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Rock Island Armory and Armscor Announced as Supporting Sponsor for Industry Day at the Range 2026

October 26th, 2025

BOULDER CITY, Nev. – October 22, 2025 – SHOT Show® Industry Day at the Range, the highly anticipated hands-on event held annually the day before SHOT Show®, is thrilled to announce Rock Island Armory and Armscor as Supporting Sponsor of the 21st annual event, taking place January 19, 2026, at the Boulder Rifle and Pistol Club in Boulder City, Nevada.

Rock Island Armory and Armscor is a leading manufacturer of firearms and ammunition, renowned for producing high-quality, reliable products for personal defense, sport shooting, law enforcement and military markets. With a history dating back to 1905, the company has built a reputation for performance, precision and affordability.

“We’re proud to continue our partnership and attendance with Industry Day at the Range as a Supporting Sponsor and connect directly with the passionate community that drives the shooting sports industry,” said Martin Tuason, President and CEO of Rock Island Armory and Armscor. “This event continues to be the perfect opportunity for us to share the innovation and craftsmanship behind our latest lineup — from our STK and TCM series to the all-new RIA 5.0 and beyond. We look forward to giving our industry friends an up-close experience with the firearms that represent the heart of who we are: performance, precision, and reliability.”

Industry Day offers an unparalleled opportunity for exhibitors to introduce new products, engage with top-tier media and influencers and create direct connections with SHOT Show attendees in a hands-on environment. This exclusive event provides early momentum that extends well into the SHOT Show itself, ensuring maximum exposure for brands ahead of the main event.

“We’re excited to welcome Rock Island Armory and Armscor as a Supporting Sponsor for Industry Day at the Range 2026,” said Kelsey Puryear, Industry Day at the Range co-owner. “With a long-standing legacy of producing high-quality firearms and ammunition, the company is a natural fit for this event. Its sponsorship will significantly enhance the experience for exhibitors and attendees alike.”

As a Supporting Sponsor, Rock Island Armory and Armscor reinforces its position as a global leader in the firearms and ammunition space. Its participation in Industry Day at the Range reflects a strong commitment to innovation and direct engagement with the industry’s most influential voices.

Supported by the National Shooting Sports Foundation as title sponsor through 2028, Industry Day at the Range remains the only official range event associated with the SHOT Show. Exhibitor space is limited, and early registration is strongly encouraged.

New exhibitors can register online now to secure their space. Sponsorship information is also available online. For additional details and answers to frequently asked questions, please visit the event website.

For more information about the 2026 SHOT Show Industry Day at the Range visit ShotShowRangeDay.com.

Posted in Industry, Press Release, SHOT Show | No Comments »

Now This Is An Interesting Photo

October 26th, 2025

In this taken sometime in October 1968 photo you see USAF General Curtis LeMay meeting with 5th SFG(A) Colonel Harold “Hank “ Aaron at 5th Group HQ in Na Trang, Republic of Vietnam.

Although LeMay is in a simple set of fatigues, he was obviously a civilian when this photo was taken. He had retired in 1965 as Chief of Staff of the Air Force. This is right at the end of his failed bid for Vice Presidency as running mate of George Wallace in their 3rd party candidacy on the American Independent Party ticket. Even Wallace’s staffers thought he was out there for his stance on nuclear weapons.

LeMay served in the US Army’s air component and then in the Air Force from 1929 until 1965 with service in World War Two as well as the Korea and Vietnam wars. Having overseen the use of nuclear weapons at the end of WWII, he was the first commander of Strategic Air Command from 48-57 and transitioned the bomber five from propeller to jet engines aircraft. He also led the first deployment of ICBMs and was a vocal supporter of their use in conflict which often put him at odds with the civilian leadership. He was known as a staunch disciplinarian during his time as Commander of SAC but that actually began during the war in the Pacific when he dealt with high abort rates of bombing missions by declaring that he would fly the lead bomber on all missions and that any crew who did not make it over the target would be court martialled.

We also have LeMay to thank for buying the first M16s for use by Air Police while Chief of Staff, directing the acquisition of 80,000 M16s in 1962.

Posted in Cold War, History | 2 Comments »

Nomad Launches Conifer VX3 Gear For Cold Weather Hunting

October 25th, 2025

PrimaLoft Insulation makes Conifer VX3 Nomad’s warmest gearCHARLESTON, SC. (October 21, 2025) – Nomad Outdoor launched Conifer VX3, the updated version of its popular line of technical in-field gear designed for maximum warmth when the winter winds howl and late season cold fronts throw the worst conditions at hunters searching for that target buck.

Conifer VX3 sandwiches 100g PrimaLoft insulation between a windproof membrane outer layer and the breathable membrane inner layer to shut out the cold and keep you dry and comfortable.

“We designed Conifer for hunters willing to endure cold weather when the big bucks move and the hunting gets hot,” said Mike Tussey, Marketing Director Nomad Outdoor. “Late season might be your best shot at the buck of a lifetime, and Conifer VX3 helps you sit comfortably on the stand longer and stay still for that last 15 minutes of shooting light, no matter how cold it is.”

