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Tesseract Ventures Selected by Defense Innovation Unit for Containerized Autonomous Drone Delivery System (CADDS) Prototype Project

Saturday, July 18th, 2026

TAMPA, Fla., July 14, 2026 — Tesseract Ventures announced today its selection by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to advance in the Containerized Autonomous Drone Delivery System (CADDS) prototype project. This highly competitive initiative aims to accelerate next-generation autonomous capabilities for rapidly deploying, sustaining, and managing unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in contested and austere environments.

The CADDS project addresses a critical Department of War challenge: transitioning from a one-operator-per-aircraft model to scalable autonomous systems that deploy and sustain large drone fleets with minimal human intervention. The project prioritizes modular, open-architecture solutions that support distributed military operations and allow rapid technology integration.

Tesseract Ventures will demonstrate its modular autonomous platform, which simplifies the deployment, launch, recovery, and management of multiple drones from containerized systems. Leveraging open systems architecture, advanced autonomy software, resilient command and control, and scalable mission management, Tesseract’s solution increases operational flexibility while reducing operator cognitive workload.

“This selection is an important milestone for Tesseract Ventures and validates our vision of delivering scalable autonomous systems and drones that meet the evolving needs of the U.S. military,” said John Boucard, CEO and founder of Tesseract Ventures. “We are honored to support DIU’s mission of rapidly fielding commercial technology to the warfighter.”

The CADDS project requires solutions capable of transporting, storing, launching, recovering, refitting, and managing diverse autonomous aircraft across land and maritime environments with minimal personnel. The solicitation prioritizes the Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) to maximize interoperability, future upgrades, and rapid technology insertion.

Unlike traditional drone operations requiring heavy operator involvement, Tesseract’s approach uses intelligent automation to increase the operator-to-aircraft ratio, enabling persistent autonomous operations while reducing risks to personnel.

As part of this prototype effort, Tesseract Ventures will participate in demonstrations to validate operational performance. Under the Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) process, successful prototypes may become eligible for follow-on production opportunities without further competition.

About Tesseract Ventures 

Tesseract is an American invention company building advanced hardware, software, and AI-driven systems for construction, defense, infrastructure, and agriculture. The company develops integrated platforms combining real-time sensing, digital twins, robotics, and automation to provide organizations a complete operational picture. Tesseract works with field teams, military partners, and enterprise clients to create practical, reliable technologies that improve safety, clarity, and productivity.

For more information, visit www.tesseractventures.io

Posted in C-UAS, Contracts, Press Release | No Comments »

Mack Defense Receives Additional Order for 115 Heavy Dump Trucks Under US Army’s M917A3 Program

Saturday, July 18th, 2026

ALLENTOWN, PA (July 14, 2026) – Mack Defense today announced that the U.S. Army has placed an additional order for 115 Heavy Dump Trucks (HDTs) as part of its M917A3 HDT program for the National Guard.

This latest order, combined with the 91 trucks ordered last month from the U.S. Army funded with the $47 million secured in the 2026 National Defense Appropriations Act, brings the total to 208 trucks with a combined value of more than $84 million. These recent orders are part of the new five-year contract awarded in June 2025 to Mack Defense for up to 450 trucks, with a total contract value of up to $221.8 million.

Based on the commercially available Mack®Granite® model, the M917A3 HDTs are manufactured at Mack Defense’s dedicated production line at the Mack Experience Center (MEC) in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

“We are deeply appreciative of the U.S. Army and Army National Guard’s continued trust in Mack Defense and the M917A3 Heavy Dump Truck program,” said Derik Beck, senior director of sales and marketing for Mack Defense. “This latest order reinforces the critical value and importance of our long-standing partnership with the U.S. Army. These rugged, mission-ready Granite-based HDTs directly support the warfighter by enabling essential construction, infrastructure maintenance and disaster relief operations worldwide. We are truly thankful for this vote of confidence and remain fully committed to delivering the highest-performing heavy dump trucks that our soldiers and guardsmen rely upon.”

The order enables continued production of the vitally important M917A3 HDTs that support the U.S. military’s construction and infrastructure maintenance capabilities. The HDTs are essential to building and maintaining airfields, roadways, landing strips, supply facilities and motor pools, and they provide critical support during disaster?relief efforts in areas impacted by severe weather.

Spec’d with heavier-duty rear axles, all-wheel drive, increased suspension ride height and other ruggedized features to meet the unique requirements of the U.S. military, the M917A3 HDTs also feature advanced technology including ABS, modern control interfaces and active safety systems.

