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CZ Honors a Defining Chapter in the Legacy of the CZ 75

August 24th, 2026

CZ is honoring a defining chapter in the legacy of the CZ 75. For more than five decades, the CZ 75 has stood at the center of the CZ story. Its distinctive design, innovation, and shooting characteristics helped establish CZ’s reputation with generations of shooters around the world and created a handgun legacy that continues to resonate across the firearms industry.

As CZ honors that legacy in 2026, the company will also conclude production of three longstanding members of the CZ 75 family: the CZ 75 B, CZ 75 BD, and CZ 75 Compact.

“Few firearms are as closely connected to the identity of CZ as the CZ 75,” said Chris Sprangers, Director of Marketing for CZ-USA. “For generations, this platform has introduced shooters around the world to what CZ stands for: innovation, thoughtful engineering, and exceptional shooting characteristics. The CZ 75 B, CZ 75 BD and CZ 75 Compact have each carried that legacy forward, and as their production comes to a close, we are proud to honor the role they have played in both our history and the experiences of CZ owners around the world.”

The CZ 75 B, CZ 75 BD and CZ 75 Compact have each played an important role in carrying the CZ 75 design forward. For decades, these pistols have been valued by shooters for their balance, craftsmanship and proven design, becoming lasting parts of the CZ lineup and of the shooting experiences of generations of customers.

While production of these select classic models is concluding, this moment should not be mistaken for the end of the CZ 75 story. The CZ 75 remains an important part of the CZ brand, with models including the CZ 75 SP-01, CZ 75 SP-01 Tactical, CZ 75 P-01 and CZ 75 D PCR continuing the platform’s legacy.

This transition is a meaningful one because of what these pistols represent. They are not simply longstanding models within the CZ catalog; they are part of a design lineage that helped shape the identity of the brand and build the reputation the CZ name carries today.

CZ remains proud of what the CZ 75 B, CZ 75 BD, and CZ 75 Compact represent and grateful for the generations of customers who have made them part of their shooting stories.

A lasting legacy, honored with respect. The legend of the CZ 75 will live on.

For more information, visit www.czfirearms.com/en-us.

Posted in Admin, Firearms, Press Release | No Comments »

Shadow Box Solutions Introduces the ShadowBox Charlie, Bringing Advanced Multi-Network Gateway Capability to the Tactical Edge

August 24th, 2026

Shadow Box Solutions today announced the release of the ShadowBox Charlie, Mobile TAK DC2 Gateway, a compact, ruggedized, multi-network system designed to enable distributed command and control (DC2), joint fires integration, and long-range kill chains at the tactical edge.

The Charlie moves capabilities traditionally associated with large command posts, vehicle-mounted integration suites, and specialized tactical data-link gateways into a system small enough to deploy in a backpack at the team level or below. It bridges disparate tactical radios, networks, sensors, and command-and-control systems, allowing operational data to move between users who would otherwise remain isolated by incompatible communications architectures.

“Modern forces do not suffer from a lack of networks – they suffer from the seams between them,” Dave O’Neill, COO of Shadow Box Solutions said. He continued, “We built the Charlie to move the gateway forward to where those seams actually exist. A tactical team can now connect sensors, radios, Link 16, MANET, HF, TAK, and classified networks without the footprint and support infrastructure traditionally associated with that capability.”

A central capability of the Charlie is tactical-level Link 16 integration. When paired with systems such as the AN/PRC-161 BATS-D handheld Link 16 radio, the Charlie can integrate Link 16/J-series information with other tactical networks and transport relevant traffic using Joint Range Extension Applications Protocol-C (JREAP-C) over IP-based communications pathways. This extends Link 16 information beyond the traditional line-of-sight tactical data-link environment and into a broader distributed C2 architecture.

The Charlie also integrates TRAX software, providing tactical data translation and interoperability between Link 16/J-series data, JREAP, TAK/Cursor-on-Target, and other operational data sources. This allows information originating on one network or sensor architecture to be translated and delivered into another without requiring every participant in the kill chain to operate on the same communications system.

The system supports integration with the AN/PRC-161 BATS-D, AN/PRC-163, AN/PRC-167, AN/PRC-160 HF radio, Persistent Systems MPU5, Silvus StreamCaster, TrellisWare tactical MANET systems, and LoRa/Meshtastic-class networks, as well as other IP, serial, software-defined radio, and sensor interfaces.

This architecture also allows nontraditional and attritable systems to contribute directly to operational C2. Data originating from low-cost sensors, software-defined radios, leave-behind systems, or surrogate forces operating over low-bandwidth networks can be ingested by the Charlie and bridged into established tactical networks and dynamic targeting architectures.

The Charlie can operate independently as a disconnected tactical gateway or provide classified reachback to an Air Operations Center or SIPRNet C2 node through its integrated Commercial Solutions for Classified (CSfC) architecture when connectivity is available. The system operates from a standard BB-2590/U battery and can also be powered from vehicle, external battery, DC, or AC power sources.

