Author: Jack Bogart

OTTAWA, ON – RAMPART, Canada’s leading supplier of operational equipment to Military and Law Enforcement end users, is proud to announce that Halifax Regional Police (HRP), the largest municipal police service in Atlantic Canada, has selected the GLOCK G45 COA as its new duty pistol platform following a competitive evaluation process focused on safety, reliability, and ease of use. The new platform includes the GLOCK G45 Gen 5 COA pistol equipped with the Aimpoint COA red dot optic system incorporating an exclusive A-CUT mounting solution, Streamlight TLR-7 X weapon-mounted lights, Safariland duty holsters, and GLOCK G45T training pistols. The transition…

The SIEGE-R OPTIMIZED was built for operators who need their gear to move with them—not fight against them. It cuts unnecessary bulk while keeping the protection, scalability, and durability needed for real-world work. Its low-profile design moves better in vehicles, tight hallways, cramped doorways, and every other place your gear likes to get hung up. FirstSpear’s Tubes® Fastener technology gives you rapid don/doff capability when seconds matter—or when the briefing suddenly turns into “grab your stuff and move.” Lightweight materials and breathable mesh help keep heat down during long hours under load, because sweating through your uniform by 0900 gets…

Canik has just announced a non-compensated METE MC9 Prime variant called the MC9 Prime NC.Compensated pistols are incredibly popular at the moment, but that doesn’t mean that everyone wants one. While they offer advantages when it comes to shooting performance, they have some disadvantages as well, especially in the context of concealed carry and defensive use. Namely, increased muzzle flash, noise and concussion that could be detrimental if shooting in low-light conditions or from inside a vehicle. Comped pistols are more particular about ammo, too. For those who prefer to control muzzle flip the old-fashioned way through training, Canik has…

Senior military special operations forces leaders from the U.S., Sweden and the Philippines participated in a morning panel today about the importance of SOF partnerships and alliances, as part of Special Operations Forces Week 2026 in Tampa, Florida. During the one-hour conversation, the four participants discussed how building trust through international alliances enhances collective readiness and interoperability, making it a prerequisite for mission success in contested environments. “I think the most important thing is to continue to build trust between partners within the alliance, [and] also between partners,” Swedish army Brig. Gen. Rickard Johansson, commander of Sweden’s special operations forces,…

From the storm cellar to the mountains, we carefully researched and tested the best emergency radios. These are the ideal options for your bug-out bag or severe-weather kit. Lead tester Matt Jancer tested the newest 2026 offerings and logged 50+ hours across four new models for our most recent update. There’s a wide range of radios available, from top picks like the Midland ER310PRO to more budget-friendly options like the RadioShack Portable Multi-Band Radio. From timing battery lives to challenging NOAA weather reception from fire lookouts, we dug into the details to understand these radios. Check out our top selections below. Editor’s Note:…

Saab Receives Carl-Gustaf Order from Lithuania Saab has received an order from Lithuania for the Carl-Gustaf M4 weapon and training equipment. The order value is SEK 460 million with deliveries planned 2026-2029. The order is part of a newly signed contract between Saab and Lithuania, which allows for potential options collectively valued up to a total of SEK 640 million. The agreement is valid for ten years and includes Carl-Gustaf M4 weapons, sub-calibre adapters for the use of training ammunition and Carl-Gustaf Outdoor Trainers. The agreement also includes cooperation with the Lithuanian defence industry in accordance with Lithuanian regulations. “We are…

While smartphones will get the job done, they can’t match the enhanced capabilities of a dedicated GPS device. We’ve been putting the best handheld GPS to the challenge for almost a decade. Lead tester Nick Belcater’s recent testing slate saw three new units tested across 127 miles (exactly) of Washington’s North Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges. Knowing what you’ll use a GPS for is the first step in snagging one, and there are specialized units ideal for backpacking, hunting, and even off-roading. Our top pick, the Garmin GPSMAP H1i Plus, is the GPS your pops dreamed of, with all the…

A first grader out on a field trip with his class discovered a medieval sword in Gran, Norway. Six-year-old Henrik Refsnes Mørtvedt saw a rusty piece of metal sticking out of the ground and with the eternal wisdom of his six years, he picked it up to see what it was, thinking it was an old piece of scrap or broken tool. It was a sword. An old sword. A very old sword.  I love stories like this. He’s now the new King of Norway. I don’t make the rules… I know it is in Norwegian, but like the original…

New Development Effort Will Enable Airborne Early Warning Capability for MQ-9B SAN DIEGO – 21 May 2026 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) flew its MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft for the first time with Airborne Early Warning (AEW) pods. The much-anticipated AEW capability is being provided through a partnership with Saab. Once the AEW sensor, named LoyalEye, is made available to MQ-9B operators and new customers, it will deliver persistent and cost-effective air surveillance capabilities in regions where it is currently unavailable.  GA-ASI conducted a validation flight of MQ-9B using AEW radar pods on May 19 from GA-ASI’s Desert…

Satellite messengers are popular for backcountry communication but satellite phones still have a place in our expedition tool kits. And with subscription plans becoming downright affordable — with some even offering a free phone — why text when you can make a voice call? We’ve been using satellite phones since before (and now after!) they were cool, and we’ve watched the technology advance over that time. Our most recent field testing saw mountain guide Eli Spitulnik make a first ascent in the Alaska Range and on Denali in the same season, while testing two of the best sat phones on…