The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Soldier Center, Natick, Mass., has granted a non-exclusive commercial patent license to Down East Innovation, based in Bridgton, Maine, for the manufacture of ambidextrous holsters that can accommodate the Army’s new M17/M18 modular handgun systems.
The handgun systems, fielded and adopted across the U.S. military in the last five years, require holsters that can do more than carry the firearms. The Holster must accommodate an attached aiming light, and red dot, integrate safety features to prevent unauthorized or accidental removal of the firearm from the holster, permit left or right side placement, enable faster draw capability, and allow for a tight enough fit for stability.
DEVCOM Soldier Center, with its mission of providing the Army with innovative science and technology solutions to optimize the performance of soldiers, was the ideal laboratory to address the warfighters’ requests and develop the design for this small, but crucial, piece of equipment.
John Kirk, the DEVCOM Soldier Center lead engineer for the holster, headed the development team tasked with researching and testing materials and design modifications. The result was an injection molded holster that would not be negatively affected by sand and ice, and attach to a belt or standard MOLLE webbing on either the left or right side of the body. The holster could also be incrementally adjusted for a desired angle by the user.
With several designs in hand, Kirk and team began working with Down East Innovation to manufacture and test holster prototypes. Down East Innovation is a manufacturer of injection molded tactical gear, primarily in the field of load carriage. The company typically manufacturers products of its own design, but has also built tooling, prototypes, and parts to government specifications.
The DEVCOM Soldier Center Technology Transfer Office, led by Technology Transfer Manager Sheri Mennillo, engaged with Kirk early in the research and development process to facilitate the filing of a patent application for the innovative holster design. Down East Innovation expressed interest in a license to the patent application for commercial purposes, so that the dual-use technology could be sold within the commercial marketplace. As the Department of Defense is currently in the process of fielding the M17/M18 modular handgun systems, this may result in commercial interest in a compatible holster from law enforcement organizations and foreign militaries.
“The technology transfer partnership between DEVCOM Soldier Center and Down East Innovation is a great example of how the Army meets warfighter and national security needs, while at the same time contributing to American economic development,” Mennillo said. “When businesses license government technologies, all sectors of the economy benefit, from the military to the industrial base to individual households.”
Justin Kiger, Research and Development Manager at Down East Innovation, added “Down East Innovation has developed and produced packframes, packs and other equipment for the U.S. military for over thirty years. We are looking forward to adding the M17/M18 compatible holster to our product line.”