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GA-ASI and Mitchell Institute Award the 184th Attack Squadron With RPA Squadron of the Year

February 5th, 2026

SAN DIEGO – 02 February 2026 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) and the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies presented the 2024 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) Squadron of the Year Award to the 184th Attack Squadron (ATKS) from the Ebbing Air National Guard Base. The award was initially announced at the U.S. Air Force’s annual Air, Space, and Cyber Conference, but GA-ASI and Mitchell held a formal presentation ceremony on January 30 in Fort Smith, Arkansas, the home of the 184th ATKS, in order to include the entire “Flying Razorbacks” squadron.

The award was presented by GA-ASI CEO Linden Blue and Lt. Gen. (Ret.) David Deptula of the Mitchell Institute. The RPA Squadron of the Year Award is given annually to the squadron that distinguishes itself through its employment of RPA in meritorious service.

“Presenting this award is always one of the highlights of my year,” said Blue. “I’m thrilled to recognize the Flying Razorbacks as the RPA Squadron of the Year.”

The 184th Attack Squadron distinguished itself by executing 314 combat sorties and delivering 5,972 hours of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) in support of Operations INHERENT RESOLVE and PROSPERITY GUARDIAN. As the first unit tasked by the president of the United States to provide overwatch for humanitarian aid airdrops, the squadron demonstrated unparalleled innovation and mission versatility. Leading the Air Force in MQ-9A Reaper operations, the 184th Attack Squadron executed 66 percent of all non-traditional defensive counter-air and counter-small unmanned aerial system missions, significantly enhancing joint force lethality and integrated deterrence against adversarial threats.

“The important work of the Flying Razorbacks embodies the Air Force’s Units of Action and displays the agility, readiness, and multi-role capability of the MQ-9A, seamlessly transitioning from operational test to combat execution,” said Lt. Col. Jonathan Linn of the 184th Attack Squadron. “Their contributions as citizen airmen not only advances remotely piloted aircraft operations but also solidifies the United States Air Force’s dominance in ISR.”

The 184th Attack Squadron’s exceptional performance reflects the highest standards of service, earning them recognition as the premier remotely piloted aircraft squadron in the Department of the Air Force.

Posted in Air Force, Press Release, UAS | Comments Off on GA-ASI and Mitchell Institute Award the 184th Attack Squadron With RPA Squadron of the Year

TacJobs – Assistant Product Manager, Situational Awareness at Gentex

February 5th, 2026

Assistant Product Manager, Situational Awareness

GENTEX AT A GLANCE:

At Gentex Corporation, we’ve created an environment where great ideas and great people can thrive. Leveraging a history that spans over 130 years, Gentex is a global leader in personal protection and situational awareness solutions for defense forces, emergency responders, and industrial personnel operating in high performance environments. Join our multinational team of exceptional and dedicated employees around the world and work on challenging and rewarding projects, grow your skills, and advance your career all while making a positive difference in the lives of our customers. Together, you and Gentex can build a career that’s uniquely yours.

EDUCATION:

A four-year degree, preferably in Business, Engineering, Industrial Design, or a related technical discipline. Prior experience or academic exposure to ground military, defense, law enforcement, or ruggedized communication or other electronic technologies and products is desirable.

Experience with tactical audio systems, radio communication equipment, hearing protection technologies, power and data distribution hubs, or visual augmentation systems is highly advantageous. A relevant advanced degree is a plus.

EXPERIENCE:

Experience in defense or adjacent technical industries is preferred, including exposure to product development, project or program management, or technical customer support. Candidates should demonstrate strong communication skills and familiarity with military or government user communities. Any understanding of government acquisition or evaluation processes is beneficial but not required.

Being a genuine end user of the products in this portfolio is a significant advantage and will help you contribute immediately. Ideally, you’re the type of gear enthusiast who stays on the cutting edge of the industry. You are someone passionate about advancing it and shaping its future.

About the Job:

Gentex’s Situational Awareness Value Stream (SAVS) encompasses the company’s portfolio of advanced communication, hearing protection, and power/data distribution products designed to enhance warfighter awareness and mission effectiveness. This includes communication headsets, such as the Ops-Core AMP, Push-To-Talk systems (PTTs), NFMI earplugs, RAILINK power and data solutions, microphones, and emerging next-generation situational awareness technologies and products. SAVS products integrate audio, video, sensing, and power systems to provide clear communications, hazard protection, and seamless interoperability with helmets, radios, and other mission critical equipment. The value stream plays a critical role in delivering modular, rugged, and user-centric solutions for military and law enforcement professionals operating in complex environments.

