FirstSpear

Archive for June, 2026

NATO DIANA Unveils Six New Challenges to Tackle Evolving Defence and Security Needs

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026

LONDON – 1 June 2026 – NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) has launched six new challenges aimed at finding game-changing solutions that help build a safer future for the Alliance.

Innovators can submit their proposals for DIANA’s challenges until 12:00 UTC +1/BST on Friday 3 July 2026.

Selected innovators will become part of DIANA’s 2027 cohort of innovators, participating in a six-month accelerator programme that will begin in January 2027. These innovators will help identify and adopt solutions that can deliver cutting-edge technologies to Allied armed forces faster – strengthening NATO’s operational edge

Innovators can submit proposals for one of six challenge areas including:

  • Human Survivability
  • Multidomain Autonomy of Uncrewed Systems
  • Multidomain Sensing and Advanced Data Processing for Intelligence and Surveillance
  • Operational Resilience in Contested Environments
  • Responsive Logistics
  • Scalable and Adaptable Countermeasures for Air Defence

DIANA formulates its challenges based on the priorities of NATO and its nations, the latest trends in emerging and disruptive technologies, and market potential. Through these challenges, DIANA aims to accelerate the development and adoption of cutting-edge technologies – turning innovation into capabilities that lead to real-world impact.

Selected innovators will receive:

  • €100,000 of contractual funding to enable them to continue iterating their solution to the challenge.
  • Access to more than 200 test centres across Europe and North America to undertake testing, evaluation, validation and verification activities.
  • Guidance from our experts and mentors to grow their businesses, navigate complex defence procurement processes, and supercharge their network with industry partners, military end-users and potential investors.
  • Exposure to the defence ecosystems of all 32 NATO members, fostering cross-border collaboration, and bridging the gap between innovative ideas and real-world adoption.

UK-based innovator JET Connectivity is part of NATO DIANA’s 2025 cohort of companies and was recently selected for Mission Track, DIANA’s follow-on support pathway for solutions with strong defence adoption potential.

“JET Connectivity has surged forward in capability thanks, in no small part, to NATO DIANA’s programme, through the funding, mentoring and networking we have received, and through the support from the VTT Dual-Use Launchpad in Finland, one of DIANA’s accelerator sites,” said James Thomas, JET Connectivity Founder and CEO.

A range of companies can benefit from DIANA’s programme – including early-stage innovators, defence-focused start-ups, established civilian businesses, and SMEs. Whether focused on developing cutting-edge dual-use technologies for armed forces, scaling proven solutions, or seeking to enter new defence and security markets, the programme offers tailored guidance and resources to help companies accelerate growth and market impact.

“Our new challenges for the 2027 cohort serve one clear goal: accelerating the adoption of technologies that can strengthen the Alliance’s operational edge. By connecting innovators to NATO’s defence networks, we catalyse the transformation of innovative ideas into superior military capability for the Alliance,” said Jyoti Hirani-Driver, Acting Managing Director at NATO DIANA.

Rampart Range Day 26 – Pulsar

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026

Pulsar’s Symbion multi-spectral binoculars are a great value. In addition to EO (day and low light) and thermal cameras, the Symbion incorporates a laser range finder and video camera.

Sensor

Thermal 1280×1024/12µm | Digital 3840×2160

Objective lens

Thermal F50/1.0 | Digital F50/1.8

Magnification, x

Thermal 2 – 24x | Digital 6.5 – 26x

FOV (HxV), degrees

Thermal 17.5° | Digital 5.8°

FOV (HxV), m@100m

Thermal 30.7 m | Digital 10.2 m

Diopter Adjustment, D

-5 / +5

Detection range

Thermal 2300 m

This and other products shown at Rampart Range Day are available for unit and agency orders in Canada and the US through Rampart.

Rampart Range Day 26 – Sordin

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026

Sordin exhibited their T2 comms headset built in their SordinFLEX Modular Design Platform.

Additionally, you can choose between four audio profiles to adapt your sound image to the actual tactical situation. Switching is as simple as toggling between profiles using an ergonomic keypad. Profiles include:

Tactical is the normal audio profile for general purposes. Gain and frequency are set to normal levels in order to mimic natural ambient sound and to balance situational awareness and comfort in the field.

Comfort is a profile with reduced gain and a reduced frequency spectrum. Ideal in noisy environments when communication is prioritized over ambient sound.

Dual is a 2-in-1 profile has high gain and a wide frequency band for high situational awareness in quiet environments. Alternatively, use it when combining your T2 with earplugs to pick up some ambient sounds, even in high-noise environments.

Ambient Off is used to turn ambient sound off with your headset using passive hearing protection only. Suitable when maximum focus on team communications is required in high-noise environments.

Available cup covers are Black, Green, or Tan.

The X2 is also available for shooters who don’t need the comms capability and just want hearing protection.

This and other products shown at Rampart Range Day are available for unit and agency orders in Canada and the US through Rampart.

Rampart Range Day 26 – Ice Warrior Tactical

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026

Ice Warrior Tactical was founded in Canada to help Law Enforcement Officers and Military personnel who are tired of losing dexterity due to prolonged cold.

The Mammoth-X V2 McMeekin is made up of a glove inside of a mitt. Thanks to the 3M Thinsulate 240G insulation it is rated down to in -40 C/-40 F temperatures. Additionally, there’s a pocket in the mitt for two hand warmer packets.

This and other products shown at Rampart Range Day are available for unit and agency orders in Canada and the US through Rampart.

Rampart Range Day 26 – Spartan Precision Equipment

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026

The UK’s Spartan Precision Equipment offers some amazing weapon accessories adopted by elite forces the world over.

