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Allen-Vanguard and Hyperion Showcase Their Configurable Joint Fires Training Solutions at CANSEC

May 26th, 2026

Allen-Vanguard, leaders in the design, development and delivery of integrated, platform-agnostic systems, in collaboration with Hyperion Defence Solutions, is showcasing a novel integrated approach to Joint Fires training and simulation at CANSEC. This approach focuses on configurable, accreditable systems tailored to meet the specific operational, facility, battlespace and training requirements of the end user. Allen-Vanguard will be at CANSEC on Stand #800 to discuss this and all their advanced Radio Frequency (RF) solutions for electronic warfare, counter-RCIED and counter- UAS operations.

Hyperion has deep expertise in Joint Fires support and training, simulation and the establishment and delivery of modern training solutions for defence organisations. Together, they are showcasing this bespoke digital joint fires, fully immersive, mixed reality training environment to efficiently and effectively deliver complex Joint Fires training. Instead of presenting a single off-the-shelf product, the partnership combines Canadian defence presence, Joint Fires domain expertise, simulation integration experience and mature training technologies.

Solutions range from fixed projected facilities to deployable mobile systems and mixed-reality training options. The design supports realistic, networked Joint Fires training, including individual and collective proficiency development, scenario-based training, sensor-to-shooter workflows, target correlation, fires coordination and integration with wider digital Joint Fires environments.

The solution architecture is configurable around end-user requirements, including facility constraints, existing systems, accreditation pathways, operational workflows and future upgrade requirements. This scalability spans classroom and mission rehearsal systems to higher-fidelity projected or mixed-reality environments.

Bobby Strawbridge, President of Allen-Vanguard said, “Combining Allen-Vanguard’s Canadian defence presence and systems integration experience with Hyperion’s Joint Fires training and simulation expertise ensures that this partnership can support Canada’s next phase of Joint Fires modernisation with a practical, scalable, accreditable and affordable training solutions.”

Posted in CANSEC, Fires, International, Press Release, Training | No Comments »

Thirteen Canadian Companies. One Sovereign Platform.

May 26th, 2026

Convergence Design Services to Launch the MIL-V at CANSEC 2026

OTTAWA, ON — On May 27, at Canada’s largest annual defence and security trade show, a new chapter in Canadian sovereign defence capability begins.

The MIL-V is a fully sovereign electrically powered military vehicle platform, built entirely in Canada, owned entirely by Canada, with every line of IP staying right here. But what makes the MIL-V more than a product launch is the story behind it: thirteen Canadian technology and engineering companies who chose to build something together, brought together and integrated by Convergence Design Services as the platform prime.

“Canadian defence companies are the backbone of future technology innovation,” said Ben Seaman, President at Convergence Design Services. “This collaboration of thirteen Canadian companies on one sovereign electric platform showcases what our industry is capable of across a multitude of missions. One hundred percent Canadian-built. Canadian IP. Canadian owned. This is what sovereign defence capability looks like in practice.”

A PLATFORM BUILT BY CANADA, FOR CANADA

The MIL-V is a mission-ready, electrically powered autonomous vehicle platform. It can operate with or without a driver, adapt to any mission in the field, and deploy across any terrain or climate. Its electric powertrain delivers a near-silent acoustic signature and reduced thermal profile, making it well suited for operations where stealth and low observability are critical. Its open modular architecture allows rapid reconfiguration for breaching, CASEVAC, resupply, ISR, and protection missions without returning to base, supported by an internal power distribution system capable of powering multiple mission systems simultaneously. Sensors are fused across multiple domains to give operators and autonomous systems a unified, real-time picture of their environment.

The platform’s IP, integration, and supply chain are entirely Canadian-owned. What sets the MIL-V apart is not only what it is, but how it was built: thirteen independent Canadian companies, each contributing sovereign technology, brought together under one Canadian prime.

As Canada invests in building its domestic defence vehicle capability, the MIL-V represents a new model for how that capability can be developed, with Canadian IP, Canadian partners, and Canadian integration from the ground up. In an era of global supply chain disruption andgeopolitical uncertainty, that matters. A domestic supply chain is not subject to export controls, foreign policy shifts, or global conflict disruption. Every component, every partner, and every line of IP on this platform remains accessible and entirely within Canadian control.

