After Operation Eagle Claw, it was painfully obvious there was a critical need for more joint training. This led to the creation of our USSOCOM in Tampa and to the incredibly talented 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), more famously known as the Night Stalkers<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As always, the special operations family looked after their own. The Special Warriors Foundation paid for the educations of the children of the soldiers killed that night on April 25, 1980.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Operation Eagle Claw: The Story of the Iran Hostage Crisis","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"operation-eagle-claw-iran-hostage-crisis","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-12 11:44:36","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-12 15:44:36","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/article\/operation-eagle-claw-iran-hostage-crisis\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":129738,"post_author":"373","post_date":"2018-12-07 07:03:26","post_date_gmt":"2018-12-07 12:03:26","post_content":"\n\nThe Plasan Yagu lightweight armored vehicle<\/a> injects a previously unimagined capability into the special operations battlespace. Combining high mobility, air transportability and formidable firepower, the Yagu can transport special operators to their area of operations. Further, it can then protect them while maneuvering downrange. Offering amazing capabilities at a modest weight and relatively reasonable price, the Yagu could revolutionize the way modern spec-ops warriors travel. Today\u2019s cutting-edge Yagu harkens from a fascinating evolutionary family.\n\n[in_content post=\"201083\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\nIn The Beginning<\/h3>\nIn the early 1930s, the U.S. Army began experimenting with the concept of a bantamweight truck for use by scouts and raiders who were the early 20th century predecessors to today\u2019s special operations forces. The resulting vehicle stemmed from a laborious developmental process. It then became a ubiquitous part of Allied forces in all combat theaters during World War II. The refined design was christened the \u201cU.S. Army Truck, \u00bc ton, 4x4, Command Reconnaissance\u201d vehicle. Subsequent generations just called it the Jeep. General George C. Marshall referred to the boxy little vehicle as \u201cAmerica\u2019s greatest contribution to modern warfare.\u201d\n\nEveryone who served during that era has some affectionate tale that stems from his or her relationship to a Jeep. The vehicle weighed 1,975 pounds empty and was endlessly versatile. Ford and Willys Overland produced more than half a million of these remarkable vehicles by war\u2019s end. After WWII, the civilianized Jeep became the world\u2019s first commercially produced four-wheel-drive vehicle.\n\nSubsequent improved versions of the Jeep were ultimately replaced with the larger, more powerful and more stable Humvee in 1984. While the Humvee is an effective utility vehicle, it is too large to ride as internal cargo in most aircraft. As such, it was not designed from the outset to incorporate armor protection. This deep into the 21st century, we can do better.\n
Meet The Yagu<\/h3>\nThe special operations equipment procurement system is much more agile than that which supported the Big Army over the past century. Nowadays, promising new commercial off-the-shelf civilian technologies can be folded into military applications without enduring the time-consuming and cumbersome procurement and evaluation processes of previous eras. As a result, civilian-inspired vehicles like the Plasan Yagu can see action soon after they become available.\n\nAt its heart, the Yagu is actually a 1,687-pound Arctic Cat four-seat all-terrain vehicle upgraded with armor protection and military-grade accoutrements. The resulting vehicle offers unprecedented capabilities. Also, with an onboard power generation system, a highly survivable armored and air-conditioned crew capsule, and an ultra-light General Robotics Pitbull remotely operated weapon system, the Yagu is agile, rugged and lethal.\n\nThe armored crew capsule offers B6+ ballistic protection that is proof against 5.45x39mm, 7.62x39mm, and 7.62mm NATO threats. This radical armor plating is of the composite sort incorporating aramid and Kevlar layers that offer superlative protection at modest weight. Also, the remotely operated Pitbull turret can accommodate 5.56mm or 7.62mm machine guns. This turret also incorporates electronic sensor systems for surveillance and targeting duties under conditions of limited visibility or battlefield obscurants. Generous front and side windows offer exceptional visibility while ancillary external cameras cover dead spots.\n
Plasan Yagu Power<\/h3>\nThe Yagu draws its power from a 951cc 1000 H2 V-Twin SOHC engine with electronic fuel injection. Even fully loaded, this gives the Yagu a power-to-weight ratio of 53 horsepower per ton. When combined with an automatic transmission that offers high and low gear ranges, two- or four-wheel drive, and long-travel front and rear suspension, the Yagu becomes remarkably maneuverable. Additionally, the vehicle\u2019s thin footprint makes it ideal for navigating tight urban spaces that might be littered with the detritus of war.\n\nIt would be easy to say that the Yagu is the sort of vehicle RoboCop might drive. But RoboCop never dreamt of anything this capable. In addition to a rugged drivetrain and powerful engine, the Yagu also includes a built-in drone system that can be launched from under armor and offer up to 27 minutes of remote video, surveillance and targeting information to increase the crew\u2019s reach beyond the immediate area. Automatic target-tracking software decreases the crew\u2019s workload and enhances situational awareness.\n\nIn addition to these unprecedented capabilities, the Yagu will fit inside the cabin of modern combat rotorcraft like the CH-47. Back in the Stone Age when I flew Chinooks, one of our perennial challenges was transporting Humvees. Whereas preceding Jeeps fit snugly inside the cabin, Humvees require transportation externally via sling loads. In addition to taking a toll on the aircraft\u2019s speed and maneuverability, this method of transport also demanded an extra layer of complexity during operations in the pickup and landing zones. By contrast, the Yagu can drive on and off the aircraft in moments.\n
Practical Applications<\/h3>\nThe military applications for the Yagu are limited solely by the commander\u2019s imagination. Deep-penetration missions for surveillance or direct action in rugged terrain can now be facilitated over previously unimaginable distances. By combining air insertion with the vehicle\u2019s innate speed and rough-country capabilities, special operations teams can cover vastly greater distances than might be the case were they on foot. Additionally, the vehicle\u2019s prodigious payload carries more food, water and ammunition in its loadout. Quiet and capable, the Yagu can serve as a highly mobile miniature patrol base for small spec-ops units operating deep downrange.\n\nIn addition to its military applications, the Yagu offers new capabilities to law enforcement and security services as well. From patrolling vast areas of austere borderlands to monitoring volatile combat zones and peacekeeping operations, the Yagu offers markedly greater mobility, transportability and crew protection capabilities when compared to legacy vehicles. The Yagu serves as a very real force multiplier for both strategic and tactical commanders, particularly in the fluid environment of a digital age.\n
Street Cred<\/h3>\nPlasan has extensive experience designing and building full-sized tactical vehicles. Its influence on the MRAP, M-ATV and JLTV, as well as its Sandcat armored utility and personnel carriers, uniquely position the company to develop a small, lightweight and survivable combat vehicle for tomorrow\u2019s battlefields. The influence of these proven vehicles is manifestly obvious in the design of the Yagu.\n\nIn addition to all this combat cred, Plasan has also produced carbon-fiber components for the Dodge Viper ACR, Chevrolet Corvette C7 Stingray and Ford GT500KR sports cars. This influence gives the Yagu a seriously sinister look that really does transport one viscerally into the realm of science fiction.\n\nCheaper than traditional large-footprint armored vehicles and offering greater agility, better stealth and lower operating costs, the Yagu and its crew of three operators stand ready to revolutionize modern warfare. In an era of advanced technology on the battlefield, Plasan miniaturizes armored transport into something manageable, capable and lethal. The Plasan Yagu is the shape of tomorrow\u2019s combat.\n\nFor more information, visit plasan.com<\/a>.","post_title":"FIRST LOOK: The Plasan Yagu Is an ATV Turned Tank","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"plasan-yagu-atv-tank","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:19:34","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:19:34","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2018\/12\/07\/plasan-yagu-atv-tank\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":131990,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2018-03-12 09:00:49","post_date_gmt":"2018-03-12 13:00:49","post_content":"\r\n\r\nThe Portuguese Special Operations Detachment (DOE) is now flush with small arms, having just received a new batch of rifles<\/a>, shotguns, grenade launchers and accessories.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"187850\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
Portuguese Special Operations Weapons<\/h3>\r\nAccording to Jane's<\/a><\/em>, the items delivered included\u00a0Barrett M107A1 .50 cal and Accuracy AXMC .338 precision rifles;\u00a0Heckler & Koch HK417 7.62x51 mm assault rifles;\u00a0FABARM STF\/12 Compact FE 12-gauge shotguns; and HK\u00a0HK269 40x46 mm grenade launchers. The DOE also received\u00a0Schmidt & Bender PM II riflescopes, as well as new MRZR2 MT and Sportsman MV850 MT ATVs.\u00a0The exact quantity hasn't been disclosed.\r\n\r\nHowever, back in October Jane's<\/em> reported<\/a> that the Portuguese Army had agreed to let the\u00a0NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) handle procurement of new small arms. The procurement, worth up to \u20ac42.8 million ($50.3 million), calls for the purchase (by 2022) of\u00a011,000\u00a05.56x45mm assault rifles; 300 7.62x51mm assault rifles; 830 5.56x45mm light machine guns; 320 7.62x51mm light machine guns; 450 7.62x51mm precision rifles; 1,700 grenade launchers; 380 shotguns; and 3,400 sights. One can assume that the aforementioned small arms from Barrett, HK and others are part of that procurement process.\r\n\r\nThe DOE is a unit within the Portuguese Army's\u00a0Special Operations Troops Centre. Commonly referred to as the Rangers, DOE performs missions similar to that of the US Army's Delta Force or the British SAS. Check out the video below to see them in action.\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=1IUwHipmI3M","post_title":"VIDEO: Portuguese Special Operations Unit Receives New Small Arms","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"portuguese-special-operations-arms","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:22:49","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:22:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2018\/03\/12\/portuguese-special-operations-arms\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":133478,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2017-10-10 09:00:59","post_date_gmt":"2017-10-10 13:00:59","post_content":"\n\nI have always thought highly of the Russian AKSU since I first fired one over 20 years ago. However, it is chambered for the 5.45x39mm, and I always felt a compact 7.62x39mm carbine would be even better. As a result, I was happy to learn that some of the former Warsaw Pact countries had developed their own compact weapons in this chambering. The one with which I am most familiar is the AMD (Automata M\u00f3dos\u00edtott Deszant<\/i>) 65. Based on the AKM-63, the AMD-65 is a short-barreled weapon designed for Hungarian airborne and motorized infantry units. In fact, the \u201cD\u201d stands for Deszant<\/i>, which indicates paratrooper usage. As the designation indicates, the AMD-65 was developed in 1965, though it did not enter mass production until 1967.\n
AMD-65 Design<\/h3>\n
![\"AMD-65](\"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/AMD-65-7.jpg\")
<\/a> While the AMD-65 has many unusual components, including a ventilated steel handguard, a two-chamber muzzle brake, a polymer foregrip and a T-shaped folding stock, the carbine is still an AK at heart, with standard sights and controls, such as the paddle-style magazine release lever.[\/caption]\n\nDesign specs for the AMD-65 indicated that it should be smaller, lighter and easier to carry than the AKM-63. It had to be in the same chambering (7.62x39mm) as the AKM-63 and have the same operating characteristics. It had to be suitable for officers and airborne troops (and later, armored troops) with a muzzle brake\/compensator to counter muzzle rise, use a 20-round magazine but also be capable of taking 30-rounders and have a folding stock that, when folded, did not prevent the carbine from being fired.\n\n \t
Present-Day Usage<\/h3>\n
![\"AMD-65](\"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/AMD-65-11.jpg\")