The ShadowBox Charlie expands Shadow Box Solutions’ family of expeditionary C4ISR systems and reflects the company’s focus on making sophisticated network integration capabilities smaller, easier to use, more deployable, and accessible farther forward.

About Shadow Box Solutions

Shadow Box Solutions is a U.S.-based provider of advanced communications and C4ISR integration systems, delivering customized, end-to-end solutions for defense, government, and specialized mission partners.

Posted in Comms, Press Release | Comments Off on Shadow Box Solutions Introduces the ShadowBox Charlie, Bringing Advanced Multi-Network Gateway Capability to the Tactical Edge

MATBOCK Announces Immediate Availability of JLTV Hybrid-Electric Conversion Kits Following Major Contract Milestone

August 24th, 2026

Virginia Beach, VA — MATBOCK, an industry leader in bringing paradigm-shifting technologies to the defense market, is proud to announce the immediate availability of its Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) Series Hybrid-Electric Powertrain Conversion Kits. This milestone follows the successful development advances made during the $17.3 million Phase 4 contract modification in partnership with the U.S. Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO).

MATBOCK was founded on the principles to bring innovative products to the market, and while most of our products are in the soft-goods space, we have always been on the cutting edge of tech development. That drive has led us to develop some of the most innovative soft-goods, digital direct and indirect weapons sights, a medical device, and most recently, a Series Hybrid-Electric powertrain system. Zach Steinbock initiated this concept nearly 6 years ago, and after multiple iterations, the MATBOCK JLTV HEV conversion kit is officially here.

The journey to full production required adaptability and vision. With less than a year remaining before completing the contract, MATBOCK made a hard strategic pivot to ensure the program remained on schedule and achieved total success by investing in a ground up build of the range extender with a commercial partner. This strategic decision was paramount to mission success, delivering the uncompromising reliability and durability that military customers demand.

“Without a doubt, overcoming the challenges of this project required true resilience from our entire engineering team,” said Zach Steinbock, Co-Founder and President of MATBOCK. “By making a calculated pivot to leverage a commercially proven powerplant for our range extender and countless hours of integration by our engineering teams, we not only kept the program on track but delivered a product that redefines what tactical vehicles can achieve. Providing immense power on the edge directly translates to increased mission capabilities, and we are thrilled to offer this modernization to fleets today.”

Modernizing the Fleet: Plug-and-Play Power on the Edge

The MATBOCK JLTV Conversion Kits are available now as bolt-on upgrades designed to help any customer with JLTVs in their inventory to rapidly modernize their fleet. Designed to Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) principles (DoDI 5000.87), the integration is completely reversible, requiring no permanent OEM vehicle modifications. This preserves existing vehicle warranties and fleet commonality while utilizing single-soldier connectors that require no specialized training. Using standard military tool sets, the kit can be installed at the depot or field level in under 24 hours.

Once integrated, it transforms the base platform into a Series Hybrid-Electric Vehicle capable of extraordinary performance:

Massive Performance Gains: The kit delivers a 130% improvement in range and a 200% improvement in acceleration, all with zero weight impact to the vehicle’s curb weight.

Tactical Stealth: A 125-mile Silent Mobility Range reduces acoustic and thermal signatures by over 80%, enabling extended silent watch and long-range reconnaissance operations without the use of combustion engines.

Exportable Power: True to MATBOCK’s promise of “Power and Propulsion on the Edge,” the system acts as a portable microgrid. It provides up to 250 kW of HVDC export power, 42 kW of AC export power, and 17.5 kW of LVDC power, easily supporting directed energy weapons, advanced communications, and off-platform microgrid operations.

The MATBOCK JLTV HEV Conversion Kit is ready to deploy today, ensuring warfighters have the mobility, stealth, and power generation they need to maintain an unfair advantage on the battlefield.

For more information, technical specifications, or to request a quote, please visit matbock.com or contact us at sales@matbock.com.

Posted in Advertiser, Mobility, Power, Press Release | No Comments »

When The Mission Leaves The Ground

August 24th, 2026

The BFG® Integrated Stealth Harness (ISH™) Combines Three Critical Systems Into One Certified Platform

A gun belt carries the equipment needed to do the job.

A restraint system keeps a professional connected during aircraft operations.

A climbing harness provides certified protection when the mission moves into vertical terrain.

Traditionally, those have been three separate pieces of equipment.

The Blue Force Gear® Integrated Stealth Harness, or ISH™, brings them together.

The patented ISH combines a combat gun belt, rotary-wing restraint system, and independently certified Type C sit harness in one lightweight platform. It allows trained professionals to carry their equipment on the ground, remain connected during approved restraint applications, and deploy a complete sit harness when the mission goes vertical.

No belt change.

No separate harness buried in a pack.

No need to rebuild the equipment layout when the operating environment changes.

One System. Three Critical Roles.

