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Archive for the ‘Press Release’ Category

GM Defense and Anduril Announce Teaming Agreement

Tuesday, October 17th, 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C. — GM Defense LLC, a subsidiary of General Motors (GM), and Anduril Industries, Inc. announced a teaming agreement, establishing a framework to collaborate on defense program capture activities. The team is focused on delivering autonomy solutions, battery electrification and other new propulsion technologies, as well as those integrating the full range of Anduril technologies onto GM Defense mobility solutions.

During the Association of the U.S. Army tradeshow in Washington, D.C. both companies showcased variations of the proven and fielded Infantry Squad Vehicle. GM Defense had a four-seat Multi-Mission and Logistics ISV equipped with Anduril loitering munitions. Anduril hosted GM Defense’s nine-Soldier ISV, currently fielded to the U.S. Army’s 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, in addition to Lattice, Anduril’s sensor, network, and system-agnostic open software platform, for land systems command and control.

“GM Defense has a strong strategic alignment with Anduril as we are both focused on bringing disruptive new technologies into the defense and government marketplace to deliver innovative solutions for our customers,” said Steve duMont, GM Defense president. “We feel this is a powerful team, and together we can make a strong offering for key U.S. defense programs while assessing other global opportunities.”

With experience in ground vehicle autonomy, sensing, vehicle safety systems and connected vehicle fleet analytics, GM Defense develops solutions based on the advanced technologies of its parent company, General Motors, that help advance warfighter capabilities with some of the most advanced technologies available on the commercial market.

Anduril is a leading provider of advanced defense technologies, artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and integrated defense solutions. “We are thrilled to be working with GM Defense to produce new capabilities for land systems. Advanced software for mission-level autonomy can transform ground systems, and GM Defense will be a critical teammate to deliver next-generation land systems for warfighters around the world,” said Anduril Industries CEO, Brian Schimpf.

For the latest GM Defense news, please visit www.GMDefenseLLC.com and follow GM Defense on LinkedIn

Vista Outdoor Enters into Definitive Agreement to Sell Sporting Products Business to Czechoslovak Group for $1.91 Billion

Tuesday, October 17th, 2023

ANOKA, Minn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Vista Outdoor Inc. (NYSE: VSTO) (“Vista Outdoor”), the parent company of 41 renowned brands that design, manufacture and market sporting and outdoor products to consumers around the globe, today announced a definitive agreement to sell its Sporting Products business to Czechoslovak Group a.s. (“CSG”) for an enterprise value of $1.91 billion in an all-cash transaction subject to customary closing conditions. This transaction represents the next step in Vista Outdoor’s plan to split the company into separate entities, which was previously announced on May 5, 2022.

CSG is a leading industrial technology holding company, operating within five strategic business segments, including defense, aerospace, ammunition, mobility and business. CSG is 100% owned and led by Michal Strnad, who has transformed it into a leading Czech industrial group with a strong international footprint. CSG employs more than 10,000 people worldwide and it owns and manages a diverse portfolio of industrial and trade companies across the defense and civil sectors.

“This is an important strategic step for our company in creating value through separating our Outdoor Products and Sporting Products segments,” said Gary McArthur, interim CEO of Vista Outdoor. “The previously announced plan to separate our businesses has positioned us to execute seamlessly on this transaction, which we believe is the best path to maximize value for our stockholders, while better positioning Sporting Products and Outdoor Products for future success.”

“We are confident that CSG is a great home for our leading ammunition brands,” said Jason Vanderbrink, CEO of Sporting Products. “The company is fully committed to our iconic American brands and expanding our legacy of U.S. manufacturing, support for military and law enforcement customers, and investments in conservation and our hunting and shooting heritage. We are excited to work closely with the CSG team as we enter this next phase and position our brands for long-term success.”

