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FS Holdings Appoints Industry Veteran Lynn Twiss as Vice President of Marketing for FS Holdings and FirstSpear

December 19th, 2025

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (Dec. 22, 2025) – FS Holdings, the parent organization for FirstSpear®, FirstSpear Technology Group®, Atlas 46®, and Black Crest®, today announced the appointment of Lynn Twiss as Vice President of Marketing. In this dual-role capacity, Twiss will drive overarching leadership and brand strategy for the FS Holdings family of brands while maintaining direct leadership as Vice President of Marketing for the flagship brand, FirstSpear.

This strategic appointment marks a significant milestone in the organization’s growth and is aligned with the holding group’s core ethos: “Protect, Serve, and Build.”

Twiss brings over three decades of marketing leadership experience in the firearms, military, and outdoor industries. As the founder of GUNLAND LLC, he has served as a strategic architect for some of the most recognized brands in the space. His career includes pivotal roles such as helping rebuild Kimber from early bankruptcy into a premier firearms manufacturing brand, and key leadership positions at Leupold & Stevens and SIG SAUER Electro-Optics, where he oversaw the marketing launch of the BDX (Ballistic Data Xchange) system and supported critical military contract wins.

His arrival signals a decisive move to better align the commercial, industrial, and defense verticals of the company and focus them on coherent, long-term growth.

“As we continue to reinforce our existing footprint across ground, maritime, aviation and industrial domains, it is critical that our voice is as powerful and precise as our technology,” said Scott Carver, CEO of FS Holdings. “Lynn has spent the last year and a half embedded with our teams as a mentor and advisor, so this move into a full-time executive role is a natural fit. He combines an understanding of the defense sector with the ability to build demand for our lifestyle and industrial brands. He understands that while FirstSpear is ‘Built for The X™,’ the broader mission of the group is to ‘Protect, Serve, and Build’ across every aspect of our customers’ lives.”

“FirstSpear is built on a foundation of uncompromising quality and innovation. That same seriousness runs through the broader FS Holdings portfolio, even though it shows up in very different forms,” said Lynn Twiss. “An operator stepping off with FirstSpear kit, an MRO tradesman starting a shift in Atlas 46, or someone choosing Black Crest for their day-to-day are all facing different kinds of stakes, but they share the same expectation that when the moment turns critical, the gear will not be the point of failure.

For most of my career I have worked beside product and design teams that obsess over details a customer may never notice directly, but will always feel. That is the discipline I want to support here. My focus is to help each brand push further in its own lane, to keep earning trust through performance, and to let the work speak first. If we do that well, the stories will follow.”

In this role, Twiss will oversee global marketing operations, brand architecture, and digital transformation across the portfolio. He will be responsible for articulating the distinct identities of the sub-brands while leveraging their shared technologies and values to drive cross-market growth.

About FS Holdings

FS Holdings is a U.S.-based portfolio company focused on equipping professionals across military, law enforcement, industrial, and lifestyle markets. Through its brands FirstSpear, FirstSpear Technology Group, Atlas 46, and Black Crest, the group applies technical innovation, advanced materials, and design expertise to create products that “Protect, Serve, and Build.”

About FirstSpear

Founded in 2010, FirstSpear® equips elite military and law enforcement professionals with uncompromising equipment for those bound for “The X.” Guided by its “Built for The X™” ethos, FirstSpear produces lightweight, mission-focused equipment engineered for the most demanding operational environments.

About Atlas 46

Founded in 2013, Atlas 46 manufactures premium, USA Made gear for tradespeople, MRO professionals, and mechanics. With modular innovation and industrial-grade craftsmanship, Atlas 46 delivers high-performance solutions built to meet professional standards.

About Black Crest

Black Crest is a men’s athleisure brand combining design sensibility with everyday comfort and style. The brand offers technical performance apparel for life beyond the mission, designed in the United States and manufactured to exacting standards internationally.

Posted in Advertiser, Industry, Press Release | No Comments »

CZ to Supply Pistols to the German Army

December 19th, 2025

Uhersky Brod, Czech Republic (December 19, 2025)

Ceska zbrojovka a.s. (CZ) has achieved one of the most significant milestones in its history. The German Army (Bundeswehr) has selected a CZ pistol as its new standard sidearm.

“We are honored that the German Bundeswehr has chosen CZ as itspartner. Our success in this rearmament tender is one of the most significant achievements in CZ’s modern history. It clearly confirmsthe outstanding reputation our firearms have earned through active deployment in real combat conditions. We look forward to a long-term cooperation with the Bundeswehr and to fulfilling all its requirements in line with the contract,” said Jan Zajic, CEO and Chairman of the Board of CZ.

