The Maritime Plate Carrier from the UK’s Luminae is so new, it’s not even on the website yet.
Features:
•Light Weight
•Hydrophobic Fabric doesn’t gain any additional weight when wet
•Rigid Modular Cummerbund System
•Built-in Radio / Knife Wings
•Internal Cable Routing
•Quick Release FirstSpear Tubes
ANOKA, Minn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Vista Outdoor Inc. (NYSE: VSTO) (“Vista Outdoor”), the parent company of 41 renowned brands that design, manufacture and market sporting and outdoor products to consumers around the globe, today announced a definitive agreement to sell its Sporting Products business to Czechoslovak Group a.s. (“CSG”) for an enterprise value of $1.91 billion in an all-cash transaction subject to customary closing conditions. This transaction represents the next step in Vista Outdoor’s plan to split the company into separate entities, which was previously announced on May 5, 2022.
CSG is a leading industrial technology holding company, operating within five strategic business segments, including defense, aerospace, ammunition, mobility and business. CSG is 100% owned and led by Michal Strnad, who has transformed it into a leading Czech industrial group with a strong international footprint. CSG employs more than 10,000 people worldwide and it owns and manages a diverse portfolio of industrial and trade companies across the defense and civil sectors.
“This is an important strategic step for our company in creating value through separating our Outdoor Products and Sporting Products segments,” said Gary McArthur, interim CEO of Vista Outdoor. “The previously announced plan to separate our businesses has positioned us to execute seamlessly on this transaction, which we believe is the best path to maximize value for our stockholders, while better positioning Sporting Products and Outdoor Products for future success.”
“We are confident that CSG is a great home for our leading ammunition brands,” said Jason Vanderbrink, CEO of Sporting Products. “The company is fully committed to our iconic American brands and expanding our legacy of U.S. manufacturing, support for military and law enforcement customers, and investments in conservation and our hunting and shooting heritage. We are excited to work closely with the CSG team as we enter this next phase and position our brands for long-term success.”
Added Michal Strnad, CEO of CSG, “Jason and the Sporting Products leadership team have a strong heritage of delivering high quality products, and we are pleased to welcome them to the CSG family of companies as we partner to support their next chapter. We look forward to building on the company’s success in delivering innovative, quality products and are confident in the long-term value we can create together. We are committed to expanding their legacy of U.S. manufacturing and providing resources to accelerate their growth.”
Transaction Details
The transaction values the Sporting Products business at an enterprise value of $1.91 billion, on a cash-free, debt-free basis with a normalized level of working capital, and is supported by $1.11 billion of fully committed debt financing with the remaining amount funded by CSG. The valuation is approximately 5x enterprise value to Sporting Products FY24 EBITDA, including estimated standalone costs. To effect the transaction, Vista Outdoor will separate its Outdoor Products business from its Sporting Products business, and CSG will merge one of its subsidiaries with Vista Outdoor (holding only the Sporting Products business), with current public stockholders of Vista Outdoor receiving shares of Outdoor Products (recently rebranded as Revelyst) and approximately $750 million in cash in the aggregate. This will be treated as a taxable sale of a stockholder’s Vista Outdoor shares for the Outdoor Products shares and cash consideration they receive in the merger, allowing stockholders to recover tax basis and recognize built-in gain and loss in their Vista Outdoor shares. Relative to a divestiture of Sporting Products as an asset sale, this structure has corporate level tax of approximately $50 million versus approximately $380 million for a divestiture as an asset sale and allows for the tax-efficient return of cash to stockholders.
The transaction is expected to close in calendar year 2024, subject to approval of our stockholders, receipt of necessary regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.
Upon closing, Vanderbrink will remain CEO of the Sporting Products business and the U.S. headquarters will remain in Anoka, Minnesota. In connection with the transaction, the company’s approximately 4,000 employees who represent four factories and the consumer brands CCI, Federal, HEVI-Shot, Remington and Speer will continue their heritage of community and conservation support through local and national organizations.
Outdoor Products
Upon completion of the sale of the Sporting Products business to CSG, Vista Outdoor’s Outdoor Products business will become Revelyst, Inc. (“Revelyst”), an independent publicly traded company trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker “GEAR.” Revelyst will leverage meticulous craftsmanship and cross-collaboration across its portfolio of category-defining brands. Brands include Fox, Bell, Giro, CamelBak, Camp Chef, Bushnell, Simms Fishing, Foresight Sports, Bushnell Golf and more. Eric Nyman will continue as CEO of Outdoor Products and become the CEO of Revelyst upon transaction close.
