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Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Awards Skyborg Contract

August 22nd, 2020

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio (AFNS) —

The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center has awarded multiple indefinite-delivery / indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts to The Boeing Co., General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., Kratos Unmanned Aerial Systems, Inc. and Northrop Grumman Systems Corp.

These initial awards will establish a vendor pool that will continue to compete for up to $400 million in subsequent delivery orders in support of the Skyborg Vanguard Program.

The aim of the Skyborg Vanguard program is to integrate autonomous attritable unmanned air vehicle technology with open missions systems to enable manned-unmanned teaming. This will provide a game-changing capability to the warfighter. The attritable UAV line of effort awarded by this contract will provide the foundation on which the Air Force can build an airborne autonomous “best of breed” system that adapts, orients and decides at machine speed for a wide variety of increasingly complex mission sets.

“Because autonomous systems can support missions that are too strenuous or dangerous for manned crews, Skyborg can increase capability significantly and be a force multiplier for the Air Force,” said Brig. Gen. Dale White, Fighters and Advanced Aircraft program executive officer, who, along with Brig. Gen. Heather Pringle, Air Force Research Laboratory commander, serves as the leadership for the Skyborg program. “We have the opportunity to transform our warfighting capabilities and change the way we fight and the way we employ air power.”

Skyborg is one of three Vanguard programs identified late last year as part of the Air Force Science and Technology 2030 initiative. These high priority Air Force capability development efforts come with an enterprise commitment to deliver game-changing capabilities to transform Air Force operations for the future force.

“Autonomy technologies in Skyborg’s portfolio will range from simple play-book algorithms to advanced team decision making and will include on-ramp opportunities for artificial intelligence technologies,” Pringle said. “This effort will provide a foundational government reference architecture for a family of layered, autonomous and open-architecture UAS.”

The Vanguards are also introducing a novel early partnership between AFLCMC and AFRL due to the need to quickly identify cutting-edge technology and transition directly into the hands of the warfighter.

“The greatest technological edge is for naught if the warfighter can’t use it on the battlefield. That makes the partnership between AFRL and AFLCMC so vital to this program. We can’t allow bureaucratic speed bumps to interfere with our mandate to deliver,” White said.

By Daryl Mayer, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Public Affairs

Posted in Contracts, Guest Post, UAS | 2 Comments »

Prym1 Camo’s Commitment To Those Who Serve To Protect Us – A Partnership With The FLEOA Foundation

August 22nd, 2020

The days of being able to simply take, take, take are over. As free men and women, citizens of the United States, we all have an obligation to help support those who serve to protect our way of lives, wherever we can.

As a brand camouflage licensing company, we at Prym1 Camo feel a responsibility to use our platform whenever we can. At our very core, our business model is predicated upon Americans’ ability to be able to live a free way of life, without restraints. For this very reason, we feel obliged to protect our freedoms and to support an organisation, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association Foundation, that is standing up and offering real support to our service heroes.

As Americans, freedom is ingrained in our DNA. Our right to our freedoms makes us who we are today, all equal, all American. Our freedoms must be fought for, protected and handed on generation after generation. That’s why together, we can bring about real change, with real action to help those who need it most. Our continued commitment to those who serve to protect us, means that a percentage of all profits on Prym1 Freedom licensed products will be donated to our partners, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association Foundation [FLEOA], helping to immediately offer financial support to families of fallen U.S federal officers and those who are terminally ill. This initiative allows customers who purchase licensed products in the Prym1 Freedom pattern to know that a percentage of their hard-earned dollars will be donated directly back into the FLEOA Foundation. In today’s world, buying your consumer products is simple. Prym1 Camo believes supporting those service heroes should be just as easy.

Posted in Camo, Industry, LE, Press Release | Comments Off on Prym1 Camo’s Commitment To Those Who Serve To Protect Us – A Partnership With The FLEOA Foundation

Savage’s Launches Virtual Training Tools for 2020 Fall Season

August 21st, 2020

WESTFIELD, Massachusetts – August 19, 2020 – In light of the exceptional circumstances facing traditional sales and distribution channels, Savage Arms has developed the 2020 Fall Sales Training video series to help educate retailers and customers. The informational content highlights Savage’s technological advancements and will serve as an introduction to new products.

“We were hoping we’d be back to business as usual by now,” said Rob Gates, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Savage. “While we won’t be able to see many of our customers face-to-face, we can still keep everyone informed on what’s happening here at Savage—and that starts with our 2020 Fall Sales Training videos.”

The 2020 Fall Sales Training curriculum will cover a range of subjects. Introductory topics will help new customers build a comprehensive overview of the brand and its innovations. The breadth of the catalog will be broken out into segments dedicated to Savage’s centerfire rifles, rimfires, and shotguns. In addition to announcing new products, these videos will help facilitate person to person training sessions and can be passed along to dealer and retailer store staff.

To access the training videos, please contact your local Savage sales representative. Topics include:

1 Why Savage?

2 Savage Technology

3 2020 New Products

4 Centerfire Product Information

5 Rimfire Products Information

6 Shotgun Product Information

7 Marketing Overview and Tools

The 2020 Fall Training series is available now through your local Savage representative. In addition, Savage reps will be available for virtual appointments with customers and buy groups.

Email salessupport@savagearms.com to contact your local sales representative.

