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Archive for the ‘Advertiser’ Category

DoW Drone OTA Consortium Seeks Candidate Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGV) for GroundBreaker 1 Demonstration

Wednesday, August 26th, 2026

In an effort to field Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGV) to the joint force, the Department of War Other Transactional Authority Consortium has asked industry for white papers for complete UGV systems to enable employment by Warfighters in both tactical and non-tactical environments.

Based on what they learn , they will invite select technologies to participate in a Joint Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) demonstration exercise titled “GroundBreaker 1” at Camp Grafton, North Dakota, in mid-October 2026.

There, the systems will support physical operational assessments, iterative technology enhancements, and direct integration with current DoW systems.

A Ghost Robotics Vision 60 Q-UGV ground robot does a simulated route mission at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, April 17, 2023. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Isaiah Pedrazzini)

The Government is specifically seeking UGVs which can perform one or more of the following core mission profiles:

Reconnaissance and Surveillance (RSTA)

Transport of Supplies and Equipment (Tactical Logistics)

Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) & Route Clearance

Search and Rescue (SAR) Operations

Force Protection & Perimeter Security

Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC)

Other Support / Multi-Domain Operations: Other capabilities are welcome with the provision that a concept of employment is included in the submission packet that describes the operational gap the demonstrated capability will fill for the DoW.

Furthermore, systems must have these capabilities, at a minimum:

Navigation & Autonomy: The ability for manual or autonomous obstacle avoidance.

Range, Endurance & Mobility: All-terrain mobility.

Interoperability: Open-system, hardware-agnostic software architectures (e.g., Robot Operating System-Military (ROS-M) compatible) that seamlessly integrate with DoW networks and Command and Control (C2) systems.

The use of the OTA framework bypasses traditional, lengthy acquisition cycles, ensuring that these advanced technologies reach the warfighter at the speed of relevance.

However, because they are using the OTA consortium, this effort is limited solely to consortium members only. While most everyone who is in that business has already jumped through the hoops required to be legible, you can still apply by submitting an application to DMConsortium@army.mil.

Vendors have until Sep 04, 2026 5:00 PM CDT to submit their white papers. See full details at sam.gov.

MATBOCK Announces Immediate Availability of JLTV Hybrid-Electric Conversion Kits Following Major Contract Milestone

Monday, August 24th, 2026

Virginia Beach, VA — MATBOCK, an industry leader in bringing paradigm-shifting technologies to the defense market, is proud to announce the immediate availability of its Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) Series Hybrid-Electric Powertrain Conversion Kits. This milestone follows the successful development advances made during the $17.3 million Phase 4 contract modification in partnership with the U.S. Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO).

MATBOCK was founded on the principles to bring innovative products to the market, and while most of our products are in the soft-goods space, we have always been on the cutting edge of tech development. That drive has led us to develop some of the most innovative soft-goods, digital direct and indirect weapons sights, a medical device, and most recently, a Series Hybrid-Electric powertrain system. Zach Steinbock initiated this concept nearly 6 years ago, and after multiple iterations, the MATBOCK JLTV HEV conversion kit is officially here.

The journey to full production required adaptability and vision. With less than a year remaining before completing the contract, MATBOCK made a hard strategic pivot to ensure the program remained on schedule and achieved total success by investing in a ground up build of the range extender with a commercial partner. This strategic decision was paramount to mission success, delivering the uncompromising reliability and durability that military customers demand.

“Without a doubt, overcoming the challenges of this project required true resilience from our entire engineering team,” said Zach Steinbock, Co-Founder and President of MATBOCK. “By making a calculated pivot to leverage a commercially proven powerplant for our range extender and countless hours of integration by our engineering teams, we not only kept the program on track but delivered a product that redefines what tactical vehicles can achieve. Providing immense power on the edge directly translates to increased mission capabilities, and we are thrilled to offer this modernization to fleets today.”

