Author: Tony Grist
Submissions Open for AFSOC’s Thunder Dome 2027 Innovation Competition HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. — Calling all AFSOC innovators for the fourth annual Thunder Dome. The submissions window for ideas is now open for AFSOC’s innovation competition known as Thunder Dome. All submissions received by Sept. 13, 2026, will be considered. This competition is open to any member within the command, and ideas can be submitted at gain.il4.afwerx.dso.mil/usaf/afsoc-thunderdome-2027, ?which is a CAC only enabled site. Finalists will be selected based on multiple factors including impact on readiness/advantage, alignment with AFSOC strategy, and feasibility of execution. Finalists will present their ideas on Nov. 19, 2026, for the chance to receive…
Initial Order Enhances LRR and Advances Army Drone Dominance Initiative with AV’s Autonomous Group 2 eVTOL UAS ARLINGTON, Va., — July 20, 2026 — AeroVironment, Inc. (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global leader in intelligent, multi-domain autonomous systems, today announced it has been awarded a $117.3 million contract by the U.S. Army for its P550™ electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) unmanned aerial system in support of the Army’s Long Range Reconnaissance program, advancing the Army’s push to field scalable, adaptable capabilities for modern warfare. The award was issued under a Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA) through a competitive Call for Solutions (C4S) under the U.S. Army’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Marketplace initiative, a centralized digital…
Team SIG’s Daniel Horner Notches 15th National Championship Horner leads the field at U.S. Practical Shooting Association’s Multigun Nationals NEWINGTON, N.H., (July 21, 2026) – SIG SAUER, an industry-leading manufacturer of cutting-edge firearms, electro-optics, ammunition, and advanced concepts, congratulates Team SIG professional shooter Daniel Horner for winning his 15th national championship. Horner earned the top spot in the Modified division at the 2026 United States Practical Shooting Association’s (USPSA) Multigun Nationals, all using his SIG SAUER pistol, rifle, optics, and ammunition. “We couldn’t be prouder of Daniel’s impressive win at this year’s USPSA Multigun National Championship,” said Phil Strader, VP…
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday he was replacing the commander of Ukraine’s armed forces, Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, with Maj. Gen. Mykhailo Drapatyi, ending days of turmoil over the country’s military leadership. Subscribe Today Get daily emails in your inbox The change follows Zelensky’s dismissal last week of the popular Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who clashed with Syrskyi over the direction of Ukraine’s military. Federov, a 35-year-old reformer, was credited with modernizing Ukraine’s armed forces, expanding their use of technology, and fighting corruption. His removal provoked protests across Ukraine. Syrskyi has been criticized by Ukrainians who regard the…
COLUMBIA FALLS, Mont. – July 21, 2026 – PROOF Research is proud to announce it is building on the successful launch of its PROOF Exponential Twist (PXT) with an expanded lineup. The new offerings introduce a new category of steel competition blanks, additional pre-fit barrel offerings and expanded caliber offerings, including new .243- and .257-barrel options. The latest additions broaden access to PXT technology across more rifle platforms and applications, giving precision shooters, competitors and hunters more access to the PXT’s performance advantages. Developed to overcome the limitations of conventional rifling, PXT utilizes an exponential twist profile that gradually engages the bullet, reducing engraving force while improving consistency, accuracy and…
Wing Group CEO Appointed to US Department of Commerce Trade Advisory Committee Lafayette, CA – The Wing Group is honored and pleased to announce that President and CEO Andrew Branagh has been appointed to serve on the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Industry Trade Advisory Committee on Small Business (ITAC 9). His four-year term became effective on July 16, 2026. As a member of ITAC 9, Branagh will represent the perspectives of the U.S. small business community. The committee provides industry insights and advice to the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Office of the United States Trade Representative on trade…
The Netherlands — July 16, 2026 — Gear Town, a premier European supplier of professional-grade equipment, has been awarded Exclusive Distribution rights for the complete Qore Performance ICEAGE ECOSYSTEM of thermoregulation technology across the European Union. Operating from their centralized fulfillment hub in The Netherlands, Gear Town manages all retail sales and government procurement pipelines across the EU, with the exception of the Czech Republic, which is served by Rigad. This exclusive distribution footprint ensures immediate, local inventory within the EU, eliminating transatlantic freight costs, unpredictable delivery timelines, and import customs barriers. As Europe navigates demanding summer heat waves, Gear…
The U.S. conducted a tenth night of airstrikes and Tehran kept up attacks across the region as the Iran War entered its 144th day. CENTCOM stated Tuesday that U.S. forces had struck “Iranian military command centers, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and air defense systems” overnight. The IRGC said it attacked a U.S. military base and an Amazon data center in Bahrain, and claimed to have destroyed a missile defence radar system and an F-15 fighter jet in Jordan. The Kuwaiti government also reported another round of Iranian attacks aimed at its power and water infrastructure. Citing “two…
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If you’re not a subscriber to our weekly newsletter, Soldier Systems Digest, you missed this entry form last week. Cold War Concepts The US Army has a long history of small units organized for deep reconnaissance. During the Vietnam War each Division along with a few other units had Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol Companies. Eventually they were reflagged as Companies within the 75th Infantry Regiment for lineage purposes. After the war, these units were deactivated. Despite reconstituting the 1st Bn, 75th Infantry and eventually the 2nd Bn not long after the conflict as the world’s premier light infantry, GEN Creighton…