0600 – terrorists Mohammed Atta and Abdulaziz al-Omari traveled to Logan International Airport from Portland International Jetport in Portland, Maine.
0652 – fellow terrorist Marwan al-Shehhi called Atta at Logan to confirm the plans of the attack.
Archive for September, 2026
9/11 Memorial – As It Happened – 0600
Friday, September 11th, 2026FirstSpear Friday Focus: Streetwalker
Friday, September 11th, 2026
Not every bag needs to look like a kit bag to perform like one. The FirstSpear STREETWALKER is constructed from lightweight ripstop and 500D Cordura nylon and built for professionals who move between the range, the gym, travel, and daily life without changing bags. At 12″ x 13″ x 22″, it carries enough for a full kit loadout or an overnight trip, while a Tubes™ quick-release shoulder strap and a laser-fused 6/12™ accessory panel bring FirstSpear’s modular platform technology to a bag built for everyday use.
Features:
- LASER-FUSED 6/12™ ACCESSORY PANEL — INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR ATTACHMENT
- TUBES™ QUICK-RELEASE SHOULDER STRAP
- VENTILATED POCKET FOR SEPARATING DIRTY GEAR, BOOTS, OR CLOTHES
- PFAS FREE — MADE IN THE USA
At its core, the STREETWALKER features a laser-fused 6/12™ accessory panel that accepts FirstSpear cell tags, Ragnar pockets, and other 6/12™ compatible accessories on both the interior and exterior of the bag. On the opposite end, an extra-large ventilated pocket keeps gym clothes, muddy boots, or any gear that needs to stay separated away from the main compartment. Available in Black and Black/Multicam Black.
Built for military personnel, law enforcement officers, and prepared professionals who demand reliable equipment, the STREETWALKER delivers FirstSpear’s modular platform technology in a bag built for life on and off the range. 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.
Italy Orders Two More MQ-9A Block 5 Reapers
Thursday, September 10th, 2026
SAN DIEGO – 08 September 2026 – The Italian Air Force (ItAF) has ordered two new MQ-9A Block 5 Reaper® Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI). When the new aircraft are delivered at the end of 2027, they will increase the size of the ItAF fleet. The purchase is part of a Foreign Military Sale (FMS) with the U.S. Air Force that also includes Ground Control Stations.
“Italy has been a very important partner for GA-ASI for more than 20 years,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. “The Italian Air Force has continued to be a leader in the utilization of MQ-9A to support a wide range of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions in Italy, over the Mediterranean, and in support of NATO operations.”
MQ-9A Block 5 has endurance of up to 26 hours and can operate up to 45,000 feet (13,716 meters). It has a 4,600 pounds (2,087 kilogram) of payload capacity that includes 3,750 pounds (1,701 kilograms) of external stores. It provides long-endurance, persistent surveillance capability with Full-Motion Video, Synthetic Aperture Radar/Moving Target Indicator/Maritime Radar, and auto takeoff and landing. An extremely reliable RPA, MQ-9A Block 5 is equipped with a fault-tolerant flight control system and a triple-redundant avionics system architecture. It is engineered to meet and exceed manned aircraft reliability standards.
Apex Ammunition Introduces New Waterfowl Stratified S3 Steel Loads
Thursday, September 10th, 2026Columbus, Miss. (September 9, 2026) – Apex Ammunition is excited to introduce new Waterfowl Stratified™ S3 Steel shotshells in 12- and 20-gauge loads.
Featuring layered shot sizes of Apex S3 zinc-coated steel in #BB / #2 (12-gauge only), #2 / #4, or #4 / #6 combinations, each Stratified load is designed to deliver devastating performance at multiple ranges – with dense mid-range patterns and increased terminal energy at longer distances for confident kills.
“The Waterfowl Stratified™ Series was developed in direct response to our most dedicated hunters asking for a smarter, harder-hitting shell for ducks and geese,” said Jason Lonsberry, President and CEO, Apex Ammunition. “By combining multiple shot sizes in a single payload, this shell ensures you get tight pattern coverage up close and hard-hitting knockdown at distance, making it ideal for the unpredictable nature of waterfowl hunting.”
Features:
Layered Shot Payload – Optimized for both close-in birds and long-range flyers
Deadly Pattern Density – Increased pellet count on target
Customer-Driven Innovation – Built on real-world feedback from the field
Assembled in the USA – Premium components, loaded for peak consistency
If you’re chasing mallards, teal, or high-flying honkers, Stratified delivers the kind of pattern performance and stopping power serious waterfowlers demand.
Experience Your Best Shot™. Only from Apex.
For more information, visit ApexAmmunition.com.
5.11 Partners with National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to Support #ForThe343
Thursday, September 10th, 2026As an official #ForThe343 Tribute Partner, 5.11 is supportingNFFF and using its platforms and community to help raise awareness and encourage participation in the campaign as the nation approaches the 25th anniversary of September 11.
