediz
used for e.g. examination of the car chassis for explosive devices. The The latter would extend the safe dropping height, fro
RM has and eye – a high-resolution CCTV camera – and ear as well, meters.
a directional microphone installed in the body. LED light provides light- But the main efforts was aimed at the control panel. Firs
ing for the RM’s camera if the ambient light is not sufficient. Data from be separated from the display, and both modules wou
the sensors is sent to the operator’s control panel, shaped as a brief- size and weight. The idea was to enable the point man t
case. The operator can watch and hear live transmission, which is also control the robot, without hindering his mobility. The
recorded for future review. be clipped-on to the tac vest or sleeve, and the image can
Nowadays, the operator can direct as many as three robots from one to each member of the team, to his individual dis
control panel – of course not at the same time, but toggle-switching helmet-mounted ‘Future Soldier’ - style individu
between them. The operator’s control panel is powered by internal if introduced. The new steering panel would be minia
rechargeable batteries. The control panel’s battery operation time is enabling one-handed operation by miniature joystick
longer than a sum of all three robots autonomous battery operations. size and weight would enable it to be carried in a do
The control panel has a color LCD display, showing the video feed from pouch. The TRM will be modular to a certain point, an
the currently steered robot, buttons to switch between the three enable the robot to operate also in aggressive chemica
robots, and a small joystick to maneuver the robot. If the robot The TRM would be carried in a dedicated pouch, mount
proceeds beyond the pulpit range (30-100 meters indoors, 120-150 PALS to the individual equipment. Fortunately, the P
meters outdoors), it will automatically hibernate. The RM/TRM is try to design the covers by themselves, hiring a hig
secured against the overtaking attempts by scrambling the coded external company instead. The TRM would gain a new, m
command signal, unique for each robot and control panel pair. – but for the same asking price.
NOWOCZESNE TECHNOLOGIE - ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES
e Fire Brigade for
l as by the Police
g.
place. The new
ist and assault
of the operator’s
ilograms heavy.
r a stick of oper-
the door in. That
ke care of the ro-
gning the RM, no
eight of the pul-
sers complained
right away, and
elf. The ‘Tactical’
zed, and lighter.
om the current 9
st of all, it would
uld be reduced in
to wear both and
new display can
n be transmitted
splay, including
ual displays –
aturized as well,
k. The objective
ouble-magazine
nd covers would
al environment.
ted with MOLLE/
PIAP didn’t even
ghly-specialized,
modern outlook
All modifications are consulted with the future users in real-time. The ruggedized TRM is aimed at military
and police special operation teams, as well as the traditional users of the earlier model, the fire brigades or tech-
nical inspection teams. The modernization does not necessarily means that there’s something wrong with the old
model – it was just modified to cater for other set of needs. The older robots can be operated from the new control
panel, no problem. The successful modification of the RM taps into the considerable potential of the robot to give
the new users a machine better suited to their demands proving what can be done with just minimal cost and effort,
when you have a good product, that can be modernized without major surgery.
The main compartment and the full front of Direct Action® Messen-
ger Bag is covered with a large flap with carry handle. On the outside
there are multiple laser-cut slits for additional MOLLE compatible
pouches which are equivalent to eight MOLLE columns. The flap se-
cures to the front of the bag with two Velcro® strips on the back plus
two flush-mounted Duraflex® buckles. Female buckles are mounted di-
rectly to the flap while the male buckles are mounted on straps on the
front of the bag body. The loose parts of webbing straps might be used
for additional compression. Large piece of Velcro® loop (95x160mm)
was sewn in the center of flap and gives you real estate for all the tac-
ticool and cool guy patches. The flat large sized (almost A4/US Letter)
zippered pocket was built into the flap – the full-width reversed YKK®
zipper is sewn on the outside and allows to access the pocket immedi-
ately. Zipper is covered with flap for lower profile and to avoid snag-
ging. On the reverse of flap there is large zippered pocket with trans-
parent window for maps and documents.
The body of Direct Action® Messenger Bag incorporates large main compart-
ment and five outside pockets. The 36x26x10 main compartment is lined
with Velcro loop for individual customization and to enhance the internal
versatility. It can accommodate all your favorite drop-in organizers or pock-
ets inside. On the back there is a tablet/notebook (up to 13” display) pocket
to keep it secured. On the outside of bag there is zippered hidden rear com-
partment for relatively large but flat items. It might be used for concealed
carry pistol but due the “print” and bulk we will not recommend it.
