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New Chapter for British Firepower: Rheinmetall Opens the UK Gun Hall

October 22nd, 2026

Rheinmetall officially opened the new ‘UK Gun Hall’ in Telford in the presence of the British Defence Secretary, Wes Streeting, thereby marking the return of independent production of large-calibre weapons to the UK. The UK Gun Hall forms part of Rheinmetall’s wider investment of more than £200 million across its UK operations over the past five years, demonstrating the company’s long-term commitment to strengthening Britain’s defence industrial base. The investment complements Rheinmetall UK’s work on the Boxer Mechanised Infantry Vehicle, Challenger 3 Main Battle Tank programme and future land capability programmes. The ‘Gun Hall’ is a concrete example of the industrial partnership between the United Kingdom and Germany established under the Trinity House Agreement.

The facility is expected to support over 100 highly skilled people as production develops while creating opportunities for British businesses, strengthening domestic supply chains and delivering long-term economic value. Rheinmetall currently employs around 685 people in Telford, including 35 at the UK Gun Hall. This represents a significant long-term investment in Britain’s defence industrial base, supporting warfighting readiness and contributing to the government’s ambition to make defence an engine for growth.

The Gun Hall will manufacture 120mm and 155mm weapon systems, including those supporting Challenger 3 and future artillery platforms. The facility offers 11,500 m² of production space. At peak capacity, it can produce up to 245 barrels per year across both calibres, as well as more than 50 breeches annually. Designed to meet growing UK, NATO and international demand, the facility provides scalable manufacturing capacity that strengthens collective deterrence, enhances industrial resilience and reinforces Britain’s contribution to European and NATO security.

From concept to reality at pace, Rheinmetall transformed an empty facility into an operational manufacturing capability in just eight months. The achievement demonstrates Rheinmetall’s ability to respond rapidly to UK defence requirements and translate investment commitments into sovereign capability. During this period, advanced manufacturing equipment was installed and commissioned, specialist expertise was transferred to the UK workforce, and production commenced on schedule.

Production of breeches and breech blocks began in May 2026, followed by barrel production in June 2026, in line with programme milestones. The successful manufacture of the first UK-produced breech, breech block and barrels demonstrates the capability to manufacture these complex weapon components on British soil.

Looking ahead, Rheinmetall intends to introduce British steel from Sheffield Forgemasters into production, further strengthening domestic supply chains and supporting Britain’s steel industry.

The facility was officially opened at a ceremony hosted by Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG, and the Rt Hon Wes Streeting MP, Secretary of State for Defence, bringing together representatives from Government, the Armed Forces and industry to celebrate the return of this critical manufacturing capability to the UK.

Central to the programme has been investment in British people and skills. UK employees undertook extensive training and knowledge transfer at Rheinmetall’s production facility in Unterlüß, Germany, gaining advanced expertise in precision manufacturing, quality assurance and specialist weapon production before bringing that critical knowledge back to Telford.

Rheinmetall has also recruited specialist skills from across the Telford region, demonstrating the strength of the local engineering and manufacturing sector. As production ramps up, Rheinmetall will continue to develop its workforce and work closely with UK small and medium-sized enterprises to build resilient, long-term domestic supply chains.

Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Defence, said:

“Britain is back in the business of making the weapons that our Armed Forces need to defend the nation against our adversaries. From an empty site to full production in eight months, this is rapid reindustrialisation in action. One hundred skilled jobs in world-class manufacturing and the return of large-calibre weapon production to UK soil for the first time in twenty years – this is what defence as an engine for growth looks like.”

Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG, said:

“Today’s opening is an important milestone for Rheinmetall and for the United Kingdom. In a remarkably short period of time, we have turned our commitment into a sovereign manufacturing capability that will strengthen Britain’s defence industrial base for decades to come. The UK has been a long-standing and valued partner for Rheinmetall, and today we are building on an already strong relationship. We are committed to investing in the UK for the long term, expanding our industrial footprint and working together to deliver the capabilities needed for the future. By combining Rheinmetall’s expertise with British skills, innovation and manufacturing, we are strengthening the UK’s sovereign industrial capacity, supporting the Armed Forces and contributing to the security of NATO and Europe.”

