Written by / Compiled by KMI Media Group staff
MLF 2009 Volume: 3 Issue: 10 (November/December)
Larson Electronics has announced the addition of the MRAP/M-ATV infrared LED light for vehicle mount applications. The LEDLB-24-VIR LED light was designed specifically to support military vehicle blackout applications. With dual power supplies, the visible LEDs turn off when the blackout system is activated, while the infrared LEDs continue to illuminate.
Producing 4,320 lumens, this LED light emitter consists of four rows of 3-watt LEDs, each encapsulated in its own parabolic reflector. Two rows of the LED light produce visible light and the other two rows of LEDs produce infrared light. The LEDLB- 24-VIR can be configured with 850 nm infrared LEDs or 940 nm infrared LEDs, depending on the night vision optics available. Individual power leads extend from the rear of the IP67 water and dust tight LED light fixture, which can be connected to any voltage ranging from 9 volts to 32 volts DC. By doing so, the Magnalight LEDLB-24-VIR can be wired within the MRAP or M-ATV military vehicles to produce both visible and infrared lights. When the blackout system is activated, the visible lighting turns off and the infrared light continues.
“We originally designed and built this for one of the companies pursuing the M-ATV contracts,” said Rob Bresnahan with Larson Electronics’ Magnalight. com. “Ultimately, they were not the winner; however, this MRAP/M-ATV LED light underwent extensive testing and analysis. Since then, we have sold this 24 LED infrared light to U.S. military bases in Kuwait, Afghanistan and Iraq. The beam reaches well over 300 yards with strong illumination, and it is priced for large quantity deployments at under $700 per light. The installation is a simple stud mount, and we offer our ALMB or BC-1 bar clamp mount for mounting options that provide additional flexibility in setting different mounting angles. We also offer magnetic base models, to make it easier to move this infrared and visible combination light from vehicle to vehicle.”
Heavy Duty Synthetic Polymeric Grease
Amsoil Inc. of Superior, Wis., a recognized leader in synthetic lubrication since 1972, has developed a new line of heavy-duty synthetic polymeric greases designed to excel in extreme environments, featuring a calcium-sulfonate complex thickener for enhanced extreme-pressure performance. Amsoil synthetic polymeric off-road grease has been custom-built to provide performance benefits specific to off-road equipment. The grease utilizes a uniquely engineered technology for tenacious cling ability and maximum pound-out resistance over extended service intervals, even in wet environments.
Features of the new grease include extreme impact resistance; moly-fortified to meet CAT specifications; excellent water washout resistance; extended service life; and reduced environmental impact.
The new Amsoil synthetic polymeric off-road grease is ideal for heavy-duty, heavy-load-bearing applications operating in adverse conditions, including power shovels, drag lines, wheel and track loaders, excavators, bulldozers, skid steers and other heavy-duty equipment. It excels at protecting heavily loaded points such as pivot pins, king pins, bucket pins and bushings.
Cases for Rack-Mounted Electronics Transport
To protect, secure and transport the latest sensitive rack mounted electronics (up to 33 inches), Pelican-Hardigg has introduced the Pelican-Hardigg 33-inch DE cases.
The 33-inch DE cases feature extra-deep dual-lids to allow enough room to store optional quick-connect casters and cords that can be coiled and stay connected to stored units.
Features include internal rack mount brackets with a 2-inch sway clearance, eight diagonal shock mounts that provide ample impact protection and Lock ‘N’ Load pins for quick equipment connection. Their square-hole adapters allow for use with a wide variety of equipment/ servers without the need to create custom brackets and mounting rails. A conversion kit is also available for EIA 1-32 hole patterns and the rapid rail square pattern.
Available in five sizes (3U to 9U), the cases are rotationally molded and offer reinforced corners to provide enhanced impact/drop protection.
Additional transport-friendly features include molded-in ribs for maximum stacking strength and 10 tough-as-nails twistlock fasteners that work with polymer gaskets to ensure that the case is water/dust resistant and the lid stays secure. These cases are fully customizable to fit almost any specifications and job requirements and offer a wide variety of hardware and internal component options.
