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Archive for the ‘Press Release’ Category

AeroVironment Successfully Completes Sunglider Solar HAPS Stratospheric Test Flight, Surpassing 60,000 Feet Altitude and Demonstrating Broadband Mobile Connectivity

Thursday, October 8th, 2020

• Sunglider reaches stratospheric altitude in 20-hour test flight 

• Successfully demonstrates broadband mobile communication on consumer smartphones, linking teams in Tokyo, New Mexico and Silicon Valley


The HAPSMobile Inc. Sunglider™ solar-powered HAPS successfully completed its first stratospheric flight and demonstrated broadband mobile communication on September 22, 2020 (Photo: AeroVironment)

SIMI VALLEY, Calif., Oct. 7, 2020 – AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), today announced the Sunglider™ solar-powered high-altitude pseudo-satellite (HAPS) achieved key test milestones, including reaching an altitude of more than 60,000 feet above sea level and successfully demonstrating mobile broadband communication. Sunglider’s development and testing is funded by HAPSMobile Inc., a joint venture majority-owned by SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) and minority-owned by AeroVironment.

During the test flight, which began at 5:16 am MDT on September 21 and concluded at 1:32 am MDT on September 22, the AeroVironment team piloted Sunglider to a stratospheric altitude of 62,500 feet above Spaceport America in New Mexico. Sunglider successfully achieved major test objectives relating to propulsion, power systems, flight control, navigation and datalink integrity, as well as structural performance during the most turbulent phases of the flight as it entered and exited the jet stream.

The broadband communication demonstration successfully linked teams in Tokyo, Spaceport America and Silicon Valley using an LTE payload jointly developed by Alphabet’s Loon LLC and HAPSMobile. Employing standard LTE smartphones, a team at Spaceport America conducted multiple video calls via the Sunglider’s payload while the aircraft circled for more than five hours in the stratosphere.

“In less than three years AeroVironment and HAPSMobile have made incredible progress, developing two Sunglider solar HAPS unmanned aircraft and performing five consecutive flight demonstrations, culminating in this latest significant milestone,” said Wahid Nawabi, president and chief executive officer of AeroVironment. “Reaching stratospheric altitude, maintaining continuous flight for more than 20 hours, achieving key test objectives and demonstrating seamless broadband communication illustrate the tremendous potential HAPS technology offers to expand connectivity globally. We look forward to maintaining our momentum toward aircraft certification and commercialization, working in close partnership with HAPSMobile as we establish a disruptive capability that offers tremendous value creation potential.”

The Sunglider, a solar-powered HAPS, has a wingspan of 262 feet and is propelled by 10 electric motors powered by solar panels covering the surface of the wing and rechargeable battery packs, resulting in zero emissions. Flying at an altitude of approximately 65,000 feet above sea level and above the clouds, the Sunglider can carry payloads weighing as much as 150 pounds and is designed for continuous, extended missions of months without landing.

www.avinc.com

SIG SAUER Introduces SIG Custom Works P320 AXG Scorpion

Thursday, October 8th, 2020

NEWINGTON, N.H., (October 8, 2020) – Utilizing the new AXG (Alloy XSERIES Grip) metal grip module as a foundation, and a carefully selected set of premium options and performance upgrades, SIG SAUER, Inc. is pleased to introduce the SIG Custom Works P320 AXG Scorpion Pistol.

“The P320 AXG Scorpion is an exciting product introduction because it’s our very first commercially available metal P320, and the first pistol release from SIG Custom Works,” said Tom Taylor, Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President, Commercial Sales. “The P320 AXG Scorpion combines the weight and balance of a metal framed pistol with the performance and reliability of the P320, delivering a uniquely refined shooting experience unlike anything else. This SIG Custom Works exclusive delivers performance you can feel.”

The SIG Custom Works P320 AXG Scorpion is a metal, 9mm striker-fired pistol, with the AXG Carry grip module featuring custom Hogue G10 grip panels and backstrap insert, precision machined deep undercut, and an extended beavertail for an ergonomic, comfortable fit. The pistol features an XSERIES optic-ready slide compatible with three direct-mount options for the SIG SAUER Electro-Optics ROMEO1Pro, Delta Point Pro, and RMR Reflex Optics, XRAY3 Day/Night Sights, and an XSERIES flat skeletonized trigger. The P320 AXG Scorpion has an FDE Cerakote finish and ships with (3) P320 magazines, featuring new enhancements including witness holes for each loaded round and a high-visibility follower, a Negrini SIG Custom Works case, challenge coin, and an official SIG Custom Works Certificate of Authenticity.

P320 AXG Scorpion:

Overall length: 7.4 inches
Overall height: 5.5 inches
Overall width: 1.3 inches
Barrel length: 3.9 inches
Sight Radius: 5.8inches
Weight (w/magazine): 31.3 oz.

The SIG Custom Works P320 AXG Scorpion is now shipping and available at retailers.