TRZECIA LINIA - 3RD LINE
The side pockets are sewn to the right and left walls of the main body
of the bag. Right one is small open-top pocket with additional remov-
able Velcro® strap closure. Small water bottles fits perfectly. The left
small-sized pocket has a two-way YKK® zipper entry and it features
two additional internal open-top pockets – mesh pocket on the inside
of flap and the open-top. On the outside there is another matrix of la-
ser cut slits for additional attachments.
The two last external pockets are sewn on the front wall of the bag.
They both feature laser cut mounting slits matrix on the front and
YKK® two-way zippers. Right pocket flap might be fully opened with
paracord drop-down shelf/drawbridge-style work-area lined with Vel-
cro loop, similar feature as in some of IFAK’s or admin panels. It might
be used for notepad or tablet. In this pocket there is also the open-top
mesh compartment with lanyard and plastic key keeper to hold keys
or other small items which might be easy to loose. The left pocket has
shorter zipper and features two internal compartments – open-top
mesh pocket and Cordura® organizer with three pen or pencil slots and
small pocket for mobile phone.
The entire bottom of the Direct Action® Messenger Bag is lined with
anti-slip fabric to protect this particular area against abrasions and
makes is completely waterproof there. There are also six daisy chains
loops with elastic shock-cord laced through them. The bungee cord
might be used to stowing a lightweight jacket on the outside.
IN USE
Direct Action® Messenger Bag works great for EDC use around town. Its
size is optimal to carry all your daily essentials – notebook, tablet, lap-
top, flash drives, hard drives, breakfast or lunch, maybe a bottle of wa-
ter and other stuff. Furthermore, the bag will not obstruct your move
in city crowd. It might be put in the vehicle trunk as BOB but also fits
well in space behind car seat. The Messenger Bag might be also an ex-
cellent solution for law enforcement officers to carry duty gear. Due its
“mid-profile” and more “tactical” design we would not recommend it
for low-profile and undercover work. The solid colored bags, like black
or gray will better blend in within the civilian world.
The shoulder strap due its width and removable shoulder pad is very
comfortable even during extended period of time and adjustable for
height of user. Stabilizer strap might be useful but we haven’t find
necessity to use it so we decided to ditch it.
ULPC
Ultra Light Plate Carrier
SPECOPS company was founded in 2004 in city of Gdynia, Poland but its origins date back to the mid-1990s when they did
a lot of “garage customs”. Currently, it is the manufacturer providing tactical equipment for military and law enforcement
customers in Poland and Europe including Polish naval special warfare unit Formoza. In constant development they couldn’t
miss the trend of cutting the weight of the gear. Finally, in 2013 SPECOPS decided to jump on lightweight gear bandwagon
and released complete line of ultra lightweight tactical gear with ULPC Plate Carrier which the whole system is based around.
The line is constantly upgraded with new products, including plate carriers (two variants), duty belts, thigh panel, multiple
pouches and pockets and more. SPECOPS is also working on the 70-liter expedition-sized backpack sharing the ideas from
the load bearing equipment. It should be highlighted that SPECOPS is a pioneer in laser-cut tactical gear solutions in the
European market, joining the few manufacturers in the world offering ultra-light equipment build with such technology.
As it was mentioned above the first component is ULPC plate
carrier (Ultra Lightweight Plate
Carrier) - the core element of the whole system which was designed
with the direct input from SOF operators and was build accordingly to the latest
bulk-cutting trends with precisely laser cut patterns. It should be stressed that
ULPC is very specific, purpose-built minimalist-style plate carrier forcing minimalist
approach and configuration. ULPC the perfect solution for short and dynamic DA
operations with bare necessities load out - two ballistic plates and a basic set of
pockets and pouches with six assault rifle magazines, comms, first aid kit, bunch
of flash-bangs and hydration system. Such configurations works perfectly in close
quarter battle situations, low-pro operations but also in VBSS and maritime en-
vironment. ULPC has slick profile, no snagging parts and it will not increase the
weight when wet because there is nothing here what will soak. This plate carrier
was built with same purpose in mind as the Crye Precision JPC or Blue Force Gear
PLATEminus – go lightweight! There are no bells and whistles or fancy gadgets -
just the bare minimum.