Leadership Update
Joining Vanderbrink on the leadership team at Sporting Products will be Al Kerfeld, CFO; Jeff Ehrich, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary; and Mark Kowalski, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer. Andy Keegan, currently vice president and interim CFO of Vista Outdoor, plans to join Revelyst as CFO.
For full financial disclosure, visit news.vistaoutdoor.com/newsroom/press-releases/press-release-details/2023/Vista-Outdoor-Enters-into-Definitive-Agreement-to-Sell-Sporting-Products-Business-to-Czechoslovak-Group-for-1.91-Billion
WASHINGTON — There are three things that the Chinese military has that the U.S. military, allies and partners in the region do not have, said Army Gen. Charles A. Flynn, commander of U.S. Army Pacific.
“They have interior lines,” he said. He noted that they’re just 100 miles from Taiwan, and they have anti-access, area-denial means to keep opposing forces at a distance — such as missiles, aircraft and ships, as well as cyber and space capabilities.
“The second thing they have is mass,” he said, meaning they have a very large military force.
“The third thing they have is magazine depth,” he said, which would include large quantities of stand-off munitions.
Flynn spoke Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, on a panel about land power in the Indo-Pacific region at the Association of the U.S. Army Annual Meeting & Exposition in Washington.
The goal of U.S. forces along with allies in the region is to take time and space away from China to deny them key terrain “and to keep our physical presence forward with hard power to deter a war from happening,” he said.
“The goal is no war. We already have a war in Europe. We have another war that just started this past week in the Middle East. We do not need another war in Asia. That is the land powers’ contribution to the joint force to prevent that from happening,” Flynn said.
The anti-access, area-denial arsenal that the Chinese military possesses “is primarily designed to defeat our air power and maritime power. And, secondarily, it’s designed to degrade, deny and disrupt our space and cyber capabilities. It’s not, however, designed to find, fix and finish distributed, mobile, fixed, semi-fixed, reloadable, lethal and non-lethal land power,” he said.
“We present a dilemma to them that they did not design into the A2/AD arsenal that they built. And this has proven out in war game after war game after war game,” he said, referring to anti-access, area-denial.
The general went on to speak about the importance of the U.S. and allied military presence in the region to deter Chinese aggression.
While air and sea power are crucial, land power is, as well, he said. Flynn added that militaries in the region are composed of anywhere from 65% to 80% ground forces.
“Land power and the armies in the Indo Pacific are an absolute central part of defending [nations’] national sovereignty and protecting their territorial integrity,” he said.
Flynn highlighted steps the U.S., allies and partners are taking to deter China’s aggression, including increased bilateral and multilateral training exercises, the U.S. Army’s new training center in the region, and nations beefing up their defense spending and working together on improving interoperability.
By David Vergun, DOD News
Spiritus Systems & S&S Precision will be hosting a Shop Show after party Tuesday evening. It will be a private event at the Rec Room in Southern Pines, NC and open to all vendors and customers of SHOP Show.
Event Details:
Where is it happening?
The Rec Room in Southern Pines
750 SW Broad St.
Southern Pines, NC 28387
maps.app.goo.gl/SXAGxWFtQWN3HMX58
When is it happening?
1730-2200
How do I get in?
This will be a private venue hosted by Spiritus Systems and S&S Precision. Admission and drink tickets for the event will be issued to all vendors at SHOP Show and are required for admission. Vendors will also receive a flyer at the show with event details.
Do I have to pay?
Admission for SHOP Show vendors and customers is free. We encourage vendors to invite customers to the event during the show.
Any other cool reasons to go?
Spiritus Systems will be hosting a raffle at the event. Participation is free for all attendees.
November 25, 2023 marks the 22 year anniversary of the Battle of Qala-i-Jangi and the date of the first American killed in what became Operation Enduring Freedom. Johnny Micheal Spann was not only the first American killed in the conflict, but also the first CIA officer killed since 9/11. Since that time the Agency has added a staggering total of 52 stars to the Memorial Wall.
The helicopter featured in this campaign is an artist rendition of Mi-17 helicopter used by the CIA’s Northern Alliance Liaison Team (NALT) just after 9/11, that now anchors one corner of the green lot at CIA HQS.
