Author: Jack Bogart

By Friedrich Seiltgen Posted in #History In October 1962, the C.I.A. and the U.S.A.F. requested that Lockheed study a high-speed, high-altitude drone concept for reconnaissance flights over particularly hostile territories to avoid endangering aircrews. Created during the height of the Cold War and following the shootdown of a U-2 spy plane piloted by Francis Gary Powers, the Lockheed D-21, initially designated as the Q-12, utilized technology derived from the A-12 Oxcart and SR-71 Blackbird programs. Skunkworks chief Clarence Kelly Johnson specified speeds of Mach 3.3–3.5, with an operational altitude of 87,000–95,000 feet, and a range of 3,000…

Optics get dirty, but the Otis Lens Cleaning Kit helps you keep seeing clearly.These days, it seems most guns are wearing optics. From magnified scopes on hunting rifles to red-dot sights on carry pistols and everything in between. The reality is that if you shoot or even just carry your guns, their optics will eventually get dirty, some a lot sooner than others depending on how you’re using them. Between range practice and daily carry, I noticed that the Holosun SCS on my Glock 26 had gotten pretty nasty, but thankfully getting it clean again was a quick and easy…

I remember waking up on 25 April, 1980 to news reports about an accident in the desert of Iran involving US aircraft and hints of a failed rescue attempt of American hostages. You’ll often hear references to “Desert One” and discussion of a failed mission into Iran that occurred 46 years ago. That was the location of the aircraft accident which claimed eight American lives. The actual operation was named “Eagle Claw” although during planning it had been aptly named “Rice Bowl.” On April 4, 1979 Iranian militants who would ultimately form the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Council, stormed the US…

Prioritizing four mandatory traits of a concealed carry handgun.There are hundreds of pistols marketed as being suitable for concealed carry. Choosing one that might be the best option for you can seem daunting, but there’s a method you can employ that is very practical. It involves prioritizing the most important aspects of a concealed carry pistol, which include—in order of importance—carry and concealability, reliability, shootability and effectiveness.This hierarchy might surprise many who believe effectiveness/ballistics should be most important, so let’s look at each aspect individually and some rules I think should apply.Ease of Carry & ConcealabilityIf you have a pistol…

ANZAC Day I’ll be thinking of you as your sun rises and you honor your heroes and I want to thank you for being a friend and standing shoulder-to-shoulder. As we did on that beach in Kuwait, I’ll tip back a pint (or three) this day in memory of all the ANZAC troops, from World War One’s Battle of Gallipoli to the battles in the Middle East. I’ll think of friends in both the Australian and New Zealand militaries and good times deployed to bad places. This entry was posted on Saturday, April 25th, 2026 at 02:00 and is filed…

PICATINNY ARSENAL, NJ – The U.S. Army’s Capability Program Executive Ammunition and Energetics (CPE A&E), headquartered at Picatinny Arsenal, NJ, is spearheading a major transformation of the nation’s small?caliber ammunition industrial base, advancing one of the Army’s highest modernization priorities. Central to this effort is the delivery of next?generation 6.8mm cartridges that will equip soldiers with increased range, accuracy, and battlefield lethality as part of the Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW) program. The NGSW program, featuring the M7 Rifle, XM8 Carbine, and M250 Automatic Rifle, represents the Army’s most significant small?arms upgrade in decades, replacing the M4 Carbine and M249…

Series production of the Kraken K3 Scout has begun at Rheinmetall’s Blohm+Voss site in Hamburg. With the market-ready unmanned surface vessel (USV), Rheinmetall’s new Naval Systems division—together with its British joint venture partner Kraken Technology Group—offers a surface platform for both military and civilian applications. Depending on the configuration, the vessels can be used for maritime surveillance, protection of critical infrastructure, or as weapons carriers in military operations.  The joint venture established last year between Rheinmetall Naval Systems and the British tech company Kraken Technology Group will now operate under the name “Rheinmetall Kraken GmbH.” The partnership addresses the growing…

Bike racks are a serious investment — one that hopefully outlives the bikes it carries. The goal behind the recently redesigned 1Up Recon hitch bike rack hits that mark. Now, it’s lighter, more secure, and easier to use. But it’s also now a rack that can actually last for a lifetime, thanks to the user-serviceability. Before we dive in, the 1Up Recon vertical carry rack hauls four, five, or six bikes, depending on the configuration. I spent a few weeks running shuttle laps and hauling my quiver of bikes with the 4-carry rack, abusing it as much as possible on…

Most turkey vests come one way. Pockets stitched where the manufacturer thinks they belong, whether that works for you or not. The Chief Upland Flydown Turkey System takes a different approach. It hands you a blank slate and lets you build your own setup from the ground up. Pouches, seat, storage. You decide what makes the cut and where it rides. That kind of freedom sounds great on paper. In reality, it means a little more work up front and a little extra cost at the end. But if you’re willing to put in the time, you end up with…

Lenexa, KS (April, 2026) – Athlon Optics introduces the Ares HLR, a lightweight, precision-built riflescope designed for hunters who cover ground, hunt long hours, and demand repeatable performance when the moment matters most. Built around a rugged one-piece 30mm aircraft-grade aluminum tube and weighing as little as 18.9 ounces, the Ares HLR delivers high-end optical performance without adding unnecessary weight to your rifle. Purpose-built for Western spot-and-stalk hunters, backcountry adventurers, and anyone prioritizing mobility without sacrificing capability, the Ares HLR brings together ultra-premium fully multi-coated glass, an illuminated reticle, and exposed precision turrets for confident adjustments in the field. Whether…