Mack Defense’s production facility at the Mack Experience Center has been in operation since 2021 following a $6.5 million investment to create a dedicated HDT production line, which leverages the capabilities and production work force of Mack’s main Lehigh Valley Operations (LVO), Macungie, Pennsylvania.

Mack Defense, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mack Trucks, is responsible for the sale of heavy-duty trucks to federal- and ministerial-level customers globally. For more information, please visit www.mackdefense.com.

Posted in Army, Contracts, Mobility, Press Release | No Comments »

Federal Court of Appeals Orders Dismissal of P320 Class Action Lawsuit in Unanimous Decision

Friday, July 17th, 2026

NEWINGTON, N.H., (July 17, 2026) – SIG SAUER, an industry-leading manufacturer of cutting-edge firearms, electro-optics, ammunition, and advanced concepts, issued a statement today after the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit on July 16, 2026, ordered the dismissal of a SIG SAUER P320 class action lawsuit in its entirety.

The Eighth Circuit Court ruled in Glasscock v. SIG SAUER, Inc. that a plaintiff must experience an actual defect on a product claim, rather than suggesting a theoretical defect could occur in the future and claiming damages. In its written decision, the court shows the plaintiff “admitted that he has had no issues (including inadvertent discharge) with his P320.”

The unanimous ruling by a panel of three federal judges determined that a hypothetical defect is insufficient for the lawsuit, clearly stating that mere ownership of a product is not satisfactory in the case. The outcome in Glasscock v. SIG SAUER, Inc. is significant because of the strong and unambiguous language by the Eighth Circuit Court highlighting the “wholly speculative” nature of the plaintiff’s claim.

“The Eighth Circuit’s ruling adds to our approximately 20 case dismissals involving the P320, including a previous class action lawsuit,” said Keith Gibson, an attorney at Littleton Joyce and counsel for SIG SAUER. “The P320 is among the most tested and proven handguns in the world, which is why we will continue to defend SIG SAUER’s products and the technology behind them.”

Similarly, a separate federal court denied class action certification in Ortiz v. SIG SAUER, Inc. in 2022. Multiple courts dismissed P320 cases after SIG SAUER demonstrated through repeated company and independent testing the firearm cannot discharge without a trigger pull. In addition, several plaintiffs decided to withdraw their P320 lawsuits after the evidence and independent investigations were presented.

In May 2026, two separate lawsuits were dismissed with prejudice in Massachusetts federal court and Colorado federal court. Nobody, including multiple experts retained by plaintiffs, has ever replicated a P320 pistol firing without a trigger pull.

In Massachusetts, the plaintiff voluntarily withdrew the case which claimed his issued P320 discharged in his hand without a trigger pull. His employer, the Cambridge Police Department, determined the plaintiff’s handling of the weapon violated numerous departmental rules and caused the gun to discharge in an enclosed van with other officers. In Colorado federal court, the plaintiff similarly withdrew the case after SIG SAUER showed again the P320 cannot discharge without a trigger pull.

The P320 is an innovative striker-fired pistol which has been selected as the handgun of choice following rigorous testing by the U.S. military and a number of other countries, including Canada, Switzerland, and Australia, as well as by elite law enforcement and federal agencies. It cannot under any circumstance discharge without a trigger pull – a fact which has repeatedly been verified through testing by SIG SAUER, handgun experts, and independent labs.

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

GA-ASI Celebrates 10 Years of Flight Test and Training in North Dakota

Friday, July 17th, 2026

Several Historic UAS Events Originated From the FTTC

GRAND FORKS – 16 July 2026 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) began operations of its Flight Test and Training Center (FTTC) at the GrandSKY UAS Business Park near Grand Forks, North Dakota, on July 18, 2016. Over the past 10 years, the FTTC has been the site of a number of historic “firsts” for Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) and has delivered training to more than 4,000 pilots and sensor operators that fly UAS produced by GA-ASI.

“It’s been an eventful decade for the FTTC,” said GA-ASI CEO Linden Blue. “We opened this facility with the idea of expanding our flight test and training capability in a location with a lot of open sky, and we found that in North Dakota.”

The FTTC quickly became an important piece in the emergence of GA-ASI’s next-generation MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA), which has been ordered by 10 countries.

Several important MQ-9B test flights originated from the FTTC, which is also a prime location for international customer flight crews to receive training for their pilots, sensor operators, and mission intelligence coordinators.