THE THIRTEEN

Convergence brought together twelve Canadian partner companies, each integrating their own sovereign technology directly onto the platform, with Convergence serving as the thirteenth as platform prime and systems integrator:

• Agile Electromagnetics: Counter Drone Systems

• Bubble Technology Industries: Advanced Radiation and Explosives Detection

Technologies

• Calian: Resilient and Anti-Jamming GNSS

• Canimex Group: Electric Powertrain System

• Guardian Mobility: Beyond-Line-of-Sight Communications

• Kontron: Powering Autonomous Edge AI with Rugged Servers

• North Vector Dynamics: Counter-UAS Precision-Guided Missile System

• Ottawa Infotainment: Rugged Vehicle Domain Controller and Display Interface

• Pleora Technologies: Rugged Vision Switcher

• STL Engineering: AVRO Mission Critical Distributed Computing

• Tessellate Robotics: GNSS-Denied Autonomous Navigation with LiDAR

• Volthium: Canadian Lithium Battery Systems and Energy Storage

• Convergence Design Services: Sensor Fusion and Vehicle Platform

Each of these companies is Canadian. Each made a deliberate choice to invest their technology in a sovereign Canadian platform. Together they have built something Canada’s defence community has been calling for.

WHY THIS MOMENT MATTERS

Canada is at an inflection point. The federal government has committed to rebuild, rearm, and reinvest in the Canadian Armed Forces through the Defence Investment Strategy, raising the share of defence acquisitions awarded to Canadian firms to 70%, prioritizing domestic supply chain resilience, and streamlining procurement. The MIL-V is purpose-built for this moment, and with a fully domestic supply chain, production can scale rapidly when Canada needs it most.From the Prime Minister’s office to the Department of National Defence to Invest Ottawa, the message has been clear: Canada needs to build and own its own advanced defence technology.

For the last six years, Convergence has been investing in developing the sovereign technology that directly aligns with this strategy. The MIL-V is not a reaction to the current moment. It is evidence that Canadian industry was already there.

“The MIL-V demonstrates the strength of Canadian collaboration in advancing sovereign defence capability. Bringing together Canadian organizations and technologies designed and developed here at home reflects the kind of innovation and partnership needed to strengthen Canada’s industrial capability. We are proud to support this effort with our precision and resilient GNSS technology alongside Convergence and other Canadian companies.”

— Darrell Wellington, VP and GNSS GM, Calian

“Being demoed inside an autonomous vehicle at CANSEC with Convergence is a real glimpse of how integrated, mission-ready autonomy is moving from concept to reality. Pleora plays a critical role in enabling this shift by delivering secure, high-performance video connectivity and sensor data transport that defence platforms depend on for real-time situational awareness, autonomy, and mission-critical decision-making.”

— Ed Goffin, Vice President, Product Marketing, Pleora Technologies

ALSO AT CANSEC 2026

Convergence will also showcase the Arctic OWL, a distributed edge-AI sensing network that delivers persistent spatial awareness in remote and austere environments without relying on existing infrastructure. Designed for Arctic conditions and proven in harsh environments, the Arctic OWL addresses Canada’s growing need for sovereign sensing capability across the north.

ABOUT CONVERGENCE DESIGN SERVICES

Ottawa-based Convergence Design Services has over 30 years of experience delivering critical engineering across defence, aerospace, space, and advanced mobility. Formerly known as Blue Systems, the company is 100% Canadian owned, CGP-certified, and has been recognized multiple times as one of Ottawa’s fastest-growing companies by the Ottawa Business Journal.

Backed by a 100% Canadian venture capital firm, Convergence is making a multimillion-dollar investment in defence product innovation and engineering growth.Convergence Design Services will be exhibiting at CANSEC 2026 at booth 4015, EY Centre, Ottawa, May 27-28.

Posted in CANSEC, Industry, International, Press Release, Robotics | No Comments »

GM Defence Appoints ISTEC as Preferred Mission Kit Supplier for UK and Wider EU/NATO Programmes

May 26th, 2026

GM Defence has appointed the UK company ISTEC Services Limited as its preferred mission kit supplier for UK and wider EU/NATO programmes. The agreement places ISTEC as the exclusive supplier to GM Defence for all UK opportunities and as a preferred supplier for all other EU/NATO or worldwide markets. This appointment reinforces GM Defence’s UK-based supply chain expansion strategy and is aligned with their wider UK-based development plans, thus supporting the sustainment and creation of UK jobs and increasing UK defence export potential.

ISTEC Services Ltd is a British company with 37 years of operationally proven experience in the design, manufacture and supply of complex weapon integration solutions for military platforms.

Under this agreement, ISTEC will supply GM Defence with weapons mounts, weapon and ammunition stowage, smoke dischargers and all relevant in-service support including spares, publications and training. The agreement reaches across GM Defence’s light vehicle range including all variants of the ISV, S10 and Silverado platforms, currently being offered to meet the UK’s requirements, but also across a number of wider NATO/EU opportunities.