Available in the recently reintroduced Mossy Oak New Break Up pattern, Conifer VX3 includes bib overalls, jacket, trapper hat and flip mitt gloves that protect fingers against the chill butinstantly flip out of the way when it’s time to draw a bow or aim a rifle.

The bib overalls have zippered chest pockets for gear and generous fleece-lined warmer pockets to keep your hands protected in frigid weather. The Conifer VX3 bib overalls retail for $320.

The jacket also has fleece-lined hand warmer pockets and an adjustable, three-piece insulated hood for full coverage warmth. An integrated harness port allows easy access for a safety tether when in a tree stand. The Conifer VX3 jacket retails for $320.

Conifer VX3 flip mitts have thick PrimaLoft insulation and many features to insure hunter comfort in the field. The thumb includes a fleece nose wipe panel, and the tip of the mitt has a bite tab for quick opening. Magnet closures keep the mitten section secured when flipped back and fingers are insulated with stretch fleece. Conifer VX3 flip mitts retail for $65.

The trapper hat has a laminated brushed tricot outer shell with 100g of PrimaLoft inside. Adjustment strap across the back fits most sizes. The trapper hat comes with a warm, removable fleece-lined facemask with silent magnet attachments on the bottom for stealthy on and off. Conifer VX3 trapper hats retail for $65.

Posted in Camo, Clothing, Off-Duty, Press Release | No Comments »

EagleNXT Announces Sale of Advanced eBee TAC Drones to Defense Logistics Agency

October 25th, 2025

Advanced Drones to Fulfill Varied Missions, Increase Flexibility and Capability with multiple sensor packages

WICHITA, Kan., Oct. 23, 2025 — AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (dba, EagleNXT) (the “Company” or “EagleNXT”) (NYSE: UAVS), a leading provider of advanced drone and aerial imaging solutions, is pleased to announce a significant sale as part of a larger Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) procurement, supplying two of its eBee TAC unmanned aerial systems to support the operational needs of a United States military unit.

This strategic procurement underscores EagleNXT’s growing role in delivering cutting-edge, NDAA-compliant technology for high resolution mapping, and tactical intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions with the U.S. Government.

The eBee TAC, a lightweight, hand-launched fixed-wing drone, offers up to 90 minutes of flight time and a 15 km range, enables rapid deployment and secure data collection. Capable of generating 2D orthomosaics, 3D models, and thermal maps, the system is tailored for applications such as terrain analysis and situational awareness in complex environments.

“We are honored to support the Defense Logistics Agency and its mission to enhance national security through advanced UAV solutions,” said Bill Irby, CEO of EagleNXT. “The eBee TAC, capable of being equipped with multiple sensor configurations, represents the pinnacle of tactical mapping technology-delivering real-time, actionable intelligence to operators in dynamic environments. This award underscores EagleNXT’s expertise in high-performance unmanned systems for defense applications and reinforces our position as a trusted partner in strengthening U.S. operational capabilities and public safety infrastructure. Our focus remains on executing with discipline, and providing needed capability to the warfighter.”

The DLA is a combat support agency within the U.S. Department of Defense, and is responsible for providing comprehensive logistics, acquisition, and sustainment solutions to America’s armed forces and federal agencies. With a mission to deliver readiness and lethality through a global supply chain, DLA manages the procurement and distribution of critical equipment, supplies, and services to support military operations worldwide.

Advanced unmanned aerial systems like the eBee TAC, which is included on the U.S. Department of Defense’s Blue UAS Cleared list, enhance DLA’s capabilities by enabling rapid intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, delivering high-precision mapping, 3D modeling, and advanced situational awareness for multiple mission sets.

For more information about the full suite of EagleNXT UAS solutions, or to schedule a demo, visit EagleNXT.com

Posted in Contracts, Drone, Press Release | No Comments »

Operation Urgent Fury

October 25th, 2025

On the morning of October 25th, 1983, America awoke to reports that US forced had invaded the small Caribbean nation of Grenada, in order to liberate American medical students from danger posed by political instability. Joined by Regional Security System troops from a variety of Caribbean partner nations, they swiftly overwhelmed the Grenadian and Cuban troops. While Operation Urgent Fury was in name, a joint force operation, and included the use of Special Operations Forces, it highlighted many interoperability challenges, such as use of joint operational overlays and communications issues.

Several stove pipe problems suffered by the pre-Goldwater-Nichols military were identified during this operation. Additionally, Urgent Fury was conducted with many systems dating from the Vietnam war.

Just six years later, during the invasion of Panama, saw the first employment of several new weapons developed during the Reagan buildup such as the F-117 stealth fighter and the Marine Corps LAV-25. Grenada was a great learning experience for the US military as it highlighted issues with joint service operations, particularly in the communications arena as well as interoperability between Special Operations and General Purpose forces. For example, SOF also took a much more prominent role in operation Blue Spoon during the Panama invasion. We’ve come even further in the past three decades.

Finally, as with any conflict, lives were lost. Let us not forget the 19 Americans killed in action and the 116 who were wounded. Unfortunately, there were also 24 Grenadian civilians killed in the conflict.

