Often imitated never duplicated. The 2025 Swap Meat is happening November 8th.
Hosted by Spiritus Systems at their compound by the railroad tracks near Aberdeen, NC. More details to follow, but this is just a reminder to mark your calendar.
Archive for the ‘Industry’ Category
Heads Up – 2025 Swap Meat on Nov 8th
Saturday, August 9th, 2025Darley Named One of Crain’s 2025 Fast 50
Thursday, August 7th, 2025ITASCA, IL – August 7, 2025 – Darley, a leading provider of defense, fire, and emergency services equipment, is proud to announce it has been named one of Crain’s 2025 Fast 50 by Crain’s Chicago Business.
This honor recognizes Darley as one of the 50 fastest-growing companies in the Chicago area based on year-over-year revenue growth.
“Darley is deeply honored to be recognized among Crain’s 2025 Fast 50,” said Paul Darley, CEO and President of Darley. “This recognition is a testament to the relentless innovation, dedication, and passion of our incredible team and reflects our commitment to growth with purpose and delivering exceptional service to those we serve.”
Learn more on our websites: www.darley.com and shop.darley.com.
ASA and Leading 2A Groups File Lawsuit Challenging the Constitutionality of the NFA
Thursday, August 7th, 2025WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Friday, August 1st, the American Suppressor Association (ASA), National Rifle Association (NRA), Second Amendment Foundation (SAF), Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC), Prime Protection STL Tactical Boutique, and two members of the organizations filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the National Firearms Act of 1934 (NFA). The complaint, Brown v. Bondi, was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri.
Until President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the NFA established a $200 tax and tax-enforcement registration regime on certain classes of firearms, including suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and NFA-defined “any other weapons.” With the elimination of this excise tax in the OBBB, the joint complaint alleges that the NFA registration regime is no longer justifiable as an exercise of Congress’s taxing power, nor any other Article I power.
The lawsuit also asserts that the NFA’s registration regime for suppressors and short-barreled rifles violates the Second Amendment. The Supreme Court has established that any regulation on arms-bearing conduct must be consistent with our nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation. The complaint argues there is no tradition that supports the NFA’s registration regime for protected arms such as suppressors and short-barreled rifles.
Click here to read the lawsuit.
“The National Firearms Act has been a weight around the neck of law-abiding gun owners for nearly a century,” said Knox Williams, President and Executive Director American Suppressor Association. “With the elimination of the excise tax on suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and AOWs through the One Big Beautiful Bill, our lawsuit challenges the NFA as an unconstitutional registry of now untaxed firearms. Common sense and the law are on our side, and we look forward to fighting on behalf of all Americans in Federal Court.”
“The National Firearms Act has infringed on law-abiding Americans’ right to keep and bear arms for nearly a century,” said John Commerford, Executive Director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action. “Congress took a major step by eliminating the NFA tax on suppressors and short-barreled firearms through the OBBB, and we’re proud to work alongside other leading Second Amendment organizations to finish the job.”
“The National Firearms Act’s registration scheme only exists to ensure that the tax on NFA firearms was paid,” said Adam Kraut, SAF’s Executive Director. “With Congress removing the tax on silencers, short-barreled firearms, and ‘any other weapons,’ the continued inclusion of these items in the NFA serves no purpose, except continuing to retain an impermissible hurdle to the exercise of one’s constitutional right to keep and bear arms. We look forward to relegating this unconstitutional law to the history books.”
“The National Firearms Act isn’t just unconstitutional, it’s a tyrannical abomination,” said Firearms Policy Coalition President Brandon Combs. “Not only does the NFA violate your Second Amendment rights, but Congress never had the lawful authority to pass it in the first place. That makes it a double abuse of power, violating both the right to keep and bear arms and the hard limits the Constitution places on the federal government. We’re proud to fight alongside our allies to end this corrupt, immoral law so peaceable Americans can exercise their rights when, where, and how they choose.”
Motorola Solutions Completes Acquisition of Silvus Technologies Holding Inc
Wednesday, August 6th, 2025CHICAGO – Aug. 6, 2025 – Motorola Solutions (NYSE: MSI) has completed its acquisition of Silvus Technologies Holdings Inc. (“Silvus”), a global leader in mission-critical mobile ad-hoc networks (MANET), based in Los Angeles, California.
Silvus’ MANET technology is designed to support frontline operations in the most challenging and contested environments, enabling highly secure data, video and voice communications without the need for fixed infrastructure. Their devices mesh together to establish large, scalable and self-healing networks that adapt to continuous mobility. These robust mobile networks connect people, devices and other nodes over distance and at scale, and seamlessly support bandwidth-intensive technologies like video, sensors and drones.