CONSTRUCTION
The base fabric used in the construction of ULPC is SPECOPS-proprietary two-lay-
ered laminate consisting of two layers of Cordura 500D nylon joined together with
highly durable adhesive. This allowed to cut some grams in the weight but more
radical was the decision to ditch classic MOLLE/PALS webbing matrix. Instead of
sewing the multiple strips of nylon webbing SPECOPS decided to cut bulk (pouches
are closer to the body of vest) and complexity by cutting the MOLLE compatible slots
directly in the base fabrics. It took a while and plenty of research and test to find
proper solution but final laminate reached adequate mechanical resistance to tears
and cuts. The edges of the slits cut in laminate will not fray or delaminate, even
after long-term abuse.
SPECOPS ULPC is
it will also fit Shooter’s/Swimmer’s
will adjust to the size of plate. Ba
stabilizing while the other two p
together at the bottom of the Velc
comfortable, after the early tests,
provide such protection plates ag
surface of the panel are made “ins
make covers for the disc. .
DRUGA LINIA - 2ND LINE
has a width of six columns of MOLLE/PALS, which essentially translates into the ability
ouches for single or double rifle magazine. If you need more ammo then ULPC it is not
re Velcro loop strips for ID and patches. Below there is front center-opening with the
ment. The rear panel has an almost identical design - the only difference is integrated,
und is wide and has flexible band stitched on the inside and MOLLE/PALS compatible
PECOPS will have optional side plate pouches available for the ULPC. The outer surface
smooth and when the plate carrier will be paired with right pouches (below) it will not
patible with all the other MOLLE or MALICE pouches, users can apply anything on their
use light weight pouches as standard ones will not offer such weight savings.
back panels are joined with low-profile and flat shoulder harness with additional elas-
n tube or radio wires. Shoulder straps are adjustable in relatively small range but this
pproach of the design. There are two sizes of ULPC available from SPECOPS – Regular
t Medium-Large SAPI plates users.
s designed to carry two SAPI/E-SAPI shape ballistic plates in Medium or Large size but
s Cut ballistic plates. Since it does not have dedicated plate carrying pocket, the panels
allistic plates are kept with a six-point “spider-net” - the four side sections are elastic
points (upper and lower) are permanent part of the ULPC panel. These are fastened
cro. In the first variant of the plate carrier, the system is slightly different and was less
, in which FRAG OUT crew was involved, it has been corrected. “Spider-net” does not
gainst external factors, like the classic palte pocket (especially that laser slits on the
side out”), but reduces weight significantly and improves air flow. SPECOPS order can
The drawback of ULPC construction is complicated donning and doffing (due
the front flap covered with pouches) and lack of emergency release – there are no
side buckles or QR-system, so in the emergency situation team medic will cut the
plate carrier and he will not be able to use it later to protect the wounded. In the
case of falling into the water is not possible to ditch the vest but current standard
for operations the maritime environment are floatation collars so QR is not necessary.
On the front of th
ne into place.
om of the pouch.
We have tested SPECOPS magazine pouches
pipeline.
p few facts in mind, however. First of all, very important is to choose the proper size - jacket has a limited range of adjustment. ULPC will work best
ange or slightly above, the closer to the upper border. Then the elastic cummerbund will work best. For people on the end of the size range will not
est properly making cummerbund work and big guy will extend the cummerbund to the maximum and elastics will not work too. Same thing goes
s no elastic elements.
ons and are not suitable for extreme activities such as fast roping, green side operations – these are open-top pouches so all the sand and dirt will
mary goal is to enable rapid draw of the magazine and they do it well.
pment SPECOPS, these are limitations that arise from the dedicated use of the system and its design philosophy. SPE-
od platform for specific use. It’s made from top-notch materials and it’s truly reliable piece of tactical equipment.
TRZECIA LINIA - 3RD LINE
Equipped.pl
Arc’teryx LEAF (Law Enforcement and Armed Forces)
is well-established Canadian brand born from the
Arc’teryx (short from Archaeopteryx - the prehis-
toric animal that looked like a bird, yet also had
some of the features of a dinosaur) which is inextri-
cably associated with the unique and innovative de-
signs of high-end performance outdoor products.
