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INKAS Introduces the M1 MRAP, a First-of-Its-Kind Canadian-French NATO-Aligned Armored Platform

Thursday, April 30th, 2026

Toronto, Canada, April 30, 2026INKAS® has introduced the INKAS® M1 MRAP, a next-generation mine-resistant armored vehicle developed through a strategic Canadian–French defense collaboration with KNDS Mobility. Integrating a proven French mobility architecture with Canadian armored vehicle engineering and systems integration, the M1 represents a first-of-its-kind NATO-aligned MRAP platform designed to strengthen interoperability across allied forces.

Purpose-built for high-threat conditions, the M1 provides comprehensive 360-degree ballistic and blast protection in accordance with NATO STANAG standards, while maintaining the high mobility required for operations across complex terrain. The vehicle balances survivability, maneuverability, and mission adaptability, enabling forces to operate with confidence in contested environments.

Designed as a modular multi-role platform, the M1 can be configured for a range of mission profiles, including troop transport, command and control, reconnaissance, medical evacuation, and specialized operational support. This adaptability allows defense forces to deploy a single platform capable of supporting evolving operational requirements across multiple mission sets.

“The M1 reflects how allied partners can combine their industrial expertise to deliver meaningful operational capability,” said David Khazanski, CEO of INKAS®. “By integrating Canadian armored vehicle engineering with a proven French mobility system, we have developed a platform designed for full NATO compatibility while strengthening defense cooperation between our countries.”

The introduction of the M1 also reflects INKAS®’s growing role as a systems integrator within the allied defense ecosystem, bringing together international engineering expertise, NATO-aligned components, and mission-driven design into a deployable armored Platform.

As NATO partners continue to modernize their land forces, the INKAS® M1 MRAP offers a new interoperable solution built through trusted allied collaboration and engineered to meet the operational demands of modern defense forces.

Reptilia Announces Launch of 15” Arca Integrated Handguard and Fix It Sticks Toolkit

Thursday, April 30th, 2026

Hillsborough, NC -Reptilia is proud to announce the release of two new products engineered to meet the evolving demands of modern shooters: the 15” Arca Integrated Handguard and the Reptilia Fix It Sticks Toolkit. Together, these launches reinforce Reptilia’s commitment to precision, durability, and purpose-driven design.

The 15” Arca Integrated Handguard features a fully machined Arca-Swiss interface, bringing true, direct-to-tripod capability to the rifle. Originally developed in precision photography, the Arca standard has become a preferred mounting solution among shooters seeking rapid attachment, precise balance adjustment, and enhanced stability in field conditions. Reptilia’s implementation incorporates a continuous Arca profile along the bottom of the handguard, allowing users to fine-tune rifle positioning in seconds.

Central to the design is Reptilia’s patented turnbuckle mounting system, which ensures a secure, repeatable lockup across all standard M4 upper receivers while minimizing added bulk. Full M-LOK compatibility is retained, providing flexibility for mounting bipods, illumination tools, and other accessories without compromise. The handguard is available in Black and Flat Dark Earth (FDE).

Complementing the rifle-side upgrade, the Reptilia Fix It Sticks® Toolkit offers a field-ready solution for maintenance and adjustment. The kit includes an all-in-one torque driver with a 15–65 in-lb range, a T-Way T-handle wrench with magnetic bit retention, a comprehensive 15-bit set, socket and adapter compatibility, and a brass hammer head for controlled impact tasks. The toolkit is housed in a durable, weather-resistant zippered case made by Paladin 33, constructed from X-Pac® VX21 ripstop fabric for long-term performance in demanding environments.

Both products are proudly made in the United States and backed by Reptilia’s commitment to quality and reliability.

For more information, visit ReptiliaCorp.com.

Mountain Horse Solutions Wins Drone Dominance Lethality Prize Challenge

Wednesday, April 29th, 2026

SARASOTA, FL – (April 29, 2026) – Through the Department of War Drone Dominance Program, Mountain Horse Solutions — a Global Ordnance company — in partnership with Gale Force Marine, Argus Industrial, and Crucial Defense Technologies, has been selected as a winner of the Drone Dominance Program (DDP) Lethality Prize Challenge.

