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INKAS Unveils Its First Armored Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II, Changing the Ultra-Luxury Segment

April 21st, 2026

INKAS® is proud to announce the release of its first-ever armored Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II, marking a significant milestone in the company’s expansion into next-generation ultra-luxury vehicle platforms.

As one of the most refined SUVs in the world, the Cullinan Series II represents the pinnacle of automotive craftsmanship. INKAS® enhances this platform with a fully integrated armoring solution, engineered to deliver comprehensive protection while preserving the vehicle’s original design, performance, and driving experience.

At the core of the build is a precision-engineered armored capsule, providing 360° ballistic protection through the integration of certified ballistic steel, multi-layer armored glass, and advanced overlap systems. These systems are designed to eliminate vulnerable gaps, ensuring consistent protection across all critical areas of the vehicle.

Unlike conventional armored vehicles, the INKAS® Cullinan Series II maintains a completely discreet appearance. Without any visible modifications interfering with the exterior styling or interior refinement, allowing occupants to benefit from enhanced security without drawing attention.

“Armoring a vehicle like the Cullinan Series II requires a meticulous balance between protection and preservation,” said David Khazanski, CEO of INKAS®. “Our engineering approach ensures that every protective element is seamlessly integrated, maintaining the integrity of Rolls-Royce design while delivering the level of security our clients expect.”

To support the added weight of the armoring system, INKAS® upgrades critical performance components, including suspension and braking systems, ensuring the vehicle retains its smooth handling characteristics and ride quality. Each vehicle undergoes rigorous quality control and testing processes to meet international armoring standards and internal performance benchmarks.

This latest release reflects INKAS®’s continued commitment to innovation, craftsmanship, and client-focused engineering. By combining advanced protection technologies with one of the world’s most prestigious luxury platforms, INKAS® delivers a solution that enhances both safety and long-term vehicle value.

Posted in Armoured Vehicles, International, Press Release | 1 Comment »

Mehler Systems Signed a Share and Purchase Agreement for the Acquisition of a Major Stake in the Leading Australian Armour Systems Manufacturer Craig International Ballistics

April 21st, 2026

FULDA, GERMANY, 20 April 2026

Mehler Systems, a global leader in ballistic protection and tactical gear solutions, has signed a share sale and purchase agreement to acquire a major stake in Craig International Ballistics (CIB). The acquisition is still pending approval under the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act of Australia.

Following the transaction, Craig International Ballistics will become part of the Mehler Systems Group – joining the group as a trusted partner. CIB will work closely with Mehler Protection’s body and platform armour divisions while continuing to operate under its established brand and local leadership. Headquartered in Queensland, the Australian company is a leading manufacturer of personal protective equipment and ballistic protection solutions for land, air and maritime platforms.

The investment strengthens Mehler Systems’ commercial footprint and customer proximity in the Asia-Pacific region, enabling Mehler Systems to address local requirements and service needs even more effectively. At the same time, it expands the group’s global reach and reinforces its position as a provider of high-quality, technologically advanced protection systems. The CIB site in Queensland will also serve as a key manufacturing, production and innovation hub within the group for customers in the Southern Hemisphere, supporting Mehler Systems’ international growth.

The investment strengthens Mehler Systems’ commercial footprint and customer proximity in the Asia-Pacific region, enabling us to address local requirements and service needs even more effectively. At the same time, it expands the group’s global reach and reinforces its position as a provider of high-quality, technologically advanced protection systems. The CIB site in Queensland will also serve as a key manufacturing, production and innovation hub within the group for customers in the Southern Hemisphere, supporting Mehler Systems’ international growth.

