Blackhawk Sniper Drag Bag Review

Blackhawk DragBag review
by T J Millar.
2 Para Snipers.

2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment
Sniper Drag Bag Trials, Afghanistan, January - March 2002
MORT CERTA HORA UNCERTA

Sniper drag bag

The sniper drag bag used by 2 Para snipers was the standard issue L96 drag bag. The bag is a very basic design and is not as robust as it should be. The bag is prone to many problems, which included broken zips due to the fact there is no flap over the zip to protect it so the zip is also prone to clogging. The various straps that were supplied with the bag were often replaced by 1200 lbs Para cord because the straps would often break or the plastic clips would snap. The attachment points for the straps were often poorly stitched and tended to come away due to this fact. The pockets prove totally useless, as they have no locking system to stop kit from coming out of the top whilst the sniper is pulling the bag on task. In conclusion, snipers often tend to customise the L96 drag bags to bring them up to a reasonable standard to carry out there sniping tasks.

Trial drag bag

A drag bag was supplied to 2 Para snipers to trial whilst on operations in Afghanistan. The bag was used for transporting the sniper rifles and sniper kit on various tasks and used on stalks and whilst deployed into observation posts. The bag proved to be a valuable asset on all the taskings due to its outstanding design and robustness.

Pre Deployment

Before the deployment all the sniper, kit was checked off and packed into the black hawk drag bags. We were able to leave the kit in the bags and move the bags around without fear of losing any kit out of the bags because all the pouches could be zipped up. This meant that the bags could be transited without kit missing when the sniper then recovered the bag at the other end. The kit carried in the drag bag for the deployment was as follows:

  1. 1 x L96 sniper rifle
  2. 1 x Schmidt/bender x 12 scope
  3. 1 x cleaning rod
  4. 6 x magazines
  5. 1 x sniper cleaning kit (supplied by master chiefs)
  6. 1 x maxi kite night sight.
  7. 1 x spotting scope x40
  8. 1 x personal cam net
  9. 1 x ghillie hat
  10. 1 x night sight mounting rail
  11. 1 x spotting scope tripod
  12. 1 x Spare ghillie
  13. 1 x escape and evasion kit

Blackhawk drag bag

The bags were loaned to 2 Para snipers in January 2002 for the deployment to Afghanistan. On first inspecting, the bags it was noted by all the snipers that the bags were well designed and that Blackhawk must have listened to snipers when designing the bag. The detail that has gone into the bags is outstanding the following points were noted.

  1. The bag is big enough to take all the snipers kit onto a stalk therefore easing the load on the number two.
  2. The bag is wide therefore preventing the bag from rolling whilst being dragged.
  3. There are plenty of attachment loops for elastic to aid in camouflage with natural foliage.
  4. The front of the bag has a webbing loop to attach a drag rope also the front of the bag has a protective cover to prevent wear and tear.
  5. The carrying straps can be stored when the sniper goes into his stalk this prevents snagging.
  6. The pockets are big enough to carry an array of kit, which comes in useful when carrying night, thermal and spotting scopes.

The sniper drag bag has many other features, which aid the sniper a great deal. The bag has a full-length zip, which is protected by a press-stud flap so in the event of the zip breaking the bag can still be used. Inside the bag, there is a locking system to keep the rifle in place. There is also a pouch for a night sight rail and cleaning kit and one for the cleaning rod so even if the zip was open and the press-studs came undone during the stalk no kit would be lost. The advantage of the full-length zip is that the bag can be fully opened and used as a shooting mat when lying for long periods. The bag is padded and would prove essential if the sniper was to deploy into a hide. The comfort factor can be enhanced and the sniper does not need to carry a cumbersome roll mat therefore cutting down the snipers kit. The pockets on the bag are designed to take a lot of kit and there are locking straps to prevent the kit from moving whilst on a stalk. The pockets have zips, which again are protected by an overlapping flap. There are only two pieces of Velcro which are not used whilst on tasks as they are used to stow the carry straps on the bag, which the L96 drag-bag has a lot of Therefore there is no noise when using the pockets, as the zips are silent when opened. The largest pocket can be used for all the essential sniper kit whilst the smaller pocket can be used for a trauma kit with enough room to cater for drips, giving sets and basic kit. The carrying system on the bag is a very well thought out design and enables the sniper to carry large amounts of kit over long distances with little or no discomfort. The straps can be adjusted whilst the sniper is on the move and the straps can be pulled tight at shoulder level keeping the bag locked tight if the sniper has to run. This prevents the bag from bouncing therefore protecting the zero of the weapon system. There is also a cover protected by Velcro where the straps are stored when not in use this stops snagging and also reduces wear on the straps and is an excellent feature on the bag. The straps can be taken out, clipped together in seconds, and stored in the same time with no fuss.

