by David Crane DefRev has received some sneak peak pics of prototypes for the new vented Dark Parts rail covers with M203-style vent holes in them(You can view the links to them by clicking on "Read More" below). These new rail covers have the same advanced polymer gripping surface as Dark Parts’ standard non-vented "super-grip" rail covers. All Dark Parts …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com The U.S. Army is developing new thermobaric munitions for their BDM(Bunker Defeat Munition) and M203 grenade launchers, and ultimately for the XM29/OICW(Objective Individual Combat Weapon) as well. This is a long time coming. The Russian army has been using thermobaric light support weapons since its Soviet/Iron Curtain days. The Russian RPO-A Shmel is a perfect example. …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com DefRev recently published a story on the Arms Tech Compak-16 subcarbine, which contained a video clip of DefRev editor-in-chief David Crane firing the weapon. The story was titled "Arms Tech Compak-16 Subcarbine at SWAT Round-Up 2002. First Time Video!". DefRev now has pics of the Compak-16 sales brochure. Click here to view the front page of …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com This company has just come across DefRev’s radar. Troy Industries, Inc. appears to be a specialized small arms manufacturer with a specific focus on Special Operations applications and the CQB (Close Quarters Battle) role. According to the company, the Rock SOPMOD (Special Operations Peculiar Modification) M14 Commando Carbine has been designed under contract for the Naval …

DefRev just found this company on the web. Stavatti is an Aerospace Defense Prime Contractor that "is engaged in the design, qualification, production, distribution, service and total system support of new and original: fighters, sportplanes, tactical and strategic reconnaissance platforms, high performance corporate transports, heavy-lift theater transports, bombers, strike aircraft, launch vehicles and additional advanced aerospace vehicles." Apparently, they make …

This just came in to us from a friend of Defense Review, whom we trust. The situation is this: a friend of a friend of ours is in some serious medical trouble, and needs some financial help. If you click on the "Read More" hypertext below, you can read the letter that fully explains the situation. Of course, our members …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com A little over a year ago, I wrote a story on the Arms Tech Recon Rifle. Well, in early November 2002, I got to shoot Arm’s Tech’s Compak-16 select-fire subcarbine/SBR (Short-Barreled Rifle), which is basically a shortened version of the Recon Rifle. I actually had a lot of fun shooting ths gun. Ideally, I would have …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com Barrett Firearms Manufacturing, Inc. has just come out with their 25mm "Payload Rifle". The new Payload Rifle is basically a modified Barrett M82A1 Light .50 antimateriel rifle. The new offering utilizes a replacement upper receiver with a shorter barrel (17.5 inches) mounted on a slightly modified M82A1 lower receiver. The 25x59Bmm round the Payload Rifle fires …

This is an interesting story about Night Vision/IR(Thermal) Fusion technology being deveoped for the U.S. Army. It was written by Sandra Erwin for "National Defense" Magazine, which is published by NDIA(National Defense Industrial Association). "National Defense" is an excellent publication, by the way. Click here to go to the story.

The U.S. Army is looking to significantly increase the lethality of its infantry forces. This involves not only modernizing its combat vehicles, but also the individual soldiers themselves. The Objective Force Warrior (OFW) program is designed to do just that. Here are whole bunch of great…links to info and stories about the program and the two LTI’s(Lead Technology Integrators) competing …