For more than two decades, the NFFF’s 9/11 Memorial Stair Climbs have brought firefighters and communities together to climb 110 stories—the height of the World Trade Center towers—in tribute to the 343 FDNY firefighters who died in the line of duty on September 11.
This year, NFFF is expanding that tradition through #ForThe343, giving people across the country an opportunity to participate regardless of where they live or whether they can attend an organized stair climb. Participants are encouraged to climb the equivalent of at least one flight of stairs, share a photo or video on social media using #ForThe343, and challenge three others to continue the tribute.
The movement is already gaining significant momentum. According to NFFF, participants have collectively climbed more than 100,000 flights of stairs in honor of the campaign, with participation continuing to grow ahead of September 11.
“5.11 has always had a deep connection to the first responder community, and supporting the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and #ForThe343 is incredibly meaningful to our entire organization,” said Will Ayres, Vice President of Professional Sales. “Twenty-five years later, we have a responsibility to continue honoring the courage and sacrifice of the 343 firefighters who lost their lives on September 11, as well as those who have made the ultimate sacrifice since. We hope to use the strength of the 5.11 community to help carry their memory forward and inspire even more people to step up, participate and ensure we never forget.”
The #ForThe343 campaign builds upon NFFF’s longstanding 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb tradition. More than 115 official Memorial Stair Climbs are taking place nationwide, including events in major markets and at landmark venues across the country. For the first time, however, participation extends far beyond organized events, allowing anyone to honor the fallen from a firehouse, gym, workplace, neighborhood or home.
“At the NFFF, we believe remembrance is a shared responsibility, and we are proud to have 5.11 stand with us in honoring our fallen heroes and ensuring they are never forgotten,” said Victor Stagnaro, CEO of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. “As we mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11, their support is helping us carry that promise of remembrance across the country and inspire people everywhere to join the #ForThe343 movement. Together, we can honor the courage, sacrifice, and legacy of the 343 FDNY firefighters who gave their lives on September 11, one climb at a time.”
5.11’s support of #ForThe343 reflects the brand’s longstanding commitment to serving and supporting first responders and the communities they protect. Through its partnership with NFFF, 5.11 is helping amplify a simple but powerful call to action: climb, remember and challenge others to do the same.
Those unable to climb can participate by walking, running, biking or sharing a tribute in remembrance. Supporters can also contribute directly to NFFF, helping fund programs that honor fallen firefighters, support Fire Hero Families and strengthen the fire service community.
To participate in #ForThe343, find an official Memorial Stair Climb or learn more, visit ForThe343.org.
Twenty-Six Defense to Strengthen Innovation and Domestic Manufacturing for America’s Warfighters
Thursday, September 10th, 2026
FORT WORTH, Texas — Sept. 9, 2026 — The U.S. operating segment of Elbit Systems Ltd., will now operate as Twenty-Six Defense. This evolution reflects the company’s continued focus on supporting its U.S. customers through strong domestic design, engineering and manufacturing capabilities.
Twenty-Six Defense is an American defense company that employs 3,300 Americans who have supported the U.S. military for more than three decades.
“Launching Twenty-Six Defense underscores our growth in the American market and reinforces our commitment to supporting U.S. warfighters, wherever the mission takes place,” said Luke Savoie, president and CEO of Twenty-Six Defense.
This change reinforces the company’s deep commitment to domestic production at a time when the U.S. government is calling for increased industrial capacity and speed. Twenty-Six Defense will remain focused on supporting national security by delivering relevant, reliable capabilities with agility.
“We will increase domestic customer value as we expand manufacturing and invest in mission-critical technologies,” Savoie added. “The name Twenty-Six Defense was selected to symbolize strength, resilience and durability, drawing inspiration from the atomic number of iron.”
“For more than 30 years, the United States has been a very important market,” said Bezhalel Machlis, CEO of Elbit Systems Ltd. “We have implemented this new organizational structure for the company’s U.S. segment to better serve our American customers and partners—reinforcing our commitment to American-led innovation and a strong U.S. defense industrial base.”
Combat-proven technologies and solutions developed by Elbit Systems Ltd. will continue to be offered to the U.S. market under the Elbit America brand, which operates as a subsidiary of Twenty-Six Defense.
Twenty-Six Defense, headquartered in Fort Worth, remains a reportable operating segment of Elbit Systems Ltd. and continues to operate under a Special Security Agreement.
Written by: Amy Hartley
Tomahawk Performance Introduces the Next Standard: The Tactical T-Shirt SS
Thursday, September 10th, 2026NASHVILLE, TN – [September 1, 2026] Tomahawk Performance is redefining technical apparel with the release of the OTB Sunshirt LS and Tactical T-Shirt SS, two purpose-built performance layers engineered around one principle: delivering an unprecedented balance of durability to weight.
Designed for military, law enforcement, and professionals who operate in hot weather environments, both garments represent a new standard in tactical performance by maximizing the critical balance between protection, mobility, and comfort.