Stalking

The drag bag was used on a stalk, which lasted 5hrs. The stalk was carried out over very rocky terrain and in very inclimate weather conditions. The bag was packed with the following kit:

  1. 1 x L96 sniper rifle plus scope
  2. 1 x maxi kite night sight
  3. 1 x night sight mount
  4. 1 x spotting scope (x40)
  5. 1 x Sophie thermal sight
  6. 1 x cleaning kit
  7. 1 x cleaning rod
  8. 1 x personal cam net 6fi x 3ft
  9. 1 x secatures
  10. Spare ammunition 7.62mm
  11. Shammy leather
  12. Escape and evasion kit
  13. Trauma kit containing the following
    1. 2x ltr saline solution drips
    2. lx heamacell plasma drips
    3. 2x giving sets
    4. 6x canulas
    5. 6x field dressings
    6. 6x creep bandages
    7. 2x airways
    8. various minor treatment kit

The stalk was conducted under extreme conditions. The weather was a mixture of heavy sleet then turning to heavy snow. During the stalk, the drag-bag proved to be excellent keeping all the kit dry and securely locked in place. The bag never rolled or turned whilst on the stalk and proved to be far better than the issue L96 drag-bag. The pouches proved to be easily accessible with no noise, no fuss, and the rifle was easily removed and the sight was dry. The bag could not be faulted on this task and proved a very valuable and excellent piece of equipment far out performing the issued drag bag. All the snipers were very impressed with the high performance of the drag bag. The attachment point for the drag rope is at the very top of the bag and at the thinnest apex. This means that the largest surface is in contact with the ground at all times preventing the bag from turning or rolling over on the stalk. There is also carrying handles on the bag, which Velcro shut also aiding in securing the closure of the bag. These handles would prove to be essential in a contact situation as the sniper would not have time to release the main carrying straps till after contact with the enemy has been broken.

Other taskings

Other taskings included observation posts where the snipers manned static hide locations for periods Lasting 10 days or more. During this time it is essential that all kit is packed away at all times in case a contact with the enemy is encountered. The drag bag provided a means of keeping all the essential sniper kit contained together. This meant that the kit was to hand at all times and the sniper could easily locate kit with minimum movement and in low light conditions the importance of this is that with the need not to use torches and keeping movement down there is less chance of a compromise.

Contact

During one deployment, a sniper and patrols platoon observation post came under fire from enemy gunmen. During the contact the sniper team and a patrol gunner engaged the enemy. Once contact was broken the teams moved to a pre planned emergency rendezvous The sniper packed away the sniper rifle and withdrew with his assault rifle this took a matter of seconds and the drag-bag was then carried with the carry handles. Once the sniper team was at the (ERV) the sniper then strapped the drag-bag to the top of the Bergen ready for an extraction. Should the enemy have done a follow up and the sniper team have to extract with light order they could have extracted with all mission critical equipment in the drag-bag and left the non essential kit behind.

Recommendations

The drag-bag cannot be improved, as it is the best drag-bag that we have seen. People suggested a camel back pouch but the camel back fitted into the large pouch with no major problems even though we were carrying a large amount of kit. There would be no need for a camel back pouch as it would be worn on the man during the stalk.

The snipers also raised the price of the bag, as it was expensive. However, the term you only get what you pay for came to light when the snipers started using the bag. I for one would be willing to pay the price for the bag now that I have used it and will be asking Master Chiefs to let me buy the bag once the trials have ended.

Overall, we are immensely impressed with the kit and look forward to trailing the bags in Otterburn and South Armagh in N Ireland.

Various units

Snipers including the ROYAL MARINES, The ROYAL ANGLIAN REGIMENT and our sister battalions ONE PARA AND THREE PARA displayed interest. The bags will be used on a sniper concentration in November where the bag will be seen by the household division.

Blackhawk should approach The ROYAL MARINE SNIPER SCHOOL and the army school of sniping at the specialist weapons wing, Dering lines, Brecon, as these are the people that implement sniper doctrine throughout the army.

Summary

The drag-bag supplied by Blackhawk and Masterchiefs proved itself repeatedly in demanding and arduous conditions. The bags never suffered with any problems whilst on the deployment and all the snipers were immensely impressed with the drag bags. The amount of kit that can be carried without fear of loss on a stalk by far out ways the L96 drag-bags capability. It is the best piece of kit we have used thus far whilst in the sniper role. All the features on the bag have been very well thought out and Blackhawk have obviously listened to the people that mean the most and that is the snipers who have to stalk and engage the enemy. I have used various drag-bags and even had one custom made but I have never seen any drag-bag as good before and would have to give it ten out often.

We are grateful that you let us trial your kit and our thanks go out to yourselves and the team at Masterchiefs for their continued support. I will be recommending Blackhawk kit to all snipers and soldiers should they be looking for outstanding tactical equipment. Once again from all the snipers 2 Para thank you for all you have done for us.

Yours sincerely
T J Millar
Master Sniper
2nd Bn The Parachute Regiment.