September 2026 | Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

Archive for September, 2026

German Precision Optics Upgraded RangeGuide 10×50 Rangefinding Binoculars

Friday, September 4th, 2026

Big Things Do Come in Small packages

Richmond, VA. (August 21st, 2026) – German Precision Optics (GPO USA) proudly announces the GPO upgraded RangeGuide™ 10×50 Rangefinding Binocular, now enhanced with significant upgrades in usability, performance, and design. Unveil exceptional high resolution optical quality and cutting-edge rangefinding technology in a compact, rugged design.

Engineered to rival the size and handling of traditional 42mm binoculars, the upgraded GPO RangeGuide™ 10×50 remains a compact powerhouse, delivering premium optical clarity and industry-leading ranging capability in a remarkably lightweight design. Designed for hunters and long-range shooters who demand precision without bulk, this latest generation raises the bar even further. Building on the success of one of GPO’s most popular products, the upgraded RangeGuide™ 10×50 introduces a newly enhanced electronic system and next-generation laser technology, extending its maximum ranging capability to an impressive 3,600 yards.

The RangeGuide™ features an eye-safe Class 1 laser with rapid 0.25-second response time, delivering instant and reliable distance measurements. Integrated True Range Angle Technology calculates precise compensated distances based on incline or decline, ensuring accuracy in even the most challenging terrain. It also features a significantly improved display system, offering enhanced clarity and readability in all lighting conditions. In addition, refined mode functionality makes operation more intuitive and user-friendly in the field allowing users to access critical data faster and with greater ease.

At the core of the RangeGuide™ is GPO’s renowned optical system. The double-HD laminated 50mm objective lenses, paired with proprietary GPObright™ high-transmission coatings, deliver outstanding light transmission, edge-to-edge sharpness, and superior resolution, especially in low-light conditions. Standing just 6.3 inches tall and weighing only 35 ounces, the RangeGuide™ features a rugged armor coated housing built to withstand the harshest outdoor environments. The RangeGuide™ 10×50 delivers an impressive twilight factor of 22.36. Its ultra-compact footprint is made possible by a magnesium chassis and a highly efficient internal laser offering maximum performance. Whether glassing in the mountains or ranging targets across open terrain, this binocular is built to excel.

“The RangeGuide™ 10×50 has always been a cornerstone product for us,” said Mike Jensen, Owner and CEO of GPO, USA. “With these upgrades, we’ve made it even more powerful, more intuitive, and more aligned with what today’s hunters expect in the field.

Features

• Over 3,000-yard ranging capability

• True-range angle technology calculates the proper distance to your target

• Measures the angle of your target

• Scan mode provides three readings per second

• Temperature reading to assist your shot placement

• OLED display with nine adjustable brightness levels

• Extremely small and compact

• GPObright™ lens coating technology

Specifications

• Exit pupil: 5mm

• Eye relief: 17mm

• Close focus: 9.8’

• Field of View: 330 ft @ 1,000 yards

• Waterproof

• Weight: 35 oz

• Dimensions: H 2.2” x W 5.3”x L 6.3”

The upgraded RangeGuide™ 10×50 rangefinding binoculars retail for $1,659.99. It is now shipping from Germany and will be available through authorized GPO dealers nationwide and online at www.gpo-usa.com.

Posted in Optics, Press Release | No Comments »

GM Defence Establishes UK Presence and Appoints Simon Gray to Support British Defence Ambitions

Friday, September 4th, 2026

New UK-based team will strengthen customer engagement, industrial partnerships and delivery planning for Team LionStrike

GM Defence today announced the appointment of Simon Gray as Director Business Development to strengthen the company’s commitment to the United Kingdom, and support its defence priorities and sovereign capability. GM Defence is a member of Team LionStrike, alongside partners BAE Systems and NP Aerospace, to compete for the UK Ministry of Defence’s Light Mobility Vehicle (LMV) programme.

Based in Andover, Gray will lead GM Defence UK’s engagement with the UK Ministry of Defence, British Armed Forces and industry partners. He also supports GM Defence’s wider NATO and European defence activities, including delivery planning and through-life support for Team LionStrike.

Team LionStrike—a partnership of GM Defence, BAE Systems and NP Aerospace—is pursuing the UK Ministry of Defence’s Light Mobility Vehicle (LMV) programme, which will modernise the British Army’s light mobility fleet. GM Defence serves as OEM vehicle supplier and engineering authority, bringing proven commercial vehicle platforms, global engineering and manufacturing scale, and a worldwide parts and service network.

