Building on women’s hair updates announced in February 2021, beginning June 25 when hair is secured behind the head, the hair may extend six inches to the left and to the right and six inches protruding from the point where the hair is gathered.
For more information at go.usa.gov.
The original DroneOptIDTM system, developed in collaboration with the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) under a Defence Innovation Network grant from the Australian Government, has paved the way into a sophisticated AI-based software engine to detect, classify and track small, rapidly moving UAS, as well as their payloads.
The updates include a substantial overall enhancement of the engine, effectiveness in a wider range of environments including night-time via thermal sensors, improved detection and classification of UAS payloads and cutting-edge technology estimating the target distance and altitude from the sensor.
The update is provided as part of the overall the DroneSentry-C2TM command-and-control ecosystem. The software processes imagery from a number of third-party camera hardware partners, including TRAKKA cameras, as part of the on-vehicle TIPS-C solution.
DroneShield utilises its proprietary techniques in signal processing and Machine Learning/AI to do near-real time detection and identification of unmanned robotic systems, with DroneOptIDTM being the optical sensor stream of work in parallel with RFAI cutting edge software engine in the radiofrequency sensing space.
The software is designed to run on all DroneSentryTM platforms incorporating a camera sensor.
Oleg Vornik, DroneShield’s CEO, commented, “DroneOptIDTM carries our cutting-edge AI capabilities in the optical/thermal space, along with out RFAI global leadership in the AI processing of the radiofrequency spectrum. In addition to enabling a variety of cameras substantially enhanced capabilities of target tracking via a layer of software, it also opens the door to a variety of sophisticated target tracking applications on battlefield, cluttered urban and other complex environments, for a variety of threats, which is of interest to our existing and prospective Government and military customer base.”
Looking for something different for a Fathers Day present? Check out LA Police Gear’s new Tactical Tiki Line. There’s everything from shirts to shorts to tiki mugs to beach towels.
lapolicegear.com/lapg-tactical-tiki
The Everglow Light Tube is an inflatable light offering up to 270 lumens of white LED illumination.
Offered in Regular, Large and Extra Large versions. The larger two models incorprate a dimmer switch and magnetic attachment points.
The light is powered via your preferred power bank via a USB-C cable.
klymit.com/products/everglow-light-tube
Summer is right around the corner and the FirstSpear Pub Shorts should be at the top of your list. They are they 100% American made, the new material debuted last year and we now have in a new color wave. These shorts are exceptionally light and breathable. They are perfect for a day on the golf course, out and around town or heading to the pub.
“I was a little hesitant to order these because of the cost, but I’m glad I did. Totally worth it! Fit was right on target with my waist size. The adjustable waistband is a nice touch when carrying a IWB holster, allows for enough give and doesn’t feel like my shorts are busting at the seams. The performance blend material dries quickly and is comfortable to the touch. Not to mention they’re USA Made. From the gym, to the range, to a night out these will definitely be my go to pair from now on.” — Online Review
The inseam is cut at 8.5”and features an integrated elastic waist band for all day comfort, redesigned pockets, and reinforced belt loops.
Available now in black, charcoal and tan in sizes 28 – 44.
For more information, check out www.first-spear.com/pub-shorts .
Record-breaking flight demonstrates capacity for true persistent surveillance, counter-drone measures
AFTON, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Zenith AeroTech, a leading developer of heavy-lift tethered aerial vehicles (TAVs), announced that, over the span of a week, its Quad 8 multi-rotor platform flew a total of 161 hours and 49 minutes—108 hours of which were continuous, uninterrupted flight.
In doing so, the TAV far exceeded the capabilities of competing tethered drones and demonstrated its ability to serve as a long-endurance platform for persistent surveillance.
“Small, multirotor-type drones are notorious for their limited air endurance. By contrast, tethered aerial vehicles, which draw power from a generator on the ground, can stay aloft for hours at a stretch,” said Kutlay Kaya, CEO of Zenith AeroTech. “But no other TAV company has ever been able to fly a platform for as long as we just did. This is a major technological breakthrough for small unmanned systems.”
