TYR Tactical

Archive for October, 2026

Galvion Introduces SoloPack Arctic at AUSA 2026, Extending Soldier Power Capability to Extreme Cold Environments

Wednesday, October 7th, 2026

Galvion, a global leader in the design and manufacture of intelligent power and data management solutions, innovative head systems and integrated soldier systems, today announced the launch of its new Nerv Centr® SoloPack™ Arctic, an extreme-cold rechargeable battery designed to deliver reliable soldier power in Arctic operating environments. SoloPack Arctic will make its debut at AUSA 2026 in Washington, D.C., October 12–14, alongside Galvion’s full suite of Nerv Centr power and data solutions at Hall E, booth 7917.

Developed in collaboration with South 8 Technologies, SoloPack Arctic is the first product to emerge from the companies’ partnership announced in November 2025, which focused on applying South 8’s LiGas cell technology to Galvion’s field-proven SoloPack battery family for extreme-cold environments. The battery integrates South 8’s ARCTIC™ AE35 18650 cell, powered by the company’s proprietary LiGas® liquefied gas electrolyte technology. The AE35 cell is engineered to deliver power across a temperature range of -60°C to +60°C (-76°F to +140°F), extending lithium-ion performance into extreme-cold environments where conventional battery technologies can be significantly constrained, while maintaining capability across the full high-temperature operating range.

As modern military operations become increasingly dependent on powered equipment — including communications, navigation, sensing and situational-awareness systems — reliable energy has become mission-critical. Extreme cold adds another layer of complexity, making power performance and resilience an important component of Arctic operational readiness.

SoloPack Arctic builds on Galvion’s proven original SoloPack battery, retaining the familiar 98Wh, lightweight form factor while extending its capability for operations in extreme cold. At just 1.2 lbs (544 g), with an energy density of 178 Wh/kg, SoloPack Arctic provides a compact, soldier-worn power solution designed to integrate easily with existing equipment and power-management systems.

The AE35 cell also offers advantages beyond its extended temperature range. In cell-level ballistic penetration testing, South 8’s ARCTIC cells have demonstrated the ability to evacuate electrolyte following penetration, reducing burn duration to seconds at the individual cell level and reducing the risk of propagation to adjacent cells. This characteristic offers a potential benefit for soldier-worn power applications across operating environments, not only in extreme cold.

Initial quantities of SoloPack Arctic will be deployed in a number of upcoming U.S. Army field evaluations, including U.S. Army DEVCOM and International Cooperative Engagement Program for Polar Research (ICE-PPR)’s Operation Mjölnir, providing opportunities to evaluate performance in operationally relevant extreme-cold conditions.

Jonathan Blanshay, Founder and Executive Chairman of Galvion, said: “Arctic readiness is becoming an increasingly important requirement for the U.S. and allied forces, and reliable power is fundamental to operating effectively in those environments. Extreme cold exposes the limitations of equipment that performs well under normal conditions, so we need to ensure that the technologies soldiers depend on are ready to perform wherever the mission takes them.

SoloPack Arctic reflects our approach to capability development: identify a real operational challenge, bring together the right technologies and partners, and deliver a practical solution for the warfighter.”

Colt Delivers M4A1 Rifles to Guatemala Through Foreign Military Sales Program

Wednesday, October 7th, 2026

West Hartford, CT — October 6, 2026 — Colt is proud to support the Government of Guatemala’s Foreign Military Sales(FMS) program with the historic acquisition of more than 2,000 M4A1 rifles.

In announcing the initial delivery, the Guatemalan Army stated:

“In a ceremonial act, the High Command of the Guatemalan Army participated in the official delivery of the first batch of M4A1 rifles, acquired from the United States of America, a partner and strategic ally of Guatemala, as part of the modernization and transformation process of the three forces of the Guatemalan Army. This acquisition reflects the continuity of bilateral cooperation in defense matters and contributes to the updating of institutional capabilities for the fulfillment of the constitutional mission.”

The delivery represents an important milestone in Guatemala’s ongoing modernization efforts and reinforces the longstanding defense cooperation between Guatemala and the United States.

Colt has supported the U.S. military and allied nations for generations, providing proven small arms designed to meet the demands of military service. The M4A1 continues that legacy, delivering a trusted and field-proven platform to U.S. and allied forces around the world.

Colt is honored to support Guatemala through the FMS program and remains committed to providing dependable weapon systems that strengthen the capabilities of U.S. partners and allies.

Army Nears Crucial Brain Health Testing Milestone

Wednesday, October 7th, 2026

About 97% of soldiers have used the Neurocognitive Assessment Tool, helping medical professionals combat the effects of blast overpressure and low-level blast exposure, the Army’s top leader overseeing safety and occupational health said.

“It demonstrates our commitment to cognitive safety, medical readiness and warfighting capability,” said Jordan Gillis, the assistant secretary of the Army for installations, energy and environment.

