19 Oct 25. Kawasaki in talks to develop Taurus missile engines, sources say.
- Firms signed MoU on project earlier this year, sources say
- Latest deal to show Japan’s retreat from decades of pacifism
- Germany seeking parliamentary approval to modernise Taurus
- Ukraine has repeatedly requested Taurus for use in war
Japan’s Kawasaki Heavy Industries is in talks to co-develop new engines for Germany’s Taurus cruise missiles, two sources familiar with the matter said, another potentially significant step in Tokyo’s retreat from decades of pacifism. The Japanese contractor signed a memorandum of understanding on the project on the sidelines of a defence show in Tokyo in May, said the sources, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue. (Source: Reuters)
15 Oct 25. BAE Systems’ Scorpio-XR Extended Range Artillery Projectile Strikes a Decisive Blow. With multiple shots significantly exceeding recent test objective requirements by guiding to and impacting the target, Scorpio-XR demonstrated its compatibility with 155mm 52-caliber Joint Ballistics Memorandum of Understanding howitzers. BAE Systems and the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center (DEVCOM AC) successfully tested the Scorpio-XR artillery projectile from a 155mm howitzer. With multiple shots significantly exceeding test objective requirements by guiding to and impacting the target, the tests demonstrated the compatibility of the Scorpio-XR rounds with 155mm 52-caliber Joint Ballistics Memorandum of Understanding howitzers.
“We continue to push the boundaries of precision in long-range artillery systems and will continue to build on this success and explore the full potential of how this technology will impact the future of artillery systems,” said Jason Casciotti, program director for Combat Systems Development at BAE Systems. “The successful demonstration of the Scorpio-XR rounds is a major achievement for the program, and we’re proud of the progress we’ve made.”
This major program milestone shows BAE Systems’ ability to partner with the Army to advance guided-projectile technology to deliver key innovations at the round. When combined with advanced sensors, the Scorpio-XR will have the ability to achieve precision at ranges more than doubling existing cannon artillery munitions and improve lethality of division-level 155mm artillery weapon systems in contested environments. Formerly referred to as the XM1155-SC, the advanced long-range precision fires munition is now known as Scorpio-XR – a name that reflects its enhanced capability, extended range, and lethality overmatch for the U.S. Army brigade and division artillery units. Previously, the Scorpio-XR has successfully guided to and engaged targets at record setting distances from a variety of 155mm artillery weapon systems ranging from 39-caliber up to 58-caliber. (Source: ASD Network)
13 Oct 25. Solugen, a Texas-based chemical manufacturer pioneering scalable domestic production of critical materials for defense and industrial applications, today announced a partnership with American Rheinmetall Munitions (ARM), a leading U.S. provider of innovative munitions technologies headquartered in Vienna, VA. Together, the companies will expand the availability of affordable, U.S.-made energetics. The collaboration brings together Solugen’s ability to lower the cost and improve the availability of critical energetics inputs with ARM’s proven capacity to integrate those materials into advanced munitions and deliver them to the warfighter. The companies will reinforce the resilience of the U.S. defense industrial base and ensure that affordability and availability remain central to America’s overmatch advantage. This partnership highlights ARM’s role as an early mover in adopting new solutions while underscoring Solugen’s broader commitment to work across the defense ecosystem—helping primes, integrators, and the government alike secure affordable, CONUS-based supply chains for energetics.
“Our collaboration with Solugen enhances the scalability and speed at which we can deliver advanced energetics, while driving down cost. It’s a strategic step that strengthens the U.S. defense industrial base and ensures critical technologies reach the Warfighter faster,” Gary Goodwin, CEO, American Rheinmetall Munitions.
“Solugen is committed to helping the defense community secure resilient, U.S.-based supply chains while bending the cost curve for next-gen energetics,” said Sean Hunt, PhD, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Solugen. “By collaborating with ARM—and with other leaders across the sector—we’re building pathways that make advanced energetics more affordable and more accessible for America’s defense.”
In parallel, Solugen continues its important work under the Department of War’s Distributed Bioindustrial Manufacturing Program (DBIMP), where it was awarded a contract to advance bioindustrial manufacturing capabilities and scale up critical defense-relevant molecules. This program directly complements Solugen’s partnership with ARM by ensuring resilient, domestic production of precursors that feed into advanced energetics. Solugen and ARM will share more about their collaboration and sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to make the partnership official at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday October 14, at 9am on the American Rheinmetall booth #1339. Visitors are welcome to engage with the team to learn more on site.
About Solugen
Solugen is a Texas-based chemical manufacturer pioneering scalable, domestic production of critical materials for defense and industrial applications. By making energetics inputs more cost-effective and more available, Solugen strengthens CONUS supply chains and supports faster adoption of advanced energetics across the defense sector.