Designers of the “Dead Bird” pushed out many solu-
tions from the world of extreme outdoor sports
to advanced tactical gear. It is no different with a
Khard 45 backpack. Khard 45.
From the first glance, the appearance of the back- CARRYING SYSTEM
pack is way different from that which we have The stra
The core of Arc’teryx LEAF Khard 45 is Arc’teryx C ² (Composite
become accustomed to by companies providing
Construction) suspension system based around rigid and ergonomi- might be
tactical gear. The Khard 45 (and his smaller brother
cally shaped frame sheet made out 8 mm laminate. This non-remov- (attache
Khard 30) single compartment fully-padded back-
able frame sheets serves also as the back plate which protects user’s of MIL-W
pack is rather close in his look to civilian prod-
ucts - it fits perfectly into the popular trend of body against hammering from the objects with sharp corners carried 45 come
low-profile gear. It has less aggressive, no-MOLLE inside. There are the two 22 mm wide anodized aluminum rails hips. For
design and will not be associated immediately with removable frame stays.
military or law enforcement by crowds. Beside the Flat and fairly narrow (about 70 to 45 mm, depending on the
outside look, designers decided to implement mul- point of measurement) fully-adjustable, S-shaped shoulder
tiple features from ultralight hiking backpacks straps are designed to not interfere with body armor. Straps
such us to radically cut down the weight, make the are padded with the thin foam and the bottom is covered with
pack silhouette as low and narrow as possible. Spacermesh. In the lower parts of the harness there are ITW
They also decided to get rid of internal pockets Nexus GhillieTEX ™ Dual Quick Release Buckles used
which were usual way to organize the items car- to adjust the length of suspenders and as an emergency release
ried in the pack. Khard family backpacks are not a system. Buckles might be unclipped in one of two ways – with
conventional top loaders nor a panel loaders, but classic side-release or with quick release toggle. Pulling down
are fully padded single compartment packs which on the toggle causes the spring arms on the male buckle to move
have a full U-zip closure that opens from the top, inwards slightly, allowing the male buckle to detach from the
side or unzips completely to reveal interior panels female buckle. The toggle needs to be pulled straight down -
lined with Velcro loop working as platform that a quick, firm tug is all that’s needed. When doffing the pack,
allows the user to build their own, mission-ori- pulling forward on the toggle doesn’t disengage the buckle;
ented modular system – they can decided if they it just loosens the strap. The lower buckle part has an elastic
require setup for medical pack, EOD, assault, sur- cover sewn over it.
veillance or other. To this moment such feature
was applied only in medical packs.
MAIN COMPARTMENT
ed through the daisy chains) and simple waist belt which is a strip ant Cordura 500D fabric with a dull surface and fibers coated with silicone
for additional water resistance. The interior is made of lightweight nylon
W-17337 nylon webbing with 50 mm wide ITW Nexus buckle. Khard
ripstop fabric. Panel in direct contact with the user’s back is covered with
es with two padded, movable side pads, supporting the load on the
Burly Double Weave (46% polyester, 46% nylon, 8% Spandex) soft shell
r Khard 30, these are available as on option.
fabric with DWR coating.
The overall silhouette of the pack is very streamlined, without elements
that could possibly snag on something. The shape of the main compartment
will not cause problems when moving in narrow passages or when travelling
with a commercial plane. The front and both side walls were padded foam
with a thickness of 5 mm to protect carried equipment from damage and
ensure the rigidity of the structure - backpack, even when it is empty hold
its shape and does not collapse. Padding will also protect against the forma-
tion of “fingerprints” on the material, so the shape of the items carried
will be not recognizable on the outside in most of situations.
The issue of access to th
most common solutions
ing), side zips and clam
Khard pack in followin
• Only the upper par
• Half of the flap, includ
• Full opening of the ac
way pack might be use
contact with the groun
Additional items such as clothing might be also attached via bungee cord matrix. As
it was mentioned above, the pack lacks MOLLE loops. To attach additional items the
daisy chains might be used. There are two rows on top of the pack, and two rows on
each side, rows on shoulder straps and on the top of main flap. The daisy chains can
be used for hanging climbing equipment, carabineers, etc. off the pack. Additional
straps or bungee cord can be routed through them for lashing a sleeping pad or
similar item.
