Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

Apex Ammunition Introduces Dove Stratified Loads in Lead and Steel

July 19th, 2026

Columbus, Miss. (July 15, 2026) – Apex Ammunition is excited to introduce dove loads in its Stratified™ line of hard-hitting, superior patterning shotshells. Featuring layered shot sizes of either L3 high-antimony lead or S3 steel pellets, the Dove Stratified series is designed to deliveroptimal performance at variable ranges – with dense close- and mid-range patterns and increased terminal energy at longer distance – to bring down those speedy highfliers.

“Our move into lead and steel dove loads is the result of tremendous demand from retailers and our customers in the upland community who want Apex’s consistent quality and performance in loads for smaller, more fragile game birds like dove and quail,” said Jason Lonsberry, President and CEO, Apex Ammunition. “We are excited to now offer affordable, high-quality lead and non-toxic steel options for these hunts.”

Features of Apex Dove Stratified:

Layered Shot Payload – Optimized for both close birds and long-range fliers

Deadly Pattern Density – Increased pellet count on target

Customer-Driven Innovation – Built on real-world feedback from the field

Assembled in the USA – Premium components, loaded for peak performance

Dove Stratified L3 Lead

Available in 12- and 20-gauge loads, the Apex Dove Stratified features L3 high-antimony lead shot for a harder, rounder pellet and enhanced pattern efficiency.

MSRP per 25-round box:

12 Ga, 2 ¾” 1 ¼ oz #7 and #8 L3 Lead Shot $19.99

12 Ga, 2 ¾” 1 ? oz #7 and #8 L3 Lead Shot $18.99

20 Ga, 3” 1 ? oz #7 and #8 L3 Lead Shot $18.99

20 Ga, 2 ¾” 1 oz #7 and #8 L3 Lead Shot $16.99

Dove Stratified S3 Steel

The 12- and 20-gauge Dove Stratified S3 Steel shotshells are loaded with premium S3 zinc-plated steel to ensure pellet consistency and superior pattern performance.

MSRP per 25-round box:

12 Ga, 2 ¾” 1 oz #6 and #7 S3 Steel Shot $18.99

20 Ga, 2 ¾” ¾ oz #6 and #7 S3 Steel Shot $16.99

All Apex shotshells are produced under heightened quality control processes designed to ensure the most consistent performance possible from shot to shot.

Posted in Admin, Ammo, Hunting, Press Release | No Comments »

EDC Starter Kit from Maratac

July 19th, 2026

I just ran across this one and it’s a good deal whether you already have some of these items or not.

Kit includes:

2″ Pico Widgy Bar
TYPE III Anodized Compass
Afterburner Glow Tag
1×4″ Multipurpose Screwdriver
UV Polyethylene Tweezers
UGM 1×1 Velcro Patch
Aramid Wallet
Neck Carry Lanyard
EMT Trauma Shears
ITW Emergency Whistle
POP Pen
Can Opener
CC Big Boy Patch

That’s quite a bit of stuff for $19.95.

countycomm.com/products/edc-starter-kit

Posted in EDC, Gadgets | No Comments »

New Marine Corps Uniform App

July 19th, 2026

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. —

U.S. Marine Corps Education Command has launched the official Marine Corps Uniform App, a free mobile application that provides Marines with convenient, on-the-go access to uniform and grooming guidance, June 29, 2026.

The app announced in MARADMIN 299/26, is developed as a companion to Marine Corps Order 1020.34,Marine Corps Uniform Regulations, providing a streamlined reference for Marines to quickly locate commonly used uniform and grooming guidance while away from the official publication.

The application organizes uniform regulations by officer and enlisted personnel, as well as by sex. It also includes basic grooming standards, allowing Marines to quickly reference appearance requirements while traveling or preparing for official duties.

“The Marine Corps Uniform App gives Marines immediate access to the guidance they use most often. It is designed to make existing standards more accessible while reinforcing the professionalism and attention to detail that define our Corps.”

– Brig Gen Matthew W. Tracy, commanding general, Education Command

The application is intended to supplement, not replace, MCO 1020.34. While it answers many of the most common questions regarding uniforms and grooming, Marines should continue to consult the order for comprehensive policy and detailed guidance.

By placing essential information in a mobile format, the Marine Corps is improving access to resources that help Marines maintain the highest standards of military appearance and discipline, regardless of location.

The Marine Corps Uniform App is available free of charge through the Apple App Store. An Android version is expected to be released during Department of War Fiscal Year 2027.