Items include T-shirts, Skate Decks, Slaps and Prints. Additionally, they are donating proceeds from the collection to the CIA Officer Memorial Foundation and Third Option Foundation.
The pre-sale ends on the 18th, with shipping in early November.
ingloriousamateurs.com/collections/jawbreaker
Armageddon Gear recently launched their hunting line with this post.
Hunting is our passion. We are committed to bringing you gear that is worthy of the heritage of the pursuit of hunting. All our products are made from the best domestically sourced materials, crafted to stand the test of time, and designed to keep you more organized and ready when afield. Just like the tradition of hunting itself these products are made to be passed on to the next generation.
For Immediate Release – Northbrook, IL – Armasight, a pioneer and leading authority in thermal and night vision optics, proudly announces the launch of the Ultimate Night Vision Kit, setting a new standard in night vision offerings. This all-encompassing kit features a range of exclusive Armasight products, carefully curated to elevate the night vision experience. The Premium bundle is now available online and at select retail outlets, providing enthusiasts and professionals with an unparalleled night vision solution.
The Armasight Ultimate Kit represents a field-ready night vision bundle, catering to a variety of Armasight products including the PVS-14, BNVD-40, or BNVD-51 goggles, each available in Gen 3 White Phosphor. There’s also a Sidekick 320 or 640 thermal monocular option, coupled with either a MNVD-51 or PVS-14. Emphasizing simplicity and readiness, each night vision device is bundled with a unique and exclusive Armasight Gray color Team Wendy EXFIL bump helmet, the Armasight G95 Mount Designed and Engineered by Wilcox Industries exclusively for Armasight, the Watchman IR Illuminator, and a custom-designed Otte Gear helmet bag in Armasight Gray.
The objective of this comprehensive bundle is to streamline the process of achieving fully operational night vision capabilities, offering users a complete solution for their nocturnal adventures.
Armasight has proudly partnered with Elbit Systems of America, the largest US manufacturer of Gen 3 image intensifier tubes and the supplier of premium night vision to the US Military Special Operations Community. This collaboration ensures our customers have access to the finest, most reliable night vision tubes on the market. The battle-proven PVS-14, MNVD-51, BNVD-40, and the BNVD-51, known for their unmatched performance, durability, and reliability, come with the Armasight 3-year limited warranty, providing peace of mind and exceptional support.
The Armasight Ultimate Kit is now available for purchase at Armasight.com and through select dealers, empowering enthusiasts and professionals to experience the ultimate in night vision technology. Don’t miss this opportunity to equip yourself with the best in the industry.
Packages contain:
? Choice of White Phosphor PVS-14 Pinnacle, PVS-14 Pinnacle 2376, MNVD-51 Pinnacle, MNVD-51 Pinnacle 2376, BNVD-40, BNVD-40 2376, BNVD-51 Pinnacle or the BNVD-51 Pinnacle 2376
Plus, these items:
• Team Wendy EXFIL LTP Bump Helmet Rail 3.0 in Armasight Gray
• Armasight by OTTE Gear Night Vision Helmet Bag
• Armasight G95 NVG Mount Designed & Manufactured by Wilcox Industries
• Rayvn Rail + 2 PODs bridge for Sidekick systems
• Watchman IR Illuminator (NV systems only)
• 30mm Ring Mount (NV systems only)
• Battery Pack #206 for BNVD-51 & BNVD-40 systems
MSRP:
Armasight PVS-14 Pinnacle Premium Night Vision Bundle – $6,399
Armasight PVS-14 Pinnacle 2376 Premium Night Vision Bundle – $7,399
Armasight BNVD-40 Pinnacle Ultimate Kit – $9,999
Armasight BNVD-40 Pinnacle 2376 Ultimate Kit – $9,999
Armasight BNVD-51 Pinnacle Premium Night Vision Bundle – $9,999
Armasight BNVD 51 Pinnacle 2376 Premium Night Vision Bundle- $9,999
Armasight PVS-14 Pinnacle + Sidekick 320 Premium Night Vision Bundle – $8,499
Armasight PVS-14 Pinnacle 2376 + Sidekick 640 Premium Night Vision Bundle – $9,499
Armasight MNVD-51 Pinnacle + Sidekick 320 Premium Night Vision Bundle – $6,999
Armasight MNVD-51 Pinnacle 2376 + Sidekick 640 Premium Night Vision Bundle – $7,999
Video: Team Wendy / Armasight Helmet Kit – Available Now – YouTube
