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Cana Provisions Expands to Europe and the United Kingdom with Two New International Distributors

August 14th, 2026

Huntsville, AL — August 14, 2026 – Cana Provisions today announced its expansion into the European and UK markets through partnerships with two established tactical distributors: Gear Town in the Netherlands and Tactical Kit in the United Kingdom. The move brings much of the Cana Provisions product line directly to civilians, law enforcements, and military users across the region, with Tactical Kit servicing the United Kingdom and Gear Town servicing continental Europe and beyond.

As demand for reliable, portable water treatment continues to grow among operators, agencies, and preparedness-minded civilians across Europe, the partnerships give customers regional access to Cana’s water treatment and solutions — without the cost and delay of international ordering.

“Clean water isn’t a domestic concern; it’s a universal one. Partnering with Gear Town and Tactical Kit lets us put proven water solutions directly into the hands of the people who need them, wherever the mission takes them.” said Zach H, Owner of Cana Provisions.

Cana Provisions products are built for broad-spectrum operations, disaster response, training environments, and austere expeditions where contaminated water sources are the norm. The company’s mission is to ensure users can treat, verify, and consume safe water without external reference.

Available Products:

• H2gO Mobile Disinfectant Generators and accessories

• Qore Performance Water Data ICEFLASK® and ICEFLASK® Water Data Decals

• Select Cana Provisions Water Data Cards and Decals

• Cana Provisions Water Data Nalgene Bottles

• MSR and Platypus GravityWorks filter systems and accessories

To request additional product availability or to place unit orders, please contact the distributors directly:

Europe — Gear Town

Website

Email: support@geartown.eu

Dutch Inquiries: 085 744 4947

International Inquiries: +31 85 744 4947

* photo by Austin Miller, @Eastcorner Industries.

United Kingdom — Tactical Kit

Website

Email: sales@tactical-kit.co.uk

Phone: 01778 561672

* photo by Adam Wakefield, @81 Photography

Beyond the Base Vehicle: How Polaris is Building a Mission-Ready MRZR D Ecosystem for NATO

August 14th, 2026

Five configurable mission kits transform the diesel-powered MRZR D from a capable light tactical vehicle into a fully tailored operational platform – covering everything from encrypted radio integration to road-legal compliance.

Polaris Government & Defense  |  NSPA Programme

When NATO’s Support and Procurement Agency set out to equip member nations with a next-generation light tactical vehicle, the requirement was never simply for a machine that could traverse difficult terrain. It was for a system – one that could be configured, transported, communicated through and deployed in the full range of conditions that modern operations demand. Polaris Government & Defense’s answer is the MRZR D, and sitting behind the base vehicle is a suite of five mission kits designed to meet that challenge head-on.

Each kit addresses a distinct operational need, and together they represent a considered approach to the complexity of modern light force mobility. Here is a closer look at what each one brings to the fight.

MISSION KIT 1

Communications and Navigation Capability

Situational awareness begins with knowing where you are and being able to talk to your team. Mission Kit 1 addresses both. A Garmin TREAD system, mounted directly to the vehicle’s roll-over protection structure, provides GPS navigation with European mapping – a straightforward but operationally critical capability for forces operating across NATO’s diverse geography.

The communications element goes further. Polaris has developed a custom Walk-On-Fit solution for 117 and 152 type radios – the workhorses of NATO tactical communications. Rather than integrating radios permanently into the vehicle, the system uses a vehicle-powered tray that feeds a portable backpack assembly. Inside, a dedicated power supply charges and runs both handheld and manpack radios. The result is a dismount-ready solution: the kit powers up on the vehicle and walks off with the operator when they leave it.

Above is the custom Walk-On-Fit solution for 117 and 152 type radios – powering the kit on the vehicle, and walking off with the operator when they leave it.

MISSION KIT 2

Protection and Safety

Three components make up this kit, each targeting a different aspect of vehicle and load protection. A tailored storage cover – available in variants for both the two – and four-seat MRZR D configurations – shields the vehicle when not in use, whether that is at a forward operating base or in transit.

Inside the vehicle, a cargo area protection net prevents unsecured loads from becoming projectiles in dynamic terrain, while a load bed separator net divides the cargo space – allowing personnel and equipment to coexist safely in the rear of the vehicle. Simple in concept, but the kind of detail that matters when the ground gets rough.

MISSION KIT 3

Transportation Trailer

Getting the MRZR D to the point of need often means moving it by road, towed behind a civilian or light military vehicle. Mission Kit 3 provides a purpose-built transportation trailer for exactly that task. Manufactured by a Polaris partner within the European Union, the trailer features a 4.0 by 2.0 metre bed, a 2,600 kilogram gross capacity, twin axles and a standard ball-mount coupling for broad compatibility with towing vehicles.

