XS Sight Systems
XS Sight Systems introduced the Glass Assault Tool (GAT) as a rapid and effortless means of breaching automotive or cosmetic glass while keeping both hands on the primary weapon system. The XS Sights’ CSAT GAT will let operators remain ready to properly address the threat or engage combatants immediately before, during and immediately after glass breaching actions.
Developed by Master Sergeant (Retired) Paul Howe, Howe is the lead instructor for Combat Shooting and Tactics (CSAT) and the Senior Manager with Triple Canopy Law Enforcement Training. Howe spent 10 years with U.S. Military Operations as an Assault Team Leader, Sniper and Senior Instructor.
The CSAT GAT is made with an aluminum housing and all-steel components. Suggested retail price is $80 and is available direct from XS Sight Systems. XS Sight Systems manufacturers a wide range of quality, adjustable iron sight systems for handguns, rifles and shotguns designed for military, law enforcement and hunting applications. For more information, visit XS Sights interactive web site at www.xssights.com or call (888) 744-4880.
Daniel Defense
Daniel Defense announced the release of the DDXV Carbine. The base model carbine features mil-spec upper and lower receivers, with M4 feed ramps built into the upper receiver. The barrel features 4150 steel that is magnetic particle tested and cold hammer forged. In addition, the barrel is chrome lined, features a1:7 twist, and has an M4-type external profile. At 16-inches long, the rifle is civilian legal within the United States.
The rifle was engineered with the tactical professional and shooting enthusiast in mind. It boasts a Daniel Defense A1.5 Fixed Rear Sight, Enhance Flared Magazine Well, and a Rear Receiver QD Sling Swivel Attachment Point. Built to redefine the benchmark in small arms performance, this precision-crafted firearm will perform faithfully in any Military, Law Enforcement, Homeland Security, and Home or Personal Security Environment. For additional information, go to DanielDefense.com.
Daniel Defense, Redux
Daniel Defense, laid off 26 of its 124 employees and required another 68 to take one-week unpaid furloughs because production of guns has outpaced sales in recent months. Daniel Defense moved into a new plant and added positions in June, 2009. Owner Marty Daniel noted that “it’s basically a problem where the dealers were overstocked and the distributors were overstocked. Now they have to work through that inventory before they start ordering again.”
Daniel Defense says “Our sales are down dramatically in June and July and so we have taken a look at the situation and we have taken this opportunity to restructure, cut some expenses and become more efficient,’’ said Daniel. “We’ve been driving our production down and now we’ve got our production down to what we’re selling, which is important.” Daniel hopes to rehire as many of former employees as possible when the Company sees a turnaround.
Alliant Techsystems (ATK)
Alliant Techsystems received an additional $42 million in small-caliber ammunition orders from the U.S. Army Sustainment Command in Rock Island, Ill. The orders are for the production of 5.56mm, 7.62mm and .50-caliber ammunition. Work on the contracts will be performed by ATK Small Caliber Systems at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant (LCAAP) in Independence, Mo.
ATK began operating the LCAAP in 2000 and is the largest supplier of small-caliber ammunition to the United States military, producing a mix of 5.56mm, 7.62mm, .50-caliber, and 20mm cartridges, as well as ammunition links. Working in partnership with the Army, ATK has expanded manufacturing capacity at the plant and is also under contract to modernize the facility. The company has delivered an overall business total of 1.4 billion rounds of ammunition in fiscal year 2009.
Speer Gold Dot
Speer Gold Dot was selected by the French Police as the new 9mm caliber service ammunition. The contract value, (with options) is potentially worth more than $14 million over four years and would supply Gold Dot high performance ammunition to all 250,000 police officers in France, including the French police, the French Gendarmerie, French Customs and French Corrections. French authorities spent two years developing their ammunition specifications and testing protocol. The contract takes effect immediately.
“This French law enforcement opportunity demanded intense specification controls, rigorous performance testing, and a top quality product,” said Mark DeYoung. “The technology and manufacturing processes utilized in our Speer Gold Dot ammunition are state of the art and result in a highly reliable and capable product. This award once again proves that Speer Gold Dot is the ammunition of choice for law enforcement.”
Crosman Air Guns
Crosman Corporation, long known for innovation and quality in the shooting sports, announced today that its Challenger PCP competition air rifle has been approved for use as a Sporter Class air rifle by the (U.S.) National Three Position Air Rifle Council.
Director of the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP), Gary Anderson, said that “Council approval of the Crosman Challenger PCP as a legal Sporter Class air rifle means that the Council has determined that it fulfills all basic rulebook standards for price, caliber, velocity, weight, configuration, dimensions, sights and adjustment capabilities.” According to Crosman Director of Engineering, Ed Schultz, much consideration was given to improving quality and adding leading edge features to the Challenger PCP. “We kept the adjustable stock and ambidextrous bolt handle, but completely redesigned the rest of the air rifle with all the elements competitors are looking for. They include a two-stage match grade adjustable trigger, the use of high pressure air, providing for more consistent velocity, and a Lothar Walther barrel,” he said.
