Author: news

By Peter Suciu Posted in #History The USS Hornet (CV-12) stands as one of the most storied aircraft carriers in United States naval history, playing a decisive role in World War II as part of the Essex-class fleet. From its origins as a replacement for the lost USS Hornet (CV-8) to its participation in pivotal Pacific battles, the carrier helped shift the balance of power against Japan. It build a lasting legacy through its wartime achievements, postwar modernization, and surprising role in NASA’s Apollo recovery missions. Today, preserved as a museum ship, the USS Hornet (CV-12) continues to captivate historians and visitors alike. Eight different…

When your family owns a fishing lodge on Alaska’s Dean River, chances are you’re going to grow up fishing. Oly Hickman is no exception. He’s tying his own flies, prowling the banks with his dad, casting, catching, and reeling in hogs. When he isn’t on the river, you’ll probably find him chasing frogs, digging up worms, and generally being a curious outdoor kid. Fishermen travel from all around Alaska and North America to come cast flies on the fabled Dean River, where Oly’s family owns their lodge. Oly’s dad, Jeff, is a guide with over a decade of experience. He…

Here’s an overview of all the production samples that Spyderco unveiled at the 2025 Amsterdam Meet. At least the ones I could photograph and publish. I also added the video in each post per production sample. And I updated the Prototypes page with this overview. Not alot at the link specifically, rather it has links to each of the 8 pre-production samples, and an individual page on each. Read the whole thing, or rather visit the link to get more information on each of the new Spydie releases. Read the full article here

Blacksburg, Virginia, April 17th 2026 – Delta Three Oscar, the tactical division of D3O, the global leader in advanced protection materials, and Craig International Ballistics (CIB), a leading manufacturer of high-performance ballistic systems, today jointly announce successful testing of five new standalone hard armour plate models against the latest NIJ0101.07 test standard incorporating D3O’s next-generation Ballistic™ foam. The testing validates the performance of the newly developed armour systems under the National Institute of Justice’s latest and most stringent ballistic protection standard. The newmodels integrate D3O’s advanced ballistic foam technology to specifically mitigate back face deformation, a critical factor in reducing…

Beecher Tactical – 3D Printed Plate Carrier Back in 2006 I wrote in my introduction to the book “Battle Rattle” about the future of load carriage and my prediction that one day we would no longer sew fabric together but rather use either glue or welding to form our gear. Beecher Tactical has taken it in a different direction and used additive manufacturing to print a plate carrier. It comes as a DIY kit that you have to string together. In addition to the full carrier, Beecher offers magazine and other pouches. Beecher Tactical is committed to developing a fully…

Taurus has just launched the RPC, a 9mm PCC with a roller-locked action.A roller-locked 9mm PCC from Taurus wasn’t on my bingo card this year, but that’s exactly what we’re getting with the RPC. It’s an exciting new option in this increasingly popular class of firearm.Built on a lightweight yet durable aluminum receiver, Taurus says the RPC is duty-grade and made to NATO standards. The gun’s controls are similar to an AR, so they should be familiar to most, and they’re fully ambidextrous as well. That includes the bolt release/lock and the mag release, and the non-reciprocating charging handle is…

MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, Calif. – In a classroom here, Soldiers learned that on today’s battlefield, even a small drone can present a serious threat. Through small unmanned aircraft systems training, they sharpened the skills needed to identify, report, and respond to emerging aerial dangers. To increase readiness on an evolving battlefield, Mel Pilapil, an instructor with the U.S. Army Reserve Command Readiness Support Development Team, conducted several blocks of instruction on identifying and countering sUAS. Dozens of Soldiers assigned to the 302nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment and the 371st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion attended the training to improve their…

NATIONAL HARBOR, MD., Apr. 20, 2026 8:00 AM EDT — X-Bow Systems Inc (X-Bow), the leading non-traditional producer of solid rocket motors (SRMs), sub-orbital launch solutions and defense technologies, today announced a significant industry milestone at the Sea-Air-Space Expo 2026: the successful firing of a full SRM using its in-house designed Electronic Ignition Safety Device (eISD). As far as X-Bow is aware, this is the first time a solid propellant provider has independently developed and tested an electronic ISD—a component traditionally supplied by third-party specialists. X-Bow fires motor ignitor utilizing a X-Bow developed eISD solution. While X-Bow has previously fired…

When you live in one of the coldest corners of Colorado, your winter jacket cannot just look the part. It has to perform. So when I pulled on the Women’s Down With It Parka from Patagonia, my standards were high. At $349, the Down With It is a relatively straightforward parka with no flashy tech or overbuilt extras. The jacket has a streamlined and simple construction. Plus, it has recycled materials, a design choice I’ve come to value more. Packed with 600-fill recycled down, it delivers meaningful warmth without excessive bulk. Unlike some parkas with oversized, marshmallow-like baffles, this one…

Hikers and runners face many of the same risks when venturing into the wilderness, but according to new research, their levels of preparedness differ vastly. A study published in Wilderness & Environmental Medicine in March 2026 surveyed over 1,000 trailgoers. It assessed their experience, gear, and preparation levels to compare how these groups approach outdoor recreation. The results were surprising in more ways than one. “The vast majority of these groups thought they were adequately prepared,” John Lambert, the study’s lead author, told GearJunkie. “But both groups vastly overestimated their level of preparedness.” As participation rates in both hiking and…