Supplied with loading ramps and a spare wheel, the trailer is a complete road-movement solution. A storage cover for the MRZR D is included, protecting the vehicle from the elements during transit. Delivery to UK or EU locations is included in the standard price.

MISSION KIT 4

Cargo Trailer

Where Mission Kit 3 moves the vehicle, Mission Kit 4 moves what comes with it. The MRZR D cargo trailer is built by a longstanding Polaris partner in Portugal, and its design reflects a deliberate logistical philosophy: wherever possible, it shares components with the base vehicle. Wheels, tires, brake assemblies and wheel hubs are common across both platforms, significantly reducing the spares burden for units operating in the field.

The standard kit is comprehensively equipped. A vehicle storage cover, a tarpaulin load cover, a Hi-Lift jack, a spare wheel assembly with holder and brace and two mounting positions for additional spare wheel or fuel and water can holders are all included as standard. Trailer electrics are compatible with the NATO 12-pin connector on the base vehicle, ensuring a clean and reliable electrical interface. It is the kind of integration that saves time in the field and reduces the friction of sustained operations.

Wherever possible, the cargo trailer shares components with the base vehicle – wheels, tires, brakes and hubs – significantly reducing the spares burden in the field.

MISSION KIT 5

Accessories for Roadworthiness

Perhaps the most nuanced of the five kits, Mission Kit 5 exists because the MRZR D is not a homologated vehicle off the shelf. For nations that require their vehicles to meet European road lighting regulations – whether for movement to the theatre, cross-border transit or domestic road use – navigating the national type-approval process is a genuine operational and administrative challenge.

Polaris has addressed this directly by offering a kit of parts that improves compliance with European lighting standards. The package includes a full road lighting suite – headlamps, turn signals, brake lamps, tail lamps and provision for license plate illumination – alongside a horn and vehicle side mirrors mounted on highly adjustable RAM mounts. The mirrors inparticular reflect careful thinking: rigid military vehicles often struggle to meet mirror positioning requirements across different regulatory regimes, and the flexibility of a RAM mount system provides the adaptability that fixed solutions cannot.

Together, the five kits represent something more than a menu of accessories. They are evidence of Polaris Government & Defense’s understanding that a vehicle program is only as successful as its ability to serve the full operational lifecycle –from the moment it arrives in country to the last mile of its service life.

military.polaris.com

FirstSpear Friday Focus: Siege-R Optimized Vest

August 14th, 2026

The SIEGE-R OPTIMIZED VEST is one of FirstSpear’s most proven platforms, built for users who require armor protection and expanded load-carrying capability without the excessive bulk of traditional load-bearing systems. Utilizing the proven form, fit, and function of the original Siege-R and integrated with the performance-enhancing properties of 6/12™ and Tubes™ technology, the SIEGE-R OPTIMIZED VEST delivers a scalable, modular armor carrier built for training, duty, and demanding field environments. Internal plate pockets make the system slimmer and better suited for confined and tubular spaces, while TUBES® Rapid Release closure allows the operator to don and doff the vest with one hand in under 15 seconds using the same muscle memory as daily use.

Features:

  • TUBES® RAPID RELEASE — DON/DOFF WITH ONE HAND IN SECONDS
  • INTERNAL PLATE POCKETS — SLIMMER PROFILE FOR CONFINED SPACES
  • MODULAR 6/12™ COMPATIBLE PLATFORM
  • ACCEPTS SAPI, SWIMMER/SHOOTER, SPEAR BALCS SOFT ARMOR, AND FULL SIZE PLATES

At its core, the SIEGE-R OPTIMIZED VEST features fully adjustable shoulder pads with TUBES™ front and back for rapid switch-out to the MASS Shoulder System, a removable internal bellyband, and an exterior cummerbund enhanced with FirstSpear High-Performance elastic webbing. Quick-drying airflow mesh on the interior reduces overall weight and sheds water quickly. Available in Black, Coyote, Manatee Grey, Multicam, and Ranger Green in sizes S through XL. Ballistic armor inserts complying with NIJ Category IIIA.06 or specific military specification requirements are available from FirstSpear for an additional fee.

Built for military personnel, law enforcement officers, and prepared professionals who demand reliable equipment, the Siege-R Optimized Vest delivers armor protection and load-carrying capability in a scalable, mission-ready platform. FirstSpear is the premier source for cutting-edge tactical gear for military, law enforcement, and those who train. To request an estimate, visit First-Spear.com/Request-For-Estimate. For more information, visit First-Spear.com.

US Army Announces Vendors for Infantry Last Tactical Mile Operations

August 14th, 2026

DETROIT ARSENAL, Mich. – Today, the U.S. Army announced the selection of six vendors for the Infantry Last Tactical Mile (ILTM) initiative, a key effort within our mission autonomy portfolio to modernize infantry support for Soldiers on the battlefield.