“Starting with the first nonstop transatlantic flight of a medium-altitude, long-endurance RPA (MQ-9B) in 2018, GA-ASI has used the FTTC as a launch pad for a number of historic flights, including flying an MQ-9A inside the Arctic Circle, and just this year when we completed Flight Into Known Icing tests using MQ-9B,” said Mr. Blue.

U.S. Senator John Hoeven (R-ND) added: “We’ve built North Dakota into the premier location for unmanned aviation. As one of GrandSKY’s anchor tenants, General Atomics has been a tremendous partner in this effort, and we appreciate the company’s continued investment in our UAS ecosystem over these past 10 years. When we first began working to establish our unmanned industry more than 20 years ago, GrandSKY was just an idea. Through years of collaboration and effort, we secured a lease to establish the technology and business park at the air base, and we got to work finding the right tenants to make this first-of-its-kind initiative a success. As we worked with General Atomics’ leadership, including CEO Linden Blue, it was clear the company would be a natural fit. Today, we look back on how far our efforts have taken us and celebrate a decade of successful partnership.”

Milestones and highlights from the first 10 years of the FTTC:

July 2016

First flight of Predator® RPA

August 2017

First permanent hangar opens

July 2018

MQ-9B SkyGuardian® takes off on first trans-Atlantic to RAF Fairford

August 2018

FTTC expands from 5.5 to more than 11+ acres

August 2019

No-Chase Certificate of Waiver or Authorization received from the FAA

March 2020

New Predator Mission Trainer installed

September 2021

MQ-9A takes off to fly north through Canadian airspace past the 78th parallel

July 2022

First SkyGuardian Mission Trainer installed

February 2023

MQ-9B completes Cold Weather Validation flight test

May 2023

First international customer arrives for MQ-9B flight training

August 2023

Second permanent hangar opens

August 2024

Air Systems Training team established to expand training for global MQ?9 users

April 2026

MQ-9B completes Flight Into Known Icing tests

See video and article about the FTTC.

Posted in Press Release, UAS | No Comments »

Julius Caesar Announced as Latest Installment of SK Guns’ Conquerors Series

Thursday, July 16th, 2026

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – July 13, 2026 – SK Guns®, the Nation’s only series-driven, limited-edition manufacturer of custom firearms, is proud to announce the third production in its popular Conquerors Series: Julius Caesar. As a limited-production release, only 200 Colt 1911 pistols chambered in .38 Super will be available to collectors and enthusiasts.

“Caesar was a Roman general, politician and writer whose conquests changed the history of the ancient world. He moved his armies quickly, built bridges, forts and siege works, and used discipline to defeat larger forces,” said Simon Khiabani, owner and founder of SK Guns. “His conquest made him legendary, but it also helped bring the Roman Republic to an end and reshaped Europe for centuries after.”

Details on the right side of the guns slide exhibit Caesar crossing the Rubicon in January 49 BC, an act of treason also known as the point of no return that sparked the Great Roman Civil War. This legendary river in northeastern Italy served as the legal northern boundary of the Roman province of Italy proper, separating it from Cisalpine Gaul.

Details on the left side of the slide focus on the conquest of Gaul, also known as the Gallic Wars (taking place in modern France), which secured the natural border of “The Empire to the Rhine,” referring to two major geopolitical entities: the Roman Empire and the First French Empire under Napoleon Bonaparte.

The top of the slide near the rear sight is decorated with the Temple of Divus Julius — (Temple of Caesar). The top of the slide near the front sight features an image of Caesar in his prime.

The frame, slide and select control are all high-polished in a deep Colt Royal Blue finish. The controls are in 24k gold. The gun is made complete with an engraved logo of the Conquerors Series and Caesar on presentation black Kirinite grips, color-filled.

Posted in Firearms, Press Release | No Comments »

Nokia and NestAI build Capability for AI-Enabled Defense Operations with Resilient Connectivity in Denied Environments

Thursday, July 16th, 2026

Integrates AI, deployable 5G and sensing into a single defense capability

Accelerates sovereign European defense technologies for the next generation of military missions

9 July 2026, Espoo, Finland – Nokia Defense and NestAI, one of Europe’s fastest-growing AI labs for defense, are advancing their technology partnership with the first operational capabilities being developed under the collaboration established alongside Nokia’s and Tesi’s €100 million joint investment in NestAI in November 2025.