Modernizing the Fleet: Plug-and-Play Power on the Edge

The MATBOCK JLTV Conversion Kits are available now as bolt-on upgrades designed to help any customer with JLTVs in their inventory to rapidly modernize their fleet. Designed to Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) principles (DoDI 5000.87), the integration is completely reversible, requiring no permanent OEM vehicle modifications. This preserves existing vehicle warranties and fleet commonality while utilizing single-soldier connectors that require no specialized training. Using standard military tool sets, the kit can be installed at the depot or field level in under 24 hours.

Once integrated, it transforms the base platform into a Series Hybrid-Electric Vehicle capable of extraordinary performance:

  • Massive Performance Gains: The kit delivers a 130% improvement in range and a 200% improvement in acceleration, all with zero weight impact to the vehicle’s curb weight.
  • Tactical Stealth: A 125-mile Silent Mobility Range reduces acoustic and thermal signatures by over 80%, enabling extended silent watch and long-range reconnaissance operations without the use of combustion engines.
  • Exportable Power: True to MATBOCK’s promise of “Power and Propulsion on the Edge,” the system acts as a portable microgrid. It provides up to 250 kW of HVDC export power, 42 kW of AC export power, and 17.5 kW of LVDC power, easily supporting directed energy weapons, advanced communications, and off-platform microgrid operations.

The MATBOCK JLTV HEV Conversion Kit is ready to deploy today, ensuring warfighters have the mobility, stealth, and power generation they need to maintain an unfair advantage on the battlefield.

For more information, technical specifications, or to request a quote, please visit matbock.com or contact us at sales@matbock.com.

When The Mission Leaves The Ground

Monday, August 24th, 2026

The BFG® Integrated Stealth Harness (ISH™) Combines Three Critical Systems Into One Certified Platform

A gun belt carries the equipment needed to do the job.

A restraint system keeps a professional connected during aircraft operations.

A climbing harness provides certified protection when the mission moves into vertical terrain.

Traditionally, those have been three separate pieces of equipment.

The Blue Force Gear® Integrated Stealth Harness, or ISH™, brings them together.

The patented ISH combines a combat gun belt, rotary-wing restraint system, and independently certified Type C sit harness in one lightweight platform. It allows trained professionals to carry their equipment on the ground, remain connected during approved restraint applications, and deploy a complete sit harness when the mission goes vertical.

No belt change.

No separate harness buried in a pack.

No need to rebuild the equipment layout when the operating environment changes.

One System. Three Critical Roles.

• Combat gun belt

• Rotary-wing restraint system

• UIAA 105 Type C certified sit harness

The complete system weighs just 1 lb. 9 oz. It is Berry Compliant. Made in the USA, independently certified to UIAA 105 Type C, and compliant with EU EN 12277+A1:2018.

This is more than a tactical belt with additional hardware. It is a completely certified harness system built for professionals whose work requires movement from the ground to an aircraft, an edge, a rope, or an elevated objective without advancewarning.

THE VERTICAL PROBLEM USUALLY STARTS ON THE GROUND

Most vertical missions do not begin with someone already on rope.

It begins with ground movement, vehicle operation, building entry, aircraft approach, search assignment, or traversingthrough difficult terrain.

A military team may be carrying weapons, magazines, medical equipment, communications, and other mission essentials. Specialized law-enforcement units may be moving through a structure or approaching an elevated position. Search and rescue professionals travel across miles of ordinary terrain before reaching a cliff, damaged structure, steep slope, aircraft, or confined space.

The need for vertical capability may not appear until the mission is already underway.

That creates a basic equipment problem.

If the harness is stored in a pack, vehicle, aircraft, or equipment cache, it must first be retrieved. The user may need to remove or reposition other equipment, put on another system, verify the fit, and reconnect mission gear before moving forward.

The ISH changes that sequence by building certified harness capability into the equipment already being worn.

The removable leg loops can remain connected and staged around the waist. When the complete sit-harness configuration is required, trained personnel deploy the leg loops without removing the gun belt or retrieving a separate harness.