This position supports the management of the product lifecycle and roadmap for Situational Awareness Value Stream (SAVS) products within the Ground Business portfolio. The Associate Product Manager defines product and market requirements, monitors performance, and ensures alignment with business, customer, and market needs. The Associate Product Manager will work closely with other Product Managers and cross-functional teams.

This role contributes to pricing activities, managing to financial targets, customer engagement, and the continuous improvement of products. The position interfaces regularly with internal teams and external customers to support positive customer experiences and help represent the SAVS product portfolio.

Responsibilities:

Manage product lifecycle activities across the Situational Awareness Value Stream (SAVS)

Contribute to the development and maintenance of product roadmaps and related strategy documentation

Drive product pricing research, competitive analysis, and initial new-product pricing inputs

Maintain product configuration documentation and support product line extensions and end-of-life activities

Manage creation of business cases for new product capabilities and value-stream investments

Manage prioritization of product development activities and coordinate with engineering, operations, and other functional teams

Build familiarity with key customer segments and participate in early customer and partner engagements

Assist with continuous improvement efforts related to customer satisfaction

Support proposal and bid preparation, leveraging developing knowledge of the product portfolio

Monitor order status and support customer communication as needed

Coordinate with distribution partners and internal functions (scheduling, manufacturing, engineering, quality, purchasing, shipping) to ensure product alignment with customer requirements

Collaborate with sales, marketing, engineering, and operations to support product development and commercialization activities

Assist Marketing Communications with product launch planning following established New Product Launch SOPs

Track performance of new products relative to initial assumptions and support activities that accelerate market adoption

Participate in trade shows, customer visits, training sessions, and product demonstrations as needed

Maintain schedule flexibility to meet critical deadlines

TO APPLY:

Visit: gentexcorp.com/careers

Posted in Advertiser, TacJobs | Comments Off on TacJobs – Assistant Product Manager, Situational Awareness at Gentex

SOFWERX – PEO-TIS Handheld High Frequency Radio Industry Day

February 5th, 2026

SOFWERX, in collaboration with USSOCOM Program Executive Office Tactical Information Systems (PEO-TIS), will host an Industry Day on 3 March 2026, to gain a better understanding of the current market and the technical capabilities of Handheld High Frequency (HF) Radio systems.

USSOCOM has a critical need for reliable and secure Beyond-Line-of-Sight (BLOS) communications for dismounted warfighters operating in a variety of challenging environments, including areas with limited or no satellite coverage. Handheld HF radios are a key component of our communications strategy, providing a resilient and autonomous solution for long-range voice and data transmission.

This event is seeking information on handheld HF radios that are currently available or could be readily adapted to meet USSOCOM’s operational requirements. PEO-TIS is interested in capabilities that are lightweight, rugged, and offer advanced features to enhance communications in contested environments.

Request to Attend NLT 11 February 2026 11:59 PM ET

U.S. Citizens Only

U.S. Companies Only

For more information, visit events.sofwerx.org/peo-tis-handheld-hf-radio-industry-day.

Posted in Comms, SOF | Comments Off on SOFWERX – PEO-TIS Handheld High Frequency Radio Industry Day

SHOT Show 26 – HAZARD 4 EV-Hunting System

February 5th, 2026

HAZARD 4 exhibited an EV-Hunting system which combined their load carriage and clothing with a Ghostcat electric bike.

The 4th generation Ghostcat F4X all-terrain fat tire electric bike offers a lightweight aluminum alloy soft tail frame with adjustable premium KKE front fork with 120mm travel and rear adjustable suspension. With a top speed of over 40 mph, it boasts a range of 30-50 miles.

Posted in Hunting, Mobility, SHOT Show | Comments Off on SHOT Show 26 – HAZARD 4 EV-Hunting System

SHOT Show 26 – V.XI Line Expands at 5.11 Tactical

February 5th, 2026

5.11 Tactical is expanding their V.XI line with a new plate carrier and updated clothing designs. One look at the new clothing and you’ll recognize the Beyond Clothing DNA. They’ve leveraged work done over the years for special operations units with off shore manufacturing to keen the price down for their LE customers and introduce fabrics unavailable in the domestic supply chain. Additionally, these new styles will be available in both men’s and women’s sizing.

V.XI Plate Carrier

This new carrier design integrates laser cut laminate as well as new fasteners and their signature offset PALS to maximize the use of real estate. The carrier also features a removable interior comfort panel.

Roman Shirt

The Roman Shirt is an adaptation of the Beyond Underway Shirt but with the additional of the rear collar of the Sigard shirt.

Element Shirt

If you’re a fan of the Beyond L9 combat shirt, you’ll love the new Element Shirt.