The last feature of the pack are two carrying handles placed on the sides for easy
handling when pack is not worn.
TRZECIA LINIA - 3RD LINE
IN USE
I am Khard 45 user since April 2013 and since then it has been
extensively deployed for various types of work including the everyday
carry for and travellers pack.
In past few years the number of military and tactical loft jackets ha
In 2013 the Helikon-tex company from Wroclaw, Poland has joined th
Recently, Helikon has dramatically changed their production profile
clothing to quality projects designed in-house.
ODZIEŻ I UMUNDUROWANIE - CLOTHING & UNIFORMS
as increased rapidly.
he top manufacturers.
e from cheap replica
The Helikon-Tex Level 7 jacket is medium weight i
jacket designed as an excellent replacement for ever pop
ter-weight fleece jackets used as overgarment or insulation
conditions. The synthetic filled jacket works well in virtually en
of low temperatures in Central Europe. The main purpose behin
sign were low-temperature static activities as bivouac, guard du
a warming layer during brake in march or patrol. Level 7 has r
short cut which is little different than in the jackets from other
turers but it still migh be worn as an outer layer over other clot
to highlight, beside the name which is similar to ECWCS GEN
jacket, the Helikon’s product is not weight/filling equivalent to
original.
MATERIALS
There are two main fabrics in Level 7. The outershell is lightweight but durable,
densely woven ripstop nylon with polyurethane coating on the inside so the fibers of
synthetic insulation will not come out. Nylon fabric has layer of DWR coating, durable
water repellent to protect against light drizzle or longer exposure to melting snow,
especially during static activities when snow would be pressed against the fabric.
The fabric is not waterproof as that’s not a rain gear and the possibility of rainfall
in temperatures around minus 15 Celsius degrees is close to none. Have you ever
expect any? The outer fabric should provide sufficient protection against short
laying in snow. Lining on the inside of the jacket is smooth and soft lightweight
nylon ripstop fabric. A great feature of that fabric is that it will not catch any Velcro
The core of the Level 7 jacket and its true guts is Climashield Apex synthetic insu-
lation. The microfibers with a continuous structure will provide thermal insulation
even after becoming wet. Climashield is one of the top insulation solutions available
in the market and it’s extensively used by some of the most popular outdoor brands,
like The North Face, Arc’teryx or Tilak just to mention the few. Helikon decided on its
use due to the high performance insulation and offer first widely available military/
tactical jacket with Climashield. No more cheap cotton wool fillings! The amount
of insulation is different in selected zones. The torso and sleeves have 100 g/m2
of insulation; the hood has 67 g/m2.
ODZIEŻ I UMUNDUROWANIE - CLOTHING & UNIFORMS
insulation
pular win-
in winter
ntire range
nd the de-
uties or as
roomy but
manufac-
thing. Just
III Level 7
o US Army
ODZIEŻ I UMUNDUROWANIE - CLOTHING & UNIFORMS
CUT AND FIT
Level 7 is hooded, mid-lenght jacket (it ends around middle of buttocks) and
has a quite “trim” fit (not relaxed but not athletic) but it still allows for lay-
ering. When size is chosen appropriately, the low-viz body armor might be
even worn underneath.
Main, full front zipper is two-way, coiled YKK zipper sewn inside out. This,
combined with internal flap under the zipper provides better protection
against elements, like rain, snow or wind. What’s even more important – it
will not allow for so called thermal bridges effect. Main zipper ends in the
stand-up collar where a special “garage” was incorporated to prevent contact
of the zipper puller with face or skin. All of the zippers, including pockets,
feature the plastic zipper pulls, easy to grab even with gloves on. There are
cord pulls for the elastic shock cord hem adjustment in the bottom of the
jacket, on the both sides.
The stand-up collar mentioned above is reasonably high-walled to protect
neck against wind and snow. On the inside it was lined with grid microfleece
knit which improves overall thermal comfort as the plain nylon fabric gets
colder. Also, the knit will prevent against dirt residue. Inside the collar there
is roll-away hood accessed through the horizontal two-way zipper which is
quite unique solutions and allows easy use for right and left handed users.