• Combat gun belt

• Rotary-wing restraint system

• UIAA 105 Type C certified sit harness

The complete system weighs just 1 lb. 9 oz. It is Berry Compliant. Made in the USA, independently certified to UIAA 105 Type C, and compliant with EU EN 12277+A1:2018.

This is more than a tactical belt with additional hardware. It is a completely certified harness system built for professionals whose work requires movement from the ground to an aircraft, an edge, a rope, or an elevated objective without advancewarning.

THE VERTICAL PROBLEM USUALLY STARTS ON THE GROUND

Most vertical missions do not begin with someone already on rope.

It begins with ground movement, vehicle operation, building entry, aircraft approach, search assignment, or traversingthrough difficult terrain.

A military team may be carrying weapons, magazines, medical equipment, communications, and other mission essentials. Specialized law-enforcement units may be moving through a structure or approaching an elevated position. Search and rescue professionals travel across miles of ordinary terrain before reaching a cliff, damaged structure, steep slope, aircraft, or confined space.

The need for vertical capability may not appear until the mission is already underway.

That creates a basic equipment problem.

If the harness is stored in a pack, vehicle, aircraft, or equipment cache, it must first be retrieved. The user may need to remove or reposition other equipment, put on another system, verify the fit, and reconnect mission gear before moving forward.

The ISH changes that sequence by building certified harness capability into the equipment already being worn.

The removable leg loops can remain connected and staged around the waist. When the complete sit-harness configuration is required, trained personnel deploy the leg loops without removing the gun belt or retrieving a separate harness.

The capability stays with the user instead of being separated from them.

BUILT AS A TRUE COMBAT GUN BELT

The ISH did not begin as a recreational climbing harness with tactical features added later.

It was built around the curved architecture of the BFG® CHLK® Belt and incorporates the MOLLEminus® load-carriage platform for mounting holsters, pouches, medical equipment, communications gear, and other mission essentials.

That starting point matters.

A professional gun belt must remain stable while carrying equipment. It must follow the body, support an operational load, and maintain access to critical gear as the user moves between standing, kneeling, seated, and prone positions.

The ISH retains core load-carriage capability.

On the ground, it functions as the user’s combat gun belt. Equipment remains mounted in the familiar position where the user trains and operates. When the environment changes, that same platform becomes the foundation for aircraft restraint or the complete certified sit-harness configuration.

One belt.

One fit.

One equipment layout.

Three operational roles.

ROLE ONE: COMBAT GUN BELT

For many users, the first role of the ISH will also be used most often.

The MOLLEminus® field provides a low-profile platform for carrying compatible holsters, magazines, medical equipment, communications, and other mission gear. Its curved belt architecture follows the body rather than forcing a flat structure around the waist.

The user can configure the ISH around the mission and retain that equipment layout when transitioning into another approved role.

There is no separate ground belt to remove before putting on the harness.

The gun belt is part of the harness.

ROLE TWO: ROTARY-WING RESTRAINT

Aircraft operations create different requirements.

Personnel operating around open aircraft, ramps, doors, or other exposed positions may require an approved means of restraint based on the mission, aircraft, organizational procedures, and applicable training.

The ISH incorporates certified front and rear attachment points for approved applications, allowing the system to function as a rotary-wing restraint platform without replacing the user’s combat gun belt.

The professional can move from ground operations into the aircraft while retaining the same belt, fit, and equipment configuration.

That is the second role of the 3-in-1 system.

ROLE THREE: UIAA 105 TYPE C CERTIFIED SIT HARNESS

When the mission requires vertical access, the attached leg loops deploy to complete the sit-harness configuration.

The ISH is independently certified as a UIAA 105 Type C harness and compliant with EU EN 12277+A1:2018. The complete system is classified as Category III personal protective equipment under applicable European regulation for protection against risks with very serious consequences, including falls from height.

This is not simply a belt described as climbing capable.

It is a certified harness system.

The certification applies to the complete ISH system, including the belt and leg-loop assembly. The ISH is sold and must be used as a complete system. The outer belt and individual components should never be treated as standalone life-safety equipment.

That distinction is central to what the ISH is.

It is not a conventional battle belt with an attachment point added to it. It is not a restraint belt being presented as a climbing harness. It is a complete, independently certified harness that also performs the roles of a professional gun belt and rotary-wing restraint system.

INDEPENDENTLY CERTIFIED. BUILT FOR PROFESSIONAL USE.

In life-safety equipment, materials, and appearance are not enough.

Certification matters.

The ISH has documented system and component specifications that include:

• UIAA 105 Type C harness certification

• EU EN 12277+A1:2018 compliance

• Sewn belay loop rated to 15 kN

• COBRA® buckles rated to 18 kN

• Custom-blended Dyneema webbing with a 5,000 lb. breaking strength

• Certified front and rear attachment points

• Berry Compliant construction

• Made in the USA

The complete 1 lb. 9 oz. system consists of a 3 oz. inner belt, 10 oz. outer belt, and 12 oz. leg-loop assembly.