Posted in Digitization, Press Release, Training | Comments Off on Savage’s Launches Virtual Training Tools for 2020 Fall Season

True North Concepts – Miniature Brass SERE Compass

August 21st, 2020

This is the miniature brass SERE compass. Made by the same the government contractor that makes them for issued survival kits, True North Concepts added some extra goodness, including a waterproof/crush resistant case.

The compass isn’t restricted, the vintage map they’re sitting on was. Even though they are button size, these compasses will get out of a jam. I used one to navigate my way through a five-day E&E course in West Virginia back in the 90s.

And yes, they glow in the dark.

truenorth-usa.com/product/mini-sere-compass

Posted in SERE | 1 Comment »

SOLGW – What is the A5 System? And Why Do We Use It?

August 21st, 2020

Instead of finely tuning a rifle, we want to give it the widest operational envelop. The more finely tuned something is the more narrow that window. A fighting gun should be forgiving. Our goal is to incrementally improve the performance of this platform…and those incremental improvements added up absolutely make a difference.

www.solgw.com

Posted in Advertiser, Guest Post, Weapon Accessories | 1 Comment »

Commies Don’t Surf T-Shirt

August 21st, 2020

Available in four colors, sizes Small – XXLarge, the shirt speaks for itself.

urturt.com/products/commies-dont-surf-4-colors

Posted in Morale | 8 Comments »

National Safety Apparel (NSA) Acquires Wild Things

August 21st, 2020

Cleveland, Ohio – August 20, 2020: The parent company of DRIFIRE®, National Safety Apparel continues to expand their USA-based safety and military clothing brands with the acquisition of Virginia Beach based Wild Things.

The acquisition of Wild Things adds another market leader to National Safety Apparel’s already established “House of Brands”. Wild Things is a premium cold weather military clothing brand that perfectly complements National Safety Apparel’s existing DRIFIRE brand of high-performance flame resistant base layers, combat uniforms, and flight suits.

“We’re committed to providing our military personnel with the gear they need and growing our manufacturing footprint in the USA”, states National Safety Apparel President and CEO, Chuck Grossman. “Wild Things aligns with our mission to provide high quality, innovative products, and expand our offering for the U.S. Armed Forces.”

Wild Things started as a manufacturer of lightweight, superior gear for elite mountaineers and grew its offerings to include gear and apparel for U.S. Special Forces. The company has a manufacturing facility in Gorham, New Hampshire, and the brand is supported by a team in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Known for its technical and durable outerwear, Wild Things products are currently in the field with every branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.

National Safety Apparel is a market leader in the design and manufacture of high-quality industrial safety and military apparel. A fourth generation, family owned company, NSA’s Cleveland and Chicago-based facilities employ nearly 500 NSA team members. The company and its brands serve a wide variety of industries such as electrical and gas utilities, steel mills and aluminum foundries, glass plants, construction, and manufacturing in addition to military personnel.

See the companies online at www.thinknsa.com and www.wildthingsgear.com.

Posted in Advertiser, Industry, Press Release | Comments Off on National Safety Apparel (NSA) Acquires Wild Things

ASGARD Partners & Co Sells Wild Things, LLC to National Safety Apparel, Inc

August 21st, 2020

NEW YORK, August 20, 2020 – ASGARD Partners & Co. (“ASGARD”), an investment firm based in New York, announced today that it has sold Wild Things, LLC (“Wild Things” or the “Company”) to National Safety Apparel, Inc. (“NSA”).

Wild Things is a leader in the design and manufacture of highly technical outdoor apparel and gear for the military and law enforcement communities across the globe.

When ASGARD acquired Wild Things in 2018, the Company was struggling with limited liquidity and had suffered years of underinvestment in both the brand and the infrastructure of the business. Immediately post close ASGARD brought on an industry leading management team, led by CEO Amy Coyne, to drive the Wild Things transformation, through the revival of its highly respected legacy brand and the renewal of its reputation for exceptional design, quality, and performance.

Under ASGARD’s ownership, the Company reinvigorated customer relationships with key industry distribution leaders, diversified its customer base, introduced new sales channels, re-established relations with key military agencies and influential end user groups, expanded sales infrastructure and new sales representation, and recruited top industry talent. Wild Things also went through training in ASGARD’s frameworks of operational excellence, centered around both culture and execution.

Karan Rai, Managing Partner of ASGARD, stated, “Wild Things exemplifies ASGARD’s operationally focused investment strategy and intention to be in service of great companies through true partnership. We congratulate Amy and the entire Wild Things team for their passion for excellence and impressive execution. Additionally, we’d like to congratulate NSA on the acquisition of a great company.”

“We are proud of the extraordinary transformation of Wild Things under our ownership. Our goals of stabilizing the Company, re-establishing the Wild Things brand in the marketplace and end-user community, and achieving material growth metrics were incredibly successful. We are excited for the Company’s next stage of growth under NSA’s ownership,” said Christian Cantalupo, Partner at ASGARD.

“Working in partnership with ASGARD, Wild Things has become a business with a clear strategic vision and a focus on execution. NSA is now the perfect steward and strategic partner to help advance the Company’s strategic objectives and maximize its growth potential. This acquisition will enable Wild Things to tap into a world class organization where it can leverage existing manufacturing resources and supply chain partnerships, expand its capabilities, and achieve long term growth. I am truly excited for the team and the future that lies ahead for Wild Things. We thank our customers, suppliers and employees for their contributions to our success,” added Amy Coyne, CEO of Wild Things.

Posted in Advertiser, Industry, Press Release | 6 Comments »