<\/a> A member of a special Afghan Police unit takes aim with a modified AMD-65. Note the rails, M4-style vertical foregrip and holographic sight.[\/caption]\n\nIt is my understanding that the AMD-65 was used by Hungarian troops from 1967 to 2006. However, the AMD-65 is still widely encountered in the world\u2019s trouble spots, as it was sold in places such as Angola, Georgia, Mozambique, Lebanon, Laos, Gaza and the West Bank, Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Yemen and Zimbabwe, among others. It is widely used by the Afghan National Police and has been used by many private contractors in Afghanistan and Iraq.\n\nMany of the AMD-65s supplied to the Afghan Police are likely ex-Hungarian military arms, as the Afghans started receiving them around 2006, when they went out of Hungarian service. I have seen figures to the effect that the Hungarians \u201cdonated\u201d 39,000 AMD-65s and the U.S. purchased 45,000 more for the Afghan Police. There have been quite a few complaints from Afghans issued the AMD-65. One is that the shorter barrel\/sight radius affects its range and accuracy. Given that the AK design is not inherently accurate, this complaint is not a surprise. Even well-trained users of the AK do not find it to be a tack-driver. I\u2019ve wondered if the complaints might arise because some of the Afghan Police would prefer that they had weapons mounting optics. I have seen photos of weapons with Picatinny rails added to the AMD-65 steel handguard\/receiver. For the police mission, the shorter barreled AMD-65 would seem to be a good choice since its operating system is the same as other AKs, a design with which the Afghans would be familiar.\nRunning Hot<\/h3>\n
![\"AMD-65](\"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/AMD-65-9.jpg\")
<\/a> A U.S. Marine fires an AMD-65 during a demonstration in Afghanistan.[\/caption]\n\nAnother complaint is the overheating of handguard, which is valid. On the other hand, the Afghans are not known for fire discipline; instead, they seem to like firing off full magazines on full-auto, often into the air. Don\u2019t forget at least a few \u201cfriendly fire\u201d incidents in Afghanistan resulted from \u201crejoicing\u201d Afghans spraying tracer rounds into the air around U.S. aircraft who assumed they were being fired at. Also, with the front pistol grip, it is fairly easy to avoid touching the handguard when firing on full-auto. From photos and videos I\u2019ve seen taken of Afghan Police training, however, it appears many do not use the vertical foregrip, but instead use the magazine as a foregrip. Not only does this shorten the area between the firing and support hands, but it can also affect reliability by exerting pressure on the magazine.\n\n \t
\r\n \t
Rifle Specs ADM UIC MOD2<\/b>:\r\n\u2022 14.5 Criterion Barrel 1\/8 .223 Wylde Chamber\r\n\u2022 Battle Comp 1.5 Pin & Welded\r\n\u2022 American Defense MFG Billet Upper Receiver with 13.5 MLOK Rail\r\n\u2022 American Defense MFG Completely Ambidextrous Billet Lower Receiver\r\n\u2022 American Defense MFG 13.5 MLOK rail\r\n\u2022 Radian Talon Ambidextrous Safety\r\n\u2022 Bravo Company USA MOD 4 Ambidextrous Charging Handle\r\n\u2022 Geissele G2S Trigger\r\n\r\nIncluded Accessories<\/b>:\r\n\u2022 Magpul PMag\r\n\u2022 MagPod\r\n\u2022 Raven Concealment Top Stop\r\n\u2022 Magpul MBus PRO flip up sight set\r\n\u2022 Arc\u2019teryx Rho Beanie with matching serial number embroidered\r\n\u2022 Deadbird Society Limited Edition Patch by Spartan Village with matching serial number laser cut<\/blockquote>\r\n
\r\n \t
Upper \/ Lower \/ Rail Set Specs<\/b>:\r\n\u2022 American Defense MFG Billet Upper Receiver \u2013 Forward assist and ejection port door installed\r\n\u2022 American Defense MFG 13.5 MLOK Rail with appropriate hardware\r\n\u2022 American Defense MFG Completely Ambidextrous Billet Lower Receiver \u2013 ambidextrous controls (installed) and takedown pins\r\n\u2022 Arc\u2019teryx Rho Beanie with matching serial number embroidered\r\n\u2022 Deadbird Society Limited Edition Patch by Spartan Village with matching serial number laser cut\r\n\r\nFine Print<\/b>:\r\nThis rifle IS NOT California compliant. It is American compliant. Please know your local, State, and Federal laws before purchasing. Serial numbers cannot be reserved. They are by assigned by order number received. Please do not call and ask which number you received, as the order number does not correspond with the serial number. Receiver sets are eligible to be transferred as incomplete firearms. These items will ship by 20DEC2016. You must supply a valid FFL with your order number to\u00a0sales@admmfg.com<\/a>.<\/blockquote>\r\nFor more information, visit\u00a0https:\/\/www.americandefensemanufacturing.com<\/a>","post_title":"UIC MOD 2: ADM's Custom Carbine & Receiver\/Rail Sets To Benefit SOC-F","post_excerpt":"American Defense MFG is offering its UIC MOD 2 carbine and receiver\/rail set in grey to raise funds for the SOC-F.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"adm-uic-mod-2","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 17:03:23","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 17:03:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2016\/12\/02\/adm-uic-mod-2\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_23"};
After the Iranians discovered the wreckage in the desert, they spread the hostages out to different parts of the country. This also made a second rescue attempt impossible. There would be no more negotiations with Khomeini\u2019s regime. Notably, Khomeini released the hostages one minute after Ronald Reagan became sworn into office after 444 days in captivity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
After Operation Eagle Claw, it was painfully obvious there was a critical need for more joint training. This led to the creation of our USSOCOM in Tampa and to the incredibly talented 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), more famously known as the Night Stalkers<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As always, the special operations family looked after their own. The Special Warriors Foundation paid for the educations of the children of the soldiers killed that night on April 25, 1980.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Operation Eagle Claw: The Story of the Iran Hostage Crisis","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"operation-eagle-claw-iran-hostage-crisis","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-12 11:44:36","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-12 15:44:36","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/article\/operation-eagle-claw-iran-hostage-crisis\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":129738,"post_author":"373","post_date":"2018-12-07 07:03:26","post_date_gmt":"2018-12-07 12:03:26","post_content":"\n\nThe Plasan Yagu lightweight armored vehicle<\/a> injects a previously unimagined capability into the special operations battlespace. Combining high mobility, air transportability and formidable firepower, the Yagu can transport special operators to their area of operations. Further, it can then protect them while maneuvering downrange. Offering amazing capabilities at a modest weight and relatively reasonable price, the Yagu could revolutionize the way modern spec-ops warriors travel. Today\u2019s cutting-edge Yagu harkens from a fascinating evolutionary family.\n\n[in_content post=\"201083\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n After the Iranians discovered the wreckage in the desert, they spread the hostages out to different parts of the country. This also made a second rescue attempt impossible. There would be no more negotiations with Khomeini\u2019s regime. Notably, Khomeini released the hostages one minute after Ronald Reagan became sworn into office after 444 days in captivity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n After Operation Eagle Claw, it was painfully obvious there was a critical need for more joint training. This led to the creation of our USSOCOM in Tampa and to the incredibly talented 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), more famously known as the Night Stalkers<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As always, the special operations family looked after their own. The Special Warriors Foundation paid for the educations of the children of the soldiers killed that night on April 25, 1980.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Operation Eagle Claw: The Story of the Iran Hostage Crisis","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"operation-eagle-claw-iran-hostage-crisis","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-12 11:44:36","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-12 15:44:36","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/article\/operation-eagle-claw-iran-hostage-crisis\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":129738,"post_author":"373","post_date":"2018-12-07 07:03:26","post_date_gmt":"2018-12-07 12:03:26","post_content":"\n\nThe Plasan Yagu lightweight armored vehicle<\/a> injects a previously unimagined capability into the special operations battlespace. Combining high mobility, air transportability and formidable firepower, the Yagu can transport special operators to their area of operations. Further, it can then protect them while maneuvering downrange. Offering amazing capabilities at a modest weight and relatively reasonable price, the Yagu could revolutionize the way modern spec-ops warriors travel. Today\u2019s cutting-edge Yagu harkens from a fascinating evolutionary family.\n\n[in_content post=\"201083\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n The airfield in Oman where Delta had taken off from was manned by British contractors who were a bit puzzled by seeing the American presence the night before. When they returned a day later with wounded and minus a plane, the Brits put two and two together on who their American guests were and what tragedy had occurred. The British contractors cobbled up two cases of beer and brought it over to where the Americans held up. On top of the cardboard flap they wrote \u201cTo you all, from us all, for having the guts to try.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n After the Iranians discovered the wreckage in the desert, they spread the hostages out to different parts of the country. This also made a second rescue attempt impossible. There would be no more negotiations with Khomeini\u2019s regime. Notably, Khomeini released the hostages one minute after Ronald Reagan became sworn into office after 444 days in captivity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n After Operation Eagle Claw, it was painfully obvious there was a critical need for more joint training. This led to the creation of our USSOCOM in Tampa and to the incredibly talented 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), more famously known as the Night Stalkers<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As always, the special operations family looked after their own. The Special Warriors Foundation paid for the educations of the children of the soldiers killed that night on April 25, 1980.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Operation Eagle Claw: The Story of the Iran Hostage Crisis","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"operation-eagle-claw-iran-hostage-crisis","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-12 11:44:36","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-12 15:44:36","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/article\/operation-eagle-claw-iran-hostage-crisis\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":129738,"post_author":"373","post_date":"2018-12-07 07:03:26","post_date_gmt":"2018-12-07 12:03:26","post_content":"\n\nThe Plasan Yagu lightweight armored vehicle<\/a> injects a previously unimagined capability into the special operations battlespace. Combining high mobility, air transportability and formidable firepower, the Yagu can transport special operators to their area of operations. Further, it can then protect them while maneuvering downrange. Offering amazing capabilities at a modest weight and relatively reasonable price, the Yagu could revolutionize the way modern spec-ops warriors travel. Today\u2019s cutting-edge Yagu harkens from a fascinating evolutionary family.\n\n[in_content post=\"201083\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n The airfield in Oman where Delta had taken off from was manned by British contractors who were a bit puzzled by seeing the American presence the night before. When they returned a day later with wounded and minus a plane, the Brits put two and two together on who their American guests were and what tragedy had occurred. The British contractors cobbled up two cases of beer and brought it over to where the Americans held up. On top of the cardboard flap they wrote \u201cTo you all, from us all, for having the guts to try.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n After the Iranians discovered the wreckage in the desert, they spread the hostages out to different parts of the country. This also made a second rescue attempt impossible. There would be no more negotiations with Khomeini\u2019s regime. Notably, Khomeini released the hostages one minute after Ronald Reagan became sworn into office after 444 days in captivity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n After Operation Eagle Claw, it was painfully obvious there was a critical need for more joint training. This led to the creation of our USSOCOM in Tampa and to the incredibly talented 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), more famously known as the Night Stalkers<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As always, the special operations family looked after their own. The Special Warriors Foundation paid for the educations of the children of the soldiers killed that night on April 25, 1980.