Those numbers give military, law-enforcement, rescue, aviation, and government procurement teams measurable information for evaluating the system.

They also reinforce the difference between equipment that looks like a harness and a complete system that has been independently certified as one.

BERRY COMPLIANT AND MADE IN THE USA

For military and government customers, domestic sourcing is not simply a marketing statement.

The ISH is Berry Compliant and Made in the USA, placing its domestic manufacturing story alongside its independently verified harness certification.

That combination matters.

The market contains tactical belts. It contains climbing harnesses. It contains restraint products.

Far fewer systems combine all three roles while also offering UIAA 105 Type C certification, Berry-compliant construction, and an equipment-carrying platform designed around professional use.

The ISH was built for organizations that need capability, certification, domestic sourcing, and mission-equipment integration in one complete system.

DESIGNED FROM OPERATIONAL EXPERIENCE

The thinking behind the ISH did not begin in the marketing department.

Retired U.S. Air Force Pararescueman Ishmael Antonio drew on a 20-year career to reconsider how a professional harness should work and why vertical capability must remain with the user when conditions change.

His experience helped shape a system that could carry equipment on the ground, support applicable aircraft-restraint requirements, and convert into a certified harness without forcing the user to stop and rebuild their setup.

The point is not that every mission will require every capability.

The point is that the professional may not know which capability will be required next.

The equipment should account for that uncertainty.

Watch Ishmael Antonio and Chris Sizelove explain the operational thinking behind the ISH and why a harness that remains with the user can matter when conditions change.

WATCH THE ISH™ STORY

LEG LOOPS THAT DO MORE

The modular leg loops allow the ISH to transition from combat gun-belt configuration into its complete Type C sit-harness configuration.

They can remain attached and staged around the waist rather than being stored separately in a pocket or pack. When vertical capability is required, the user deploys the leg loops to complete the harness.

When configured according to approved instructions, the leg-loop assembly also supports additional applications, including:

• Autoblock friction-hitch configuration for rappelling

• Emergency tourniquet application using the integrated windlass points

• Pelvic stabilization

• Two-person litter carry

These capabilities do not replace dedicated medical equipment, approved rescue systems, professional judgment, or training.

They reflect the larger philosophy behind the ISH: equipment carried into demanding environments should provide greater utility without forcing the user to carry multiple disconnected systems.

BUILT FOR PROFESSIONALS ACROSS MULTIPLE MISSIONS

The ISH was developed around demanding military requirements, but the problem it addresses is not limited to one community.

Defense and Public Safety

Military personnel, special operations units, SWAT teams, emergency service units, federal response teams, and aviation personnel may move between ground operations, aircraft, elevated positions, rappelling, technical access, and rescue requirements during the same mission.

The 3-in-1 design keeps equipment carriage, applicable restraint capability, and a certified harness together on the professional.

Search, Rescue, and Disaster Response

Search and rescue teams, technical rescue personnel, and appropriately equipped disaster-response organizations operate in environments where ordinary access can quickly become vertical access.

Steep terrain, damaged structures, cliffs, towers, confined spaces, unstable surfaces, and industrial environments can all create situations where the harness must be available immediately rather than stored somewhere else.

The ISH allows trained personnel to keep a certified sit harness integrated with the equipment already being worn.

Remote and Technical Operations

Wildland and remote-area responders, maritime units, technical-access personnel, aircraft crews, and infrastructure teams may move between equipment carriage, restraint, rescue, and vertical work during different phases of an operation.

The ISH is not a replacement for agency-specific PPE, dedicated rescue systems, approved procedures, or application-specific training. It gives responsible organizations a certified platform to evaluate roles when those capabilities need to remain with the user.

THE HARNESS YOU NEED IS THE HARNESS YOU HAVE WITH YOU

A separate harness only helps if the user has it, can reach it, and has time to integrate it with the equipment already being carried.

The ISH closes that gap by keeping the complete system on the professional. It functions as a combat gun belt, supports approved restraint applications, and remains ready to deploy into its certified sit-harness configuration.

The user does not have to predict exactly when the mission will leave the ground.

The capability is already there.

PROFESSIONAL EQUIPMENT REQUIRES PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

The ISH is professional life-safety equipment.

It must be used only by properly trained or otherwise competent persons, or under the direct supervision of trained or competent personnel.

Users must read and understand the complete instruction manual, inspect the system before use, test all associated equipment for form, fit, and function, and verify that the harness is correctly rigged before any activity at height.

Certification does not replace training.

A 3-in-1 system does not remove the need to understand each role.

The value of integration is that a trained professional can carry those capabilities together in one purpose-built platform.

ONE SYSTEM. THREE CRITICAL ROLES.

The Integrated Stealth Harness represents a different approach to professional equipment.

Instead of forcing the user to carry one belt for equipment, another system for restraint, and a separate harness for vertical access, the ISH consolidates all three roles into one lightweight, Berry Compliant, independently certified platform.

Combat gun belt.

Rotary-wing restraint system.

