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FightLite Releases Multi-Caliber HERRING Model 2024 Lever Action

May 14th, 2024

(Melbourne, Florida USA) May 13, 2024 – FightLite® Industries, a division of ARES Defense Systems® Inc. located in Melbourne, Florida formally releases its new multi-caliber, HERRING® Model 2024 – Modern Lever Action Rifles and Pistols!

First announced in October 2022, the patented HERRING® Model 2024 is a family of high performance, extremely accurate and modular lever-action firearms that provide for flexible caliber and magazine reconfiguration at the user-level, without tools to support virtually any shooting profile. HERRING® significantly advances the state-of-the-art for lever action rifles and pistols above legacy systems that have been the norm for over 150 years, and it is now officially in LRIP production with select customer deliveries that began last week.

Invented and designed by notable small arms designer and company CEO Geoffrey Herring and his team at FightLite® Industries, the Model 2024™ significantly raises the bar for lever action guns by incorporating the latest materials, heat treating options and finishes into a modern, robust, lightweight, and accurate firearm family.

Additionally, The HERRING® Model 2024 leverages the vast AR accessory industry to provide for different calibers, barrel lengths, optical sights, silencers and accessory mounting needs. And like an AR-15, the HERRING® Model 2024 utilizes off-the-shelf AR-15 bolts and barrel extensions, which gives it even greater flexibility and product support.

“In addition to producing all-weather sporting guns such as our SCR® family of semi-auto rifles, our team at FightLite®has spent the better part of 27 years designing and producing hard use, sustained-fire automatic weapons like our belt-fed MCR® which we have supplied to both our own government, as well as those of other nations.” says Geoffrey Herring, founder & CEO of ARES Defense & FightLite Industries. “So, when we made the decision to develop a truly modern lever-action system, our team was perfectly positioned and enthusiastic to leverage our cumulative experience designing and manufacturing hard use, military grade weapons that must not fail during difficult combat conditions. We are very well versed in technical details such as material selection, preventing, or overcoming failure points caused by water intrusion or dirt, sand, mud, salt water, ice, etc., and understand that designing guns to meet requirements of MIL-STD-810Hfor things like corrosion resistance or drop-testing is just something that we do every day regardless of the project. An example would be the 6:1 mechanical advantage that’s designed into the HERRING® Model 2024’s primary extraction mechanism; because when clean or muddy brass obturates against the chamber wall and breech system at 55,000 – 70,000 PSI, you’d better have figured out a reliable way to extract it.”

Mechanically, the HERRING® Model 2024 family uses a rotating bolt like an AR-pattern semiautomatic, and it also accepts all AR-15 (STANAG) pattern magazines, including 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 60 and 100 round AR magazines. Due to its modern, magazine-fed design the HERRING® Model 2024 doesn’t suffer from center-of-gravity shift as a tube-fed rifle does when loading or firing, nor is it limited to round-nosed projectiles. It is designed to accommodate high pressure, high velocity ammunition including 5.56 NATO and Hornady 6mm ARC, as well as great hunting loads like 350 Legend and .450 Bushmaster.

The patented HERRING® Model 2024 marries the proven accuracy, adaptability, and high performance of the AR platform with the established power and all-American rugged dependability of the lever-action repeating rifle.

FightLite® Industries is exhibiting its products at the 2024 NRAAM during May 17-19 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Texas. Attendees are invited to visit the FightLite® booth #11331 where they can get hands on experience with their exciting new products such as our HERRING® Model 2024 Modern Lever Action Rifle and Bandito® pistols, as well as legacy systems including our Dual-Feed® MCR and our universal SCR® platforms.

To make inquiries regarding potential business collaboration, product development or product licensing opportunities with FightLite® Industries, please email sales@FightLite.com

Posted in Firearms, Press Release | 1 Comment »

Princeton Tec Introduces New Charge X Helmet Light

May 14th, 2024

New product offering from Princeton Tec is an optimal upgrade to any helmet setup.

PENNSAUKEN, Nj. MAY 14, 2024 – Princeton Tec, a renowned provider of American-made quality outdoor and tactical lighting options has introduced a new addition to its extensive line of high-quality helmet lights with the Charge X Helmet Light. The new light is an upgrade to the existing Charge line of Princeton Tec products.

The new USA-Made Charge X is an expansion of Princeton Tec’s signature Modular Personal Lighting System (MPLS) line of products and includes all mounts and hardware necessary to optimize helmet compatibility for customer preference, from helmet to head-mount. The new Charge X is also compatible with existing Charge mounts and will include both an MLOK® mount and hook ‘n loop mounting solutions, allowing for even more adaptation to any helmet platform.

The Charge X weighs in at just 55 grams and features a low-drag design to make for a tighter fit to the helmet and a more low-profile layout and less rail space. The light also includes a dual-fuel power source, compatible with AA or CR123 batteries.

