2026 Modern Day Marine Exposition
April 29th, 2026ForgeLine Launches Performance Fieldwear
April 29th, 2026Carpinteria, CA (April 29, 2026) – ForgeLine Fieldwear™, the team behind Operational Fieldwear trusted by U.S. Special Operations Forces, is launching its first ForgeLine Performance Fieldwear™ collection—rugged, versatile apparel evolved from the same design philosophy used to build gear for no-fail environments.
Created for people who treat clothing as equipment, not decoration, ForgeLine Performance Fieldwear™ is built for demanding work and life outside controlled environments. The Spring 2026 launch centers on the new Utility Series: jackets and pants made with ForgeLine’s performance ultra dry-waxed cotton, a PFAS-free fabric platform designed to deliver durability, weather resistance, mobility, and everyday versatility. This first line also includes a lightweight, packable storm shell and a merino baselayer tee.
Designed and refined by the same team behind ForgeLine Operational Fieldwear™, the new collection applies hard-earned lessons from high-consequence product development to a broader range of users—from ranch and field work to long days outdoors where conditions, terrain, and weather are never fully in your control.
“This next chapter is not about leaving our roots behind,” said ForgeLine Owner Eric Neuron. “It is about applying what we have learned building gear for no-fail environments to life beyond the uniform. Our Operational Fieldwear serves the operator. Our Performance Fieldwear is built for people who need honest, capable gear for demanding days. Two lines, one mission: We make the gear. You make it matter.”
At the core of the Utility Series is ForgeLine’s performance ultra dry-waxed cotton, a modern PFAS-free material that builds on the proven toughness and character of traditional waxed cotton while improving wearability, versatility, and function through updated fabric and garment construction.
To help drive product innovation and enhancement for future lines, ForgeLine will utilize its proprietary, app-based product testing platform called Responsive Advancement™. This structured feedback loop between in-field users and the product development team streamlines the design process to meet the demands of real people performing in real conditions.
For more information about the ForgeLine Performance Fieldwear line, please visit www.forgelinefieldwear.com.
Teledyne FLIR Defense Grows Third-Party Payload Integration Program, Adds Emesent Hovermap LiDAR for Unmanned Air, Ground, and Detection Platforms
April 29th, 2026
The Emesent–Teledyne FLIR combination addresses a GPS-denial gap in air and ground domains where unmanned systems can lose GPS connectivity in common operating areas, such as tunnels, urban structures, and CBRN-contaminated spaces. Using LiDAR-based Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM), Emesent’s Hovermap payload generates accurate 3D maps without GPS or external infrastructure.
On Teledyne FLIR’s SkyRanger® R70 and R80D SkyRaider® UAS platforms, Hovermap enables mapping even in GPS-denied environments. Mounted on the company’s SUGV™ 325 ground robot, Hovermap provides users with persistent 3D awareness of complex enclosed environments streamed in real-time. And integrated with Teledyne FLIR’s MUVE™ R430 radiation detection payload on the SUGV, Hovermap allows operators to see not just where a robot has been, but where radiation levels are elevated, giving CBRN teams an immediate, geo-referenced picture of the threat environment.
“Knowing the shape of a space is powerful. Knowing where the radiation is within that space, in real time, without putting a person in harm’s way, is an operational game-changer,” said Stefan Hrabar, co-founder and chief strategy officer at Emesent. “Our partnership with Teledyne FLIR Defense brings together GPS-denied mapping and radiation detection in a way that directly addresses what CBRN operators need in the field.”
“Teledyne FLIR builds platforms trusted for the most demanding CBRN missions in the world,” said Tung Ng, vice president of Unmanned Systems North America for Teledyne FLIR Defense. “Working with Emesent, we’ll be able to give operators a fused, spatial picture of the threat environment they simply haven’t had access to before.
“This is the direction the whole field is heading in, and we’re delivering it now through certified third-party payloads like Hovermap,” Ng added.