Element Pant

Likewise, the new Element Pant combines technical fabric with features you’re used to seeing on SOF operators.

www.511tactical.com/vxi-collection

Posted in Armor, Clothing, SHOT Show | Comments Off on SHOT Show 26 – V.XI Line Expands at 5.11 Tactical

SHOT Show 26 – HK 421 7.62 MG

February 5th, 2026

Heckler & Koch exhibited a variant of the HK 421 machine gun in 7.62 mm NATO. While they would only mention that its inclusion in the booth was intended to demonstrate how important the company considers the US market its important to note that USSOCOM is currently seeking a Light Machine Gun Assault also in 7.62mm with possible future caliber swaps to high pressure ammunition.

The staff was very kind to allow me to photograph the gun but I must point out that the lighting in the hall is very challenging. This post will essentially serve as a photo dump to allow you to see the features of this variant of the HK 421.

Posted in SHOT Show, weapons | 2 Comments »

US Army Awards Persistent Systems Contract for $87.5 Million Supporting Next-Generation Command and Control Prototype

February 5th, 2026

Contract marks a total of $121.5 million awarded to company for NGC2 prototypeNEW YORK, Feb. 4, 2026 — Persistent Systems, LLC (“Persistent”), a leader in mobile ad hoc network (MANET) technology, announced that the U.S. Army’s Capability Program Executive Command, Control, Communications, and Network (CPE C3N) has submitted a second order of $87.5 million for MANET devices, as part of the transport layer for Next-Generation Command and Control (NGC2) prototype.

This second order is a follow-on to the $34 million contract the company received in October. The follow-on award will incrementally add capability for Army prototypes of NGC2. Together, these awards total $121.5 million.

“In the transport layer, we are responsible for moving all the 1s and 0s across the battlefield, so data reaches the warfighter who needs it, when they need it,” said Jon Patrick, Vice President of Business Development at Persistent.

Faster information delivery times and more reliable access to data enable faster, more efficient decisions, streamlining command and control (C2). The MANET radio continues to demonstrate it can serve as part of the transport layer, with the speed, resilience, and capacity required for combat operations.

“As the Army has presented us with increasingly demanding benchmarks, our team continues to deliver highly resilient transport that can empower an armored division on the move,” said Dr. Herbert Rubens, Founder and CEO of Persistent Systems. “We’re proud to provide a commercial solution that supports the Army’s transport layer and strengthens the warfighter at echelon.”

Over the coming months, deliveries will be underway as Persistent looks forward to empowering the Army with the most advanced communications technology, shaping the Army’s future network.

Posted in Army, C5ISR, Comms, Contracts, Press Release | Comments Off on US Army Awards Persistent Systems Contract for $87.5 Million Supporting Next-Generation Command and Control Prototype

UF PRO Confirms Return of the Striker Challenge for 2026

February 5th, 2026

KOMENDA, SLOVENIA (28.01.2026)

UF PRO, part of Mehler Systems, announces the return of the UF PRO Striker Challenge in 2026. The military-inspired endurance event will take place on 12 September 2026 in Pokljuka Plateau, offering participants a demanding experiencein alpine terrain.

The UF PRO Striker Challenge is designed to test performance under pressure through a combination of sustained physical effort, technical execution, and decision-making. The 2026 edition will feature a 15 km course with 19 military-inspiredobstacles set across challenging terrain. Final classification prioritises successful obstacle completion, followed by total course time, placing emphasis on execution rather than speedalone.

Participants can compete in individual male and female categories, as well as in a dedicated team format. Teams of three will navigate the same course and obstacle set, with selected tasks adapted to require coordination and cooperation between team members. The structure reflects the event’s focus on consistency, resilience, and performance in demanding conditions.

In addition to the main competition, the event also includes the Striker Junior Challenge, a participation-focused 1 km course for children aged 6 to 12. The junior format features fun, age-appropriate obstacles in a controlled environment and is designed as a non-competitive experience focused on movement and participation. Each junior participant will receive a Striker Junior Challenge goodie bag.

All registered participants in the main event will receive a limited-edition Striker Challenge 2026 gift bag, including an official event T-shirt, patch, wristband, a branded surprise item, and a meal and drink voucher. The top three finishers in each category will be awarded UF PRO gear vouchers redeemable at the official UF PRO store, with a total prize pool value of€10,000.

The UF PRO Striker Challenge 2026 welcomes active and veteran military personnel, law enforcement officers, first responders, fitness and adventure athletes, and outdoor enthusiasts seeking a structured endurance challenge in a demanding environment.

Registration for the 2026 UF PRO Striker Challenge is now open. Further information and registration details are available via UF PRO’s official channels and the event page: https://ufpro.com/int/events-and-shows/events/striker-challenge-2026

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