Added Michal Strnad, CEO of CSG, “Jason and the Sporting Products leadership team have a strong heritage of delivering high quality products, and we are pleased to welcome them to the CSG family of companies as we partner to support their next chapter. We look forward to building on the company’s success in delivering innovative, quality products and are confident in the long-term value we can create together. We are committed to expanding their legacy of U.S. manufacturing and providing resources to accelerate their growth.”

Transaction Details

The transaction values the Sporting Products business at an enterprise value of $1.91 billion, on a cash-free, debt-free basis with a normalized level of working capital, and is supported by $1.11 billion of fully committed debt financing with the remaining amount funded by CSG. The valuation is approximately 5x enterprise value to Sporting Products FY24 EBITDA, including estimated standalone costs. To effect the transaction, Vista Outdoor will separate its Outdoor Products business from its Sporting Products business, and CSG will merge one of its subsidiaries with Vista Outdoor (holding only the Sporting Products business), with current public stockholders of Vista Outdoor receiving shares of Outdoor Products (recently rebranded as Revelyst) and approximately $750 million in cash in the aggregate. This will be treated as a taxable sale of a stockholder’s Vista Outdoor shares for the Outdoor Products shares and cash consideration they receive in the merger, allowing stockholders to recover tax basis and recognize built-in gain and loss in their Vista Outdoor shares. Relative to a divestiture of Sporting Products as an asset sale, this structure has corporate level tax of approximately $50 million versus approximately $380 million for a divestiture as an asset sale and allows for the tax-efficient return of cash to stockholders.

The transaction is expected to close in calendar year 2024, subject to approval of our stockholders, receipt of necessary regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

Upon closing, Vanderbrink will remain CEO of the Sporting Products business and the U.S. headquarters will remain in Anoka, Minnesota. In connection with the transaction, the company’s approximately 4,000 employees who represent four factories and the consumer brands CCI, Federal, HEVI-Shot, Remington and Speer will continue their heritage of community and conservation support through local and national organizations.

Outdoor Products

Upon completion of the sale of the Sporting Products business to CSG, Vista Outdoor’s Outdoor Products business will become Revelyst, Inc. (“Revelyst”), an independent publicly traded company trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker “GEAR.” Revelyst will leverage meticulous craftsmanship and cross-collaboration across its portfolio of category-defining brands. Brands include Fox, Bell, Giro, CamelBak, Camp Chef, Bushnell, Simms Fishing, Foresight Sports, Bushnell Golf and more. Eric Nyman will continue as CEO of Outdoor Products and become the CEO of Revelyst upon transaction close.

Leadership Update

Joining Vanderbrink on the leadership team at Sporting Products will be Al Kerfeld, CFO; Jeff Ehrich, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary; and Mark Kowalski, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer. Andy Keegan, currently vice president and interim CFO of Vista Outdoor, plans to join Revelyst as CFO.

For full financial disclosure, visit news.vistaoutdoor.com/newsroom/press-releases/press-release-details/2023/Vista-Outdoor-Enters-into-Definitive-Agreement-to-Sell-Sporting-Products-Business-to-Czechoslovak-Group-for-1.91-Billion

Armasight Unveils the Ultimate Night Vision Kit for Unmatched Performance

Monday, October 16th, 2023

For Immediate Release – Northbrook, IL – Armasight, a pioneer and leading authority in thermal and night vision optics, proudly announces the launch of the Ultimate Night Vision Kit, setting a new standard in night vision offerings. This all-encompassing kit features a range of exclusive Armasight products, carefully curated to elevate the night vision experience. The Premium bundle is now available online and at select retail outlets, providing enthusiasts and professionals with an unparalleled night vision solution.

The Armasight Ultimate Kit represents a field-ready night vision bundle, catering to a variety of Armasight products including the PVS-14, BNVD-40, or BNVD-51 goggles, each available in Gen 3 White Phosphor. There’s also a Sidekick 320 or 640 thermal monocular option, coupled with either a MNVD-51 or PVS-14. Emphasizing simplicity and readiness, each night vision device is bundled with a unique and exclusive Armasight Gray color Team Wendy EXFIL bump helmet, the Armasight G95 Mount Designed and Engineered by Wilcox Industries exclusively for Armasight, the Watchman IR Illuminator, and a custom-designed Otte Gear helmet bag in Armasight Gray.