Emesent’s Hovermap represents the firm’s success in utilizing Teledyne FLIR Defense’s open-architecture, partner-enabled development ecosystem. Certified payloads are assessed for mechanical fit, electrical interface, software compatibility, and flight performance, giving customers confidence in mission-tailored capabilities from a growing partner ecosystem.
The partnership also establishes a technical foundation for future capability development. Both companies are actively developing autonomous navigation capabilities and expanding multi-sensor fusion beyond radiation to additional CBRN detection modalities.
The integrated systems will be on display at Teledyne FLIR Defense booth #1724 at Modern Day Marine 2026, April 28–30, at Marine Corps Base Quantico.
Decision Advantages Formed by ACC’s Operations Analysis Squadron
April 29th, 2026JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. (AFNS) —
On a battlefield where information is the ultimate weapon, Air Combat Command’s Operations Analysis Squadron delivers combat-ready clarity, transforming complex data into the decision advantage that saves lives and wins fights.
The mission at ACC OAS is to execute operational analysis by transforming data into decision advantage for ACC commanders and warfighters within combat airpower, cyberwarfare and intelligence formations.
“Our job is to turn raw data into a decision advantage,” said Maj. Phillip Jenkins, ACC OAS director of operations. “We deliver solutions that provide commanders with a crystal-clear, evidence-based picture of readiness. Ultimately, this work helps us defend the homeland and strengthens our entire Joint Force.”
The United States Air Force Weapons School at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, took advantage of the OAS airmen with the eGradebook.
The development of the eGradebook stemmed from the need to innovate and meet current operational demands. Previously, evaluators relied on paper forms and excel spreadsheets which led to long hours and redundant work. The transition to a unified online platform automated trend analysis and streamlined data entry.
To accommodate the unique requirements of each weapons school and their specific aircraft or specialty, 18 customized solutions were developed by OAS.
“The eGradebook project fundamentally changes how we approach student development. We’ve moved away from fragmented data to a centralized system that gives us a clear view of student performance,” said Col. David T. Madson, commandant of the USAFWS. “This allows us to identify trends, close gaps and better understand how our students are progressing, so we can tailor instruction to ensure we’re producing graduates of uncompromising quality.”
The OAS team is skilled in various techniques to include optimization, modeling and simulation, artificial intelligence, applied machine learning, decision analysis, applied probability and statistics, operational assessments, process automation, operations research, predictive analysis, data science and more.
Growing their capabilities as a squadron, they are looking to build upon and continue successful contribution to readiness and warfighting excellence.
“The goal of our work is to leverage DAF-wide tools to develop a solution that returned valuable time to Airmen, enabling them to focus on their duties and personal development rather than working through slow, manual processes,” said 2nd Lt. Kate Leonard, ACC OAS Combat Operations Analysis team lead. “Each ACC OAS project team applies their unique skills, such as programming, mathematics and statistical analysis, across a variety of platforms to improve unit efficiency and equip leaders with data-driven insights.”
By Jasmine Braswell
Air Combat Command Public Affairs
Streamlight Launches Litebox 1Million
April 28th, 2026
EAGLEVILLE, PA, April 24, 2026 – Streamlight®, Inc., a leading provider of high-performance flashlights, launched the LiteBox® 1Million®, the ultimate long-range search light. Engineered for demanding professional uses, the LiteBox 1Million delivers 1 million candela with a beam distance of over one mile. This rugged, rechargeable, next-generation scene light is both lighter and more compact than its predecessor, the HID LiteBox®. It has been updated to modern technology standards and is compatible with existing LiteBox accessories.The new light was introduced at FDIC International, April 23-25 in Indianapolis, IN.
The fully portable search light emits a powerful, long-range beam that can illuminate objects over 1.25 miles away, while also providing broad peripheral illumination for scene lighting uses.The light is perfectly suited for firefighting and other emergency response tasks, utility and industrial inspections, perimeter scanning, boating and marine uses, as well as long-distance outdoor navigation. Its articulating head pivots 135 degrees and rotates 270 degrees, enabling precise placement on elevated or hard-to-reach targets like power lines and high rise structures, improving situational awareness in complex environments.