“Silvus’ advanced solutions for drone and unmanned systems are trusted in the world’s most demanding defense environments, and offer vital applications for border security and public safety,” said Greg Brown, chairman and CEO, Motorola Solutions. “Their capabilities are an excellent complement to our land mobile radio and video technologies, and we look forward to bringing them to more customers around the world.”
Adds mobile ad-hoc network leadership and extends company into a multi-billion-dollar, rapidly growing addressable market for drone and unmanned systems
Autonomous technologies, including drones, vehicles and robots, are increasingly deployed to safely provide a greater distance between soldiers and potential threats. Silvus’ technology allows human operators to securely control these systems with extremely low latency, helping to save lives while informing better tactical decisions.
Silvus’ wide range of customers spans defense agencies, autonomous systems manufacturers, the intelligence community, law enforcement and enterprises globally. Motorola Solutions plans to extend Silvus’ reach through its global scale and long-standing relationships with government and public safety customers around the world.
“Working with Babak and the Silvus team, we’ve seen firsthand how their expertise has created truly disruptive communications technology,” said Erik Fagan, Partner and Head of Industrial Technology, TJC. “They’ve built an exceptional company serving a critical need, and we are excited to watch their next successful chapter unfold with Motorola Solutions as a global leader in safety and security.”
“We have always respected Motorola Solutions’ leadership,” said Babak Daneshrad, PhD, CEO, Silvus Technologies. “At our core, both our companies are driven by innovation that makes the world safer. Bringing our advanced engineering teams together amplifies our ability to build more powerful solutions to serve more customers globally. I am incredibly optimistic about the future we have with Motorola Solutions.”
More information about the acquisition will be shared during Motorola Solutions’ quarterly conference call with financial analysts at 4 p.m. Central (5 p.m. Eastern) on Aug. 7. The conference call will be webcast live and a replay will be available at www.motorolasolutions.com/investors.
AARDVARK Tactical and Dark Systems Strengthen Partnership to Advance Tactical K9 Protection in the US
Wednesday, August 6th, 2025La Verne, CA — AARDVARK Tactical, a leading provider of operator-focused solutions for elite military and law enforcement units, has expanded its strategic alliance with Dark Systems, the global leader in cutting-edge K9 helmets, electronics, and camera systems.
Building on Dark Systems’ recent announcement as a distributor of the P7K9 ballistic vest in Europe—exclusively supplied by AARDVARK—this expanded partnership positions AARDVARK to distribute Dark Systems’ full line of K9 technologies across the United States. Offerings include the DarkFighter K9 Helmet & Camera, DarkMesh MANET System, and a full suite of muzzles, hearing protection and K9 electronics delivering comprehensive physical protection, live video intelligence, and real-time situational awareness.
“Our collaboration underscores our shared mission to push the limits of what’s possible for tactical K9 teams,” said Jon Becker, CEO of AARDVARK. “By integrating Dark Systems’ modular technologies with others such as P7K9, teams can operate with full confidence that their working dogs are protected and mission-ready.”
This collective solution offers an elite edge for law enforcement and military working dog teams operating in high-risk, high-tempo environments, ensuring both handlers and K9s can operate with enhanced safety, agility, and effectiveness.
VLTOR Weapon Systems Brings Industry Veteran Ash Hess Onboard
Monday, August 4th, 2025
Tucson, AZ — VLTOR Weapon Systems is proud to announce the addition of Ash Hess to its leadership team, where he will play a key role in business development and military sales.
Hess brings nearly 30 years of combined military and industry expertise. A retired U.S. Army Cavalryman and respected marksmanship instructor, he was instrumental in the authorship of multiple small arms training manuals and doctrinal updates, including TC 3-22.9. His recent work in military sales at Knight’s Armament Company focused on fulfilling end-user requirements by bridging the gap between engineering, operational needs, and product delivery.
“Bringing Ash onto the team is a strategic move as VLTOR enters its next chapter,” said Nick Wantland, Manager of VLTOR Weapon Systems. “His insight into end-user needs, especially in military contexts, will be key as we develop the next generation of VLTOR platforms.”
Since its founding in 2001, VLTOR has built its reputation on producing duty-grade components trusted across civilian, military, and law enforcement communities.
“I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the most respected names in the industry,” said Hess. “What drew me to VLTOR was its legacy — gear built for professionals, by professionals. It’s a quiet powerhouse, responsible for many of the innovations and systems that have become industry standards. Being part of the team is truly an honor.”
U.S. Army Continues to Streamline Procurement and Financial Processes with Release of New Interface
Monday, August 4th, 2025
U.S. Army Program Executive Office Enterprise (PEO Enterprise) and the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Procurement (ODASA(P)) have successfully implemented the Logistics Modernization Program (LMP), Army Working Capital Funds (AWCF) and Army Contract Writing System (ACWS) interface. The new interface provides better automation for transmitting contract awards and financial data from ACWS to LMP, helping streamline procurement and financial processes across the Army enterprise.