Posted in History | 1 Comment »

DroneShield Expands Airspace Security with ADS-B Integration into its DroneSentry-C2 Software

October 24th, 2025

Dual-band ADS-B reception enhances airspace safety awareness, supporting mixed-domain operations

Sydney, Australia – 23 October 2025 – DroneShield, a global leader in counter-drone technology, today announced the integration of Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B) into its ecosystem. The integration fuses traditional aviation surveillance data with counter-drone detection, allowing operators to intuitively differentiate legitimate aircraft from potential drone threats.

ADS-B is a widely adopted air traffic monitoring technology, used globally to broadcast the identity, position, altitude, and velocity of crewed aircraft. By receiving and fusing ADS-B data into DroneSentry-C2, DroneShield’s SaaS-enabled command-and-control platform can now provide operators with a clearer picture of both crewed and uncrewed activity in shared airspace. This reduces the risk of misidentification and enhances operator confidence when making time-critical decisions. The update comes as DroneShield has unveiled its DroneSentry-C2 Enterprise and several updates to its C2 software earlier this month, as part of its regular quarterly software update cycle.

The need for integrated airspace awareness has been underscored in recent years, including high-profile incidents in the United States where unclassified aerial objects near sensitive sites triggered widespread concern. In environments where distinguishing between drones, conventional aircraft, and other aerial phenomena is becoming increasingly critical, DroneShield’s integration of ADS-B with multi-sensor counter-drone detection provides additional clarity and control for users.

Image: DroneSentry-C2 incorporating the ADS-B flight tracking feature

For public safety agencies, emergency services, and critical infrastructure operators, the integration supports further awareness in mixed airspace missions such as disaster response, emergency medical transport, and major event security. For defence and government customers, it reinforces airspace awareness while expanding the operational relevance of counter-drone solutions.

DroneSentry-C2, DroneShield’s rapidly scaling command-and-control platform, is built on DroneShield’s proprietary artificial intelligence, the SensorFusionAI (SFAI) engine, DroneSentry-C2 ingests and cross-references data from radio frequency, radar, optical, and now ADS-B sources, creating a single operational picture that reduces false alarms and increases the range of effective response options available to end users, highlighting DroneSentry-C2’s role as more than a display tool.

“Integrating ADS-B data reflects our vision for a future of comprehensive airspace awareness,” said Angus Bean, Chief Product Officer at DroneShield. “By expanding DroneSentry-C2’s capabilities to include both crewed and uncrewed aviation ADS-B data, we are adding to our customers situational awareness that they need to make faster, safer, and more confident decisions in complex environments.”

Posted in C-UAS, Press Release | Comments Off on DroneShield Expands Airspace Security with ADS-B Integration into its DroneSentry-C2 Software

Introducing THE Original Scope Bumper

October 24th, 2025

Scope Covers Like No Other

The product idea that got the brand started.

The Scope Bumper™ is a complete rethinking of what scope covers should be. Sure, it covers the lens, but it also solves two other problems that most covers don’t: Scope Bumper™ protects the scope and doesn’t get in the way.

Protection

The Scope Bumper™ is made of three pieces that work together to protect your scope from end impacts, glancing blows, and incidental contact with objects in your environment.

The protective outer cover and cap are made of an advanced carbon fiber polymer that is highly durable, shielding your scope’s lens and bell housing from hard objects found in and around cover.

The inner bumper (most models) is made of a strong, pliable, and shock-absorbing material that is extremely durable against tears and impacts. The innovative bumper extends to cover most of your scope’s bell housing, cushioning it from end impacts and softening glancing blows.

The front of the bumper is thicker and compressible to help absorb direct impacts that could harm your scope’s lens or housing.

All materials used in the Scope Bumper™ are tested to extremes for durability as well as UV and corrosion resistance. The retention bands are made of a robust and stretchy material sourced specifically for use with our designs.

Low Profile

Other scope cover designs can be frustrating, bulky, pop open when you don’t want them to, and worst of all, they limit visibility from the shooter’s position. At Scope Bumper, our motivation to design high-functioning, low-profile products has culminated in a first of its kind for scope cover design: a folding scope cap.

The Scope Bumper’s™ revolutionary folding design almost disappears when open so that it doesn’t interfere with the shooter’s line-of-sight. The Scope Bumper™ cap snaps into place with a simple push when closed, and it opens with a firm flick of the finger. Sleek and satisfying!

Our folding caps are extremely useful for scopes where the ocular housing rotates when you change magnification.

Our smallest Scope Bumper™ covers use a single-piece, non-folding cap design similar in size to the turrets on most small form-factor scopes, so they hide away tucked up close to the main tube.

We also have versions without a bumper for compact LPVO’s where there is very little room for an objective cover in front of the mounting rings. These models clamp on just like our weapon light covers.

The Scope Bumper™ comes in half-millimeter sized increments that fit most scopes on the market. If you don’t see your scope on the list or your Scope Bumper™ size available, just reach out using our contact form and we’ll get you covered.

Posted in Optics, Press Release | 2 Comments »