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Catch Up with MATBOCK SHOT Show 2026

Wednesday, January 14th, 2026

Reach out to sales@matbock.com to book your meeting with the MATBOCK team. They will be releasing a new carrier and the next generation Tarsier Eclipse.

ARC Ghost:

This is a collaboration between Shaw Concepts and MATBOCK to bring innovative designs by Shaw Concepts utilizing MATBOCK Ghost. The ARC Ghost will also be on display at Show Concepts booth 60508 level one of the ballrooms.

Tarsier Eclipse Pro:

After nearly 14 years, the Tarsier Eclipse is getting a huge upgrade and the Tarsier Eclipse Pro was born. Early production prototypes are going out to units now with production of the Tarsier Eclipse Pro rolling out at the end of Q1 / early Q2 2026.

*Final designs may vary slightly as these are in the final stages of pre-production prototypes.*

Schedule your meeting today and stop by Shaw Concepts booth #60508 to see the latest from both companies

See you all at Shot Show 2026! Email: sales@matbock.com

www.matbock.com

Posted in Advertiser, Armor, Guest Post, Optics, Press Release | No Comments »

Ferro Concepts and Spiritus Systems Propose Open Standard for Plate Carrier Modularity

Wednesday, January 14th, 2026

Aberdeen, NC – Jan. 14, 2025 – Ferro Concepts and Spiritus Systems®, two of the leading manufacturers of nylon and tactical equipment designed for military and law enforcement professionals, have announced the proposal of an established universal standardized zipper and layout specification for both back panel and front flap attachment points for plater carriers. This standardization, the Universal Carrier Attachment Standard (UCAS), will enable universal compatibility between vendors and support efficient modernization efforts for the warfighter.

Currently, a universal standard for front flap and back panel attachment systems on plate carriers does not exist. This gap in product synchronicities leads to significant compatibility issues between brands, creating challenges for both end-users and procurement logistics.

Due to these frequent inconsistencies, end-users are beholden to specific brand ecosystems or more often, resort to a less cost-effective workaround to build the necessary carrier system their unique job requires. The end-result restricts operational flexibility, increases sustainment stresses, and impedes the adoption of innovative gear from the broader marketplace – a marketplace, that while competitive, is focused on providing solutions to ensure the warfighter has the best products available to them.

The primary focus of inconsistencies in the proposal include:

· Zipper Spacing & Length Variations: Inconsistent zipper spacing, which is the measurement between the two zippers when mounted to the rear plate bag, and lengths, which is the measured length of the zipper itself.

· Incompatible Zipper Teeth: Different zipper tooth sizes (e.g., T8 vs T10) used by various brands prevent zippers from mating together and make cross-brand integration impossible, even with similar zipper placement.

· Front Flap/Placard Attachment Methodologies: Much like the back panel, inconsistent attachment methods are used across the marketplace. Varying mounting heights, widths and techniques exist that achieve essentially the same end state but are not compatible with one another.

Plate carriers, and more specifically the methods in which warfighters attach mission-specific equipment to them, have evolved into a fragmented provision of methodologies over the last two decades. While the basic principles of attachments have remained the same, the varied degree of designs have created incompatible, brand-specific solutions, that do not allow for the adaptability and modularity that modern soldiers require. This inconsistency further complicates supply chains, limiting the end-user to specific manufacturer standards and adaptations. The proposed Universal Carrier Attachment Standard addresses this by establishing a set of clear, open-source guidelines that manufacturers can utilize to create solutions compatible across the board.

Adopting the UCAS will deliver the following advantages:

· Interoperability: Seamless interfacing of back panels and front flaps from one manufacturer with carriers from another.

· Operational Flexibility: Enables units to adopt best-in-class equipment without overhauling entire vest systems.

· Cost Efficiency: Simplifies acquisition and replacemen logistics, reducing overall spending.

Working together, both Spiritus Systems and Ferro Concepts look to enable universal compatibility to support efficient modernization efforts for the modern warfighter

Once adopted, the UCAS will be publicly published to both the Ferro Concepts and Spiritus Systems’ websites, to fully equip manufacturers for seamless universal adaptation.