This challenge focuses on identifying scalable and modular lethal payload solutions that can transform any Group 1 sUAS into a one-way attack system or droppable munition capable in minutes. Mountain Horse Solutions has brought together outstanding warhead and explosive design, safe-and-arm systems, remote explosive initiation systems — and integrated them into a dynamically lethal capability for any drone on the market.

“This is exactly the kind of problem set we are built for — delivering adaptable, scalable lethal solutions that keep pace with the lightning-fast evolution of drone warfare,” said Bill Allen, president of Mountain Horse Solutions. “This is a big step toward accelerating safe integration and real-world deployment, and we are poised to bring these solutions to the warfighter.”

Mountain Horse Solutions Lethality Focus Areas: 

•        Integration across multiple Group 1 sUAS platforms.

•        Support both live and training payload configurations.

•        Scalable ESAD/EMSAD safety architectures suitable for government safety review and approval processes.

•        Ability to demonstrate integrated drone-payload system at DDG2 events.

Mountain Horse Solutions, through its parent company Global Ordnance, provides comprehensive, turn-key munitions and explosives safety, transportation, and storage solutions — particularly for DDP participants. With full firearms, munitions, and explosives licenses in place, the company enables drone manufacturers to focus on their core competency, while Mountain Horse Solutions manages full lethality and munition integration —delivering mission-ready armed drones to the government.

“The requirements and licenses required to handle and arm munitions are extensive, and we are well-versed and compliant in all aspects, alleviating the need for each individual drone manufacturer to undergo that effort and expense,” Allen said.

About the Drone Dominance Program

The Drone Dominance Program (DDP) is awarding $1.1 billion in prototype orders utilizing 10 U.S.C. 4022 over four independent phases. This multi-phase plan is an advanced market commitment: the Department is posting quantities and prices up front and will award fixed price prototype deliveries with vendors whose systems meet the Gauntlet performance and delivery requirements. Each phase includes a Gauntlet test event, run by the Test Resource Management Center (TRMC), and ends with delivery of sUAS via an Other Transaction —Prototype delivery order for the winners of the Gauntlet.

At the completion of the DDP, multiple U.S. vendors will have demonstrated the ability to produce capable, low-cost, secure supply-chain sUAS at scale, enabling Services to integrate these capabilities into future acquisition pathways. Drone Dominance is relying on industry to innovate to complete battlefield missions, reduce unit costs and scale production, with a preference for systems sourced and manufactured primarily in the United States.

About Mountain Horse Solutions

Mountain Horse Solutions delivers high-performance, mission-tailored solutions for defense, first responders, and critical infrastructure worldwide. The company specializes in rapid-response equipment, integrated systems, and targeted training to address infectious disease threats, advanced security challenges, and CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive) hazards. Capabilities span Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO); C5ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance); and cutting-edge protective technologies.

Every solution is purpose-built to meet the specific operational demands of military personnel, government agencies, and commercial partners — ensuring precision, reliability, and readiness in the most demanding environments. Backed by a global team with extensive experience serving the U.S. Department of Defense, Federal agencies, and international customers, Mountain Horse Solutions stands ready to solve the most complex challenges. To learn more about Mountain Horse Solutions, visit www.mtnhorse.com. 

ForgeLine Launches Performance Fieldwear

Wednesday, April 29th, 2026

Purpose-built gear for people who live and work in demanding environments

Carpinteria, CA (April 29, 2026) – ForgeLine Fieldwear™, the team behind Operational Fieldwear trusted by U.S. Special Operations Forces, is launching its first ForgeLine Performance Fieldwear™ collection—rugged, versatile apparel evolved from the same design philosophy used to build gear for no-fail environments.

