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 funding to further develop their innovative solutions and put them into action across the command. To ensure we maintain our decisive advantage against evolving global threats, events like Thunder Dome empower Air Commandos to lean into our ethos of grassroots innovation by tackling issues impacting readiness and AFSOC’s ability to operate across the spectrum of competition, ensuring we remain relevant through adaptation. We must invest today in the capabilities we will need tomorrow. We look forward to seeing the great ideas Air Commandos share in this year’s competition. Read the full article here
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MoreSTAUNTON, Va. – The Virginia National Guard’s Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team was officially converted to the 116th Mobile Brigade Combat Team effective Oct. 16, 2025, by the Army Structure Memorandum, commonly referred to as the ARSTRUC. “Our official designation to MBCT marks a major milestone in the Army’s…
Milipol 25 – New Rucksack from Savotta In addition to the entrenching tool pouch, Savotta showed me a new garner rucksack’s which will be coming out next year. So new it doesn’t yet have a name, the pack’s main bag has a capacity of 90L expandable to 120L. Modular and…
Milipol 25 – Crispi Elite Italian boot maker Crispi showed us what’s coming for their Elite line designed for military and security professionals. The Crispi AT4 is the lowest upper (4″) of the three new models. Like the other two it incorporates GORE-TEX and a CRISPI Air Mesh + Felt…
Milipol 25 – M-TAC Drone Pack At Milipol quite a few companies offered drone specific load carriage packs like this example from Ukraine’s M-TAC for 7″ drones with capacity for seven and controller. I expect to see a lot more of this in the near future. Read the full article…
The Department of War recently invited The American Conservative to be further integrated into its press operations. We have politely declined. This invitation was conditioned on TAC accepting the department’s over-the-top press restrictions, including agreeing not to publish any confidential material that our affiliated reporters might acquire. TAC is a…
Milipol 25 – Eagle Ind MMAC 3.0 Eagle Industries gave us a rare treat by showing something hot off the sewing table, the “MMAC 3.0.” The reason I put the name is quoted is that this latest variant of their flagship Multi-Mission Armor Carrier likely won’t retain this variant number.…
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MoreInitial 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…
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…
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…
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…
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).…
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More× Donate to The American Conservative Today This is not a paywall! Your support helps us continue our mission of providing thoughtful, independent journalism. With your contribution, we can maintain our commitment to principled reporting on the issues that matter most. Donate Today: Read the full article here
CRANE, Ind. – Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) launched the Crane Rapid Capabilities Cell (CRC2) to accelerate the delivery of critical technology to the warfighter. This new initiative will serve as a direct pipeline for identifying and delivering solutions to meet the most urgent and emerging needs…
ARCANI’s HARK Acoustic Sensor Featured on General Dynamics Land Systems–Canada’s Grizzly LAV Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH) Platform to Enhance Counter-Drone Situational Awareness [CANSEC, Ottawa] — [14 July 2026] — Arcani Systems today announced that its HARK acoustic sensing system was featured on the recently unveiled Grizzly LAV Self-Propelled Howitzer vehicle, showcasing…
SOFWERX to Host 4th Psychological Operations Group (4 POG) Collaboration Event (CE) SOFWERX, in collaboration with USSOCOM 4th Psychological Operations Group (4 POG), will host a Collaboration Event (CE) 23-24 September 2026, to identify and select innovative software tools. The goal is to integrate these tools into a singular, comprehensive…
The U.S. conducted a new round of airstrikes on Iran overnight, and Iran retaliated with attacks on Washington’s regional allies as the conflict entered its 143rd day. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said it hit “Iranian military command centers, air defense and coastal surveillance sites, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch…
Save 20% on Strike Industries’ Mass Driver Comp for GEN3 GLOCK Strike Industries is offering a 20% discount on their Mass Driver Comp for the GEN3 GLOCK. Product Features: -No threaded barrel needed (but can be used) -Eliminates the need for threaded barrels. 50 State Legal -Widened bore to reduce…
551st PIR Making A Comeback? On social media the Army has been sharing this teaser… With a promise of an activation on 16 August 2026, the video offers this insignia. This is the insignia of the 551st Parachute Infantry Regiment who boast a nickname of GOYA for “Get Off Your…
Yemen’s Houthis announced Monday the immediate launch of a “maritime embargo” against Saudi Arabia. The Houthis cited “the targeting of Sana’a International Airport” and Saudi Arabia’s “siege…for nearly twelve years.” It was not immediately clear how the Houthis planned to enforce its embargo or how narrowly Saudi assets would be…
Andy Burnham became Britain’s new prime minister Monday, promising a “new political model” after a decade of leadership turmoil and pledging to shift power away from London. Burnham replaces the outgoing Keir Starmer, who resigned after a political crisis precipitated by the revelation that Peter Mandelson, whom he appointed to…
GILBERT, Ariz., July 15, 2026 — Nishati Power Technologies (NPT), a leader in tactical hybrid power solutions, today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued U.S. Patent No. 12,671,257, covering its proprietary hybrid power generation technology. The technology addresses two critical problems for powering operations at the…
A sling has always had a simple job. Carry the firearm when the hands are needed for something else. That was true when early American fighters moved across rough ground with long guns. It remained true through two world wars and every conflict that followed. It is still true today.…
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