The capability stays with the user instead of being separated from them.

BUILT AS A TRUE COMBAT GUN BELT

The ISH did not begin as a recreational climbing harness with tactical features added later.

It was built around the curved architecture of the BFG® CHLK® Belt and incorporates the MOLLEminus® load-carriage platform for mounting holsters, pouches, medical equipment, communications gear, and other mission essentials.

That starting point matters.

A professional gun belt must remain stable while carrying equipment. It must follow the body, support an operational load, and maintain access to critical gear as the user moves between standing, kneeling, seated, and prone positions.

The ISH retains core load-carriage capability.

On the ground, it functions as the user’s combat gun belt. Equipment remains mounted in the familiar position where the user trains and operates. When the environment changes, that same platform becomes the foundation for aircraft restraint or the complete certified sit-harness configuration.

One belt.

One fit.

One equipment layout.

Three operational roles.

ROLE ONE: COMBAT GUN BELT

For many users, the first role of the ISH will also be used most often.

The MOLLEminus® field provides a low-profile platform for carrying compatible holsters, magazines, medical equipment, communications, and other mission gear. Its curved belt architecture follows the body rather than forcing a flat structure around the waist.

The user can configure the ISH around the mission and retain that equipment layout when transitioning into another approved role.

There is no separate ground belt to remove before putting on the harness.

The gun belt is part of the harness.

ROLE TWO: ROTARY-WING RESTRAINT

Aircraft operations create different requirements.

Personnel operating around open aircraft, ramps, doors, or other exposed positions may require an approved means of restraint based on the mission, aircraft, organizational procedures, and applicable training.

The ISH incorporates certified front and rear attachment points for approved applications, allowing the system to function as a rotary-wing restraint platform without replacing the user’s combat gun belt.

The professional can move from ground operations into the aircraft while retaining the same belt, fit, and equipment configuration.

That is the second role of the 3-in-1 system.

ROLE THREE: UIAA 105 TYPE C CERTIFIED SIT HARNESS

When the mission requires vertical access, the attached leg loops deploy to complete the sit-harness configuration.

The ISH is independently certified as a UIAA 105 Type C harness and compliant with EU EN 12277+A1:2018. The complete system is classified as Category III personal protective equipment under applicable European regulation for protection against risks with very serious consequences, including falls from height.

This is not simply a belt described as climbing capable.

It is a certified harness system.

The certification applies to the complete ISH system, including the belt and leg-loop assembly. The ISH is sold and must be used as a complete system. The outer belt and individual components should never be treated as standalone life-safety equipment.

That distinction is central to what the ISH is.

It is not a conventional battle belt with an attachment point added to it. It is not a restraint belt being presented as a climbing harness. It is a complete, independently certified harness that also performs the roles of a professional gun belt and rotary-wing restraint system.

INDEPENDENTLY CERTIFIED. BUILT FOR PROFESSIONAL USE.

In life-safety equipment, materials, and appearance are not enough.

Certification matters.

The ISH has documented system and component specifications that include:

• UIAA 105 Type C harness certification

• EU EN 12277+A1:2018 compliance

• Sewn belay loop rated to 15 kN

• COBRA® buckles rated to 18 kN

• Custom-blended Dyneema webbing with a 5,000 lb. breaking strength

• Certified front and rear attachment points

• Berry Compliant construction

• Made in the USA

The complete 1 lb. 9 oz. system consists of a 3 oz. inner belt, 10 oz. outer belt, and 12 oz. leg-loop assembly.

Those numbers give military, law-enforcement, rescue, aviation, and government procurement teams measurable information for evaluating the system.

They also reinforce the difference between equipment that looks like a harness and a complete system that has been independently certified as one.

BERRY COMPLIANT AND MADE IN THE USA

For military and government customers, domestic sourcing is not simply a marketing statement.

