Author: Jack Bogart

Not only does California have the most national parks of any state, but it also has over 280 state parks, sites, and beaches. They include everything from deserts and coastlines to high-country lakes, mountains, and prehistoric forests. And because these public lands are less well known than National Parks like Yosemite and Redwood, the crowds are almost always smaller, entry fees are often cheaper, and many allow dogs. With so many outdoor and recreational opportunities in such a big state, it can be hard to pick which ones to visit. So we sourced info from locals and GearJunkie staff to…

Ready for the fight and ruggedized for battle, the BiNOD system provides Soldiers with the visual overmatch needed now FORT WORTH, TEXAS – May 1, 2026 – Building on decades of trusted night vision performance, Elbit Systems of America (Elbit America) was awarded a firm-fixed-price contract through Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, to develop and test the Binocular Night Observation Device (BiNOD), as well as establish a vehicle for future production orders. This contract will enable Elbit America to compete for the next phase, which is valued at up to $450.6 million and positions the company to compete…

Pacific Defense Awarded US Marine Corps Contract for Next Generation Electronic Warfare Prototype Award advances SOSA/CMOSS mission system ecosystem and informs future EW fielding decisions. EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Pacific Defense has been awarded a 12-month rapid prototyping contract by the U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command (MARCORSYSCOM), Program Manager for Tactical Communications and Electronic Warfare (PM TCE) to support next-generation electronic warfare (EW) capability evaluation. The effort will assess Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) Electronic Warfare (EW) mission systems and their potential in modernizing USMC capabilities. Under the contract, Pacific Defense will deliver SOSA/CMOSS-aligned mission systems to enable vehicle-based experimentation…

Idaho hunters have a new set of technology rules coming this fall. Gov. Brad Little signed House Bill 939 into law on April 2. The measure takes effect July 1, 2026, and limits the use of certain hunting technologies from Aug. 30 through Dec. 31 each year. During that fall window, hunters can’t use thermal imaging, night vision, drones, or transmitting trail cameras to hunt or scout big game animals or game birds. The bill passed the Idaho House 67-1 and the Senate 29-6. The trail camera language deserves a close read by hunters (and other game cam users). Idaho…

By Clayton Walker Posted in #Gear It’s been interesting to watch what’s happened in the tactical illumination market over the last few decades. I’d argue we’re seeing a rough equivalent to Moore’s Law, whereby flashlights become exponentially more powerful every couple of years. With that, there’s now a good number of consumers who are conditioned to think that when it comes to lumens, bigger numbers are always better. Don’t get me wrong: if you’re shining an illumination tool into the eyes of someone trying to cause you bodily harm, then brilliant, blinding light is handy indeed. However,…

Tampa, Florida – 19–21 May 2026 — NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) will participate in SOF Week 2026, supporting a group of NATO-aligned innovators whose technologies address real-world challenges faced by Special Operations Forces (SOF). Jointly sponsored by U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and the Global SOF Foundation, SOF Week is a leading international forum for the SOF community, bringing together operators, government, industry, and partners to explore emerging capabilities and operational needs. DIANA’s presence at SOF Week reflects the critical role Special Operations Forces play as early adopters of new technology. Operating in demanding, high-risk…

FirstSpear Friday Focus: Ragged Old Flag Long Sleeve T-Shirt The RAGGED OLD FLAG LONG SLEEVE T-SHIRT isn’t about flash—it’s about what you stand for. Built for those who carry the mission off the clock, it features a worn American flag forged into the FirstSpear mark—subtle, but unmistakable. Made from a durable cotton-poly blend with a clean, tagless fit, it’s comfortable enough for long days and tough enough to hold its ground. Designed, sewn, and printed in the USA, it carries the same standards you live by. This isn’t loud patriotism—it’s the kind you don’t have to explain. Wear it anywhere, and…

The Angstadt Arms Vanquish 22 X Fletcher Rifle Works OpenTop 11/22 Takedown is one slick integrally suppressed rimfire rifle.HK MP5SD, Welrod pistol, De Lisle carbine, VSS Vintorez, High Standard HDM. These are some especially iconic firearms from years past. What do they all have in common?Yep, you got it — they’re all integrally suppressed guns that were designed with built-in suppressors.Standalone suppressors are much more common. They’re designed and rated for certain calibers, and you attach them to your firearm by threading them on to the end of your barrel or attaching them to a compatible muzzle device. There are…

The name Ed Jessup might not be the most well-known nationally, but he has been a force behind the scenes for a long time. According to KNIFE Publisher Mark Zalesky, “Eddie Jessup has headed up Case’s national sales office for a long time now and can count many industry leaders among his friends. It’s a family tradition with the Jessups, is father was Case Legend E.L. ‘Shine’ Jessup, who started at Case in 1965 and stayed there for over 40 years. They are the reason that Case’s sales office is here in East Tennessee, in the heart of knife collecting…

ADELPHI, Md. — The U.S. Army’s Catalyst Pathfinder program began driving bottom-up innovation at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Johnson, Louisiana in March and will continue with about one rotational training unit each month. The program is integrating Soldier-driven technologies into large-scale combat operations, supporting both rotational units and the Opposing Force. Managed by the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, known as DEVCOM, Army Research Laboratory, Catalyst Pathfinder fosters direct collaboration between Soldiers, researchers and industry to accelerate the development and deployment of cutting-edge solutions to meet evolving operational needs and support the Army’s continuous transformation. JRTC…