The objective of this comprehensive bundle is to streamline the process of achieving fully operational night vision capabilities, offering users a complete solution for their nocturnal adventures.

Armasight has proudly partnered with Elbit Systems of America, the largest US manufacturer of Gen 3 image intensifier tubes and the supplier of premium night vision to the US Military Special Operations Community. This collaboration ensures our customers have access to the finest, most reliable night vision tubes on the market. The battle-proven PVS-14, MNVD-51, BNVD-40, and the BNVD-51, known for their unmatched performance, durability, and reliability, come with the Armasight 3-year limited warranty, providing peace of mind and exceptional support.

The Armasight Ultimate Kit is now available for purchase at Armasight.com and through select dealers, empowering enthusiasts and professionals to experience the ultimate in night vision technology. Don’t miss this opportunity to equip yourself with the best in the industry.

Packages contain:

? Choice of White Phosphor PVS-14 Pinnacle, PVS-14 Pinnacle 2376, MNVD-51 Pinnacle, MNVD-51 Pinnacle 2376, BNVD-40, BNVD-40 2376, BNVD-51 Pinnacle or the BNVD-51 Pinnacle 2376

Plus, these items:

• Team Wendy EXFIL LTP Bump Helmet Rail 3.0 in Armasight Gray

• Armasight by OTTE Gear Night Vision Helmet Bag

• Armasight G95 NVG Mount Designed & Manufactured by Wilcox Industries

• Rayvn Rail + 2 PODs bridge for Sidekick systems

• Watchman IR Illuminator (NV systems only)

• 30mm Ring Mount (NV systems only)

• Battery Pack #206 for BNVD-51 & BNVD-40 systems

MSRP:

Armasight PVS-14 Pinnacle Premium Night Vision Bundle – $6,399

Armasight PVS-14 Pinnacle 2376 Premium Night Vision Bundle – $7,399

Armasight BNVD-40 Pinnacle Ultimate Kit – $9,999

Armasight BNVD-40 Pinnacle 2376 Ultimate Kit – $9,999

Armasight BNVD-51 Pinnacle Premium Night Vision Bundle – $9,999

Armasight BNVD 51 Pinnacle 2376 Premium Night Vision Bundle- $9,999

Armasight PVS-14 Pinnacle + Sidekick 320 Premium Night Vision Bundle – $8,499

Armasight PVS-14 Pinnacle 2376 + Sidekick 640 Premium Night Vision Bundle – $9,499

Armasight MNVD-51 Pinnacle + Sidekick 320 Premium Night Vision Bundle – $6,999

Armasight MNVD-51 Pinnacle 2376 + Sidekick 640 Premium Night Vision Bundle – $7,999

Video: Team Wendy / Armasight Helmet Kit – Available Now – YouTube

www.Armasight.com

Qore Performance launches CATAMARAN (Universal MOLLE Plate Carrier Ventilation Adapter Panel)

Monday, October 16th, 2023

Knoxville, TN — Wearing a plate carrier can be oppressively hot and uncomfortable. Any gear that keeps bullets out naturally also traps heat in. One of the few ways to find necessary relief is to get air flowing between your body and the plate carrier, but getting that airflow to be constant and persistent without lowering your defenses is a huge challenge. It’s a challenge for manufacturers as well; very few plate carriers today are built with any type of stand-off ventilation capability (our ICEPLATE EXO® is one of a few exceptions). Instead, many manufacturers use dense foams and other inferior technologies like spacer mesh to provide a soft feel – but which trap heat and retain moisture.

