GORE-TEX WINDSTOPPER

Polaris Government and Defense Awarded NSPA Framework Contract for MRZR D Tactical Off-Road Vehicles

September 2nd, 2025

Minneapolis – September 2, 2025 – Polaris Government and Defense, a division of Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII), has been awarded a two-year framework contract by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) for the supply of MRZR D light tactical vehiclesvalued at hundreds of millions USD. Contract options could extend the agreement up to five years, enabling NATO members and partner nations to acquire the MRZR D to enhance mobility and mission readiness across a range of operational environments. This procurement approach fulfills competition requirements, streamlining the acquisition process and eliminating the need for additional, time-consuming and costly trials and competitions.

With this multi-year agreement, NATO member states and partner nations can call off MRZR D2 and D4 light tactical vehicles via the NSPA platform. MRZR Ds are currently fielded with more than 50military and security forces worldwide, supporting expeditionary, rapid response and special operations missions. The MRZR D’s modular payload design, diesel powertrain, air and sea transportability make it a trusted platform for tactical mobility in complex terrain and contested zones.

According to the NSPA, “Mobility and interoperability are key pillars of operational success in today’s multinational missions. Polaris’ MRZR D vehicles provide our allied forces with agile, mission-ready mobility to meet the evolving demands of modern operations. This contract further strengthens our ability to deliver critical capabilities to NATO and partner nations.”

In addition to bulk pricing benefits and expedited acquisition, NSPA enables interoperability, standardization and a reduced logistics footprint across NATO members and partners.

“Polaris Government and Defense has partnered with NSPA for several years, delivering tactical vehicles and mobility solutions to allied forces. The MRZR D has proven to be a highly adaptable and reliable platform for our NATO partners,” said Steve Canner, manager, EMEA, Polaris Government and Defense. “We are proud to continue our support of NATO missions with vehicles designed to perform in the world’s most demanding environments.”

Polaris first introduced the MRZR platform in 2012 and has continued to enhance the vehicle to meet the mission demands of the U.S. military, delivering gas and diesel variants to more than 50 allied forces worldwide. MRZRs feature a mission-flexible modular design, collapsible roll cage for internal tactical air transport, one meter fording capability, greater payload and extended range over commercial platforms. The MRZR D is combat-proven and transportable inside AW101 Merlin, CH-47 Chinook, V-22 Ospreyand most in-service fixed wing aircraft, as well as maritime vessels, enabling rapid deployment and dispersal of forces from aircraft or ship-to-shore platforms into theater. It is a highly configurable platform that supports personnel transport, casualty evacuation, command and control and light cargo roles — all with a focus on speed, versatility and off-road capability.

Since their introduction, MRZRs have been outfitted with counter unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS), weapons and high-energy laser systems, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) systems, expeditionary command and control systems, autonomy packages, litters for medical and casualty evacuation, aircraft refueling systems and communication equipment.

The MRZR D is part of Polaris Government and Defense’s broader portfolio of off-road mobility solutions that include the MRZR Alpha, MV 850, DAGOR and militarized snowmobiles.  

B.E. Meyers & Co. Awarded Miniature Aiming Laser – Ultra High Power (MAL-UHP) Program by USSOCOM

September 2nd, 2025

August 30, 2025 (Redmond, WA) – B.E. Meyers & Co., Inc., a Defense Technology Manufacturer specializing in advanced photonic solutions for military, law enforcement, consumer, and aerospace applications worldwide, is honored to be awarded the contract for the Miniature Aiming Laser – Ultra High Power (MAL-UHP) program by US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), with a total value of over $5,000,000.

The MAL-UHP is based off of the B.E. Meyers & Co. DAGIR® Multi-Platform Advanced Laser System. The DAGIR® series of Laser Aiming Modules (LAM) is offered in two variations, DAGIR®-V1 and DAGIR®-V2. USSOCOM recently selected the DAGIR®-V1 for the Squad Aiming Laser – Ultra High Power (SAL-UHP) program in fall 2024. The MAL-UHP implements the DAGIR®-V2, which shares the same features and specifications as the SAL-UHP but with an added button for visible laser override. This allows for immediate use of the visible laser without needing to switch modes.

The DAGIR® Series is a multi-platform advanced laser system that combines a low-profile form factor with cutting-edge VCSEL technology to deliver fully digital control of visible and infrared aiming and illumination functions. Designed for weapon-mounted applications—from carbines to crew-served weapons and remote platforms. It features synchronized digital power and divergence control, ruggedized environmental durability, and a proprietary Wakizashi™ communications port for versatile cable integration via Unity® Tactical remotes. Developed with extensive end-user feedback and engineered for performance, reliability, and rapid adaptation to dynamic environments. The DAGIR® represents a significant evolution in combat laser systems and is proudly made in the USA.