To learn more about the SIG Custom Works P320 AXG, watch the product video with Phil Strader, Pistol Product Manager,

www.sigsauer.com/store/p320-axg-scorpion

WNDSN x Spartanat Coordinate Scale

Thursday, October 8th, 2020

Berlin/Vienna, 2020-10-07 – The WNDSN x SPARTANAT Coordinate Scale Telemeter is a collaboration between precision instrument maker WNDSN from Berlin and gear magazine Spartanat from Vienna.

The front side contains a range calculator that goes up to 6 MIL (NATO-MIL) and the back side hosts a quadrant for measuring slope and elevation angles in percent, as well as in degrees, and in MIL with a resolution of 1 degree or 25 MIL. Furthermore, there is a coordinate scale for the common map scales of 1:25k and 1:50k divided into 0.1 and 0.2 km to measure or transfer right-angled coordinates from or to topographical maps with UTM, MGRS, USNG or other metric coordinate systems.

The double-sided Coordinate Scale Telemeter is a tool for navigation, altitude, and distance determination and enables the user to do more than merely guessing distances. It works by finding an object of known dimension, distance, or angular size, then measuring it with the appropriate scales, and using the baked-in trigonometry to find the desired value by aligning the provided string across the various scales. Using the string as a plumb line for the quadrant opens up further possibilities for measuring and sighting.

Scales on the WNDSN x Spartanat Coordinate Scale Telemeter:
• Angular size and distance
• Height or depth of an object
• Degree, MIL, and slope quadrant
• Coordinate scale

The Coordinate Scale Telemeter is another WNDSN multi tool for emergency navigation, for training purposes or for comparing the results of other instruments, a powerhouse of critical functions in one durable, low tech, high utility instrument that can be brought anywhere and belongs in every instructor’s and survival kit.

The WNDSN x Spartanat Planzeiger is now available exclusively in the web shop Spartanat. The instrument is accompanied by an instructions booklet in both German and English.

Links:

WNDSN

SPARTANAT

Available at:

Spartanat Shop (international shipping available)

The SureFire SF3P-50BMG

Thursday, October 8th, 2020

The SureFire SF3P-50BMG-M2HB and SF3P-50BMG-M2A1 flash hiders are designed specifically for use with M2 .50-caliber machine guns. Muzzle flash is the bane of any infantryman. It provides a clear target indicator for the enemy to know your position and return fire. SureFire SF3P-50BMG flash hiders are engineered to reduce flash signature by an astounding 99.7 percent, concealing the shooter’s position and increasing warfighter survivability. In addition, they help preserve night-adapted vision and prevent the disruption of Night Vision Devices. Their robust design easily withstands the violence of .50 BMG, requires no modification to the weapon system and has no detrimental effect on weapon reliability. With models for standard non-threaded barrels (SF3P-50BMG-M2HB) and threaded barrels (SF3P-50BMG-M2A1), these flash hiders are tools no Ma Deuce should be without.

www.surefire.com

Mechanix MPACT Agilite Edition Now Commercially Available in Black

Wednesday, October 7th, 2020

The M-Pact Agilite Edition was the result of a collaboration between Agilite, Israel’s top tactical gear company and Mechanix Wear, the world leader in tactical hand protection.  They teamed up back in 2017 to develop a unique glove that meets the needs of Israeli Tier 1 SOF who wanted the best of all worlds, the protection of a Mechanix M-Pact Covert glove but the tactile capabilities of a fingerless glove.

Agilite’s distribution company (Agilite Ergonomics Ltd.) and Mechanix partner since 2015 worked closely with Israel Police and Army SOF units as well as IDF Ground Forces Command who were looking for a hybrid tactical glove with just three fingers exposed and other unique features for better performance.

The MPACT Agilite edition has already been issued unit-wide in several Israeli Army and Police SOF units in both Multicam and Black but has not been available commercially in black till now.

It is available exclusively from Agilite and its distributors-see more here:   agilitegear.com/products/mechanix-m-pact-agilite-edition

SpearUAV Expands its Ninox Family, Unveiling the Ninox 40 Handheld – a Revolutionary Encapsulated Drone System for Immediate Manual Launch

Wednesday, October 7th, 2020

For the first time ever, immediate ISTAR capabilities are available to any soldier, law enforcement officer or homeland security personnel, independent of any other equipment.

7 October 2020.  SpearUAV – an innovative company that develops and supplies unique UAS solutions for defense and HLS applications – is unveiling its handheld version of the Ninox 40 that was unveiled just two months ago. This revolutionary encapsulated drone system offers instant launch and provides immediate intelligence capabilities to any tactical unit, even if it is not equipped with a 40 mm grenade launcher or any other special equipment.

With its unique launching system, the Ninox40 Handheld can now provide advanced capabilities to various law enforcement agencies, such as police – for use in public safety and law & order applications, prison services – for management of any disorder or prison break attempt, border guards – for situational awareness and securing sensitive infrastructure, and more.