ICEVENTS® Classic Plate Carrier Ventilation Pontoons facilitate air flow and eliminate hot spots between your carrier, your armor plates, and your torso. But up to this point, they haven’t been compatible with most carriers, as they required plate bags equipped with loop Velcro fields on the interior face (a small number of carriers have this feature) or plate carriers that were modified with aftermarket sewn-on Velcro loop (a heavy, if sometimes impossible, lift). Today, that changes with the launch of our all-new CATAMARAN Universal MOLLE Plate Carrier Ventilation Adapter Panel. CATAMARAN brings the  magic of our ICEVENTS® Classic Plate Carrier Ventilation Pontoons to every MOLLE-equipped plate carrier on the market today (and even some that are not equipped with MOLLE).

Like any great tool, CATAMARAN solves a complex problem, but it is incredibly simple to use. CATAMARAN works as an ultralight interface that attaches securely to the MOLLE field on your plate carrier and provides a Velcro-loop field interface to secure ICEVENTS® Classic Plate Carrier Ventilation Pontoons in place. Constant airflow. Hotspots gone. On all carriers – in an incredibly easy to install package.

CATAMARAN is now available for purchase exclusively on QorePerformance.com. For more information or media inquiries, please visit www.QorePerformance.com or contact Qore Performance via email or by calling 703.755.0724.

VK-1 Wins The Golden Triggr Award for Most Innovative Long Gun at TriggrCon 2023

Sunday, October 15th, 2023

Wichita, Kansas– VKTR Industries is proud to accept the Golden Triggr Award for Most Innovative Long Gun presented at TriggrCon 2023. Representing a showcase for the most cutting-edge developments in the industry, TriggrCon fosters new technologies and recognizes innovation in design and execution.

Our submission, the VK-1, is a lightweight, low-profile, feature-rich, piston-driven AR-15 for the discerning shooter. It features patented state-of-the-art internal components, offering shooters a flatter, cleaner, more consistent shooting experience than traditional DI or legacy piston-driven ARs in the lowest profile footprint on the market. VK-1 is fully ambidextrous, including a patented billet machined magazine release and bolt catch. Heat-treated billet construction on these components ensures they will perform for a lifetime of service even in the most hostile conditions.

At its core, VKTR Industries firmly believes in evolution through design, and the VK-1 represents the precision, craftsmanship, and innovative design necessary to deliver the highest standard of quality in firearms manufacturing.

For more information on the VK-1, visit vktrind.com.

Lubbock SWAT Takes 1st Place at the 2023 Texas Tactical Police Officers Association Annual SWAT Competition

Sunday, October 15th, 2023

ROUND ROCK, Texas – October 8, 2023 – The Texas Tactical Police Officers Association recently completed its annual SWAT competition, title sponsored this year by Sons of Liberty Gun Works. Thirty-six teams competed this year, with nine out-of-state teams and collegiate marksmanship teams entering. Past recent years have included international competitors as well. The competition was held over four days, and teams ran in eight separate events.

Friday & Saturday of the competition included a vendor show, with 5.11 Tactical, Cobalt Kinetics, Point Blank Enterprises, Safariland Systems, and Triarc Systems helping the competition as Platinum sponsors.

TTPOA President Dan Calosanto applauded Lubbock SWAT for their win – ” This was a record number of entries for us with 36 teams, and Lubbock PD deserves congratulations.”

Kolton Pirkle, member of Lubbock SWAT and sniper for the winning team, had high praise for the event. “This year’s TTPOA SWAT Competition was great. You could immediately see that the TTPOA Staff and hosting agency put in a ton of work to make the competition flow. The events were challenging and placed a large emphasis on understanding the mission, team communication during the mission, and executing the plan as a team. There was a high value placed on accuracy and accountability with high round counts and penalties for every miss or procedural violation. They provided teams with opportunities for strategy and creativity to think outside the box on how to get to the finish line. Our team has competed with TTPOA since 2012 and the event seems to get better each year. We believe that this year’s event was up there with the best. This competition definitely pushes us to train hard and get better as a team each year as well. If you are on the fence as a department or as a business looking for exposure in the tactical world, this is the event to get into. We are already looking forward to next year’s competition.”

