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AUSA 25 – Tropo Performance All-Weather Active Insulation Jacket by GORE-TEX Brand

Wednesday, October 15th, 2025

W.L. Gore & Associates (Gore), creators of the GORE-TEX Brand and global leader in high-performance waterproof, windproof, and breathable fabric technologies exhibited several new products including the Tropo Performance All-Weather Active Insulation Jacket.

Developed in-house, the proposed All-Weather Active Insulation Jacket is intended to replace both Gen III ECWCS levels three and four in the Soldier’s rucksack (seen below).

It’s a straight forward design sized to both under armor and as a stand-alone jacket and delivers active breathability during high-output use and static warmth when stationary, keeping the insulation dry from the inside and out. There’s plenty of ventilation for high activity with Targeted Ventilation Underarm panels and mesh pocket bags promoting airflow during aerobic activity. Speaking of pockets, there are five with three external and two internal pockets. Ready for use, it offers Velcro options for name/rank placement on sleeve or chest.

The shell material is WINDSTOPPER fabric which delivers:

• High resistance to air penetration to block the wind and maintain consistent warmth

• Fends off light rain and snow while maintaining insulation performance/protection

• High moisture vapor permeability allows Soldier’s perspiration to escape during periods of high activity

• Outer shell fabric sheds moisture even without DWR

Inside, Polartec Alpha Direct insulation delivers:

• High-efficiency warmth with superior compressibility to reduce bulk

• Extremely open structure to increase airflow and prevent overheating during high activity

• High moisture wicking capability to quickly pull moisture off the Soldier’s body

Between going from two garments to one and with these materials, the jacket educes weight by 51% and pack volume by 38.8%.

The materials also keep insulation and base layers dry in adverse weather while maintaining breathability and comfort (low water pick-up). A 14% improvement in moisture vapor transmission vs ECWCS L3/L4.

Aside from its volume advantage, All-Weather Active Insulation Jacket meets the visual and nIR requirements of the OCP camo pattern (option to include SWIR), unlike the ECWCS L3 Fleece.

Submitted for formal evaluation under the Soldier Enhancement Program, it has been deferred to the next board for consideration. Previously, examples have been wear tested by several Army units in relevant field conditions.

AUSA 25 – SIG SAUER Displays Lighter NGSW Product Improvement Effort Weapons

Tuesday, October 14th, 2025

At this year’s annual AUSA show, SIG SAUER displayed versions of the Product Improvement Effort or PIE guns developed in partnership with the US Army.

The goal of the effort is to address Soldier recommendations for the M7 and M250 along with program requirements. SIG refers to the resulting weapons as the M7 Enhanced Rifle and M250 Enhanced LMG.

The Army conducted several Soldier Touch Points with SIG and conducted a firing schedule to evaluate the PIE versions of the M7 and M250.

The main concern is weight of the M7 rifle and that is where most of the changes are focused. They ended up developing two versions of the PIE M7, a rifle and carbine. The point of the carbine was to accelerate the evolution of the M16 platform which eventually became the M4 carbine and see where they would end up.

The M7 with 13.5″ barrel currently weight 8.3 lbs dry, without ammo, suppressor, or XM157 FCS. The weights for the two PIE variants are:

M7 7.6 lbs

M7 Carbine 7.3 lbs

Although most of the weight difference between the M7 and the Carbine variant is due to a shorter 10″ barrel and handguard, there were several other changes overall.

– The side-folding buttstock has been eliminated, but length remains adjustable.

– The upper receiver and operating system have been refined to eliminate weight.

– Tapered barrel.

The handguard facilitated access to the barrel change bolts which have been slightly strengthened.

The Army is considering whether the Carbine length barrel meets their lethality requirements.

Additionally, there is a lot of talk on the internet regarding barrel life. The program requirement was for 5,000 rounds which is the same specification as the M4. However, SIG has noted barrel life for the M7 in excess of 10,000 rounds.

As for the M250, the changes have been to accommodate Soldier requirements rather than weight as the Automatic Rifle is already lighter than the M249 SAW it replaces.

The changes are:

– Streamlined and improved gas system

– Improved bipod

– Hinged retainable Handguard to accommodate barrel change

– Quick Change Barrel (although they weren’t shown I’ve seen different barrel lengths)

– Extended pic rail on feed tray (optimized for XM157 Fire Control System)

– Cross pins for pintle T&E and mag bloc

– Improved lock and interface for buttstock durability

– Improved magazine which holds the top round in place when it has not yet been fed into the weapon.