The LiteBox 1Million uses three white high power LEDs and a deep dish parabolic reflector to provide its long-range beam and ultra-bright light. On high, the light provides 3,300 lumens, 1 million candela and a run time of 4 hours; on low, it delivers up to 20 hours of run time, 500 lumens and 175,000 candela.
“The LiteBox 1Million provides outstanding reach, powerful brightness, portability and extended operation to help first responders, industrial crews and other professionals illuminate accident or fire scenes, roads or job sites,” said Streamlight President Michael F. Dineen. “It’s built tough, keeping the rugged performance users expect, and it seamlessly integrates with the LiteBox charger ecosystem.”
The scene light uses two 7.2 volt 6.8Ahr Li-Ion battery packs which are rechargeable up to 500 times. The light’s translucent boot switch features an intuitive integrated red/green battery status indicator that also flashes red when 15 minutes or less of battery life is remaining.The scene light fully recharges in 9 hours with provided power supplies.
The LiteBox 1Million measures 12.5 inches in length, 6.8 inches high and weighs 7.0 pounds with battery. Other features include:
– Weatherproof, high-impact ABS thermoplastic housing
– Cushioned grip handle
– Reinforced D-rings for attaching the included heavy-duty shoulder strap
– Vehicle Mount System
– Available in Orange
The LiteBox 1Million has an MSRP that ranges from $659.00 to $715.00 depending on the configuration. Each comes with Streamlight’s Limited Lifetime Warranty.
GA-ASI Congratulates VMU-3 for Being Named USMC UAV Squadron of the Year
April 28th, 2026
SAN DIEGO – 27 April 2026 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), supplier of the MQ-9A Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for the U.S. Marines Corps (USMC), congratulates VMU-3 for being named the USMC’s UAV Squadron of the Year by the Marine Corps Aviation Association (MCAA). The 2026 “John I. Hudson Award” recognizes VMU-3’s operational effectiveness in using the MQ-9A platform within the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) and the MAGTF Unmanned Expeditionary (MUX) program.
USMC’s UAV Squadron VMU-3, located at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, operates MQ-9A Extended Range (ER) UAVs with unique sensors and network capabilities that support training for the Marine Littoral Regiment.
MCAA also named VMU-3’s Capt. Garett B. Goar as the Marines’ UAV Officer of the Year.
“GA-ASI congratulates VMU-3 and Capt. Goar for their MCAA awards and for the important work they’re doing in operating MQ-9A,” said GA-ASI Vice President of DoD Strategic Development Patrick Shortsleeve.
To date, GA-ASI has delivered 20 MQ-9A Extended Range (ER) aircraft to the USMC that are operated by three USMC squadrons.
The MQ-9A ER is designed with field-retrofittable capabilities such as wing-borne fuel pods and a reinforced landing gear that extends the aircraft’s endurance while further increasing its operational flexibility. It provides long-endurance, persistent surveillance capabilities with Full-Motion Video and a Synthetic Aperture Radar/Moving Target Indicator/Maritime Mode Radar. An extremely reliable aircraft, MQ-9A ER is equipped with a fault-tolerant flight control system and a triple-redundant avionics system architecture. It is engineered to meet and exceed manned aircraft reliability standards.
Mistral Inc Awarded US Army Contract to Provide THOR Group 2 UAS Systems in Support of Company-Level Small UAS Needs
April 28th, 2026
BETHESDA, Md., April 27, 2026 — Mistral Inc.has been awarded a $20,039,666 firm-fixed-price contract by the U.S. Army for the procurement of the Thor System and payloads for the Small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Product Office. The award was issued by Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, with an estimated completion date of March 17, 2027.
Under the award (W58RGZ-26-G-0026), Mistral will deliver THOR UAS systems and various mission payloads intended to strengthen tactical formations with an organic, rapidly employable small UAS capability aligned to company-level mission needs.
Mistral has teamed with FUSE, developer of the THOR family of military tactical Group 2 drones, and will integrate various mission payloads to provide the U.S. Army with a mature platform designed for rapid assembly, autonomous flight operations, and modular payload integration.