“Every day, the rules of war are being rewritten – and rapidly changing threats require adaptability,” states Spiritus Systems Co-Owner, Adam Holroyd. “We, in collaboration with Ferro Concepts, want to continue to develop and deliver solutions to those working tirelessly, both foreign and domestically, to uncover and eliminate threats.”

“Ferro Concepts is happy to be partnering with another highly respected company in the industry to create a universal standard that benefits everyone. Creating cross compatibility further helps end users curate a kit exactly for their needs, making them more effective in their jobs. This collaboration furthers our mission, which has always been to take care of the end user.” — Chris Evans, Co-Owner and President of Ferro Concepts

About Ferro Concepts:

The mission of Ferro Concepts is to provide the Armed Forces and Law Enforcement community with equipment that earns its place in the field. We believe the best tactical gear isn’t designed in a vacuum; it is forged through the honest feedback of those in the line of duty. Our goal is to listen, build, and refine. By treating our customers’ insights as our primary blueprint, we ensure every stitch serves a purpose.

We are dedicated to purposeful design and minimalist utility. For us, a clean silhouette isn’t a design choice, but a result of stripping away everything that doesn’t help a professional get the job done. We focus on the details, so the end user can focus on the mission.

About Spiritus Systems®:

Spiritus Systems® strives every day to design and manufacture equipment that exceeds the users’ expectations and pushes past the industry status quo. All of our equipment is designed with an end state in mind. We spend time with users of various walks of life to form an educated and accurate picture of their needs. Our design philosophy calls on our own military service, user feedback and experience, as well as our advanced United States based manufacturing techniques to bring quality equipment to the marketplace.

Posted in Advertiser, Armor, Industry, Press Release | No Comments »

L4 Performance – LAVS

Friday, January 9th, 2026

Weighing in at 380g (size Large) LAWS was designed as a lightweight yet rigid harness for the Crye Precision AVS and their own Maritime L4PC.

It’s offered in a variety of colors and patterns including Black, Coyote, Ranger Green, MultiCam, MC Black, MC Tropic, Woodland and M05 in sizes Small, Medium, and Large.

Available now at www.l4performance.com/product-page/lavs.

Posted in Armor, Load Carrying | No Comments »

Blast from the Past – Objective Force Warrior? What’s That?

Thursday, January 1st, 2026

This article was first published in 2014 and I thought it would be a great way to kick off the new year.

I just realized that many of my readers have no idea what Objective Force Warrior or its follow-on, Future Force Warrior are all about and I’m afraid some may think it’s something new. Objective Force Warrior was one of many Soldier Modernization Programs which trace their way back to Soldier Integrated Protective Ensemble in the early 90s to 21st Century Land Warrior to simply Land Warrior and then OFW in the early 00s. You could go on for days talking about what they wanted it to do. If you want to really delve into it, download a vision document below.

Click to view .pdfFor our purposes, the system was intended to integrate with the conceptual Objective Force that would have provided the Army with a new family of ground and air vehicles under Future Combat System. Unfortunately, like FCS, it wasn’t fielded but influenced overall development.

What’s important to you is that it’s where Crye Associates made their bones and many staples of modern Soldier Systems spun out from that program. Working in conjunction with other firms such as Juggernaut Defense and Artisent (which sold off as Ops-Core to Gentex) as well as large contract system integrators, Crye was responsible for the clothing, load bearing and armor components of this Soldier Digitization effort.

As with most of these programs, lots of money is poured into the software and comms portion and relatively little effort and funding is put toward the clothing and individual equipment components. With many of these programs actual development of the system’s digital operating environment becomes virtual and during program reviews and Congressional dog and pony shows, Crye’s efforts became the face of the program. They produced prototypes that a Soldier could wear and that looked unlike anything else out there. I’d say that they kept that program moving for as long as it did. The clothing and armor developed by Crye was something you could actually see and lay your hands on. Eventually, after a name change to Future Force Warrior and facing actual combat in multiple theaters, the Army let the project drift away with the C4I component transitioning over time to Nett Warrior.

Industrial Design house Crye Associates founded Crye Precision based on the success of their work on FFW and after commercialization, caught the eye of the Special Operations community. The rest you should know.