Measuring at 100 lumens, the powerful lighting system includes red, green, blue, white (dimmable) and IR light options. With a simple user interface, the operator can easily program the color order based on needs and preferences. Charge X features an improved version of Princeton Tec’s signature flexible boom, allowing for simple and accurate spot illumination that adapts to the task at hand. The Charge X is also rated IPX8 for water resistance and has an impressive run-time of 50 hours.

For more information on Princeton Tec, please visit www.princetontec.com or find Princeton Tec on Instagram and Facebook.

Posted in Advertiser, Helmets, Lights, Press Release | Comments Off on Princeton Tec Introduces New Charge X Helmet Light

Tactical Tuesday: Vertx Delta LT Short – The Ultimate Warm-Weather Gear

May 14th, 2024

The Delta LT Short from Vertx is a warm-weather essential, combining the best of traditional tactical pants with unbeatable freedom of movement. Available in 8″ and 10″ inseams, without compromising on comfort or functionality. Now available in a new color – Exhaust!

Featuring an impressive 13 pockets, the Delta LT Short ensures that all your gear is within easy reach and effortlessly organized. The dual angled rear yoke pockets are specifically designed to accommodate standard smart phones and rifle magazines, while the wallet traps in both rear pockets keep your valuables secure. The deep front pockets, made of soft and highly breathable mesh, offer additional storage options.

Available in three colors – Tobacco (tan), Exhaust (grey), and Pacific Shelf (blue) – the Delta LT Short blend style with stealth. Crafted from ultra-light fabric, these shorts offer exceptional breathability and ensure you stay cool even in the hottest conditions – shop now at: vertx.com

Posted in Advertiser, Clothing, Guest Post | Comments Off on Tactical Tuesday: Vertx Delta LT Short – The Ultimate Warm-Weather Gear

Yuma Proving Ground Testing Cutting-Edge Turret System

May 14th, 2024

YUMA PROVING GROUND, Ariz. — In a potentially significant stride forward in military technology, Yuma Proving Ground is testing a cutting-edge Modular Turreted Mortar System, or MTMS.

According to Kevin Irr, a test officer from the Munitions and Weapons Division, intensive evaluations are currently underway to ensure the MTMS system meets performance expectations for an upcoming demonstration at the Maneuver Warfighter Conference at Fort Moore in September 2024.

Installed on an Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle, this new mortar, or NeMo, turret is a semi-automated, single-barrel 120mm breech-loaded mortar system and has long captured the interest of the Army for its potential to bolster operational capabilities.

A vehicle commander oversees its operation, while two crew members are needed to load the turret. Since Soldiers will be operating the NeMo at the demonstration, ongoing safety testing holds significant importance.

“We are diligently verifying its advertised capabilities and making sure it is safe for the Soldiers to operate,” Irr explained. “Additionally, we’re conducting several other tests to gauge the weapons system’s overall operability.”

Testing on the weapon system began in January and is projected to wrap up by July. Furthermore, a demonstration test will be carried out at YPG to pinpoint any potential issues or to fine-tune procedures before the AMPV-mounted weapon is sent to Fort Moore.

The safety testing focuses primarily on two critical areas, as outlined by Irr. Foremost, the Army is assessing the impact of vehicle operation on auditory health to protect soldier’s hearing. Mortar systems produce high-intensity noise during firing and prolonged exposure can result in hearing damage.

Additionally, prioritizing the buildup of toxic fumes within the vehicle, which may result from weapon firing and engine exhaust, is another top priority. Irr emphasized the critical need to manage these fumes effectively to safeguard the lives or crew members.

Irr also provided some insight into the project’s origin, tracking back several years, saying this integration onto the AMPV is part of a multi-phase foreign comparative test in which the Army initially evaluated the system’s capability on a foreign vehicle using U.S. ammunition.

Reflecting on that initial testing phase, he remembered how it ignited curiosity and interest among military experts, prompting further exploration of the weapon system’s potential utility within the U.S. Army’s arsenal.

To evaluate its viability, a thorough comparison test was designed, subjecting it to the rigorous conditions at YPG.

“It is a prototype,” clarified Irr, who took part in the early part of the testing. “This turreted system has undergone prior testing here on a different vehicle. During those tests, it piqued our interest and garnered some attention.”

Recognizing the system’s promise, the decision was made to evaluate it on a U.S. vehicle, specifically the AMPV.

According to Capt. Mike Hapner from the Program Executive Office Ground Combat Systems, the AMPV was chosen because it maintains an objective requirement to replace the Mortar Carrier Variant with an automated MTMS.

“The U.S. Army is interested in the MTMS’ capability to shoot on the move, perform direct fire missions, as well as its capability to conduct Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact missions,” Hapner stated.