CZ was awarded this contract following an open international tender, prevailing over several global competitors. The pistols designated as P13 for the Bundeswehr are based on the CZ P-10 C OR (Optics-Ready) model, featuring a Flat Dark Earth (FDE) finish. It is a modern striker-fired service pistol designed for professional use, renowned for its reliability, durability, and intuitive handling. It features excellent ergonomics, high magazine capacity, and precise construction, making it a preferred choice among military and law enforcement customers in many countries.

CZ will work closely with its authorized partner in Germany, POL-TEC GmbH & Co., to fulfil the contract and provide comprehensive support to the Bundeswehr.

A Tradition of Quality and Innovation

CZ is a leading European manufacturer of firearms for military, law enforcement, and commercial customers, with a tradition dating back to 1936. CZ products are exported to nearly 100 countries worldwide. Through close cooperation with experts and elitemilitary and police units, CZ develops its firearms to meet the evolving needs of modern military and law enforcement forces. CZis a proud member of Colt CZ Group SE.

Posted in Contracts, International, Press Release, weapons | 1 Comment »

Adept Armor Unveils the NovaSteel Flip Ballistic Mandible

December 19th, 2025

A breakthrough in lightweight, one-handed, high-performance facial ballistic protection.

Denison, TX. (December 2025) – Adept Armor, pioneers in next-gen protective solutions, today announced the release of the NovaSteel™ Flip Ballistic Mandible, Gen 2, an entirely reengineered facial protection module designed to meet the evolving ballistic and impact threats faced by modern warfighters, tactical teams, and security professionals. The Gen 2 model introduces a patented, sealed hinge mechanism that enables silent, one-handed flip-up operation with free-stop positioning at any angle, while preserving a lightweight form factor, wide field of vision, and exceptional ballistic performance.

Modern body armor has dramatically reduced thoracic injuries, but as coverage has improved, personal vulnerability has shifted. The face, once indirectly shielded, has become the most exposed anatomical region during ballistic engagements. Face and neck injuries are up 30 percent since Vietnam, and the face is struck over 700 percent more frequently than its surface area would predict. These shifting patterns of wounding have left the face as the most exposed region of the warfighter’s body.

?Injury simulations clearly illustrate the vulnerability of the face to ballistic and blunt-force impact, even at comparatively low velocities. As a result, the need for practical, high-performance facial protection has become paramount. The NovaSteel Flip Ballistic Mandible, Gen 2, was expressly engineered to address this challenge, delivering substantial ballistic, fragment, and blunt-impact protection while maintaining wide visibility, ease of use, and compatibility with contemporary helmet systems.

“I’m incredibly excited to finally announce our new NovaSteel Flip Ballistic Mandible, Gen 2. After nearly two years of development and countless prototypes, we’ve achieved a genuine breakthrough. The new face shield is lightweight, breathable, and exceptionally easy to operate. Users can flip it up, down, or hold it at any point in between with a simple, quiet, one-handed motion. It’s dramatically more intuitive than anything currently available,” said Jake Ganor, President of Adept Armor.

The NovaSteel Flip Ballistic Mandible, Gen 2, represents a comprehensive redesign of Adept Armor’s acclaimed ballistic mandible platform. Its most significant innovation is its sealed, all-aluminum, patented rotating mechanism, permanently welded to a dedicated Combat Circlet, and designed for:

Silent, smooth, one-handed actuation
Free-stop positioning at any angle without detents or latches
Stable, secure operation that preserves cheek-weld, comms access, and ventilation
?A dramatically reduced mechanical footprint compared to bulky or fixed alternatives

Underneath the protective housing lies an entirely new rotational architecture, engineered to deliver a level of sophistication, durability, and ease of use unmatched in current ballistic facial protection systems.

“Helmets have come a long way, but facial protection has lagged behind. We’re working to close that gap,” Ganor explained. “This isn’t a niche accessory anymore – in terms of protection, ergonomics, and durability, it’s at a point where it can become an essential piece of equipment.”

The NovaSteel Flip Ballistic Mandible, Gen 2, is built from high-grade NovaSteel alloy, offering robust ballistic resistance while remaining exceptionally lightweight at less than 1 pound. The sealed hinge delivers quiet, controlled operation with no clicks, snaps, or latch noise that could compromise user position. The low-profile geometry maintains a wide field of view and is fully compatible with most ballistic glasses, goggles, and common weapon optics. The mandible provides multi-threat protection against pistol-caliber ballistic impacts, high-velocity fragmentation, blunt-force events, and debris.