UIAA 105 Type C certified sit harness.

One belt.

One equipment layout.

One complete system that remains with the user when the environment changes.

Because the mission does not stop when the ground does.

Neither should your equipment.

Learn more about the BFG® Integrated Stealth Harness and watch the complete system in action.

EXPLORE THE ISH™

Posted in Advertiser, Guest Post, Load Carrying, Mountaineering | No Comments »

US Army Certifies Rifle Squads During Live-Fire Training in Poland

August 24th, 2026

BEMOWO PISKIE TRAINING AREA, Poland — U.S. Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 37th Armored Regiment conducted squad tactical exercises and live-fire training from Aug. 4-13, 2026 at the Bemowo Piskie Training Area, testing their ability to maneuver, communicate and engage targets in day and night conditions.

The training progressed from team live-fire exercises to squad-level tactical movements, allowing Soldiers to build proficiency at the smallest level before operating as a larger formation.

“You just have to make sure the lowest element is trained,” said Sgt. 1st Class Geordie Blower, platoon sergeant with Charlie Company, 2-37 AR. “You need to make sure both the teams are qualified to maneuver before you can maneuver in a squad element.”

During the live-fire event, shots echoed across the training area from early morning into the afternoon. After sunset, the first squad lined up to conduct its mission during nighttime operations.

Soldiers donned night vision goggles and maneuvered through wooded terrain toward an objective marked by targets. From the top of a hill, another soldier monitored and maintained target accuracy through a computer system.

The exercises were designed to certify rifle squads and give soldiers an opportunity to practice battle drills using live ammunition. Capt. Jonathan Downs, commander of Charlie Company, 2-37 AR said the training also tested squad leaders’ ability to make decisions and control their formations under demanding conditions.

“I was really happy to see the squad leaders take initiative and be willing to not just stick to an exact range, but actually command and control their squads in a meaningful way,” Downs said.

Downs also praised Soldiers for their willingness to work through difficult conditions.

“It’s always good to see guys willing to get in the dirt and suffer a little to help their squads succeed,” Downs said.

The Bemowo Piskie Training Area presented challenges that differed from the unit’s home station at Fort Bliss, Texas. Soldiers maneuvered through woods and high grass, negotiating branches, uneven ground and limited visibility during nighttime operations.

Pfc. Rowdy Adams, an infantryman with Charlie Company, 2-37 AR, who normally serves as a radio transmission operator, participated as a rifleman during the squad live-fire exercise. He said the training allowed him to evaluate how well his team worked together.

“It’s been great,” Adams said. “I really enjoy being able to actually test our skills as a squad and a team, to see how well we can work together and accomplish our goal and our mission.”

Adams said the squad live-fire exercise felt more realistic than the earlier team-level training because Soldiers had to move through wooded terrain and coordinate supporting fires while advancing toward the objective.

“There were a lot more moving pieces, which is how it actually would be,” he said.

Daytime and nighttime operations required soldiers to adjust their movement and awareness. Adams said night vision goggles reduced his field of view and depth perception, making obstacles more difficult to identify.

“Night’s definitely a lot more difficult,” Adams said. “It’s harder to see the targets, but I personally enjoyed the night more.”

Downs said the unit must be prepared to operate in any environment and under changing conditions.

“Day or night, we have to be able to do the job,” Downs said. “Any weather condition — you’re not always going to have the weather conditions you want, and you have to be able to do it anywhere, anytime.”

Downs described his company as the battalion’s mechanized infantry force, saying that dismounted Soldiers are responsible for clearing terrain that can restrict armored vehicles.

“Thick terrain, like these woods behind us, or urban terrain — stuff like that — the tanks can’t clear,” Downs said. “Our job is to clear out those areas, to keep the tanks safe, and then to seize and hold terrain that they can’t.”

Throughout the training, leaders observed each iteration and provided feedback to help squads improve their decision-making, movement, and supporting-fire techniques.

Downs said the training improved on the unit’s previous squad live-fire exercise and expressed confidence in the soldiers’ performance.

“My NCOs did a terrific job out here,” Downs said. “The teams and squads both performed not just at standard, but above standard. I’m fully confident in their abilities and I’m happy with their work out here.”

By SSG Emilie Lenglain

Posted in Admin, Army, Guest Post | Comments Off on US Army Certifies Rifle Squads During Live-Fire Training in Poland

MixMode Cleared to Broadly Deploy Its AI Cyber Platform in US Defense and Intelligence Community Environments

August 23rd, 2026

Company has been granted a Department of War Certificate to Field and an Authority to Operate from the U.S. Intelligence CommunitySANTA BARBARA, Calif., Aug. 19, 2026 — MixMode, the AI cyber defense company, today announced two U.S. Government security milestones that clear its platform for wider use in some of the nation’s most secure operational environments: a Department of War Certificate to Field (CtF) and an Authority to Operate (ATO) granted by the U.S. Intelligence Community.