The ISH is Berry Compliant and Made in the USA, placing its domestic manufacturing story alongside its independently verified harness certification.

That combination matters.

The market contains tactical belts. It contains climbing harnesses. It contains restraint products.

Far fewer systems combine all three roles while also offering UIAA 105 Type C certification, Berry-compliant construction, and an equipment-carrying platform designed around professional use.

The ISH was built for organizations that need capability, certification, domestic sourcing, and mission-equipment integration in one complete system.

DESIGNED FROM OPERATIONAL EXPERIENCE

The thinking behind the ISH did not begin in the marketing department.

Retired U.S. Air Force Pararescueman Ishmael Antonio drew on a 20-year career to reconsider how a professional harness should work and why vertical capability must remain with the user when conditions change.

His experience helped shape a system that could carry equipment on the ground, support applicable aircraft-restraint requirements, and convert into a certified harness without forcing the user to stop and rebuild their setup.

The point is not that every mission will require every capability.

The point is that the professional may not know which capability will be required next.

The equipment should account for that uncertainty.

Watch Ishmael Antonio and Chris Sizelove explain the operational thinking behind the ISH and why a harness that remains with the user can matter when conditions change.

WATCH THE ISH™ STORY

LEG LOOPS THAT DO MORE

The modular leg loops allow the ISH to transition from combat gun-belt configuration into its complete Type C sit-harness configuration.

They can remain attached and staged around the waist rather than being stored separately in a pocket or pack. When vertical capability is required, the user deploys the leg loops to complete the harness.

When configured according to approved instructions, the leg-loop assembly also supports additional applications, including:

• Autoblock friction-hitch configuration for rappelling

• Emergency tourniquet application using the integrated windlass points

• Pelvic stabilization

• Two-person litter carry

These capabilities do not replace dedicated medical equipment, approved rescue systems, professional judgment, or training.

They reflect the larger philosophy behind the ISH: equipment carried into demanding environments should provide greater utility without forcing the user to carry multiple disconnected systems.

BUILT FOR PROFESSIONALS ACROSS MULTIPLE MISSIONS

The ISH was developed around demanding military requirements, but the problem it addresses is not limited to one community.

Defense and Public Safety

Military personnel, special operations units, SWAT teams, emergency service units, federal response teams, and aviation personnel may move between ground operations, aircraft, elevated positions, rappelling, technical access, and rescue requirements during the same mission.

The 3-in-1 design keeps equipment carriage, applicable restraint capability, and a certified harness together on the professional.

Search, Rescue, and Disaster Response

Search and rescue teams, technical rescue personnel, and appropriately equipped disaster-response organizations operate in environments where ordinary access can quickly become vertical access.

Steep terrain, damaged structures, cliffs, towers, confined spaces, unstable surfaces, and industrial environments can all create situations where the harness must be available immediately rather than stored somewhere else.

The ISH allows trained personnel to keep a certified sit harness integrated with the equipment already being worn.

Remote and Technical Operations

Wildland and remote-area responders, maritime units, technical-access personnel, aircraft crews, and infrastructure teams may move between equipment carriage, restraint, rescue, and vertical work during different phases of an operation.

The ISH is not a replacement for agency-specific PPE, dedicated rescue systems, approved procedures, or application-specific training. It gives responsible organizations a certified platform to evaluate roles when those capabilities need to remain with the user.

THE HARNESS YOU NEED IS THE HARNESS YOU HAVE WITH YOU

A separate harness only helps if the user has it, can reach it, and has time to integrate it with the equipment already being carried.

The ISH closes that gap by keeping the complete system on the professional. It functions as a combat gun belt, supports approved restraint applications, and remains ready to deploy into its certified sit-harness configuration.

The user does not have to predict exactly when the mission will leave the ground.

The capability is already there.

PROFESSIONAL EQUIPMENT REQUIRES PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

The ISH is professional life-safety equipment.

It must be used only by properly trained or otherwise competent persons, or under the direct supervision of trained or competent personnel.