The War Department established the NCAT as a required cognitive baseline assessment to monitor and track soldiers’ brain health and support recovery from traumatic brain injuries.

Soldiers in impacted career fields, including those operating heavy weapons systems such as field artillery, combat engineers and explosive ordnance disposal technicians, must take the assessment under a War Department directive.

Troops in these fields must take the assessment upon entering the military, before deployment and following an injury or suspected concussion. The Army requires soldiers in high-risk military occupational specialties to complete the assessment annually and for all soldiers to take the test every three years.

According to studies published by the National Institutes of Health, continuous exposure to blast shockwaves has been linked to traumatic brain injuries.

As the Army’s designated agency safety and health official, or DASHO, Gillis oversees the Army’s safety and occupational health program.

The NCAT is part of a broader overpressure program that the Army will soon publish in a servicewide directive, he said. The core tenets of the program include hazard assessment, risk assessment and exposure tracking, risk mitigation, cognitive monitoring, information management, illness and injury reporting, and training and education.

The Army identified blast overpressure and low-level blast exposure as critical occupational safety and health hazards.

“It affects everyone differently,” Gillis said. “The takeaway is we are trying to take care of soldiers and monitor their health. And if there is an impact, we’ll be able to treat them.”

Soldiers from across the force — active duty, Army National Guard and Army Reserve — must complete the NCAT; they began taking it in 2024. To further set an example for soldiers, Gillis recently took the test himself at the Pentagon Special Missions Auxiliary Clinic.

“This was the perfect time to be wearing both my DASHO hat and my Army Reserve hat and to meet the requirement that I have in the reserve [component] but also set the example for everyone across the force,” he said.

Gillis, a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve, serves as a field artillery officer, which places him in the high-risk category for blast overpressure effects.

During his years on active duty, he suffered injuries while deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, for which he received a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star Medal. He knows firsthand the impact of exposure to heavy weapons fire and improvised explosive devices.

“I am from the era of soldiers who grew up in the height of the global war on terror, and many of us were exposed to blast overpressure through things like IED attacks,” Gillis said. “I myself experienced several IED attacks, and so I believe from personal experience that this is important to do.”

Gillis said managing soldier cognitive health and preventing potential traumatic brain injury and side effects remains a top readiness priority.

“[The NCAT] is an important part of taking care of soldiers, but what this does is, it sets a baseline for reaction times and for memory,” he said. “By establishing a baseline for all soldiers, we’re able to monitor brain health, as well as … let medical providers help with treatment, if required.”

By Joe Lacdan, War Media Activity

Rheinmetall and Breaker Join Forces to Bring Human Machine Teaming to Armoured Vehicles

Tuesday, October 6th, 2026

Rheinmetall and defence technology startup Breaker have signed a teaming agreement to bring human machine teaming to armoured vehicles. Breaker’s tactical orchestration agent will be integrated into the Australian Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV) through the platform’s open architecture, allowing the crew to control teams of autonomous systems by voice.

This marks a step change in armoured vehicle operations capability by combining crewed and uncrewed platforms to extend the Boxer’s reach and situational awareness without adding personnel. It will enhance survivability and lethality on the battlefield by reinforcing the Boxer crew with teams of robots, allowing them to stay entirely mission-focused.

The two companies worked together at impressive speed, integrating Breaker’s software into Rheinmetall Defence Australia’s simulator in a matter of weeks and demonstrating a working capability on the Boxer within six months of the first conversation.

In the demonstration to the customer, a single crew member with less than 30 minutes training, commanded a swarm of drones through the standard-issue microphone and headset in the Boxer, while simultaneously operating the vehicle and performing their regular duties. The demonstration provided clear evidence that seamless crewed and uncrewed collaboration can keep human operators safe on the front line.

Nathan Poyner, Managing Director, Rheinmetall Defence Australia said: “The Boxer CRV, delivered through LAND400 Phase Two, is the most advanced land platform in service with the Australian Army. Its open architecture makes integration of novel force multipliers, such as Breaker’s software, essentially ‘plug and play’.

“Integrating platforms with autonomy solutions is about enhancing crew survivability and mission effectiveness. What we’ve been able to demonstrate with Breaker, after only six months of working together, is a Boxer operator controlling autonomous systems with their voice as they would talk to any member of their crew.

“This achievement is testament to Rheinmetall’s open architecture approach and Breaker’s platform agnostic software.”

Michael Irwin, co-founder and co-CEO of Breaker said: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Rheinmetall on the next generation of armoured vehicle operations. Boxer is a tested, validated, and integrated capability and Breaker’s tactical orchestration layer allows crews to work with teams of robots in a way they’ve never been able to before. This integration makes the Boxer more lethal and more survivable in the future fight with less crew. It makes every vehicle the centre of its own autonomous formation.