Storage Option
Akro-Mils, a manufacturer of storage, organization and transport products, proudly presents the ProHanger, an application for holding long tubes (plastic or metal), rods, electrical conduit, lumber, trim or pipes over 36 inches long. Molded from high-impact plastic for durability, the ProHanger is designed for use with existing Akro- Mils hanging systems, such as the Louvered Hanging System or Rail Hanging System, or can be attached to virtually any surface with screws.
Currently offered in a vibrant red, the ProHanger is easily visible in the dark or in low-light environments. It can be used alone or placed side-by-side to support longer parts or products. Additionally, the system is compatible with a variety of the company’s storage products, including its new 33-inch wide AkroBin. Using the louvered system, the ProHanger can even be mounted in service trucks.
Highly Armored Light Protected ATV
Arotech Corp. recently unveiled its new light-protected vehicle: the Tiger. Based on a commercial off-the-shelf Dodge RAM 5500 platform, the MDT Tiger is a cost-effective, highly armored, light-protected all-terrain vehicle for a crew of six to nine.
The Tiger is mine- and blast-protected, with various add-on armor options, including reactive armor. Its five doors and a roof hatch offer easy loading and unloading of soldiers and equipment. The wide and spacious cabin, with its large payload capacity, can be tailored to many missions.
A Cummins 350 hp diesel engine, large wheels, and a 127-inch wheel base offer exceptional all-terrain capabilities. The advanced suspension system ensures a comfortable ride for the crew. The 8.8-ton GVWR allows—with a standard armor package— for a 1.5-ton payload, or six passengers plus 900 kg of equipment. The add-on armor panels can be removed, repaired, replaced or upgraded. An optional upgrade to a 10.4-ton GVW allows for an improved armor suite, including reactive armor defeating RPG rockets and EFP charges.
The MDT Tiger LPV was designed to be cost-effective. The COTS Dodge platform ensures widespread support and cost-effective maintenance. The unique encapsulated cabin allows easy access to all components. The capsule can be removed and re-mounted, allowing its installation on a new platform, increasing its life and ensuring low life cycle cost.
The cabin, with a flat floor throughout and vertical walls, allows for various seating and equipment mission-dependent arrangements. The front row has three-in-a-row seats for driver, navigator and commander. In the rear, three to five passengers can ride facing forward. The rear cabin can also accommodate six passengers in two sidefacing rows. A 2- or 4-liter MedVac option is also available.
Windows on all four sides allow for improved situation awareness. Optional gunports in all four directions allow for accurate small arms operation. A roof-mounted remote-controlled weapon station and manoperated turret are optional.
“The Tiger expands our reach into the military vehicle market,” said Robert Ehrlich, Arotech’s chairman and CEO. “With the new Tiger, the well-established David and the recently announced Gideon, we now offer military armored vehicles ranging from 1.5 to 10.5 tons.”
KC-135 Block 45 Upgrade Program
The U.S. Air Force has selected Rockwell Collins for the engineering, manufacturing and development (EMD) phase of the KC-135 Block 45 cockpit upgrade program. Under the contract, the company will modernize the KC-135 refueling tankers flight deck with the latest generation autopilot, flight director, radar altimeter and electronic engine instrument display. Two prototype aircraft will be modified during the EMD phase to establish the production baseline for 415 additional KC-135 aircraft expected to receive the Block 45 upgrade.
“The Block 45 upgrade continues Rockwell Collins’ role in transforming the KC-135 by replacing obsolete components with the latest digital avionics technology for increased safety, efficiency and reliability,” said Phil Jasper, vice president and general manager of mobility and rotary wing solutions for Rockwell Collins. “As the prime contractor for the KC-135 Global Air Traffic Management [GATM] program we’ve had a very successful history of delivering these upgrades on time and on budget, which played an important role in winning this latest contract.”
The Block 45 upgrade builds on this success by providing increased safety with a state-of-the-art autopilot system. The autopilot flight director system and upgrades to the flight management software provide the user with vertical navigation capabilities, increasing the already robust KC-135 navigational capabilities. The contract also calls for replacing the aging analog engine instruments with a large format color electronic engine instrument display. ♦