“Establishing a dedicated UK presence is an important milestone in GM Defence’s long-term commitment to the United Kingdom,” said Steve duMont, President and CEO of GM Defense.

“Our local team will help us work more closely with the Ministry of Defence, our industry partners and the communities where we operate, ensuring we can provide responsive, reliable and sustainable support.”

Gray brings nearly 20 years’ UK Defence leadership experience, specialising in procurement, rapid acquisition and programme delivery. He has managed multi-million-pound projects spanning mobility platforms, military vehicle integration and uncrewed ground systems.

Experienced in translating operational requirements into executable solutions, Gray combines deep defence procurement expertise with a strategic, innovation-led approach and is a trusted adviser to senior military leaders and global stakeholders.

“GM Defence has a unique opportunity to contribute to the future of British military mobility,” said Gray. “I’m pleased to join the team at this important stage and look forward to working with our UK partners to deliver practical, scalable and long-term capability for the British Armed Forces.”

Posted in Industry, International, Mobility, Press Release | No Comments »

Gen 2 Hot Weather Jungle Boot by McRae Footwear

Friday, September 4th, 2026

Introducing McRae Footwear’s new U.S. Marine Corps certified Gen 2 Hot Weather Jungle Boot. Designed for tropical environments where shedding debris and superior breathability are non-negotiables.

Available exclusively at the Camp Pendleton and Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Exchange.

Posted in Boots, USMC | Comments Off on Gen 2 Hot Weather Jungle Boot by McRae Footwear

Angel Armor Launches the RISE Plate Carrier, Expanding Coverage Without Sacrificing Mobility

Friday, September 4th, 2026

FORT COLLINS, CO, August 30, 2026 – Angel Armor launches the RISE® Plate Carrier, a purpose-built tactical armor platform designed for SWAT teams, tactical law enforcement personnel and high-risk response environments. The new carrier officially debuts at the NTOA Conference in Booth 515, where it will be a primary product focus for Angel Armor throughout the show.

The RISE® Plate Carrier was developed around a challenge tactical operators have faced for years: getting the coverage they need without sacrificing mobility. Traditional plate carriers prioritize a lightweight, streamlined profile but can lack coverage and scalability, while full-coverage tactical vest systems provide enhanced protection at the cost of added bulk and reduced mobility.

Most operators have simply had to work around that tradeoff, until now. The RISE® Plate Carrier was designed to bridge the gap, extending coverage where traditional plate carriers fall short, while preserving the agility and mission adaptability that operators demand.

“I’m incredibly proud that our team pushed past conventional limits to redefine what a plate carrier can do” said Nate Mooers, Lead Designer at Angel Armor. “Law enforcement shouldn’t have to choose between mobility and survival. We designed the DefendCore™ Belt System to eliminate that trade-off entirely. By combining load-bearing agility with high-threat ballistic protection, DefendCore™ delivers a mission-ready carrier that moves dynamically with the body without compromising coverage.”

At the heart of its engineering is the DefendCore™ Belt System. The patent-pending system wraps 360° front-to-back protection around the operator’s core through a modular overlapping armored belt. A canted rear belt feature elevates the back rifle plate toward the upper back, pushing protection toward the trap line, while side rifle plate integration expands coverage further for missions that call for it. The result is genuine protection across the core without the bulk or restricted movement that has historically come with it.

“The plate carrier is super comfortable compared to other plate carriers I have used over the last 12 years and extremely lightweight,” said a Colorado SWAT Deputy who has worn the RISE® Plate Carrier in the field. “While moving, it is comfortable and flexes with the body. The overlapping side soft armor feels great and provides extra protection. I am super impressed.”

The RISE® Plate Carrier is the latest addition to the RISE® Body Armor System, expanding the company’s versatile protection platform built to match the current mission and the next.

Posted in Armor, Press Release | No Comments »

FirstSpear Friday Focus: MultiMag Rapid-Adjust Pocket

Friday, September 4th, 2026

Most magazine pockets are built around one magazine. The FirstSpear MultiMag Rapid-Adjust™ Pocket is built around any magazine. Featuring patented adjustment and retention hardware, the MultiMag allows the operator to quickly dial in retention to fit a wide range of firearm magazines and similarly sized items without inserts, tools, or reconfiguration. It runs right out of the box, weighs just over two ounces, and mounts via the ultralight 6/9™ system with full MOLLE/PALS backward compatibility.