The test, which took place over a seven-day period at the company’s facility in Afton, was initiated at the request of a government customer prior to delivery. The Quad 8 TAV, which carried an electro-optical/infrared camera and an Echodyne EchoFlight radar, flew for most of that time, only coming down twice, during lightning storms, which had to be waited out.
“We observed all the FAA regulations for day and nighttime operation,” Kaya said. “Our team was on site around the clock, with people taking 8-hour shifts to watch the TAV and the Ground Power-Tether Management System. There were two times we had to bring down the Quad 8, but as soon as those storms subsided, the TAV was back in the air. We flew through 18 hours of light to heavy rain with wind gusts up to 40 mph.”
Zenith AeroTech recently partnered with Sydney-based DroneShield to provide enhanced drone-detection capabilities and countermeasures. In putting DroneShield’s DroneSentry-C2 command-and-control application, along with an Echodyne radar, onto a TAV, Zenith AeroTech provided a platform with a higher elevation than the standard mast. This eliminated clutter and false positives, allowing for better counter-drone detection. Now it provides extreme long-endurance too.
“By demonstrating more than 100 hours of flight time, we’ve opened up our TAV to all sorts of mission sets and customers,” Kaya said. “It’s a really very exciting.”
Learn more about Zenith AeroTech here: zenithaerotech.com.
Last April we published a press release from firearms manufacturer CheyTac USA with the news that they had been purchased by Campbell Arms Manufacturing. It was refreshing to hear that SOF veterans owning businesses, particularly in the firearms industry.
Involved with Campbell Arms Manufacturing, and by extension CheyTac USA, is President and Chairman Blaine Campbell who has identified himself as a Special Forces qualified veteran of the US Army. Based upon information gathered during a joint investigation by the Guardians of the Green Beret and the Second Amendment Foundation’s Investigative Journalism Project, we have learned that while Blaine Campbell is an Army combat veteran, he was never Special Forces qualified.
Apperently, records indicate Campbell attended the SF Weapons Sergeant MOS portion (phase 2) of the Special Forces Qualification Course in 1994, but was dropped before completing the rest of the school.
According to the article posted by the Second Amendment Foundation’s Investigative Journalism Project, Campbell has issued an apology to the Guardians of the Green Beret, but we haven’t seen it posted anywhere yet.
“I did apologize to the Guardians of the Green Beret. I’ve retracted everything,” he (Campbell) said. “I’m a combat vet. I am humble. I shouldn’t have said it. So be it. It is what it is.”
This revelation is most unfortunate considering that CheyTac USA firearms have been employed for extreme long range sniper missions by US and allied SOF. By all accounts, Campbell is great at building guns. That’s what ultimately matters. We’ll never understand the need to lie about a background to get ahead in business.
Numerous, additional details are contained in the aforementioned article so be sure to go read it.
UPDATE: Guardians of the Green Beret have published the documents used during their portion of the investigation into this affair.
guardiansofthegreenberet.com/blaine-campbell-green-beret-not-so-fast-1
(McLean, VA – June 10, 2021) FN America, LLC is pleased to announce that the company has been awarded a firm-fixed-price contract to supply the U.S. Army with M240 series machine gun variants and spare receivers. The contract, awarded through 2026, is multi-faceted and will support both the U.S. Army and other Department of Defense (DoD) programs.
“The U.S. Army contract for the M240 machine gun was the first military contract FN was awarded and the first to be produced from our production facility in South Carolina,” noted Mark Cherpes, President and CEO for FN America, LLC. “We’re incredibly honored to continue our relationship with the Army, supporting them with high quality and reliable weapon systems for our servicemen and women.”
The M240 general purpose machine gun, derived from the FN MAG 58, was adopted by the U.S. military in the late 1970s, and has been in continual service since being introduced. This contract provides a procurement vehicle for the US Army to purchase multiple variants of the M240 machine gun, including the M240 coaxial, the M240B, M240L, M240D and M240H models.
Throughout its history, FN has been one of the largest suppliers of small arms to the U.S. military and continues to develop innovative, future technology. In addition to the M240 and its variants, the company currently holds contracts for the FN M249 lightweight machine gun; the FN MK 46, MK 48, MK 17, and MK 20 SSR for USSOCOM, and various other contracts.
For more information about FN’s military product line or current U.S. military contracts, please visit www.fnamerica.com.
