Military gear?

deyoung

deyoung

Line Up and Wait
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Chris
Just curious, does the military use off-the-shelf equipment for some applications, or generally have their own stuff for everything?

I'm just curious; I was watching "American Sniper" last night and noticed a number of guys in military helicopters using David Clark headsets, and wondered if that is a goof or not. :)
 
Depends. We used to provide DC's to the team leaders in back so they could monitor the multiple nets, and communicate with the aircrew. Then they started using Peltor's that integrated with their helmets, and they were compatible with our ICS. They preferred them so they wouldn't have to remove and don their head gear just prior to the assault. Also the Peltor's or whatever they use now enable them to quickly switch between their inter-team and the ICS a lot quicker.
 
Guy here at my airfield who works on the Army King Airs just brought back a couple Bose Headsets. Said there was a pile of them that were to be scrapped, so he grabbed a couple. That's a shame!
 
The military uses tons of "off-the-shelf" (OTS) material, ranging from paper clips to airplanes and ground vehicles.
 
Pretty much what Boss said above. We had DCs (ANR) across the board. Some flight such as VIP or deliberate op get them, some flights don't.
 
BGF_Yankee said:
Guy here at my airfield who works on the Army King Airs just brought back a couple Bose Headsets. Said there was a pile of them that were to be scrapped, so he grabbed a couple. That's a shame!
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Well, don't be like that, dude.....send a set or two my way... :yes::yes:
 
Ron Levy said:
The military uses tons of "off-the-shelf" (OTS) material, ranging from paper clips to airplanes and ground vehicles.
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Typically called COTS these days (commercial off the shelf technology).

Open purchase cards are a nice thing as long as they don't get abused.

Some communities utilize it more than others. The SPECWAR folks get most of their gear out in town.
 
Fearless Tower said:
Typically called COTS these days (commercial off the shelf technology).

Open purchase cards are a nice thing as long as they don't get abused.

Some communities utilize it more than others. The SPECWAR folks get most of their gear out in town.
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7th Special recently moved down to florida (past 2-3 years) and when they came in new tactical stores, and guns stores opened across the county. Even a new gun range opened set up to do the types of things they do.
 
A large percent of products in use with the US Government are COTS products. Some of them aren't available to the public and often specialized for a given application. If it's completely unique then it's a GOTS (Government off the shelf) product created by a federal agency for use internally or other agencies. Typically the government will put out an RFI/RFP (Request for Information/Proposal) to see if industry can do something and then they'll make their buy or build decision.

Some groups like SPECWAR mentioned above have some leniency on what they use. There's still a process to procure especially if they want reimbursement, just not as strict and often can get sole source justifications approved easily.
 
deyoung said:
Just curious, does the military use off-the-shelf equipment for some applications, or generally have their own stuff for everything?

I'm just curious; I was watching "American Sniper" last night and noticed a number of guys in military helicopters using David Clark headsets, and wondered if that is a goof or not. :)
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If you've seen Black Hawk Down you'll see Rangers in the back wearing DCs as well. I'd say that's pretty accurate.
 
DC's were the flavor back in the day. Sure does suck when the bubba's go tearing off the ramp with them still on. Those cords stretch a long way!
 
On most military aircraft, the intercom system is a different impedance and has a different connector than that of most GA airplanes.
 
hook_dupin said:
On most military aircraft, the intercom system is a different impedance and has a different connector than that of most GA airplanes.
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Yes, but you can get adapters.

I'm pretty sure the stuff DC sells to the military has the military connectors already and you would need the adapter cord to use in an GA aircraft.
 
hook_dupin said:
On most military aircraft, the intercom system is a different impedance and has a different connector than that of most GA airplanes.
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The headsets that are used in the OPs example are helicopter / military (one prong) headsets. The aircraft (UH-60 / CH-47) is set up for that type of headset. Not sure about the 47 but in the 60 it's refered to as a 12 point. The crew up front have the ability to isolate the pax so they can talk amongst themselves.
 
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I use a DC headset in the 10. My KC-135 buddies use Boss. Yes it is a different(single) plug. But there is nothing special about it.
 
Fearless Tower said:
Yes, but you can get adapters.

I'm pretty sure the stuff DC sells to the military has the military connectors already and you would need the adapter cord to use in an GA aircraft.
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True statement. I've seen that one to two prong connector a few places.

In the military, its pretty easy to buy DCs with a Gov't Purchase Card. All the DC military headsets (as well as individual parts) have national stock numbers.

I am still surprised at how expensive the Gentex equipment is (helmets, masks, etc), much less a JHMCS helmet.
 
hook_dupin said:
I am still surprised at how expensive the Gentex equipment is (helmets, masks, etc)
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Once we finished pilot training they just gave them to us! With how many students go through that program a year, that's a lot of helmets! I keep it on my bookcase with the tinted visor. I've seen them go on ebay for over $600!
 
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