Ultimately, four critical Soldier Systems technologies find their roots in FFW and with Crye:

MultiCam Camouflage Pattern – It began life as Scorpion for use with FFW but Crye Precision refined the pattern for commercial use and later provided modified variants of the pattern for both the UK (Multi Terrain Pattern) and Australia (Australian MultiCam Pattern). In 2009, the US Army selected MultiCam for use in Afghanistan as the Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern (OCP). In 2010, Crye Precision developed Woodland and Arid patterns for the US Army’s Camouflage Improvement Effort. They were selected as finalists along with three other companies. In late 2013, Crye Precision introduced four new patterns to complement the decade old Transitional pattern: Alpine, Arid, Black and Tropical.

Combat Uniforms – The concept of producing a shirt that combines a moisture wicking torso with heavy duty sleeves for wear with armor systems was unheard of prior to OFW. The same goes for garments with integrated knee and elbow protection. Now, these concepts are accepted as state of the art.

Crye Armor Chassis – Crye Precision’s armor chassis took an entirely fresh approach to body armor, combining special, ergonomically shaped armor plates in such a way to allow movement. It has been adopted for use by niche forces and has influenced armor design.

Close Fitting Modular Combat Helmets – While the material science wasn’t quite there yet when the OFW/FFW helmet demonstrators were built, several companies produced enhanced combat helmets over the years including Crye Precision’s AirFrame which fits very close to the contour of the head.

ID Magazine did a great article on Crye’s participation in the project which we offer here for historical purposes.

(Click image to view the article.)

Tags: Crye Precision, FFW, OFW
Posted in Advertiser, Armor, Clothing, Design, Helmets, History | 5 Comments »

Red Clover Gear Slick-R

Wednesday, December 31st, 2025

Developed by Black Hills Design, the Slick-R is now available from their rebrand site Red Clover Gear.

Offering a universal fit for plate size and shape, the Slick-R is designed to carry hard plates in a covert role. Made from Squadron laminate, it’s extremely lightweight.

Offered in Black, Ranger Green, Wolf Grey and MultiCam.

redclovergear.com/products/slick-r

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Safe-Pro USA Appoints 20+ Year Defense and Protective Equipment Industry Leader as VP of Marketing and Sales as it Expands its Ballistics Business

Tuesday, December 23rd, 2025

Ballistics Protection Business Ramps-Up Activity Targeting Law Enforcement and Government Contracts with New High-Performance Products and Marketing Plans

AVENTURA, Fla. – December 19, 2025 – Safe Pro Group Inc. (Nasdaq: SPAI) (“Safe Pro” or the “Company”), a developer of artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled defense and security solutions, today announced that its ballistic protective products unit, Safe-Pro USA (SPUSA), has appointed Michael Wratten as its new Vice President of Marketing and Sales. This appointment is part of broad business development and expansion initiatives currently under way as it responds to the increased domestic need for advanced, high- performance body armor and the demand for explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) protective gear designed to support ongoing international humanitarian demining missions.

Mr. Wratten brings more than two decades of strategic leadership, product innovation, and operational excellence in the defense and protective equipment industry to Safe-Pro USA. He has founded multiple entities focused on protective solutions, driven product strategy and design, negotiated key contracts, and fostered long-term partnerships across military, law enforcement, and commercial markets. His experience includes founding Shellback Tactical, a protective products company serving law enforcement acquired by US Patriot where he served as vice president, as VP of strategy, business, and product development at Chase Tactical and as VP at US Armor. Mr. Wratten has also advised and served as a consultant for strategy and product design at Spartan Armor and at PREVAIL. For 20 years, he also served as an officer with the Los Angeles and West Covina police departments. At Safe-Pro USA, Michael will lead strategic growth initiatives, oversee brand, and market expansion, and apply growth strategies across tactical, ballistic and EOD products lines.

“As we continue our mission to develop innovative ballistic protection solutions than can help our military, law enforcement and public safety personnel meet the ever-evolving threats, Michael’s unique combination of industry leadership, on the street experience and entrepreneurial spirit make him an ideal fit for Safe Pro,” said Dan Erdberg, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Safe Pro Group.