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Operation Eagle Claw: The Story of the Iran Hostage Crisis","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"operation-eagle-claw-iran-hostage-crisis","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-12 11:44:36","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-12 15:44:36","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/article\/operation-eagle-claw-iran-hostage-crisis\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":129738,"post_author":"373","post_date":"2018-12-07 07:03:26","post_date_gmt":"2018-12-07 12:03:26","post_content":"\n\nThe Plasan Yagu lightweight armored vehicle<\/a> injects a previously unimagined capability into the special operations battlespace. Combining high mobility, air transportability and formidable firepower, the Yagu can transport special operators to their area of operations. Further, it can then protect them while maneuvering downrange. Offering amazing capabilities at a modest weight and relatively reasonable price, the Yagu could revolutionize the way modern spec-ops warriors travel. Today\u2019s cutting-edge Yagu harkens from a fascinating evolutionary family.\n\n[in_content post=\"201083\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n As Bluebeard 3 took off, the sandstorm was so intense that the airman directing the Bluebeard pilot faltered. Off the airman\u2019s movements, the pilot thought his RH-53D was drifting backward. He moved the helicopter forward, and its rotors sliced into one of the C-130s on the ground. This created a giant fireball that tragically killed eight crewmen on both aircraft. The remaining operators and crew had to quickly scramble into the remaining aircraft to escape Iranian airspace before daylight. At that time, Iranian forces would be able to intercept them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The airfield in Oman where Delta had taken off from was manned by British contractors who were a bit puzzled by seeing the American presence the night before. When they returned a day later with wounded and minus a plane, the Brits put two and two together on who their American guests were and what tragedy had occurred. The British contractors cobbled up two cases of beer and brought it over to where the Americans held up. On top of the cardboard flap they wrote \u201cTo you all, from us all, for having the guts to try.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n After the Iranians discovered the wreckage in the desert, they spread the hostages out to different parts of the country. This also made a second rescue attempt impossible. There would be no more negotiations with Khomeini\u2019s regime. Notably, Khomeini released the hostages one minute after Ronald Reagan became sworn into office after 444 days in captivity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n After Operation Eagle Claw, it was painfully obvious there was a critical need for more joint training. This led to the creation of our USSOCOM in Tampa and to the incredibly talented 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), more famously known as the Night Stalkers<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As always, the special operations family looked after their own. The Special Warriors Foundation paid for the educations of the children of the soldiers killed that night on April 25, 1980.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Operation Eagle Claw: The Story of the Iran Hostage Crisis","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"operation-eagle-claw-iran-hostage-crisis","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-12 11:44:36","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-12 15:44:36","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/article\/operation-eagle-claw-iran-hostage-crisis\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":129738,"post_author":"373","post_date":"2018-12-07 07:03:26","post_date_gmt":"2018-12-07 12:03:26","post_content":"\n\nThe Plasan Yagu lightweight armored vehicle<\/a> injects a previously unimagined capability into the special operations battlespace. Combining high mobility, air transportability and formidable firepower, the Yagu can transport special operators to their area of operations. Further, it can then protect them while maneuvering downrange. Offering amazing capabilities at a modest weight and relatively reasonable price, the Yagu could revolutionize the way modern spec-ops warriors travel. Today\u2019s cutting-edge Yagu harkens from a fascinating evolutionary family.\n\n[in_content post=\"201083\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\nIn The Beginning<\/h3>\nIn the early 1930s, the U.S. Army began experimenting with the concept of a bantamweight truck for use by scouts and raiders who were the early 20th century predecessors to today\u2019s special operations forces. The resulting vehicle stemmed from a laborious developmental process. It then became a ubiquitous part of Allied forces in all combat theaters during World War II. The refined design was christened the \u201cU.S. Army Truck, \u00bc ton, 4x4, Command Reconnaissance\u201d vehicle. Subsequent generations just called it the Jeep. General George C. Marshall referred to the boxy little vehicle as \u201cAmerica\u2019s greatest contribution to modern warfare.\u201d\n\nEveryone who served during that era has some affectionate tale that stems from his or her relationship to a Jeep. The vehicle weighed 1,975 pounds empty and was endlessly versatile. Ford and Willys Overland produced more than half a million of these remarkable vehicles by war\u2019s end. After WWII, the civilianized Jeep became the world\u2019s first commercially produced four-wheel-drive vehicle.\n\nSubsequent improved versions of the Jeep were ultimately replaced with the larger, more powerful and more stable Humvee in 1984. While the Humvee is an effective utility vehicle, it is too large to ride as internal cargo in most aircraft. As such, it was not designed from the outset to incorporate armor protection. This deep into the 21st century, we can do better.\n
Meet The Yagu<\/h3>\nThe special operations equipment procurement system is much more agile than that which supported the Big Army over the past century. Nowadays, promising new commercial off-the-shelf civilian technologies can be folded into military applications without enduring the time-consuming and cumbersome procurement and evaluation processes of previous eras. As a result, civilian-inspired vehicles like the Plasan Yagu can see action soon after they become available.\n\nAt its heart, the Yagu is actually a 1,687-pound Arctic Cat four-seat all-terrain vehicle upgraded with armor protection and military-grade accoutrements. The resulting vehicle offers unprecedented capabilities. Also, with an onboard power generation system, a highly survivable armored and air-conditioned crew capsule, and an ultra-light General Robotics Pitbull remotely operated weapon system, the Yagu is agile, rugged and lethal.\n\nThe armored crew capsule offers B6+ ballistic protection that is proof against 5.45x39mm, 7.62x39mm, and 7.62mm NATO threats. This radical armor plating is of the composite sort incorporating aramid and Kevlar layers that offer superlative protection at modest weight. Also, the remotely operated Pitbull turret can accommodate 5.56mm or 7.62mm machine guns. This turret also incorporates electronic sensor systems for surveillance and targeting duties under conditions of limited visibility or battlefield obscurants. Generous front and side windows offer exceptional visibility while ancillary external cameras cover dead spots.\n
Plasan Yagu Power<\/h3>\nThe Yagu draws its power from a 951cc 1000 H2 V-Twin SOHC engine with electronic fuel injection. Even fully loaded, this gives the Yagu a power-to-weight ratio of 53 horsepower per ton. When combined with an automatic transmission that offers high and low gear ranges, two- or four-wheel drive, and long-travel front and rear suspension, the Yagu becomes remarkably maneuverable. Additionally, the vehicle\u2019s thin footprint makes it ideal for navigating tight urban spaces that might be littered with the detritus of war.\n\nIt would be easy to say that the Yagu is the sort of vehicle RoboCop might drive. But RoboCop never dreamt of anything this capable. In addition to a rugged drivetrain and powerful engine, the Yagu also includes a built-in drone system that can be launched from under armor and offer up to 27 minutes of remote video, surveillance and targeting information to increase the crew\u2019s reach beyond the immediate area. Automatic target-tracking software decreases the crew\u2019s workload and enhances situational awareness.\n\nIn addition to these unprecedented capabilities, the Yagu will fit inside the cabin of modern combat rotorcraft like the CH-47. Back in the Stone Age when I flew Chinooks, one of our perennial challenges was transporting Humvees. Whereas preceding Jeeps fit snugly inside the cabin, Humvees require transportation externally via sling loads. In addition to taking a toll on the aircraft\u2019s speed and maneuverability, this method of transport also demanded an extra layer of complexity during operations in the pickup and landing zones. By contrast, the Yagu can drive on and off the aircraft in moments.\n
Practical Applications<\/h3>\nThe military applications for the Yagu are limited solely by the commander\u2019s imagination. Deep-penetration missions for surveillance or direct action in rugged terrain can now be facilitated over previously unimaginable distances. By combining air insertion with the vehicle\u2019s innate speed and rough-country capabilities, special operations teams can cover vastly greater distances than might be the case were they on foot. Additionally, the vehicle\u2019s prodigious payload carries more food, water and ammunition in its loadout. Quiet and capable, the Yagu can serve as a highly mobile miniature patrol base for small spec-ops units operating deep downrange.\n\nIn addition to its military applications, the Yagu offers new capabilities to law enforcement and security services as well. From patrolling vast areas of austere borderlands to monitoring volatile combat zones and peacekeeping operations, the Yagu offers markedly greater mobility, transportability and crew protection capabilities when compared to legacy vehicles. The Yagu serves as a very real force multiplier for both strategic and tactical commanders, particularly in the fluid environment of a digital age.\n
Street Cred<\/h3>\nPlasan has extensive experience designing and building full-sized tactical vehicles. Its influence on the MRAP, M-ATV and JLTV, as well as its Sandcat armored utility and personnel carriers, uniquely position the company to develop a small, lightweight and survivable combat vehicle for tomorrow\u2019s battlefields. The influence of these proven vehicles is manifestly obvious in the design of the Yagu.\n\nIn addition to all this combat cred, Plasan has also produced carbon-fiber components for the Dodge Viper ACR, Chevrolet Corvette C7 Stingray and Ford GT500KR sports cars. This influence gives the Yagu a seriously sinister look that really does transport one viscerally into the realm of science fiction.\n\nCheaper than traditional large-footprint armored vehicles and offering greater agility, better stealth and lower operating costs, the Yagu and its crew of three operators stand ready to revolutionize modern warfare. In an era of advanced technology on the battlefield, Plasan miniaturizes armored transport into something manageable, capable and lethal. The Plasan Yagu is the shape of tomorrow\u2019s combat.\n\nFor more information, visit plasan.com<\/a>.","post_title":"FIRST LOOK: The Plasan Yagu Is an ATV Turned Tank","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"plasan-yagu-atv-tank","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:19:34","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:19:34","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2018\/12\/07\/plasan-yagu-atv-tank\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":131990,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2018-03-12 09:00:49","post_date_gmt":"2018-03-12 13:00:49","post_content":"\r\n\r\nThe Portuguese Special Operations Detachment (DOE) is now flush with small arms, having just received a new batch of rifles<\/a>, shotguns, grenade launchers and accessories.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"187850\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