“This partnership shows how important it is for like-minded companies to work together. The world of warfare is changing very quickly. Collaboration is the only way to deliver capability at the speed of relevance.

“Warfighters at the front line need autonomy the most, and they have it the least. Our mission is to change that.”

Under the LAND400 Phase 2 project awarded in 2018, Rheinmetall is delivering 211 Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicles that are expected to be in service for the next 30 years. This partnership with Breaker has potential to expand across various capabilities and vehicle types, both in Australia and globally.

AUSA 2026: Microcon Unveils MICRO-D, a Sub-2 kg Laser Designator EO/IR Payload

Tuesday, October 6th, 2026

New MICRO-D brings target designation and multi-sensor ISR capabilities to small airborne platforms; initial orders secured, with first deliveries expected by year-end

AUSA, Washington DC, October 12-14, 2026, Booth # 2225

05 October 2026 – Microcon Vision, a developer of compact electro-optical systems for small airborne platforms, unveils the MICRO-D, a new lightweight, None-ITAR multi-sensor EO/IR payload incorporating a 30mJ laser target designator. Weighing just 1.9 kg, the system has already received initial orders, with first deliveries expected by the end of 2026.

Designed for small unmanned and other lightweight airborne platforms, the MICRO-D combines ISR and laser target designation in a compact payload. It is particularly suited for platforms operating at lower altitudes, including below cloud cover, enabling them to detect and track targets and designate them for engagement by compatible precision-guided munitions.

The MICRO-D integrates seven sensors and functional channels in a single payload, providing day and thermal imaging, target tracking and laser designation. Its STANAG 3733-compliant laser designator enables the platform to mark targets for laser-guided munitions, allowing small airborne platforms to support the full process from target detection and identification to designation for engagement.

The payload also provides simultaneous video outputs, line-of-sight stabilization, an airborne ISR tracker and inertial navigation capabilities. Optional AI functions include video motion detection and automatic target recognition.

“The growing use of smaller tactical platforms is creating a need for capabilities that until now have largely been available on larger systems,” said Chen Almog, CEO & Co-Founder of Microcon Vision. “MICRO-D was developed to address this gap, allowing smaller platforms to take a more active role in the sensor-to-shooter chain. The initial orders we have received reflect the operational demand we are seeing for this type of capability, particularly in the U.S., where our cooperation withour affiliate CONTROP USA provides U.S. customers with local business presence, effective program execution, local technical and field support, significantly enhancing our ability to serve our customers and partners.”

MICRO-D uses a two-axis gyro-stabilized gimbal and supports Ethernet-based integration, including an SDK and optional MAVLink connectivity. The system is ITAR-free, germanium-free and NDAA-compliant.

CZ Launches CZ DUTY, Modular Striker Fired Pistol

Tuesday, October 6th, 2026

Meet the CZ DUTY, a new 9mm modular striker-fired duty pistol. It features a modular, serialized chassis which holds the fire control components and is designed to be configured with different grip modules, barrel lengths, and magazine capacities.

Features:

  • Nitride finish slide
  • Cold hammer forged barrel
  • 3-stage drop safety system
  • 3-dot tritium or luminescent night sights – lower 1/3 co-witness for use with red dot sights
  • Improved trigger based on the P-10

The CZ DUTY features ambidextrous controls, including the slide release, magazine release, and manual safety, making the platform intuitive for both right- and left-handed shooters.

CZ DUTY is built for long-term use with a service life rated for 50,000 rounds of standard ammo or 25,000 rounds of +P+/ DM51 ammo.

An improved optics ready interface allows for the mounting of various standard red dot footprints directly to the slide using included pins. Sights such as Aimpoint ACRO and Holosun 509T can be mounted using a specific baseplate.

Direct cut:
Trijicon RMR,
Shield RMS/ Holosun K
Leupold Delta Point PRO

Baseplate:
Aimpoint ACRO
Holosun 509T

The CZ DUTY initially launches with four models: compact and full w/ and w/o manual safety (4” barrels on all models).

www.czfirearms.com/en-us

Streamlight Announces Key Sales Leadership Promotions

Tuesday, October 6th, 2026

Four Veteran Team Members Assume Expanded Roles Across Law Enforcement, Sporting Goods, Federal/Military and OEM Markets

EAGLEVILLE, PA, October 5, 2026 – Streamlight®, Inc., a leading provider of high-performance lighting tools, announced four key sales leadership promotions, effective October 1, 2026. The appointments are designed to strengthen the company’s sales organization, expand strategic partnerships, and support continued growth across its Law Enforcement, Sporting Goods, Federal/Military, and OEM markets.

Matt Baker has been promoted to Director of Sales, Law Enforcement, Sporting Goods, and Federal/Military. In his expanded role, Baker will oversee sales strategy and operations across these key markets, building on his extensive experience in federal and military sales.