In response to increased customer activity and recent orders for ballistic plates and protective gear, Safe-Pro USA is currently implementing multiple long-term growth initiatives including:

• Expanding its Ballistic Products Portfolio – In response to the latest National Institute of Justice (NIJ) 0101.07 ballistic protection standard, SPUSA submitted five ultra-light and ultra-thin body armor and vest products for testing and certification. Obtaining the NIJ 0101.07 certification for its products will be a key differentiator in the market and will enable Safe-Pro USA to access federal and state contracts as end users in these markets upgrade the ballistic protection gear for their personnel.

• ISO 9001 and Business and Manufacturing Process Improvements – Ahead of anticipated increased production demands, SPUSA is in the final phase of its business and manufacturing process improvement program which includes obtaining a Six Sigma certification and ISO 9001 quality management certification milestones. Collectively, these efforts will enable Safe-Pro USA to meet common requirements in federal and state contracting while improving production efficiency and quality.

• Increased Marketing and New E-Commerce Sales Capability – Building on SPUSA’s over 30 years of experience serving the needs of military and law enforcement customers, in 2026, it will implement a series of marketing and sales activities including online and offline brand-building programs. This effort is designed to increase the awareness and visibility for its high performance, American-made products with potential law enforcement and government customers. Starting in January, SPUSA will be participating in the 2026 Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade ShowSM (SHOT Show®), one of the largest of its kind events for target shooting, hunting, outdoor recreation and law enforcement where it plans to highlight its new NIJ 0101.07-compliant ultra-light and ultra-thin body armor. During 2026, SPUSA also intends to launch a new e-commerce, direct-to-consumer sales channel for select, in- demand products as well as conduct an array of industry-wide product marketing and advertising programs.

Commenting on his appointment, Michael Wratten added, “I am grateful for the opportunity to join the Safe-Pro USA team at time when innovation in American-made ballistic protection is urgently needed. Safe-Pro USA’s long history and proven expertise in the development of advanced armor composites creates a solid foundation for the future and that is why I am so excited to support its further growth into the large defense and law enforcement markets.”

Safe-Pro USA, a HUBZone-certified small business, is a specialist in the manufacturer of ultra-premium bullet and blast resistant protection equipment utilized by domestic and international customers in the military, law enforcement, and humanitarian/peacekeeping markets. It has more than 30 years of combined experience in the U.S. defense industry with a proven expertise and strength in the design, engineering, and manufacture of advanced armor composites. Safe-Pro USA offers a full array of bullet and blast resistant personal protection equipment including complete Explosive Ordnance Disposal Systems, demining aprons and bomb blankets, body armor and ballistic plates. Many of its products are available for purchase by Federal, State and Local government customers and agencies under a Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contract by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA).

For more information about Safe Pro Group, its subsidiaries, and technologies, please visit safeprogroup.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.

About Safe Pro Group Inc.

Safe Pro Group Inc. (NASDAQ: SPAI) is a mission-driven technology company delivering AI-enabled security and defense solutions. Through cutting-edge platforms like SPOTD, Safe Pro provides advanced situational awareness tools for defense, humanitarian, and homeland security applications globally. It is a leading provider of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions specializing in drone imagery processing, leveraging commercially available “off-the-shelf” drones with its proprietary machine learning and computer vision technology to enable rapid identification of explosives threats, providing a much safer and more efficient alternative to traditional human-based analysis methods. Built on a cloud-based ecosystem and powered by Amazon Web Services (AWS), Safe Pro Group’s scalable platform is targeting multiple markets that include commercial, government, law enforcement and humanitarian sectors where its Safe Pro AI software, Safe-Pro USA protective gear and Airborne Response drone-based services can work in synergy to deliver safety and operational efficiency. For more information on Safe Pro Group Inc., please visit safeprogroup.com.

Posted in Armor, Industry, Press Release, SHOT Show | No Comments »

Adept Armor Unveils the NovaSteel Flip Ballistic Mandible

Friday, December 19th, 2025

A breakthrough in lightweight, one-handed, high-performance facial ballistic protection.