Users are encouraged to submit feedback through the Marine Corps Uniform Board organizational mailbox identified within the MARADMIN.

By Maj Hector Infante | Marine Corps Training and Education Command

Posted in Clothing, Guest Post, Profession of Arms, USMC | No Comments »

Tesseract Ventures Selected by Defense Innovation Unit for Containerized Autonomous Drone Delivery System (CADDS) Prototype Project

July 18th, 2026

TAMPA, Fla., July 14, 2026 — Tesseract Ventures announced today its selection by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to advance in the Containerized Autonomous Drone Delivery System (CADDS) prototype project. This highly competitive initiative aims to accelerate next-generation autonomous capabilities for rapidly deploying, sustaining, and managing unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in contested and austere environments.

The CADDS project addresses a critical Department of War challenge: transitioning from a one-operator-per-aircraft model to scalable autonomous systems that deploy and sustain large drone fleets with minimal human intervention. The project prioritizes modular, open-architecture solutions that support distributed military operations and allow rapid technology integration.

Tesseract Ventures will demonstrate its modular autonomous platform, which simplifies the deployment, launch, recovery, and management of multiple drones from containerized systems. Leveraging open systems architecture, advanced autonomy software, resilient command and control, and scalable mission management, Tesseract’s solution increases operational flexibility while reducing operator cognitive workload.

“This selection is an important milestone for Tesseract Ventures and validates our vision of delivering scalable autonomous systems and drones that meet the evolving needs of the U.S. military,” said John Boucard, CEO and founder of Tesseract Ventures. “We are honored to support DIU’s mission of rapidly fielding commercial technology to the warfighter.”

The CADDS project requires solutions capable of transporting, storing, launching, recovering, refitting, and managing diverse autonomous aircraft across land and maritime environments with minimal personnel. The solicitation prioritizes the Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) to maximize interoperability, future upgrades, and rapid technology insertion.

Unlike traditional drone operations requiring heavy operator involvement, Tesseract’s approach uses intelligent automation to increase the operator-to-aircraft ratio, enabling persistent autonomous operations while reducing risks to personnel.

As part of this prototype effort, Tesseract Ventures will participate in demonstrations to validate operational performance. Under the Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) process, successful prototypes may become eligible for follow-on production opportunities without further competition.

About Tesseract Ventures

Tesseract is an American invention company building advanced hardware, software, and AI-driven systems for construction, defense, infrastructure, and agriculture. The company develops integrated platforms combining real-time sensing, digital twins, robotics, and automation to provide organizations a complete operational picture. Tesseract works with field teams, military partners, and enterprise clients to create practical, reliable technologies that improve safety, clarity, and productivity.

For more information, visit www.tesseractventures.io

Posted in C-UAS, Contracts, Press Release | No Comments »

Mack Defense Receives Additional Order for 115 Heavy Dump Trucks Under US Army’s M917A3 Program

July 18th, 2026

ALLENTOWN, PA (July 14, 2026) – Mack Defense today announced that the U.S. Army has placed an additional order for 115 Heavy Dump Trucks (HDTs) as part of its M917A3 HDT program for the National Guard.

This latest order, combined with the 91 trucks ordered last month from the U.S. Army funded with the $47 million secured in the 2026 National Defense Appropriations Act, brings the total to 208 trucks with a combined value of more than $84 million. These recent orders are part of the new five-year contract awarded in June 2025 to Mack Defense for up to 450 trucks, with a total contract value of up to $221.8 million.

Based on the commercially available Mack®Granite® model, the M917A3 HDTs are manufactured at Mack Defense’s dedicated production line at the Mack Experience Center (MEC) in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

“We are deeply appreciative of the U.S. Army and Army National Guard’s continued trust in Mack Defense and the M917A3 Heavy Dump Truck program,” said Derik Beck, senior director of sales and marketing for Mack Defense. “This latest order reinforces the critical value and importance of our long-standing partnership with the U.S. Army. These rugged, mission-ready Granite-based HDTs directly support the warfighter by enabling essential construction, infrastructure maintenance and disaster relief operations worldwide. We are truly thankful for this vote of confidence and remain fully committed to delivering the highest-performing heavy dump trucks that our soldiers and guardsmen rely upon.”

The order enables continued production of the vitally important M917A3 HDTs that support the U.S. military’s construction and infrastructure maintenance capabilities. The HDTs are essential to building and maintaining airfields, roadways, landing strips, supply facilities and motor pools, and they provide critical support during disaster?relief efforts in areas impacted by severe weather.