Take for instance the new DMR pod which is based on the highly successful Sniper Pod for rifles chambered in 50 BMG.

Made in Denmark, it he DMR Pod is rated to 338 Lapua thanks to its carbon fiber and aircraft aluminum construction.

Coming soon.

Rampart Range Day 26 – Hudson Supplies

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026

Hudson Supplies is well known for their distribution of the DownEast Inc FASTmag.

Features:

• Mounts to any MOLLE/P.A.L.S. 1″ web system, up or down [operators preference]
• GhillieTEX™ IR Signature Reduction Technology
• Reduces reload cycle time
• High-Impact resistant polymer case with anti-fragmentation properties
• Attachment slots for ‘double-stack’
– Magazine stays secure without pouch flap, hook, cover, or bungee
• Enhanced urethane tension strap can be moved up or down for additional tension

Although they are well known to SSD readers, Hudson has FASTmags available for individual purchase as well as distribution to retailers.

This and other products shown at Rampart Range Day are available for unit and agency orders in Canada and the US through Rampart.

Rampart Range Day 26 – Talos Advanced Systems

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026

The team at Talos Advanced Systems considered what would happen if Canada no longer had access to foreign materials for armor plates.

They came up with this, a a 100% Canadian plate backer to replace PE soft armor.

C2R USA LLC Vault Carrier Selected as Overt Armor Kit (OAK) by FBI, USMS, and DEA

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026

Charlotte, North Carolina – 1 June, 2026 – C2R USA LLC has been awarded a contract to provide Overt Armor Kits (OAK) to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) United States Marshal Service (USMS) and Drug EnforcementAdministration (DEA) for their primary overt armor system.

C2R USA LLC are delighted to announce that in conjunction with our partners Predictive Ballistics and Safariland we have been awarded a five-year $61.0M Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) award to supply overt armor kits (OAK) to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and partner agencies. The successful submission combines the innovative, modular VAULT Armor carrier (designed specifically for this solicitation) with Safariland’s latestgeneration NIJ 0101.06 IIIA SXHP ballistic package, anddelivered by the exceptional customer service and logistics that are the hallmarks of winning prime awardee Predictive Ballistics LLC.

By truly understanding the requirement and creating a hyper-modular solution, C2R USA LLC’s OAK armor package fully captures the features specified in the requirement deemedessential for dynamic law enforcement operations. This package consists of the multi-functional VAULT™ armor carrier from C2R USA™, utilizing Safariland’s® new NIJ 0101.06 IIIA SXHP ballistic package – offering an areal density of only 0.65 lb/sqft.

Selected after a thorough vetting process, the offering was evaluated on factors such as design, ballistic performance, quality of construction and with significant emphasis placed on the end-user evaluations for function, fit, and overall comfort. This award, issued by the FBI, is also available to other Department of Justice agency components, including but not limited to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and United States Marshal Service (USMS).

“The Vault Armor carrier was developed specifically for this requirement. It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team over the last 2 years that we have been successfulin a field of other quality brands who submitted products for this opportunity. We are proud and honored to be able to add the FBI, USMS and DEA to the distinguished list of organizations wearing C2R products”, said Paul Tate, COO of C2R USA LLC. “We are grateful to both Safariland and Predictive Ballistics for their trust and look forward to ensuring that the delivery and fielding of the systems match the quality of our submission.”

“We spent a significant amount of time analyzing the requirement set forth by the FBI, USMS and DEA with the goal of truly understanding their unique operational needs.  We opted to build a completely bespoke solution to ensure that the system we proposed exceeded expectations. “Our experience creating bespoke carrier solutions for some of the world’s leading Law enforcement teams helped us to develop the Vault™ into the ideal system for US law enforcement. Developing and building systems in the United States is an honor for the team and this award is a testament to years of hard work.  We are delighted to have been successful and are grateful to the agencies for entrusting us with their armor solution.”

“This contract award is the validation of a multiyear team effort to pair a world-class carrier system, designed for law enforcement by C2R USA™ with a robust and incredibly lightweight ballistic package created by Safariland®.” said Scott Wyatt, President and COO of Predictive Ballistics. “Taking these two industry leaders and combining them into an adaptive, creative ballistic armor system, more lightweight and comfortable than anything on the market, is something that makes the team extremely proud.”

About C2R USA LLC
C2R USA delivers custom body armor and load carriage solutions for elite law enforcement agencies and specialist organizations across the globe. Our development process combines user input, operational experience and textile engineering to develop world leading products tailored to the users’ requirements. The VAULT armor systems encompass the latest features to deliver world class systems tailored specifically to the operational needs of federal law enforcement agencies. VAULT armor systems are built 100% in the USA.

About Predictive Ballistics
Predictive Ballistics combines best-in-class personal protective equipment with industry leading ballistic education to help public safety teams select the ideal product, for their unique mission. Working with hundreds of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, we sync the world’s best ballistic and tactical products with teams looking to excel and push their operational limits. Headquartered in California, Predictive Ballistics is a Certified Small Business with a GSA MAS contract.

About The Safariland® Group
The Safariland Group is a leading global provider of a broad range of safety and survivability products designed for the public safety, military, professional and outdoor markets. The Safariland Group offers a number of recognized brand names in these markets including Safariland® Armor, Duty Gear and Communications, Bianchi®, Break Free®, Hatch®, Med-Eng®, Identicator® and NIK®. The Safariland Group’s mission, “Together, We Save Lives®,” is inherent in the lifesaving and protective products it delivers. The Safariland Group is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. The Safariland Group is a trade name of Safariland, LLC.