Key specifications include:

Ballistic Rating: 124 gr 9mm FMJ
Ultra-low BFD, enabling a tight, low-profile fit and cheek-weld capability
Wide, unobstructed field of vision with no optical distortion
High resistance to blunt impact and fragmentation
No fogging, no transparency degradation, and no visor-related distortion
Fully compatible with the ACH model and all NovaSteel helmets (2024+)

?The NovaSteel Flip Ballistic Mandible surpasses the ballistic and blunt-impact thresholds of the ACH and ACH Gen II helmet specifications, despite no formal testing protocol existing for ballistic mandibles. The design also demonstrates broad compliance with VPAM-3 helmet test criteria, maintaining low backface deformation, delivering stable edge-shot protection, and performing reliably even after sustained high-temperature conditioning at 168°F and beyond.

The mandible mounts via integrated bosses on the Combat Circlet Gen 2, leaving rail space free and requiring no drilling or modification. This Flip Mandible mounts only to the dedicated Combat Circlet supplied with the unit. It is not compatible with the standard Combat Circlet Mark II, older Circlet variants, or any third-party helmet mounting hardware. Each unit includes the NovaSteel Flip Mandible, Gen 2, and its dedicated welded Combat Circlet with integrated flip rotator assembly. Available in Black or Green. MSRP $490.00.

For more information on Adept Armor, visit its website or follow along on Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube.

Posted in Armor, Helmets, Press Release | 1 Comment »

US Patriot – Customized Army & Air Force OCP Uniforms

December 19th, 2025

US Patriot will deliver your ACU or IHWCU complete with all of the insignia attached where it’s supposed to be.

Build your regulation-ready uniform the easy way with their uniform builder. Look for products labeled Customizable, choose your sizing, and click “Customize.”

www.uspatriottactical.com/military-uniform-builder

Posted in Air Force, Army, Clothing | No Comments »

FirstSpear Friday Focus: Assaulters Gun Belt (AGB)

December 19th, 2025

The FirstSpear ASSAULTERS GUN BELT (AGB) is a purpose-built belt system designed to perform in high-stress operational environments. Built for durability and reliability, the AGB features a two-point, high-strength metallic buckle capable of supporting combat-equipped buddy drags when it matters most.

The belt provides the stiffness required to carry holsters, magazines, and mission-essential equipment without rolling or sagging under load. Its removable buckle allows the belt to be easily routed through smaller pant belt loops, making it practical for both overt and low-profile use.

When integrated with the AGB Padded Sleeve, the system delivers increased comfort during extended wear and adds 6/12 attachment points for secure, modular equipment placement.

The AGB is fully compatible with a wide range of FirstSpear components, allowing the end user to configure the belt for mission-specific requirements. With the padded sleeve installed, the belt becomes a stable, load-bearing platform suitable for full duty or combat setups. It is also compatible with the FirstSpear Base Belt and Base Belt Lite when used in conjunction with the AGB Sleeve, enhancing scalability across kit configurations. Whether employed as a streamlined gun belt or a fully built-out war belt, the AGB maintains stability during movement, transitions, and dynamic tasks. Its low-profile 1.75-inch design balances strength with mobility, avoiding unnecessary bulk.

The system is built to withstand harsh conditions and repeated use without compromise. Designed with professional end users in mind, the Assaulters Gun Belt delivers the strength, modularity, and reliability required for military, law enforcement, and special operations professionals operating in demanding environments.

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.

Posted in Advertiser, FS Friday Focus, Guest Post, Load Carrying | No Comments »

UK Launches New Military Intelligence Services as Hostile Threats Surge

December 19th, 2025

New unified organisation to speed up how Defence gathers and shares intelligence.

UK military intelligence will be more efficient, faster, and better able to anticipate future threats as the Ministry of Defence launches the new Military Intelligence Services (MIS). This major overhaul of Defence’s intelligence organisations comes amid increasing threats to the UK and will keep Britain ahead of hostile states and terrorists.

Following the recommendations in the Strategic Defence Review, the reforms bring every intelligence unit and organisation within Defence under one organisation for the first time, including units from the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force – speeding up how information is gathered, analysed and shared across the Armed Forces.

The announcement comes amid escalating threats to the UK, as adversaries intensify cyber-attacks, disrupt satellites, threaten global shipping lanes, and spread disinformation. These actions increasingly impact everyday life, driving up food prices, increasing economic uncertainty, and threatening energy security and national infrastructure.