Spec’d with heavier-duty rear axles, all-wheel drive, increased suspension ride height and other ruggedized features to meet the unique requirements of the U.S. military, the M917A3 HDTs also feature advanced technology including ABS, modern control interfaces and active safety systems.

Mack Defense’s production facility at the Mack Experience Center has been in operation since 2021 following a $6.5 million investment to create a dedicated HDT production line, which leverages the capabilities and production work force of Mack’s main Lehigh Valley Operations (LVO), Macungie, Pennsylvania.

Mack Defense, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mack Trucks, is responsible for the sale of heavy-duty trucks to federal- and ministerial-level customers globally. For more information, please visit www.mackdefense.com.

Posted in Army, Contracts, Mobility, Press Release | No Comments »

Cyber Soldiers Collaborate on Drone Dominance

July 18th, 2026

FORT GORDON, Ga. – Developers from the Hardware Section of Cyber Solutions Development-Maryland, 780th Military Intelligence Brigade (Cyber), recently collaborated with developers from the 11th Cyber Warfare Battalion’s CSD-Tactical on a project to increase the Army’s drone warfare capabilities.

The project, which spanned more than a year, aligns with the Army’s “Transforming in Contact” initiative, which aims to modernize the battlefield by rapidly delivering new technology into the hands of Soldiers. Drone warfare has become one of the most significant battlefield innovations in recent years, with several countries scrambling to develop increasingly advanced drone technology following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.

This project required developers to work across several technical domains, including embedded systems, radio-frequency engineering, 3D printing, networking systems and more. Developers from CSD-Maryland collaborated with CSD-Tactical through shared code repositories, hundreds of remote meetings and numerous TDY trips.

The project culminated with a visit to U.S. Army Cyber Command by the Secretary of the Army, Honorable Daniel P. Driscoll, on March 26. CSD-Maryland’s Hardware Section traveled to Fort Gordon, Georgia, to demonstrate the numerous capabilities developed over the previous year.

The drone demonstration was conducted alongside the 11th CWB’s Expeditionary Cyber and Electromagnetic Activities Teams which showcased their ability to provide battlefield lethality through cyberspace operations. Developers from CSD-Maryland demonstrated to the Secretary Driscoll; ARYCYBER Commanding General Lt. Gen. Christopher L. Eubank and other senior leaders their ability to simultaneously deploy three autonomous 3D printed vertical take-off and landing drone systems and corresponding software solutions developed entirely in-house.

This project, which originated at CSD-Maryland, was fully transitioned to the 11th CWB shortly after the demonstration, enabling the battalion to continue developing and employing the capability. The impact of this effort extends beyond cyber units. The project was designed not only for use by electromagnetic activities teams within the 11th CWB, but also for potential employment by Army brigade combat teams. This demonstrates how the gap between cyber operations and more traditional combat roles continues to narrow as battlefield technology becomes increasingly advanced.

This evolving battlefield environment makes the task of building combat-ready formations more important than ever, whether through the development of new battlefield capabilities by organizations such as CSD-Maryland and CSD-Tactical or through training in cyber warfare tactics by electromagnetic activities teams. By remaining at the forefront of emerging wartime strategies, including drone warfare and expeditionary cyber operations, the Army’s cyber forces are helping ensure that Soldiers remain prepared to face any adversary in an increasingly complex and dynamic operational environment.

By SPC William Perez, 780th Military Intelligence Brigade (Cyber)

Posted in Army, Cyber, Guest Post | No Comments »

Federal Court of Appeals Orders Dismissal of P320 Class Action Lawsuit in Unanimous Decision

July 17th, 2026

NEWINGTON, N.H., (July 17, 2026) – SIG SAUER, an industry-leading manufacturer of cutting-edge firearms, electro-optics, ammunition, and advanced concepts, issued a statement today after the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit on July 16, 2026, ordered the dismissal of a SIG SAUER P320 class action lawsuit in its entirety.

The Eighth Circuit Court ruled in Glasscock v. SIG SAUER, Inc. that a plaintiff must experience an actual defect on a product claim, rather than suggesting a theoretical defect could occur in the future and claiming damages. In its written decision, the court shows the plaintiff “admitted that he has had no issues (including inadvertent discharge) with his P320.”