This feature fills a notable gap in the U.S. Army’s current inventory, as there isn’t currently a mortar system with this capability.

“There are other pluses as well,” Irr said. “If it does ever get fielded, it would be the only mortar system in which U.S. Soldiers are protected inside a vehicle.”

By James Gilbert

Posted in Army, Guest Post | Comments Off on Yuma Proving Ground Testing Cutting-Edge Turret System

2Q24 DroneSentry-C2 Next-Gen v10.0 Release

May 13th, 2024

DroneShield Limited (ASX:DRO) (“DroneShield” or “the Company”) is pleased to announce the roll-out of one of the largest updates yet to the DroneSentry-C2 platform, bringing a completely revamped User Interface, smarter AI, and extending detection capabilities to the C-UAS Command-and-Control software industry.

This Version 10.0 release of DroneSentry-C2 marks a turning point in the industry-leading software. The program has been re-written from the ground up, resulting in a faster and smoother experience. The redesign is even easier to use, and provides a framework for significant upcoming features.

Major upgrades include:

• Streamlined User Interface: Most noticeable to any existing user will be the modernised look and feel of the DroneSentry-C2 interface. Stripped-back menus allow for faster navigation and clearer access to settings. Operators can now modify key setting without ever needing to navigate away from the monitoring dashboard. Load times moving between sites and analytics have been significantly reduced.

• Mission Set Optimisation: The updated user interface has been optimised for both desktop and tablet experiences. Enabling far better use in ‘On-The-Move’ applications such as for vehicles and dismounted missions.

• ThreatAI Launched: ThreatAI is an integrated threat analysis system for detected objects in DroneSentry-C2, which intelligently provides a responsive threat rating based on data from all sensors and user input. This new information is utilised by other sub-systems across the platform to better inform command decisions.

• Improvements to existing AI: SensorFusionAI and DroneOptID continue to grow in their performance when identifying and classifying detected drones. This update sees improvements to both accuracy and breadth of these AI models.

• Full integration of OTM sensors: DroneSentry-X Mk2 is now completely integrated into DroneSentry-C2 and SensorFusionAI, allowing for integrated control of disruption features, and smarter detections in the field.

• Usability and Accessibility: A stronger focus on data visualisation makes complex information easier to understand and review quickly. Localisation into Spanish and Polish brings DroneSentry-C2 to more regions that need it.

• Planning tool: This feature has been split out into a separate application to help new and existing clients plan out their Counter-UAS installations, and review the suitability of different systems.

Version 10.0 of the DroneSentry-C2 system is available from today, being deployed to existing DroneShield systems this week. It is available with both DroneShield and third party hardware sensors, and is provided on a subscription basis, either via secure cloud or on-premises server.

DroneShield CTO Angus Bean commented, “The release this quarter allows us to bring the DroneSentry-C2 platform to many more users. In a growing market it allows us to better scale and maintain our Software-as-a-Service, and simplifying the front-end opens opportunities with clients who were previously beyond our reach.”

Posted in Press Release, UAS | Comments Off on 2Q24 DroneSentry-C2 Next-Gen v10.0 Release

SOF Week 24 – Down Range Snacking

May 13th, 2024

I ran across Down Range Snacking in SO Tech’s booth. It’s a small business which manufactures nutritionally dense, shelf stable, formed snack bars using ultrasonic energy.

They are offered in standard snack bar style packaging as well as in MRE compliant trilamintae packaging.

Flavors include Maple Mocha, Coconut Almond, and Cookies and Cream. I sampled the first two and they are extremely flavorful.

soundsnacking.com

Posted in Field Gourmet, SOF Week | 2 Comments »

SOF Week 24 – GoTenna SkyWave

May 13th, 2024

GoTenna demonstrated their new SkyWave system which offers Beyond Line of Sight, HF backhaul using 3G-ALE links to GoTenna mesh network users.

This means users of GoTenna’s mesh network can extend their range even farther, for up to thousands of miles by the integrating High Frequency radios into the network. This allows for multiple local data networks to interact, despite large distances as well as reach back to command and control centers, providing access to their capabilities remotely.

Posted in Comms, SOF Week | Comments Off on SOF Week 24 – GoTenna SkyWave

MATBOCK Monday: Tarsier Vs UTM

May 13th, 2024

The tarsier has been battle-tested for over a decade, from HAHO/HALO operations to diving and even NAVAIR Approved; these have held up to the torture. They continue to offer unmatched protection with the rubber over-mold to the optic Corning glass sacrificial lens. Here is a video showing no stress or damage to the sacrificial lens after being shot at with UTM rounds from a SOCOM 10”.

If you’re at SOMA this week, swing by booth 1002. We will have them on display, as well as all of our medical products.

Posted in Advertiser, Guest Post, Optics | Comments Off on MATBOCK Monday: Tarsier Vs UTM