To boost Defence’s resilience further, today also sees the launch of the new Defence Counter-Intelligence Unit (DCIU). Over the past year, hostile intelligence activity against the MOD has risen by more than 50%, revealing just how quickly our adversaries are intensifying their efforts.

The Minister for the Armed Forces Al Carns MP, and Minister for Veterans and People Louise Sandher-Jones MP, launched the MIS and DCIU at one of the UK’s key intelligence sites – Wyton in Cambridgeshire – which includes a football-pitch-sized intelligence fusion centre, bringing together top secret intelligence from across the Five Eyes partnership.

Defence Secretary, John Healey MP, said:

As threats increase, we are making defence intelligence smarter.

This Government is delivering the recommendations in the Strategic Defence Review, putting Britain at the leading edge of military innovation. For intelligence, this means cutting-edge technology, clearer structures and faster data flows. This gives us sharper insights into what our adversaries might do next, so we protect our forces, safeguard critical infrastructure, and deter changing threats.

Our intelligence work is usually unseen but always essential. I am grateful to all our Military Intelligence Services personnel whose round-the-clock vigilance keeps the UK secure at home and strong abroad.

The Military Intelligence Services bring together intelligence units from the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force, UK Space Command, and Permanent Joint Headquarters, ensuring they operate as one system.

Under the command of the Cyber and Specialist Operations Command, and the leadership of the Chief of Defence Intelligence, this will give Defence faster and clearer warnings of threats to our forces and the public, allowing the UK to use data from land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace in real time, sharpening the nation’s ability to deter adversaries before they act.

It will be supported by the new Defence Intelligence Academy who offer world-class training in key intelligence disciplines such as cyber, space and geospatial analysis.

General Sir Jim Hockenhull, Commander of the Cyber and Specialist Operations Command, said:

Intelligence sits at the heart of defence. Underpinning everything we do, it provides the insight and foresight we need and enables our operations.

In an increasingly complex and volatile world where threats are always evolving, our intelligence operations are always on, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The establishment of the Military Intelligence Services and the Defence Counter-Intelligence Unit are significant steps forward in strengthening the UK’s ability to anticipate threats, enabling faster and more precise action, supporting our Armed Forces, and protecting our citizens.

The Dawn Sturgess Inquiry, published last week, made clear that foreign intelligence services are now operating far beyond traditional espionage norms, targeting Defence personnel, technology programmes, supply chains, and wider defence industry both at home and overseas.

The Defence Counter-Intelligence Unit will unify counter-intelligence professionals from across Defence, giving them the tools and structure needed to disrupt and deter hostile activity more effectively.

Their work will protect the UK’s most sensitive capabilities – including the nuclear deterrent, high-tech industrial projects, and critical infrastructure – while strengthening cooperation with the UK intelligence agencies and NATO allies.

Earlier this year, the Prime Minister made a historic commitment to spend 5% of GDP on national security from 2035, alongside the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War – hitting 2.6% of GDP by 2027 – and an extra £5 billion for defence this year alone.

From: Ministry of Defence and The Rt Hon John Healey MP

Posted in Guest Post, International, ISR | No Comments »

Rheinmetall Successfully Demonstrates Drone Defence Capabilities in Finland

December 18th, 2025

Rheinmetall successfully demonstrated its capabilities in counter measures against small unmanned aerial systems (c-sUAS) at the Ground-based Air Defence (GBAD) Demo Days at the firing range in Lohtaja, Finland. Representatives of Rheinmetall Air Defence AG were invited to participate by the Inspector of Air Defence of the Finnish Armed Forces.

Despite challenging climatic conditions in a remote forest area, Rheinmetall impressed with a powerful and professional demonstration. The demonstrated threats, ranging from jet drones to small quadcopters, as well as the frictionless cooperation with the organiser XD Solution and the Finnish Armed Forces underlined the operational readiness of the technologies on display. The main focus of the performance was on the detection, classification and tracking of a wide variety of drones in different airspaces and at different flight speeds.

At the core of the presentation was Skyspotter, Rheinmetall’s multi-sensory early warning and reconnaissance system for detecting, classifying and tracking airborne threats. Skyspotter is designed to protect critical infrastructure and secure large areas against drone attacks. The system features an open architecture that allows the integration of different sensors and effectors depending on the threat level. In close cooperation with employees of Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles GmbH, a rapidly deployable version of the Skyspotter system based on the Rheinmetall HX Truck was presented on site. This underscores the flexibility of the system architecture as well as the capabilities of the corporation.