Users must read and understand the complete instruction manual, inspect the system before use, test all associated equipment for form, fit, and function, and verify that the harness is correctly rigged before any activity at height.

Certification does not replace training.

A 3-in-1 system does not remove the need to understand each role.

The value of integration is that a trained professional can carry those capabilities together in one purpose-built platform.

ONE SYSTEM. THREE CRITICAL ROLES.

The Integrated Stealth Harness represents a different approach to professional equipment.

Instead of forcing the user to carry one belt for equipment, another system for restraint, and a separate harness for vertical access, the ISH consolidates all three roles into one lightweight, Berry Compliant, independently certified platform.

Combat gun belt.

Rotary-wing restraint system.

UIAA 105 Type C certified sit harness.

One belt.

One equipment layout.

One complete system that remains with the user when the environment changes.

Because the mission does not stop when the ground does.

Neither should your equipment.

Learn more about the BFG® Integrated Stealth Harness and watch the complete system in action.

EXPLORE THE ISH™

US Military Affirms SIG SAUER M17 and M18 as “Safe and Reliable”

Friday, August 21st, 2026

Results of unprecedented analysis, including inspection of nearly 114,000 pistols, “reinforce confidence and assurance” in the SIG SAUER firearm

NEWINGTON, N.H., (August 20, 2026) – Following an extensive inspection and analysis of the SIG SAUER M17 and M18, both the Department of War (DoW) and Department of the Air Force (DAF) confirmed the firearms are “safe and reliable.”

On August 7, 2026, DoW confirmed the SIG SAUER Modular Handgun System pistols, including the SIG SAUER M17 and M18, are safe and reliable, saying it underwent extensive testing where more than 1.5 million rounds were fired and “all investigated incidents of alleged ‘uncommanded discharges’ have been traced back to the trigger being pulled, and not due to an issue with the firearm.” The full DoW statement is available on the U.S. Army’s Capability Program Executive website.

Following the inspection of 113,479 M18 firearms, DAF said the results “reinforce confidence and assurance that the M18 remains safe and reliable for DAF missions.” DAF’s inspection found “100% of the inspected weapons exhibited no signs of any condition that could have allowed the weapons to experience an ‘uncommanded discharge.’” The full DAF letter dated January 23, 2026, is available at Soldier Systems.

“The U.S. military analysis further validates the technology, engineering, and performance behind the P320,” said Phil Strader, VP of Consumer Affairs, SIG SAUER. “This was an unprecedented level of inspection, extensive for both the volume of firearms analyzed and for the level of evaluation on each product. Nearly 114,000 firearms were disassembled to methodically examine individual components and reassembled for final functional testing, and the product stood up to the test.”

Following an incident in July 2025, the Air Force Global Strike Command ordered an evaluation of the M18, which is a carry version of the P320 pistol, while the M17 is a full size. The initial evaluation showed that no weapon discharges were attributable to a malfunction. Global Strike Command reinstated the M18 in August 2025, while DAF completed its inspection, which is summarized in its January 2026 letter.

For more information, visit www.P320Truth.com, a website dedicated to accurate information on the P320.

FirstSpear Friday Focus: General Purpose Pockets

Friday, August 21st, 2026

Every loadout has gear that doesn’t fit neatly into a magazine pocket or a radio pouch. The FirstSpear GENERAL PURPOSE POCKET family is built to handle exactly that, providing durable, modular storage solutions that mount cleanly to any 6/9™ or 6/12™ compatible platform and adapt to whatever the mission requires. Whether you are organizing medical supplies, tools, admin essentials, or mission-specific gear, the GP Pocket family gives you a purpose-built solution in three distinct configurations, each designed around a different capacity and use case.