– Opened up trigger guard for gloves

The NGSW weapons are chambered in 6.8x51mm and use a common suppressor. SIG also developed a PIE version which is slightly shorter and has a removable heat shield.

The Army is currently evaluating the PIE variants of NGSW to determine if any of the changes will be incorporated into the program. Regardless, the XM157 Fire Control System remains a part of the program and it doesn’t seem to be shedding any weight.

AUSA 25 – 250th Anniversary Pistol by SIG SAUER

Monday, October 13th, 2025

SIG SAUER has created a US Army 250th anniversary commemorative MHS pistol. This first article will be presented to the Army during this week’s AUSA meeting.

It features a black nickel finish and heritage walnut grips. This model will be available for sale to the public soon.

Gentex and Anduril Advance Partnership to Deliver AI-Driven EagleEye System

Monday, October 13th, 2025

CARBONDALE, PA, October 13, 2025 – Gentex Corporation, a global leader in integrated helmet systems and communications solutions, is proud to announce the advancement of its partnership with Anduril Industries in the development of EagleEye, a next-generation, AI-enabled integrated family of warfighter systems designed to deliver mission command, enhanced situational awareness, and increased survivability directly into the warfighter’s headborne system.

EagleEye builds on the foundation laid by the U.S. Army’s Soldier Borne Mission Command (SBMC) program, through which Gentex provides advanced helmet and communications integration to support the Army’s mixed-reality command architecture. Representing the next evolution in headborne systems, EagleEye embeds command, control, and AI-driven situational awareness directly within the helmet platform, transforming the protective system into a fully networked node of mission command.

“The SBMC program established the framework for digital mission command by connecting the soldier to the tactical network,” said L.P. Frieder III, President & CEO, Gentex Corporation. “EagleEye expands on that vision by integrating command, control, and AI-driven situational awareness directly into the protective system. The platform is a natural extension of our mission to keep soldiers protected, connected, and fully mission-ready in today’s complex battlespace.”

With decades of experience designing and manufacturing trusted headborne systems for the U.S. Department of Defense and allied forces worldwide, Gentex delivers integrated helmet and communications solutions fielded across multiple U.S. Army and Air Force programs. These systems are engineered to integrate seamlessly with current and emerging platforms, including next-generation Army helmet families.

As part of the EagleEye program, Gentex will contribute the advanced head protection and communications architecture that forms the foundation for the system’s modular mixed-reality platform. The partnership merges Gentex’s expertise in integrated protection, communications, and optical technologies with Anduril’s advanced mission command software, heads-up display (HUD) technologies, and distributed sensing capabilities. Together, these capabilities transform the helmet into an intelligent node of the mission network, reducing weight and cognitive load while enhancing survivability and decision-making for the modern warfighter.

Gentex’s contributions to both SBMC and EagleEye underscore its central role in advancing fully integrated soldier systems. While SBMC established the digital and software backbone of mission command, EagleEye extends that ecosystem by embedding command and control (C2) capability and digital vision technologies directly into the warfighter’s protective gear, effectively bringing the network to the edge and empowering the individual operator.

Gentex will highlight its involvement in the EagleEye program and its broader soldier modernization initiatives during the 2025 Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. Visit Gentex Corporation at Booth 8219.

Tactical Distributors 15-Year Anniversary Bash

Saturday, October 11th, 2025

Tactical Distributors’s celebrating their 15th anniversary with a party!

They’re bringing the community together, raising money for SOC-F (Special Operations Care Fund), and giving away over $15,000 worth of prizes from the best brands in the industry.

Your $10 donation entry isn’t just a ticket- it’s your all-access pass to food, drinks (while supplies last), one raffle entry, and admission to see The Deloreans 80’s Band live at New Realm Brewing that night.

Additional food and drinks will be available for purchase. This is a family-friendly event, so bring the crew out for good food, live music, and a chance to win big while supporting a great cause.

There’s also a raffle with prizes worth over $15,000!

Get your tickets here.

See the Ghost Robotics Vision 60 at AUSA

Friday, October 10th, 2025

Ghost Robotics will be at AUSA 2025 with the Vision 60, joined by Robotican’s Rooster hybrid drone.