This collaboration agreement is a clear demonstration of GM Defence’s commitment to supporting UK MoD programmes and, in particular, establishes an exclusive partnership with a well-respected UK-based supplier who has a long pedigree of providing the UK MoD with operationally proven, robust and high-quality products. Remaining OEM agnostic, ISTEC has recently signed a number of high-profile collaboration agreements proving that they are the partner of choice to support many OEMs with battle-proven mission system design, integration, manufacturing and support solutions.

Gilbert Nelson, Vice President for International Sales and Marketing at GM Defence said: “We’re pleased to announce this agreement today that places ISTEC as a tier one supplier to GM Defence. ISTEC is a trusted and proven supplier to the UK MoD so bringing them into our team increases confidence and reduces risk across all of our regional programmes. We are currently developing a robust UK-based supply chain and this appointment is a key part of that strategy, creating and sustaining UK jobs and strengthening UK defence exports.”

Anne Quelch, Director at ISTEC said, “This appointment by GM Defence is a major milestone for the company. We have been working closely and very successfully with GM Defence for some time now and we believe that this exclusive agreement for the UK programmes is a resounding endorsement of our reputation and the proven quality of our products. We are also extremely pleased to have been awarded preferred supplier status by GM Defence for EU/NATO and other worldwide opportunities where GM Defence is ideally placed to succeed.”

Posted in Industry, International, Mobility, Press Release | No Comments »

Maritime Soldiers Earn Mariner Badge

May 26th, 2026

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii – Maritime Soldiers assigned to the 8th Special Troops Battalion, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, were recognized during an Army Mariner Badge pinning ceremony aboard the U.S. Army Vessel Maj. Gen. Robert Smalls, LSV-8, on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, recognizing their expertise and service as Army mariners.

Hosted by Lt. Col. Micah J. Hall, commander of the 8th Special Troops Battalion, the ceremony honored Transportation Corps port watercraft and seaport operations mariners for achieving significant professional milestones through certification, operational experience and sustained service aboard Army watercraft. During the ceremony, one Soldier received the Army Mariner Senior badge and 11 Soldiers received the Army Mariner Basic badge.

The Army Mariner Badge symbolizes the technical expertise, discipline and operational readiness required of Soldiers serving within Army maritime occupational specialties. Approved in October 2024, the badge recognizes Army mariners who demonstrate proficiency in nautical logistics and sustainment operations while supporting missions across the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.

The badge is awarded based on certification and years of operational maritime service. Soldiers awarded the basic badge must complete required certifications and serve at least one year aboard an Army vessel, while the senior badge recognizes mariners with a minimum of five years of service and demonstrated expertise within their maritime field.

“This badge is more than a uniform item,” said Hall during the ceremony. “It represents technical competence, operational experience, discipline and commitment to the Army’s maritime mission.”

Hall emphasized the critical role Army mariners play in enabling sustainment and transportation operations throughout the Indo-Pacific theater, including interisland logistics, joint exercises and strategic sealift missions. He recognized the professionalism and resilience required to operate Army watercraft in demanding maritime environments far from home station.

Maj. Gen. Gavin Gardner, commanding general of the 8th Theater Sustainment Command, also addressed attendees and highlighted the longstanding legacy of Army mariners throughout military history, from supporting operations during World War II to modern-day joint logistics over-the-shore missions.

“This is not earned in port,” Gardner said. “This is earned underway.”

Gardner further noted that Army mariners continue to play a vital role in projecting and sustaining combat power across the Indo-Pacific region, particularly as the Army modernizes maritime sustainment capabilities in austere environments.

For many Soldiers, the ceremony represented more than professional recognition — it represented visibility for a uniquely specialized field within the Army.

“Being awarded the Army Mariner Badge means a lot to us because it’s the first visible identification the Army has given us that is unique to being a mariner,” said CW2 George Schwarz, one of the mariners recognized with the 8th Theater Sustainment Command. “We’re a really small field within the Army that doesn’t always receive a lot of recognition.”

As the ceremony concluded, the newly badged Army mariners were recognized not only for their technical qualifications but for their continued role in sustaining and moving combat power across the Indo-Pacific region.

SGT Deneisha Owens-McParland

Posted in Army, Guest Post, Maritime, Profession of Arms | No Comments »

Tac Jobs – TYR Tactical

May 25th, 2026

TYR Tactical is hiring for multiple positions at our headquarters in Peoria, AZ. If you’re passionate about innovation, mission-driven work, and supporting those who protect and serve, we want to hear from you.

Apply online at TYRTactial.com

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Hogue Releases New Knives In Honor of Memorial Day

May 25th, 2026

New styles include Incursion, Mini Incursion, Ballista I, and Fray models.