Portuguese Special Operations Weapons<\/h3>\r\nAccording to Jane's<\/a><\/em>, the items delivered included\u00a0Barrett M107A1 .50 cal and Accuracy AXMC .338 precision rifles;\u00a0Heckler & Koch HK417 7.62x51 mm assault rifles;\u00a0FABARM STF\/12 Compact FE 12-gauge shotguns; and HK\u00a0HK269 40x46 mm grenade launchers. The DOE also received\u00a0Schmidt & Bender PM II riflescopes, as well as new MRZR2 MT and Sportsman MV850 MT ATVs.\u00a0The exact quantity hasn't been disclosed.\r\n\r\nHowever, back in October Jane's<\/em> reported<\/a> that the Portuguese Army had agreed to let the\u00a0NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) handle procurement of new small arms. The procurement, worth up to \u20ac42.8 million ($50.3 million), calls for the purchase (by 2022) of\u00a011,000\u00a05.56x45mm assault rifles; 300 7.62x51mm assault rifles; 830 5.56x45mm light machine guns; 320 7.62x51mm light machine guns; 450 7.62x51mm precision rifles; 1,700 grenade launchers; 380 shotguns; and 3,400 sights. One can assume that the aforementioned small arms from Barrett, HK and others are part of that procurement process.\r\n\r\nThe DOE is a unit within the Portuguese Army's\u00a0Special Operations Troops Centre. Commonly referred to as the Rangers, DOE performs missions similar to that of the US Army's Delta Force or the British SAS. Check out the video below to see them in action.\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=1IUwHipmI3M","post_title":"VIDEO: Portuguese Special Operations Unit Receives New Small Arms","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"portuguese-special-operations-arms","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:22:49","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:22:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2018\/03\/12\/portuguese-special-operations-arms\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":133478,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2017-10-10 09:00:59","post_date_gmt":"2017-10-10 13:00:59","post_content":"\n\nI have always thought highly of the Russian AKSU since I first fired one over 20 years ago. However, it is chambered for the 5.45x39mm, and I always felt a compact 7.62x39mm carbine would be even better. As a result, I was happy to learn that some of the former Warsaw Pact countries had developed their own compact weapons in this chambering. The one with which I am most familiar is the AMD (Automata M\u00f3dos\u00edtott Deszant<\/i>) 65. Based on the AKM-63, the AMD-65 is a short-barreled weapon designed for Hungarian airborne and motorized infantry units. In fact, the \u201cD\u201d stands for Deszant<\/i>, which indicates paratrooper usage. As the designation indicates, the AMD-65 was developed in 1965, though it did not enter mass production until 1967.\n
AMD-65 Design<\/h3>\n
<\/a> While the AMD-65 has many unusual components, including a ventilated steel handguard, a two-chamber muzzle brake, a polymer foregrip and a T-shaped folding stock, the carbine is still an AK at heart, with standard sights and controls, such as the paddle-style magazine release lever.[\/caption]\n\nDesign specs for the AMD-65 indicated that it should be smaller, lighter and easier to carry than the AKM-63. It had to be in the same chambering (7.62x39mm) as the AKM-63 and have the same operating characteristics. It had to be suitable for officers and airborne troops (and later, armored troops) with a muzzle brake\/compensator to counter muzzle rise, use a 20-round magazine but also be capable of taking 30-rounders and have a folding stock that, when folded, did not prevent the carbine from being fired.\n\n \t
Present-Day Usage<\/h3>\n
<\/a> A member of a special Afghan Police unit takes aim with a modified AMD-65. Note the rails, M4-style vertical foregrip and holographic sight.[\/caption]\n\nIt is my understanding that the AMD-65 was used by Hungarian troops from 1967 to 2006. However, the AMD-65 is still widely encountered in the world\u2019s trouble spots, as it was sold in places such as Angola, Georgia, Mozambique, Lebanon, Laos, Gaza and the West Bank, Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Yemen and Zimbabwe, among others. It is widely used by the Afghan National Police and has been used by many private contractors in Afghanistan and Iraq.\n\nMany of the AMD-65s supplied to the Afghan Police are likely ex-Hungarian military arms, as the Afghans started receiving them around 2006, when they went out of Hungarian service. I have seen figures to the effect that the Hungarians \u201cdonated\u201d 39,000 AMD-65s and the U.S. purchased 45,000 more for the Afghan Police. There have been quite a few complaints from Afghans issued the AMD-65. One is that the shorter barrel\/sight radius affects its range and accuracy. Given that the AK design is not inherently accurate, this complaint is not a surprise. Even well-trained users of the AK do not find it to be a tack-driver. I\u2019ve wondered if the complaints might arise because some of the Afghan Police would prefer that they had weapons mounting optics. I have seen photos of weapons with Picatinny rails added to the AMD-65 steel handguard\/receiver. For the police mission, the shorter barreled AMD-65 would seem to be a good choice since its operating system is the same as other AKs, a design with which the Afghans would be familiar.\nRunning Hot<\/h3>\n
<\/a> A U.S. Marine fires an AMD-65 during a demonstration in Afghanistan.[\/caption]\n\nAnother complaint is the overheating of handguard, which is valid. On the other hand, the Afghans are not known for fire discipline; instead, they seem to like firing off full magazines on full-auto, often into the air. Don\u2019t forget at least a few \u201cfriendly fire\u201d incidents in Afghanistan resulted from \u201crejoicing\u201d Afghans spraying tracer rounds into the air around U.S. aircraft who assumed they were being fired at. Also, with the front pistol grip, it is fairly easy to avoid touching the handguard when firing on full-auto. From photos and videos I\u2019ve seen taken of Afghan Police training, however, it appears many do not use the vertical foregrip, but instead use the magazine as a foregrip. Not only does this shorten the area between the firing and support hands, but it can also affect reliability by exerting pressure on the magazine.\n\n \t
\r\n \t
Rifle Specs ADM UIC MOD2<\/b>:\r\n\u2022 14.5 Criterion Barrel 1\/8 .223 Wylde Chamber\r\n\u2022 Battle Comp 1.5 Pin & Welded\r\n\u2022 American Defense MFG Billet Upper Receiver with 13.5 MLOK Rail\r\n\u2022 American Defense MFG Completely Ambidextrous Billet Lower Receiver\r\n\u2022 American Defense MFG 13.5 MLOK rail\r\n\u2022 Radian Talon Ambidextrous Safety\r\n\u2022 Bravo Company USA MOD 4 Ambidextrous Charging Handle\r\n\u2022 Geissele G2S Trigger\r\n\r\nIncluded Accessories<\/b>:\r\n\u2022 Magpul PMag\r\n\u2022 MagPod\r\n\u2022 Raven Concealment Top Stop\r\n\u2022 Magpul MBus PRO flip up sight set\r\n\u2022 Arc\u2019teryx Rho Beanie with matching serial number embroidered\r\n\u2022 Deadbird Society Limited Edition Patch by Spartan Village with matching serial number laser cut<\/blockquote>\r\n
\r\n \t
Upper \/ Lower \/ Rail Set Specs<\/b>:\r\n\u2022 American Defense MFG Billet Upper Receiver \u2013 Forward assist and ejection port door installed\r\n\u2022 American Defense MFG 13.5 MLOK Rail with appropriate hardware\r\n\u2022 American Defense MFG Completely Ambidextrous Billet Lower Receiver \u2013 ambidextrous controls (installed) and takedown pins\r\n\u2022 Arc\u2019teryx Rho Beanie with matching serial number embroidered\r\n\u2022 Deadbird Society Limited Edition Patch by Spartan Village with matching serial number laser cut\r\n\r\nFine Print<\/b>:\r\nThis rifle IS NOT California compliant. It is American compliant. Please know your local, State, and Federal laws before purchasing. Serial numbers cannot be reserved. They are by assigned by order number received. Please do not call and ask which number you received, as the order number does not correspond with the serial number. Receiver sets are eligible to be transferred as incomplete firearms. These items will ship by 20DEC2016. You must supply a valid FFL with your order number to\u00a0sales@admmfg.com<\/a>.<\/blockquote>\r\nFor more information, visit\u00a0https:\/\/www.americandefensemanufacturing.com<\/a>","post_title":"UIC MOD 2: ADM's Custom Carbine & Receiver\/Rail Sets To Benefit SOC-F","post_excerpt":"American Defense MFG is offering its UIC MOD 2 carbine and receiver\/rail set in grey to raise funds for the SOC-F.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"adm-uic-mod-2","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 17:03:23","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 17:03:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2016\/12\/02\/adm-uic-mod-2\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_23"};
BROWSE BY BRAND
![\"Members](\"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/eagle_claw_crew.jpg\")
In The Beginning<\/h3>\nIn the early 1930s, the U.S. Army began experimenting with the concept of a bantamweight truck for use by scouts and raiders who were the early 20th century predecessors to today\u2019s special operations forces. The resulting vehicle stemmed from a laborious developmental process. It then became a ubiquitous part of Allied forces in all combat theaters during World War II. The refined design was christened the \u201cU.S. Army Truck, \u00bc ton, 4x4, Command Reconnaissance\u201d vehicle. Subsequent generations just called it the Jeep. General George C. Marshall referred to the boxy little vehicle as \u201cAmerica\u2019s greatest contribution to modern warfare.\u201d\n\nEveryone who served during that era has some affectionate tale that stems from his or her relationship to a Jeep. The vehicle weighed 1,975 pounds empty and was endlessly versatile. Ford and Willys Overland produced more than half a million of these remarkable vehicles by war\u2019s end. After WWII, the civilianized Jeep became the world\u2019s first commercially produced four-wheel-drive vehicle.\n\nSubsequent improved versions of the Jeep were ultimately replaced with the larger, more powerful and more stable Humvee in 1984. While the Humvee is an effective utility vehicle, it is too large to ride as internal cargo in most aircraft. As such, it was not designed from the outset to incorporate armor protection. This deep into the 21st century, we can do better.\n
Meet The Yagu<\/h3>\nThe special operations equipment procurement system is much more agile than that which supported the Big Army over the past century. Nowadays, promising new commercial off-the-shelf civilian technologies can be folded into military applications without enduring the time-consuming and cumbersome procurement and evaluation processes of previous eras. As a result, civilian-inspired vehicles like the Plasan Yagu can see action soon after they become available.\n\nAt its heart, the Yagu is actually a 1,687-pound Arctic Cat four-seat all-terrain vehicle upgraded with armor protection and military-grade accoutrements. The resulting vehicle offers unprecedented capabilities. Also, with an onboard power generation system, a highly survivable armored and air-conditioned crew capsule, and an ultra-light General Robotics Pitbull remotely operated weapon system, the Yagu is agile, rugged and lethal.\n\nThe armored crew capsule offers B6+ ballistic protection that is proof against 5.45x39mm, 7.62x39mm, and 7.62mm NATO threats. This radical armor plating is of the composite sort incorporating aramid and Kevlar layers that offer superlative protection at modest weight. Also, the remotely operated Pitbull turret can accommodate 5.56mm or 7.62mm machine guns. This turret also incorporates electronic sensor systems for surveillance and targeting duties under conditions of limited visibility or battlefield obscurants. Generous front and side windows offer exceptional visibility while ancillary external cameras cover dead spots.\n
Plasan Yagu Power<\/h3>\nThe Yagu draws its power from a 951cc 1000 H2 V-Twin SOHC engine with electronic fuel injection. Even fully loaded, this gives the Yagu a power-to-weight ratio of 53 horsepower per ton. When combined with an automatic transmission that offers high and low gear ranges, two- or four-wheel drive, and long-travel front and rear suspension, the Yagu becomes remarkably maneuverable. Additionally, the vehicle\u2019s thin footprint makes it ideal for navigating tight urban spaces that might be littered with the detritus of war.\n\nIt would be easy to say that the Yagu is the sort of vehicle RoboCop might drive. But RoboCop never dreamt of anything this capable. In addition to a rugged drivetrain and powerful engine, the Yagu also includes a built-in drone system that can be launched from under armor and offer up to 27 minutes of remote video, surveillance and targeting information to increase the crew\u2019s reach beyond the immediate area. Automatic target-tracking software decreases the crew\u2019s workload and enhances situational awareness.\n\nIn addition to these unprecedented capabilities, the Yagu will fit inside the cabin of modern combat rotorcraft like the CH-47. Back in the Stone Age when I flew Chinooks, one of our perennial challenges was transporting Humvees. Whereas preceding Jeeps fit snugly inside the cabin, Humvees require transportation externally via sling loads. In addition to taking a toll on the aircraft\u2019s speed and maneuverability, this method of transport also demanded an extra layer of complexity during operations in the pickup and landing zones. By contrast, the Yagu can drive on and off the aircraft in moments.\n
Practical Applications<\/h3>\nThe military applications for the Yagu are limited solely by the commander\u2019s imagination. Deep-penetration missions for surveillance or direct action in rugged terrain can now be facilitated over previously unimaginable distances. By combining air insertion with the vehicle\u2019s innate speed and rough-country capabilities, special operations teams can cover vastly greater distances than might be the case were they on foot. Additionally, the vehicle\u2019s prodigious payload carries more food, water and ammunition in its loadout. Quiet and capable, the Yagu can serve as a highly mobile miniature patrol base for small spec-ops units operating deep downrange.\n\nIn addition to its military applications, the Yagu offers new capabilities to law enforcement and security services as well. From patrolling vast areas of austere borderlands to monitoring volatile combat zones and peacekeeping operations, the Yagu offers markedly greater mobility, transportability and crew protection capabilities when compared to legacy vehicles. The Yagu serves as a very real force multiplier for both strategic and tactical commanders, particularly in the fluid environment of a digital age.\n