Features:

BOA® FIT SYSTEM — PRECISE MICRO-ADJUSTABLE RETENTION
NO INSERTS REQUIRED — RUNS OUT OF THE BOX
FITS AN ARRAY OF RIFLE, PISTOL, AND PDW MAGAZINES
ULTRALIGHT 6/9™ — WEIGHS JUST OVER 2 OZ

At its core, the MultiMag Rapid-Adjust™ Pocket integrates the Boa® Fit System, allowing the operator to achieve precise micro-adjustability from a compact HK MP7 all the way up to a full-size HK 417 magazine with a single adjustment. Compatible platforms include Beretta M9, Glock 17/19/20/21/22/23, HK G36, Sig Sauer 226/229/P320/M17, M4, MP7, and 1911. Optional speed reload inserts for two pistol magazines or a single M4, removable pull tab, and bungee kit are available separately. Available in Black, Coyote, Manatee Grey, Multicam, Ranger Green, and Frogskin.

Built for military personnel, law enforcement officers, and prepared professionals who demand reliable equipment, the MultiMag Rapid-Adjust™ Pocket delivers precision retention across a wide range of magazines in a single ultralight pocket. 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.

Posted in Advertiser, FS Friday Focus, Guest Post, Load Carrying | No Comments »

MRF-SEA Tests TPS-80 Mobility to Enhance Fires Integration in the Philippines

Friday, September 4th, 2026

Philippines —

U.S. Marines with Air Command and Control Detachment, Marine Rotational Force – Southeast Asia, I Marine Expeditionary Force, tested the mobility of the AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar during training in the Philippines, Aug. 17, 2026, evaluating how the capability can improve command and control and support fires integration in the archipelagic environment.

The training occurred as MRF-SEA continues supporting the Philippine Marine Corps’ Archipelagic Coastal Defense Concept through the Archipelagic Coastal Defense Continuum. ACDC provides recurring opportunities for U.S. and Philippine forces to develop capabilities in areas including fires, command and control, maritime domain awareness and unmanned systems.

For the AC2 Det, supporting that effort also means testing and refining the systems Marines bring to the fight.

The TPS-80 is a medium range radar that provides 360-degree surveillance. It provides a mobile surveillance capability that can support an integrated air and missile defense system, support control of friendly aviation assets, and provide targeting data to adjacent assets. During the training, Marines evaluated the mobility, set up, and stowage of the equipment.

“Every time we can take slack out of the process, we make ourselves more capable and better partner,” said 1st Lt. Arturo Perez, an air command and control officer and the officer in charge of AC2 Det. “The TPS-80 is a useful asset that allows us to command and control the airspace alongside our Philippine Allies and other partner nations.”

The testing focused on the movement of the asset and getting it situated while in a distributed environment.

“We were able to validate our ability to rapidly displace and set up with a limited number of personnel and to better understand how the system could support operations in a distributed environment. The goal is to understand what this capability can provide, identify its limitations and determine how we can best integrate it into future training.”

– Sgt. Jacob Herbert, a tactical data systems technician and the non-commissioned officer in charge of AC2 Det

Testing capabilities before introducing them into more complex bilateral events allows MRF-SEA to be better prepared to integrate with its Philippine counterparts. Rather than using bilateral training to first determine whether a system works, Marines can focus that time on refining interoperability, integrating fires and learning how U.S. and Philippine capabilities complement one another.

That process supports the broader purpose of ACDC – continuously learning, testing and refining capabilities that strengthen each force individually while improving their ability to operate together.

MRF-SEA serves as I MEF’s forward command element in the Philippines, supporting Task Force-Philippines and integrating with the Armed Forces of the Philippines to strengthen interoperability and improve combined readiness.

By Cpl Ryan Ramsammy | Marine Rotational Force – Southeast Asia

Posted in Guest Post, Sensors, USMC | Comments Off on MRF-SEA Tests TPS-80 Mobility to Enhance Fires Integration in the Philippines

American Rheinmetall Secures Award from Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace for MCT-30 Turret Machined Components Supporting USMC ACV-30 Program

Thursday, September 3rd, 2026

American Rheinmetall has been awarded a contract from Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace to produce machined components for the MCT?30 medium caliber turret. These components will support the United States Marine Corps’ Amphibious Combat Vehicle infantry fighting vehicle variant, known as the ACV?30.