Adjustable, helmet sized hood is fully insulated but the total amount of Cli-
mashield is lesser than in the torso part. Hood has to adjusting points – hori-
zontal one cinching at ear level (elastic shock-cord with cord-lock placed in
the center of rear) and vertical sewn into the front edge of the hood, also
with shock-cord cord with cord-lock. The ends of the shock-cord are routed
inside and they are located at the inside bottom of the side hand-warmer
pockets.
Sleeves are straight cut, enabling full freedom of movement. The cuffs have
a die-cut rubber tabs for adjustment. The cuffs are also elasticized so you
don’t have to loosen the tab every time you slip the cuffs over your hands.
There are large Velcro loop panels sewn on the bicep for all the ID and morale
patches.
Helikon-Tex Level 7 has five pockets in total:
Two chest cargo pockets in front of the jacket with one-way entry zippers sewn inside out. The interior is lined with
microfleece knit type to warm up frozen hands. In both pockets there are small internal nylon pockets for items similar
in size to a smartphone.
Two inner mesh pockets with elastic bands in the top which prevent against accidental falling out of items carried inside.
Internal, zippered pocket located on the left chest.
in
Mujaheedtim to
es you have
…but som
n
play Taliba
REENACTING
…but this is not the same
In July Hindukush first time participated in Historical Odysei, annual reconstruction vided by consul Zohra Naiva. End of the year was the time of conclusio
group summit in Leszczynek near Kutno were they was honored. ning for next year. So in January Hindukush were seen at the” Moto vete
Cooperation with Commando Unit resulted invitation for Unit’s Anniversary. Event in Lodz where they performed together with Soldiers of the World Re
took place at the beginning o October at Sparta Lubliniec Stadium. Reconstruction Team.
Group “Parasol (Umbrela) [II World War Polish Home Army battalion which tradi- The group was also described in Polska – Zbrojna Portal. Cooperation w
tions are cultivated by one of the Commando Unit SOTG] and Reconstruction Group Afghan Association Hamakri had been established.
“Commando” [II World War Polish Commando Company, British No. 10 Commando, Hindukush has almost 1,5 year and – like for such a young group – th
which traditions are cultivated by one of the Commando Unit SOTG]. Equipment ex- very high standard which was appreciated by Afghan Embassy and P
hibition, parachute jumps, and competitions for kids were also part of this event. Operation Forces. The great advantage is cooperation with Afghan o
During the presentation in Lubliniec, Hindukush showed only the civilian part of and embassy.
their activity to picture that Afghanistan is not only the war. Presentation had also
the “woman part”. They performed with traditional Afghan clothes, which were pro
Radek Sawicki
-Shalwar Kameez (or Shalwar Qameez)
-Patu
-Wool sweater
-Civilian shoes with gaiters
-„Kandahar hat”
-RPD ammo bag
i inne przedmioty
-7,62 mm RPD LMG with drum Lukasz stosio
magazine -Shalwar Kameez (or Shalwar Qameez)
-Locally manufactured replica
Location and period:
of US M-65 Field Jacket
Afghanistan, Kunar Province,
-Lungee (Pashto variant of
1982
turban)
-Sandals with sole made out of
vehicle wheel
-Chicom-style chestrig with
pouches for SKS rifle clips.
-9K32 Striela 2 (SA7A Grail)
MANPADS
Location and period:
Afghanistan, Wardak Province,
1984
www.facebook.com/GrhHindukush
https://www.facebook.com/GrhHindukush
photo : M aciej S tępniak
on and plan- Also the equipment make an impression. All of those comes from Afghanistan or
eran bazaar” from Russia. Weapon, due to the polish regulation, are Airsoft replica or “deco”
REENACTING
econstruction version. Equipment is collected by the members of the group – everyday citizens
– from the markets or thanks to kindness of “friends” who bring some souvenirs
with Polish – from the “journey”, not always organized by travel agencies. For last 18 months they
achieved a lot and like they said this not their last word with mujahedin reconstruc-
hey represent tion. Mujahedin, not Talibans.
Polish Special
organizations
jacek opalski
-Shalwar Kameez (or Shalwar Qameez)
-Pakoli hat
-vest
-Two Chicom-style chestrigs
(one on the front and one on
the back) with Akmag pouches
-AKMS assault rifle
-“Moskva” brand Soviet training
shoes
-Trophy R-105-M radio
Location and period:
Afghanistan, Logar Province,
1988