Andy Adkins, TTPOA Vendor Coordinator, had specific praise for the vendors and sponsors at the competition.  “This year was another phenomenal year of support from our beloved sponsors and vendors at the Competition. There’s no way that we could accomplish our mission of networking and providing training to officers from around the country without the support of our vendors and I must acknowledge their contribution.

Our Competition vendor show is smaller in scale than our annual conference, but still packs a serious punch when it comes to the exhibition of dynamic products designed to make the lives of our officers better, safer, and more effective.

This past year at our Conference, we hosted 200 vendors, who brought their ‘A’ game to be sure. We saw an incredible display of innovative products and I encourage anyone who is toying with the idea of attending as a student or as a vendor to find a way to get to our conference in April!”

The TTPOA will celebrate its 40th year anniversary in 2024, and the annual Conference, Training Symposium, and Vendor Show will be held April 24-28 at the Kalahari Resort in Round Rock, Texas. If you have interest in attending, please visit our website at www.ttpoa.org;  prospective vendors can contact Andy Adkins at andy.adkins@ttpoa.org.

SnakeStaff Systems Launches Pocket Protector EDC IFAK (First Aid Kit)

Sunday, October 15th, 2023

Salt Lake City, UT (October 10, 2023) SnakeStaff Systems launched its everyday carry (EDC) first aid kit (IFAK) in partnership with North American Rescue®.

This mini but mighty lifesaving kit contains everything you need to stop a bleed in an emergent situation until emergency services arrives, and includes NAR medical gloves, NAR wound packing gauze or optional Quickclot™, and two Hyfin™ chest seals. The IFAK can be bundled with the ETQ, the smallest windlass tourniquet on the market.

The Pocket Protector EDC IFAK is about the size of a smart phone (3.5” X 5.25”X.75”) and can fit in your pocket, fanny pack and even in your plate carrier mag holders, making safety accessible anytime, anywhere. 

See the video at www.snakestaffsystems.com/video

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Federal Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Suunto Introduces Race GPS Sports Watch

Saturday, October 14th, 2023

Suunto presents a new sports watch for outdoor sports enthusiasts, featuring AMOLED display, HRV, free offline maps & impressive battery life

The large-screen Suunto Race GPS sports watch – with AMOLED display, advanced training metrics, and detailed offline maps – is designed for athletes who want to improve their performance and challenge themselves. A sports watch perfect for training, competitions, and the time in between

VANTAA (October 13, 2023). Some people choose to chill on weekends, while performance-oriented athletes choose to challenge themselves and enjoy the community vibe in races. Passionate athletes want to reach their personal best and need a tool they can trust to guide them. With the highest standard of toughness, together with offline maps, training, and racing features, SUUNTO RACE provides information on progress and helps to maintain the balance between training and recovery.

“A strong choice for athletes who appreciate a companion at the starting line and don’t want to worry about battery life.”

-Petri Lehtovirta, Suunto’s Head of Product

The new SUUNTO RACE presents itself with a high resolution 1.43″ AMOLED display and a digital crown that makes accessing the numerous functions quick and easy. To bring the needed confidence to the starting line, the watch comes with improved training metrics. With SUUNTO RACE, one can track their training, recovery, and progress easily. By measuring heart rate variability, HRV, one can assess their recovery state and compare their latest values to long-term HRV, and analyze if their recovery is being compromised. The free, detailed maps can be downloaded directly onto the watch so that athletes can always find their route, even offline.

SUUNTO RACE impresses with its battery life: one can train for 40 hours non-stop, with exact GPS tracking, and in daily mode, the watch can last up to 26 days. SUUNTO RACE comes in titanium and stainless steel. Both models are tested according to Suunto standards, are military tested, and can withstand weather conditions from -20 ° C to +55° C. The watch is equipped with robust sapphire crystal glass and is water resistant up to 100 meters.

