Author: news

Heckler & Koch has just released a new crossover-sized model of the VP9A1 called the VP9A1 X.Earlier this year, Heckler & Koch released the VP9A1, an updated version of the company’s already excellent VP9 9mm pistol. It’s available as either the VP9A1 F full-size with a 17-round frame or as the VP9A1 K with a 15-round frame, but H&K has just announced a new crossover-sized version called the VP9A1 X that features the 4-inch barrel of the K model and the full-size frame of the F model.Because it’s still an A1 model, it has all the same upgrades as its…

OKINAWA, Japan — CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa, Japan?– U.S. Marines with Force Reconnaissance Company, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division completed a Close Quarters Tactics Course from Sept. 15 to Nov. 5, across Camp Hansen. This training, hosted by the III Marine Expeditionary Force’s Expeditionary Operations Training Group, aimed to enhance their lethality as small unit leaders during high-paced, close-quarters combat. “Close quarter tactics is probably the most dangerous thing that we can do. It is extremely high risk. We’re shooting very close to one another in a confined space.” – Capt. Christopher Ori Jr., an infantry reconnaissance officer with Force…

Sometimes, around this time of year, we’ll describe a new knife as a possible “stocking stuffer;” but this inbound model from WE Knife Co., called the Skynix, is a bit too big to qualify for that Decemberish designation. The Skynix is a We Knife Co. original, conjured up the company’s in-house team – and it really feels like a perfectly-balanced fusion of the early We style – big, bold blades with eye-catching embellishments – and the current, more restrained and (design-wise) more expansive style. You can see the nod to the early We years in the blade, a 3.7-inch clip…

The moment it became clear was halfway up Teton Pass’s Taylor Mountain at sunrise. I was skinning in that quiet blue hour, expecting the usual ultralight-boot experience: a cramped toe box, midfoot pressure, and the slightly awkward stride I’ve learned to endure on big climbs. Instead, the TLT X moved with me. My stride felt almost too smooth for a touring boot, and my feet stayed warm. I’ve done this climb countless times, and this was the first time I caught myself thinking more about the sky turning pink overhead than about what was on my feet. Throughout that tour,…

As part of its expansion into a multi-domain provider, Quantum Systems acquires FERNRIDE and integrates solutions for ground autonomy. Gilching, 17 December 2025: Quantum Systems, Europe’s market leader in AI-powered unmanned systems, today announced the acquisition of FERNRIDE. With the acquisition of FERNRIDE, Quantum Systems is expanding its leadership position from air and software intelligence to autonomous ground mobility, creating a connected, cross-domain offering for intelligent unmanned systems. FERNRIDE offers an industry-proven software platform for ground autonomy in the areas of container terminals, defence logistics, yard operations and autonomous driving. The technology is already in use by well-known customers. In…

Turn right here and then feel free to get up to 50 mph. That’s what Toyota Senior Engineering Manager Jakin Wilson said to me as I pilot a Tacoma Trailhunter through a lumpy dirt trail, replete with sudden peaks and troughs, terrain changes, and sweeping bends. I gleefully rocketed up to 55 mph, maxed out the suspension travel, and worked the Old Man Emu shocks. Undeterred, Wilson smiled with approval. This occurred, by the way, after I descended down a 20-degree river rock hill and before crawling around a patchwork of rock and roots on a winding two-track path. All…

A new attempt to safeguard national parks from losing federal protection and oversight is at risk of failure. Utah Sen. Mike Lee (R) — who proposed the sale of up to 3 million acres of public land this summer — introduced an amendment this week that would strip language from an appropriations bill that specifically outlines federal protections of all national park sites, according to park advocates. Lee’s amendment would remove several sections from a Senate appropriations bill for the Interior Department, which manages the National Park Service (NPS). One of those sections was recently added by Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley…

Efforts to protect America’s gray wolf population have sparked debate for years — and soon those plans may face another obstacle. On Dec. 18, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that would remove the gray wolf from the Endangered Species list. If passed by the Senate and signed into law, H.R. 845, the Pet and Livestock Protection Act, would “remove protections for the gray wolf under the Endangered Species Act.” The bill would also prevent judges from reviewing and blocking the delisting. History of the Gray Wolf In an effort to protect livestock, the U.S. government helped to…

Uhersky Brod, Czech Republic (December 19, 2025) Ceska zbrojovka a.s. (CZ) has achieved one of the most significant milestones in its history. The German Army (Bundeswehr) has selected a CZ pistol as its new standard sidearm. “We are honored that the German Bundeswehr has chosen CZ as itspartner. Our success in this rearmament tender is one of the most significant achievements in CZ’s modern history. It clearly confirmsthe outstanding reputation our firearms have earned through active deployment in real combat conditions. We look forward to a long-term cooperation with the Bundeswehr and to fulfilling all its requirements in line with…

A roomy and tough carry-on bag is the only surefire way to prevent an airline from losing your luggage and sending your trip into a tailspin. As one of those weirdos like me who refuse to travel with checked luggage, I was intrigued by Victorinox’s Mythic Frequent Flyer Carry-On Business ($543). Like the multitools that Victorinox is known for, there’s more to the Mythic Frequent Flyer than meets the eye. Many carry-on bags are either hardshell or fabric, but the Frequent Flyer is a hybrid of the two. Plus, the eight wheels and internal organization showed a lot of promise.…