Created for people who treat clothing as equipment, not decoration, ForgeLine Performance Fieldwear™ is built for demanding work and life outside controlled environments. The Spring 2026 launch centers on the new Utility Series: jackets and pants made with ForgeLine’s performance ultra dry-waxed cotton, a PFAS-free fabric platform designed to deliver durability, weather resistance, mobility, and everyday versatility. This first line also includes a lightweight, packable storm shell and a merino baselayer tee.

Designed and refined by the same team behind ForgeLine Operational Fieldwear™, the new collection applies hard-earned lessons from high-consequence product development to a broader range of users—from ranch and field work to long days outdoors where conditions, terrain, and weather are never fully in your control.

“This next chapter is not about leaving our roots behind,” said ForgeLine Owner Eric Neuron. “It is about applying what we have learned building gear for no-fail environments to life beyond the uniform. Our Operational Fieldwear serves the operator. Our Performance Fieldwear is built for people who need honest, capable gear for demanding days. Two lines, one mission: We make the gear. You make it matter.”

At the core of the Utility Series is ForgeLine’s performance ultra dry-waxed cotton, a modern PFAS-free material that builds on the proven toughness and character of traditional waxed cotton while improving wearability, versatility, and function through updated fabric and garment construction.

To help drive product innovation and enhancement for future lines, ForgeLine will utilize its proprietary, app-based product testing platform called Responsive Advancement™. This structured feedback loop between in-field users and the product development team streamlines the design process to meet the demands of real people performing in real conditions.

For more information about the ForgeLine Performance Fieldwear line, please visit www.forgelinefieldwear.com.

Teledyne FLIR Defense Grows Third-Party Payload Integration Program, Adds Emesent Hovermap LiDAR for Unmanned Air, Ground, and Detection Platforms

Wednesday, April 29th, 2026

Newly certified payload works across drones, robots, and radiation detection systems to speed deployment of GPS-denied mapping and fused CBRN visualizations
QUANTICO, VA, April 28, 2026 — Unveiled at Modern Day Marine 2026, Teledyne FLIR Defense announced the expansion of its Third-Party Payload Integration Program with the certification of Emesent’s Hovermap LiDAR Payload. The agreement will deliver Emesent’s GPS-denied 3D-mapping capabilities across Teledyne FLIR’s unmanned aerial systems (UAS), ground robots, and radiation detection platforms. 

The Emesent–Teledyne FLIR combination addresses a GPS-denial gap in air and ground domains where unmanned systems can lose GPS connectivity in common operating areas, such as tunnels, urban structures, and CBRN-contaminated spaces. Using LiDAR-based Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM), Emesent’s Hovermap payload generates accurate 3D maps without GPS or external infrastructure. 

On Teledyne FLIR’s SkyRanger® R70 and R80D SkyRaider® UAS platforms, Hovermap enables mapping even in GPS-denied environments. Mounted on the company’s SUGV™ 325 ground robot, Hovermap provides users with persistent 3D awareness of complex enclosed environments streamed in real-time. And integrated with Teledyne FLIR’s MUVE™ R430 radiation detection payload on the SUGV, Hovermap allows operators to see not just where a robot has been, but where radiation levels are elevated, giving CBRN teams an immediate, geo-referenced picture of the threat environment. 

“Knowing the shape of a space is powerful. Knowing where the radiation is within that space, in real time, without putting a person in harm’s way, is an operational game-changer,” said Stefan Hrabar, co-founder and chief strategy officer at Emesent. “Our partnership with Teledyne FLIR Defense brings together GPS-denied mapping and radiation detection in a way that directly addresses what CBRN operators need in the field.” 

“Teledyne FLIR builds platforms trusted for the most demanding CBRN missions in the world,” said Tung Ng, vice president of Unmanned Systems North America for Teledyne FLIR Defense. “Working with Emesent, we’ll be able to give operators a fused, spatial picture of the threat environment they simply haven’t had access to before.  

“This is the direction the whole field is heading in, and we’re delivering it now through certified third-party payloads like Hovermap,” Ng added. 