The Incursion and Mini Incursion are Out-The-Front Automatics. Those along with the Ballista I Automatic Folder and the Fray Fixed Blade have been used by American servicemen.

Through an ongoing partnership with the DPI Group, Hogue continues to fulfill active contracts that directly support
U.S. armed forces units worldwide. The DPI Group is an organization committed to employing veterans with disabilities and plays a vital role in this campaign. Working closely with Hogue’s manufacturing team, their skilled veteran workforce helps hand-assemble each knife with precision and pride. This collaboration represents a continuation of service, providing meaningful employment while ensuring every blade meets the uncompromising standards of those who depend on them.

Every Hogue knife is made in the USA and is backed by three generations of manufacturing expertise. These new models, as well as all Hogue automatic knives, are only available through Hogue authorized dealers.

For more information, or to find a local dealer, please call Hogue directly at 1-800-438-4747 or visit www.hogueknives.com.

Posted in Knives | Comments Off on Hogue Releases New Knives In Honor of Memorial Day

BFG Monday: The Sling of the Marine Corps

May 25th, 2026

Anyone who has spent time around issued gear knows how rare it is for a product to earn real trust.

Most equipment gets tolerated. Some get modified immediately. Some get complained about until it quietly disappears from circulation altogether.

Very little becomes respected.

The Vickers Sling became one of those rare pieces of equipment because it solved problems users deal with every single day carrying a rifle.

Not on a flat range. Not during a product demo. During actual use.

Photo courtesy of U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joaquin Dela Torre

A rifle sling affects far more than most people realize. Anyone who has carried a weapon for hours at a time understands how quickly a bad sling becomes a problem. It twists at the wrong moment. Gets hung up on gear. Slides when it should stay put. Feels fine for twenty minutes and miserable six hours later.

That frustration adds up.

Somewhere along the way the tactical industry convinced itself that every problem needed more straps, more buckles, and more adjustment points. Experienced users usually move in the opposite direction. They want gear that works without becoming another thing they have to fight.

That mindset helped make the Vickers Sling the sling requested by name across military and law enforcement communities worldwide. Developed with Larry Vickers, the VCAS was built around real-world use from the beginning. The quick adjust system allows the user to tighten or loosen the sling immediately while still maintaining control of the weapon. No extra tails hanging loose. No complicated hardware. No wasted movement trying to make the sling cooperate while doing something else.

It just works.

That may sound simple, but simple is difficult to get right.

Photo courtesy of U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joshua

The Marine Corps does not field equipment because it looks good in product photos. Gear has to survive hard use, different environments, long hours, and thousands of Marines who will absolutely let everyone know when equipment fails to perform.

The VCAS earned its reputation the hard way.

Recently, Blue Force Gear was named the sole awardee of a Defense Logistics Agency contract supporting the U.S. Marine Corps. The award reflects years of hard use, feedback from professional end users, and a sling design that continues to prove itself across demanding environments and real-world use.

The VCAS Sling has been extensively tested and validated by military personnel, establishing itself as one of the most trusted slings in military service.

That kind of trust is not built through advertising.

It comes from years of hard use, feedback from professional end users, and a design that continues working when everything else starts becoming a distraction.

At Blue Force Gear, lightweight equipment has never been about chasing trends or shaving ounces for marketing purposes. Less weight matters because fatigue matters. Simplicity matters because attention is limited. Good equipment should help the user focus on the task at hand instead of constantly adjusting, fixing, or fighting their gear.

The best sling is usually the one you stop noticing until you need it.

That is why the Vickers Sling became trusted by professional users around the world.

And that is why it became the Sling of the Marine Corps.

Learn more about the Vickers Sling and Blue Force Gear’s full line of weapon slings and load carriage solutions at Blue Force Gear.

For units seeking to increase survivability and operational performance through reduced load carriage by upgrading to Helium Whisper, contact the Blue Force Gear Military Department or visit BlueForceGear.com.

Posted in Advertiser, Guest Post, Weapon Accessories | No Comments »

Memorial Day 2026

May 25th, 2026

Memorial Day, which is observed every year on the last Monday of May, originated in 1868 as Decoration Day.

As a nation we are becoming more divided every day. Decoration Day was an intentional move to help bring a broken nation back ringer following the Civil War and decorate the graves of fallen Soldiers with flowers.

Decoration Day was officially changed to Memorial Day in 1971, extending the observance to honor all Americans who died while in military service.

Pictured: A Civil War Veteran salutes with a Boy Scout and a Soldier at a grave-site in Oak Woods Cemetery, Chicago, Ill., Decoration Day, 1927.

Let’s all take a moment to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for this great nation regardless of belief aside from dedication to our national survival.

Chicago Daily News photo courtesy of The Library of Congress

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