The SureFire XC3 Sub weapon light is powered by an included SFRCR123 rechargeable lithium battery, generating 1,000 lumens of white light and 13,000 candela shaped by a parabolic reflector for positive target identification up to 228 meters in low-light environments.
www.surefire.com/xc3-sub-weaponlight
Arc’teryx PRO gave us a preview of the upcoming Tactician series of combat uniforms.
They will be offered in non melt/no drip AR weight as well as an SV version for severe weather.
Details coming this spring.
Darley Launches the Darley Data CenterSM, a New Data Visualization and Performance Insight Platform for First Responders
ITASCA, IL – January 22, 2026 – Darley, a leading provider of defense, fire, and emergency services equipment, is proud to announce the launch of the Darley Data CenterSM, a powerful new customized platform that helps first responders visualize data, identify trends, and compare department performance though a propriety data tool that analyzes National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) data.
Accessible at DarleyData.com, the platform delivers a streamlined, intuitive user experience built for making data?driven decisions.
Fire Department Data Presented:
“We’re incredibly excited to offer this powerful platform as a free service to the first responder community,” said Paul Darley, CEO & Chairman at Darley. “The Darley Data CenterSM helps fire departments dynamically visualize their data and compare performance, providing leaders with actionable insights that support effective, informed operations and resource allocation decisions.”
To see the platform in action, watch our new video showcasing the features and capabilities of the Darley Data Center here:
LAS VEGAS, NV. – Blue Force Gear, Inc., the world leader in load carriage equipment innovation, is proud to announce the recipients of their 2025 Partner Awards. These awards recognize outstanding performance, commitment, and dedication to promoting the Blue Force Gear brand worldwide.
The 2025 Awards span domestic and international categories, recognizing partners who have gone above and beyond in supporting Blue Force Gear’s mission to deliver cutting-edge load carriage solutions to professionals in the shooting sports, hunting, military, and law enforcement industries.
2025 Commercial Distributor of the Year – Awarded to RSR for exceptional distribution performance and outstanding support of Blue Force Gear’s commercial market growth.
2025 Commercial Master Dealer of the Year – Awarded to Primary Arms for demonstrated excellence in retail performance and customer engagement.
2025 OEM Account of the Year – Awarded to Daniel Defense for outstanding collaboration and integration of Blue Force Gear products.
2025 NBS Dealer of the Year – Awarded to H&H Shooting Sports for exceptional performance within the Nation’s Best Sports buying group network.
2025 Buying Group of the Year – Presented to Nation’s Best Sports for outstanding partnership and support of Blue Force Gear’s dealer network.
2025 International Partner of Excellence – Top Revenue – Awarded to Colt Canada for achieving the highest international revenue performance.
2025 International Partner of Excellence – Outstanding Growth – Awarded to TMH for exceptional year-over-year growth and market expansion.
2025 International Partner of Excellence – Strategic Collaboration – Awarded to MP-SEC for exemplary partnership and strategic market development.
These partnerships enable Blue Force Gear to deliver innovative load carriage solutions to professionals in the shooting sports, hunting, military, and law enforcement industries worldwide. For more information about Blue Force Gear or any of their product offerings, visit their website: www.blueforcegear.com
The FirstSpear Low Visibility Plate Carrier (LVPC) is engineered for military, law enforcement, and special operations personnel who require ballistic protection without a visible tactical footprint. The LVPC provides a lightweight, durable, and flexible platform capable of withstanding operational demands while maintaining all-day comfort.
Its low-profile construction is optimized for plainclothes, surveillance, and covert operations where remaining unnoticed is critical. The carrier maintains a close-to-body fit, minimizing bulk and a streamlined exterior reduces visual signature while preserving mission-essential functionality.
Modular integration allows operators to scale their loadout based on threat level and mission requirements. Full compatibility with Ragnar pockets enables efficient, low-profile ammunition and equipment carriage.
The ergonomic design supports natural movement, ensuring unrestricted mobility in urban, vehicular, and close-quarters environments. This freedom of movement allows operators to transition quickly between roles and positions.
The LVPC is purpose-built for environments where discretion, speed, and readiness are non-negotiable. Every component is designed to perform without compromise. The Low Visibility Plate Carrier delivers trusted protection while keeping the operator concealed, capable, and operationally effective.
To request an estimate click image above or visit First-Spear.com/Request-For-Estimate. FirstSpear is the premier source for cutting-edge tactical gear for military, law enforcement and those who train. For more information visit First-Spear.com.