The MAL-UHP as part of the DAGIR® laser series joins a variety of other B.E. Meyers & Co. trusted product lines including the IZLID®, MAWL®, MILR®, KIJI®, GLARE®, DIAL®,and BOARS® series of defense systems products, as well as an established line of optoelectronic components for unmanned aerial vehicles and other integrated sensor systems.

For sales information on MAL-UHP, DAGIR®, and other innovative laser solutions from B.E. Meyers & Co., please visit bemeyers.com or connect with us at info@bemeyers.com

Hegseth Calls for Anti-Drone Task Force

September 2nd, 2025

WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, that he has directed Army Secretary Daniel P. Driscoll to formally establish a joint, interagency task force to counter hostile unmanned aerial systems, commonly referred to as drones.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks on the establishment of Joint Interagency Task Force 401 at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., Aug. 28, 2025.

“Our job here at the Pentagon — when you think about it — is to prepare for the threats of the future and build a force to match them, and defeat them, and outpace them,” Hegseth said via a video message released to the public.

“And there’s no doubt that the threats we face today from hostile drones grow by the day,” he added.

Noting that hostile UASs are being operated overseas and at our borders while seeking to harm U.S. warfighters, bases and even the sovereignty of the national airspace, Hegseth said the new task force — Joint Interagency Task Force 401 — will be a unified team that will seek to bring together the best talent from multiple government agencies to counter UAS threats and restore control of the skies.

“It’s called counter-UAS — counter-unmanned aerial systems — and America will be the best at it,” Hegseth said.

Although the secretary did not comment on the estimated length of time before the task force will be operational, he did say the Pentagon is currently moving quickly to cut through bureaucracy and consolidate resources, so as to empower it with “the utmost authority to outpace our adversaries.”

He added that DOD is working to deliver real solutions and ensure American airspace remains secure at home, abroad and anywhere troops are stationed.

“They deserve to be defended by the best,” Hegseth said.

He added that the new task force will put the right tools in the hands of warfighters so they can defend the sovereignty of American airspace and “send a clear message” that the United States will “never be outmatched.”

“Because, make no mistake, under this administration — and President [Donald J.] Trump’s leadership — we’re going to out-innovate, we’re going to lead and we will win,” Hegseth concluded.

SD Memo: Establishment of Joint Interagency Task Force 401

By Matthew Olay, DOD News

Skana Robotics Unveils Scalable Maritime Autonomy Designed for Operational Resilience

September 1st, 2025

The company’s first vessels- Bull Shark (USV) and Stingray (UUV) – introduce software-defined, mission-adaptive capabilities across surface and sub-surface domains

DSEI UK, Spetember 9-12 2025, Booth N11-100

September 01, 2025 – Skana Robotics, a defense-tech company founded by veterans of naval special operations and robotics experts, is introducing the first two platforms of its new class of autonomous maritime systems: the Bull Shark (Autonomous Surface Vessel) and the Stingray (Autonomous Underwater Vessel). These platforms represent a shift toward software-defined, scalable, and operationally flexible naval assets, engineered for teaming with both manned and unmanned systems across distributed maritime operations. With initial orders already secured, Skana is entering the next phase of scaling deployment with operational partners worldwide.

Developed with a focus on mass production, flexibility, and NATO-standard integration, the new platforms are designed to extend naval presence while minimizing logistical footprint and cost. All Skana systems are designed to evolve through code and enable seamless interoperability with existing legacy fleets and allied systems.

Skana’s production methodology removes traditional barriers to naval expansion, enabling allied nations to deploy thousands of autonomous vessels without relying on shipyards or cumbersome manufacturing processes that compromise mission effectiveness. This approach redefines how maritime resilience can be achieved at scale and what a truly self-sustained force structure looks like.

The Bull Shark is a tactical ASV designed for multiple missions including ISR and interdiction. It features a scalable design, a payload capacity of up to 150 kg, and functions as a communications hub to coordinate multiple surface and sub-surface assets.

The Stingray is a loitering AUV designed for ISR, ASW, and infrastructure protection in complex underwater terrains. It supports autonomous underwater navigation, seabed anchoring, silent standby and reactivation mode. It offers a standard 24-hour battery life, extendable through battery module, and can belaunched from a designated underwater docking station, submarines, patrol boats, or other Skana or Naval vessels.

At the heart of Skana’s unmanned fleet is SeaSphere™, Skana’sresource allocation and mission planning engine, and Vera™, a proprietary ROS2-based mission execution and supervision layer. Vera translates fleet-wide directives into localized autonomous actions, adapting to environmental changes in real time. This architecture enables distributed command, unmanned-unmanned collaboration, and real-time teaming with manned platforms.

“The maritime domain demands autonomy that can survive complexity, adapt instantly, and operate without compromise,” said Idan Levy, Co-Founder and CEO of Skana Robotics. “We are making advanced autonomous capabilities accessible and scalable, enabling wide deployment and synergy between systems. Our ecosystem of vessels and technologies supports real-time data sharing, modular reconfiguration, and both fully autonomous and remotely operated missions, offering navies unmatched operational resilience, adaptability, and flexibility.”