Since joining Streamlight in 2008, Baker has expanded the company’s presence among federal agencies, U.S. Military branches, and military exchange retail locations. A U.S. Marine veteran, he has been instrumental in growing the Sidewinder® product series and securing standard-issue adoption of Streamlight products. His promotion coincides with the planned retirement of Tim Taylor following SHOT Show in January 2027.

Bobby Knight has been promoted to the newly created position of Director of OEM Sales, U.S. and Canada. He will focus on expanding Streamlight’s OEM business and developing strategic partnerships with leading brands across both markets.

Knight joined Streamlight in 2008 and was promoted to National Sales Manager, Law Enforcement/Sporting Goods, in 2021. He brings extensive experience working with major law enforcement agencies, distribution partners, and key retail accounts, along with a strong track record of managing sales teams and developing strategic partnerships.

Justin Thomas has been promoted to National Account Manager, Law Enforcement/Sporting Goods. He will be responsible for managing and growing strategic national accounts while strengthening relationships with Streamlight’s distributor and retail partners.

Since joining Streamlight in 2019, Thomas has served as Regional Sales Manager, contributing to sales growth and expanding customer relationships across key accounts and channels. He assumes the role as Pat Lucas prepares to retire at the end of 2026 following many years of dedicated service to Streamlight.

Brian Osborn has been promoted to National Sales Manager, Law Enforcement/Sporting Goods, Western U.S. and Canada. He will oversee sales activities and relationships with key agencies, distributors, and sales representative organizations throughout the region.

Osborn joined Streamlight in 2013 as Regional Sales Manager. A former law enforcement officer and accomplished competitive shooter, he has helped secure major contracts with Canadian agencies, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Toronto Police Service, and Ontario Provincial Police.

“These promotions recognize the exceptional experience, leadership, and dedication that Matt, Bobby, Justin, and Brian bring to Streamlight,” said Allen Lance, Vice President of Sales. “Each has played an important role in strengthening our customer relationships and expanding our presence in key markets. Their expertise will help us build on that success and continue delivering the high-performance lighting solutions our customers depend on.”

For more information, visit www.streamlight.com.

Ineos Automotive Expands into Defence Sector with Landmark European Orders

Tuesday, October 6th, 2026

>      Italian Army has placed a substantial order for the INEOS Grenadier

>      Austrian Government has awarded a contract for enhanced protection versions of the Grenadier

>      INEOS Automotive is leading a consortium bidding for a British Ministry of Defence contract for a new Light Mobility Vehicle

>      The Grenadier is already being used by police, border patrols, special forces and emergency rescue services around the world

“In a world where geopolitical tensions are rising, military forces are bolstering their capabilities and resilience, they need the best, modern equipment available. As a robust and highly capable vehicle, this is what the Grenadier was built for – to unremittingly serve armed forces in mission-critical roles.” said Mike Whittington, Chief Commercial Officer at INEOS Automotive

LONDON, 5 October 2026 – The Italian Army and the Austrian Government have each awarded substantial contracts for the supply of INEOS Grenadiers. They represent the first orders from sovereign defence forces – a significant milestone for the brand.

The Grenadier became the vehicle of choice for the Italian Army, making Italy the first NATO country to place a sizable order for its military. ATflow, INEOS Automotive’s regional distributor will commence deliveries from early 2027.

Separately, an Austrian Government tender was won by Valentin Tusch GmbH, a vehicle armouring and conversion specialist, to supply the Austrian Defence and Interior security forces with Grenadiers adapted for enhanced protection. First deliveries and trials will begin by the end of this year.

In both tenders, the Grenadier was deemed the best available platform – versatile body options, multiple wheelbases, fewer parts for straightforward maintenance and strong solid axles capable of carrying massive weight across hostile terrain over prolonged periods.

INEOS Automotive is in advanced procurement discussions with other European and NATO armed forces, including the Team Grenadier consortium, which has been selected to move forward to the trials stage of the British Ministry of Defence’s Light Mobility Vehicle programme.

“In a world where geopolitical tensions are rising, military forces are bolstering their capabilities and resilience, they need the best, modern equipment available. As a robust and highly capable vehicle, this is what the Grenadier was built for – to unremittingly serve armed forces in mission-critical roles.” said Mike Whittington, Chief Commercial Officer at INEOS Automotive.

“Our most recent military agreements signal a huge vote of confidence in Grenadier as a benchmark already, as talks with other nations’ defence procurement teams continue.”

The Grenadier is already being used by police, border patrols, special forces and emergency rescue services around the world. This includes elite counterterrorism and tactical intervention units in Germany, France and Spain. Nearly every country on the eastern border of Europe has chosen the Grenadier for their security and border forces, including Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, Serbia and Slovakia.

To find out more about the INEOS Grenadier, please visit www.ineosgrenadier.com.