FORT POLK, La. — The Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk hosted their first Innovation Industrial Conference, Jan. 14–15, bringing together defense industry vendors and Army modernization experts to support efforts to modernize JRTC’s Transformation in Contact initiative.
The two-day conference focused on electromagnetic warfare, unmanned aerial systems, unmanned ground vehicles, artificial intelligence, command and control, and intelligence and fires integration.
More than 40 defense industry vendors from across the country participated, showcasing technologies aligned with concepts developed by the JRTC Innovative Modernization Equipping Group. Vendors included Interference Management and Cancellation International, ORKID, Farada Group and EagleNXT.
Representatives from several Department of War organizations also attended, including Army Materiel Command, Army G-3, U.S. Army Reserve Command G-34, First Army Training and the Joint Counter–Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems University.
“This is super important for what we do here at JRTC,” Brig. Gen. Jason A. Curl, commanding general, said about the event. “We’re making sure we continue to move up and close the gap between what we’re seeing in the current operating environment and what we’re able to replicate. We’re focused on making sure that we continue to advance the Army’s Combat Training Center itself.”
Organizers said the conference was designed to connect emerging industry solutions with JRTC’s operational experimentation environment, ensuring future equipment supports realistic training at the Army’s premier CTC.
Sgt. First Class Travis Keiper, USAR Soldier assigned to Task Force 76 from Salt Lake City, Utah, discussed the importance of the conference and gave feedback.
“To build our counter-UAS program, it’s important for us to understand what capabilities and products are coming and how we can integrate them into a top-down program,” he said.
“While I’m here, I can ask questions about what products are coming out, if we can get a better feel for those systems and understand the training timeline so we can continue to develop the program. We also attend several annual training events each year, so it would be beneficial to incorporate those programs as well, along with working with the JRTC here. Ideally, we could bring our unit to Fort Polk to train and gain hands-on experience across the full spectrum of capabilities.”
Maj. Roman Xydias, USARC G34 Training and Exercises officer, shared similar beliefs.
“We are looking at both materiel training solutions and using a bottom-line up-front approach,” Xydias said. “From the USARC G-34 perspective, our goal is to develop a complete concept that moves materiel solutions through the training and testing pipeline within an operational environment, allowing us to clearly determine what capabilities we should be fielding and which we should not.”
Col. Justin Sisak, USARC G-34 program manager, said events like the Innovation Industrial Conference are important because they help build relationships to form partnerships and identify missing links.
“Now that we’re here at the Innovation Industrial Conference, we’ve identified a relationship that we can continue to build and grow,” Sisak said. “The current environment is saturated with individual organizations all trying to solve the same problem at the same time, often in isolation. Those are the walls we need to break down, and this type of event does exactly that for the USAR. It accelerates the maturation of our strategy and campaign plan significantly.”
Lt. Col. Troy Allen Catterton, U.S. Army reservist assigned to the JRTC G-3 Directorate as the senior USAR advisor and the JRTC TIC modernization project officer, was a key organizer of the conference. Upon conclusion of the two-day event, Catterton expressed how the Innovation Industrial Conference enables JRTC to bridge the gap between Department of War initiatives and the modernization of warfighter capabilities.
“There is much more that could be added to the broader environment, but our initial task is to create a venue where technology modernization and its various facets can be identified and where we can leverage vendor capabilities and industry leaders to synchronize our path forward,” he said.
Catteron said he hopes to see the conference evolve into an annual event in the future.
As the Army continues to adapt to rapidly evolving threats, the Innovation Industrial Conference marked a significant step in aligning industry innovation with realistic, operational training. By fostering collaboration across Army organizations and defense partners, JRTC and Fort Polk strengthens its ability to modernize transformation in contact and prepare Soldiers for the complexities of the modern battlefield — setting conditions for continued innovation and readiness in the years ahead.
By Porsha Auzenne
New 1,000-acre manufacturing campus will invest more than $220 million, create 300+ high-paying jobs, and generate over $650 million in economic impact for New Mexico
RIO RANCHO, N.M., Jan. 21, 2026 — Castelion today announced the launch of Project Ranger, a 1,000-acre hypersonic manufacturing campus in Sandoval County, designed to support high-cadence production of hypersonic strike systems. The project will create approximately 300 high-paying manufacturing jobs and represent more than $220 million in private investment, with an estimated $650 million in economic impact for New Mexico over the next decade.