MixMode defends large, mission-critical government networks against AI-driven attacks, insider threats and other emerging cyber threats. The platform autonomously observes an organization’s network traffic, cloud, and user activity in real time. Instead of relying on rules or signatures of past attacks, its self-learning AI builds a continuously updated model of what expected behavior looks like in each environment, then flags activity that doesn’t fit. That is what allows MixMode to surface threats no one has seen before: novel and Frontier AI-generated attacks moving across the network, nation-state tradecraft, and insiders misusing legitimate access. The Third Wave AI at the core of the platform is built on more than two decades of research in applied mathematics and dynamical systems, including projects sponsored by DARPA and the U.S. Department of War.

The two milestones mark significant progress in MixMode’s expansion across the U.S. defense and intelligence market:

Certificate to Field (CtF) MixMode achieved a Department of War Certificate to Field, confirming the platform has been evaluated against the Department’s software security and risk standards and is approved for use on the granting component’s information systems, supporting accelerated evaluations for future Department of War deployments.

Authority to Operate (ATO) A U.S. Intelligence Community agency granted MixMode an Authority to Operate, authorizing the platform to run in high-security operational environments, one of the most rigorous security reviews a software product can complete.

The milestones come as the White House emphasizes the urgent need to modernize cybersecurity for an AI-driven era. Speaking at CyberTalks, Acting Federal CISO Michael Duffy called for a more proactive and adaptive approach: “As we enter this new era defined by AI, interconnections, [and] expanded dependencies… we can’t wait for the next crisis to inspire our action.”

The urgency is real. Frontier AI level models, such as those from Anthropic and ChatGPT, have recently demonstrated the ability to autonomously find software flaws to immediately build and deploy cyber exploits. This capability, along with agentic frameworks, will be weaponized to enable bad actors to radically increase both the velocity and efficacy of new cyber attacks against critical systems. MixMode is uniquely built to self-learn each environment and accurately predict expected behavior in order to see deviating activity related to active threats. With this highly accurate real-time prediction capability, the platform is able to detect new novel cyber attacks from adversarial actors utilizing frontier AI systems or behavior related to insider threats.

“As the cybersecurity industry evolves with the rapidly increasing use of AI by bad actors, it is now a necessity for real-time AI-driven technology to defend against these attacks,” said John Keister, CEO of MixMode. “MixMode has continued to focus on its proprietary, highly-efficient platform that includes the best detection system on the planet for attacks, including those that are AI-driven.”

Posted in AI / ML, Press Release | No Comments »

New FDA Clearance Gives PTSD Patients More Precise, Effective Treatment Options

August 23rd, 2026

Precision brain therapy uses new technology to target post-traumatic stress disorder at the source

HOUSTON, Texas—Approximately 17.5 veterans die by suicide every day in the United States, and 7% of veterans are diagnosed each year with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Against that backdrop, Texas A&M Health researchers are helping to advance a more personalized approach to treating the disorder.

New technology developed by Wave Neuroscience, a California-based company, in collaboration with the research team of Kenneth S. Ramos, MD, PhD, with the Texas A&M Health Institute of Biosciences and Technology, has recently received FDA clearance for a system that maps and treats the specific parts of the brain impacted by PTSD. While the results are being processed for public dissemination, the findings have demonstrated promising results to revolutionize PTSD treatment options.

PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after exposure to an event beyond average stressors, like combat, accidents, natural disasters or other forms of violence. About 6% of people will develop PTSD symptoms in their lifetimes, with women and veterans experiencing much higher rates.

Since PTSD became an official diagnosis in 1980, the most common treatments have been talk therapy and serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medications, such as sertraline and fluoxetine. But statistics show that those treatments don’t work for everyone.

A 2020 study reviewing medications for PTSD found that while some patients improved, many did not. Patients’ self-reported symptoms improved by 6.8 to 10.1 points, and only up to 10.9% achieved remission.

The Wave Neuroscience clinical trial revealed much more promising preliminary results, according to the company’s chief medical officer Erik Won, DO.

“In comparison to that study, our FDA trial reported a 52% reduction in symptoms, so more than a four-fold increase in efficacy,” Won said. “And more importantly, we saw 68% remission in our clinical trial. So, it’s really a quantum change, an inflection point in what we can offer to patients. From a clinical care perspective, that’s really meaningful.”

Making it personal

The treatment uses Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy (MeRT), a technology created by Wave Neuroscience that combines an electroencephalogram (EEG) with transcranial magnetic stimulation. The EEG records electrical activity of the brain, while TMS—which is already used to treat other mental health conditions—uses magnetic pulses through a coil placed on the scalp.

“Transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS, was previously FDA cleared for treatment-resistant depression,” Won said. “By adding an augmented AI derived multivariate algorithm, we were able to personalize protocols that received FDA clearance for post-traumatic stress disorder, which should open up market access to about 13 million people who may be struggling with PTSD.”

That personalization is at the heart of MeRT.

Ramos, a physician-scientist with decades of experience in precision medicine, focuses on treatment tailored to the specific person and ailment rather than a “one-size-fits-all” approach.