Denison, TX. (December 2025) – Adept Armor, pioneers in next-gen protective solutions, today announced the release of the NovaSteel™ Flip Ballistic Mandible, Gen 2, an entirely reengineered facial protection module designed to meet the evolving ballistic and impact threats faced by modern warfighters, tactical teams, and security professionals. The Gen 2 model introduces a patented, sealed hinge mechanism that enables silent, one-handed flip-up operation with free-stop positioning at any angle, while preserving a lightweight form factor, wide field of vision, and exceptional ballistic performance.

Modern body armor has dramatically reduced thoracic injuries, but as coverage has improved, personal vulnerability has shifted. The face, once indirectly shielded, has become the most exposed anatomical region during ballistic engagements. Face and neck injuries are up 30 percent since Vietnam, and the face is struck over 700 percent more frequently than its surface area would predict. These shifting patterns of wounding have left the face as the most exposed region of the warfighter’s body.

?Injury simulations clearly illustrate the vulnerability of the face to ballistic and blunt-force impact, even at comparatively low velocities. As a result, the need for practical, high-performance facial protection has become paramount. The NovaSteel Flip Ballistic Mandible, Gen 2, was expressly engineered to address this challenge, delivering substantial ballistic, fragment, and blunt-impact protection while maintaining wide visibility, ease of use, and compatibility with contemporary helmet systems.

“I’m incredibly excited to finally announce our new NovaSteel Flip Ballistic Mandible, Gen 2. After nearly two years of development and countless prototypes, we’ve achieved a genuine breakthrough. The new face shield is lightweight, breathable, and exceptionally easy to operate. Users can flip it up, down, or hold it at any point in between with a simple, quiet, one-handed motion. It’s dramatically more intuitive than anything currently available,” said Jake Ganor, President of Adept Armor.

The NovaSteel Flip Ballistic Mandible, Gen 2, represents a comprehensive redesign of Adept Armor’s acclaimed ballistic mandible platform. Its most significant innovation is its sealed, all-aluminum, patented rotating mechanism, permanently welded to a dedicated Combat Circlet, and designed for:

Silent, smooth, one-handed actuation
Free-stop positioning at any angle without detents or latches
Stable, secure operation that preserves cheek-weld, comms access, and ventilation
?A dramatically reduced mechanical footprint compared to bulky or fixed alternatives

Underneath the protective housing lies an entirely new rotational architecture, engineered to deliver a level of sophistication, durability, and ease of use unmatched in current ballistic facial protection systems.

“Helmets have come a long way, but facial protection has lagged behind. We’re working to close that gap,” Ganor explained. “This isn’t a niche accessory anymore – in terms of protection, ergonomics, and durability, it’s at a point where it can become an essential piece of equipment.”

The NovaSteel Flip Ballistic Mandible, Gen 2, is built from high-grade NovaSteel alloy, offering robust ballistic resistance while remaining exceptionally lightweight at less than 1 pound. The sealed hinge delivers quiet, controlled operation with no clicks, snaps, or latch noise that could compromise user position. The low-profile geometry maintains a wide field of view and is fully compatible with most ballistic glasses, goggles, and common weapon optics. The mandible provides multi-threat protection against pistol-caliber ballistic impacts, high-velocity fragmentation, blunt-force events, and debris.

Key specifications include:

Ballistic Rating: 124 gr 9mm FMJ
Ultra-low BFD, enabling a tight, low-profile fit and cheek-weld capability
Wide, unobstructed field of vision with no optical distortion
High resistance to blunt impact and fragmentation
No fogging, no transparency degradation, and no visor-related distortion
Fully compatible with the ACH model and all NovaSteel helmets (2024+)

?The NovaSteel Flip Ballistic Mandible surpasses the ballistic and blunt-impact thresholds of the ACH and ACH Gen II helmet specifications, despite no formal testing protocol existing for ballistic mandibles. The design also demonstrates broad compliance with VPAM-3 helmet test criteria, maintaining low backface deformation, delivering stable edge-shot protection, and performing reliably even after sustained high-temperature conditioning at 168°F and beyond.