Features

  • 6/9™ AND 6/12™ ATTACHMENT — MOLLE COMPATIBLE
  • THREE SIZE-SPECIFIC CONFIGURATIONS
  • DUAL ZIPPER AND G HOOK CLOSURE SYSTEMS
  • CORDURA MATERIAL CONSTRUCTION — LIGHTWEIGHT AND DURABLE

The Structured GP Pocket, Small is a compact, streamlined solution built for smaller items, featuring a dual zipper closure and a low-profile footprint that minimizes bulk on a tight loadout. The General Purpose Pocket, Medium is constructed from 500D Cordura material and features an elastic daisy chain on both interior sides, with an additional belt attachment option. The General Purpose Pocket, Large is a flat pocket measuring 7″ x 7″ x 2″ with a zippered mesh internal compartment, dual zipper and G Hook closure, and a button hole at the top for routing a hydration tube or communication wire. The General Purpose Pocket, Large is available in Black, Coyote, MultiCam, Foliage Green, and Ranger Green. The General Purpose Pocket, Medium is available in Black, Coyote, MultiCam, and Ranger Green. The General Purpose Pocket, Small is available in Black, Coyote, MultiCam, and Ranger Green.

Built for military personnel, law enforcement officers, and prepared professionals who demand reliable equipment, the FirstSpear General Purpose Pocket family delivers modular, mission-ready storage across three configurations to fit any loadout. 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.

Mehler Protection and UF PRO to Showcase Protection and Tactical Clothing Solutions at The Emergency Services Show 2026

Thursday, August 20th, 2026

FULDA, GERMANY, KOMENDA, SLOVENIA (19 August 2026)

Mehler Protection and UF PRO, brands of the Mehler Systems Group, will exhibit at The Emergency Services Show 2026, taking place on 16–17 September at the NEC Birmingham, United Kingdom. Visitors can meet the teams in Hall 5 at Stand G42.

The Emergency Services Show brings together professionals from across police, fire and rescue, ambulance, search and rescue, and other frontline services to explore the equipment, technologies and solutions shaping emergency response, resilience and public safety.

Mehler Protection and UF PRO will present ballistic protection and tactical clothing for a range of applications, from everyday police duties to specialist tactical operations and challenging environmental conditions.

Mehler Protection will present a selection of modular and configurable personal protection solutions, including the HYVE modular vest system and the M.U.S.T. modular protection system. The display will also feature the overt vests, hard and soft ballistic protection, and ballistic helmets, providing an overview of the company’s capabilities across different law enforcement applications.

UF PRO will showcase tactical clothing designed to support mobility, durability and comfort during extended operational use. The selection will include products from the P-40 range for everyday police and response duties, as well as combat clothing from the Striker family for more demanding tactical operations.

Flame-retardant clothing will form an important part of the presentation. The Striker X FR Combat Shirt and Combat Pants are designed for operations where protection against heat and flame must be combined with mobility, comfort and compatibility with tactical equipment.

Visitors will also be able to explore UF PRO outerwear for changing weather and temperature conditions, including softshell, winter and wet-weather solutions from the Hunter, Delta, AcE and Monsoon ranges. Selected garments will be available for try-on, allowing visitors to experience their fit, mobility and functionality first-hand.

By exhibiting together at The Emergency Services Show, Mehler Protection and UF PRO will provide police and emergency-service professionals with an opportunity to explore both individual products and complete equipment configurations developed around different operational needs.

Visit Mehler Protection and UF PRO in Hall 5, Stand G42, at The Emergency Services Show, taking place on 16–17 September 2026 at the NEC Birmingham, United Kingdom.

Reptilia Releases Saddle Mount for Beretta A300 20 Gauge Shotguns

Thursday, August 20th, 2026

The new low-profile optic mount brings Aimpoint® ACRO and Steiner Optics® MPS™ compatibility to the Beretta A300 20 Gauge platform.

Reptilia is expanding its line of purpose-built shotgun optic mounts with the release of the SADDLE™ Mount for the Beretta® A300™ 20 Gauge, designed specifically for optics utilizing the Aimpoint® ACRO footprint.

