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Leapfest 2025 – 40 Years of International Airborne Camaraderie and Competition

Monday, August 11th, 2025

Last weekend, paratroopers from around the world dropped into Exeter, Rhode Island for the 40th annual Leapfest, the iconic international military static line parachute competition hosted by the Rhode Island Army National Guard’s 56th Troop Command.

Established in 1982, Leapfest is recognized as the largest and longest-running event of its kind, dedicated to testing the airborne skills of military teams through rigorous competition and fostering camaraderie among participants. This year’s event brought together teams from across the United States military and 18 foreign countries.

Participants jumped from CH-47 Chinook helicopters at an altitude of 1,500 feet, with each four-member team aiming to land as close as possible to designated targets. The event tested both individual and team proficiency, with strict eligibility requirements permitting only currently serving military personnel to compete.

Leapfest continues its tradition of promoting international friendship and esprit de corps among airborne soldiers. In addition to the competition itself, the event featured a foreign jump exchange, giving paratroopers the opportunity to earn foreign jump wings. The closing ceremony highlighted the broad international participation and celebrated the achievements of all involved.

Reflecting its international nature, the top 3 teams came from the United States, Canada, and Hungary. The full results for both team and individual performances can be found on the Leapfest website.

We congratulate the winners and all participants for their professionalism, dedication, and Airborne Spirit. Leapfest will return again next year, continuing its legacy as THE rendezvous for airborne soldiers worldwide.

Via Strike-Hold!

All photos: 982nd Combat Camera Company (Airborne)

Posted in Guest Post, International, Parachuting | No Comments »

SORD – Mountain and Cold Weather Operations Booties

Friday, August 8th, 2025

From SORD come the Mountain and Cold Weather Operations (MACWO) Booties.

Insulated with the lightest indication currently available, Primaloft Cross Core Ultra Insulation which contains Aerogel, combined with a DWR-coated NanoSteath 70d Ripstop AU-T Camouflage upper, 210D Ripstop Nylon rand, MIL-SPEC GripTAC non-slip sole and thermal reflective inner lining. These tent booties weigh just 100 grams.

Offered in AU Terrain or MultiCam in sizes 8-10 or 11-13.

www.sordaustralia.com/macwo-booties

Posted in Boots, International, Press Release | 1 Comment »

Rheinmetall and Lockheed Martin Successfully Fire GMARS Launcher for the First Time

Wednesday, August 6th, 2025

White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico – Rheinmetall and Lockheed Martin, partners in the Global Mobile Artillery Rocket System (GMARS) program, successfully conducted the first live fire of the GMARS launcher, demonstrating its capability to launch GMLRS rockets. These are the same munitions used by Germany and allied nations across the globe, reinforcing interoperability and supporting joint operations.

The live fire demonstration, held at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, marked a significant milestone in the GMARS development program, which aims to provide military customers with a European-built highly mobile, survivable and versatile long-range precision fires capability. The launcher can be armed with an enhanced loadout of two ATACMS, 4 PrSM, 12 GMLRS Standard Range or 12 Extended Range GMLRS missiles.

“We are thrilled to have achieved this major milestone in the GMARS program,” said Dr. Björn Bernhard, CEO Rheinmetall Vehicle Systems Europe. “The successful live fire showcases the system’s precision and reliability, and we are confident that GMARS will meet the evolving needs of our customers.”

The GMARS launcher, based on the Rheinmetall HX vehicle series, offers a high degree of interoperability and interchangeability with fielded M270A2 and HIMARS launchers, making it an ideal solution for military forces operating in Europe. The system’s ability to launch current and future state-of-the-art long-range and extended-long-range rocket fire missions provides a significant advantage on the modern battlefield.

“Lockheed Martin is committed to delivering innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers,” said Paula Hartley, vice president and general manager of Tactical Missiles at Lockheed Martin. “The GMARS program is a prime example of this commitment, and we are pleased to have successfully demonstrated its capability in this live fire exercise. With this milestone accomplished, we are poised to rapidly qualify and bring this capability to market.

The GMARS program is a result of the partnership between Rheinmetall and Lockheed Martin, which combines their individual strengths to provide a European-centric launcher that maximizes combat-proven HIMARS and M270 components.

GMARS offers twice the ammunition capacity and firepower as M270 on the world’s leading tactical truck with the ability to integrate platforms and ammunition from allied nations.

For more information on the GMARS program, please visit: www.rheinmetall.com/en/products/tactical-wheeled-vehicles/wheeled-armoured-vehicles/gmars

Posted in Fires, International, Munitions, Press Release | No Comments »

AARDVARK Tactical and Dark Systems Strengthen Partnership to Advance Tactical K9 Protection in the US

Wednesday, August 6th, 2025

La 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.

Posted in Armor, Industry, International, K9, Press Release | No Comments »

MultiTarn – One Camo To Rule The All (in Deutschland)

Tuesday, August 5th, 2025

Various sources have indicated that the German military is phasing out the 5-color Flektarn camouflage pattern, optimized for fighting in Central Europe and in use for the past 30 years in favor of the MultiTarn pattern (seen below) developed almost a decade ago and until now, used exclusively by the Kommando Spezialkräfte (KSK). There is also a desert version of the pattern called Tropentarn or Wüstentarn.