During the demonstration, Rheinmetall presented an integrated overall system consisting of the Skyspotter, several dislocated Passive Emitter Locator sensors and a rapidly deployable, specialised C2 shelter. This ensures optimum command and control capability at a safe distance from active components and increases the protection of operating personnel.

Skyspotter can combat directional jammers, interceptor drones and the highly flexible Revolver Gun 30mm, which is currently in the conceptional phase. It uses individually programmable KETF ammunition (kinetic energy time fuze), which acts solely with kinetic energy (so-called impact ammunition).

“The GBAD Demo Days 2025 have impressively highlighted the importance of partnership-based cooperation in the further development of modern air defence capabilities. We would like to thank the Finnish Armed Forces for the invitation and the excellent cooperation, as well as our industry partners and our Finnish partner Oy Telva. Their commitment and expertise have contributed significantly to successfully demonstrating the performance of our systems under realistic conditions”, explains Oliver Dürr, Head of the Electronic Solutions Division.

Posted in C-UAS, International, Press Release | No Comments »

Spiritus Systems Announces LV-120 Officially Available

December 18th, 2025

Aberdeen, NC – December 18, 2025 – Spiritus Systems®, one of the leading manufacturers of nylon equipment designed with intent for military and law enforcement professionals, has announced the new LV-120 Plate Carrier, a highly configurable, modular, and scalable system is now available for purchase through the company’s website.

The LV-120 Plate Carrier, is a fine-tuned solution of load carriage design that answers the nearly impossible demand of weight, durability, integration, adaptability and refinement. A completely new offering from its predecessor, the LV-119, the LV-120 was developed in collaboration with the professional end-user, in an effort to address the unique and diverse requirements for next-gen warfare.

At its core, the LV-120 Plate Carrier addresses the warfighter’s need to tailor the system to a constantly shifting mission profile. The design considers current cable routing requirements, various plate sizes and types, weight (2.03lbs), increased load carriage, durability and additional extensive end-user feedback.

The base configuration is a mission-ready, highly rigid plate carrier, constructed with X-Pac X50 Nylon and Nylon Laminate. The new materials, ensure a highly abrasion-resistant, tear-resistant, waterproof material; ensuring the carrier is near-hydrophobic and won’t retain water. Additionally, the 3D-mesh which dries near instantaneously, lines the front and back panels, creating a space for ventilation of heat and perspiration – making the LV-120 a notable solution to virtually any environment.

Equipped with removable articulating shoulder straps, with ride-height adjustment which allows the carrier to naturally settle on the body. For those who require a quick-release function, the straps can be interchanged with the LV-120 Tubes Shoulder Strap (sold separately) for easy donning and doffing.

The front panel features a loop molle field, designed to accommodate placards, EUD’s or other mission-specific attachments. Placards can now be attached using G-Hooks, 1-inch side release buckles, or the innovative, Quick Attach Tab System. Laser cut ports for PTT securement are located on either side of the molle field, which also serve as a channel for comm-cable management. Strategically designed ingress points for future attachments can also serve as a comms passthrough into the plate bag, allowing for easy storing of excess cabling and connectors.

The rear panel is equipped with a full molle field, to accommodate a highly customizable configuration, including a 9″x 4″ loop field, for identifier patches. Rigid wings located on either side of the rear plate bag function as a mounting platform for future attachments, as well as allow the Reactive Cummerbund to have an articulated radius around the edge of the plate for guaranteed retraction with movement.

The newly implemented rigidity of the Reactive Cummerbund provides a weight transfer from the shoulders and spine by ensuring the plate bags are kept compressed against the body, without compromising the same level of comfort as an elastic cummerbund. The mounting location of the cummerbund ensures that armor plates are positioned correctly on the body, while maintaining a level cummerbund. The added rigidity also allows for heavier items to be mounted on either side of the polypropylene composite (CURV) chassis. A one-size-fits most sizeable structure, combined with a tension-adjusting shock cord system in the rear accommodates natural flexion and expansion of the body and allows for a streamlined acquisition process since there is only one size.

In an effort to consolidate logistical burden and create compatibility across brands for end users, the implementation of the #10 Zipper has been included into the LV-120. A strategic decision made in conjunction with Ferro Concepts, to create a “Universal Carrier Attachment Standard.” This new zipper will limit the compatibility of legacy Spiritus back panel attachments but allow for future developments and cross-compatibility.

Available now through www.spiritussystems.com the new LV-120 Plate Carrier comes in MultiCam®, Ranger Green, Coyote and Black.

Posted in Advertiser, Armor, Press Release | 1 Comment »