“Most clinical interventions for the treatment of PTSD do not work very well,” Ramos said. “So, this is a huge area where identifying interventions that could hopefully add quality of life to the people impacted by this disorder would be tremendously impactful.”

As a leading researcher in precision medicine, Ramos was the obvious choice for Wave Neuroscience to bring into their study, said Fred Walke, chief executive officer at the company.

TMS is typically done generically, Ramos explained, but MeRT takes it one step further by customizing it to the person being treated.

Each of us is 99.9% the same, but the 0.1% difference among us dramatically changes the picture. By tailoring the treatment to the individual, the researchers were able to work with that person’s brain specifically and demonstrate significant decreases in severity of PTSD symptoms.

Ramos compared the two treatments to fixing a leaky roof: TMS, he said, is like putting a tarp over the leak to address the symptoms, while MeRT is more targeted, akin to replacing the broken shingles and addressing the problem at its source.

Breaking the mold

The path to FDA clearance began in 2024, when MeRT received the FDA breakthrough design designation, said Rick Silva, PhD, executive director of clinical trials at the Institute of Biosciences and Technology.

This designation provides an expedited pathway for FDA review. Strict scientific and medical guidelines still must be met, but the designation can reduce some of the administrative tasks that can delay getting treatments to patients.

Reaching the final stages of FDA clearance is a time-consuming and rigorous task, but for those involved, it’s all worth it.

This project, Silva said, was especially gratifying because it began during the COVID-19 pandemic and moved very quickly for an FDA clearance. While medical device clinical trials typically take around a decade to complete and gain FDA clearance, this was done in just over two years, he said.

The rigor it takes to succeed in this space reflects the expertise and talent of the Wave Neuroscience team, and it could not have been done without them, he added.

“I’ve been involved in probably close to 1,000 projects in academic medical centers over the years at varying degrees of depth and detail,” Silva said. “Patients are why I do what I do. It’s hard, and the failure rate is high, and it’s a lot of work. But when you get to a point where something is going to benefit patients, it’s very professionally gratifying and personally gratifying in many ways as well.”

For Israel Liberzon, MD, distinguished professor in psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Texas A&M Naresh K. Vashisht College of Medicine, the clearance represents an important addition to the PTSD treatment landscape.

Liberzon served as the lead psychiatrist and PTSD expert for the study. He said once this treatment gets to patients, it will be the only non-medication treatment option for PTSD cleared by the FDA.

“Right now, the FDA has approved only two medications for PTSD,” Liberzon said. “It doesn’t mean that only two of them are used, but both are SSRIs. This is the first time that in addition to the medication, we have a non-medication option. There is psychotherapy that people use for PTSD, but psychotherapies require a lot of effort. People must participate actively, and many drop out because it’s too anxiety provoking. So now we have a unique alternative.”

The MeRT clinical trial involved five sessions per week over five to six weeks. The beneficial effects appear to be long-lasting beyond the termination of treatment.

“People living with PTSD have been left with trial-and-error treatment, medications and their side effects, and limited outcomes—even when treated by the most dedicated and experienced physicians,” Won said. “Wave’s FDA clearance signals a fundamentally different future: one in which PTSD can be objectively evaluated, precisely treated and meaningfully healed.”

The technology could eventually have applications beyond PTSD, Won said, including depression, anxiety and other conditions.

Hope on the horizon

For Leslie S. Prichep, PhD, chief scientific officer of Wave Neuroscience, the clearance signals a new era for mental healthcare.

“The FDA clearance of the MeRT System reflects decades of scientific research using electrophysiological biomarkers in identifying abnormal brain activity profiles and guiding personalized intervention strategies,” Prichep said. “We believe this represents an important advancement toward a more objective, data-informed model of mental healthcare.”

Walke said this alternative provides hope to those struggling with PTSD and their loved ones. He also hopes the more individualized approach will help reduce the stigma around mental health, as treatment becomes like putting a cast on a broken bone.

“One of the goals of the company is to create a platform for mental healthcare that uses objective imagery to help patients understand why they’re experiencing life the way that they are,” Walke said. “That insight, compounded with proven technologies, promises incredibly high efficacy when personalized.”

Alongside Texas A&M Health, Wave Neuroscience is working with key stakeholders to broaden access to the treatment and ensure it is affordable for patients through insurance coverage.

“Our hope is that this research and technology can be a catalyst for more widespread development and innovation of more effective, personalized and precision-guided treatments,” Won said. “This is proof positive that population-scale personalized medicine is not just an aspirational goal but is an achievable reality today.”

The MeRT team brings together decades of expertise spanning disciplines and technology, all with the goal of reducing suffering for people living with PTSD. FDA clearance brings them one step closer to that goal.

