Author: news

Shaw Concepts – ARC Helmet Cover Coming soon from Shaw Concepts is their ARC Helmet Cover. The team went over it with me during SHOT Show and it will fit both the USMC issue ECH as well as USSOCOM’s FAST SF from Gentex. They’ve designed it so that it will fit different sized helmets as well. The ARC Cover will be available in The cover will be available in various camouflage patterns, including MARPAT Woodland, MARPAT Desert, MultiCam, Woodland, MultiCam Tropic, and MultiCam Arid. As you can see from the photos, it’s well laid out for cable routing and accessory…

Photo credit: duncan1890 on iStock.We discuss some highlights from Clayton Cramer’s Lock, Stock and Barrel to learn more about the origins of American gun culture.American gun culture is often portrayed as a modern invention, an outgrowth of industrial manufacturing, clever marketing or frontier mythology. According to this view, firearms were rare in early America, ownership was limited, and widespread civilian gun use emerged only after the Civil War.That story is neat. It is also wrong.The historical record tells a far different story, one in which firearms were not merely common, but expected; not reluctantly tolerated but legally required. In early…

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan’s National All-Domain Warfighting Center, or NADWC, was designated by the U.S. Department of War as a National Range for Deep Uncrewed Aerial Systems, or UAS, Training. “Today’s designation of the NADWC as a national test site shows that Michigan can lead the future of aerospace and continues to play a key role in protecting our national defense,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “Over the last few years, we held an autonomous drone competition, released a statewide Advanced Air Mobility Initiative and secured a new fighter mission at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. Now, thanks to this new…

Three NATO nations’ armed forces are the first European military to field autonomous interceptor drones amid rising airspace threats. RIGA, Latvia (February 6, 2026) – Only months after the initial procurement announcements, Riga-based defence technology company Origin Robotics has begun delivering its BLAZE interceptor system to the armed forces of Latvia, Belgium, and Estonia. This handover makes these three countries the first in Europe to field a domestically produced, fully autonomous, warhead-equipped drone interception system. The rapid delivery underscores how agile defence companies like Origin are helping governments respond more quickly to evolving airspace threats. Across Europe, NATO countries have…

If there is one thing almost universally associated with California, it’s sunny, sandy beaches. And if recent work by the National Park Service is any indication, they could serve as the cornerstone of America’s newest national park. But very significant hurdles remain. On Feb. 5, the National Park Service (NPS) opened a call for public comments for a proposal to turn about 22 miles of coastline, plus some nearby hills, into a national park. While the public comment period is currently open until April 6, it is clear that the road to turning these extremely busy, populated, and commercialized parts of…

Whether you’ve been skiing for one season or 10, you’ve probably encountered some nasty weather. That’s why your ski jacket is important: It keeps you warm and happy on the lift and slopes. Blustery winds, fat snowflakes, and bone-chilling temperatures are all a part of the experience, so you’ll need the right fit to feel comfortable and stylish. To that end, not all women’s ski jackets are created equal. Beyond the basic protection against gusts, ice crystals, and sun, outer layers have a range of details from a helmet-compatible hood to a powder skirt and spacious pockets. Some options are lightweight,…

Seamless Fingertip Construction for Enhanced Sensitivity and Dexterity Seattle, WA – (January 30th, 2026) – NEXTORCH North America, the primary U.S. distributor of global manufacturer NEXTORCH Industries, is proud to announce NEXTORCH Ultra-Thin Tactical Gloves designed and engineered for thosewho demand precision, durability and uncompromising control in every environment and situation. Built with CORDURA® stretch fabric and reinforced with dual-layer palm protection, these gloves are the perfect balance between durability, dexterity, and all-weather protection. The seamless fingertip design eliminates pressure points, while ten-finger touchscreen technology keeps you connected to all your devices and equipment without losing focus. Whether it’s tactical…

Winning a tournament on the Bassmaster Elite Series is monumental. And doing it on your birthday? That’s just the “Cherry” on top. Hank Cherry, Elite Series veteran and Classic Champion, found himself in that exact situation at the start of the ’26 Bassmaster Elite Series on Lake Guntersville. It wasn’t just the fact that he won on his birthday that made the win so special. While he’s won multiple Classics, this is Cherry’s first-ever Elite Series win against the full field. And he certainly overcame adversity, ending day one in 64th place. But by the end of Championship Sunday, his…

RoseCraft’s newest model, the Barren Fork Jack, has just arrived with dealers – and it marks a big moment for the shop as it is the first RoseCraft piece made from 14C28N steel, answering a long-time request from customers. Last year, RoseCraft officially moved away from modern folders altogether, to focus on what they do best: making accessible, quality traditional knives. Since then, the company’s head honcho, Andy Armstrong, has been on a bit of a roll, putting out a stream of new takes on various historical patterns. The Barren Fork Jack’s lineage can be traced to a jack knife…

The national park system is one of America’s crowning jewels, attracting millions of visitors every year. Like any popular vacation destination, though, sometimes they don’t quite live up to expectations. New data from a study of online reviews shows which parks tend to disappoint people the most, and the results might surprise you. The Study KÜHL, the outdoor apparel brand, surveyed 96,000 reviews from TripAdvisor and Google, pulled in January 2026. The study looked at the average star rating (out of 5) for all 63 national parks, and the percentage of reviews that were negative. It examined the most common…