Phantom Lights

Archive for November, 2026

ORIGIN and Anduril Demonstrate Joint Counter-UAS Capability on NATO’s Eastern Flank

Friday, November 6th, 2026
  • BLAZE, ORIGIN’s autonomous counter-drone interceptor, was integrated with Anduril’s Lattice for Air Defense command and control platform and demonstrated to senior Latvian military leadership
  • Demonstration took place one month after the companies signed their MoU, highlighting the speed of operations of the companies; the technical integration of BLAZE onto Lattice was done in a mere four days
  • Joint work continues toward a layered counter-UAS defense capability for NATO’s eastern flank

RIGA, Latvia (5 November 2026) – ORIGIN, a defense technology company building autonomous unmanned aerial systems, and Anduril, a defense technology company developing autonomous systems and command-and-control software platforms have demonstrated a joint capability to senior Latvian military leadership, just over a month after signing a memorandum of understanding.

The demonstration, held on the end of October at a military training facility in Latvia, showed BLAZE, ORIGIN’s autonomous counter-drone interceptor, operating as the effector of an integrated air defense solution through Anduril’s Lattice command-and-control platform, alongside an existing radar system already deployed for Latvian air defence. The demo follows the MoU signed on 25 September, under which the two companies agreed to explore integrating BLAZE with Lattice to offer a layered counter-UAS capability in support of NATO’s Eastern Flank air defense.

The integration showcases how an open and interoperable software architecture can rapidly bring together individual air defence capabilities, from sensors and effectors to command-and-control, into a unified, centrally coordinated air defence solution.

Martins Marenis, Commercial Director of ORIGIN, said: “Going from signed MoU to a joint demonstration in front of Latvia’s senior military leadership in a few weeks is what working at speed looks like. Seeing BLAZE operate as part of a connected system with Lattice is exactly what NATO’s eastern flank needs. Interceptors that plug into a shared command and control layer, rather than operate in isolation, give operators better visibility and faster response against evolving drone threats.”

Brian Moran, Vice President of Anduril Europe said: “Lattice gave us the foundation  to integrate different capabilities,  fuse their data, and present operators with a single, coherent picture. On the ground in Latvia, it took just four days to integrate BLAZE into Lattice alongside ORIGIN and demonstrate a successful engagement, showcasing the speed that’s possible when partners come together around Allied air defence.”

The companies will continue joint testing and validation activity on NATO’s eastern flank, alongside concept of operations development for counter-UAS missions.

OPT Site-Wide Sale is Live

Friday, November 6th, 2026

10% Off Site-Wide: Discount automatically applies in your shopping cart.

Additional Deals, marked down: 

20% Off UF Pro Apparel 

20% Off Tomahawk Performance

20% Off Clearance, Blowout, and OPT Swag

20% Off MRE’s and Mountain House

Sale runs through 12 November. Some exclusions apply. 

www.optactical.com

The AGL Story: Advancing Readiness, Enabling Mission Success

Friday, November 6th, 2026

Every successful organization begins with a purpose. For Advanced Government Logistics (AGL), that purpose has always been clear: provide warfighters and emergency responders with the resources, technology, and expertise they need to operate effectively in any environment. What began as a company focused on solving complex field challenges has evolved into a trusted global partner serving military and emergency response organizations worldwide.

Humble Beginnings

AGL was founded on the belief that success begins with preparedness. From the start, the company understood that customers needed more than products. They needed a partner that could understand operational requirements and turn them into dependable, field-ready capabilities.

Working closely with military units preparing for deployment, AGL gained firsthand insight into the realities of operating in austere and demanding environments. Those experiences shaped the company’s warfighter-focused approach and commitment to delivering dependable systems that perform when and where they are needed most.

Building a Reputation

As customer requirements evolved, AGL expanded from equipment procurement into comprehensive readiness and sustainment programs. By listening to operators and responding to emerging demands, the company earned a reputation for reliability, agility, and execution.

Today, AGL has supported hundreds of operations across AFRICOM, CENTCOM, INDOPACOM, EUCOM, and USNORTHCOM, delivering critical resources, sustainment programs, and rapid-response capabilities worldwide. Strong relationships throughout the defense community, combined with direct end-user feedback, have enabled AGL to continuously refine its offerings and stay aligned with evolving operational needs.

Expansion and Evolution

Over time, AGL grew beyond traditional logistics support to become a comprehensive readiness partner. The company now designs, assembles, delivers, and sustains integrated deployment packages that simplify acquisition, accelerate fielding, and improve lifecycle efficiency.