Rebecca Richards, Managing Director of Rheinmetall UK, said:

“The official opening of our UK Gun Hall is a landmark moment for Rheinmetall UK and for Britain’s defence industrial base. In just eight months, we transformed an empty facility into an operational manufacturing capability by investing in British people, British skills and British industry. From the outset, we have listened to what the UK needs and focused on delivering sovereign capability at pace. By transferring specialist knowledge from Germany and developing a highly skilled British workforce here in Telford, we are creating skilled jobs, supporting British businesses and building the industrial capacity needed to equip our Armed Forces while investing in the long-term prosperity of the UK.”

The UK Gun Hall is a tangible example of the UK-Germany industrial partnership established under the Trinity House Agreement. By combining Rheinmetall’s established manufacturing expertise in Germany with sovereign production capability in Britain, the programme demonstrates how allied industrial cooperation can accelerate delivery, strengthen resilience and enhance NATO’s collective security.

Together, these investments are strengthening sovereign capability, creating highly skilled British jobs, supporting UK businesses and supply chains, and demonstrating how defence investments can deliver both national security and national prosperity.

Posted in Industry, International, Manufacturing, Press Release, weapons | No Comments »

The Next Chapter: Smith & Wesson Announces Acquisition of Savage Arms

October 22nd, 2026

MARYVILLE, TN. – Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ Global Select: SWBI), a leader in firearm manufacturing and design, today announced it has acquired Savage Arms, Inc., the 132-year-old Westfield, Massachusetts-based maker of legendary rifles and shotguns, from JDH Holdings, for $160 million in a stock and cash transaction. The acquisition brings together two of the most recognized and respected names in American firearms manufacturing – uniting Smith & Wesson’s strength in the handgun, revolver, and modern sporting rifle markets with Savage’s reputation for accuracy, innovation, and craftsmanship in the hunting and long-gun categories. This creates a compelling platform to generate sustainable, long-term growth.

“The acquisition of Savage is transformative for Smith & Wesson and contributes to our objective of becoming the undisputed market leader in the firearm industry,” said Mark Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer of Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. “With this transaction, we have significantly expanded our presence in the hunting category, particularly in bolt-action rifles, which will enable us to better serve our customers. We are excited to combine Savage’s expertise and scale in the hunting category with our proven capabilities in the handgun and semi-auto rifle markets. We believe our teams’ core competencies will complement one another, translating into a stronger combined business”.

The combined company will immediately rank as the largest commercial firearms manufacturer in the United States, with a full-line product offering spanning handguns, revolvers, rifles, shotguns, and suppressors. Savage brings roughly $160 million annual net sales and a dedicated, skilled workforce of approximately 500 to the Smith & Wesson family, strengthening the combined company’s position at a moment when consumer demand for American-made firearms across every category remains strong.

Savage and Smith & Wesson already sell through many of the same dealers, distributors, and big box retail partners, and are trusted by an overlapping base of hunters, competitive shooters, and everyday sportsmen and women across the country. That shared customer base – and the supply chain, vendor, and distribution relationships behind it – creates immediate go-to-market efficiency and unmatched scale.

Few combinations in this industry carry the historical weight of this one. Smith & Wesson was founded in 1852 in Massachusetts; Savage Arms was founded in 1894, also in Massachusetts. Both companies have spent well over a century as fixtures of American manufacturing, innovation, and craftsmanship – arming hunters, sportsmen, and protectors across multiple generations. This is more than a financial transaction; it’s the union of two authentically American manufacturing stories, grounded in the same values of quality, durability, and performance that built this industry in the first place.

For more information, visit www.smith-wesson.com.

Posted in Firearms, Industry, Press Release | No Comments »

Arc’teryx Pro Launches Tactician AR Combat Clothing

October 22nd, 2026

Designed for Purpose. Built for Every Mission.

Arc’teryx Pro has completely updated their combat clothing line with the Tactician AR collection.

Consisting of AR Shirt, AR Pant, and Field Shirt, the collection is tight and intended to fulfill needs as a field, training, and combat uniform. Augment it with other Arc’teryx Pro clothing for a tailored mission uniform depending on the environment.