The unanimous ruling by a panel of three federal judges determined that a hypothetical defect is insufficient for the lawsuit, clearly stating that mere ownership of a product is not satisfactory in the case. The outcome in Glasscock v. SIG SAUER, Inc. is significant because of the strong and unambiguous language by the Eighth Circuit Court highlighting the “wholly speculative” nature of the plaintiff’s claim.

“The Eighth Circuit’s ruling adds to our approximately 20 case dismissals involving the P320, including a previous class action lawsuit,” said Keith Gibson, an attorney at Littleton Joyce and counsel for SIG SAUER. “The P320 is among the most tested and proven handguns in the world, which is why we will continue to defend SIG SAUER’s products and the technology behind them.”

Similarly, a separate federal court denied class action certification in Ortiz v. SIG SAUER, Inc. in 2022. Multiple courts dismissed P320 cases after SIG SAUER demonstrated through repeated company and independent testing the firearm cannot discharge without a trigger pull. In addition, several plaintiffs decided to withdraw their P320 lawsuits after the evidence and independent investigations were presented.

In May 2026, two separate lawsuits were dismissed with prejudice in Massachusetts federal court and Colorado federal court. Nobody, including multiple experts retained by plaintiffs, has ever replicated a P320 pistol firing without a trigger pull.

In Massachusetts, the plaintiff voluntarily withdrew the case which claimed his issued P320 discharged in his hand without a trigger pull. His employer, the Cambridge Police Department, determined the plaintiff’s handling of the weapon violated numerous departmental rules and caused the gun to discharge in an enclosed van with other officers. In Colorado federal court, the plaintiff similarly withdrew the case after SIG SAUER showed again the P320 cannot discharge without a trigger pull.

The P320 is an innovative striker-fired pistol which has been selected as the handgun of choice following rigorous testing by the U.S. military and a number of other countries, including Canada, Switzerland, and Australia, as well as by elite law enforcement and federal agencies. It cannot under any circumstance discharge without a trigger pull – a fact which has repeatedly been verified through testing by SIG SAUER, handgun experts, and independent labs.

Posted in Advertiser, Industry, Press Release | No Comments »

GA-ASI Celebrates 10 Years of Flight Test and Training in North Dakota

July 17th, 2026

Several Historic UAS Events Originated From the FTTC

GRAND FORKS – 16 July 2026 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) began operations of its Flight Test and Training Center (FTTC) at the GrandSKY UAS Business Park near Grand Forks, North Dakota, on July 18, 2016. Over the past 10 years, the FTTC has been the site of a number of historic “firsts” for Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) and has delivered training to more than 4,000 pilots and sensor operators that fly UAS produced by GA-ASI.

“It’s been an eventful decade for the FTTC,” said GA-ASI CEO Linden Blue. “We opened this facility with the idea of expanding our flight test and training capability in a location with a lot of open sky, and we found that in North Dakota.”

The FTTC quickly became an important piece in the emergence of GA-ASI’s next-generation MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA), which has been ordered by 10 countries.

Several important MQ-9B test flights originated from the FTTC, which is also a prime location for international customer flight crews to receive training for their pilots, sensor operators, and mission intelligence coordinators.

“Starting with the first nonstop transatlantic flight of a medium-altitude, long-endurance RPA (MQ-9B) in 2018, GA-ASI has used the FTTC as a launch pad for a number of historic flights, including flying an MQ-9A inside the Arctic Circle, and just this year when we completed Flight Into Known Icing tests using MQ-9B,” said Mr. Blue.

U.S. Senator John Hoeven (R-ND) added: “We’ve built North Dakota into the premier location for unmanned aviation. As one of GrandSKY’s anchor tenants, General Atomics has been a tremendous partner in this effort, and we appreciate the company’s continued investment in our UAS ecosystem over these past 10 years. When we first began working to establish our unmanned industry more than 20 years ago, GrandSKY was just an idea. Through years of collaboration and effort, we secured a lease to establish the technology and business park at the air base, and we got to work finding the right tenants to make this first-of-its-kind initiative a success. As we worked with General Atomics’ leadership, including CEO Linden Blue, it was clear the company would be a natural fit. Today, we look back on how far our efforts have taken us and celebrate a decade of successful partnership.”

Milestones and highlights from the first 10 years of the FTTC:

July 2016

First flight of Predator® RPA

August 2017

First permanent hangar opens

July 2018

MQ-9B SkyGuardian® takes off on first trans-Atlantic to RAF Fairford

August 2018

FTTC expands from 5.5 to more than 11+ acres

August 2019

No-Chase Certificate of Waiver or Authorization received from the FAA

March 2020