AGL broadened its expertise to include global logistics, rapid provisioning, force readiness initiatives, training infrastructure development, and contingency response operations. The company also helped establish Air Force Combat Support Training Ranges (CSTRs), improving standardization, enhancing training effectiveness, and strengthening Air Task Force preparedness.

Innovation Through Integration

A major milestone in AGL’s evolution has been developing Alpha Zero, an advanced integration platform focused on protecting and preserving mission-critical assets throughout their operational lifecycle.

Recognizing that asset survivability matters as much as availability, AGL invested heavily in state-of-the-art manufacturing technology, precision machining systems, and premium protective materials. Through Alpha Zero, AGL combines its integration expertise with precision-engineered custom foam solutions designed to safeguard sensitive systems during storage, transportation, and deployment.

The result is enhanced protection, organization, accountability, and long-term durability for the warfighter. By consolidating complex equipment sets into fully integrated, deployment-ready configurations, Alpha Zero reduces damage, simplifies logistics, improves asset management, and ensures critical resources arrive ready for immediate use downrange.

This investment reflects AGL’s ongoing commitment to advancing technology, improving equipment survivability, and protecting the tools that enable mission execution.

Today’s AGL

Today, AGL is a proven readiness and sustainment partner supporting the United States military and federal emergency services worldwide. Its expertise spans equipment procurement, integrated deployment kits, global logistics, lifecycle sustainment, training infrastructure, contingency operations, and advanced systems integration.

Thousands of AGL-provided kits continue to support operations in some of the world’s most demanding environments. While the organization’s capabilities have expanded significantly, its purpose remains unchanged: delivering innovative, reliable resources that help warfighters and emergency responders perform their duties with confidence.

Looking Ahead

As global requirements continue to evolve, AGL remains committed to innovation, responsiveness, and operational excellence. Guided by years of experience and strong industry partnerships, the company continues to develop next-generation capabilities that enhance effectiveness, protect critical assets, and address tomorrow’s challenges.

The AGL story is one of growth through service, innovation through experience, and an unwavering commitment to those who stand on the front lines of defense and emergency response.

FirstSpear Friday Focus: SWAT Roundup International 2026

Friday, November 6th, 2026

Come see us at SWAT Roundup International 2026, starting this Sunday in Orlando, FL, Sunday, November 8th through Friday, November 13th, at the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Range. Stop by booth 4S to check out our full product line-up and catch up with our team.

FirstSpear is the premier source for cutting-edge tactical gear for military, law enforcement, and those who train. For more information, visit First-Spear.com.

DRPM-UxS Deliver Over 25,000 Autonomous and Counter-Unmanned Systems to CENTCOM AOR

Friday, November 6th, 2026

The Department of War announced today that this year, the Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager for Unmanned Systems (DRPM-UxS) has delivered a massive surge of combat-ready, mass-producible unmanned systems and counter-drone capabilities to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), providing operational commanders with immediate, cost-effective tactical lethality across the theater.

Through an investment of approximately $782 million this year, DRPM-UxS has fielded:

  • Over 1,300 One-Way Attack (OWA) Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), providing precision deep-strike mass.
  • Over 100 Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) and Unmanned Underwater Vessels (UUVs), expanding maritime reconnaissance and strike lethality; and
  • More than 24,000 Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS), establishing a dense, multi-layered defensive shield to protect forward-deployed forces against adversary drone attacks through its counter unit, Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF-401).

These deliveries demonstrate the Department’s rapid shift from multi-year developmental pipelines to an agile “Warfighting Acquisition” model. In the hands of American warfighters, these low-cost, attritable systems serve as high-volume alternatives to legacy, multi-million-dollar exquisite munitions—flipping the battlefield cost-exchange ratio firmly in favor of the United States.

“Under Secretary Hegseth’s direction, we are moving at the speed of modern combat to equip our forces with decisive, affordable mass,” said Owen West, CEO of Project Agincourt and DRPM-UxS. “DRPM-UxS was established to cut through red tape and put lethal technology directly into the hands of our frontline troops. The thousands of systems operating across CENTCOM this year are just the beginning. We will out-innovate, out-build, and out-adapt any adversary on the battlefield. The goal is to scale these capabilities across the Joint Force.”

By scaling commercial production lines and deploying modular software baselines, DRPM-UxS is driving a fundamental restructuring of defense procurement. This effort serves as the operational foundation for the Autonomous Warfare Command (AUTOWARCOM), a planned four-star functional combatant command scheduled to stand up by October 1, 2027.