Commenting on the acquisition, Dr. Mario Amschlinger, CEO of Mehler Systems, said: “With Craig International Ballistics, we are welcoming an established Australian provider with a proven track record in supporting sovereign defence capabilities. By combining CIB’s strong presence and long-standing customer relationships in Australia with Mehler Systems’ portfolio, we will be able to serve customers in the Asia-Pacific region even more closely and respond to local requirements with enhanced speed, support and service. We gain direct access to existing programmes and relationships with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and other government clients, while also expanding our global reach. This investment is intended to geographically diversify our customer base, increase the resilience of our supply chains, and accelerate Mehler Systems’ development as a globally recognised provider of protection systems.”

In recent years, CIB has significantly expanded its manufacturing and technological capabilities, substantially increasing its capacity for complex ballistic protection solutions. Its modern production facilities and in-house testing and development capabilities enable the company to rapidly develop, trial and bring new protection concepts into series production. At the same time, APAC markets are seeing rising demand for modular, weight optimised protection systems for armed forces, government agencies and critical infrastructure.

James Craig, CEO of Craig International Ballistics, outlines the company’s approach: “With our broad range of ballistic protection plates for naval, aerospace and structural applications, we have contributed to Australia’s sovereign protection capabilities for many years, delivering solutions that integrate seamlessly into international programmes. The close integration of research, development, manufacturing and testing enables us to swiftly adopt new materials and production techniques. Together with Mehler Systems, we will be able to deliver high-performance, weight-optimised protection solutions for the APAC region and beyond even more quickly in future.”

This development culture fits seamlessly into Mehler Systems’ own technology roadmap. With the acquisition of a major stake in Craig International Ballistics, Mehler Systems is pursuing long term growth based on clearly defined security and industrial policy principles: regional anchoring, technical excellence and reliable partnerships with customers and public authorities.

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

Ruggedised Second Skin Enclosures for Fujinon SX Camera Range

April 21st, 2026

Hereford, UK – The International Special Training Facility development cell is releasing the first 3D printed deployment-ready rugged second skin enclosures, manufactured from our specially developed resin to withstand harsh environments for the Fujinon SX Camera Range.

This innovative product is designed to enhance operational capabilities, ensuring reliability and protection for critical equipment in demanding environments:

Since 2011, The International Special Training Facility has provided covert tactical and technical training, products and design to Special Forces, Law Enforcement CT-TSU and Government Security Services & Agencies.

ISTF is an independent organisation, with no affiliation, partnership, or ownership ties to any related entities, by policy ISTF does not provide its services to the private sector.

Our expertise has ‘silently’ enhanced the effectiveness of small teams operating in complex Rural and Urban environments, ensuring their success when executing covert manoeuvres.

We provide tactical and technical training, products, and design services. For further information, please contact us at info@istf-co.com

Posted in Camo, Guest Post, Sensors | No Comments »

Delta Three Oscar and Craig International Ballistics Announce NIJ 0101.07 Testing for Next Generation Body Armour

April 21st, 2026

Blacksburg, Virginia, April 17th 2026 – Delta Three Oscar, the tactical division of D3O, the global leader in advanced protection materials, and Craig International Ballistics (CIB), a leading manufacturer of high-performance ballistic systems, today jointly announce successful testing of five new standalone hard armour plate models against the latest NIJ0101.07 test standard incorporating D3O’s next-generation Ballistic™ foam.

The testing validates the performance of the newly developed armour systems under the National Institute of Justice’s latest and most stringent ballistic protection standard. The newmodels integrate D3O’s advanced ballistic foam technology to specifically mitigate back face deformation, a critical factor in reducing blunt force trauma following a ballistic impact.

CIB, headquartered in Queensland, Australia, brings over 25 years of experience delivering high-performance body armour, hard armour plates, tactical shields, and platform protection systems to military and law enforcement customers worldwide. Testing of D3O’s advanced ballistic foam began in early 2024 at CIB’s onsite ballistic laboratory, where extensive evaluation confirmed measurable reductions in back face deformation while maintaining optimized weight and wearer mobility.

We expect these new models to receive NIJ Notice of Compliance and be listed on the NIJ Compliant Product List in the coming months, after which they will be available for purchase.