The line has been under development for the past couple of years with users evaluating prototypes to dial-in both fit and features for the Pro customer. Construction and materials are under constant development at Arc’teryx, where is innovation is their calling.

The AR Shirt, Field Shirt. and Pant are made from lightweight and breathable Spartan HT Flex Lite material which is no melt / no drip and features 2-way stretch for comfort and mobility in the field.

Along with upper sleeve pockets, the Shirt features a raised collar with spacer mesh to protect the neck and increase comfort in hot climates as well as a shorter length, flat lock zipper to eliminate pressure under the plate carrier.

The Field Shirt has two clean-finish chest pockets providing accessible storage with a low-profile look along with hidden button closure along the front placket to reduce snag risks.

The AR Pant has integrated thermo-moulded, perforated, and low-profile foam knee pads beneath reinforced webbing at the knee for abrasion resistance. Additionally, there are reinforced belt loops, knife clip reinforcement, and multiple pockets with zippered or button closures to secure critical gear.

Sizing is extensive for the entire range and will fit most, making it an excellent option for a uniform clothing program. Look for shirt sizes XS – XXL and pants 28 – 42 waist with short, regular and tall options.

Color options include MultiCam, Wolf, Crocodile, Ranger Green, Storm Blue, and Black.

For those who require country of origin information, the line is TAA compliant and assembled in El Salvador.

Available from your preferred Arc’teryx Pro dealer.

Posted in Advertiser, Arc'teryx, Clothing | 3 Comments »

Built for the Long Haul: Mystery Ranch Sustainment Packs

October 22nd, 2026

When the mission extends beyond a patrol, carrying more is only part of the problem. The real challenge is carrying it farther.

MYSTERY RANCH has spent decades focused on load carriage, developing packs and frame systems around the realities of moving heavy, awkward, and mission-specific equipment over distance and difficult terrain.

At the top end of that capability is the BLACKJACK 100. Built from the same design concept as the USSOCOM issue MYSTERY RANCH SpearRecce pack, this 100-liter sustainment pack is designed for extended operations where the kit list grows quickly. A dedicated sleep systemcompartment, full-length side access zips, ample external pockets for organization, and a removable lid (which doubles as an E&E pack) help manage your gear, but the foundation of the system is our MILITARY LIGHT FRAME (MLF).

Built around high-strength composite stays and a fully adjustable shoulder harness, the MLF is designed to effectively transfer heavy loads to the body while maintaining just enough flexibility move with the user. BVS bolsters provide additional stability over body armor.

That focus on the connection between the body, frame, and load runs throughout the MYSTERY RANCH sustainment lineup.

The MOUNTAIN RUCK takes the familiar shape and utility of the classic medium ALICE ruck and pairs it with MYSTERY RANCH’s NICE Frame and adjustable harnessing. The OVERLOAD addresses a different problem entirely: equipment that doesn’t fit neatly inside a pack. Its expandable load shelf allows weapons, cases, mortar components, and other bulky equipment to ride between the pack and frame, keeping the heaviest portion of the load close to the user’s back.

Different missions create different loads. Sometimes it’s 100 liters of sustainment gear. Sometimes it’s a crew-served weapon, communications equipment, or a hard case that was never designed to fit inside a backpack.

That’s why load carriage isn’t simply about capacity. It’s about controlling the load, transferring the weight, maintaining mobility, and building a system that works for the person who can’t quit, even when the miles start adding up.

For MYSTERY RANCH, that’s always been the point.

MYSTERY RANCH has multiple sustainment pack options to fit your needs. And when an off-the-shelf solution doesn’t meet the mission requirement, MYSTERY RANCH Special Projects can help develop something that does. The team works directly with end users to understand specific load carriage needs and build purpose-driven solutions for whatever your mission may be. Contact them at sales@mysteryranch.com

Posted in Advertiser, Guest Post, Packs | No Comments »

American Ingenuity at Work: The Army’s Strategic Capital Initiative

October 22nd, 2026

WASHINGTON — The Army is rewriting the playbook on how it partners with the private sector. At a contemporary military forum on the Strategic Capital Initiative during the Association of the United States Army 2026 Annual Meeting, senior Army leaders and commercial executives sent a clear, unified message: the Army is doing business differently than ever before.