Street Cred<\/h3>\nPlasan has extensive experience designing and building full-sized tactical vehicles. Its influence on the MRAP, M-ATV and JLTV, as well as its Sandcat armored utility and personnel carriers, uniquely position the company to develop a small, lightweight and survivable combat vehicle for tomorrow\u2019s battlefields. The influence of these proven vehicles is manifestly obvious in the design of the Yagu.\n\nIn addition to all this combat cred, Plasan has also produced carbon-fiber components for the Dodge Viper ACR, Chevrolet Corvette C7 Stingray and Ford GT500KR sports cars. This influence gives the Yagu a seriously sinister look that really does transport one viscerally into the realm of science fiction.\n\nCheaper than traditional large-footprint armored vehicles and offering greater agility, better stealth and lower operating costs, the Yagu and its crew of three operators stand ready to revolutionize modern warfare. In an era of advanced technology on the battlefield, Plasan miniaturizes armored transport into something manageable, capable and lethal. The Plasan Yagu is the shape of tomorrow\u2019s combat.\n\nFor more information, visit plasan.com<\/a>.","post_title":"FIRST LOOK: The Plasan Yagu Is an ATV Turned Tank","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"plasan-yagu-atv-tank","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:19:34","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:19:34","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2018\/12\/07\/plasan-yagu-atv-tank\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":131990,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2018-03-12 09:00:49","post_date_gmt":"2018-03-12 13:00:49","post_content":"\r\n\r\nThe Portuguese Special Operations Detachment (DOE) is now flush with small arms, having just received a new batch of rifles<\/a>, shotguns, grenade launchers and accessories.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"187850\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
Portuguese Special Operations Weapons<\/h3>\r\nAccording to Jane's<\/a><\/em>, the items delivered included\u00a0Barrett M107A1 .50 cal and Accuracy AXMC .338 precision rifles;\u00a0Heckler & Koch HK417 7.62x51 mm assault rifles;\u00a0FABARM STF\/12 Compact FE 12-gauge shotguns; and HK\u00a0HK269 40x46 mm grenade launchers. The DOE also received\u00a0Schmidt & Bender PM II riflescopes, as well as new MRZR2 MT and Sportsman MV850 MT ATVs.\u00a0The exact quantity hasn't been disclosed.\r\n\r\nHowever, back in October Jane's<\/em> reported<\/a> that the Portuguese Army had agreed to let the\u00a0NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) handle procurement of new small arms. The procurement, worth up to \u20ac42.8 million ($50.3 million), calls for the purchase (by 2022) of\u00a011,000\u00a05.56x45mm assault rifles; 300 7.62x51mm assault rifles; 830 5.56x45mm light machine guns; 320 7.62x51mm light machine guns; 450 7.62x51mm precision rifles; 1,700 grenade launchers; 380 shotguns; and 3,400 sights. One can assume that the aforementioned small arms from Barrett, HK and others are part of that procurement process.\r\n\r\nThe DOE is a unit within the Portuguese Army's\u00a0Special Operations Troops Centre. Commonly referred to as the Rangers, DOE performs missions similar to that of the US Army's Delta Force or the British SAS. Check out the video below to see them in action.\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=1IUwHipmI3M","post_title":"VIDEO: Portuguese Special Operations Unit Receives New Small Arms","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"portuguese-special-operations-arms","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:22:49","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:22:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2018\/03\/12\/portuguese-special-operations-arms\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":133478,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2017-10-10 09:00:59","post_date_gmt":"2017-10-10 13:00:59","post_content":"\n\nI have always thought highly of the Russian AKSU since I first fired one over 20 years ago. However, it is chambered for the 5.45x39mm, and I always felt a compact 7.62x39mm carbine would be even better. As a result, I was happy to learn that some of the former Warsaw Pact countries had developed their own compact weapons in this chambering. The one with which I am most familiar is the AMD (Automata M\u00f3dos\u00edtott Deszant<\/i>) 65. Based on the AKM-63, the AMD-65 is a short-barreled weapon designed for Hungarian airborne and motorized infantry units. In fact, the \u201cD\u201d stands for Deszant<\/i>, which indicates paratrooper usage. As the designation indicates, the AMD-65 was developed in 1965, though it did not enter mass production until 1967.\n
AMD-65 Design<\/h3>\n
<\/a> While the AMD-65 has many unusual components, including a ventilated steel handguard, a two-chamber muzzle brake, a polymer foregrip and a T-shaped folding stock, the carbine is still an AK at heart, with standard sights and controls, such as the paddle-style magazine release lever.[\/caption]\n\nDesign specs for the AMD-65 indicated that it should be smaller, lighter and easier to carry than the AKM-63. It had to be in the same chambering (7.62x39mm) as the AKM-63 and have the same operating characteristics. It had to be suitable for officers and airborne troops (and later, armored troops) with a muzzle brake\/compensator to counter muzzle rise, use a 20-round magazine but also be capable of taking 30-rounders and have a folding stock that, when folded, did not prevent the carbine from being fired.\n\n \t
Present-Day Usage<\/h3>\n
<\/a> A member of a special Afghan Police unit takes aim with a modified AMD-65. Note the rails, M4-style vertical foregrip and holographic sight.[\/caption]\n\nIt is my understanding that the AMD-65 was used by Hungarian troops from 1967 to 2006. However, the AMD-65 is still widely encountered in the world\u2019s trouble spots, as it was sold in places such as Angola, Georgia, Mozambique, Lebanon, Laos, Gaza and the West Bank, Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Yemen and Zimbabwe, among others. It is widely used by the Afghan National Police and has been used by many private contractors in Afghanistan and Iraq.\n\nMany of the AMD-65s supplied to the Afghan Police are likely ex-Hungarian military arms, as the Afghans started receiving them around 2006, when they went out of Hungarian service. I have seen figures to the effect that the Hungarians \u201cdonated\u201d 39,000 AMD-65s and the U.S. purchased 45,000 more for the Afghan Police. There have been quite a few complaints from Afghans issued the AMD-65. One is that the shorter barrel\/sight radius affects its range and accuracy. Given that the AK design is not inherently accurate, this complaint is not a surprise. Even well-trained users of the AK do not find it to be a tack-driver. I\u2019ve wondered if the complaints might arise because some of the Afghan Police would prefer that they had weapons mounting optics. I have seen photos of weapons with Picatinny rails added to the AMD-65 steel handguard\/receiver. For the police mission, the shorter barreled AMD-65 would seem to be a good choice since its operating system is the same as other AKs, a design with which the Afghans would be familiar.\nRunning Hot<\/h3>\n
<\/a> A U.S. Marine fires an AMD-65 during a demonstration in Afghanistan.[\/caption]\n\nAnother complaint is the overheating of handguard, which is valid. On the other hand, the Afghans are not known for fire discipline; instead, they seem to like firing off full magazines on full-auto, often into the air. Don\u2019t forget at least a few \u201cfriendly fire\u201d incidents in Afghanistan resulted from \u201crejoicing\u201d Afghans spraying tracer rounds into the air around U.S. aircraft who assumed they were being fired at. Also, with the front pistol grip, it is fairly easy to avoid touching the handguard when firing on full-auto. From photos and videos I\u2019ve seen taken of Afghan Police training, however, it appears many do not use the vertical foregrip, but instead use the magazine as a foregrip. Not only does this shorten the area between the firing and support hands, but it can also affect reliability by exerting pressure on the magazine.\n\n \t
\r\n \t
Rifle Specs ADM UIC MOD2<\/b>:\r\n\u2022 14.5 Criterion Barrel 1\/8 .223 Wylde Chamber\r\n\u2022 Battle Comp 1.5 Pin & Welded\r\n\u2022 American Defense MFG Billet Upper Receiver with 13.5 MLOK Rail\r\n\u2022 American Defense MFG Completely Ambidextrous Billet Lower Receiver\r\n\u2022 American Defense MFG 13.5 MLOK rail\r\n\u2022 Radian Talon Ambidextrous Safety\r\n\u2022 Bravo Company USA MOD 4 Ambidextrous Charging Handle\r\n\u2022 Geissele G2S Trigger\r\n\r\nIncluded Accessories<\/b>:\r\n\u2022 Magpul PMag\r\n\u2022 MagPod\r\n\u2022 Raven Concealment Top Stop\r\n\u2022 Magpul MBus PRO flip up sight set\r\n\u2022 Arc\u2019teryx Rho Beanie with matching serial number embroidered\r\n\u2022 Deadbird Society Limited Edition Patch by Spartan Village with matching serial number laser cut<\/blockquote>\r\n
\r\n \t
Upper \/ Lower \/ Rail Set Specs<\/b>:\r\n\u2022 American Defense MFG Billet Upper Receiver \u2013 Forward assist and ejection port door installed\r\n\u2022 American Defense MFG 13.5 MLOK Rail with appropriate hardware\r\n\u2022 American Defense MFG Completely Ambidextrous Billet Lower Receiver \u2013 ambidextrous controls (installed) and takedown pins\r\n\u2022 Arc\u2019teryx Rho Beanie with matching serial number embroidered\r\n\u2022 Deadbird Society Limited Edition Patch by Spartan Village with matching serial number laser cut\r\n\r\nFine Print<\/b>:\r\nThis rifle IS NOT California compliant. It is American compliant. Please know your local, State, and Federal laws before purchasing. Serial numbers cannot be reserved. They are by assigned by order number received. Please do not call and ask which number you received, as the order number does not correspond with the serial number. Receiver sets are eligible to be transferred as incomplete firearms. These items will ship by 20DEC2016. You must supply a valid FFL with your order number to\u00a0sales@admmfg.com<\/a>.<\/blockquote>\r\nFor more information, visit\u00a0https:\/\/www.americandefensemanufacturing.com<\/a>","post_title":"UIC MOD 2: ADM's Custom Carbine & Receiver\/Rail Sets To Benefit SOC-F","post_excerpt":"American Defense MFG is offering its UIC MOD 2 carbine and receiver\/rail set in grey to raise funds for the SOC-F.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"adm-uic-mod-2","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 17:03:23","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 17:03:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2016\/12\/02\/adm-uic-mod-2\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_23"};
BROWSE BY BRAND
In The Beginning<\/h3>\nIn the early 1930s, the U.S. Army began experimenting with the concept of a bantamweight truck for use by scouts and raiders who were the early 20th century predecessors to today\u2019s special operations forces. The resulting vehicle stemmed from a laborious developmental process. It then became a ubiquitous part of Allied forces in all combat theaters during World War II. The refined design was christened the \u201cU.S. Army Truck, \u00bc ton, 4x4, Command Reconnaissance\u201d vehicle. Subsequent generations just called it the Jeep. General George C. Marshall referred to the boxy little vehicle as \u201cAmerica\u2019s greatest contribution to modern warfare.\u201d\n\nEveryone who served during that era has some affectionate tale that stems from his or her relationship to a Jeep. The vehicle weighed 1,975 pounds empty and was endlessly versatile. Ford and Willys Overland produced more than half a million of these remarkable vehicles by war\u2019s end. After WWII, the civilianized Jeep became the world\u2019s first commercially produced four-wheel-drive vehicle.\n\nSubsequent improved versions of the Jeep were ultimately replaced with the larger, more powerful and more stable Humvee in 1984. While the Humvee is an effective utility vehicle, it is too large to ride as internal cargo in most aircraft. As such, it was not designed from the outset to incorporate armor protection. This deep into the 21st century, we can do better.\n
Meet The Yagu<\/h3>\nThe special operations equipment procurement system is much more agile than that which supported the Big Army over the past century. Nowadays, promising new commercial off-the-shelf civilian technologies can be folded into military applications without enduring the time-consuming and cumbersome procurement and evaluation processes of previous eras. As a result, civilian-inspired vehicles like the Plasan Yagu can see action soon after they become available.\n\nAt its heart, the Yagu is actually a 1,687-pound Arctic Cat four-seat all-terrain vehicle upgraded with armor protection and military-grade accoutrements. The resulting vehicle offers unprecedented capabilities. Also, with an onboard power generation system, a highly survivable armored and air-conditioned crew capsule, and an ultra-light General Robotics Pitbull remotely operated weapon system, the Yagu is agile, rugged and lethal.\n\nThe armored crew capsule offers B6+ ballistic protection that is proof against 5.45x39mm, 7.62x39mm, and 7.62mm NATO threats. This radical armor plating is of the composite sort incorporating aramid and Kevlar layers that offer superlative protection at modest weight. Also, the remotely operated Pitbull turret can accommodate 5.56mm or 7.62mm machine guns. This turret also incorporates electronic sensor systems for surveillance and targeting duties under conditions of limited visibility or battlefield obscurants. Generous front and side windows offer exceptional visibility while ancillary external cameras cover dead spots.\n
