bobdina
08-21-2010, 11:20 AM
SEAL K9s getting a gear upgrade
By David Larter - Staff writer
Posted : Saturday Aug 21, 2010 10:40:58 EDT
The SEALs always roll with top-of-the-line gear. And their dogs are no exception.
San Diego-based Naval Special Warfare Group 1 announced Aug. 4 it was purchasing four high-tech canine tactical vests produced by K9 Storm, out of Winnipeg, Manitoba.
The main advantage of the Intruder vest is its light weight, said company owner Jim Slater.
The 20-ounce vest features an infrared and night-vision-enabled camera that feeds a 3-inch video recorder and monitor kept by the handler. The camera weighs just 11 ounces.
“It adds another dimension to the K9 service,” Slater said. “It gives you the ability to see what the dog can see.”
Handlers will receive a feed from up to 1,000 yards line-of-site and up to 200 yards through multiple concrete walls with the IR system. The system is waterproof up to 10 feet. The four vests and camera systems total $86,457.
Slater said the Navy began showing interest in the vest in January.
The vest comes in coyote tan and MultiCam, so the dog will be just as camouflaged as its handler.
The Intruder will run on rechargeable batteries with a 30-minute life for both the monitor and camera.
http://www.navytimes.com/news/2010/08/navy-seal-k9s-getting-a-gear-upgrade-082110w/
By David Larter - Staff writer
Posted : Saturday Aug 21, 2010 10:40:58 EDT
The SEALs always roll with top-of-the-line gear. And their dogs are no exception.
San Diego-based Naval Special Warfare Group 1 announced Aug. 4 it was purchasing four high-tech canine tactical vests produced by K9 Storm, out of Winnipeg, Manitoba.
The main advantage of the Intruder vest is its light weight, said company owner Jim Slater.
The 20-ounce vest features an infrared and night-vision-enabled camera that feeds a 3-inch video recorder and monitor kept by the handler. The camera weighs just 11 ounces.
“It adds another dimension to the K9 service,” Slater said. “It gives you the ability to see what the dog can see.”
Handlers will receive a feed from up to 1,000 yards line-of-site and up to 200 yards through multiple concrete walls with the IR system. The system is waterproof up to 10 feet. The four vests and camera systems total $86,457.
Slater said the Navy began showing interest in the vest in January.
The vest comes in coyote tan and MultiCam, so the dog will be just as camouflaged as its handler.
The Intruder will run on rechargeable batteries with a 30-minute life for both the monitor and camera.
http://www.navytimes.com/news/2010/08/navy-seal-k9s-getting-a-gear-upgrade-082110w/