“This project will deliver production-ready prototype autonomous systems supporting manned close combat formations through rapidly deployable logistical resupply platforms capable of performing casualty evacuation operations and network extension to the forward line of own troops,” said Col. Ken Bernier, the Army’s project manager for Autonomous Robotic Capabilities.

The selected vendors will provide advanced robotic systems designed for beyond-line-of-sight autonomous control, directly enhancing the Army’s ability to conduct multi-domain operations.

The six identified companies – Maren-Go (Vancouver, Wash.), Overland AI (Seattle), Forterra (Clarksburg, Md.), Hendrick’s Motorsports (Concord, N.C.), American Rheinmetall (Auburn Hills, Mich.), and HDT (Solon, Ohio) – were chosen for their innovative approaches to logistical resupply to the forward line of own troops (FLOT). Their proposed technologies range from proven autonomous commercial equipment to novel purpose-built robotic platforms designed to meet the logistical needs of the infantry.

Formal contract awards for the ILTM initiative are expected to be finalized in the coming weeks. Once awarded, the project will advance into a series of demonstrations and assessments, culminating in an Operational Assessment with an Army unit in early 2027. This rotation will allow the Army to collect direct, unit-level feedback to inform the production decision for the next generation of autonomous infantry systems.

By Ashley John

HII/MetalCraft Marine Autonomous ROMULUS USV with HII Autonomy Successfully Passed a Critical DoW Test

August 13th, 2026

MCLEAN, Va., Aug. 11, 2026 — HII (NYSE: HII) announced that the U.S. Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has officially recognized the successful completion of the company’s Production-Ready, Inexpensive, Maritime Expeditionary (PRIME) prototype project, featuring the Watcher small Unmanned Surface Vessel (sUSV), which is based on HII’s ROMULUS-25 Unmanned Surface Vessel and powered by HII’s Odyssey Autonomous Control System (ACS).

The DIU recognition follows HII’s delivery and successful sea testing of two autonomous Watcher ROMULUS-25 vessels in December 2025 under a DIU contract to develop smaller-form-factor autonomous surface vessels for the U.S. Marine Corps.

Developed in partnership with MetalCraft Marine, the Watcher sUSV successfully met the program’s technical objectives and is now positioned for a potential transition to production.

HII’s Odyssey ACS modular open systems architecture (MOSA) enables intelligent navigation, mission planning, collaborative behaviors, and multi-domain autonomous operations while allowing operators to rapidly integrate autonomy across multiple vehicle types and increasingly complex missions in contested environments. Its service-based design enables seamless integration with other mission-enabling technologies, enhancing mission effectiveness through AI-enabled contact recognition, identification, and edge-based decision-making.

In a memorandum to HII, DIU stated: “The HII Watcher sUSV has successfully demonstrated its appropriateness to address the Department of the Navy’s operational need for sUSV interceptors, capable of autonomously transiting hundreds of miles through contested waterspace, loitering in an assigned operating area while monitoring for maritime surface threats, and then sprinting to interdict a noncooperative, maneuvering vessel.”

The memorandum further concluded that HII achieved the prototype’s key technical goals and success metrics, supporting a potential transition to production under Other Transaction Authority (OTA) prototype agreements.

“This milestone is another example of HII’s strategy to rapidly transition innovative technologies from concept to operational capability,” said Duane Fotheringham, president of the Unmanned Systems group within HII’s Mission Technologies division. “As demand for autonomous systems continues to grow, HII remains focused on delivering proven, mission-ready autonomous solutions that strengthen naval readiness and provide our customers with greater operational flexibility.”

Mike Reed, General Manager of MetalCraft Marine, said, “This milestone is a significant accomplishment for the entire MetalCraft team and a strong validation of what can be achieved when our experienced boatbuilders combine their expertise with HII autonomy capabilities. The Watcher was engineered and built to deliver the speed, seakeeping, strength and reliability demanded by this mission. Successfully completing the government-led autonomy, seakeeping, performance and degraded-environment assessments confirms the quality of the aluminum platform and the discipline behind its design and construction. MetalCraft has built its reputation on high-performance aluminum vessels that perform when needed most, and this milestone positions the Watcher for the next step, from successful prototype to production”

The two ROMULUS-25 autonomous vessels completed extensive at-sea testing, successfully demonstrating advanced autonomous mission behaviors across a range of operational scenarios, including contractor demonstrations, government-led autonomy assessments, seakeeping and performance evaluations, and degraded-environment testing.

The PRIME initiative challenged industry to deliver commercially available, production-ready autonomous surface vessels capable of supporting maritime expeditionary operations. Following a full and open competition that attracted 116 solution briefs, HII was selected to design, build, and demonstrate its solution.

The ROMULUS-25, part of HII’s expanding family of autonomous unmanned surface vessels, is a high-speed interceptor capable of carrying payloads of up to 1,000 pounds and operating at ranges of up to 1,000 nautical miles.

