Author: Jack Bogart

American Rheinmetall’s Maine production facility will manufacture and upgrade thousands of MK93 enhanced softmount systems under a new order supporting U.S. Army requirements through defense contractor ADS Inc and the Defense Logistics Agency. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2026 and continue through October 2027. The order includes production of 3,104 new MK93 enhanced softmount systems as well as upgrades to 245 previously delivered mounts, bringing all systems to the current configuration. The total order value is $20.7M (€ 18.05M). The MK93 enhanced softmount provides a stable, durable, and mission-ready mounting solution for crew?served weapon systems. Its design supports reliability,…

New South Florida campus projected to manufacture approximately 1 billion primers annually and create more than 200 jobs. Stuart, Fla. (September 2026) – Ikonick Energetics today officially opened its new primer manufacturing facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in South Florida, marking a milestone for domestic ammunition component production. The invitation-only event, held from 10 a.m. to noon, drew guests who included industry leaders, government officials, and community stakeholders for a first look at one of only a handful of facilities of its kind operating in the United States. The ribbon-cutting ceremony included a complimentary brunch, a tour of the new…

By Ramon Ramirez Posted in #Guns Editor’s Note: In today’s article, Ramon Ramirez wades into the striker-fired vs. hammer-fired pistol debate. In the article, he uses two pistols to demonstrate the different systems: the Springfield Armory Echelon and the Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy. Both guns were provided on loan to the author for use in this article.A different firearm crosses my bench just about every month. Some I keep around for a while, most go back, and a few teach me something I didn’t expect — usually about my own hands more than the gun. After…

MAG Exchange Industry Night (ANG & ARC) October 26-27 in Tuscon We are just under a month out from this year’s MAG Exchange Industry Night held in convention with the ANG & ARC WEPTAC Conference, October 26-27 in Tuscon, Arizona. Although MAG Exchange is open to the public, the target audience is ANG and AFRES ground combatants (PJ, TACP, SR, CCT, Security Forces), the event welcomes anyone in the DoW or federal law enforcement arena. This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 30th, 2026 at 14:00 and is filed under AFSW, Tradeshow. You can follow any responses to this entry…

SIG SAUER – LTAW During last week’s SIG NEXT event in New Hampshire they announced the launch of the LTAW, a modernized version of the famous Low Visibility Assault Weapon first introduced well over a decade ago for use by Special Operations Forces. LTAW is a bit of a play on the original name, but also denotes that it is based on the newer MCX LT platform. Features: Kate Moss Stock Two-stage match duo trigger Gen 1 MCX grip SD hand guard with integrated heat shield SQX 300 inconel printed suppressor Arisaka barricade stop, hand stop, QD sling mount and…

We take a closer look at Vortex Optics’ high-end Razor HD Gen III riflescope line.I’ve had a ton of time in the field and range with a slew of world-class optics from a host of great companies. What follows here is a compilation of what I believe are some of the best optics not just from Vortex, but also in the broader field of optics. While nearly everyone has a certain loyalty to a given brand, perhaps handed down from generation to generation (Dad had a Ford or Ram, you know the gist), I have the benefit of being able…

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army named five companies as winners of the xTechHumanoid competition on September 11, 2026, capping an effort to assess how emerging commercial humanoid technologies could contribute to future military operations. As the Army looks to robotics and autonomy to reduce Soldier exposure to dangerous and physically demanding tasks, preserve combat power, and give commanders more options, humanoid systems represent a growing area of exploration. That work extends across the Joint Force through the Humanoid Community of Collaboration (HCoC), established in December 2023, to advance the technical development and operational integration of humanoid capabilities. In partnership with…

BEAVERTON, Ore. — Leupold & Stevens, Inc., provider of the world’s most rugged, lightweight, and clear sport optics, is pleased to announce the launch of its new MX-6HD family of spotting scopes. The MX-6HD first focal plane (FFP) spotting scope is built for individuals and teams who need more than just a clear image. Whether you’re calling impacts, scanning terrain, or identifying targets at distance, it delivers the clarity, control, and confidence to make the right call the first time. It is available now in one of four reticle options: PR2-MIL, Tremor 4, TMR, and the new FOV reticle, which…

Hill People Gear Launches Junction Grande Pack One top loading pack to rule them all, from EDC to light overnighters Devised in HPG’s retail store, the new Junction Grande Pack is a large, shoulder-only top loader that with the addition of a belt is will accommodate a multi-day load. Designed to be two packs in one, it compresses down perhaps even better than any of HPG’s other packs for EDC, but also provides a great platform for filling and then overfilling with a top load thanks to the dual 7000 series aluminium stays in a removeable HDPE framesheet (same suspension…

Darley Welcomes Jack “J.” Taylor III to Fire Advisory Board ITASCA, IL – September 29, 2026 – Darley, a leading provider of defense, fire, and emergency services equipment, is pleased to announce the appointment of Jack “J.” Taylor III to its Fire Advisory Board. Jack “J.” Taylor III brings more than three decades of fire service leadership to the Darley Fire Advisory Board. A retired Fire Chief with 33 years of service, Taylor held executive leadership roles with the Pearland, Trophy Club, and Irving Fire Departments, where he championed operational excellence, organizational health, and firefighter well-being. He is widely recognized for…