With the LMP-ACWS integration, ACWS users who receive AWCF-funded LMP purchase requests can now award all new actions in ACWS that support sustainment, logistics and supply management and maintenance. LMP users now can enter both the item and service requests on one purchase request, rather than creating multiple purchase requests. The new interface helps save time, reduces paperwork and links the service to specific parts for better tracking and auditability.
“This is a noteworthy step forward as the new LMP-ACWS interface reduces manual entry, improves data accuracy and supports timely obligation and contract execution tracking,” said Kevin Stoddard, an ACWS lead for ODASA(P). “It also eliminates duplicate data entry, where any updates — particularly for purchase requests — are synced bi-directionally, so there are no duplicate changes. Users enter data once in ACWS, and the data is automatically mapped to LMP/AWCF fields.”
The new LMP-ACWS interface is a major enhancement initiative to implement purchase request and procurement data standards and handshake interfaces as ACWS prepares to replace the Army’s Procurement Automated Data and Document System (PADDS) and Standard Procurement System (SPS) legacy contracting systems.
Lt. Col. Camille Morgan, product manager for ACWS at PEO Enterprise, says the successful implementation of the LMP-ACWS interface is part one of a two-phased approach in its ongoing modernization and readiness efforts.
“We are pleased with the successful release of phase one, which enables AWCF execution with ACWS and supports SPS sunset scheduled for December 2025,” said Morgan. “By standardizing purchase requests and procurement data, LMP and ACWS can more easily talk to each other, reducing errors across systems and delivering purchases faster.”
In October 2025, PEO Enterprise is expected to begin phase two, which will enable general fund and customer fund execution with ACWS, as well as support PADDS sunset.
Through these integrated advanced capabilities, ACWS is supporting Army readiness by helping to reduce lead times, making the procurement process faster and getting equipment and services to Soldiers as quickly as possible.
By partnering with LMP, an enterprise resource planning system that uses one of the largest, fully integrated supply chain and maintenance, repair and overhaul solutions in the world, ACWS remains committed to delivering a more effective and modernized contracting experience that meets the Army’s mission of transformation and readiness.
By Carolyn Martino, PM DIBS Strategic Communications
The Wing Group Secures Landmark Win in Insurance Bad Faith Lawsuit Against Lloyd’s of London Syndicates
Friday, August 1st, 2025After a marathon dispute that began in February of 2021, a San Francisco jury found that the Lloyd’s Syndicates acted outrageously and in bad faith in handling Wing Inflatables, Inc.’s insurance claim and returned a significant verdict against Lloyd’s of London in July 2024 that included $3,094,083 in compensatory damages, pre judgment interest of $1,172,214 and $15,000,000 in punitive damages for a total award of $19,266,297. Judgment on the jury verdict was entered in August 2024. Wing was represented at trial by Mark C. Goodman, Barry J. Thompson and Michael T. Boardman of Baker McKenzie LLP.
Lloyd’s subsequently paid the prejudgment interest and compensatory damages part of the judgment but appealed the $15,000,000 punitive damages award. For its part, the Wing Group appealed a post-trial decision by the San Francisco court denying an award of attorneys’ feesto Wing. On appeal, Lloyd’s moved to dismiss the Wing Group’s appeal as untimely, but the California Court of Appeal denied that motion in a decision that has been certified for publication to provide guidance to other litigants in California with respect when the time to file an appeal begins to run. Accordingly, both appeals remain pending.
“We entered into an insurance relationship in good faith with Lloyd’s in 2019, expecting a business partnership that would protect us against unwanted surprises that might arise. Those expectations were never met. Lloyd’s misconduct, obfuscation, bullying, ignoring, belittling, and overall approach toward Wing, when we were in a time of need, is so disappointing and unfortunate. Every negative stereotype associated with the insurance industry was on grand display. In our view, this could be a case study in what not to do as an insurance company. I wish that this outcome would serve to change their behavior. Unfortunately, it appears it will not,” said Andrew Branagh, CEO of the Wing Group.
“Unlike many small businesses in its position, Wing had the fortitude to push back on Lloyd’s bad faith tactics and fight hard to obtain theinsurance policy benefits to which it was obviously entitled from the outset,” said Mark Goodman, Wing’s lead counsel. “It is unfortunate that Wing was required to expend so many resources to get what it deserved but we are obviously pleased that the jury saw Lloyd’s conduct for what it was and we look forward to Lloyd’s finally paying what it owes, both by satisfying the jury’s award and reimbursing Wing for the attorneys’ fees that it was forced to incur as a result of Lloyd’s bad faith conduct.”
The Wing Group is a California-based small business operating in the marine industry. The group and its companies manufacture life jackets, boats, and other safety equipment for both recreational users and U.S. military branches, including the Coast Guard.
