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WRANGB Hosts Arrival Ceremony for OA-1K Skyraider II

June 21st, 2025

WILL ROGERS AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Okla. —

The 137th Special Operations Wing held a welcome ceremony for the arrival of OA-1K Skyraider II aircraft to Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, June 07, 2025, Oklahoma City.

The Skyraider II is a cost-effective, versatile aircraft that will provide essential support for operations outlined in the 2025 Interim National Defense Strategy. WRANGB now serves as the home for the Skyraider II’s formal training unit under the 492nd Special Operations Wing.

“Seamless integration with total force partners has been the standard for the 137th Special Operations Wing,” said Col. Shelby Dreyer. “We are continuing that legacy as we usher in this Total Force Initiative alongside the 492nd Special Operations Wing to train for the multi-capable mission of the OA-1K Skyraider II.”

The ceremony introduced the Skyraiders II’s capabilities and mission set to 137 SOW Citizen Airmen. The Skyraider II is a new cost-effective crewed aircraft that supports geographically isolated Special Operations personnel in austere locations.

“The 137th SOW continues to build and preserve a force where human performance is our critical advantage – leaning into the advanced training and resource management that supports our preparedness in every environment, against every adversary,” said Dreyer. “With the partnership of our wings, this is the right time. Oklahoma is the right place.”

By SSgt Nicholas Swift

137th Special Operations Wing

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Spiritus Systems Releases the EUD Bridge

June 20th, 2025

The EUD Bridge is a purpose-built mounting solution designed to integrate your End User Device (EUD) seamlessly into your Chest Rig.

Constructed from highly durable and lightweight CURV thermoplastic composite material and Squadron fabric, the EUD Bridge securely mounts between your chest rig shoulder straps, providing a stable and comfortable platform for mission-critical ATAK devices.

The EUD Bridge features a tuck-tab and pull-tab design that allows you to mount it or remove it within seconds. In addition, there is a mounting plate kit included which allows for direct hard point mounting of a MPU5 PTT but also features slits for mounting PTTs with clips. The EUD Bridge comes with a bungee retention system that can be directly mounted to the bridge to keep devices secure to the chest.

Whether you’re part of a reconnaissance team, JTAC, orcontrolling advanced tech on the battlefield, the Spiritus Systems EUD Bridge ensures your digital tools are exactly where you need them.

The EUD Bridge is available now in the following colors: MultiCam, Ranger Green, Coyote Brown, and Black.

For more information visit: www.spiritussystems.com

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SIG NEXT 25 – Royal Marines L143A2

June 20th, 2025

This is a little bit of an unexpected treat. I was able to fire the Royal Marines L143A2 rifle which were purchased a couple of years for the Future Commando Force operational concept under Project HAY, but not announced until March of this year.

It’s a SIG MCX carbine features 5.56 NATO 12.5″ barrel, but there’s also a 300 BLK variant also in service.

As you can see in the photo released by the Royal Marines, this is how it is equipped for maritime operations, with optic and magnifier and suppressor.

Posted in Advertiser, weapons | 2 Comments »

SIG NEXT 25 – HYP Rifle

June 20th, 2025

Coming Winter 2025 is what SIG describes as the most durable AR10 platform on the market, the HYP rifle. The name stems from the rifle’s ability to handle the high pressures (HYP) from SIG’s composite case ammunition.

Like with the 516 G3 Mohawk, SIG took lessons learned from the MCX rifle and applied them to a gas impingement AR pattern gun. It features a steel cam path insert and steel feed ramp along with a chrome lined hammer forged barrel. In fact, the barrel has a QD muzzle device which accepts the MG68QD suppressor used on the Army’s Next Gen M250 machine gun. It’s also fully ambidextrous, mirroring the controls on the 516 G3 Mohawk.

I had expected the HYP to also incorporate the side charging handle found on the 516 G3 Mohawk, but they left it off of the HYP in order to keep cost down. Turns out, the HYP is $2000 less than the MCX-SPEAR, making it a great choice for those who want to take advantage of .277 FURY. As you can see above, it also uses the steel 20 round magazines for the M7 Next Gen rifle.

I increased the contrast on the photo of this gel block to give you an idea of the performance of .277 FURY. This commercial ammo features 150gr NOSLER Accubond bonded core bullets.

Additional calibers will assuredly follow .277 FURY, including the ability to fire HYP versions of .7.62 and others.

Coming Winter 2025.

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SIG NEXT 25 – 516 G3 MOHAWK

June 20th, 2025

SIG was actually considering retiring the 516 but when they did a design review, the decision was made to incorporate lessons learned and best features from their other rifle offerings on a third generation of the rifle. The result is the new 516 G3 MOHAWK.

For instance, this new version of the popular 516 incorporates a steel cam pathway reinforcement insert into the upper receiver along with steel feed ramps, both found on the MCX.

The carbine also uses the MCX bolt with its tapered lugs and firing pin latch which helps prevent slam fire. Additionally, like with the MCX, the forward assist can be removed and a plug out in place.

Another feature which found its way over from the MCX line is the left-side non-reciprocating side charging handle. The side charger is removable and they’ll offer an insert to fill the slot. Likewise, you can remove the t-handle charger and replace it with a clamp to seal the rear of the receiver, eliminating gas in the face.

They’ve retained the 516 G2’s short stroke piston system, but production models will have a new valve lever with three wings in order to make it easier to manipulate between the three gas positions.

The carbine’s 16” chrome lined hammer forged barrel has a 1:7 twist and features a muzzle device which eliminates flash as well as climb and is compatible with SIG’s suppressors. Expect an 11.5” option as well.

To improve ergonomics they have incorporated a set of fully ambidextrous controls as well as installing a right side, side lock/release. Meanwhile, it has a SIG Matchlite DUO curved trigger.

