Author: news

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. — The U.S Army officially activated the Transformation Decision Analysis Center during a ceremony held Wednesday, Feb. 4, at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md. The event marked the inactivation of the DEVCOM Analysis Center and The Research and Analysis Center, combining their expertise to strengthen the Army’s ability to plan and achieve future force capabilities. Lt. Gen. Michael McCurry, commanding general, Futures and Concepts Command, served as the virtual host of the event, while Brig. Gen. Robert Born, commanding general, Combat Capabilities Development Command, provided local hosting onsite support. The activation ceremony underscored the importance of TDAC’s…

I just landed my paraglider at the back of Laguna Toncek, below the granite spires of Frey, Argentina, and a short walk away from the mountain hut. I unpack my bag so I can repack my glider, tossing out 3 days of food, a full double rack with a tagline, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, and — oh yeah! A tent. I almost forgot I packed it, as it feels as light as a rolled-up jacket.  Space and weight are at an absolute premium when vol-biv (fly-camping) paragliding. Even more so when you tack on the weight of climbing gear. I…

Milrem Robotics, the world’s leading developer of robotics and autonomous systems, and Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ), Poland’s largest defence industry group, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore potential areas of collaboration and bolster strategic defence relations between Estonia, Poland, and Central & Eastern Europe. Under the agreement, Milrem Robotics and PGZ will work together to accelerate the development of advanced defence technologies by leveraging each other’s expertise, industrial capabilities, and technological resources. One focus area includes payload integration on unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), supporting the rapid adaptation of innovative systems to meet evolving operational requirements.  The cooperation…

If there’s one thing we’ve come to count on from Mazda, it’s striking design, and with the new 2026 CX-5, it delivers again. In a crowded segment of lookalike packages, the third-generation crossover is a real standout. But that’s just one of the reasons why the latest CX-5 got my thumbs up after spending a day driving it around San Diego. The gen-3 CX-5 grows in all the right dimensions, delivering more space for passengers and cargo. It adds more useful features, including an all-new infotainment system, finally equipped with a functional voice control system. If there’s a downside to…

The March Buck of the Month is here and, fittingly for something releasing in the spring, this month’s choice is a limited run of the 838 Deploy automatic. June 2022 – at Blade Show, of course – is when we were all first introduced to the Deploy family. These are models in the growing “EDC automatic” category, pieces that seem first and foremost suited for the same daily work that our manual folders are expected to do, rather than the more specialized tactical roles autos have been historically associated with. The Deploy, both the Mini and full-size (which this BotM…

This week’s Emerging Gear is all about two fundamentals when it comes to outdoor gear: the need to stay warm and the need to carry your stuff. In the unpredictable spring season, a good jacket is a must-have, and there are a number of new ones to check out. Outdoor Vitals dropped its lightest-ever puffer, and Marmot launched a big line of breathable, lightweight fleeces. Mammut teamed up with a chic Scandinavian company to make sleek, minimalist rain jackets. If you’re a skateboarder, take note: There’s a new messenger bag with a designated compartment for your board. Cyclists will want…

My first two knives were Swiss Army Knives (SAKs). One was given to me while heading home from a trip to Vermont, and the other was a Christmas present. The gifting was a response to my genetic disposition to tinker and my adoration for MacGyver. In my teens, I sold SAKs at my local camping store, unwrapping Old Town canoes and kayaks, and servicing old Coleman lanterns and stoves. Now, I have them littering my house. The only thing I was ever left wanting from any of those SAKs is a locking blade and pocket clip. Slip joints are great,…

2025 was a rough year for some national parks: Raging wildfires and intense flooding shut down several parks, and, unfortunately, some of those parks show no signs of reopening anytime soon. If you had your heart set on completing the Rim to Rim Trail in the Grand Canyon or camping in Big Bend this year, odds are that your plans will have to wait. Worry not, though: There are plenty of national forests, state parks, and other outdoor sites that will fulfill those same fantasies. Here’s what’s likely to be shut down or disrupted in 2026, and where you should…

New from Hill People – The Traveler Duffel Hill Pople Gear just released the Traveler Duffel and it is cool. It combines a duffel with a compartment for separate compartment for sensitive items. Designed to accept a broken down AR-15, its use is as limited as your imagination. Compartments: Fully padded 25″x12.5″x4″ 1000d Cordura bottom compartment – velcro loop lined, two daisy chains for securing items, 4 velcro onewrap straps, plastic insert in very bottom, dual locking zipper pulls. Will fit up to a 16″ AR with LAW folder horizontally.  4″x12.5″x10.5″ zippered end compartment – dual zipper pull accessible 21″x12.5″x10.5″ main compartment –…

Search and Rescue (SAR) teams across America save thousands of lives in the backcountry annually. In Colorado alone, SAR teams are responsible for approximately 3,000 rescues each year, according to the Colorado SAR Association. Most SAR teams are entirely volunteer and rely on scant funding to continue providing services, maintain training, and purchase new equipment. In an effort to aid these essential backcountry services, Rocky Talkie, the communication device brand, has offered its Search & Rescue Awards since 2019. In the 7 years the program has been running, it has awarded $260,000 to 27 SAR teams nationwide. The grants help…