Suunto Race Titanium and Stainless Steel with AMOLED display, sapphire glass, new digital crown.

SUUNTO RACE – YOUR TRAINING COMPANION

Athletes can now see a detailed overview of training load, recovery and progress directly on the watch. The statistics provided by the enhanced tracking can be used to ensure that goals are being met each week. Data is compared to the previous week’s average, so it is easy to stay on track. By measuring heart rate variability (HRV), athletes can assess their recovery status and compare and analyze their current values with their individual long-term HRV.

For optimizing training, workout plans can be created in the Suunto App or partner services and be synced with the watch for real-time coaching and guidance.

95 sport modes and SuuntoPlus™ Store delivers over 50 sports apps directly to your watch.

SUUNTO RACE supports various outdoor and indoor sports with more than 95 sports modes. Each sport mode has two to four training views where key statistics are visible during training, as well as a map display when exercising outdoors. New features include Strava segments for sports like running and cycling and a new movement feature for added metrics when calculating training intensity for weight training and ball sports, for instance.

The ever-growing SuuntoPlus™ Store works like a free app store for Suunto watches, with sport-specific apps for individual needs. Here, you can find, amongst other things, tools to manage training or other functions to get more out of your favorite sport.

GREAT SUPPORT IN COMPETITIONS

The display can be individually adjusted to your own needs, so that during the race one look is enough to get all the important information. Instead of memorizing the race course by heart, the route and most important waypoints can be displayed on the map. When competing in the dark, the bright AMOLED display makes it easier to find the finish line. 

Also, other beneficial functions can be used during races. The RaceTime feature gives an overview of the total time, whether the pace is maintained and how long it will take until the finish.

Especially during longer competitions, the nutrition function is extremely helpful. It reminds you to drink in time and sufficiently and to take in nutrients, when necessary. A well-thought-out plan of how to use the aid stations to stay strong and finish well is important.

Whether they want to race against others or race against themselves, the watch offers the tools to help perform better. With SUUNTO RACE, athletes can track their performance, evaluate and assess their progress with general endurance tests such as the classic Cooper test, they can perform an anaerobic running test, run an FTP test or a Beep test. All these tests are available in the Suuntoplus app store.

A long battery life is a crucial criterion in a watch suitable for racing. After all, the longer the race, the more important it is that the athlete can rely on it. Even with the bright AMOLED display, The SUUNTO RACE lasts up to 40 hours with GNSS positioning and maximum accuracy through full power dual-band (L5) tracking, in daily mode with activated heart rate measurement up to 10 days.

“The Suunto Race combines the best features of all sports watches. The super bright AMOLED display, combined with a battery life of 40 hours in performance training mode and detailed recording of the most important vital stats – with it I can be sure to stand in top form at the starting line.” 

– Ida-Sophiee Hegemann – Professional Trailrunner

Reliable navigation in training and racing

SUUNTO RACE has detailed offline maps showing trails, contour lines, waters and all other important landmarks. Global maps are available for free and can be downloaded with the Suunto app. With navigation features like route navigation and breadcrumbs, the watch guides athletes on new and old routes so they can focus on their training without getting lost. 

SUUNTO RACE – THE DAILY COMPANION DURING RECOVERY

Even when not training or competing, SUUNTO RACE provides information about the general well-being and important daily activity information. It supports a healthy and active lifestyle with information about the recovery phase, steps, calories, heart rate, sleep and much more.

It provides at-a-glance information about current weather conditions and the weather forecast. With its music controls, you can easily select your preferred music, adjust volume, pause, or skip songs.

Suunto Race – Variants 

SUUNTO RACESTAINLESS STEEL

$449

SUUNTO RACETITANIUM

$549

NEW Suunto branded accessory strapsPearl White Orchid Purple Lava Red Lemon Yellow

www.suunto.com