The new SADDLE provides a lightweight, durable, and low-profile mounting solution for A300 20 Gauge owners looking to add a modern enclosed-emitter red dot optic while maintaining the natural handling characteristics of the shotgun.

Machined from billet 7075-T6 aluminum and finished with MIL-STD Type III hardcoat anodizing, the SADDLE mounts directly to the Beretta A300 20 Gauge using the factory mounting screws. Its low-profile design positions the optic close to the bore, providing a streamlined mounting solution while maintaining a natural sight picture and allowing the shooter to co-witness with the factory iron sights.

The SADDLE is compatible with optics utilizing the Aimpoint ACRO footprint, including the Aimpoint® ACRO P-1, ACRO P-2, and ACRO C-2, as well as the Steiner Optics® MPS™.

At just 23 grams, the SADDLE adds minimal weight while providing a robust mounting interface designed for hard use.

Features:

  • Designed specifically for the Beretta® A300™ 20 Gauge
  • Compatible with the Aimpoint® ACRO footprint
  • Compatible with Aimpoint ACRO P-1, P-2, and C-2 optics
  • Compatible with the Steiner Optics® MPS™
  • Machined from billet 7075-T6 aluminum
  • MIL-STD Type III hardcoat anodized
  • Low-profile mounting solution
  • Weighs 23 grams
  • Uses factory Beretta mounting screws
  • Made in the USA

The Reptilia SADDLE for the Beretta A300 20 Gauge gives shooters a dedicated solution for mounting durable, enclosed-emitter optics without unnecessary height or bulk. Purpose-built for the platform and designed around the proven ACRO footprint, it delivers a simple, secure, and streamlined optic mounting solution for the modern shotgun. BUY NOW!

Your Collection Deserves a Book – Safar Publishing Is Looking for Authors

Tuesday, August 18th, 2026

Every collector knows the feeling. You go looking for a reference on something specific — the production variants of one camouflage pattern, the kit carried by one unit in one campaign, the evolution of a service rifle across four decades — and the book simply doesn’t exist. What exists instead is a forum thread from 2011, a few blurry auction photos, and somebody’s half-remembered account of what his uncle wore.

That gap is why Safar Publishing exists, and it’s why we’re writing this.

Who we are

We are a specialist publishing house built around highly illustrated books on collections of military items. Our major titles cover uniforms, equipment, ordnance and the conflicts they belong to: Uniforms and History of the Soviet Airborne in Afghanistan, Soviet Weapons of the Afghan War, Guardians of Neutrality: Swiss Rifles Through the Ages, and forthcoming work on the Bosnian War of 1992–1995.

What runs through all of it is the same principle: original items, photographed properly, documented by people who actually handle them. Not scanned catalogue plates. Not stock imagery.

And while military subjects are our core, we are not limited to them. If your subject is material culture, a personal archive, or a serious collection of almost any kind, which is visually rich and well researched — we want to hear about it.

What we’re looking for

A subject you know and access to the physical objects – enough material to carry a book that is meant to be looked at as much as read.

You do not need a finished manuscript. A clear proposal, a subject outline and a sense of what you can photograph is enough to start a conversation. You do not need previous publishing credits either — several of our authors came to us as collectors first and writers second.

What is not a fit: text-only military history with no visual dimension. There are excellent publishers for that, and we can advise on that.

What we bring

We produce books end to end rather than simply printing them. That means an in-house photographer who can shoot your collection to reference standard, professional layout and typesetting, editorial support, collector-grade print production, and global distribution and marketing. We also have real crowdfunding experience, both our own campaigns and others’ — which for niche subjects is often the difference between a book that happens and a book that stays a folder of photos on a harddrive.

Pitch us

If you’ve been sitting on a collection and a subject nobody has covered properly, send us an outline: www.safar-publishing.com/write-with-us or simply email safar.publishing@gmail.com.

The reference book you can’t find might be the one you’re supposed to write.