Plasan Yagu Power<\/h3>\nThe Yagu draws its power from a 951cc 1000 H2 V-Twin SOHC engine with electronic fuel injection. Even fully loaded, this gives the Yagu a power-to-weight ratio of 53 horsepower per ton. When combined with an automatic transmission that offers high and low gear ranges, two- or four-wheel drive, and long-travel front and rear suspension, the Yagu becomes remarkably maneuverable. Additionally, the vehicle\u2019s thin footprint makes it ideal for navigating tight urban spaces that might be littered with the detritus of war.\n\nIt would be easy to say that the Yagu is the sort of vehicle RoboCop might drive. But RoboCop never dreamt of anything this capable. In addition to a rugged drivetrain and powerful engine, the Yagu also includes a built-in drone system that can be launched from under armor and offer up to 27 minutes of remote video, surveillance and targeting information to increase the crew\u2019s reach beyond the immediate area. Automatic target-tracking software decreases the crew\u2019s workload and enhances situational awareness.\n\nIn addition to these unprecedented capabilities, the Yagu will fit inside the cabin of modern combat rotorcraft like the CH-47. Back in the Stone Age when I flew Chinooks, one of our perennial challenges was transporting Humvees. Whereas preceding Jeeps fit snugly inside the cabin, Humvees require transportation externally via sling loads. In addition to taking a toll on the aircraft\u2019s speed and maneuverability, this method of transport also demanded an extra layer of complexity during operations in the pickup and landing zones. By contrast, the Yagu can drive on and off the aircraft in moments.\n
Practical Applications<\/h3>\nThe military applications for the Yagu are limited solely by the commander\u2019s imagination. Deep-penetration missions for surveillance or direct action in rugged terrain can now be facilitated over previously unimaginable distances. By combining air insertion with the vehicle\u2019s innate speed and rough-country capabilities, special operations teams can cover vastly greater distances than might be the case were they on foot. Additionally, the vehicle\u2019s prodigious payload carries more food, water and ammunition in its loadout. Quiet and capable, the Yagu can serve as a highly mobile miniature patrol base for small spec-ops units operating deep downrange.\n\nIn addition to its military applications, the Yagu offers new capabilities to law enforcement and security services as well. From patrolling vast areas of austere borderlands to monitoring volatile combat zones and peacekeeping operations, the Yagu offers markedly greater mobility, transportability and crew protection capabilities when compared to legacy vehicles. The Yagu serves as a very real force multiplier for both strategic and tactical commanders, particularly in the fluid environment of a digital age.\n
Street Cred<\/h3>\nPlasan has extensive experience designing and building full-sized tactical vehicles. Its influence on the MRAP, M-ATV and JLTV, as well as its Sandcat armored utility and personnel carriers, uniquely position the company to develop a small, lightweight and survivable combat vehicle for tomorrow\u2019s battlefields. The influence of these proven vehicles is manifestly obvious in the design of the Yagu.\n\nIn addition to all this combat cred, Plasan has also produced carbon-fiber components for the Dodge Viper ACR, Chevrolet Corvette C7 Stingray and Ford GT500KR sports cars. This influence gives the Yagu a seriously sinister look that really does transport one viscerally into the realm of science fiction.\n\nCheaper than traditional large-footprint armored vehicles and offering greater agility, better stealth and lower operating costs, the Yagu and its crew of three operators stand ready to revolutionize modern warfare. In an era of advanced technology on the battlefield, Plasan miniaturizes armored transport into something manageable, capable and lethal. The Plasan Yagu is the shape of tomorrow\u2019s combat.\n\nFor more information, visit plasan.com<\/a>.","post_title":"FIRST LOOK: The Plasan Yagu Is an ATV Turned Tank","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"plasan-yagu-atv-tank","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:19:34","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:19:34","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2018\/12\/07\/plasan-yagu-atv-tank\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":131990,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2018-03-12 09:00:49","post_date_gmt":"2018-03-12 13:00:49","post_content":"\r\n\r\nThe Portuguese Special Operations Detachment (DOE) is now flush with small arms, having just received a new batch of rifles<\/a>, shotguns, grenade launchers and accessories.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"187850\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
Portuguese Special Operations Weapons<\/h3>\r\nAccording to Jane's<\/a><\/em>, the items delivered included\u00a0Barrett M107A1 .50 cal and Accuracy AXMC .338 precision rifles;\u00a0Heckler & Koch HK417 7.62x51 mm assault rifles;\u00a0FABARM STF\/12 Compact FE 12-gauge shotguns; and HK\u00a0HK269 40x46 mm grenade launchers. The DOE also received\u00a0Schmidt & Bender PM II riflescopes, as well as new MRZR2 MT and Sportsman MV850 MT ATVs.\u00a0The exact quantity hasn't been disclosed.\r\n\r\nHowever, back in October Jane's<\/em> reported<\/a> that the Portuguese Army had agreed to let the\u00a0NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) handle procurement of new small arms. The procurement, worth up to \u20ac42.8 million ($50.3 million), calls for the purchase (by 2022) of\u00a011,000\u00a05.56x45mm assault rifles; 300 7.62x51mm assault rifles; 830 5.56x45mm light machine guns; 320 7.62x51mm light machine guns; 450 7.62x51mm precision rifles; 1,700 grenade launchers; 380 shotguns; and 3,400 sights. One can assume that the aforementioned small arms from Barrett, HK and others are part of that procurement process.\r\n\r\nThe DOE is a unit within the Portuguese Army's\u00a0Special Operations Troops Centre. Commonly referred to as the Rangers, DOE performs missions similar to that of the US Army's Delta Force or the British SAS. Check out the video below to see them in action.\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=1IUwHipmI3M","post_title":"VIDEO: Portuguese Special Operations Unit Receives New Small Arms","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"portuguese-special-operations-arms","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:22:49","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:22:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2018\/03\/12\/portuguese-special-operations-arms\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":133478,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2017-10-10 09:00:59","post_date_gmt":"2017-10-10 13:00:59","post_content":"\n\nI have always thought highly of the Russian AKSU since I first fired one over 20 years ago. However, it is chambered for the 5.45x39mm, and I always felt a compact 7.62x39mm carbine would be even better. As a result, I was happy to learn that some of the former Warsaw Pact countries had developed their own compact weapons in this chambering. The one with which I am most familiar is the AMD (Automata M\u00f3dos\u00edtott Deszant<\/i>) 65. Based on the AKM-63, the AMD-65 is a short-barreled weapon designed for Hungarian airborne and motorized infantry units. In fact, the \u201cD\u201d stands for Deszant<\/i>, which indicates paratrooper usage. As the designation indicates, the AMD-65 was developed in 1965, though it did not enter mass production until 1967.\n
AMD-65 Design<\/h3>\n
<\/a> While the AMD-65 has many unusual components, including a ventilated steel handguard, a two-chamber muzzle brake, a polymer foregrip and a T-shaped folding stock, the carbine is still an AK at heart, with standard sights and controls, such as the paddle-style magazine release lever.[\/caption]\n\nDesign specs for the AMD-65 indicated that it should be smaller, lighter and easier to carry than the AKM-63. It had to be in the same chambering (7.62x39mm) as the AKM-63 and have the same operating characteristics. It had to be suitable for officers and airborne troops (and later, armored troops) with a muzzle brake\/compensator to counter muzzle rise, use a 20-round magazine but also be capable of taking 30-rounders and have a folding stock that, when folded, did not prevent the carbine from being fired.\n\n \t
Present-Day Usage<\/h3>\n
<\/a> A member of a special Afghan Police unit takes aim with a modified AMD-65. Note the rails, M4-style vertical foregrip and holographic sight.[\/caption]\n\nIt is my understanding that the AMD-65 was used by Hungarian troops from 1967 to 2006. However, the AMD-65 is still widely encountered in the world\u2019s trouble spots, as it was sold in places such as Angola, Georgia, Mozambique, Lebanon, Laos, Gaza and the West Bank, Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Yemen and Zimbabwe, among others. It is widely used by the Afghan National Police and has been used by many private contractors in Afghanistan and Iraq.\n\nMany of the AMD-65s supplied to the Afghan Police are likely ex-Hungarian military arms, as the Afghans started receiving them around 2006, when they went out of Hungarian service. I have seen figures to the effect that the Hungarians \u201cdonated\u201d 39,000 AMD-65s and the U.S. purchased 45,000 more for the Afghan Police. There have been quite a few complaints from Afghans issued the AMD-65. One is that the shorter barrel\/sight radius affects its range and accuracy. Given that the AK design is not inherently accurate, this complaint is not a surprise. Even well-trained users of the AK do not find it to be a tack-driver. I\u2019ve wondered if the complaints might arise because some of the Afghan Police would prefer that they had weapons mounting optics. I have seen photos of weapons with Picatinny rails added to the AMD-65 steel handguard\/receiver. For the police mission, the shorter barreled AMD-65 would seem to be a good choice since its operating system is the same as other AKs, a design with which the Afghans would be familiar.\nRunning Hot<\/h3>\n
<\/a> A U.S. Marine fires an AMD-65 during a demonstration in Afghanistan.[\/caption]\n\nAnother complaint is the overheating of handguard, which is valid. On the other hand, the Afghans are not known for fire discipline; instead, they seem to like firing off full magazines on full-auto, often into the air. Don\u2019t forget at least a few \u201cfriendly fire\u201d incidents in Afghanistan resulted from \u201crejoicing\u201d Afghans spraying tracer rounds into the air around U.S. aircraft who assumed they were being fired at. Also, with the front pistol grip, it is fairly easy to avoid touching the handguard when firing on full-auto. From photos and videos I\u2019ve seen taken of Afghan Police training, however, it appears many do not use the vertical foregrip, but instead use the magazine as a foregrip. Not only does this shorten the area between the firing and support hands, but it can also affect reliability by exerting pressure on the magazine.\n\n \t
\r\n \t
Rifle Specs ADM UIC MOD2<\/b>:\r\n\u2022 14.5 Criterion Barrel 1\/8 .223 Wylde Chamber\r\n\u2022 Battle Comp 1.5 Pin & Welded\r\n\u2022 American Defense MFG Billet Upper Receiver with 13.5 MLOK Rail\r\n\u2022 American Defense MFG Completely Ambidextrous Billet Lower Receiver\r\n\u2022 American Defense MFG 13.5 MLOK rail\r\n\u2022 Radian Talon Ambidextrous Safety\r\n\u2022 Bravo Company USA MOD 4 Ambidextrous Charging Handle\r\n\u2022 Geissele G2S Trigger\r\n\r\nIncluded Accessories<\/b>:\r\n\u2022 Magpul PMag\r\n\u2022 MagPod\r\n\u2022 Raven Concealment Top Stop\r\n\u2022 Magpul MBus PRO flip up sight set\r\n\u2022 Arc\u2019teryx Rho Beanie with matching serial number embroidered\r\n\u2022 Deadbird Society Limited Edition Patch by Spartan Village with matching serial number laser cut<\/blockquote>\r\n
\r\n \t
Upper \/ Lower \/ Rail Set Specs<\/b>:\r\n\u2022 American Defense MFG Billet Upper Receiver \u2013 Forward assist and ejection port door installed\r\n\u2022 American Defense MFG 13.5 MLOK Rail with appropriate hardware\r\n\u2022 American Defense MFG Completely Ambidextrous Billet Lower Receiver \u2013 ambidextrous controls (installed) and takedown pins\r\n\u2022 Arc\u2019teryx Rho Beanie with matching serial number embroidered\r\n\u2022 Deadbird Society Limited Edition Patch by Spartan Village with matching serial number laser cut\r\n\r\nFine Print<\/b>:\r\nThis rifle IS NOT California compliant. It is American compliant. Please know your local, State, and Federal laws before purchasing. Serial numbers cannot be reserved. They are by assigned by order number received. Please do not call and ask which number you received, as the order number does not correspond with the serial number. Receiver sets are eligible to be transferred as incomplete firearms. These items will ship by 20DEC2016. You must supply a valid FFL with your order number to\u00a0sales@admmfg.com<\/a>.<\/blockquote>\r\nFor more information, visit\u00a0https:\/\/www.americandefensemanufacturing.com<\/a>","post_title":"UIC MOD 2: ADM's Custom Carbine & Receiver\/Rail Sets To Benefit SOC-F","post_excerpt":"American Defense MFG is offering its UIC MOD 2 carbine and receiver\/rail set in grey to raise funds for the SOC-F.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"adm-uic-mod-2","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 17:03:23","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 17:03:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2016\/12\/02\/adm-uic-mod-2\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_23"};