MultiTarnDruck (multi is obvious, Tarn means camouflage, and Druck means print) takes obvious coloration cues from Crye Precision MultiCam. The new pattern should be completely fielded by 2029.

Photos via Bundeswehr.

Posted in Camo, International | 4 Comments »

Bundeswehr Requests Delivery of Over 1,000 Logistic Vehicles from Rheinmetall – Order Worth Around €770 Million

Monday, August 4th, 2025

The Bundeswehr has commissioned Rheinmetall to supply more than 1,000 logistic vehicles with a total value of around €770m gross. The order comprises 963 vehicles with swap-body systems, some with protected driver cabins, as well as swap-body flatbeds and tarpaulin-arch superstructures.

In addition, 425 unprotected transport vehicles (UTV) were requested for delivery. The UTVs are available in 4×4 and 8×8 versions.

“As a reliable partner of the Bundeswehr, we are delighted to be delivering additional vehicles and thus contributing to the mobility and operational readiness of the armed forces”, says André Barthel, Chairman of the Board of Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles GmbH (RMMV).

The delivery of the approximately 1,400 requested vehicles will take place before the end of this year. The orders have been booked for the third quarter of 2025.

The UTVs are c signed in July 2024 – the largest order in the company’s history in the field of logistics vehicles. It provides for the delivery of up to 6,500 vehicles with a gross value of up to €3.5bn. The framework contract allows the Bundeswehr to flexibly order additional quantities of the UTV 5t and UTV 15t models, which are already in service, over a period of seven years. In addition, the new vehicle class, which is now part of the call-off, was introduced via the framework contract. This is the 4×4 variant UTV 3.5 t, which has a maximum number of common parts with the UTV family.
The UTV family has already been contributing significantly to the performance of the Bundeswehr’s logistics units for several years. In July 2017, the Bundeswehr commissioned RMMV to supply its new ‘UTV mil gl in cargo load classes 5t and 15t’ family. Thanks to the use of flexible framework contracts concerning large quantities in military procurement, the UTVs have become a showcase project. Since 2017, around 7,000 HX vehicles have been delivered to the Bundeswehr together with swap-bodies and 70-tonne semi-trailer units.

UTV and swap-body systems are based on RMMV’s robust HX vehicle family. Designed for military use, they offer outstanding mobility even in difficult terrain.

The worldwide distribution of the HX vehicle family provides significant advantages in terms of interoperability and logistics, particularly for multinational operations. In addition to Germany, current users are the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Hungary, Singapore, Slovenia, Denmark and the Ukraine. The new order highlights the high acceptance of the proven HX vehicles. More than 20,000 vehicles are already in use worldwide.

Posted in Contracts, International, Logistics, Mobility, Press Release | No Comments »

The Wing Group Secures Landmark Win in Insurance Bad Faith Lawsuit Against Lloyd’s of London Syndicates

Friday, August 1st, 2025

After 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.

Posted in Industry, International, Press Release | No Comments »

Infantry Ammunition for the Baltic States: Rheinmetall Will Deliver 40mm Ammunition to Lithuania and Hand Grenades to Estonia – Total Order Value Around €33 Million

Thursday, July 31st, 2025

Rheinmetall has received various orders from Estonia and Lithuania for the delivery of infantry ammunitions. The orders have a total value of around €33 million.

Estonia awarded Rheinmetall a framework contract in the second quarter of 2025 for the delivery of hand grenades. Splinter grenades are to be delivered in 2026 and 2027, and offensive hand grenades from 2026 to 2029 – in significant numbers in each case. The order is worth around €17 million gross.

Back in December 2024, Lithuania had already placed an order with Rheinmetall for several tens of thousands of 40 mm x 46 high-explosive fragmentation (HE Frag) combat cartridges. The order is worth around €16 million gross. The ammunition is to be delivered in 2026 and 2027.

As a “one-stop shop” for 40 mm systems Rheinmetall is one of the world’s leading suppliers of ammunition, weapon systems and firing control systems in this field. Rheinmetall’s 40 mm x 46 low-velocity ammunition can be used in all standard grenade launchers and attachable grenade launchers in this calibre. It reaches a velocity of 76 m/s and has an effective range of 400 metres. Other NATO countries also use this modern ammunition.

Compared to LV cartridges, the new 40 mm x 46 Medium Velocity (MV) ammunition has an acceleration of around 100 m/s and a flat trajectory, so targets can be attacked faster and hence, increases the effective range to 900 m. In 2025, Rheinmetall will bring its Squad Support Weapon 40 to series production, the world’s first magazine-fed automatic shoulder-fired grenade launcher, capable of firing MV and LV ammunition. In combination with the broad spectrum of Rheinmetall’s 40 mm LV/MV ammunition portfolio, infantry users will achieve unprecedented flexibility and effectiveness on the battlefield.

Rheinmetall’s 40 mm ammunition range also includes 40 mm x 53 ammunition (high velocity) for automatic grenade launchers. This has a muzzle velocity of 130 m/s and a range of up to 2,000 metres.

Posted in Ammo, Contracts, International, Press Release | No Comments »