GORE-TEX Professional

Aero Precision Named WiFi Sponsor for Industry Day at the Range 2024

November 25th, 2023

LAS VEGAS, N.V. – November 17, 2023 – Industry Day at the Range is thrilled to announce Aero Precision as the official WiFi Sponsor for the highly anticipated event in 2024. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the support and enhancement of connectivity during the premier shooting industry event.

Industry Day at the Range serves as a prelude to the annual Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT Show) and is set to take place on January 22, 2024 at the Boulder City Rifle and Pistol Club, Nevada. The event offers a unique opportunity for media members, buyers and industry professionals to experience firsthand the latest innovations and products from leading firearms manufacturers and outdoor brands.

Aero Precision, known for its high-quality firearms components and accessories, is proud to support Industry Day at the Range 2024 by providing seamless WiFi connectivity throughout the venue. This sponsorship underscores Aero Precision’s commitment to technological advancements and their dedication to facilitating communication and connectivity within the firearms industry. Attendees will be able to test these products in their exclusive bay, SR-1 and Long Range Shooting Area LR-3.

Kelsey Puryear, Event Manager of Industry Day at the Range, expressed excitement about the partnership, stating, “We are delighted to welcome Aero Precision as our WiFi Sponsor for Industry Day at the Range 2024. This collaboration ensures that our attendees, exhibitors and media representatives will have access to reliable internet throughout the event, enabling seamless communication and interaction. Aero Precision’s support underscores their commitment to fostering innovation and connectivity within our industry.”

Ryan Donahue, President of Sales and Marketing for Aero Precision, “I have been attending Range Day for many years and we could not be more excited to support the industry event as the wifi sponsor for 2024.  We will be showcasing all of our brands including Aero Precision, Stag Arms, Ballistic Advantage, and VG6 in bay SR-1 and all our new bolt action rifles on the long range, LR 3&4.  We are honored to be part of this event and we could not be more thrilled with our ongoing partnership with Industry Day at the Range and the NSSF. We look forward to see everyone in January and I look forward to seeing you all on the range.”

The sponsorship by Aero Precision further solidifies the event’s position as an essential platform for networking, product demonstrations, and the unveiling of the latest advancements in the shooting and outdoor industry.

For those interested in exhibiting in 2024, exhibitor spaces are extremely limited and nearing capacity. Prospective participants are urged to register without delay, as exhibitor registration is set to close November 22 or when all spaces have been reserved. For more details, please visit our website.

For additional insights and updates on Industry Day at the Range, please visit our official website at SHOTShowRangeDay.com.

Aegis Kinetic Group Vertex 1.5 Plate Carrier

November 25th, 2023

We are pleased to announce that Aegis Dynamics has rebranded as Aegis Kinetic Group (AKG). This change symbolizes our continuous focus since our origins in 2022 – creating unique products that increase operator efficiency and move the equipment industry forward. Our commitment to serving you, our customers, has never been more solid. We would not be here if not for the generosity and support of some truly brilliant members of this community, and we are determined to pay it forward in every way we can. 

On the topic of evolution, we are also pleased to unveil our flagship product: The Vertex 1.5 Plate Carrier and Operating System. The Vertex Operating System has undergone three years of quiet development, iteration, and field testing, made better by lessons learned and user feedback received on V1. Redefining the boundaries of lightweight, scalable, maritime-ready plate carriers, the Vertex is what you make it – literally.

Made from water-resistant 500D Cordura laminate, the Vertex can adjust to any S/M plate variant using Velcro OneWrap adjustment tabs and a FIRSTSPEAR 6/12® plate backer (L/XL coming soon). The Vertex can augment existing S/M slick plate carriers for increased capability and collapses for packing in a rucksack, duffel bag, or cargo pocket. Ballistic plates are top-loaded into the Front and Rear panels of the Vertex, and the reinforced bottom ensures plate security during wear. An open design encourages immediate drainage during maritime and over-the-beach operations. The Vertex also features native wire routing beneath the carrier’s surface, sewn-in shock cord lashing points and mounting options for PTTs, and integrated, removable FIRSTSPEAR TUBES® Buckles for mounting third-party cummerbunds. The Vertex 1.5 Plate Carrier will launch alongside other system components (Shoulder Straps, MOLLE Placard, Packable Cummerbund) during our Black Friday Sale on November 24th, 2023, at noon MST. Additional components, such as removable Front and Rear Load Frames and various pouches, will be released periodically throughout 2024.