Emesent’s Hovermap represents the firm’s success in utilizing Teledyne FLIR Defense’s open-architecture, partner-enabled development ecosystem. Certified payloads are assessed for mechanical fit, electrical interface, software compatibility, and flight performance, giving customers confidence in mission-tailored capabilities from a growing partner ecosystem.  

The partnership also establishes a technical foundation for future capability development. Both companies are actively developing autonomous navigation capabilities and expanding multi-sensor fusion beyond radiation to additional CBRN detection modalities. 

The integrated systems will be on display at Teledyne FLIR Defense booth #1724 at Modern Day Marine 2026, April 28–30, at Marine Corps Base Quantico.  

Streamlight Launches Litebox 1Million

Tuesday, April 28th, 2026

High Intensity Search and Scene Light Shines Over a Mile Away

EAGLEVILLE, PA, April 24, 2026 – Streamlight®, Inc., a leading provider of high-performance flashlights, launched the LiteBox® 1Million®, the ultimate long-range search light. Engineered for demanding professional uses, the LiteBox 1Million delivers 1 million candela with a beam distance of over one mile. This rugged, rechargeable, next-generation scene light is both lighter and more compact than its predecessor, the HID LiteBox®. It has been updated to modern technology standards and is compatible with existing LiteBox accessories.The new light was introduced at FDIC International, April 23-25 in Indianapolis, IN.

The fully portable search light emits a powerful, long-range beam that can illuminate objects over 1.25 miles away, while also providing broad peripheral illumination for scene lighting uses.The light is perfectly suited for firefighting and other emergency response tasks, utility and industrial inspections, perimeter scanning, boating and marine uses, as well as long-distance outdoor navigation. Its articulating head pivots 135 degrees and rotates 270 degrees, enabling precise placement on elevated or hard-to-reach targets like power lines and high rise structures, improving situational awareness in complex environments.

The LiteBox 1Million uses three white high power LEDs and a deep dish parabolic reflector to provide its long-range beam and ultra-bright light. On high, the light provides 3,300 lumens, 1 million candela and a run time of 4 hours; on low, it delivers up to 20 hours of run time, 500 lumens and 175,000 candela.

“The LiteBox 1Million provides outstanding reach, powerful brightness, portability and extended operation to help first responders, industrial crews and other professionals illuminate accident or fire scenes, roads or job sites,” said Streamlight President Michael F. Dineen. “It’s built tough, keeping the rugged performance users expect, and it seamlessly integrates with the LiteBox charger ecosystem.”

The scene light uses two 7.2 volt 6.8Ahr Li-Ion battery packs which are rechargeable up to 500 times. The light’s translucent boot switch features an intuitive integrated red/green battery status indicator that also flashes red when 15 minutes or less of battery life is remaining.The scene light fully recharges in 9 hours with provided power supplies.

The LiteBox 1Million measures 12.5 inches in length, 6.8 inches high and weighs 7.0 pounds with battery. Other features include:

    –     Weatherproof, high-impact ABS thermoplastic housing

    –     Cushioned grip handle

    –     Reinforced D-rings for attaching the included heavy-duty shoulder strap

    –     Vehicle Mount System

    –     Available in Orange

The LiteBox 1Million has an MSRP that ranges from $659.00 to $715.00 depending on the configuration. Each comes with Streamlight’s Limited Lifetime Warranty.

www.streamlight.com

GA-ASI Congratulates VMU-3 for Being Named USMC UAV Squadron of the Year

Tuesday, April 28th, 2026

SAN DIEGO – 27 April 2026 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), supplier of the MQ-9A Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for the U.S. Marines Corps (USMC), congratulates VMU-3 for being named the USMC’s UAV Squadron of the Year by the Marine Corps Aviation Association (MCAA). The 2026 “John I. Hudson Award” recognizes VMU-3’s operational effectiveness in using the MQ-9A platform within the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) and the MAGTF Unmanned Expeditionary (MUX) program.

USMC’s UAV Squadron VMU-3, located at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, operates MQ-9A Extended Range (ER) UAVs with unique sensors and network capabilities that support training for the Marine Littoral Regiment.