The Project Ranger groundbreaking, attended by New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, U.S. Army Portfolio Acquisition Executive Fires Lt. General Frank Lozano, Director of NAVAIR’s Rapid Capabilities Cell Paul McGinty, and other regional and county leaders, marks a major step in scaling domestic hypersonic manufacturing capacity.
“This is economic development in New Mexico—high-tech companies bringing high-paying jobs,” said Governor Michell Lujan Grisham. “Castelion chose our site because we have the workforce, the expertise and infrastructure they need to succeed.”
Project Ranger will support solid rocket motor manufacturing, static testing, and final assembly of hypersonic weapons, reinforcing New Mexico’s position at the forefront of defense innovation. The first building will be completed this summer, with all twenty-one buildings on the campus complete and ready for production by the end of 2026.
“We chose New Mexico for its unparalleled technical talent and history of scientific achievement,” said Bryon Hargis, CEO and Co-Founder of Castelion. “Project Ranger represents a renaissance in American manufacturing, delivering the advanced systems our country needs. We’re proud to partner with a community that has powered some of our nation’s greatest leaps forward. We have a bright future together.”
U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich highlighted the project’s significance for both economic growth and national security.
“I’m pleased to welcome the groundbreaking of Castelion’s new manufacturing facility in Sandoval County that will strengthen our national security, grow our state’s economy, and create over 300 permanent jobs that New Mexicans can build their families around,” said Senator Heinrich. “This is a great example of what New Mexico does best: Developing cutting-edge science and technology and manufacturing it right here in our state. As New Mexico’s senior senator, I will keep working to further bolster New Mexico’s bases, defense research labs, and private industry partners so we can keep excelling in emerging defense capabilities.”
Rob Black, Cabinet Secretary of the New Mexico Economic Development Department, emphasized the broader workforce impact.
“Today marks the continued evolution of New Mexico’s innovation economy, demonstrating that New Mexico is the next frontier for technologies that are essential for our economy and our national security,” said Secretary Black. “Castelion also adds a new layer of career opportunities for the next generation of New Mexicans who can add building really cool rockets as a potential career in their home state.”
Local and regional collaboration was essential to New Mexico’s selection, driven by efforts from Sandoval County, the City of Rio Rancho, the Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance (AREA), Sandoval Economic Alliance (SEA), and state officials.
“I am very excited and grateful for Castelion to be incredible partners with us to help our nation stay ahead of our competitors when it comes to national security,” said New Mexico State Senator Jay Block. “This company will be critical to catch up and pass China and Russia in hypersonic technologies. This is a race we cannot lose.”
“The decision by Castelion to have its next rocket manufacturing facility in Sandoval County conjoins opportunity and legacy,” said Sandoval County Board of Commissions Chair Jordan Juarez. “This company has the vision, expertise, and experience in our country’s defense program; Sandoval County has the high-tech talent to support its efforts and also the land and logistics for its manufacturing needs. Combined, Castelion and Sandoval County continue New Mexico’s legacy and leadership in technology and defense. We are proud to partner with them in this endeavor. We celebrate that there will be an additional 300 high-paying jobs coming to our County, and together we will contribute to strengthening New Mexico’s role in the nation’s defense program.”
“Sandoval County is committed to providing the services necessary to assist Castelion in the successful build and operation of its newest rocket manufacturing facility,” said Wayne Johnson, Sandoval County Manager. “From our Economic Development Department to Public Works to Public Safety, we are ready to bring this project forward with a company that is dedicated to strengthening national security. Our qualified workforce is ready to join the Castelion team, and we are pleased that 300 jobs, paying on average, a $100,000 annual salary will be on this side of the river. Thank you, Castelion.”
“Today’s groundbreaking is a signal,” said Chad Matheson, interim president and CEO of AREA. “A signal that New Mexico and Greater Albuquerque will continue to lead in America’s defense and manufacturing future. Castelion’s decision to invest here reflects the strength of our assets, the depth of our talent, and the collaborative leadership that makes New Mexico competitive on a national scale.”
“Project Ranger represents a significant investment in New Mexico’s future and a strong vote of confidence in our community,” said Gregg Hull, Mayor of Rio Rancho. “Today’s groundbreaking brings high quality jobs, strengthens the economy and positions the region as a leader in advanced manufacturing and innovation for years to come.”
As part of the transition from LEAF to PRO, Arc’teryx is doing more to bring outdoor products to their mission oriented customers.
Coming FW26 is an over the ankle version of the Konseal shoe technology from Arc’teryx. This colorway combo is Bracken/Graphite. Currently, you’ll find the Konseal shoe in Black which is a great shoe for low viz work.