The Vertex Operating System is designed and manufactured in the U.S.A. from Berry Compliant laminate and thermoplastic materials. For MIL/LE sales, email sales@aegiskineticgroup.com. Unit-specific customizations can be made on request.

www.aegiskineticgroup.com

Air Force, Coast Guard Partner for Rescue Exercise

November 25th, 2023

By Senior Airman Courtney Sebastianelli

23rd Wing Public Affairs

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFNS) —  

The 347th Operations Support Squadron at Moody Air Force Base partnered with U.S. Coast Guard Station Mayport, Florida, Nov. 17, for a simulated water rescue of a downed pilot during exercise Mosaic Tiger 24-1.

Bad weather off the coast of Jacksonville and Saint Johns River stopped the actual exercise rescue from happening, but the relationship built during the planning process will help future joint operations between the two services.

“As we train, we can’t be singular in our approach,” said Air Force Tech. Sgt. Michael Mendes, 347th OSS group weapons and tactics load master. “We have to work together to seamlessly merge, and since our HH-60Ws [Jolly Green II] don’t get maritime training as often, it was a valuable experience for our Airmen to integrate with another branch.

Training with the Coast Guard allowed us to test and improve our proficiency in how we communicate and respond to maritime rescues.”

Moody AFB rescue Airmen used the Mosaic Tiger readiness exercise as a way to get ready for future real-world deployment cycles. During the week, they worked with three different Coast Guard Stations: Mayport, St. Petersburg and Cape Canaveral each provided safety boats, simulated hoist operations and the personnel in the water.

When life or death is at stake, especially for an over-water rescue, understanding joint team concepts ensures service members at every level can seamlessly integrate to move quickly and efficiently. Joint commanders can then leverage the unique capabilities of each branch to choose the right rescue package and save lives.

According to the Air Force guide titled The Joint Team, or the Purple Book, joint integration requires effective coordination among the military branches. The guide outlines how U.S. forces are required by national command authorities to respond on short notice to unpredictable crises in a joint force capacity.

Despite weather interference, the Air Force and Coast Guard were able to train for just that purpose.

“This training opportunity benefits both sides by giving our respective crews new encounters with environments and capabilities,” said Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Tim Mathis, USCG STA Mayport unit supervisor. “Complacency can be the divider between failure and success, and exposing search-and-rescue resources to fresh scenarios deepens the well to draw from when the call comes in real time.”

The search-and-rescue community is a tight-knit group of professionals, regardless of their branch of service. During the remainder of the day, Airmen and Coast Guardsmen worked to establish effective communication practices and demonstrate joint team integration when faced with real-time situations.

Mendes said mission success depends on how well integrated forces can merge to streamline communication and overcome differences in execution methods. There is overlap between the Air Force’s search and rescue mission and the Coast Guard’s commitment to ensuring maritime safety—both of which came together to produce an effective outcome during a rescue need.

“We benefit from working with the Air Force by working through a different set of scenarios that we may not usually see or expect,” Mathis said. “This promotes real-time risk assessment and evaluation that is essential to growing as first responders. The opportunity to develop a universal standard or response cannot be understated as more resources are available to respond in any given situation.”

Rheinmetall to Supply Ukraine with Over 30 Leopard 1 Systems on Behalf of German Government

November 24th, 2023

The Ukrainian government has awarded Rheinmetall a contract for Leopard 1 systems, including 25 main battle tanks Leopard 1A5, five armoured recovery vehicles (Bergepanzer 2) and two driver training tanks. The order, financed by Germany and worth a figure in the upper-two-digit million-euro range, also includes training, logistics, spare parts, maintenance and other support services. 

Delivery is due to take place in 2024. The Leopard 1 systems are currently being overhauled and readied for use at Rheinmetall’s plants in Unterlüß and Kassel. 

Rheinmetall thus continues to support Ukraine with a steady flow of tactical vehicles. The Group has previously been tasked with supplying Ukraine with a total of eighty Marder infantry fighting vehicles. Most of these are already in-country, where they have proved their mettle in ongoing operations. 