At Secretary Hegseth’s direction, DRPM-UxS will sustain continuous deliveries of low-cost, mass-producible unmanned and autonomous systems to CENTCOM while rapidly expanding fielding pipelines to Pacific Command, European Command, and the broader Joint Force.

San Tan Tactical Introduces 1836 Series Ironclad Barrel Lineup

Thursday, November 5th, 2026

New barrel family brings four configurations in 5.56 NATO and 6mm ARC, featuring precision-machined 4150 steel construction and Black Nitride finishes.

FORT WORTH, TEXAS – San Tan Tactical is expanding its 1836 Series with the introduction of the Ironclad barrel lineup. Featuring four configurations in 5.56 NATO and 6mm ARC, the new series gives builders additional options for their 1836 platform.

The Ironclad lineup includes 11.5″ and 16″ 5.56 NATO barrels, along with 12.5″ and 18″ 6mm ARC barrels. Each configuration features a purpose-matched gas system and a durable Black Nitride finish.

The featured 12.5″ 6mm ARC Ironclad barrel is designed to bring the capabilities of the 6mm ARC cartridge to a compact platform. Precision-machined from 4150 steel, it features a straight-fluted profile that reduces overall weight while increasing surface area for heat dissipation.

The 6mm ARC barrels feature a 1:7.5 twist rate and 5R rifling profile designed to support bullet stabilization while helping reduce jacket deformation. The 12.5″ configuration uses a mid-length gas system, while the 18″ configuration features a rifle-length gas system.

Attention to detail extends throughout the manufacturing process. Ironclad barrels feature honed and polished chambers, hand-polished feed ramps, factory-dimpled .750″ gas block journals, and NTF-coated barrel extensions. Every barrel undergoes 100% quality control inspection and Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI).

All four configurations feature a Black Nitride (QPQ) finish for corrosion resistance and added protection against wear.

With four initial configurations, the 1836 Series Ironclad lineup gives builders more choices in barrel length, caliber, and gas system configuration. San Tan Tactical will continue developing the 1836 Series with additional products and configurations in the future.

1836 SERIES IRONCLAD BARREL LINEUP

5.56 NATO – 11.5″ Carbine Length

• SKU: STT-1836I-115B-556-N

• Carbine-length gas system

• Black Nitride finish

5.56 NATO – 16″ Mid Length

• SKU: STT-1836I-16B-556-N

• Mid-length gas system

• Black Nitride finish

6mm ARC – 12.5″ Mid Length

• SKU: STT-1836I-125B-6ARC-N

• Mid-length gas system

• Black Nitride finish

6mm ARC – 18″ Rifle Length

• SKU: STT-1836I-18B-6ARC-N

• Rifle-length gas system

• Black Nitride finish

12.5″ IRONCLAD 6MM ARC TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Specification Detail

Caliber 6mm ARC

Barrel Length 12.5″

Weight 1 lb. 14 oz.

Material 4150 Steel

Profile Straight Fluted

Twist Rate 1:7.5

Rifling 5R

Chamber Honed & Polished

Feed Ramps Hand-Polished

Gas System Mid-Length

Gas Block Journal .750″ Factory Dimpled

Barrel Extension NTF Coated

Muzzle Threads 5/8×24 TPI

Finish Black Nitride (QPQ)

Inspection 100% QC & MPI

SKU STT-1836I-125B-6ARC-N

AVAILABILITY

The 1836 Series Ironclad barrel lineup will be available through San Tan Tactical and its authorized dealer network.

For additional product information, visit www.santantactical.com.

Tenicor Releases ARX2 and ARX LUX2 OWB Holsters and CRUX Double Magazine Pouch

Thursday, November 5th, 2026

MOSCOW, Idaho – November 5, 2026

Tenicor has released the ARX2 and ARX LUX2 concealment belt holsters and the CRUX double magazine pouch. The ARX2 and ARX LUX2 replace the ARX, ARX LUX and ARX SOL.

Hiding a gun outside the waistband comes down to three things: how close the holster pulls the gun to the body, whether the belt attachment holds up over years of carry, and whether the holster survives the fight. The ARX2 is built around all three.

ARX2 and ARX LUX2

• The belt loops are injection-molded polycarbonate. Each one held 700 pounds of pull in our strength test.

• The .093″ Kydex shell has molded ridges that add strength at common stress points.