Find us at Booth 4125 and see how ground and air systems work together for real-world missions.

Don’t miss out on the live demonstrations! See you there.

Galvion introduces Batlskin Caiman Ultra-Light Helmet at AUSA 2025

Friday, October 10th, 2025

Galvion, a global leader in the design and manufacture of innovative head systems, power and data management solutions, and integrated soldier systems, unveils the latest addition to its flagship Caiman® suite of head systems, the new Caiman® UL (Ultra-Light). The Caiman® UL builds on the phenomenal success of the Caiman helmet series, which has been adopted by some of the world’s most demanding military and tactical teams. The new helmet, along with Galvion’s wider range of head systems and power and data solutions will be on display at booth #643 at AUSA 2025 in Washington, D.C.

The Caiman UL system was specifically designed for elite special operations operators who demand an ultra-lightweight next-generation solution that minimizes weight and bulk, while offering maximum protection and performance. Offering all of the performance of the Caiman® TL (Tactical Light) in a lighter weight, the UL comes in five (5) sizes, ensuring that operators are wearing the lightest, most comfortable, and most stable helmet possible.

The new Caiman also features additional updates, including Galvion’s 3-hole shroud, which uses ballistic mounting hardware and offers excellent stability for thermal and night vision devices. The low-profile shroud uses rubber bumpers for rattle prevention and has multiple integrated anchor points for secure bungee storage and paracord pass-through. It also features an interchangeable metal shroud plate to accommodate a variety of NVG and future headborne accessories. The Caiman UL uses Galvion’s best-in-class APEX liner system with a redesigned harness. With over 7 years of end-user feedback incorporated into iterative design updates, the latest harness features its toughest camlocks yet for improved strap tension, and stronger anchor system to withstand operational stress. A recontoured and wider chin cup results in a more natural, secure and stable fit, and a surface-mounted buckle allows easier donning and doffing while wearing. As a result, the Caiman UL benefits from the most robust APEX system ever, optimized for fit, comfort and stability, particularly under Night Vision and VAS.

Currently in trials with Special Operations customers, the Caiman UL is available for contract, with expected commercial availability in 2026.

Todd Stirtzinger, CEO at Galvion said: “Our Caiman head systems are recognized around the world as the most comfortable performance helmet out there. We developed the system over a number of years in conjunction with Special Operations teams, but in recent years, we have seen our flagship Caiman TL adopted by conventional forces in far greater quantities, across multiple NATO countries.” He added: “The Caiman UL pushes the boundaries for elite teams where literally every ounce counts. It gives them the performance they need and the comfort that, candidly, they didn’t know that they could expect, in the lightest weight available. Our Caiman® UL really is the best, for the best.”

FirstSpear Friday Focus: Rash Guard

Friday, October 10th, 2025

FirstSpear’s RASH GUARDS are engineered for high-performance use in maritime, watersport, or tactical environments. Constructed from a proprietary USA-made blend of 83 % polyester and 17 % spandex, it offers an ultralight compression fit that clings close to the body without excess bulk.

The fabric is quick-drying, allowing moisture to dissipate rapidly and preventing the garment from remaining saturated during activity. Smooth flat seams minimize rubbing or abrasion, even when the Rash Guard is worn under gear, harnesses, or in high-friction settings.

In addition to mechanical protection, the material provides natural UV defense, helping shield skin from sun exposure during extended operations or sessions on the water. Low-profile integrated thumbholes help anchor the sleeves in place, especially when donning additional equipment or layering over gear. FirstSpear advises ordering your normal t-shirt size for a snug, compression-style fit, while stepping up one or two sizes yields a slightly more relaxed feel without sacrificing performance.

The Rash Guard is available in both short- and long-sleeve versions, offering versatility for different climates or mission profiles. It is entirely manufactured in the USA, aligning with FirstSpear’s commitment to domestic production and quality control. Its blend of stretch, durability, and rapid drying behavior makes it well-suited for repeated use in harsh environments. Whether worn as a standalone base layer, under armor, or for training, it balances protection, comfort, and function. With mission-oriented design and materials, it stands as a dependable piece for those operating in aquatic, coastal, or gear-intensive settings.

To request an estimate click image above or visit First-Spear.com/Request-For-Estimate. FirstSpear is the premier source for cutting edge-tactical gear for military, law enforcement and those who train. For more information visit First-Spear.