As European defense investment reaches its highest level in decades, defense forces are accelerating the integration of AI-enabled capabilities into their operations. A defining challenge is ensuring resilient, trusted connectivity in denied environments, where communications, sensing and mission-planning must work seamlessly together for AI-enabled operations to succeed in the field.

The partnership is delivering three integrated operational capabilities:

AI-enabled command-and-control on deployable 5G networks: bringing together Nokia’s deployable 5G networks with NestOS, NestAI’s adaptive operating system for modern battlefield operations, to help European forces maintain command and control, support autonomous systems and reduce reliance on fixed communications infrastructure.

Mission planning with assured connectivity: integrating Nokia’s radio-network planning models into NestOS mission-planning tools, enabling forces to assess, plan and adapt connectivity as part of the mission while reducing the risk of coverage gaps during fast-moving multidomain operations.

Earlier threat detection and response: combining Nokia’s Integrated Sensing and Communications (ISAC) early-detection capability with NestAI’s multi-sensor tracking to provide operators with earlier, wide-area threat awareness and support faster, more informed decision-making in, even in contested environments with limited connectivity.

These capabilities are built for the conditions modern forces now face: denied communications, active electronic attack and emerging drone threats that must be detected before dedicated sensors acquire a target. The partnership addresses all three with European-developed technologies built to NATO operational requirements.

“Defense is moving quickly to adopt AI-enabled capabilities, from mission planning to unmanned operations. But AI only works in the field when it has secure, resilient connectivity behind it. Together with NestAI, Nokia is accelerating the sovereign technologies NATO needs to operate, decide and act in the next generation of missions,” said Mikko Hautala, Chief Geopolitical & Government Relations Officer and Chairman, Nokia Defense.

“Most defense AI is built on assumptions about connectivity, sensor access, and infrastructure that do not hold in contested environments. What we are building with Nokia addresses the real conditions European forces face, from the network underneath to the threats at the edge, on technology that Europe develops and controls,” said Peter Sarlin, Founder and Executive Chairman, NestAI.

Nokia Defense provides secure, intelligent connectivity for defense in the AI era. Built on Nokia’s global leadership across fixed, mobile, and transport networks, it delivers resilient, mission-ready communications solutions that strengthen national security and support critical operations worldwide. For more information: www.nokia.com/defense-communications

Posted in Admin, AI / ML, Comms, International, Press Release | No Comments »

Sponsor Opportunities Now Available for SHOT Show Industry Day at the Range 2026

Thursday, July 16th, 2026

Drive Brand Visibility and Increase Your Brand Exposure at SHOT Show’s Signature Kickoff Event
BOULDER CITY, Nev. — July 15, 2026 — As the firearms, hunting and outdoor industries prepare for another influential week of SHOT Show, Industry Day at the Range (IDATR) 2027, taking place Monday, January 18, 2027, is inviting brands to secure sponsorship opportunities designed to maximize exposure, elevate brand recognition and connect directly with the industry’s most influential media, retailers, buyers and content creators before the doors of SHOT Show officially open.

As one of the industry’s most anticipated annual events, Industry Day at the Range brings together more than 2,300 vetted attendees for a full day of live-fire demonstrations, networking and product discovery. Sponsorship packages are strategically designed to place brands in front of key decision-makers throughout the event while reinforcing visibility before, during and after SHOT Week.

“Industry Day at the Range is where the industry gathers before the show floor opens, making it one of the most valuable marketing opportunities of SHOT Week,” said Kelsey Puryear, Industry Day at the Range manager. “Our sponsorship opportunities help brands stand out during the event’s highest-engagement moments while creating meaningful impressions with media, buyers and industry professionals who influence purchasing decisions throughout the year.”

Featured sponsorship opportunities for 2027 include:

  • Media Lunch Sponsorship 
  • Attendee Lunch Sponsorship 
  • Official Event App Sponsorship&nbsp

Each sponsorship is designed to maximize brand exposure across high-traffic event touchpoints.

The Media and Attendee Lunch Sponsorships provide premium branding during two of the busiest networking periods of the day, positioning sponsors in front of journalists, retailers, distributors, exhibitors and invited guests as they gather between range sessions.

The Official Event App Sponsorship places a sponsor’s brand directly into the hands of every attendee through the Industry Day mobile app, the primary resource for event schedules, exhibitor locations, interactive maps and product information.