• The wings and belt loops are angled to pull the gun into the body. This reduces printing on a variety of body types.

• Zero cant. The gun sits neutral, so the draw is the same every time.

• The Kydex is cut low enough to get a full firing grip on the gun.

• Fits most slide-mounted red dots. Fit is confirmed with common red dots sized for each gun.

• One screw sets retention, which removes excess bulk from the holster. On the ARX LUX2, the adjustment is built into the rear belt loop.


The ARX LUX2 fits most lights suitable for duty use, including the Streamlight TLR-7 and TLR-1 series and the SureFire X300 and XC3 series.

CRUX

The CRUX carries two magazines outside the waistband on the same belt loops as the ARX2.

• The pouch is curved, with angled wings and belt loops that pull the magazines into the body.

• Retention adjusts separately for each magazine, with one screw each on the front of the pouch.

• Left-hand and right-hand versions both hold the magazines with the bullets facing forward.

Pricing: ARX2 $125, ARX LUX2 $135, CRUX $75.

Compatibility at launch

• ARX2: Glock 17/47, 19/45, 43X and 48; Staccato HD P4/C4X; SIG SAUER P365 and P365-XMACRO; 1911 Government (no rail)

• ARX LUX2: Glock 17/47, 19/45, 43X and 48; Staccato HD P4/C4X

• CRUX: Size D (Glock 17/19, Staccato HD, M&P M2.0, SIG P320 and others) and Size C (Glock 48, SIG P365, Walther PDP, S&W Shield Plus and others)

More fitments are in development.

Availability:
All three are available November 5, 2026 at www.tenicor.com and ship in one business day.
Agencies can contact gov@tenicor.com.

NAS3 .50 BMG Ammunition Clears Belt-Fed Test

Thursday, November 5th, 2026

Final major validation complete as SST moves its .50 BMG NAS3 case toward sample-lot production.

Eubank, KY (October 2026) – Shell Shock Technologies, LLC. (SST), a leading innovator in the ammunition industry, today announced that its .50 BMG (12.7x99mm) NAS3™ ammunition has successfully completed live-fire testing in a belt-fed machine gun. The cases and ammunition fed, fired, extracted, and cycled as designed, marking the final major validation SST sought before moving the .50 BMG NAS3 case into production. Following minor tooling refinements, the company expects to begin producing its first sample lots in November 2026.

The test was conducted by Detroit Ammo on Oct. 1, 2026, using an M2Hb belted machine gun, with 10 consecutive rounds fired. Belt-fed operation places different demands on a cartridge case than a test barrel or bolt-action rifle. In automatic fire, the case must withstand high-speed feeding from a linked belt, chambering, firing, and rapid extraction, cycle after cycle. The NAS3 case met each of those demands.

The belt-fed results build on SST’s earlier test-barrel and bolt-action evaluations, including independent live-fire testing conducted by Vairog US, LLC and announced in July 2026. That testing recorded zero primer or case failures across nine charge weights. The SST .50 BMG NAS3 case offers approximately 13.5 percent greater internal capacity than standard brass, enabling a higher powder charge for improved velocity and downrange energy. In testing at standard SAAMI pressures, the NAS3 case produced approximately 280 feet per second more velocity than comparable brass at approximately 54,000 PSI.

At approximately 33.7 grams, the .50 BMG NAS3case is roughly 40 percent lighter than a comparable brass case, saving approximately 46 pounds per 1,000 rounds. For crew-served, belt-fed weapons, where crews carry, stage, and feed ammunition in volume, that reduction delivers direct logistics and mobility value. The case’s nickel-stainless steel alloy construction also supports clean extraction, faster heat dissipation than brass, and corrosion resistance under sustained fire and adverse conditions.

“This was the test I was waiting for. We had already seen very strong results through test barrels and bolt-action rifles, but numbers from a test barrel only tell part of the story. The real question was simple: How does it run in a belt-fed machine gun? Now we know. It fed, fired, extracted, and cycled exactly the way we wanted it to. After all the engineering, tooling, and testing that went into reaching this point, watching that belt run was a significant milestone for our entire team,” said Peter Foss, Managing Partner and CEO of Shell Shock Technologies.

With belt-fed validation complete, SST is finalizing tooling adjustments ahead of its first sample lots and will continue gathering performance data as it moves into production. The .50 BMG NAS3 case is engineered for professional end-users who require every performance advantage the platform can deliver, and for precision shooters pushing the limits of extreme long-range capability.

Video of the belt-fed test is available on SST’s Instagram.