Under the award, valued at approximately $710,000, American Rheinmetall’s Lapeer and Lansing, Michigan facilities will manufacture machined components for MCT?30 turrets, with deliveries scheduled throughout 2026 and 2027. American Rheinmetall will perform the work as a subcontractor to Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.

This marks the first contract award from Kongsberg to American Rheinmetall’s Michigan operations and signifies the continued growth and diversification of the company’s U.S. customer base. The award also builds on years of successful collaboration between Kongsberg and American Rheinmetall’s Maine facility in support of the CROWS program.

“The opportunity to support Kongsberg on the ACV?30 program reflects our expanding partnership and strengthens American Rheinmetall’s role in delivering high?quality components for critical U.S. military platforms,” said Tom McDonnell, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, American Rheinmetall. “We’re proud that our Michigan facilities will contribute to the Marine Corps’ modernization priorities as it evolves into a more mobile and capable force.”

By supporting production of the MCT?30 turret for the ACV?30, this effort contributes directly to the Marine Corps’ operational readiness and mission flexibility. The award also reinforces American Rheinmetall’s growing position within the Tier 1 defense industry landscape as the company continues broadening both capability and customer reach.

Posted in Armoured Vehicles, Press Release | No Comments »

US Army Awards $13M Contract to Global Military Products for Scorpion Light Mobile Mortar Systems Integrated on Infantry Squad Vehicles

Thursday, September 3rd, 2026

TAMPA, FL – (Sept. 3, 2026) – The U.S. Army has awarded Global Military Products a $12.9 million contract for the procurement and integration of Scorpion Light mobile mortar systems under the Department of Defense Ordnance Technology Consortium (DOTC) Other Transaction Authority (OTA) framework. The award supports the integration of Scorpion Light 81mm mobile mortar systems with U.S. Army digital fire control technologies and government-furnished M253 mortar barrels onto the Army’s new Infantry Squad Vehicle–Utility (ISV-U) platforms.

Designed to enhance expeditionary indirect fire capabilities, the next-generation Scorpion Light system delivers a highly mobile, digitally enabled mortar platform capable of rapid emplacement, autonomous targeting and precision engagement in support of distributed operations. The integration of advanced fire control architecture significantly accelerates the sensor-to-shooter kill chain, enabling faster target acquisition, digital fire mission processing, and rapid engagement of multiple targets with reduced crew workload and increased survivability.

“The enhanced capabilities provided by the next-generation Scorpion mobile mortar system directly support the Army’s Transformation Initiative and its transition toward smaller, more agile and highly lethal combat formations prepared to address emerging threats in complex operational environments,” said James Knight, director, Global Military Products. “Over the past two years, we have worked closely with Army stakeholders and soldiers to continuously evaluate, iterate and refine the Scorpion platform based on operational feedback. This contract award reflects the success of that collaboration and our commitment to delivering a fully integrated mobile mortar capability that increases lethality, improves operator safety, and provides unmatched tactical mobility for the warfighter.”

Over the past two years, the U.S. Army and Global Military Products have collaborated through Soldier Enhancement Program (SEP) initiatives and Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) efforts to refine, test, and incorporate direct soldier feedback into the development of the Scorpion Light Mobile Mortar System. These iterative efforts have significantly advanced the platform’s mobility, lethality, survivability, and operational effectiveness.

The latest evolution of the system integrates advanced digital fire control capabilities and the Nett Warrior (NW) networked communications architecture, enabling rapid target acquisition, precision fire missions and near instantaneous re-aiming with minimal crew intervention. This fully digital architecture streamlines and accelerates the sensor-to-shooter kill chain by enabling seamless target handoff between systems, digital fire mission processing and autonomous mortar engagement capabilities. For the first time, soldiers can rapidly prosecute multiple targets with a highly mobile, digitally enabled autonomous mortar platform, significantly increasing responsiveness, accuracy and operational tempo in contested environments.

Most recently, soldiers assigned to the Multi-Purpose Company, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, evaluated the ISV-based 81mm Scorpion Autonomous Engagement System during Exercise Balikatan 2026 in the Philippines. During live-fire operations, soldiers successfully fired 20 rounds from two separate systems in under two minutes, demonstrating the platform’s speed, precision, and ability to deliver responsive indirect fires in support of distributed combat operations.

Posted in Advertiser, Army, Contracts, Press Release, weapons | No Comments »