HII is the world’s leading producer of autonomous underwater vehicles through its REMUS family of unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), which are deployed by the U.S. Navy and allied partners worldwide for mine countermeasures, underwater reconnaissance, intelligence collection, environmental assessment, and critical seabed operations.

Together, Watcher, ROMULUS USV, REMUS UUV, and Odyssey ACS form an integrated ecosystem of autonomous maritime capabilities that can operate independently or collaboratively to extend fleet reach, enhance maritime awareness, and increase mission effectiveness across the full spectrum of naval operations.

The successful completion of the PRIME prototype further reinforces HII’s position as a leader in autonomous maritime systems and demonstrates the company’s ability to deliver production-ready autonomous capabilities that meet the evolving needs of the U.S. Department of War and allied navies.

Federal Ammunition Awarded Contracts to Provide Rifle and Shotgun Ammunition to the Canadian Government

August 13th, 2026

Federal Ammunition was recently awarded contracts to supply two Canadian law enforcement organizations with rifle and shotgun ammunition for duty and training purposes. These agreements will supply the Department of National Defense (DND) with 300 Blackout duty and training rounds, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) with 12-gauge slugs and buckshot duty loads.

“We are pleased to provide these organizations with our product lines,” said Randall Watkins, Sales Director, Law Enforcement and Government at Federal. “We look forward to growing our trusted ammunition product lines within Canada’s DND for use both domestically and abroad.”

Federal’s 110-grain Tactical Bonded 300 AAC Blackout cartridges will fulfill the DND’s requirement for supersonic rounds with a maximum round count of 330,000. Federal’s 108-grain Semi-Jacketed Frangible 300 AAC Blackout cartridges will fulfill their training rounds requirement with a maximum round count of 530,000.

The RCMP’s contract is for Federal’s 12-gauge, 1-ounce Slug, Reduced Recoil Ammunition with a quantity of 51,000 cartridges and 12-gauge, 00 Buckshot, Reduced Recoil Ammunition with a quantity of 120,250. This contract has a 1-year base with a 1-year possible renewal option.

“We previously serviced a 12-gauge duty contract with the RCMP,” Watkins said, “and we are proud to continue supplying them with our dependable products.”

Federal Ammunition products are available at dealers nationwide and online. For more information on all Federal products and to sign up for notifications about new product availability, rebate promotions, and other brand news via email, visit www.federalpremium.com.

XS Introduces New Sights and ACRO Optic Plate for Taurus 66 Combat Revolver

August 13th, 2026

Fort Worth, Texas (August 12, 2026) – XS® Sights is now offering its pre-drilled Standard Dot tritium sight, Fiber Optic sights, and ACRO Optic Plate for the Taurus 66 Combat revolver.

XS Standard Dot Sight

The high-contrast Standard Dot tritium sight delivers a precise sight picture without changing the gun’s profile. The dual-illumination design features a tritium lamp surrounded by a green photoluminescent Glow Dot, creating a highly visibly front sight for easy indexing. Made of steel to withstand rugged use in the field, this sight delivers fast and accurate target acquisition in bright or low light, making it a smart choice for personal defense when every second counts.

XS Fiber Optic Sights

The XS Fiber Optic sights feature advanced design and fiber optic technology that make them exceptionally bright and easy to see in daylight. Their angled structure also significantly increases durability. These sights come with a green and orange user replaceable fiber optic insert for customization based on personal color preference. Upgrade to get on target faster and more accurately when the sun is shining brightest.

XS ACRO Optic Plate

Made of steel and designed for strength and reliability, this CNC-machined ACRO footprint optic plate delivers 30% more thread engagement for a rugged, secure, and seamless mounting solution. Engineered for ideal optic alignment, this optic plate is coated with a Black Nitride finish for enhanced corrosion resistance.

Retail Price:

XS Tritium Standard Dot $68.89

XS Fiber Optic $60.00

XS ACRO Optic Plate $74.99

XS sights are backed by a Limited Lifetime Warranty. The company also offers a 12-year illumination warranty on all tritium products. For more information, visit www.xssights.com.

Sneak Peek – Helix Combat Multi Harness II Type B

August 13th, 2026

The upcoming HCMH II Type B is the latest evolution of Helix Operations’ tactical harness.

Developed from user feedback and operational experience, the HCMH II Type B builds on the proven capability of the original HCMH II, with a series of updates designed to improve performance, usability, and compatibility in the environments where it matters most.

The HCMH II Type B continues to provide a lightweight, low-profile solution for tactical climbing, helicopter operations, maritime tasks, and vertical movement, while incorporating the latest design refinements from the Helix team.

More details on the HCMH II Type B will be released soon.

helixoperations.com/collections/harnesses

Photos via @henrypaisey