For more information, visit: www.skanarobotics.com.

Raptor Tactical Warns of Fraudulent Sales

September 1st, 2025

Dear valued customers,

It has been brought to our attention that there has been an influx of fraudulent sales that is negatively affecting our customers. The bulk of these fraudulent sales have been tracked to eBay accounts and other resale websites claiming to have our products in new condition at a significantly reduced price. We all love a good deal, but if it looks too good to be true, IT IS! Do not fall for these scams, your products will never arrive.

If you are interested in purchasing our products, please consider purchasing directly from our website and show room, or one of our reputable distributors and local surplus stores. Thank you for your attention to this matter!

Very respectfully,

Raptor Tactical Team

Increases In AI Derived Press Releases

September 1st, 2025

Dear Industry,

We’ve been very generous in posting relevant press releases submitted by our industry. We don’t charge for the service and are generally pretty quick to get them posted. More and more of these are written by a Large Language Model Artificial Intelligence.

We’ve even posted PRs written in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) even though they are a serious PITA to transfer over to WordPress (our platform).

For those of you who don’t know, ChatGPT (and perhaps others) have begun to insert syntax errors into the documents they produce which are only detectable once copied and pasted from their native workspaces.

In the future, if we detect AI derived press releases, we aren’t going to post them. Like press releases submitted in PDF format, they require a lot of work to make them presentable in the website.

You can take the time to edit them yourselves before you submit them we will happily continue to support your efforts, but we aren’t going to do the dirty work for you.

The SSD Team

Qore Performance Launches ICESLEEVES: Year-Round Thermoregulation Sleeves for Cooling and Heating in Any Environment

September 1st, 2025

Knoxville, TN — Qore Performance, Inc. announces the launch of ICESLEEVES, a new modular thermoregulation solution engineered to deliver cooling and heating exactly where it counts: your body’s pulse points. ICESLEEVES draw from combat-proven TCCC protocols and are optimized for real-world application across military, industrial, tactical, and athletic environments.

Designed for standalone use or integration with Qore Performance’s larger IceAge Ecosystem, ICESLEEVES deliver precision temperature control while preserving hydration, mobility, and mental clarity in extreme climates.

Precision Cooling and Heating
ICESLEEVES regulate core temperature by targeting the brachial and ulnar/radial arterial complexes—commonly known as pulse points.

  • Cooling: Insert conventional ice cubes into built-in pockets for conductive and evaporative cooling, lowering core temperature in hot, dry conditions.
  • Heating: In cold environments, insert disposable hand warmers (sold separately) to apply conductive warmth directly to circulating blood.
  • Evaporative Advantage: As ice melts, it draws heat away from the body through conduction. The resulting meltwater then evaporates from the fabric and skin surface, absorbing additional heat and accelerating cooling—especially in hot, dry conditions.

Subtle, Low-Profile Design
Built for year-round use, ICESLEEVES are slim enough to be worn on their own or discreetly under uniforms, outerwear, or armor—without adding bulk or limiting mobility.

  • UPF 50 Rating: Provides chemical-free sun protection.
  • Modular Compatibility: Pair with ICEPLATE® or ICEFLASK™ to build a complete, multi-point thermoregulation system.
  • Universal Application: Ideal for military, law enforcement, QSR drive-thru operators, CrossFit athletes, skiers, snowboarders, runners, hikers, backpackers, and more.

“ICESLEEVES were developed to give users across all industries the ability to control their thermal environment without compromising mobility or uniform requirements,” said Austin Pitsch, Marketing Manager at Qore Performance, Inc. “Whether you’re in a drive-thru window in the summer or standing post in sub-freezing temperatures, ICESLEEVES provide critical environmental inoculation with zero bulk.”

ICESLEEVES are available now exclusively at QorePerformance.com.

MATBOCK Monday: 60mm & 81mm Mortar Training with the MWAD

September 1st, 2025

Over the last few months we have been out with various units conducting mortar training using the digital indirect fire sight called the Multi-weapon Aiming Device (MWAD).

Software Integration with ATAK & NettWarrior:

The MWAD utilizes the current NettWarrior Tactical Scalable Mobile (TSM) adhoc network and NettWarrior DAPS Gen2 Navigation set for secured communication and PNT (Position Navigation and timing).

Another cool feature is the Dismounted Assured, Positioning, Navigation, and Timing System (DAPS) gen2 utilizes Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) which would allow the MWAD to connect to the only GPS in the world that uses the new M-code (military code). Currently, gun lines use the DAGR, which is an easily jammed p/y code.

The MWAD can already function on the NettWarrior ensemble and is ready for the DoD’s next generation of M-code satellite vehicles.

60mm with DAPs:

81mm Training:

To schedule your demo, please reach out to the MATBOCK sales team at sales@matbock.com