BROWSE BY BRAND
Failed Negotiations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
In The Beginning<\/h3>\nIn the early 1930s, the U.S. Army began experimenting with the concept of a bantamweight truck for use by scouts and raiders who were the early 20th century predecessors to today\u2019s special operations forces. The resulting vehicle stemmed from a laborious developmental process. It then became a ubiquitous part of Allied forces in all combat theaters during World War II. The refined design was christened the \u201cU.S. Army Truck, \u00bc ton, 4x4, Command Reconnaissance\u201d vehicle. Subsequent generations just called it the Jeep. General George C. Marshall referred to the boxy little vehicle as \u201cAmerica\u2019s greatest contribution to modern warfare.\u201d\n\nEveryone who served during that era has some affectionate tale that stems from his or her relationship to a Jeep. The vehicle weighed 1,975 pounds empty and was endlessly versatile. Ford and Willys Overland produced more than half a million of these remarkable vehicles by war\u2019s end. After WWII, the civilianized Jeep became the world\u2019s first commercially produced four-wheel-drive vehicle.\n\nSubsequent improved versions of the Jeep were ultimately replaced with the larger, more powerful and more stable Humvee in 1984. While the Humvee is an effective utility vehicle, it is too large to ride as internal cargo in most aircraft. As such, it was not designed from the outset to incorporate armor protection. This deep into the 21st century, we can do better.\n
Meet The Yagu<\/h3>\nThe special operations equipment procurement system is much more agile than that which supported the Big Army over the past century. Nowadays, promising new commercial off-the-shelf civilian technologies can be folded into military applications without enduring the time-consuming and cumbersome procurement and evaluation processes of previous eras. As a result, civilian-inspired vehicles like the Plasan Yagu can see action soon after they become available.\n\nAt its heart, the Yagu is actually a 1,687-pound Arctic Cat four-seat all-terrain vehicle upgraded with armor protection and military-grade accoutrements. The resulting vehicle offers unprecedented capabilities. Also, with an onboard power generation system, a highly survivable armored and air-conditioned crew capsule, and an ultra-light General Robotics Pitbull remotely operated weapon system, the Yagu is agile, rugged and lethal.\n\nThe armored crew capsule offers B6+ ballistic protection that is proof against 5.45x39mm, 7.62x39mm, and 7.62mm NATO threats. This radical armor plating is of the composite sort incorporating aramid and Kevlar layers that offer superlative protection at modest weight. Also, the remotely operated Pitbull turret can accommodate 5.56mm or 7.62mm machine guns. This turret also incorporates electronic sensor systems for surveillance and targeting duties under conditions of limited visibility or battlefield obscurants. Generous front and side windows offer exceptional visibility while ancillary external cameras cover dead spots.\n
Plasan Yagu Power<\/h3>\nThe Yagu draws its power from a 951cc 1000 H2 V-Twin SOHC engine with electronic fuel injection. Even fully loaded, this gives the Yagu a power-to-weight ratio of 53 horsepower per ton. When combined with an automatic transmission that offers high and low gear ranges, two- or four-wheel drive, and long-travel front and rear suspension, the Yagu becomes remarkably maneuverable. Additionally, the vehicle\u2019s thin footprint makes it ideal for navigating tight urban spaces that might be littered with the detritus of war.\n\nIt would be easy to say that the Yagu is the sort of vehicle RoboCop might drive. But RoboCop never dreamt of anything this capable. In addition to a rugged drivetrain and powerful engine, the Yagu also includes a built-in drone system that can be launched from under armor and offer up to 27 minutes of remote video, surveillance and targeting information to increase the crew\u2019s reach beyond the immediate area. Automatic target-tracking software decreases the crew\u2019s workload and enhances situational awareness.\n\nIn addition to these unprecedented capabilities, the Yagu will fit inside the cabin of modern combat rotorcraft like the CH-47. Back in the Stone Age when I flew Chinooks, one of our perennial challenges was transporting Humvees. Whereas preceding Jeeps fit snugly inside the cabin, Humvees require transportation externally via sling loads. In addition to taking a toll on the aircraft\u2019s speed and maneuverability, this method of transport also demanded an extra layer of complexity during operations in the pickup and landing zones. By contrast, the Yagu can drive on and off the aircraft in moments.\n
Practical Applications<\/h3>\nThe military applications for the Yagu are limited solely by the commander\u2019s imagination. Deep-penetration missions for surveillance or direct action in rugged terrain can now be facilitated over previously unimaginable distances. By combining air insertion with the vehicle\u2019s innate speed and rough-country capabilities, special operations teams can cover vastly greater distances than might be the case were they on foot. Additionally, the vehicle\u2019s prodigious payload carries more food, water and ammunition in its loadout. Quiet and capable, the Yagu can serve as a highly mobile miniature patrol base for small spec-ops units operating deep downrange.\n\nIn addition to its military applications, the Yagu offers new capabilities to law enforcement and security services as well. From patrolling vast areas of austere borderlands to monitoring volatile combat zones and peacekeeping operations, the Yagu offers markedly greater mobility, transportability and crew protection capabilities when compared to legacy vehicles. The Yagu serves as a very real force multiplier for both strategic and tactical commanders, particularly in the fluid environment of a digital age.\n
Street Cred<\/h3>\nPlasan has extensive experience designing and building full-sized tactical vehicles. Its influence on the MRAP, M-ATV and JLTV, as well as its Sandcat armored utility and personnel carriers, uniquely position the company to develop a small, lightweight and survivable combat vehicle for tomorrow\u2019s battlefields. The influence of these proven vehicles is manifestly obvious in the design of the Yagu.\n\nIn addition to all this combat cred, Plasan has also produced carbon-fiber components for the Dodge Viper ACR, Chevrolet Corvette C7 Stingray and Ford GT500KR sports cars. This influence gives the Yagu a seriously sinister look that really does transport one viscerally into the realm of science fiction.\n\nCheaper than traditional large-footprint armored vehicles and offering greater agility, better stealth and lower operating costs, the Yagu and its crew of three operators stand ready to revolutionize modern warfare. In an era of advanced technology on the battlefield, Plasan miniaturizes armored transport into something manageable, capable and lethal. The Plasan Yagu is the shape of tomorrow\u2019s combat.\n\nFor more information, visit plasan.com<\/a>.","post_title":"FIRST LOOK: The Plasan Yagu Is an ATV Turned Tank","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"plasan-yagu-atv-tank","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:19:34","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:19:34","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2018\/12\/07\/plasan-yagu-atv-tank\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":131990,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2018-03-12 09:00:49","post_date_gmt":"2018-03-12 13:00:49","post_content":"\r\n\r\nThe Portuguese Special Operations Detachment (DOE) is now flush with small arms, having just received a new batch of rifles<\/a>, shotguns, grenade launchers and accessories.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"187850\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
Portuguese Special Operations Weapons<\/h3>\r\nAccording to Jane's<\/a><\/em>, the items delivered included\u00a0Barrett M107A1 .50 cal and Accuracy AXMC .338 precision rifles;\u00a0Heckler & Koch HK417 7.62x51 mm assault rifles;\u00a0FABARM STF\/12 Compact FE 12-gauge shotguns; and HK\u00a0HK269 40x46 mm grenade launchers. The DOE also received\u00a0Schmidt & Bender PM II riflescopes, as well as new MRZR2 MT and Sportsman MV850 MT ATVs.\u00a0The exact quantity hasn't been disclosed.\r\n\r\nHowever, back in October Jane's<\/em> reported<\/a> that the Portuguese Army had agreed to let the\u00a0NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) handle procurement of new small arms. The procurement, worth up to \u20ac42.8 million ($50.3 million), calls for the purchase (by 2022) of\u00a011,000\u00a05.56x45mm assault rifles; 300 7.62x51mm assault rifles; 830 5.56x45mm light machine guns; 320 7.62x51mm light machine guns; 450 7.62x51mm precision rifles; 1,700 grenade launchers; 380 shotguns; and 3,400 sights. One can assume that the aforementioned small arms from Barrett, HK and others are part of that procurement process.\r\n\r\nThe DOE is a unit within the Portuguese Army's\u00a0Special Operations Troops Centre. Commonly referred to as the Rangers, DOE performs missions similar to that of the US Army's Delta Force or the British SAS. Check out the video below to see them in action.\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=1IUwHipmI3M","post_title":"VIDEO: Portuguese Special Operations Unit Receives New Small Arms","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"portuguese-special-operations-arms","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:22:49","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:22:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2018\/03\/12\/portuguese-special-operations-arms\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":133478,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2017-10-10 09:00:59","post_date_gmt":"2017-10-10 13:00:59","post_content":"\n\nI have always thought highly of the Russian AKSU since I first fired one over 20 years ago. However, it is chambered for the 5.45x39mm, and I always felt a compact 7.62x39mm carbine would be even better. As a result, I was happy to learn that some of the former Warsaw Pact countries had developed their own compact weapons in this chambering. The one with which I am most familiar is the AMD (Automata M\u00f3dos\u00edtott Deszant<\/i>) 65. Based on the AKM-63, the AMD-65 is a short-barreled weapon designed for Hungarian airborne and motorized infantry units. In fact, the \u201cD\u201d stands for Deszant<\/i>, which indicates paratrooper usage. As the designation indicates, the AMD-65 was developed in 1965, though it did not enter mass production until 1967.\n
AMD-65 Design<\/h3>\n
<\/a> While the AMD-65 has many unusual components, including a ventilated steel handguard, a two-chamber muzzle brake, a polymer foregrip and a T-shaped folding stock, the carbine is still an AK at heart, with standard sights and controls, such as the paddle-style magazine release lever.[\/caption]\n\nDesign specs for the AMD-65 indicated that it should be smaller, lighter and easier to carry than the AKM-63. It had to be in the same chambering (7.62x39mm) as the AKM-63 and have the same operating characteristics. It had to be suitable for officers and airborne troops (and later, armored troops) with a muzzle brake\/compensator to counter muzzle rise, use a 20-round magazine but also be capable of taking 30-rounders and have a folding stock that, when folded, did not prevent the carbine from being fired.\n\n \t
Present-Day Usage<\/h3>\n
<\/a> A member of a special Afghan Police unit takes aim with a modified AMD-65. Note the rails, M4-style vertical foregrip and holographic sight.[\/caption]\n\nIt is my understanding that the AMD-65 was used by Hungarian troops from 1967 to 2006. However, the AMD-65 is still widely encountered in the world\u2019s trouble spots, as it was sold in places such as Angola, Georgia, Mozambique, Lebanon, Laos, Gaza and the West Bank, Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Yemen and Zimbabwe, among others. It is widely used by the Afghan National Police and has been used by many private contractors in Afghanistan and Iraq.\n\nMany of the AMD-65s supplied to the Afghan Police are likely ex-Hungarian military arms, as the Afghans started receiving them around 2006, when they went out of Hungarian service. I have seen figures to the effect that the Hungarians \u201cdonated\u201d 39,000 AMD-65s and the U.S. purchased 45,000 more for the Afghan Police. There have been quite a few complaints from Afghans issued the AMD-65. One is that the shorter barrel\/sight radius affects its range and accuracy. Given that the AK design is not inherently accurate, this complaint is not a surprise. Even well-trained users of the AK do not find it to be a tack-driver. I\u2019ve wondered if the complaints might arise because some of the Afghan Police would prefer that they had weapons mounting optics. I have seen photos of weapons with Picatinny rails added to the AMD-65 steel handguard\/receiver. For the police mission, the shorter barreled AMD-65 would seem to be a good choice since its operating system is the same as other AKs, a design with which the Afghans would be familiar.\nRunning Hot<\/h3>\n