Another major improvement is the new free-float handguard. Gone is the old “cheese grater” full length Picatinny rails which have been replaced with M-LOK slots.

With all of these improvements, the 516 G3 might be a good candidate for the UK’s upcoming Project Graeburn, the SA80 replacement.

The gun was very flat shooting, even on full-auto, and has soft recoil making it very controllable and easy to quickly transition targets. If I was going to buy another AR, it would be this one.

Look for the SIG 516 G3 MOHAWK winter 2025.

www.sigsauer.com/516g3-mohawk

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SIG Advanced Concepts

June 20th, 2025

With the advent of a new business element named SIG Advanced Concepts, SIG SAUER has expanded their efforts to integrate their core capabilities into unmanned systems. Preferring to remain platform agnostic, they will introduce non-lethal through lethal and ISR capabilities into existing drone and other robotic systems. These are commonly referred to collectively as unmanned system or UXS where the “X” could be an Air, Ground, or Underwater system.

SIG’s goal is to work with the customer and integrate with their existing infrastructure, utilizing existing UXS, communications, and controllers. Concentrating on balancing payload versus desired effect and flight time, they optimize the customer’s drone’s configuration. Lessons learned in operational deployments of UXS are constantly applied to the development effort.

Additionally, they are training both new and existing drone operators into how to use these newly integrated systems, from basic skills all the way to the most advanced, complex operations. After mastering how to fly with the new payload, students use milsim and paint systems during the train up period before transitioning to live fire scenarios with drone borne firearms.

Look for more details soon.

Posted in Advertiser, Robotics, UAS | 3 Comments »

Silvus Technologies StreamCaster LITE 5200 Added to DIU Blue UAS Framework Delivering Powerful MANET Radio Performance for Leading-Edge Unmanned Systems

June 20th, 2025

Expands Silvus’ Portfolio of NDAA Compliant MANET Radios for the Blue UAS Ecosystem

· Built for unmanned systems operating at the tactical edge, Silvus’ StreamCaster LITE 5200 (SL5200) delivers optimized power, high-bandwidth throughput, and advanced mesh-networking performance in an ultra-low Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) OEM MANET radio module form factor.

· SL5200 joins the SC4200EP and SL4200 MANET radios on the Blue UAS Framework – designated by DIU as NDAA compliant and approved for use in conjunction with Blue UAS platforms.

Los Angeles, CA – June 19, 2025 – Silvus Technologies, Inc. (“Silvus”), a global leader in advanced wireless networking communication systems, today announced that the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), has officially added Silvus’ StreamCaster LITE 5200 (SL5200) OEM Module to the Blue UAS Framework. Delivering powerful MANET radio performance for today’s leading-edge unmanned systems, the SL5200 unifies C2, sensor and telemetry data with communications relay capabilities in an easy to integrate, ultra-low SWaP OEM module form factor.

After undergoing the Blue UAS program’s rigorous evaluation, this certification validates the SL5200 compliance with DoD standards for cybersecurity, supply chain integrity and operational reliability. Interoperable and NDAA compliant, the SL5200 has been approved for use in conjunction with Blue UAS platforms.

The SL5200 joins the StreamCaster SC4200EP and StreamCaster LITE SL4200 MANET radios on the Blue UAS Framework – exemplifying Silvus’ commitment to delivering robust, secure, and reliable C2 and mesh networked communications solutions for unmanned operations across any domain.

“Silvus continues to push the boundaries of mesh networking for mission-critical unmanned systems applications,” said Jimi Henderson, VP of Sales, Silvus Technologies. “With all three of our latest StreamCaster MANET radios now on the Blue UAS Framework – we’re proud to lead the way in secure, resilient communications technology for unmanned systems developers.”

SL5200: Blue UAS Framework Certified. The Power To Perform

Compact and powerfully versatile, the SL5200 delivers class-leading power, range, and tactical mobility with up to 2 Watts output power (4W effective power, thanks to TX Eigen-Beamforming), and 100 Mbps data rate for bi-directional C2, video, sensor and telemetry data communications in one self-contained OEM Module.

Featuring an ultra-low SWaP profile (52g), with multiple I/O interface options (Ethernet, USB, RS232), the SL5200 is designed for seamless integration into leading-edge unmanned systems, loitering munitions, and other SWaP constrained embedded applications. Systems operators can now experience Group 2 UAV level radio performance in a compact form factor engineered for Group 1 sized platforms.

At the heart of every StreamCaster MANET radio is Silvus’ battle-proven MN-MIMO waveform, that creates a self-forming and adaptive mesh network – capable of linking hundreds of nodes with unmatched range, throughput, EW resiliency and scalability. With the SL5200, operators can connect multiple UAVs, UGVs, USVs, sensors, personnel, and manned/unmanned platforms, to actualize a common operating picture through one massively scalable mesh network. The SL5200 is seamlessly compatible with 4000-series StreamCaster MANET radios, ensuring interoperability across a diverse range of applications.

In addition to AES256 and FIPS 140-3 encryption for secure operations, the SL5200 provides available access to Silvus’ Spectrum Dominance – an expansive suite of LPI/LPD and Anti-Jamming resiliency capabilities. Silvus is the only tactical MANET radio provider that delivers Spectrum Dominance secure and protected communications in complex, congested and contested environments, without sacrificing performance.

Learn more about the StreamCaster family of MANET radios on our website and follow us on LinkedIn.

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FirstSpear Friday Focus – See Us at ADS Warrior East

June 20th, 2025

Come see us at ADS Warrior East next week over at the Virginia Beach Convention Center in Virginia Beach, VA, Wednesday, June 25th and Thursday, June 26th. Check out our product line-up and catch up with our team to learn more about what’s yet to come in 2025 from FirstSpear!

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.

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