Author: Tony Grist

Handover to the Italian Army at the Sabaudia base has been completed The Italian Army has received its first Skynex air defence system from Rheinmetall. On 18 December 2025, the first Skynex battery was handed over to the Italian Army at the Comando Artiglieria Controaeri (Air Defence Artillery Command) in Sabaudia. This gives the Italian Army the capability to defend against air attacks at close and very close range. In particular, it will enable effective countermeasures against drones, which – as seen in the war in Ukraine – are playing an increasingly important role in current and future conflicts and…

FULDA, GERMANY (22.12.2025) As 2025 draws to a close, Mehler Systems reflects on a year defined by structural strengthening, continued innovation, and the delivery of large-scale protection programmes across global markets. Throughout the year, the group focused on expanding its capabilities, increasing production capacity, and reinforcing long-term partnerships with defence and security organisations worldwide. During the year, Mehler Systems expanded its technological base through the acquisition of a majority stake in Stilmotor Extra Protection Srl (SXP), adding specialised expertise in body armour and riot protection. The group now comprises eight companies with more than 1,600 employees across Europe. Production capacity…

FirstSpear Friday Focus: Hooded Field Shirt V2 – ACM Base 150 The FirstSpear HOODED FIELD SHIRT V2 – ACM™ BASE 150 is built for professionals who demand uncompromising performance. Made in the USA from American-sourced wool, this shirt delivers mission-ready reliability with no unnecessary frills.  The 4.3oz ACM Base 150 fabric blends 55% Lenzing FR, 33% wool, and 12% nylon to provide a durable, lightweight layer that performs under pressure. American wool offers proven moisture-wicking and temperature-regulating properties suited for sustained operations. This shirt excels across all climates, providing sun protection in hot environments and effective layering capability in cold or…

MCTSSA, MCSWF, NPS Join Forces for AERO-T CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – The Marine Corps Software Factory (MCSWF) is creating a training tool to provide Marines the ability to visualize their Electromagnetic Spectrum Signature (EMSS) called the All-domain Electromagnetic Radio Operator Trainer (AERO-T) and are collaborating with Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity (MCTSSA) to bring the solution to the Fleet Marine Force (FMF). AERO-T began as the subject of Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) thesis work by Marine Corps Maj Will Oblak and Capt Niles Moffat. This research identified a need across the service for improved EMSS training at the tactical…

Blast from the Past – First Earth Battalion Manual This article hails from November of 2009 and references a topic which was still poignant at the time. I’ve been fascinated by Jim Channon since I first learned about him decades ago and occasionally I reference the document mentioned below. I hope you go down the rabbit hole that is the human potential movement and see some of the promise I do and some of the danger. For those of you who have read the book or seen the movie, “The Men Who Stare at Goats”, you will be familiar with…

Washington Crosses The Delaware On Christmas night in 1776, General George Washington led American patriots across the Delaware River to attack the Hessian mercenary garrison at Trenton, New Jersey; a force which was fighting for the British. You’ve likely seen Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emanuel Leutze, painted in 1851, aspirational to be sure, but modern artist Mort Kunstler created a much more likely depiction of events in his 2011 painting entitled, Washington’s Crossing. It was an audacious plan; take a force of 5400, including artillery, conduct a nighttime river crossing in a storm, and with the ultimate element of…

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TacJobs – Applications Open for Army MOS 40D Space Operations Specialist The initial window for Soldiers to apply for the Army’s newest military occupational specialty (MOS), 40D – Space Operations Specialist, is open. Soldiers can opt-into the selection board from now until April 30, 2026. HRC will publish a MILPER message in January 2026 to provide guidance on the application process and way forward for transition to 40D. You can also find specific details at the 40D SharePoint site linked below. All questions on the upcoming MILPER and transition to 40D can be answered by visiting the 40D – Space…

Military historians, professionals, and strategists attributed U.S. military victories in World Wars I and II to two basic points: 1) The U.S. possessed deeper industrial capacity to support the war, and 2) As a result of American cultural norms and values, U.S. Soldiers were better prepared to outthink their adversaries.(1) While these variables’ impact on American success in the World Wars is debatable, the discussion frames a larger, crucial question for the U.S. Army: What should the Army focus on to remain the dominant land force in future wars? The Army, along with other elements of the U.S. government, continually…

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