The panel explored how SCI is bridging the gap between national defense and private capital focused on six strategic pillars. Panelists highlighted how the Army is cutting through red tape and rigid acquisition rules by actively leveraging commercial solutions openings, public-private partnerships and enhanced use leases to work at the speed of trust and capital.

Panel members echoed Acting Secretary of the Army Adam R. Telle opening remarks that the service “needs to build adaptable and symbiotic relationships with both industry and service partners to maintain a strategic advantage over the nation’s adversaries.”

Lt. Gen. Gavin Lawrence, deputy commanding general and acting commander of Army Materiel Command, emphasized that AMC is leaning heavily into these innovative, particularly across the Army’s 23 organic industrial base sites.

“The government defines a problem, we send it out to commercial industry, and we let commercial industry do what they do best — innovate and bring solutions,” said Lawrence. “We’re not bounding commercial industry by our constraints. We give them the clearly defined problem, what it is important, and then let American ingenuity go to work.”

Lawrence outlined four critical lessons the Army and private industry must embrace to make these commercial solutions openings successful.

First, he noted that the Army has a responsibility to clearly define its requirements and problem sets, but conversely, industry must feel empowered to speak up if there is a lack of understanding. Ensuring clear conversations and a shared vision upfront prevents costly misalignments down the road.

Second, he highlighted the importance of understanding statutory guardrails and respecting the legal boundaries that distinguish government operations from the private sector. He said for example, within the organic industrial base, certain core functions are inherently governmental, and operations must comply with statutory regulations like the 50-50 rule, which dictates the balance of military and commercial depot maintenance work.

Third, Lawrence called for a clear, mutual understanding of the value proposition on both sides from the very beginning. He said, while the Army is focused on increasing production capacity, lowering acquisition costs and accelerating capability delivery to the warfighter, the military must also recognize that commercial partners have obligations to their stakeholders, including expectations for return on investment and profit.

Fourth, he emphasized the need to balance these guardrails without binding or inhibiting the innovation that commercial industry brings. He explained that the government must establish boundaries without over-constraining its partners.

‘We need to be working at the speed of trust, and trust is based on communication and understanding each other,” said Lawrence. “Speed absolutely matters, so if there is something we are not thinking about, help us get to the right place.”

Under the SCI framework, the Army is already utilizing commercial solutions openings to implement advanced manufacturing flexible lines to resolve parts obsolescence and enhance readiness. At Red River Army Depot in Texas, a partnership with Hadrian is establishing a flexible line for battery production to support drone dominance and manufacture tactical wheeled vehicle repair parts. Additionally, Anniston Army Depot in Alabama is collaborating with Siemens to onshore manufacturing capabilities for small unmanned aircraft system stator systems and produce parts for heavy armored fleets.

Industry panelists echoed the enthusiasm for this collaborative evolution. Chip Chattelier, vice president for business and technology strategy, FedEx Dataworks, commended the Army’s willingness to lean in.

“The single most effective way to accelerate private investment is to bring industry in earlier, even before putting pen to paper, to understand the ground truth of the mission,” said Chattelier. “By doing so, partners can move past reactive, static dashboards and implement ‘predictive logistics intelligence’ to anticipate supply chain disruptions and prevent readiness impacts before they happen.”

By Megan Gully

Posted in Army, Industry, Logistics, Press Release | No Comments »

Dragan Systems’ Pocket Winch and New Dragan Pod Deliver Compact, Self-Contained Lifting System for Remote Recovery

October 21st, 2026

Aerospace-engineered platform extends capabilities of award-winning, one-ton Dragan Pocket Winch, enabling portable lifting in remote environments without relying on trees, vehicles or other fixed anchors

Dragan Systems, the Bend-based backcountry safety and utility gear company founded by aerospace engineers Ryan Neil and Jake Ruhl, today launched the Dragan Pod, a lightweight support platform for the Dragan Pocket Winch, the brand’s award-winning, power-independent pulling and lifting system. The Dragan Pod is available now for $249 at DraganSystems.com.