The mandible mounts via integrated bosses on the Combat Circlet Gen 2, leaving rail space free and requiring no drilling or modification. This Flip Mandible mounts only to the dedicated Combat Circlet supplied with the unit. It is not compatible with the standard Combat Circlet Mark II, older Circlet variants, or any third-party helmet mounting hardware. Each unit includes the NovaSteel Flip Mandible, Gen 2, and its dedicated welded Combat Circlet with integrated flip rotator assembly. Available in Black or Green. MSRP $490.00.

For more information on Adept Armor, visit its website or follow along on Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube.

Posted in Armor, Helmets, Press Release | 1 Comment »

Spiritus Systems Announces LV-120 Officially Available

Thursday, December 18th, 2025

Aberdeen, NC – December 18, 2025 – Spiritus Systems®, one of the leading manufacturers of nylon equipment designed with intent for military and law enforcement professionals, has announced the new LV-120 Plate Carrier, a highly configurable, modular, and scalable system is now available for purchase through the company’s website.

The LV-120 Plate Carrier, is a fine-tuned solution of load carriage design that answers the nearly impossible demand of weight, durability, integration, adaptability and refinement. A completely new offering from its predecessor, the LV-119, the LV-120 was developed in collaboration with the professional end-user, in an effort to address the unique and diverse requirements for next-gen warfare.

At its core, the LV-120 Plate Carrier addresses the warfighter’s need to tailor the system to a constantly shifting mission profile. The design considers current cable routing requirements, various plate sizes and types, weight (2.03lbs), increased load carriage, durability and additional extensive end-user feedback.

The base configuration is a mission-ready, highly rigid plate carrier, constructed with X-Pac X50 Nylon and Nylon Laminate. The new materials, ensure a highly abrasion-resistant, tear-resistant, waterproof material; ensuring the carrier is near-hydrophobic and won’t retain water. Additionally, the 3D-mesh which dries near instantaneously, lines the front and back panels, creating a space for ventilation of heat and perspiration – making the LV-120 a notable solution to virtually any environment.

Equipped with removable articulating shoulder straps, with ride-height adjustment which allows the carrier to naturally settle on the body. For those who require a quick-release function, the straps can be interchanged with the LV-120 Tubes Shoulder Strap (sold separately) for easy donning and doffing.

The front panel features a loop molle field, designed to accommodate placards, EUD’s or other mission-specific attachments. Placards can now be attached using G-Hooks, 1-inch side release buckles, or the innovative, Quick Attach Tab System. Laser cut ports for PTT securement are located on either side of the molle field, which also serve as a channel for comm-cable management. Strategically designed ingress points for future attachments can also serve as a comms passthrough into the plate bag, allowing for easy storing of excess cabling and connectors.

The rear panel is equipped with a full molle field, to accommodate a highly customizable configuration, including a 9″x 4″ loop field, for identifier patches. Rigid wings located on either side of the rear plate bag function as a mounting platform for future attachments, as well as allow the Reactive Cummerbund to have an articulated radius around the edge of the plate for guaranteed retraction with movement.

The newly implemented rigidity of the Reactive Cummerbund provides a weight transfer from the shoulders and spine by ensuring the plate bags are kept compressed against the body, without compromising the same level of comfort as an elastic cummerbund. The mounting location of the cummerbund ensures that armor plates are positioned correctly on the body, while maintaining a level cummerbund. The added rigidity also allows for heavier items to be mounted on either side of the polypropylene composite (CURV) chassis. A one-size-fits most sizeable structure, combined with a tension-adjusting shock cord system in the rear accommodates natural flexion and expansion of the body and allows for a streamlined acquisition process since there is only one size.

In an effort to consolidate logistical burden and create compatibility across brands for end users, the implementation of the #10 Zipper has been included into the LV-120. A strategic decision made in conjunction with Ferro Concepts, to create a “Universal Carrier Attachment Standard.” This new zipper will limit the compatibility of legacy Spiritus back panel attachments but allow for future developments and cross-compatibility.

Available now through www.spiritussystems.com the new LV-120 Plate Carrier comes in MultiCam®, Ranger Green, Coyote and Black.

Posted in Advertiser, Armor, Press Release | 1 Comment »