<\/a> A U.S. Marine fires an AMD-65 during a demonstration in Afghanistan.[\/caption]\n\nAnother complaint is the overheating of handguard, which is valid. On the other hand, the Afghans are not known for fire discipline; instead, they seem to like firing off full magazines on full-auto, often into the air. Don\u2019t forget at least a few \u201cfriendly fire\u201d incidents in Afghanistan resulted from \u201crejoicing\u201d Afghans spraying tracer rounds into the air around U.S. aircraft who assumed they were being fired at. Also, with the front pistol grip, it is fairly easy to avoid touching the handguard when firing on full-auto. From photos and videos I\u2019ve seen taken of Afghan Police training, however, it appears many do not use the vertical foregrip, but instead use the magazine as a foregrip. Not only does this shorten the area between the firing and support hands, but it can also affect reliability by exerting pressure on the magazine.\n\n \t
\r\n \t
Rifle Specs ADM UIC MOD2<\/b>:\r\n\u2022 14.5 Criterion Barrel 1\/8 .223 Wylde Chamber\r\n\u2022 Battle Comp 1.5 Pin & Welded\r\n\u2022 American Defense MFG Billet Upper Receiver with 13.5 MLOK Rail\r\n\u2022 American Defense MFG Completely Ambidextrous Billet Lower Receiver\r\n\u2022 American Defense MFG 13.5 MLOK rail\r\n\u2022 Radian Talon Ambidextrous Safety\r\n\u2022 Bravo Company USA MOD 4 Ambidextrous Charging Handle\r\n\u2022 Geissele G2S Trigger\r\n\r\nIncluded Accessories<\/b>:\r\n\u2022 Magpul PMag\r\n\u2022 MagPod\r\n\u2022 Raven Concealment Top Stop\r\n\u2022 Magpul MBus PRO flip up sight set\r\n\u2022 Arc\u2019teryx Rho Beanie with matching serial number embroidered\r\n\u2022 Deadbird Society Limited Edition Patch by Spartan Village with matching serial number laser cut<\/blockquote>\r\n
\r\n \t
Upper \/ Lower \/ Rail Set Specs<\/b>:\r\n\u2022 American Defense MFG Billet Upper Receiver \u2013 Forward assist and ejection port door installed\r\n\u2022 American Defense MFG 13.5 MLOK Rail with appropriate hardware\r\n\u2022 American Defense MFG Completely Ambidextrous Billet Lower Receiver \u2013 ambidextrous controls (installed) and takedown pins\r\n\u2022 Arc\u2019teryx Rho Beanie with matching serial number embroidered\r\n\u2022 Deadbird Society Limited Edition Patch by Spartan Village with matching serial number laser cut\r\n\r\nFine Print<\/b>:\r\nThis rifle IS NOT California compliant. It is American compliant. Please know your local, State, and Federal laws before purchasing. Serial numbers cannot be reserved. They are by assigned by order number received. Please do not call and ask which number you received, as the order number does not correspond with the serial number. Receiver sets are eligible to be transferred as incomplete firearms. These items will ship by 20DEC2016. You must supply a valid FFL with your order number to\u00a0sales@admmfg.com<\/a>.<\/blockquote>\r\nFor more information, visit\u00a0https:\/\/www.americandefensemanufacturing.com<\/a>","post_title":"UIC MOD 2: ADM's Custom Carbine & Receiver\/Rail Sets To Benefit SOC-F","post_excerpt":"American Defense MFG is offering its UIC MOD 2 carbine and receiver\/rail set in grey to raise funds for the SOC-F.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"adm-uic-mod-2","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 17:03:23","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 17:03:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2016\/12\/02\/adm-uic-mod-2\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_23"};
BROWSE BY BRAND
Failed Negotiations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
In The Beginning<\/h3>\nIn the early 1930s, the U.S. Army began experimenting with the concept of a bantamweight truck for use by scouts and raiders who were the early 20th century predecessors to today\u2019s special operations forces. The resulting vehicle stemmed from a laborious developmental process. It then became a ubiquitous part of Allied forces in all combat theaters during World War II. The refined design was christened the \u201cU.S. Army Truck, \u00bc ton, 4x4, Command Reconnaissance\u201d vehicle. Subsequent generations just called it the Jeep. General George C. Marshall referred to the boxy little vehicle as \u201cAmerica\u2019s greatest contribution to modern warfare.\u201d\n\nEveryone who served during that era has some affectionate tale that stems from his or her relationship to a Jeep. The vehicle weighed 1,975 pounds empty and was endlessly versatile. Ford and Willys Overland produced more than half a million of these remarkable vehicles by war\u2019s end. After WWII, the civilianized Jeep became the world\u2019s first commercially produced four-wheel-drive vehicle.\n\nSubsequent improved versions of the Jeep were ultimately replaced with the larger, more powerful and more stable Humvee in 1984. While the Humvee is an effective utility vehicle, it is too large to ride as internal cargo in most aircraft. As such, it was not designed from the outset to incorporate armor protection. This deep into the 21st century, we can do better.\n
Meet The Yagu<\/h3>\nThe special operations equipment procurement system is much more agile than that which supported the Big Army over the past century. Nowadays, promising new commercial off-the-shelf civilian technologies can be folded into military applications without enduring the time-consuming and cumbersome procurement and evaluation processes of previous eras. As a result, civilian-inspired vehicles like the Plasan Yagu can see action soon after they become available.\n\nAt its heart, the Yagu is actually a 1,687-pound Arctic Cat four-seat all-terrain vehicle upgraded with armor protection and military-grade accoutrements. The resulting vehicle offers unprecedented capabilities. Also, with an onboard power generation system, a highly survivable armored and air-conditioned crew capsule, and an ultra-light General Robotics Pitbull remotely operated weapon system, the Yagu is agile, rugged and lethal.\n\nThe armored crew capsule offers B6+ ballistic protection that is proof against 5.45x39mm, 7.62x39mm, and 7.62mm NATO threats. This radical armor plating is of the composite sort incorporating aramid and Kevlar layers that offer superlative protection at modest weight. Also, the remotely operated Pitbull turret can accommodate 5.56mm or 7.62mm machine guns. This turret also incorporates electronic sensor systems for surveillance and targeting duties under conditions of limited visibility or battlefield obscurants. Generous front and side windows offer exceptional visibility while ancillary external cameras cover dead spots.\n
Plasan Yagu Power<\/h3>\nThe Yagu draws its power from a 951cc 1000 H2 V-Twin SOHC engine with electronic fuel injection. Even fully loaded, this gives the Yagu a power-to-weight ratio of 53 horsepower per ton. When combined with an automatic transmission that offers high and low gear ranges, two- or four-wheel drive, and long-travel front and rear suspension, the Yagu becomes remarkably maneuverable. Additionally, the vehicle\u2019s thin footprint makes it ideal for navigating tight urban spaces that might be littered with the detritus of war.\n\nIt would be easy to say that the Yagu is the sort of vehicle RoboCop might drive. But RoboCop never dreamt of anything this capable. In addition to a rugged drivetrain and powerful engine, the Yagu also includes a built-in drone system that can be launched from under armor and offer up to 27 minutes of remote video, surveillance and targeting information to increase the crew\u2019s reach beyond the immediate area. Automatic target-tracking software decreases the crew\u2019s workload and enhances situational awareness.\n\nIn addition to these unprecedented capabilities, the Yagu will fit inside the cabin of modern combat rotorcraft like the CH-47. Back in the Stone Age when I flew Chinooks, one of our perennial challenges was transporting Humvees. Whereas preceding Jeeps fit snugly inside the cabin, Humvees require transportation externally via sling loads. In addition to taking a toll on the aircraft\u2019s speed and maneuverability, this method of transport also demanded an extra layer of complexity during operations in the pickup and landing zones. By contrast, the Yagu can drive on and off the aircraft in moments.\n
Practical Applications<\/h3>\nThe military applications for the Yagu are limited solely by the commander\u2019s imagination. Deep-penetration missions for surveillance or direct action in rugged terrain can now be facilitated over previously unimaginable distances. By combining air insertion with the vehicle\u2019s innate speed and rough-country capabilities, special operations teams can cover vastly greater distances than might be the case were they on foot. Additionally, the vehicle\u2019s prodigious payload carries more food, water and ammunition in its loadout. Quiet and capable, the Yagu can serve as a highly mobile miniature patrol base for small spec-ops units operating deep downrange.\n\nIn addition to its military applications, the Yagu offers new capabilities to law enforcement and security services as well. From patrolling vast areas of austere borderlands to monitoring volatile combat zones and peacekeeping operations, the Yagu offers markedly greater mobility, transportability and crew protection capabilities when compared to legacy vehicles. The Yagu serves as a very real force multiplier for both strategic and tactical commanders, particularly in the fluid environment of a digital age.\n
Street Cred<\/h3>\nPlasan has extensive experience designing and building full-sized tactical vehicles. Its influence on the MRAP, M-ATV and JLTV, as well as its Sandcat armored utility and personnel carriers, uniquely position the company to develop a small, lightweight and survivable combat vehicle for tomorrow\u2019s battlefields. The influence of these proven vehicles is manifestly obvious in the design of the Yagu.\n\nIn addition to all this combat cred, Plasan has also produced carbon-fiber components for the Dodge Viper ACR, Chevrolet Corvette C7 Stingray and Ford GT500KR sports cars. This influence gives the Yagu a seriously sinister look that really does transport one viscerally into the realm of science fiction.\n\nCheaper than traditional large-footprint armored vehicles and offering greater agility, better stealth and lower operating costs, the Yagu and its crew of three operators stand ready to revolutionize modern warfare. In an era of advanced technology on the battlefield, Plasan miniaturizes armored transport into something manageable, capable and lethal. The Plasan Yagu is the shape of tomorrow\u2019s combat.\n\nFor more information, visit plasan.com<\/a>.","post_title":"FIRST LOOK: The Plasan Yagu Is an ATV Turned Tank","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"plasan-yagu-atv-tank","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:19:34","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:19:34","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2018\/12\/07\/plasan-yagu-atv-tank\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":131990,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2018-03-12 09:00:49","post_date_gmt":"2018-03-12 13:00:49","post_content":"\r\n\r\nThe Portuguese Special Operations Detachment (DOE) is now flush with small arms, having just received a new batch of rifles<\/a>, shotguns, grenade launchers and accessories.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"187850\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
Portuguese Special Operations Weapons<\/h3>\r\nAccording to Jane's<\/a><\/em>, the items delivered included\u00a0Barrett M107A1 .50 cal and Accuracy AXMC .338 precision rifles;\u00a0Heckler & Koch HK417 7.62x51 mm assault rifles;\u00a0FABARM STF\/12 Compact FE 12-gauge shotguns; and HK\u00a0HK269 40x46 mm grenade launchers. The DOE also received\u00a0Schmidt & Bender PM II riflescopes, as well as new MRZR2 MT and Sportsman MV850 MT ATVs.\u00a0The exact quantity hasn't been disclosed.\r\n\r\nHowever, back in October Jane's<\/em> reported<\/a> that the Portuguese Army had agreed to let the\u00a0NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) handle procurement of new small arms. The procurement, worth up to \u20ac42.8 million ($50.3 million), calls for the purchase (by 2022) of\u00a011,000\u00a05.56x45mm assault rifles; 300 7.62x51mm assault rifles; 830 5.56x45mm light machine guns; 320 7.62x51mm light machine guns; 450 7.62x51mm precision rifles; 1,700 grenade launchers; 380 shotguns; and 3,400 sights. One can assume that the aforementioned small arms from Barrett, HK and others are part of that procurement process.\r\n\r\nThe DOE is a unit within the Portuguese Army's\u00a0Special Operations Troops Centre. Commonly referred to as the Rangers, DOE performs missions similar to that of the US Army's Delta Force or the British SAS. Check out the video below to see them in action.\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=1IUwHipmI3M","post_title":"VIDEO: Portuguese Special Operations Unit Receives New Small Arms","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"portuguese-special-operations-arms","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:22:49","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:22:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2018\/03\/12\/portuguese-special-operations-arms\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":133478,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2017-10-10 09:00:59","post_date_gmt":"2017-10-10 13:00:59","post_content":"\n\nI have always thought highly of the Russian AKSU since I first fired one over 20 years ago. However, it is chambered for the 5.45x39mm, and I always felt a compact 7.62x39mm carbine would be even better. As a result, I was happy to learn that some of the former Warsaw Pact countries had developed their own compact weapons in this chambering. The one with which I am most familiar is the AMD (