Like the Ninox 40 micro-tactical drone system, the Ninox 40 Handheld requires no deployment. The system comprises an encapsulated drone and control unit; when launched at high speed, the drone immediately unfolds and stabilizes in the air, with no operator intervention required.

Specifically designed for single-user operation and weighing under 250 g – within regulatory limitations – it is lightweight enough to be carried in the soldier’s vest during combat. Advantages include:

Mission flexibility – Ninox 40 Handheld systems can be carried by any number of users in a unit, according to mission requirements, delivering full ISTAR capability without being dependent on any other weapon or special equipment.

Safe and intuitive – the Ninox 40 Handheld is easy to use without any special training.

Ready for immediate use – the fully-ruggedized launch capsule can be carried in a vest or in a vehicle, or stored as is, remaining ready for immediate launch on the field during a mission, without any specific maintenance or preparations being required.

The Ninox 40 Handheld has a flight capacity of up to 40 minutes, extensive ISTAR capabilities, day and night camera for enhanced situational awareness, automatic tracking, and can be launched on the move and from under cover.

“The new Ninox 40 Handheld joins the Ninox family of unique capsule drones, all of which feature breakthrough technology developed in-house at SpearUAV, with the aim of changing the battlefield and giving ground forces advanced and immediate capabilities,” says Gadi Kuperman, Founder and CEO of SpearUAV. “This is the first drone in the world to be manually launched from a capsule, giving both combat soldiers HLS forces and law enforcement personnel situational awareness in a matter of seconds, for any mission in the field. We continue to develop the system to meet the specific needs of our customers, and new versions are already undergoing field testing.”

www.spearuav.com

PHLster Announces Summit OWB Holster

Wednesday, October 7th, 2020

After a decade of making inside-the-waistband holsters, PHLster has incorporated the range of adjustment and the concealment principles present in their AIWB holsters into a brand new outside-the-waistband concealment holster.

The new Summit OWB holster, using a unique belt attachment system, allows the end-user to fine-tune their holster to reduce printing and accommodate the specifics of their body type or mission.

Each holster comes with a pair of trimmable wedges. The wedges control the relationship between the holster and the belt, allowing you to angle the gun inward, for maximum concealment, or outward, to accommodate your body shape or to clear concealable body armor.

Grip rotation, to mitigate printing, is accomplished by setting up an offset between the leading and trailing edges of the holster. Using the thick part of the wedge on the slide side, and the thin part of the wedge on the trigger guard side, tightening the belt will pull the grip inward. If you have experience with one of the many IWB holsters that have a wing or a claw, you’ll already be familiar with this principle. For maximum concealment, you can set up the Summit with the trigger-side belt loop and wedge on the face of the holster, for more aggressive grip rotation, just like your AIWB wing-equipped holster.

We’ve also improved OWB holster belt loops. Many pancake-style OWB holsters fall short in terms of concealment because they can’t accommodate a wide range of waist shapes. Our new high-strength, slim, composite polymer wings are strong enough to survive any violent physical encounter or hard use. And they’re rigid enough to transfer the necessary belt forces to accomplish concealment, while also being forgiving enough to fit your body shape like a custom holster. Like a quality leather holster, they’ll break in to fit you perfectly, but they won’t get weaker or softer.

The base of the Summit holster is an ambidextrous, compression formed, pancake holster shell, meticulously designed to give you firm, crisp, and deliberate non-adjustable retention. With an unobtrusive mid-ride body shield on both sides, the holster accommodates optics, suppressor sights, and muzzle devices.

At launch the Summit is available in two models. One for G19/17/34 and the other for G43/43x/48 (MOS compatible). Light bearing models and additional fits are forthcoming.

www.phlsterholsters.com

Recognize Kindness: News from the Tango Yankee Project

Wednesday, October 7th, 2020

October 6, 2020 (Dallas, TX)

Contact: danielshaw0369@gmail.com

Action for the common good and an attitude of gratitude: is there really a downside to either?

The Tango Yankee Project believes in both. To that end, it has not only updated its message to include people outside the veteran community, but it has now made PVC morale patches available.

Walk around with a couple of them in your pocket or pack. Watch for someone behaving in a way that deserves to be given one. Behave in a way that’s equally deserving. It’s magical.

What’s a Tango Yankee chip? Imagine a challenge coin and a thank-you card had a baby. Use it to acknowledge someone doing the right thing, having  a good attitude, or just doing things to be a good human. It’ll make their day…might help make the world a better place.

“All you need are these: certainty of judgment in the present moment; action for the common good in the present moment; and an attitude of gratitude in the present moment for anything that comes your way.”

Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 9.6

A lot of people in this world are assholes. Recognize the ones who aren’t. Help us put smiles on faces and pay it forward.

BE THE ONE TO RECOGNIZE KINDNESS

DS

TangoYankeeChip.com

Tango Yankee Project on Facebook: www.facebook.com/tangoyankeechip