“Achieving NIJ 0101.07 validation across five stand-alone models is a powerful validation of what can be achieved when advanced material science and innovative armour engineering come together.’ Said Simon McNair, SVP of Sales at DeltaThree Oscar. “Our Ballistic™ foam was engineered to address the challenge of significantly reducing back face deformation, and this certification demonstrates its proven effectiveness within fully compliant armour systems. It is a great validation to have James Craig, and his team choose our Ballistic™ foam as we have so much respect for theiradvanced manufacturing capabilities, they are industry leading without a doubt.”

Delta Three Oscar/D3O and CIB continue to push the boundaries of material innovation and armour system design. This latest NIJ 0101.07 validation testing, reinforces both companies’ commitment to advancing protective equipment standards for military and law enforcement personnel worldwide.

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

Beecher Tactical – 3D Printed Plate Carrier

April 21st, 2026

Back in 2006 I wrote in my introduction to the book “Battle Rattle” about the future of load carriage and my prediction that one day we would no longer sew fabric together but rather use either glue or welding to form our gear.

Beecher Tactical has taken it in a different direction and used additive manufacturing to print a plate carrier.

It comes as a DIY kit that you have to string together. In addition to the full carrier, Beecher offers magazine and other pouches.

Beecher Tactical is committed to developing a fully printed tactical loadout for humans. Models are developed, tested, refined, and then enter the Panoply, a digital armor locker for the modern defender. Individual items from the Panoply are made available on Printables, but full access to the Panoply is available through a Beecher Tactical Patreon membership.

Grab the STL file on Printables or the full printed kit at beechertactical.com

Posted in Armor, DIY, Tachacker | No Comments »

Eyes in the Sky: How sUAS Training is Changing the Way Soldiers Fight

April 21st, 2026

MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, Calif. – In a classroom here, Soldiers learned that on today’s battlefield, even a small drone can present a serious threat. Through small unmanned aircraft systems training, they sharpened the skills needed to identify, report, and respond to emerging aerial dangers.

To increase readiness on an evolving battlefield, Mel Pilapil, an instructor with the U.S. Army Reserve Command Readiness Support Development Team, conducted several blocks of instruction on identifying and countering sUAS. Dozens of Soldiers assigned to the 302nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment and the 371st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion attended the training to improve their ability to identify and respond to sUAS on a modern battlefield.

As sUAS technology continues to evolve and spread rapidly, Soldiers must be prepared not only to use these systems, but to defend against them. Training focused on recognizing, mitigating, and responding to enemy drones is now essential to maintaining battlefield awareness, protecting personnel, and ensuring mission success. During the training, Soldiers were introduced to the various ways enemy forces can employ sUAS, including intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), direct and indirect attacks, swarm tactics, and electromagnetic warfare. Understanding these capabilities allows Soldiers to anticipate threats before they become immediate dangers.

Instruction also emphasized recognizing Low, Slow, Small (LSS) drone systems, including Group 1, 2, and 3 classifications. Soldiers learned to identify visual indicators such as rotor configuration, lighting, and potential payloads—critical details that improve reporting accuracy and response time.

Beyond identification, the training focused heavily on passive air defense techniques, teaching Soldiers how to reduce their visibility and vulnerability. Camouflage, dispersion, emission control, and avoiding predictable patterns were reinforced as key survival tactics in an environment where drones can quickly detect movement.

In one training scenario, Soldiers identified a simulated enemy drone entering the area of operations. Using the SALUTE reporting format, they communicated the size, activity, location, and characteristics of the threat, demonstrating how structured reporting supports faster decision-making and coordinated responses.

“This training is critical in today’s operational environment,” said instructor Mel Pilapil. “As we know currently, there are drones and drone attacks everywhere. The only way we can protect ourselves and others is by being aware of how to recognize, report, and react to these kinds of threats.”