Delivering a Soldier-relevant, multi-mission Group 2 capability
The THOR Group 2 drone is a military tactical, fully autonomous multi-rotor mini-UAS designed for a wide range of operational applications and reconnaissance missions, emphasizing rapid deployment and flexible payload carriage. Backpack-carried and rapidly assembled, THOR is designed to support small tactical teams with a flexible aerial capability spanning reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition/identification, communications relay, electronic warfare support, resupply/cargo, and configurable effects options as mission requirements evolve.
Built for fast tactical employment, THOR is designed to reduce operator workload through multi-platform operation, autonomous takeoff/landing, and mission execution, while enabling rapid role changes at the point of need through modular payload integration.
Production-ready maturity and delivery posture
The contract award supports delivery of UAS systems and payloads to the Army’s small UAS enterprise, with work locations and funding to be determined with each order under the award structure. Mistral through Avandra.Ai, Fuse US based subsidiary, will provide local training, field & technical support.
“This award is about getting a proven, company-relevant capability into Soldiers’ hands with speed, and doing it with a system designed for real operational conditions,” said Yoav Banai, Senior Vice President – Business Development at Mistral. “By pairing Mistral’s U.S.-based integration and delivery focus with Fuse’s THOR platform, we’re positioned to provide a rapidly deployable Group 2 UAS that supports multi-mission teams and adapts quickly as the operational picture changes.”
“Elbit Systems C4I & Cyber is proud to support this effort alongside Mistral and FUSE,” said Yoav Poizner, Vice President, Marketing, Elbit Systems C4I & Cyber. “The U.S. Army’s decision to select THOR as its Company-Level multi-rotor system validates the technological and operational advantages offered by our solutions. Together, we look forward to helping deliver a dependable system that can be configured for evolving mission needs and scaled for operational demand.”
Roni Corporation Establishes U.S. Based Manufacturing and Operations in Houston, TX
April 28th, 2026Houston, TX – Roni Corporaton, the leading designer and manufacturer of the renown Micro-Roni, PDW-style pistol-to-carbine conversion kits and other firearms accessories, has established U.S. based operations and manufacturing in Houston, TX. The strategic move is to better serve their expanding U.S. market with a commitment to American manufacturing, faster delivery, and stronger customer support. Producing on U.S. soil allows Roni to provide faster lead times to meet the growing demand for their Roni conversion kits and other products while contributing to domestic industry and innovation. Part of the U.S. operations expansion includes working with leading industry wholesalers such as Sports South, Inc. and Chattanooga Shooting Supply to meet growing dealer demand. This includes supplying retailers with their newest, most compact pistol-to-carbine conversion kit, the Nano Roni.
Marc Hinawi, CEO, leads Roni Corporation’s U.S. operations. “With our move to U.S.-based manufacturing and operations, we are strengthening our commitment to consistent quality, reliable performance, and purpose-built solutions designed to meet the highest standards of the American market. This is combined with our strategic partnership with 1791 Outdoor Lifestyle Group as a master distributor of our products to help increase distribution and accessibility to our products.”
The Roni Conversion kit is recognized worldwide as one of the most reliable and well-known pistol-to-carbine conversion kits ever developed, helping define a category through proven performance and continuous innovation.
At the center company’s product evolution and move to U.S. based manufacturing is the Nano Roni. This is Roni’s most compact and advanced conversion kit. The Nano Roni transforms a standard pistol into a compact, carbine-style platform for improved control, increased accuracy, and effective engagement at extended distances. It delivers a precise balance of compact size, reliability, and performance. Initial compatibility includes Glock 17, 19, 22, and 23, 31,32 and 45.
Additional compatibility is coming soon, including Glock 43 and 48 platforms, as well as select models from SIG Sauer, Taurus, and Canik. This growing compatibility reflects Roni’s commitment to versatility and user-focused design.
For more information about Roni Corporation and their line of PDW-style pistol-to-carbine conversion kits and other firearms accessories, please visit www.micro-roni.com.