“Texas A&M has a very rich history of military and veteran priorities,” Ramos said. “It’s a no-brainer that Texas A&M faculty would be interested in and supportive of an initiative that hopefully would bring positive solutions to a big problem. And anything we could do to help alleviate that problem is going to go a long way towards making a difference in the individual’s life as well as the people who are close to them. I feel very fortunate that we at Texas A&M were meaningfully involved in this project.”

By LASHA MARKHAM for VITAL RECORD

Posted in Admin, Guest Post, Medical, Veterans | No Comments »

Army Develops Ultra-Light Vehicle for Changing Battlefields

August 23rd, 2026

Getting troops and equipment across the battlefield is a vital part of every theater operation — Soldiers and their kits, as well as spare ammunition and other supplies, all need to arrive quickly, with nothing left behind — or risk jeopardizing the mission.

The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle and Humvee have done a great job at performing those tasks so far, but the battlefield is always changing. In some cases, those vehicles are too heavy and impractical for the task at hand. So, the Army chose to develop a new, ultra-light troop transport vehicle.

The Infantry Squad Vehicle is an ultra-light tactical vehicle that carries nine passengers and their equipment. Its evolution was informed by Soldier touchpoint events.

“We are extremely proud of this program and what we’ve been able to achieve in a short period of time,” said Susan Fung, Portfolio Acquisition Executive Maneuver Ground’s mobile brigade combat team deputy project manager. “In this high-stakes environment of modern warfare, playing it completely safe is often the most dangerous thing a leader can do for decades.”

Fung explained that the team is intentionally trading the illusion of a risk-free acquisition process for the ability to use commercial products and iterating with continuous Soldier feedback through the Army’s Transformation in Contact program.

“Traditional defense acquisition has prioritized its bureaucratic processes and zero-defect mentality over speed, and while well-intentioned, that approach often meant our Soldiers had to wait quite a bit for critical capabilities to reach the field,” she said.

Exponential Growth

The Infantry Squad Vehicle program began in 2019, with a procurement objective of 649 vehicles. However, based on Soldier feedback and TIC experimentation, Fung said Soldiers told them what they truly needed.

“This led to an explosive growth driven entirely by operational demand,” she added.

The number of vehicles required increased to 900 in February 2021. It increased two more times and was set at 2,593. In April 2025, the service approved the ISV utility variant and increased the Army procurement objective, bringing the total to 5,733 vehicles across both variants, Fung explained.

“In February of 2026, the Army established the current position objective and procurement objective at 11,582 vehicles,” she said. “That shows you the increased objective based on Soldier demand, and that’s really equivalent to about an 18-fold increase from the original requirement. Not because of requirements creep, but really because Soldiers validated the capability in the combat training environments and demanded more.”

John Hufstedler, the product director for ground mobility vehicles at PAE Maneuver Ground, said that connecting with the system’s mission was critical during the development of the vehicle.

“Early on, the ISV succeeded by staying locked-in. A few key requirements were transportability, [but] mobility and payload and resisting requirements creep,” he said, adding Army senior leaders kept the vehicle’s mission in focus.

“Anytime somebody wanted to add a radio with encrypted keys or hang another piece of encrypted equipment off the platform, leadership just didn’t buy into it. And that allowed the vehicle to stay focused and true to its mission, so we didn’t have to leave a Soldier back with the vehicle. All nine could go execute the mission and objective,” Hufstedler said.

The traditional acquisition approach allows custom military specifications, extensive government testing and sequential milestone gates. Hufstedler explained that this process can take four to 10 years, often resulting in cost overruns and technological obsolescence.

Instead, he explained that the ISV took the rapid acquisition approach, using commercial off-the-shelf solutions and minimal military modifications. That approach resulted in the first unit being equipped within 24 months.

Transparency Aids Progress

Taking a more risk-positive approach to developing the ISV required somewhat of a culture change within PAE Maneuver Ground. Specifically, it required more direct, transparent communication.

Hufstedler believes that leading by example, empathy, listening, incorporating team feedback into decisions and a willingness to stand by those decisions as leaders were key. He added that providing team autonomy, while clearly defining boundaries and success criteria and transparency at all levels of communication, also contributed to their success.

Next-generation Variants

“With the ISV program, we prove[d] that calculated risk works,” Hufstedler said. “We keep going back to commerciality — I think that has helped us a lot — trusting our Soldiers’ judgment and moving at the speed of relevance; I think we’ve delivered that capability.”

The Army’s willingness to accept commercial standards as a starting point and make the Soldiers the primary evaluators of the equipment will be critical to the success of developing ISV variants, he noted.

Fung said the team is currently developing the ISV heavy variant. It will include enhanced onboard power generation and storage capability to support next-generation command and control equipment.

“Overall, the ISV program is a great example of our acquisition reform, which allows getting capabilities to the field faster, leveraging commercial technologies while staying agile and giving Soldiers what they really want,” she said.

For more information, visit the CPE Ground website.

JACQUELINE M. HAMES is an editor with Behind the Frontlines. She has 15 years of writing, editing and reporting experience with the federal government, and has a B.A. in creative writing from Christopher Newport University.

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