For additional information on Crosman’s Challenger PCP, or on any Crosman product, visit the company’s Web sites at www.crosman.com.
DHL Worldwide Express fined US $9.4 Million.
International shipper DHL agreed to pay $9.4 million to settle allegations that the company violated U.S. sanctions with shipments to Iran, Sudan and Syria.
The U.S. Treasury Department alleged that the company, part of Germany-based Deutsche Post DHL, made 309 shipments from the United States to Iran and Sudan during the period 2002 to 2007 in violation of U.S. embargoes with those countries. The department also alleged that the company failed to keep required records on 9,000 shipments to Iran during the period 2002 to 2006, although it acknowledged that 90% of those shipments “may have been for informational materials” not prohibited by sanctions.
Treasury Department spokeswoman Marti Adams said the penalty was “among the largest” meted out in a civil trade embargo case. “DHL may have conferred a significant economic benefit to sanctioned countries that potentially created extraordinarily adverse harm,” the Treasury Department said in its analysis of the case, included in the settlement agreement. The document accused DHL of engaging in “a large pattern of misconduct over an extended period of time,” but it noted that the company cooperated with the investigation.
DHL neither admitted nor denied the charges. In a statement, DHL Express, based in Florida, said, “The incidents cited … represent significantly less than 1% of the total volume of DHL Express USA export transactions and involved shipments of correspondence, personal items, or consumer goods. The U.S. government has not alleged that DHL transported shipments of strategic sensitivity to these countries.”
Eagle Industries
Eagle Industries was awarded a US$20 Million contract to deliver Load-Bearing Vests for the U.S. Marine Corps. The Eagle Scalable Plate Carrier lightens the load for U.S. Marines, and is scheduled for delivery by the end of January 2010.
The SPC, designed by Eagle Industries in 2008, maximizes Marines’ agility, while relieving heat and weight stress due to carrying individual combat loads in arduous environments. The SPC’s slim and highly adaptable configuration allows Marines to ad just the load to match ever-changing mission profiles. In Afghanistan, Marines are operating at higher altitudes and the SPC provides ballistic protection in that environment. The features of this system are specifically designed to lighten the Marine’s load, increasing maneuverability, lethality, and survivability. For additional information on the SPC system, visit the Eagle Industries website at www.eagleindustries.com.
Rheinmetall Nitrochemie
Rheinmetall Nitrochemie of Germany/Switzerland signed a new strategic agreement for the transfer of advanced propellant technologies from Nitrochemie to Alliant Techsystems (ATK). The technology transfer positions ATK as the exclusive North American provider of Extruded Impregnated (EI), Extruded Composite Low-sensitivity (ECL), Surface Coated Double Base (SCDB), and R-Type propellants. The advanced propellants enhance performance over a wide range of temperatures; provide superior Insensitive Munitions properties that improve safety and survivability; and extend shelf life and aging stability in all types of small, medium, and large caliber ammunition.
The agreement provides an opportunity to enhance ATK’s capabilities at the Radford Army Ammunition Plant in Radford, Virginia, by creating a new surface coating and impregnating capability. A facility designed to manufacture these propellants would be operated by Rheinmetall Nitrochemie in cooperation with ATK.
The agreement is a follow-on agreement to one signed between ATK and Rheinmetall Nitrochemie in August 2005. Under the original agreement, ATK has successfully marketed Rheinmetall Nitrochemie advanced propellants in North America and has secured several research and development contracts from the U.S. Department of Defense and other commercial customers. Find more information at www.rheinmetall-defence.com.
DSArms New Products
DSArms is proud to introduce the ZM4 high quality flat top upper. It features melded feed ramps for enhanced reliability and a forged 7075-T6 Mil Spec flat top upper that is made for durability. Additionally, to ensure maximum durability and accuracy, each barrel is Nitride finished inside and out giving it a smoother and more consistent surface finish than chrome plating. Tight machining tolerances, a smooth finish, quality materials and 100% U.S. made is what DSArms is known for and these qualities are incorporated into their uppers as well.
DSArms, the world leader in FAL type rifles and accessories, is also pleased to offer new U.S. made FAL/SA58 high capacity magazines. These new steel magazines are available in 20, 25 and 30 round capacities. They feature updated spring technology and have an enhanced finish. Each magazine is Nitride heat-treated giving it a harder than chrome surface for improved characteristics yet a smooth even finish that is extremely corrosion resistant. For many years DSArms has been associated with the phrase “better than the original” and that statement continues with their new updated FAL type magazines. They contact them or to order, go to www.dsarms.com.