Whether worn beneath a plate carrier or as standalone performance layers, the OTB Sunshirt LS and Tactical T-Shirt SS are designed to move naturally with the wearer. Athletic patterning, articulated shoulders, and low-profile seam construction reduce friction beneath armor, packs, and weapon slings while eliminating unnecessary restriction during climbing, boat operations, weapons handling, and sustained movement. The result is a garment that remains virtually unnoticed by the wearer, keeping the warfighter cooler, drier, and more mobile through extended periods of high output.
Constructed from an advanced 115 GSM featherweight tech mesh (85% Polyester / 15% Elastane), both garments actively regulate body temperate through exceptional breathability, rapid moisture transport, and quick-drying performance, while resisting abrasion and pilling through repeated use under load bearing equipment. The antimicrobial fabric maintains its shape when wet, delivering 30 UPF sun protection and dependable comfort during prolonged exposure to hot climate operations.
The OTB Sunshirt LS expands protection with long sleeves and a fitted hood for extended sun exposure in open terrain, coastal environments, and vehicle operations. The Tactical T-Shirt SS serves as the ideal hot-weather base layer, incorporating a refined crewneck, raised rear collar for sling protection, and integrated soft-loop identification panels on each sleeve.
Manufactured in the USA and fully TAA compliant, the OTB Sunshirt LS is available in Ranger Green, Haze Blue, and Off White, while the Tactical T-Shirt SS is available in Ranger Green and Black, through Tomahawk Performance and authorized dealers.
For more information, visit tomahawkperformance.com.
US Air Force Seeks Ground-Based, Medium-Caliber Gun Weapon System To Protect Assets
Thursday, September 10th, 2026In a Request For Information issued to industry earlier this week, the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), C3BM Directorate, Wright Patterson Force Base (WPAFB), Ohio is conducting market research seeking vendor interest for a Ground-Based, Medium-Caliber Gun Weapon System. This means a 20mm to 50mm weapon with ammunition and sensors.
Raid Hunter is Northrop Grumman’s 50mm Gun-Based Air Defense (GBAD) system.
They are looking for a weapon that fires affordable munitions, enables defense against air and missile threats with an initial focus on subsonic cruise missiles (CM) and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) (groups 1-5) to provide persistent defense in support of United States Air Force assets.
To effectively assess and compare air defense weapon system performance, there are fifteen critical baseline operational and technical parameters that must be analyzed in unison. These key metrics begin with the system’s Salvo Probability of Kill (Pk) evaluated against both Cruise Missiles (CM) and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Groups 1-5 at maximum range and altitude, ensuring robust lethality against diverse modern threats. The physical footprint of the engagement envelope is defined by its Effective Slant Range and Elevation Coverage, while the capacity for sustained operations is dictated by Magazine Depth and the system’s ability to execute Raid Handling against saturating attacks. Furthermore, modern multi-domain operations require seamless Integrated Sensor Capability, deep C2 System Integration, and broad System Interoperability across joint networks. From an efficiency and sustainment standpoint, the system must balance its Cost Per Engagement and Manpower requirements, supported by a reliable Built-in-Test (BIT) framework for rapid diagnostics. Finally, tactical utility is rounded out by the platform’s overall Transportability, stringent Weapon Safety protocols, and its comprehensive Multi-Domain Engagement Capability to counter threats across various operational environments.
Fifteen Baseline Requirements:
- Salvo Probability of Kill (Pk) vs CM at max range and altitude
- Salvo Probability of Kill (Pk) vs UAS Groups 1-5 at max range and altitude
- Effective Slant Range
- Elevation Coverage
- Magazine Depth
- Raid Handling
- Integrated Sensor Capability
- C2 System Integration
- System Interoperability
- Cost Per Engagement
- Manpower
- Built-in-Test (BIT)
- Transportability
- Weapon Safety
- Multi-Domain Engagement Capability
When designing and evaluating next-generation defense systems, the development team must navigate critical trade-offs across three primary Trade Space Attributes to balance lethality, situational awareness, and operational flexibility. First, the system must optimize Munition Performance versus Munition Cost and Gun Capability, ensuring that the interceptor’s velocity, maneuverability, and terminal effects are maximized without driving the cost-per-engagement to unsustainable levels or exceeding the physical constraints of the host platform. Second, developers must carefully select the Organic Sensor Capability and Phenomenology—integrating the right mix of radar, electro-optical, infrared, or radio-frequency sensors—to ensure reliable target acquisition and tracking across varying weather conditions, environments, and countermeasure scenarios. Finally, the entire architecture must remain Rapidly Deployable, maintaining a lightweight, modular, and transportable footprint that can be swiftly projected into austere theater environments to meet emergent threats.
Trade Space Attributes:
- Munition Performance vs. Munition Cost/Gun Capability
- Organic Sensor Capability and Phenomenology
- Rapidly Deployable
Industry has until 09 OCTOBER 2026, 1700, EST to respond. Late responses may not be reviewed.
As the Air Force considers fielding more and more sophisticated air defense systems such as this and the Common Ground Based Launcher it appears that the promise of a new careerfield to wield them is likely. It also indicates that they are looking beyond just drones and are considering a more robust air defense capability.