These featured opportunities complement a comprehensive sponsorship program designed to help companies launch new products, strengthen brand recognition, increase media exposure and create memorable experiences ahead of SHOT Show. Whether introducing innovative products or reinforcing an established presence within the shooting sports industry, Industry Day at the Range sponsorships offer measurable value during one of the year’s most important business events.

“Industry Day at the Range has been an incredibly valuable platform for Henry Repeating Arms,” said Dan Clayton-Luce, vice president of communications at Henry Repeating Arms. “It gives us the perfect opportunity to showcase new product launches in a hands-on environment without the complexity and expense of hosting our own standalone event. The attendee list is highly focused—media members aren’t just evaluating products; they’re creating content and publishing coverage, much of it the very same day. It’s been a powerful way for us to build momentum and generate excitement heading into SHOT Show.”

With the National Shooting Sports Foundation continuing as title sponsor through 2028, Industry Day at the Range remains the premier live-fire event of SHOT Week and one of the most effective platforms for brands to generate awareness, media coverage and business opportunities before SHOT Show begins.

Exhibitor space and sponsorship opportunities are limited. Companies interested in maximizing its presence during Industry Day at The Range are encouraged to reserve their sponsorships early.

Exhibitor space is now available for the 2027 event. Companies interested in exhibiting are encouraged to register early, as premium shooting bays and sponsorship opportunities are limited. For additional details and answers to frequently asked questions, please visit the event website.

For more information about the 2027 SHOT Show Industry Day at the Range visit ShotShowRangeDay.com.

Posted in Industry, Press Release, SHOT Show | Comments Off on Sponsor Opportunities Now Available for SHOT Show Industry Day at the Range 2026

T.REX ARMS Releases New Active Retention Holster

Thursday, July 16th, 2026

*The Titan was Designed to Provide Speed and Reliability Without Compromising Strength and Weapon Retention*

**CENTERVILLE, TN. – July 16, 2026** – T.REX ARMS is proud to announce the availability of a new active retention holster built for speed and reliability. The?Titan?combines a precision-formed Kydex shell with a rugged housing and robust locking mechanism that can be released quickly and easily, so that the weapon can be securely retained, but also rapidly deployed.

Every ergonomic detail is shaped to support a natural, uninterrupted draw and solid firing grip from the first touch. The ability to release the weapon even when pulling or twisting the gun at the wrong angle, drawing the gun before hitting the button, or any other things that may happen under stress and duress. This holster offers the fastest draw for people who have a high level of skill, and the fastest draw for people using it for the first time. 

The duty 0.125″ Kydex shell provides adjustable passive retention on the weapon or light, and many points of contact regardless of the locking mechanism. This ensures a rattle-free slim holster with wide support for Glock, Sig, S&W, Walther, Staccato, and more pistols, Streamlight and Surefire lights.

The Titan will also accommodate all optics up to and including the Trijicon SRO with armor, and it includes an optional and removable optic shroud designed to protect your red dot from large debris. The shroud opens automatically during the draw stroke, and when reholstering with most optics.  

All parts of this holster are available in multiple colors, and it is best paired with the T.REX LINK belt mount, which gives it perfect compatibility with our thigh strap for extra stability. However, it is also compatible with mounting systems from Alien Gear, Blackhawk, Bladetech, DARA, G-Code, Safariland, and more, and will work with or without quick detach systems or adapters.  

Every metal fastener on the device is made of stainless steel, and every moving part is glass-filled nylon, so there are no rust or corrosion issues that could cause jamming or binding. The ejection port lock, spring, and button are all part of a single component, reducing complexity. This holster has the fewest parts of any locking holster on the market, making it lighter without compromising strength.

The Titan was built on the premise that the user must always be able to draw their weapon when needed, regardless of circumstances. All mechanical systems will fail at some point, so the Titan is intentionally engineered to fail “open.” If the locking mechanism were ever to break, the firearm can still be drawn safely and without obstruction.  

The weapon will be accessible, whether the user executes a perfect draw or a suboptimal draw, and whether the holster is perfectly functional or has been catastrophically damaged. If damage occurs, the locking mechanism is user-replaceable, and field serviceable. The entire holster has the same lifetime warranty support as all other T.REX ARMS holsters.

T.REX ARMS designs and manufactures premium holsters, belts, targets, and other defense of life equipment engineered for real-world performance. Innovation, durability, and user feedback drive a brand that’s made in America by Americans, with a lifetime warranty and best customer service, for all who carry in defense of life. 

Posted in Holsters, Press Release | Comments Off on T.REX ARMS Releases New Active Retention Holster

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