MCAA also named VMU-3’s Capt. Garett B. Goar as the Marines’ UAV Officer of the Year.

“GA-ASI congratulates VMU-3 and Capt. Goar for their MCAA awards and for the important work they’re doing in operating MQ-9A,” said GA-ASI Vice President of DoD Strategic Development Patrick Shortsleeve.

To date, GA-ASI has delivered 20 MQ-9A Extended Range (ER) aircraft to the USMC that are operated by three USMC squadrons.

The MQ-9A ER is designed with field-retrofittable capabilities such as wing-borne fuel pods and a reinforced landing gear that extends the aircraft’s endurance while further increasing its operational flexibility. It provides long-endurance, persistent surveillance capabilities with Full-Motion Video and a Synthetic Aperture Radar/Moving Target Indicator/Maritime Mode Radar. An extremely reliable aircraft, MQ-9A ER is equipped with a fault-tolerant flight control system and a triple-redundant avionics system architecture. It is engineered to meet and exceed manned aircraft reliability standards.

Mistral Inc Awarded US Army Contract to Provide THOR Group 2 UAS Systems in Support of Company-Level Small UAS Needs

Tuesday, April 28th, 2026

Mistral Inc., with its Autonomous Systems partner, FUSE (formerly Flying Production), a subsidiary of Elbit Systems C4I & Cyber, to deliver a backpack-portable, rapidly deployable VTOL platform designed for multi-mission company-level operations

BETHESDA, Md., April 27, 2026 — Mistral Inc.has been awarded a $20,039,666 firm-fixed-price contract by the U.S. Army for the procurement of the Thor System and payloads for the Small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Product Office. The award was issued by Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, with an estimated completion date of March 17, 2027.

Under the award (W58RGZ-26-G-0026), Mistral will deliver THOR UAS systems and various mission payloads intended to strengthen tactical formations with an organic, rapidly employable small UAS capability aligned to company-level mission needs.

Mistral has teamed with FUSE, developer of the THOR family of military tactical Group 2 drones, and will integrate various mission payloads to provide the U.S. Army with a mature platform designed for rapid assembly, autonomous flight operations, and modular payload integration.

Delivering a Soldier-relevant, multi-mission Group 2 capability
The THOR Group 2 drone is a military tactical, fully autonomous multi-rotor mini-UAS designed for a wide range of operational applications and reconnaissance missions, emphasizing rapid deployment and flexible payload carriage. Backpack-carried and rapidly assembled, THOR is designed to support small tactical teams with a flexible aerial capability spanning reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition/identification, communications relay, electronic warfare support, resupply/cargo, and configurable effects options as mission requirements evolve.

Built for fast tactical employment, THOR is designed to reduce operator workload through multi-platform operation, autonomous takeoff/landing, and mission execution, while enabling rapid role changes at the point of need through modular payload integration.

Production-ready maturity and delivery posture
The contract award supports delivery of UAS systems and payloads to the Army’s small UAS enterprise, with work locations and funding to be determined with each order under the award structure. Mistral through Avandra.Ai, Fuse US based subsidiary, will provide local training, field & technical support.

“This award is about getting a proven, company-relevant capability into Soldiers’ hands with speed, and doing it with a system designed for real operational conditions,” said Yoav Banai, Senior Vice President – Business Development at Mistral. “By pairing Mistral’s U.S.-based integration and delivery focus with Fuse’s THOR platform, we’re positioned to provide a rapidly deployable Group 2 UAS that supports multi-mission teams and adapts quickly as the operational picture changes.”

“Elbit Systems C4I & Cyber is proud to support this effort alongside Mistral and FUSE,” said Yoav Poizner, Vice President, Marketing, Elbit Systems C4I & Cyber. “The U.S. Army’s decision to select THOR as its Company-Level multi-rotor system validates the technological and operational advantages offered by our solutions. Together, we look forward to helping deliver a dependable system that can be configured for evolving mission needs and scaled for operational demand.”