Introduced in 2025 as the world’s lightest one-ton winch, the sub-one-pound Dragan Pocket Winch established Dragan Systems’ aerospace-engineered, purpose-built approach to backcountry gear, delivering meaningful pulling and recovery capability in a compact form. Today, it is used worldwide for motorcycle and ATV recovery, trail clearing, vehicle repairs, moving heavy equipment, dressing wild game, and other remote applications.

The new Dragan Pod extends that usability into more remote places and scenarios. Weighing approximately 1.5 pounds, it gives users a freestanding structure from which to lift, eliminating reliance on a tree, vehicle, overhead beam or other external anchor. Paired with the Pocket Winch, the highly portable kit weighs roughly three pounds, packs down into a compact footprint, and provides an estimated lifting capacity of 500 to 750 pounds.

“The Dragan Pod reflects how we approach product design at Dragan Systems: start with a real problem, strip away unnecessary weight and complexity, and build something people will actually carry and use,” said Ryan Neil, co-founder of Dragan Systems. “We’ve spent a lot of time in remote environments ourselves, so that purpose-built mindset comes from firsthand experience. With the Dragan Pod, we’ve created an external support without compromising the lightweight and portable characteristics that make the Pocket Winch so valuable in the first place.”

Constructed with lightweight, slip-jointed carbon-fiber tube segments, the Dragan Pod forms an upright support when deployed and disassembles and packs quickly for transport. Paired with the Pocket Winch, it supports applications including ATV and side-by-side repairs, lifting motorcycles and small trailers, aircraft tail-wheel service, repositioning heavy equipment, backcountry maintenance and recovery, and more.

The Dragan Pod arrives after more than a year of development, prototyping and testing in demanding field conditions. Earlier this summer, the Dragan Systems team undertook a 10-day, 4,000-mile backcountry flight through Alaska and northern Canada, logging approximately 50 flight hours while meeting with pilots, boaters, public-safety professionals and other Dragan users to test ideas and better understand the environments and challenges the company designs for.

“Products built for remote environments have to prove themselves outside of the workshop,” said Jake Ruhl, co-founder of Dragan Systems. “That means putting them in the hands of the people who actually rely on them and experiencing those environments firsthand. That kind of real-world R&D is fundamental to how we engineer at Dragan Systems, and the Dragan Pod is a direct result of that design philosophy.”

The Dragan Pod is available now for $249 at DraganSystems.com. A Dragan Pocket Winch is required for operation and sold separately. Customers can bundle and purchase both products together at a discounted price of $599 at dragansystems.com/products/dragan-pod-pocket-winch.

Posted in Gadgets, Press Release | No Comments »

Mehler Vario System GmbH Prevails in Design Rights Dispute with NFM AS on Appeal

October 21st, 2026

Higher Regional Court of Düsseldorf Confirms: Mehler Protection’s Grid Carrier Does Not Infringe NFM AS’s Design Rights

FULDA, GERMANY (20 October 2026)

Mehler Vario System GmbH, the legal entity operating under the Mehler Protection brand within Mehler Systems, has been successful in the appeal: The Higher Regional Court of Düsseldorf upheld the dismissal of the claims against the allegations made by NFM AS and confirmed that the Mehler Protection’s Grid Carrier does not infringe the asserted design rights. The Court did not allow a further appeal.

The proceedings focused on the extent to which design protection can be claimed for modular load-bearing systems in a market shaped by technical requirements and industry-wide standards. Taking into account the high density of prior designs in this product segment and the limited design freedom available to manufacturers, the Court concluded that the Mehler Protection’s Grid Carrier creates a different overall impression and therefore does not infringe the asserted design rights.

“This decision provides important clarity for us, our customers and partners and the market. It confirms that the allegations of design right infringement raised against our Grid Carrier were unfounded and that industry-standard interfaces and functional standards must remain available to all market participants,” said Dr. Christian Rödel, Head of Development New Products at Mehler Protection | Body Armour.

Mehler Protection welcomes the decision as a confirmation of its legal position and as a contribution to fair competition in a market characterized by technical standards, interoperability and functional requirements.

Posted in Advertiser, Industry, International, Press Release | No Comments »