Rheinmetall is ready to supply a further twenty Marder IFVs as soon as it receives an order to this effect. In late 2023 and early 2024, Ukraine will also be taking delivery of five Caracal airmobile-capable vehicles. On behalf of the Dutch and Danish governments, moreover, next year the Group will be supplying Ukraine with fourteen Leopard 2A4 tanks. In addition to vehicles, Rheinmetall is aiding the Ukrainian armed forces with ammunition, drones, medical facilities, etc. 

GA-ASI Demonstrates Short Takeoff/Landing of UAS on UK Carrier

November 24th, 2023

Mojave Flights for the Royal Navy Highlight UAS’ Ability to Operate From Warships

SAN DIEGO – 17 November 2023 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) conducted a first-of-its-kind demonstration of its short takeoff and landing (STOL) capability on the HMS Prince of Wales, a Royal Navy aircraft carrier, using the Mojave Unmanned Aircraft System. The demonstration took place on November 15, 2023, when the Prince of Wales was underway off the East Coast of the U.S., and the Mojave was controlled by an aircrew within a control station onboard the ship. The demonstration included takeoff, circuits, and approaches and ended with a landing back onto the carrier.

“We applaud the Royal Navy’s foresight in embracing this unprecedented capability for its carriers,” said GA-ASI CEO Linden Blue. “We knew our STOL capability would enable a UAS to safely take off and land on the Prince of Wales. Seeing our Mojave operate successfully in this environment opens myriad new ways our aircraft can be used to support multi-domain naval operations.”

Mojave is a short takeoff and landing UAS demonstrator originally developed to prove STOL operations at unprepared landing sites. While Mojave shares common systems and components with GA-ASI’s Gray Eagle model, a STOL wing set option is likewise being planned for the larger, more capable MQ-9B aircraft, which includes SkyGuardian®, SeaGuardian®, and the new Protector RG Mk 1 currently being delivered to the UK Royal Air Force. The MQ-9B version, called MQ-9B STOL, is being considered by the Royal Navy and other navies that operate aircraft from large flat-deck warships without catapults and arresting gear.

Royal Navy Director Develop, Rear Admiral James Parkin, whose team planned the trial, said: “The Mojave trial is a European first – the first time that a Remotely Piloted Air System of this size has operated to and from an aircraft carrier outside of the United States. The success of this trial heralds a new dawn in how we conduct maritime aviation and is another exciting step in the evolution of the Royal Navy’s Carrier Strike Group into a mixed crewed and uncrewed fighting force.”

Equipping UAS with STOL capability provides greater versatility and allows the aircraft to operate in areas previously deemed unsuitable for UAS operations, including landing onto and taking off from an aircraft carrier. MQ-9B STOL will be capable of carrying the same payloads and conducting the same missions as the SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian, including maritime surveillance, Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Airborne Early Warning (AEW), and surface strike.

USSOCOM Science and Technology Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) 24.4 Release 1 Pre-Release

November 24th, 2023

The USSOCOM Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program will soon be accepting submissions for the following technology areas of interest:

PHASE I:
SOCOM244-001: Small Unmanned Ground Robotic Systems
SOCOM244-002: Thermal Reflex Sight

The Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program stimulates a partnership of ideas and technologies between innovative SBCs and non-profit Research Institutions. By providing awards to SBCs for cooperative R/R&D efforts with Research Institutions, the SBIR and STTR programs assist the U.S. small business and research communities by supporting the commercialization of innovative technologies.

On 28 November, SOFWERX will host a virtual Q&A session for the area of interest. RSVP to the Q&A session on the event webpage.

Submissions Open 05 December 2023.

events.sofwerx.org/sbir24-4r1

Rebel Rooster Bag Wax

November 24th, 2023

Rebel Rooster Bag Wax is a specially formulated wax created for shooters by shooters. Our hands-free application offers a no mess solution to the task of properly waxing your bag for the best stick, performance, and protection. Rebel Rooster Bag Wax is made proudly in America and is the first bag wax created for shooters.

rebelroostersupplyco.com/collections/wax

FirstSpear Friday Focus – Overrun Deals

November 24th, 2023

Overrun gear developed for Tier 1 operators. Save this Black Friday on world class gear and equipment. Matter of fact savings on matter

of fact kit. Check out our overrun options now.

Visit FirstSpear to find American Made kit and accessories, Built For The X.