Author: Tony Grist

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FORT BRAGG, N.C. — In support of the Department of War’s transformation initiative, Fort Bragg and the XVIII Airborne Corps officially opened the Lt. Gen. James Gavin Joint Innovation Outpost on January 23, 2026. As the first facility of its kind, building on U.S. Army Division innovation labs, the JIOP serves as a center that bridges tactical and operational challenges with rapid innovative solutions. Designed as a hub for military personnel, academia, and industry, the JIOP aims to collaboratively address problems faced on the modern battlefield. The facility is named in honor of Lt. Gen. James Gavin, who commanded the…

~ How rugged USB-C connectors power interoperability across C5ISR systems ~ Modern defence operations rely on seamless communication across land, sea, air, space and cyber domains. As joint and coalition missions become more complex, the systems behind them need to connect, share data and adapt in real time. These demands are driving significant changes in how defence communications are designed and deployed. Rugged USB-C connectors, originally developed for everyday electronics but now built to military-grade standards are becoming key to this evolution. They simplify system integration and help maintain connectivity at the tactical edge. Here, Alex Raymond, European product manager…

SHOT Show 26 – Viktos Vintage Vietnam Jeans I’ve long been a fan of Viktos clothing which combines vintage elements with modern materials and construction. Inspired by a clothing mod by a Navy SEAl, these jeans include woodland cargo pockets. They’ve added a few embellishments to the pants to give them a salty appeal. The design is solid for range work with plenty of pockets for ammo and gear. In case you were interested in the shoes, here’s a close up. Even the high tops have some Vietnam inspired flair at the tongue. viktos.com Read the full article here

SHOT Show 26 – SIG SAUER OSCAR6 Spotting Scope with Mil Reticle During their Defense Range Day, SIG SAUER showed us a new variant of the OSCAR6 HDX PRO Spotting Scope equipped with a Mil Reticle. This 20x fixed optic offers OmniScan™ Optical Image Stabilization Technology stabilization as well as diopter adjustment to accommodate individual vision. In addition to a remote tape switch for the WARP laser there is a cage to mount the WARP above the optic. The Weapons Attached Ranging Platform (WARP) SWIR uses 1550 nm SWIR wavelength (undetectable under NV) ranges 4,000 yd and includes environmental sensors…

SHOT Show 26 – FAST SideKar from UNITY Tactical UNITY Tactical’s new FAST SideKar is the best product I saw at SHOT Show. It’s simple, straight forward design updates and improves the M240 Medium Machine Gun and other similar platforms. This optic and laser riser-style mount adds additional Picatinny rail space to the feed tray cover and moves the laser away from the barrel which is known to cause heat and cable issues. Instead, the laser is still mounted on its side but back near the optic on a 9 o’clock M1913 rail next to the optic. This new location…

SHOT Show 26 – Spiritus Systems Updates Backpanels Designed to the proposed Universal Carrier Attachment Standard (UCAS) standard, the new Assault Backpanel Mk2, MOLLE Backpanel, and Turtle-style Panel were on display at SHOT Show. All three feature a tool slot which facilitates self retrieval. Assault Backpanel Mk2 MOLLE Backpanel Here are a couple of pouches to be used with the MOLLE Backpanel. Turtle Panel Here’s a shot so you can see the attachment zippers. No word on when they’ll hit the market. www.spiritussystems.com Read the full article here

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FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. — The beloved military working dog known across the force for greeting users when logging in to military devices is now retired from active service. Affectionately called “Doggles,” MWD Nick served eight years in the U.S. Army, seven of those here. Nick specialized in explosives detection, where he helped technicians as they confronted and defeated explosives around the world. Some of the biggest assignments that Nick and handler Staff Sgt. Justin Peyton have worked include 58 United States Secret Service missions, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Summit, the Democratic National Convention, the Army’s 250th anniversary…

Optimized for Rifles with Short Rails; Pro Model Features Flexible Jack Cap® Tail Switch EAGLEVILLE, PA, January 22, 2026 – Streamlight®Inc., a leading provider of high-performance lighting and weapon light/laser sighting devices, introduced the ProTac® Rail Mount 1L-X and the ProTac® 1L-X Pro, multi-fuel tactical lights with a compact design to fit short-barreled rifles, submachine guns, and carbines with limited rail space for both light and pressure pad. The new high-output lights, which also are available in USB configurations, deliver up to 850 lumens for extreme brightness. They will debut at SHOT Show 2026 in Las Vegas, where attendees can…