For Soldiers preparing for future missions, the training reinforced how these skills directly impact survivability. “I think it’s important because it increases troop survivability in the battlefield and gives you insight on how to deal with drones and emerging situations,” said Pfc. Adam Li, a Soldier assigned to the 371st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, whose unit is scheduled to deploy in the future.

For many Soldiers, the training highlighted how quickly warfare is changing. Unlike traditional threats, sUAS systems are accessible, adaptable, and increasingly used by adversaries at all levels. What once required large-scale air support can now be achieved with a small, inexpensive drone, making awareness and preparation more important than ever.

As demonstrated during the training, sUAS can serve as both a powerful force multiplier and a significant threat on the battlefield. Their rapid advancement and widespread use over the past decade have transformed the way military operations are conducted.

There is no single solution to countering this threat. Instead, Soldiers must continuously train, adapt, and employ a combination of counter-sUAS tactics, techniques, and procedures. By doing so, they remain prepared to meet the challenges of modern warfare and maintain the advantage in an increasingly complex operational environment.

Story by SPC Nathan Starr

302nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Posted in Army, Drone, Guest Post, Training | No Comments »

X-Bow Debuts In-House Electronic Ignition Safety Device at Sea-Air-Space

April 20th, 2026

NATIONAL HARBOR, MD., Apr. 20, 2026 8:00 AM EDT — X-Bow Systems Inc (X-Bow), the leading non-traditional producer of solid rocket motors (SRMs), sub-orbital launch solutions and defense technologies, today announced a significant industry milestone at the Sea-Air-Space Expo 2026: the successful firing of a full SRM using its in-house designed Electronic Ignition Safety Device (eISD). As far as X-Bow is aware, this is the first time a solid propellant provider has independently developed and tested an electronic ISD—a component traditionally supplied by third-party specialists.

X-Bow fires motor ignitor utilizing a X-Bow developed eISD solution.

While X-Bow has previously fired igniters with its eISD, this week marks the first time a complete SRM has been fired using the device—a critical step in advancing the company’s Mk 72 booster and Mk 104 dual-thrust SRM development for the U.S. Navy’s Standard Missile 6 program. X-Bow recently completed the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) for both contracts, underscoring its rapid progress and commitment to supporting the Navy’s evolving needs.

“This in-house eISD is now baselined in multiple SRMs currently in development at X-Bow. It is absolutely essential to reduce the unit cost and accelerate time to field for tactical SRMs,” said Max Vozoff, X-Bow’s Chief Technology Officer. “By bringing eISD development in-house,we’re not only strengthening our vertical integration, but also delivering complete, ready-to-fire solutions for our customers and industry partners—faster and more affordably.”

Historically, ignition safety devices (ISDs) have been managed by prime integrators and sourced externally, often resulting in costly delays and program risks for SRM manufacturers. By developing eISDs in-house, X-Bow streamlines the design and integration process, reduces costs, and accelerates delivery timelines—ensuring greater reliability and responsiveness for both internal programs and industry partners. Most importantly, this approach enables X-Bow to deliver critical capabilities to the warfighter faster, supporting urgent defense needs and strengthening national security.

X-Bow’s eISD complies with all industry and regulatory standards. The company is also considering making its eISD available to the industry as an OEM solution, further supporting affordability and speed to market for tactical SRMs across the defense and aerospace sectors.

To learn more about X-Bow’s eISD solutions or to discuss partnership opportunities, contact sales@xbowsystems.com.

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

NRAAM 26 – SRC Tactical

April 20th, 2026

SRC Tactical offers padded boxer briefs (for men and women) designed for comfort with carrying concealed. There are three models: appendix, three o’clock, and five o’clock, depending on where you carry your firearm.

As you can see there’s a Fast Draw Channel cutout padding which keeps your pistol and holster from rubbing you raw as you go about your day. Offered in Small – XXLarge in left or right hand versions.

srctactical.com

Posted in Clothing, Grey Man, Holsters, NRA | No Comments »