About American Rheinmetall Munitions
American Rheinmetall Munitions is a leading U.S. provider of innovative munitions technologies, offering advancements in lethality with next-generation weapon systems. Headquartered in Vienna, Virginia, with production facilities in Camden, Arkansas, and Windham, Maine, ARM integrates advanced energetics into munitions to provide sustained overmatch for the U.S. Warfighter. (Source: PR Newswire)
13 Oct 25. General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) announced the successful test of its Long Range Maneuvering Projectile (LRMP) at the U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground, achieving key flight milestones when fired from a M777 howitzer platform. During the August test, GA-EMS fired multiple LRMP rounds using M231 powder charges, demonstrating sabot separation, de-spin stabilization, wing deployment and controlled descent. The LRMP is a next-generation munition engineered to extend the range and precision of existing 155mm artillery systems. Equipped with deployable aerodynamic control surfaces and onboard guidance, it can actively maneuver in flight to engage targets at extended distances—even in GPS-denied or degraded environments. Recent test flights matched predictive models and yielded valuable data to support upcoming demonstrations at significantly increased ranges.
“This milestone reflects our commitment to delivering disruptive technologies for precision artillery,” said Scott Forney, president of GA-EMS. “As the U.S. faces rising threats from near-peer adversaries and increasingly contested environments, affordable, mass-produced artillery is critical. LRMP meets that need while proving its ability to perform in extreme conditions and reshape long-range firepower.”
GA-EMS continues to lead in the development of electromagnetic systems, hypersonics and precision-guided munitions. The LRMP platform supports modernization goals across multiple services and offers a scalable, field-proven solution for future battlefield applications.
About General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems
General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) develops innovative technologies to create breakthrough solutions supporting operational environments from undersea to space. From electromagnetic, power generation and energy storage systems and space systems and satellites, to hypersonic, missile defense, and laser weapon systems, GA-EMS offers an expanding portfolio of capabilities for defense, government, and national security customers. GA-EMS also provides commercial products and services targeting hazardous waste remediation, oil and gas, and nuclear energy industries. For further information, visit www.ga.com/ems
14 Oct 25. Global Military Products (GMP), a wholly owned subsidiary of Global Ordnance Holdings, announced today the signing of a strategic teaming agreement with Hanwha Aerospace to jointly pursue future U.S. Department of Defense opportunities in ammunition and energetics production.
“This partnership represents a significant step toward strengthening the domestic defense industrial base,” said Jeff Brunozzi, President of Global Ordnance Holdings. “By aligning
GMP’s U.S. program management and manufacturing expertise with Hanwha’s advanced energetics and munitions technologies, we are positioned to bring cutting-edge ,capabilities to the U.S. Army and allied forces.”
Under the agreement, GMP and Hanwha intend to pursue operating contracts and establish new energetics and munitions technologies. The collaboration will focus on developing next-generation energetics, propellants, and ammunition components to support Army modernization efforts and ensure resilient, scalable U.S. manufacturing for critical munitions.
“Hanwha is committed to expanding our presence in the U.S. defense market through meaningful industrial partnerships,” said Mike Smith, President & CEO of Hanwha Defense USA. “Together with GMP, we aim to strengthen supply chain resilience and deliver advanced munitions solutions that enhance the readiness and capability of U.S. and allied forces.”
This agreement underscores GMP’s continued growth as a trusted U.S. defense partner It reflects the company’s long-term commitment to revitalizing domestic ammunition and energetics production infrastructure in support of the Army’s modernization priorities.
www.global-ordnance.com
13 Oct 25. American Rheinmetall Munitions and Solugen to Formalize Partnership to Make Innovative, Advanced American Energetics More Affordable American Rheinmetall Munitions, a leading U.S. provider of innovative munitions technologies headquartered in Vienna, VA, announced today that they will partner with Solugen, a Texas-based chemical manufacturer pioneering scalable, domestic production of critical materials for defense and industrial applications, to expand the availability of new and affordable, U.S.-made energetics to support faster adoption of advanced energetics across the defense sector. The collaboration brings together Solugen’s ability to lower the cost and improve the availability of critical energetics inputs with American Rheinmetall Munitions proven capacity to integrate those materials into advanced munitions and deliver them to the Warfighter at scale. Together, the companies will reinforce the resilience of the U.S. defense industrial base to ensure that affordability and availability remain central to America’s overmatch advantage. This partnership highlights American Rheinmetall Munitions’ role as an early mover in adopting new solutions while underscoring Solugen’s broader commitment to work across the defense ecosystem—helping primes, integrators, and the Department of War alike secure affordable, U.S.-based supply chains. “Our collaboration with Solugen enhances the scalability and speed at which we can deliver advanced energetics, while driving down cost. It’s a strategic step that strengthens the U.S. defense industrial base and ensures critical technologies reach the Warfighter faster,” said Gary Goodwin, CEO, American Rheinmetall Munitions. “Solugen is committed to helping the defense community secure resilient, U.S. based supply chains while bending the cost curve for next-gen energetics,” said Sean Hunt, PhD, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Solugen. “By collaborating with American Rheinmetall Munitions —and with other leaders across the sector—we’re building pathways that make advanced energetics more affordable and more accessible for America’s defense.” American Rheinmetall Munitions and Solugen shared more about their collaboration and sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to make the partnership official at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) .