Recent content by Ecco

Anyone has filled a UCR or even just staffed a memo requesting an update to the combat uniform? (The answer is no, by the way). There is a project on the books, called FCU (Future Combat Uniform) to update the army combat dress.  It is mostly inactive, by lack of requests from users.  Other...

CASPEAN is a DRDC project, that stands for CASualty Protective Equipment ANalysis.  There a complete chain of people whose job is to document damages to protective equipment, injuries or fatalities in theater, in order to provide critical analysis on actual performance.  The chain involves the...

Underwear should be worn under another layer of clothing, by definition.  As such, for land forces requirements at least, they do not need to be flame retardant.  No-drip, no-melt yes, but flame "retardancy" is a non-issue.  The outer layer absorbs flame and only transfer limited heat...

Inexpensive  indeed.  The expected price was almost 100% higher.  Quality-wise, they were user-accepted at over 80%, and the first 300 hybrid shirts were very well received by troops in theater, circa November 2009. 

They are surprisingly cheap, much cheaper than expected. I know enough about equipment procurement never to assume a soldier-level delivery date, nor try to guess one.  The reality is that there is too many actors and factors involved to guess correctly.  All the efforts are being made to...

It occurred 14 to 16 July.  33 active participants: -1 x Pte, 5 x Cpl, 10 x MCpl, 5 x Sgt, 6 x WO, 1 x MWO, 3 x Capt, 1 x Maj, 1 x LCol -Representation from 1, 2 and 3 PPCLI, 1, 2 and 3 RCR, 1, 2 and 3 R22eR, 1 and 2 RCHA, LdSH(RC), RCD, 12 RBC, 5 RGC, 2EW Sqn, CTC Inf School, DAT -more than...

Short answer: No, it won't use normal combat cloth, yes, it will use FR material. Long(er) answer: FR is pretty much an over-hyped marketing scheme if it's not explained and defined correctly.  The typical cadpat combat cloth is FR.  It contains synthetic material, therefore it will...

The first time it was recommended in Lessons Learned or by UCR etc...  is by 322eR recce platoon when they got back.  Assume 1 to 2 years from initial request to the kit is in soldiers hand, if there is support and everything goes according to plan.  That period of time is actually very short...

Old Medic published the news yesterday. Marin Cash signs an article in the Winnipeg Free Press. A shorter article from CTV Winnipeg. CBC strangely quotes the PWGSC minister, who was absent from the presentation.

The ASSB (Ammunition Safety and Suitability Board Certification) process is what you are looking for.  There is NO WAY a rifle allowance makes sense or would be acceptable with our current regulations.  The ASSB process takes years and must be applied to all new natures of ammunition being...

Exclusive news: In the next couple of days, there should be a media announcement that the Army Clothe The Soldier Converged CADPAT Rainsuit contract has been awarded.  This is surprisingly good, considering that because of the total amount of the contract, Treasury Board had to approve the...

Long story short, the answer is CADPAT/ops eqpt disposal regulations: Nobody cares about what happens to your DEU.  Not the case with ops clothing. The second part is that the CF supply system must be able to provide the op kit in deployed and dangerous conditions.  We may not always have the...

I am not a lawyer, but the kid is 15.  There is therefore no expectations that he understands his rights, that he can take legal decisions for himself, etc...  In that particular case, it seems the police should have contacted a legal guardian before taking a confession.

Why ask for a Laser Designator when JDAM is faster/cheaper and much more readily available, without the requirement for a laser?

Blowing the IED digger is a victory that will save a couple of soldiers.  Following the digger to his bomb-manufacturer, his network, and attacking the network with other assets will save hundreds of soldiers.  ISR is a weapon.